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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19731-h.zip b/19731-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..19604c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/19731-h.zip diff --git a/19731-h/19731-h.htm b/19731-h/19731-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d4efbd --- /dev/null +++ b/19731-h/19731-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7491 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Under the Ocean to the South Pole, by Roy Rockwood. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + .right {text-align: right;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Under the Ocean to the South Pole, by Roy Rockwood + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Under the Ocean to the South Pole + The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder + +Author: Roy Rockwood + +Release Date: November 7, 2006 [EBook #19731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + + +<h1>UNDER THE OCEAN<br />TO THE SOUTH POLE</h1> + +<h3>Or</h3> + +<h3>The Strange Cruise of the Submarine<br />Wonder</h3> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ROY ROCKWOOD</h2> + +<div class='center'> +AUTHOR OF "THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE," "THE<br /> +RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS," "A SCHOOLBOY'S<br /> +PLUCK," ETC.<br /> +<br /> +<br /><br /> +ILLUSTRATED<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<br />NEW YORK<br />CUPPLES & LEON CO.<br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>GOOD BOOKS FOR BOYS</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">By Roy Rockwood</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>THE GREAT MARVEL SERIES</b></div> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Great Marvel Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or The Wonderful Cruise of the Electric Monarch</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br />Cloth. Illustrated</div></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +Copyright, 1907, by<br /> +<span class="smcap">Cupples & Leon Co.</span><br /> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Under the Ocean to the South Pole</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Will the Ship Work?</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Land of Ice</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Running down a War Ship</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Midst of Fire</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Grave Accusation</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_35'>35</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On a Runaway Trolley</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off for the South Pole</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ashore in the Dark</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_60'>60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Price on Their Heads</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_68'>68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Attacked by a Monster</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Caught in a Sea of Grass</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fire on Board</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ghost of the Submarine</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Digging out the Ship</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Strange Shipwreck</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ghost Again</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_126'>126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Attacked by Savages</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_134'>134</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On Land</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_143'>143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Regaining the Ship</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On a Volcanic Island</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_160'>160</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Caught in a Whirlpool</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_169'>169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Under Fire</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Caught in an Ice Floe</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_185'>185</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ship Graveyard</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_193'>193</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Caught by Sea Suckers</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Land under Ice</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_211'>211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Attacked by an Octupus</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Out of the Ice</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_228'>228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Boiling Water</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_235'>235</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The South Pole—Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>UNDER THE OCEAN<br />TO THE SOUTH POLE</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>WILL THE SHIP WORK?</h3> + + +<p>"Hand me that wrench, Mark," called Professor Amos Henderson to a boy +who stood near some complicated machinery over which the old man was +working. The lad passed the tool over.</p> + +<p>"Do you think the ship will work, Professor?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I hope so, Mark, I hope so," muttered the scientist as he tightened +some bolts on what was perhaps the strangest combination of apparatus +that had ever been put together. "There is no reason why she should not, +and yet—"</p> + +<p>The old man paused. Perhaps he feared that, after all, the submarine +boat on which he had labored continuously for more than a year would be +a failure.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything more I can do now?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Not right away," replied the professor, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>out looking up from the +work he was doing. "But I wish you and Jack would be around in about an +hour. I am going to start the engine then, and I'll need you. If you see +Washington outside send him to me."</p> + +<p>Mark left the big room where the submarine boat had been in process of +construction so long. Outside he met a boy about his own age, who was +cleaning a rifle.</p> + +<p>"How's it going, Mark?" asked this second youth, who was rather fat, +and, if one could judge by his face, of a jolly disposition.</p> + +<p>"The professor is going to try the engine in about an hour," replied +Mark. "We must be on hand."</p> + +<p>"I'll be there all right. But if there isn't anything else to do, let's +shoot at a target. I'll bet I can beat you."</p> + +<p>"Bet you can't. Wait 'till I get my gun."</p> + +<p>"Now don't yo' boys go to disportin' yo'seves in any disproportionable +anticipation ob transposin' dem molecules of lead in a contigious +direction to yo' humble servant!" exclaimed a colored man, coming from +behind the big shed at that moment, and seeing Mark and Jack with their +rifles.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose you mean to say, Washington," remarked Jack, "that you don't +care to be shot at. Is that it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Neber said nuffin truer in all yo' born days!" exclaimed Washington +earnestly. "De infliction ob distress to de exterior portion ob—"</p> + +<p>"The professor wants you," interrupted Mark, cutting off the colored +man's flow of language.</p> + +<p>"Yo' mind what I tole yo'," Washington muttered as he hurried into the +work room.</p> + +<p>Soon the reports of rifles indicated that the boys were trying to +discover who was the best shot, a contest that waged with friendly +interest for some time.</p> + +<p>The big shed, where the submarine ship was being built, was located at a +lonely spot on the coast of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Main'">Maine</ins>. The nearest town was Easton, about +ten miles away, and Professor Henderson had fixed on this location as +one best suited to give him a chance to work secretly and unobserved on +his wonderful invention.</p> + +<p>The professor was a man about sixty-five years old, and, while of simple +and kindly nature in many ways, yet, on the subjects of airships and +submarines, he possessed a fund of knowledge. He was somewhat queer, as +many persons may be who devote all their thoughts to one object, yet he +was a man of fine character.</p> + +<p>Some time before this story opens he had invented an electric airship in +which he, with Mark Sampson, Jack Darrow and the colored man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +Washington White, had made a trip to the frozen north.</p> + +<p>Their adventures on that journey are told of in the first volume of this +series, entitled, "Through the Air to the North Pole, or, The Wonderful +Cruise of the <i>Electric Monarch</i>."