The Boy Allies Under the Sea | Page 9

there was not a spot
in the river with which he was not familiar.
"Whew!" said Jack, as he turned about to shield his face from the icy
spray. "This is what I call taking a long chance, if you ask me."
"I should say so," replied Frank, raising his voice to a shout to make
himself heard above the sound of the whistling wind. "Wonder how
long we are going to keep this up?"
"Don't know," responded Jack. "But I don't feel very comfortable. This
is too fast for me."
"Particularly when you can't see where you are going," Frank agreed.
Both became silent and peered into the intense darkness ahead.
For possibly half an hour the motorboat continued its terrific speed; and
then it slowed down abruptly. The two boys heard Lord Hastings call
them. They felt their way to where he stood by the wheel, for it was
impossible to see.
"Here," said their commander, "take this searchlight and flash it ahead.
See if you can pick up anything."
He passed a small but powerful searchlight to Jack, who again moved

to the bow.
Jack pressed the little button and a tiny but brilliant light flashed over
the water before the boat. There was nothing in sight, so far as the boy
could see.
"Nothing ahead, sir," he reported to Lord Hastings.
"Guess we had better remain about here, anyhow," muttered Lord
Hastings, half to himself.
Although the lads had no idea of the nature of their present mission,
they had asked no questions of their commander. They knew he would
tell them whatever he deemed necessary when the time was ripe; and
until that time they were satisfied to await whatever might transpire.
But one thing the boys had noticed which had given them much food
for thought. In the prow was mounted a small but heavy gun, and a
second one of the same size loomed up formidably astern. Plainly they
were there for a purpose, and Frank and Jack both realized that there
was serious work ahead of them.
Lord Hastings himself had examined both guns carefully and
announced that they were in first-class condition.
"All ready for use," he had said.
And now, although neither lad knew it, the time was fast approaching
when they were to be greatly needed.
Several times in the course of the next hour Lord Hastings ordered Jack
to see what he could pick up ahead; but each time the result had been
the same. There was nothing to disturb the calm peacefulness of the
night.
And then they were spared the need of another look, for there suddenly
loomed up less than a hundred yards ahead a dull-glowing white light.
"To the forward gun, Mr. Templeton," ordered Lord Hastings, thus, for

the first time on this mission, falling into old aboard-ship terms.
Jack sprang forward.
"Man the gun astern."
Frank obeyed this command with alacrity.
Then the two lads awaited developments.
Apparently the craft ahead had not discovered the presence of the
motorboat containing Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank, and a crew of four
men; neither did the distance between the two boats seem to diminish.
The two were not approaching each other.
"Twenty-five knots," came Lord Hastings' command, and the little craft
seemed to leap ahead.
The light ahead drew closer.
"Train your gun on her, Mr. Templeton," ordered Lord Hastings, "and
if I give the command, fire to sink her."
This command was needless, for Jack had already gauged the range and
trained the gun. Nevertheless he replied:
"Yes, sir."
The pursuers now had approached within fifty yards of their quarry,
and still not a sound save an occasional order from Lord Hastings had
broken the stillness of the night. There had been nothing to indicate that
the other boat was even occupied, save the sudden appearance of the
light aboard.
But now, as the pursuers crept even closer, there came a sudden startled
exclamation from ahead; and at the same moment the light disappeared.
"Fire!" cried Lord Hastings.

"Boom!"
Jack had fired the gun.
There was another startled exclamation from ahead.
"Did you hit her?" asked Lord Hastings.
"Think so, sir," replied Jack. "Don't see how I could have missed at that
distance."
"We'll cruise about a bit and see," said Lord Hastings.
He gave the command and the motorboat slowed down.
For half an hour the little craft circled about, but there was no trace of
the other boat. All aboard flashed searchlights about the water, and the
larger light in the bow was turned on, casting a bright ray over the
water.
"They've either gone away or to the bottom, sir," said Frank.
"And I guess it's away," said Lord Hastings. "Jack must have missed."
"Don't see how I could, sir," declared the lad.
"Better let