</p> + +<p>The two boys, Mark then being fifteen and Jack a year older, had met the +professor under peculiar circumstances. They were orphans, and, after +knocking about the world a bit, had chanced to meet each other. They +agreed to seek together such fortune as might chance to come to them.</p> + +<p>While in the town of Freeport, N. Y., they were driven away by a +constable, who said tramps were not allowed in the village. The boys +jumped on a freight train, which broke in two and ran away down the +mountain, and the lads were knocked senseless in the wreck that +followed.</p> + +<p>As it chanced Professor Henderson had erected nearby a big shop, where +he was building his airship. He and Washington were on hand when the +wreck occurred and they took the senseless boys to the airship shed.</p> + +<p>The boys, after their recovery, accepted the invitation of the professor +to go on a search for the north pole. As the airship was about to start +Andy Sudds, an old hunter, and two men, Tom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> Smith and Bill Jones, who +had been called in to assist at the flight, held on too long and were +carried aloft.</p> + +<p>Somewhat against their will the three latter made the trip, for the +professor did not want to return to earth with them.</p> + +<p>The party had many adventures on the voyage, having to fight savage +animals and more savage Esquimaux. They reached the north pole, but in +the midst of such a violent storm that the ship was overturned, and the +discovery of the long-sought goal availed little. After many hardships, +and a fierce fight to recover the possession of the ship, which had been +seized by natives, the adventurers reached home.</p> + +<p>Since then a little over a year had passed. The professor, having found +he could successfully navigate the air, turned his attention to the +water, and began to plan a craft that would sail beneath the ocean.</p> + +<p>To this end he had moved his machine shop to this lonely spot on the +Maine coast. The two boys, who had grown no less fond of the old man +than he of them, went with him, as did Washington White, the negro, who +was a genius in his way, though somewhat inclined to use big words, of +the meaning of which he knew little and cared less.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>Andy Sudds, the old hunter, had also been induced to accompany the +professor.</p> + +<p>"I hunted game up north and in the air," said Andy, "and if there's a +chance to shoot something under the water I'm the one to do it."</p> + +<p>Needing more assistance than either the boys, Andy or Washington could +give, the professor had engaged two young machinists, who, under a +strict promise never to divulge any of the secrets of the submarine, had +labored in its building.</p> + +<p>Now the queer craft was almost finished. As it rested on the ways in the +shed, it looked exactly like a big cigar, excepting that the top part +was level, forming a platform.</p> + +<p>The ship, which had been named the <i>Porpoise</i>, was eighty feet long, and +twenty feet in diameter at the largest part. From that it tapered +gradually, until the ends were reached. These consisted of flattened +plates about three feet in diameter, with a hole in the center one foot +in size.</p> + +<p>Weary months of labor had been spent on the <i>Porpoise</i>, until now it was +almost ready for a trial. The professor had discovered a new method of +propulsion. Instead of propellers or paddle-wheels, he intended to send +his craft ahead or to the rear, by means of a water cable.</p> + +<p>Through the entire length of the ship ran a round hole or shaft, one +foot in diameter. Within<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> this was an endless screw worked by powerful +engines. With a working model the professor had demonstrated that when +the endless screw was revolved it acted on the water just as another +sort of screw does in wood. The water coming in through the shaft served +as a rope, so to speak, and the screw, acting on it, pulled the craft +ahead or to the rear, according to the direction in which the screw was +revolved.</p> + +<p>The submarine was a wonderful craft. It contained a powerful engine, +electric motors and dynamos, and machinery of all kinds. The engine was +a turbine, and steam was generated from heat furnished by the burning of +a powerful gas, manufactured from sea water and chemicals. So there was +no need to carry a supply of coal on the ship.</p> + +<p>The interior of the vessel was divided into an engine-room, a kitchen, +combination dining-room and parlor, bunk rooms, and a conning tower, or +place for the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stearsman'">steersman</ins>.</p> + +<p>While the boys had been shooting at the target the professor and +Washington had been putting the finishing touches to the engine, +tightening nuts here and screwed up bolts there.</p> + +<p>"I guess that will do," remarked the old inventor. "Call the boys, +Washington."</p> + +<p>The colored man went to the door and gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> three blasts on a battered +horn that hung from a string.</p> + +<p>"Coming!" called Mark, as he and Jack ceased their marksmanship contest +and approached the shed.</p> + +<p>"Now boys, we'll see if she works so far," said the professor. "If she +does, we'll give her a trial under water."</p> + +<p>At the inventor's directions the boys started the gas to generating from +the chemicals. Soon the hissing of steam told them that there was power +in the boiler.</p> + +<p>The professor entered the engine-room of the submarine. He looked over +the various wheels, levers, handles, gages and attachments, satisfying +himself that all were in proper shape and position.</p> + +<p>"Three hundred pounds pressure," he muttered, glancing at the steam +indicator. "That ought to be enough. Are you all ready, boys?"</p> + +<p>"All ready!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>Of course the test was only one to see if the engine worked, for the +boat could not move until in the water.</p> + +<p>The professor opened a valve. The steam filled the turbine with a hiss +and throb. The <i>Porpoise</i> trembled. Then, with a cough and splutter of +the exhaust pipes, the engine started. Slowly it went at first, but, as +the professor admitted more steam,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> it revolved the long screw until it +fairly hummed in the shaft.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! It works!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>"It does!" chimed in Jack.</p> + +<p>"Gollyation! She suttinly am goin'!" yelled Washington.</p> + +<p>"I think we may say it is a success," said the professor calmly, yet +there was a note of exultation in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Now that you've got her started, when are you goin' to put her in the +water an' scoot along under the waves?" asked Andy Sudds.</p> + +<p>"In about a week," replied the professor.</p> + +<p>"And where are you goin' to head for?" went on the hunter.</p> + +<p>"We're going under the ocean to the south pole!" exclaimed the inventor, +as he shut off the engine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>A LAND OF ICE</h3> + + +<p>"The south pole?" exclaimed Mark.</p> + +<p>"Way down dat way!" cried Washington.</p> + +<p>"Can you do it?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen," replied the professor, answering them all at +once. "I'm going to try, at any rate."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" yelled Mark. "It will be better than going to the north pole, +for we will be in no danger of freezing to death."</p> + +<p>"Don't be so sure of that," interrupted the professor. "There is more +ice at the south pole than at the north, according to all accounts. It +is a place of great icebergs, immense floes and cold fogs. But there is +land beyond the ice, I believe, and I am going to try to find it."</p> + +<p>"It will be a longer voyage than to the north pole," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Jest de same," argued Washington, "de poles am at each end ob de +world."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we're quite a way north of the equator now, and we'll have to +cross that before we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> will be half way to the south pole," explained +Jack. "But I guess the <i>Porpoise</i> can make good time."</p> + +<p>"If the engine behaves under water as well as it did just now, we'll +skim along," said the professor.</p> + +<p>"And so you figure there's land down there to the south, do you?" asked +old Andy.</p> + +<p>"I do," replied the inventor. "I can't prove it, but I'm sure there is. +I have read all the accounts of other explorers and from the signs they +mention I am positive we shall find land if we ever get there. Land and +an open sea."</p> + +<p>"And other things as well," muttered Andy, yet neither he nor any of +them dreamed of the terrible and strange adventures they were to have.</p> + +<p>The next few days were busy ones. Many little details remained to +perfect in connection with the ship, and a lot of supplies and +provisions had to be purchased, for the professor was determined to get +all in readiness for the trip under the water. He believed firmly that +his ship would work, though some of the others were not so positive.</p> + +<p>"We'll put her into the water to-morrow," announced the inventor after +supper one night. "Everything is complete as far as I can make it, and +the only thing remaining is to see if she will float, sink when I want +her to, and, what is most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> important, rise to the surface again. For," +he added with a twinkle in his eye, "anybody can make a ship that will +sink, but it isn't every one who can make one that will come to the +surface again."</p> + +<p>"Golly! I hope dis chile ain't goin' to git in no subicecream ship +what'll stay down under de water so de fishes gits him!" exclaimed +Washington, opening his eyes wide. "Dat's worser dan freezin!"</p> + +<p>"Can't you swim?" asked Mark with a wink at Jack.</p> + +<p>"Co'se I can swim, boy. I can swim like a starfish, but I can't wif ten +thousand tons of a subicecream ship on my back."</p> + +<p>"A sub-ice-cream ship is a new one," commented the professor with a +smile. "It's a submarine, Washington."</p> + +<p>"I can't see no difference," persisted the colored man. "Subicecream am +good enough for me."</p> + +<p>That night Mark and Jack were thinking so much of the proposed test of +the ship the next day that they each dreamed they were sailing beneath +the waves, and Jack woke Mark up by grabbing him about the neck during a +particularly vivid part of the vision.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" inquired Mark, sleepily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I thought the ship turned over and spilled me out and I was drowning," +explained Jack. "I grabbed the first thing I got hold of and it happened +to be you."</p> + +<p>"Well, as long as you're safe you can go to sleep again," said Mark. "I +dreamed I was chasing a whale with the <i>Porpoise</i>."</p> + +<p>The boys were up early the next morning, and found the professor and +Washington before them. The inventor was inspecting the track which had +been built from the shed down to the water's edge to enable the +<i>Porpoise</i> to slide into the ocean.</p> + +<p>With him were the two machinists, Henry Watson and James Penson. They +had been busy since daylight making the ways secure.</p> + +<p>"She goes in after breakfast," announced the professor, "and I'm going +to let you christen her, Washington."</p> + +<p>"Me? I neber christened a ship," objected the colored man.</p> + +<p>"Nothing like learning," remarked Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Has you got the bottle ob wine?" asked Washington.</p> + +<p>"I guess soda water will do," said the inventor. "Now look sharp, boys. +Get your breakfasts and we'll see if the ship will come up to our +expectations."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>No one lingered over the meal. When it was finished the professor gave +Washington a few instructions about breaking the bottle over the nose of +the <i>Porpoise</i> as she slid down to the water, for there was no bow to +such a queerly shaped vessel as the submarine.</p> + +<p>At last all was in readiness. The two machinists knocked away the last +of the retaining blocks and eased the ship slightly down the +well-greased timbers of the ways.</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" cried the professor. "Break the bottle, Washington!"</p> + +<p>"In de name ob de Stars an' Stripes, in de name of liberty, de home of +the free an' de land ob de brave, I names yo' <i>Mrs. Porpoise!</i>" cried +the colored man, but he was so long getting the words out, and so slow +in swinging the bottle of soda, that the ship was quite beyond his reach +when he had finished his oration. He was not to be outdone, however, +and, with a quick movement he hurled the bottle at the moving ship. It +struck the blunt nose squarely, and shivered to pieces.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for de south pole!" yelled Washington, and the others +joined in.</p> + +<p>The next instant the <i>Porpoise</i> was riding the waves of the little bay, +dancing about as lightly as a cork, though, from the nature of her +construction, she was quite low in the water, only about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> three feet of +freeboard showing where the platform was located.</p> + +<p>"Well, she floats, anyhow," remarked the professor. "Row out and fasten +cables fore and aft," he went on, turning to the two machinists. In a +few minutes the <i>Porpoise</i> was fastened to a small dock with strong +ropes the two young men had carried out to her in rowboats.</p> + +<p>"We will go aboard in a little while," the professor said. "I am anxious +to see if she rides on an even keel and how the sinking tanks work."</p> + +<p>Aided by the boys, he and Washington carried on board a number of tools +and appliances. Then, with the two machinists, they all descended into +the interior of the craft through the small manhole in the middle of the +deck or platform.</p> + +<p>Inside the <i>Porpoise</i>, the greater part of which was below the surface +of the waves and consequently in darkness, the professor switched on the +electric lights and then he proceeded to get up steam.</p> + +<p>The propelling power of the craft has already been described. In order +to make the ship sink beneath the water all that was necessary was to +incline the rudder and open certain valves in the four tanks, when the +water, rushing in, would sink her. There was a tank on either side, and +one each fore and aft. If it was desired to sink<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> straight down all four +tanks were filled at once. If the professor wanted to descend slanting +either to the front or back, only one of the end tanks was filled, +according to the direction desired. The deflecting rudder also aided +greatly in this movement.</p> + +<p>To cause the ship to rise the tanks were emptied of the water by means +of powerful pumps. The filling of the tanks, as well as the emptying of +them, the starting or stopping of the engine that moved the boat, as +well as the control of most of the important machinery on the craft +could be accomplished from the conning or <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stearing'">steering</ins> tower, as well as +from the engine-room.</p> + +<p>There were numerous gages to tell the depth to which the ship had sunk, +the steam pressure, density of the water, and other necessary details.</p> + +<p>There were dynamos to make light, motors to run the pumps, and a great +storage battery, so that in case of a breakdown to the turbine engine +the craft could be run entirely by electricity for a time.</p> + +<p>The cooking was all done by this useful current, and all that was +necessary to make a cup of coffee or fry a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'beeksteak'">beefsteak</ins> was to turn a small +switch of the electric stove.</p> + +<p>The professor was busy over the machine for generating gas, that +furnished the heat to create steam. Soon a hissing told that it was +working.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> In a few minutes the hum and throb of the engine told that it +was ready to start.</p> + +<p>"We are only going down a little way," the professor said, "and only +going to travel a short distance under water for the first time. I think +there is no danger, but if any of you want to back out, now is your +chance."</p> + +<p>No one seemed inclined to withdraw, though Mark said afterward he +thought Washington got as pale as it is possible for a colored man to +get.</p> + +<p>"We will all put on life preservers," the inventor went on, "and one of +you will be stationed near the emergency exit. In case anything goes +wrong, and I cannot make the ship rise, by pulling the lever the top of +the craft will be forced off, and, we can at least save our lives. I +think we are all ready now. Mark, you clamp down the manhole cover, and +Jack, after you close the conning tower station yourself at the +emergency lever after we have donned the life preservers."</p> + +<p>The cork jackets were adjusted and Mark clamped the manhole cover on. +The professor took one last look at the various levers and handles, and +then turned the wheel that admitted water to all four tanks. There was a +hissing sound as the sea water rushed in, and the <i>Porpoise</i> gave a +sudden lurch.</p> + +<p>Then they could all feel the submarine sinking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> Down and down she went. +Would she ever stop? Would the professor be able to raise her again? +There were questions that troubled everyone.</p> + +<p>Down and down the craft sunk, until by the gage it was indicated that +she was twenty feet below the surface. Then the professor shut off the +inrush of water and the <i>Porpoise</i> floated away below the surface of the +waves.</p> + +<p>There was a clicking sound and all the lights went out. The boys and +Washington gave a gasp of terror. What did the sudden blackness mean.</p> + +<p>"Open the side windows," called the professor's voice, and the two +machinists obeyed. Heavy steel doors that covered plate glass windows in +either side of the craft were pulled back, and a cry of astonishment +broke from the boys.</p> + +<p>They looked out and saw staring in at them, so close it seemed that they +could touch them, scores of fishes that looked in through the glass +bull's-eyes.</p> + +<p>For the first time they realized that they were in the depths of the +ocean.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>RUNNING DOWN A WARSHIP</h3> + + +<p>"How do you like it?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"Great!" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>"It am simply coslostrousness!" exploded Washington. "'Nebber in all my +born days did I eber expansionate on such a sight!"</p> + +<p>"Wish I had a fishing pole and line," remarked Andy Sudds. "There's some +pretty nice <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'speciments'">specimens</ins> out there."</p> + +<p>"You'll see better ones than those before we finish our trip to the +pole," remarked the professor. "Now we will try moving forward. I am +going into the conning tower."</p> + +<p>He turned on the lights once more, but the boys begged him to shut them +off, as they could see out into the ocean when the interior of the ship +was in darkness. So the professor obliged them.</p> + +<p>In the tower he switched on the powerful searchlight that illuminated +the path in front of him. Then he started the engine, slowly at first, +and gradually increasing the speed. The <i>Porpoise</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> forged ahead, riding +as evenly as an ordinary ship does on the surface.</p> + +<p>The professor <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'steared'">steered</ins> her about in a large circle, bringing her back to +the starting point. She worked as smoothly as if she had been used to +under-water service for years.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the inventor, "we will see if we can go up to the surface +again," and there came a little note of anxiety into his voice. He +slowed down the engine and started the powerful pumps that were to empty +the tanks. For a moment there was a feeling of terror in the hearts of +all. Would the pumps work?</p> + +<p>Then, slowly but surely, those aboard the <i>Porpoise</i> felt her beginning +to rise. Up and up she went as the tanks were emptied and the ship +lightened.</p> + +<p>Then, with a bounce like a rubber ball, the submarine shot upward to the +surface and lay undulating on the waves caused by her emergence from the +depths.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Jack. "We're all right!"</p> + +<p>"We shore am!" exclaimed Washington.</p> + +<p>"It's a success!" Professor Henderson almost whispered. "The pumps +worked. The <i>Porpoise</i> has fulfilled my greatest expectations!"</p> + +<p>Then he steered the ship back to the dock, where she was moored, and the +adventurers disembarked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"One or two little details to attend to, and we'll be ready for the +great trip," remarked the professor. "I want to give her a little harder +trial before I trust her, though she seems to be first-rate."</p> + +<p>They all went back to the combined machine shop and cabin, where they +had lived during the building of the submarine. Dinner was prepared and, +after the meal the two machinists approached the professor.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you need us any more," remarked Henry Watson. "The ship +is finished as far as we can do anything, and we may as well leave now. +We have an offer to go to work in an electrical shop."</p> + +<p>"I haven't said much to you about my plans," the professor replied, "but +if you would like to remain in my employ, I can promise you an +interesting trip."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but I prefer to work above ground," said James Pensen. "You +have been very kind to us, and we would do anything we could for, but we +don't want to take any long under-ocean trips if we can help it."</p> + +<p>"Very well," answered the professor, though he seemed disappointed. "I +will pay you what I owe you and you can go."</p> + +<p>For some time after the departure of the two young machinists the +inventor seemed worried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did you count on them staying with you?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I rather hoped they would," replied Mr. Henderson. "We need two more +hands if we are to make the trip. They need not be machinists, but we +will have to have someone, and I don't like to get strangers. They might +talk too much about the ship."</p> + +<p>At that instant there came a rap on the door. Washington answered it.</p> + +<p>"Yas sir, Perfesser Henderson done lib here," he replied, in answer to a +question from some one. "But he am bery busy jest at de present +occasioness an' he'll be most extremely discommodated if yo' obtrude yo' +presence on him at de conglomeration ob de statutory limitations, which +am to say right now. Come again!"</p> + +<p>"It's the same old Washington!" said someone outside, laughing heartily. +"Just you tell the professor we want to see him most particular."</p> + +<p>At the sound of the voice the professor started and Mark and Jack +wondered where they had heard it before.</p> + +<p>"Show the gentlemen in, Washington," called the inventor.</p> + +<p>"Dere's two ob 'em," objected the colored man.</p> + +<p>"Show them both in, then."</p> + +<p>Washington opened the door of the cabin, and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> came two men, who +seemed much amused over something.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?" asked the professor, in rather a sharp voice.</p> + +<p>"He don't know us either, Tom," remarked the taller of the two.</p> + +<p>"If it ain't Bill Jones and Tom Smith!" exclaimed Andy Sudds. "Wa'al +I'll be horn swoggled. Where'd ye come from?"</p> + +<p>"Right from the farm," replied Bill. "And we've had a hard job locating +you. I guess Washington didn't know us since we raised beards," and Bill +stroked his wealth of brown whiskers.</p> + +<p>"And I guess we sort of fooled the professor," went on Bill, "eh, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Right!" said Tom. "You see," he went on, "the farming business is +almost over, as its coming on fall now, so Bill and I thought it would +be a good time to hunt up the professor. We heard he was down in this +neighborhood so we come by easy stages. We didn't have any time to stop +and make our toilets, hence our beards."</p> + +<p>"You've come at the right time," remarked the inventor, as he came +forward to welcome the two young men. "Do you remember the trip you made +with me to the north pole?"</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll not forget it in a hurry," replied Bill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what made us hunt you up," put in Tom. "We hoped you might have +something similar on foot."</p> + +<p>"I have," answered the inventor.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"A trip under the ocean!"</p> + +<p>For an instant the two young men hesitated. It was a new proposition to +them. Yet they recalled that they had come safely back from the journey +through the air.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to go along as part of the crew?" asked the inventor, after +some further conversation.</p> + +<p>"You can count on me!" cried Bill.</p> + +<p>"And if Bill goes I'll go too!" exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Under the seas or over the seas, it'll <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word missing in original text">be</ins> all one to us if Professor +Henderson sails the ship!" went on Bill. "We'll go!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" ejaculated the professor. "You certainly came at just the right +time."</p> + +<p>As Tom Smith and Bill Jones were hungry a hasty meal was prepared for +them, during the eating of which they told of their experiences since +landing from the airship. They had been on a farm until fired with a +desire to go roving once more.</p> + +<p>For the next few days the professor, the boys, and the other four were +busy making some im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>provements to the <i>Porpoise</i>. Tom and Bill were much +astonished at their first sight of the queer craft, but they soon became +accustomed to her, and said they preferred her to the airship.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow we are going on a little longer trip than our first trial," +announced the inventor one evening. "We will be gone all day if nothing +happens to make the stay more lengthy," he added grimly. "So, +Washington, put plenty to eat aboard."</p> + +<p>A little later, when supplies had been put on the <i>Porpoise</i>, and the +machinery well overhauled, the professor explained that he intended +making a trip, entirely under water, from the dock in the cove to a +point off the Massachusetts coast and return.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning all were aboard. To each one was assigned a +particular station. Washington, with Mark as an assistant, was in the +engine-room. Jack was to watch the various gages and registers to give +warning of any danger. The professor, of course, would be in the conning +tower and operate the craft. Andy was to be with him, to watch out, with +his sharp eyes, for any danger that might loom up in the path of the +searchlight. Tom and Bill were to be ready to help where needed.</p> + +<p>With a hissing sound the water filled the tanks and the <i>Porpoise</i> sunk +beneath the waves. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> engine that worked the endless screw was +started, and the threads, working on the water cable, shot the boat +ahead.</p> + +<p>"We're off!" yelled Washington.</p> + +<p>About sixty feet below the surface the craft was sent along. Mile after +mile was covered as shown by the patent log. The lights were turned off, +and through the thick plate glass windows the strange inhabitants of the +sea were observed.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go a little nearer the surface," said the professor to +Andy. The inventor started the pumps that emptied the tanks. The craft +rose slightly.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Stop her!" shouted the old hunter, grasping the captain's arm.</p> + +<p>Something black, like a grim shadow, loomed up in the dull glare of the +searchlight.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried the professor.</p> + +<p>"We're goin' to hit somethin' hard!" yelled Andy.</p> + +<p>"It's the hull of a ship!" exclaimed the inventor as he jammed the +reversing lever hard over.</p> + +<p>It was too late. The next instant the <i>Porpoise</i>, with a shock that made +her shiver from stem to stern, collided with the steel side of a small +warship.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE MIDST OF FIRE</h3> + + +<p>"Pull the secondary emergency lever!" cried the professor through the +speaking tube to Washington. "We must reach the surface at once!"</p> + +<p>"Are we damaged?" asked Andy, scrambling to his feet, for the shock had +knocked him down. The professor had not fallen because he clung to the +steering wheel.</p> + +<p>The ship gave a sudden lurch.</p> + +<p>"We're sinking!" cried Bill, rushing to the conning tower from the +engine-room.</p> + +<p>"That's only the action of one of the emergency levers," said the +professor calmly. "It forces compressed air into the tanks the more +quickly to empty them of water. I think we are safe."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mark, as, followed by Jack, he came forward.</p> + +<p>"We tried to do the torpedo act to one of Uncle Sam's ships," explained +Andy.</p> + +<p>The electric lights had been switched on, and, with the <i>Porpoise</i> +flooded with the bright beams,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> those on board waited anxiously for what +was to happen next.</p> + +<p>Suddenly an upward motion was experienced. The next instant the craft +bounced out of the water and fell back in a smother of foam, shaking and +shivering, alongside a small armored warship that was anchored about two +miles and a half from shore.</p> + +<p>"Open the manhole," commanded Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 267px;"> +<img src="images/033.jpg" width="267" height="400" alt="A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE WARSHIP.—Page 28." title="A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE WARSHIP.—Page 28." /> +<span class="caption">A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE WARSHIP.—Page 28.</span> +</div> + +<p>Mark sprang up the iron ladder that led to the opening in the deck of +the <i>Porpoise</i> and threw back the cams that held the heavy iron in +place. Then he swung the cover back and stepped out on the small +platform, followed by the professor, Andy and Jack. They looked up to +find themselves observed by a curious throng that crowded to the rail of +the warship.</p> + + + +<p>"What are you trying to do? Ram me with a new-fangled torpedo?" asked an +angry voice, and a man in a gold laced uniform, who, from his importance +plainly showed himself to be the captain of the ship, shook his fist at +Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"I might ask what right your ship has to get in my path," replied the +inventor. "It was all an accident."</p> + +<p>"Mighty queer," muttered the naval commander. "Looks very suspicious. +How do I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> but what you're a torpedo from some foreign nation?"</p> + +<p>"Because this is not a torpedo," replied Mr. Henderson. "It is a new +submarine boat of my invention, and I was giving it a trial spin."</p> + +<p>"I guess you'd better come aboard and do your explaining," went on the +captain. "I don't like the looks of things. Lower a boat!" he shouted, +"and bring those chaps to my cabin. I want to question them."</p> + +<p>It did not suit Professor Henderson to have his plans upset in this +fashion. Nor did he care to give a detailed description of his ship to +officers of the war department. He had many valuable inventions that +were not patented. So he determined to outwit the pompous commander of +the cruiser.</p> + +<p>The noise made in preparing the small boat for lowering over the side of +the big ship could be plainly heard.</p> + +<p>"Go below, all of you, and as quietly as you can," whispered Mr. +Henderson.</p> + +<p>Andy, Mark and Jack obeyed. At that instant the side of the warship was +almost deserted, for the sailors who had gathered to observe the +<i>Porpoise</i> had gone to lower the small boat.</p> + +<p>No sooner had Jack, who was in the rear, disappeared through the manhole +than the professor, with a quick jump, followed him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here! Come back!" shouted the warship's captain as he saw Mr. +Henderson's head disappearing from view. "Come back I say!"</p> + +<p>But with a quick movement the inventor pulled down the manhole cover and +clamped it. Then he sprang to the conning tower, and, with a jerk, +opened the levers that admitted water to the tanks. The <i>Porpoise</i> began +to sink slowly, and then more suddenly, so that, in less than a minute, +she was out of sight beneath the waves, and the angry, gold-laced +captain was staring in wonderment at the place where the submarine had +been. The spot was marked only by a few bubbles and some foam.</p> + +<p>"I guess he'll wait some time for an explanation," spoke Mr. Henderson, +as he started the big screw and sent the <i>Porpoise</i> ahead at a swift +pace.</p> + +<p>"That was rather a narrow escape," observed Jack, standing at the foot +of the conning tower stairs and talking to Andy and Mr. Henderson, who +was steering.</p> + +<p>"It certainly was," agreed the professor. "I have not yet become used to +seeing things very far ahead in the dimness caused by being under water. +But we'll soon get used to it. Luckily, the <i>Porpoise</i> was not damaged +by the shock."</p> + +<p>For several hours the <i>Porpoise</i> was kept on her course. She behaved +handsomely, and nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> excepting slight and easily remedied defects +were found. The professor steered well out to sea, increasing both the +forward speed and the depth to which the vessel sank. Presently the +craft came to a stop with a little jolt.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" asked Mark, somewhat alarmed.</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all," replied the professor with a smile, as he stepped out +of the conning tower and entered the engine-room. "I thought it was time +for dinner so I stopped the ship. We are now resting on the ocean bed, +about half a mile below the surface. Look!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke he slid back the slides covering the plate glass windows. +The boys saw that the ship rested in the midst of an immense forest of +sea weed. Some of the stalks were as large around as trees. In and out +among the snake-like, waving branches swam big fishes. It was a weird, +but beautiful sight.</p> + +<p>"Come, Washington, serve dinner," ordered Mr. Henderson, and the colored +man soon had a good meal prepared. Few repasts have been eaten under +such strange circumstances.</p> + +<p>Desiring to be back at his secluded dock by nightfall, Captain Henderson +soon started the <i>Porpoise</i> up again. Without any accidents the return +trip was made and by nine o'clock the <i>Porpoise</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> rode safely at the +dock where she had been <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'lauched'">launched</ins>.</p> + +<p>The night was spent in the cabin on shore. Early the next morning Mr. +Henderson paid a visit to the ship, to make a thorough examination by +daylight, and see if the craft had suffered any damage.</p> + +<p>"I think you and Mark will have to make a trip to town," he said to Jack +at the breakfast table. "I need a new monkey wrench and some other tools +and some small pieces of machinery. I'll give you a list of them, and +you can bring them back in a valise, for they will be quite numerous."</p> + +<p>After the meal the inventor made a record of what he needed and the boys +started off.</p> + +<p>"In case the machine shop does not have everything and you have to wait +for something, you had better stay in the town all night," the captain +of the <i>Porpoise</i> said. "It is quite a long trip and I don't want you +traveling after dark. Put up at the hotel if you are delayed."</p> + +<p>Provided with money for their purchase, and a large valise in which to +carry them, the boys started off. They had to walk two miles to where a +trolley line was built that ran to the town of Easton, where they were +to get the tools and parts of machinery.</p> + +<p>They made the trip safely and without incident. When they gave the +machinist, to whom they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> been directed by Mr. Henderson, the list of +the things needed, the man looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to make one piece," he said. "You'll have to wait for it. +Can't promise it before to-morrow morning about eight o'clock."</p> + +<p>"That will be all right," remarked Mark. "We'll call for it then."</p> + +<p>So, bearing in mind Mr. Henderson's instructions, the boys engaged a +room at the hotel, which was quite a large one, for Easton was a +favorite summer resort and the town was filled with visitors. The lads +strolled about the town, had their dinner, and then went for a bath in +the surf. They retired early, for they were tired.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the night Mark began to dream that he was on board the +<i>Porpoise</i> and that the submarine blew up. There was a loud noise, he +saw a bright flash of flame, and saw rolling clouds of smoke. So vivid +was the vision that he thought he tried to leap out of the boat, and +awoke with a jump, to find Jack shaking him.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" inquired Mark.</p> + +<p>"The hotel's on fire!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p>Mark sprang out of bed and with Jack rushed to the window, for their +room was filled with thick smoke. They could see the dull glare of +flames, which every moment were becoming brighter.</p> + +<p>The next instant a loud explosion shook the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> building. It swayed and +seemed likely to topple over. Outside the boys could hear excited shouts +and the puffing and whistling of fire engines.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Run!" yelled Mark. He opened the door leading into the corridor, +but was driven back by a rush of flames and smoke that almost stifled +him.</p> + +<p>"We must try the fire escape!" shouted Mark.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget the valise with the tools;" exclaimed Jack, and Mark +hastened to where he had placed it under the bed.</p> + +<p>Then the two boys rushed to the balcony on which their front windows +opened, and whence the fire escapes led down to the streets. The lads +had only time to slip on their coats, trousers, shoes and caps.</p> + +<p>As they were preparing to clamber down the iron ladders they heard +someone on the balcony next to them shout:</p> + +<p>"Here, you boys! Stop! I want you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>A GRAVE ACCUSATION</h3> + + +<p>"We haven't time now!" yelled back Mark, looking in the direction of the +voice, and seeing a short, stout man, who appeared greatly excited.</p> + +<p>"Stop or I'll shoot!" the man exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"The fire must have made him crazy," said Jack. "Go on, Mark, it's +getting hot up above!"</p> + +<p>Mark did not linger on the ladder and soon the two boys were in the +street, surrounded by an excited crowd.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt?" asked several.</p> + +<p>"I guess not," replied Mark. "What caused the fire?"</p> + +<p>"Some sort of an explosion," answered a policeman. "Part of the hotel +was blown up. If you boys wish you can go to a station house where +you'll be comfortable until morning."</p> + +<p>"I guess we will," said Mark.</p> + +<p>They started to work their way through the crowd but did not notice that +the strange man followed them. The fire was now burning fiercely,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> and +once they had gotten clear of the press the lads halted to look at the +spectacle.</p> + +<p>The hotel was now a mass of flames and the firemen were kept busy. What +with the puffing of engines, the whistling of the steamers, the roar of +the flames, and the shouts of the crowd, pandemonium <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'reined'">reigned</ins>.</p> + +<p>The boys watched the fire for some time. Gradually the flames came under +the control of the men and the leaping tongues died out.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better go to the police station," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>Mark agreed this would be a good thing to do, as both of them felt +rather chilly in the night air with only half of their clothes on. They +inquired their way of the first policeman they saw, and he volunteered +to escort them.</p> + +<p>"Sure an' you'll have plenty of company," he said. "The hotel was full +an' the people have no place to go except to the lock-up. Some swells +will be glad to take a place behind the bars to-night I'm thinkin'. I +wonder how some of those English aristocrats will like it?"</p> + +<p>"English aristocrats?" repeated Jack. "Are any here?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. There's a lot of them burned out. Lord Peckham was stoppin' at +the hotel with a big crowd of people, an' their apartments was all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +destroyed. Some of 'em went to the police station."</p> + +<p>The boys followed their uniformed guide through the streets of Easton, +and were soon at the station house. There they were received by the +sergeant in charge, while the matron gave them each a cup of hot coffee, +a large pot of the beverage having been brewed.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to give you boys one bed between you," said the sergeant. +"We're rather crowded for room to-night."</p> + +<p>"Anything will do us," said Jack with a laugh.</p> + +<p>Just then there was some excitement at the entrance of the police +station.</p> + +<p>"I tell you they're in here! I will see them!" a voice exclaimed. "I +want them arrested at once!"</p> + +<p>"Go easy now," counseled the doorman as he tried to hold back a short, +stout, excited man who was pushing his way into the station.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" exclaimed the man, pointing to Jack and Mark.</p> + +<p>"Why those boys are from the burned hotel," said the doorman.</p> + +<p>"I know it! They are the very ones I want!"</p> + +<p>"What do you of us?" spoke up Mark. He recognized the man as the one who +had called to him as he and Jack were escaping.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I charge you with being sons of James Darrow, the notorious English +anarchist!" cried the little man, pointing his finger at the boys, "and +I accuse you of trying to kill Lord Peckham with a bomb, the explosion +of which set fire to the hotel!"</p> + +<p>For a moment the surprising charge so astonished every one that not a +word was said. Then the little man, advancing toward the boys went on:</p> + +<p>"I arrest you in the name of His Royal Highness, Edward VII, King of +England, Scotland and Wales."</p> + +<p>He threw back the lapel of his coat and showed a badge.</p> + +<p>"King of England, Scotland and Wales, is it!" exclaimed the doorman with +a twinkle in his eye. "An' why didn't ye say Ireland into the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Ireland, of course," went on the little man. "I'm an officer of His +Most Gracious Majesty," he added, "and I demand the assistance of the +United States authorities in general and the police of Easton in +particular in taking these desperate criminals into custody!"</p> + +<p>"Hold your horses," advised the desk-sergeant. "Those boys are not +liable to run away. They're to stay here over night, and if you have any +charge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> to make against them why you'll have to come and see the judge +in the morning."</p> + +<p>"But they are sons of an anarchist! They are anarchists themselves!" +exclaimed the man, "I must arrest them!"</p> + +<p>"You're not going to arrest anybody," said the sergeant, "until you get +a warrant from the judge. This isn't England."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to stay with these boys the rest of the night," insisted +the man. "I can't take any chances on their giving me the slip."</p> + +<p>"This place is going to be crowded with people from the burned hotel," +objected the sergeant. "There will be no room for you. Besides, how do I +know these boys are anarchists?"</p> + +<p>"Look in their valise," cried the stranger. "It is filled with bombs."</p> + +<p>"You can't look in this satchel," exclaimed Jack, for he remembered the +valise contained parts of the professor's secret machines.</p> + +<p>"What did I tell you?" cried the Englishman with triumph in his tones. +"They are the guilty ones. They are afraid to open their valise."</p> + +<p>"We are, but not because it has bombs in it," said Mark. "It has parts +of an unpatented machine and the owner does not want any one to see +them," for Mark remembered Mr. Henderson's strict injunctions to let no +one but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> mechanist to whom they had gone catch a glimpse of the +parts that were to be duplicated. The machinist was sworn to secrecy.</p> + +<p>"It's none of our affair," said the sergeant, though he seemed a little +impressed by the Englishman's words and the reluctance Mark and Jack +showed to letting the valise be opened. "The boys will be here until +morning, and then you can see the judge. Now you'll have to get out. You +boys get to bed."</p> + +<p>Muttering threats, the stranger went from the station house, and Mark +and Jack, in response to a nod from the doorman, followed him upstairs +to a part of the police station used to detain witnesses. They were +shown to a small room with a single bed.</p> + +<p>"Are ye really anarchists?" asked the doorman.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," replied Jack, and he told as much of their story as he +dared.</p> + +<p>"I was kind-of hopin' ye was," said the officer with a twinkle in his +eye. "It wouldn't do any harm to scare that uppish Englishman a bit. +Sure he an' his kind have done enough to poor old Ireland."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry we can't oblige you," said Mark with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I guess ye're all right," went on the door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>man. "I hope ye sleep good +the rest of the night."</p> + +<p>Then he left them alone. What with the excitement of the fire and the +startling accusation against them, the boys' brains were too excited to +let them sleep much. They had a few fitful naps throughout the remainder +of the night.</p> + +<p>It was just getting daylight when Mark was awakened by some one shaking +him.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked. "Another fire?"</p> + +<p>"Not this time," replied a voice, and Mark, now that his eyes were fully +opened, saw the doorman bending over him.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Jack waking up in his turn.</p> + +<p>"Easy!" exclaimed the doorman in a whisper. "I happened to think ye +might want to be leavin'."</p> + +<p>"Leaving?" asked Mark in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Ye know that Englishman is liable to be back any minute, an' he +may make trouble for ye. I know ye're innocent lads, an' I'd hate to see +ye mixed up in a mess with that fellow. So I slips up here early, an' ye +can leave by the back door if ye want to, an' the officer of His +Imperial Majesty, King Edward VII, will never know a thing about it."</p> + +<p>"It looks like running away," objected Jack.</p> + +<p>"Sure there's no charge agin ye," went on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> doorman. "Ye're free to +come an' go as far as we're concerned, an' ye'd better go whilst ye have +the chance."</p> + +<p>Jack reflected. It was true that the charge of the Englishman, baseless +as it was, might make trouble for them, and cause them endless delays in +getting back to Professor Henderson. Suddenly Jack made up his mind.</p> + +<p>"Come on Mark," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>ON A RUNAWAY TROLLEY</h3> + + +<p>"Are you going to leave?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. There is no use staying here and getting mixed up in +something that Englishman thinks we have done. It's easier to go away +quietly and let him find out his mistake."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Mark. "I wonder who he is, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"He thinks he owns the earth, whoever he is," returned Jack.</p> + +<p>"He's some sort of a special detective traveling with Lord Peckham's +party," explained the doorman. "He told us a lot about himself last +night after you boys went to bed. He came back to inquire how early the +judge would be here.</p> + +<p>"He went on to tell how some English anarchists have vowed to kill Lord +Peckham because he foreclosed a lot of mortgages on some poor people in +Ireland where he owned property," added the doorman. "There was some +sort of explosions in the hotel, near where Lord Peckham had his rooms. +Maybe it was a bomb and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> maybe ag'in it was only the boiler. Anyhow, +this detective jumped to the conclusion that anarchists had done it, and +he thinks you are responsible. But you'd better be goin' now. It's +gettin' daylight."</p> + +<p>So Mark and Jack, with what scanty clothes they had, and carrying their +valise, went quietly out of the back door of the police station.</p> + +<p>"We'd better go to the machine shop for the rest of the stuff," +suggested Mark, "and then we can take the first trolley we see and get +back to the professor."</p> + +<p>Through quiet side streets the boys made their way toward the machine +shop. They were somewhat amused to think how they had fooled the +detective, but they would not have felt so jolly had they seen the +roughly dressed man who had darted after them as soon as they left the +police station.</p> + +<p>"I'll get you yet," the man muttered. "You needn't think to escape with +the aid of these bloomin' American police."</p> + +<p>The lads found the machinist just opening his shop though it was quite +early. The pieces of apparatus were finished and, after paying for them +Mark put the parts in the valise.</p> + +<p>"Quite a fire in town," observed the machinist.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mark, not wishing to get into a long conversation.</p> + +<p>"Heard the hotel was blowed up by anarchists and that the police are +after 'em," proceeded the man.</p> + +<p>"I believe I did hear something like that," admitted Mark. "I guess +we'll be going."</p> + +<p>He signalled to Jack, and the two hurried out of the shop. As they did +so, the trampish-looking man glided from behind a tree where he had been +hiding and took after them.</p> + +<p>"Say," exclaimed Jack, "I forgot we haven't had any breakfast yet."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Mark, rubbing his stomach and making a wry face.</p> + +<p>Near by was a bakery, and there the lads got some coffee and rolls which +tasted fine. When they finished their simple meal a trolley came past +and they ran to catch it. So did the man who had been following them, +but this person bore no resemblance to the spruce little detective who +had wanted to arrest the boys.</p> + +<p>"A couple of hours now and we'll be back at the cabin," spoke Mark. "My, +but I must say we have had strenuous times since we started away!"</p> + +<p>There were few passengers on the trolley so early in the morning and not +many stops to make,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> so the motorman turned on the power full and made +the vehicle speed along.</p> + +<p>Mile after mile was covered and finally the car reached the top of a +long hill. At the foot of this the line came to an end, and the boys had +a two mile tramp before them to reach the lonely spot where the +<i>Porpoise</i> was docked.</p> + +<p>Down the hill the car started. The motorman shut off the electricity and +let the vehicle run by its weight.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster it ran, the dust flying in a cloud about it.</p> + +<p>"Better put the brakes on a bit," called the conductor. "It's gettin' +kinder speedy, Hank!"</p> + +<p>The motorman twisted the handle. There was a grinding noise as the shoes +took hold on the wheels. Then a chain snapped and the car seemed to leap +ahead.</p> + +<p>"The brake's busted! I can't stop the car!" yelled the motorman.</p> + +<p>Vainly he twisted at the handle. Then, seeing he could not stop the +trolley car he made a desperate jump off the vehicle and landed in a +heap on the side of the road, rolling over and over.</p> + +<p>"Reverse the current!" cried one of the passengers, to the conductor. +"That ought to stop her!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>The conductor made his way to the front platform and turned the +reversing lever. Then he applied the current. But it was no use. With a +blinding flash and a report like that of a gun a fuse blew out, and that +crippled the car completely so far as the electric current was +concerned.</p> + +<p>"Everybody jump!" cried the conductor. "There's a curve at the foot of +the hill, and we'll all be killed if we stay on!"</p> + +<p>One by one the passengers leaped from the car. Several were badly hurt +by the falls they got. Meanwhile the trolley was tearing down the hill +at a terrific rate of speed.</p> + +<p>"Shall we jump?" asked Mark of Jack.</p> + +<p>"We'll be killed if we do," was Jack's answer.</p> + +<p>"And we'll be killed if we stay aboard," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"Not if I can help it," cried Jack as he started for the rear platform.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Put on the other brake. They never thought to try this one! Maybe it +will work and stop the car!"</p> + +<p>Then Mark saw what Jack was up to and went to help him. The shabbily +dressed man seemed undecided what to do. He stood up, holding to the +straps to prevent himself from being tossed from side to side as the +runaway<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> trolley swayed. He watched the boys curiously.</p> + +<p>The lads, reaching the rear platform, twisted at the brake handle with +all their strength. They could feel that the chain was still intact. But +would the shoes grip the wheels with force sufficient to stop the car?</p> + +<p>There was a shrill screech as the brakes were applied by the boys. With +all their might they turned the handle, winding the chain up tighter and +tighter. At last they could not budge it another inch. Then they waited +anxiously.</p> + +<p>The car never slackened its speed. So great was the momentum that had +both sets of brakes been in working order it is doubtful whether they +would have stopped the vehicle. The speed was so great now that one of +the journals became hot and the oily waste that was packed in it caught +fire, making what railroad men term a "hot box".</p> + +<p>"I guess we're done for," groaned Mark.</p> + +<p>"We certainly haven't checked the speed any," Jack admitted. "But wait a +minute."</p> + +<p>He began stamping on the floor of the platform.</p> + +<p>"What you doing?" cried Mark, for he had to shout to make his voice +heard above the roar and rattle of the car.</p> + +<p>"Putting on the sand," replied Jack, as he kicked at the plunger which, +being depressed, let a stream of fine gravel out on the rails. "The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +wheels are gripped I think, and are slipping on the rails. This may help +some."</p> + +<p>"Let me give you a hand," exclaimed a voice, and the boys turned to see +the shabby man standing with them on the platform. He grasped the brake +handle, and gave it an additional turn. His strength seemed remarkable +for so small a man.</p> + +<p>The speed of the car was checked a little, but the vehicle was still +speeding along at a rate that would soon bring it to destruction if not +halted before the curve was reached.</p> + +<p>"That's a little better," observed Mark. "It's a good thing you were +here."</p> + +<p>"Good for me, not so good for you," said the man with a peculiar smile.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I mean that I shall have to place you under arrest for attempting to +assassinate Lord Peckham!" exclaimed the man. "I am Detective Ducket, of +Scotland Yard!"</p> + +<p>He stripped off a false beard he had donned, and threw back his coat, +displaying his shield. He was the same man who had attempted to arrest +the boys in the police station at Easton.</p> + +<p>"I've got you just where I want you now," Detective Ducket went on. +"There are none of those blooming American police to interfere."</p> + +<p>The next instant the car gave a sudden lurch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> Then it seemed to rise up +in the air. Jack felt himself flying through space, and he observed +Mark, who was clinging to the valise, following him.</p> + +<p>There was a terrific crash, a ripping, tearing splintering sound, and +the runaway trolley smashed into a big oak tree at the foot of the hill. +The vehicle had completely jumped the track at the sharp curve.</p> + +<p>Jack's eyes grew dim, and he seemed to be sinking down in some dark pool +of water. He heard a splashing beside him and began to strike out, +trying to swim. He seemed to be choking. Then the blessed air and +daylight came to him, and he found he was floating on the surface of a +pond.</p> + +<p>He dashed the water from his eyes and saw, over on the bank, the wreck +of the trolley. Then he noticed that Mark was swimming beside him.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"A little of everything," panted Mark. "Lucky we weren't killed. We must +have been flung off the rear platform into this duck pond."</p> + +<p>The boys soon made their way to shore, unhurt except for the wetting. +The fall into the water had saved their lives.</p> + +<p>"Where's the valise of machinery?" asked Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There it is," answered Mark pointing to where it had fallen at the back +of the pond.</p> + +<p>"And what became of Detective Ducket?"</p> + +<p>"He's here, at your service!" exclaimed a voice. "Consider yourselves +under arrest and don't you dare to leave this place without me."</p> + +<p>The boys looked in the direction of the sound and saw the English +officer lying on the grass not far away. He seemed in pain, but had +raised himself on his elbow and was pointing his finger sternly at the +boys.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR THE SOUTH POLE</h3> + + +<p>"Are you hurt?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I think my leg is broken, but otherwise I'm not damaged," replied the +detective. "Even if I am disabled, it makes no difference, you are my +prisoners. I command you to stay here until help comes."</p> + +<p>The boys did not know what to do. They did not like to see even an enemy +suffer, but, at the same time, they knew he had no right to arrest them.</p> + +<p>"Here comes a wagon," said Mark, catching the sound of wheels.</p> + +<p>"Well, fo' de land sakes! Gollyation! What terrible catafterme hab +occurred in dis unapproachable manner?" a voice demanded.</p> + +<p>"It's Washington!" cried Mark, as he saw Professor Henderson's colored +assistant driving along the road.</p> + +<p>"Dat's who it am!" exclaimed Washington as he noticed the boys. "My! My! +But am you boff dead?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, only one of us," said Mark with a laugh, as he and Jack ran toward +the wagon.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha! Dat's one ob yo' jokes," said Washington. "But hurry up, boys. +De perfessor he done sent me to meet you. He reckoned you'd becomin' +ober on an early trolley. He's in a hurry to git away."</p> + +<p>"Don't you boys dare to leave!" exclaimed Detective Ducket.</p> + +<p>"Who's dat?" asked Washington.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Mark. "He was hurt in the trolley smash, but not +badly. We'll send help, from the first farm house we come to. Come on, +Washington, we'll go with you."</p> + +<p>The boys jumped into the wagon, and Washington started off. He explained +that the inventor was anxious to make a start that day, as there would +be an unusually high tide which would be followed a little later by a +low one, and that would make it difficult to cross the harbor bar.</p> + +<p>"So I hired dis wagon an' come after you," said the colored man.</p> + +<p>At the first house they came to the boys stopped and told about the +accident. The farmer agreed to go and get the detective and the others +who were hurt and take them to a hospital.</p> + +<p>"I guess we're rid of that detective now," observed Jack, as they +started off again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, but we're getting away under a cloud on our characters," said +Mark. "I'd like to stay and see the thing through, if we had time."</p> + +<p>"But we can't, and there's no use worrying over it," spoke Jack.</p> + +<p>In a short time they were at the inventor's cabin, and related to Mr. +Henderson all that had occurred.</p> + +<p>"Well I guess your detective friend will have a hard time to find you in +a few hours," said the old man. "We start on our trip for the south pole +this evening."</p> + +<p>There were busy times for the next few hours. Many supplies had to be +placed on board, and, while the boys, with Tom and Bill, saw to this, the +professor and Washington were occupied with putting the last touches to +the submarine boat's machinery.</p> + +<p>Most of the supplies from the cabin were placed in the <i>Porpoise</i>, +including food and clothing and a good quantity of minerals that, with +sea water, generated the gas that made steam.</p> + +<p>An early supper was made on shore, as the professor said they might be +so busy for the first few hours of the starting trip that they would get +no chance to eat. Then the cabin and buildings where the submarine had +been built, were securely fastened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess we're all ready," announced the professor, taking a last look +around.</p> + +<p>One by one they went aboard the <i>Porpoise</i> crawling down through the man +hole. The inventor was the last one to enter. He clamped the cover on by +means of the cam levers and switched on the electric lights. Then he +took his place in the conning tower with Andy Sudds.</p> + +<p>"Forward, to the South Pole!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>With a turn of his wrist the inventor started the engines. The big screw +in the shaft revolved, pulling the water in at one end of the craft and +sending it out in a swirling stream at the other. The trip was fairly +begun.</p> + +<p>For several miles the <i>Porpoise</i> glided along on the surface of the +ocean. It was a calm evening, and the boys down in the cabin of the +craft could look into the reflecting mirrors on the wall, which were +connected with observation magnifying glasses in the conning tower, and +view what was going on, though their heads were below the surface of the +sea.</p> + +<p>As it grew darker the view of shore and water faded away. The engine +kept up its speed with Washington to see to it every now and then, +oiling the bearings, some of which did not run quite smoothly because of +their newness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll send her down a bit now," observed the professor. "I don't want to +run into any more warships or scare the crews by making them think we +are a foreign torpedo boat."</p> + +<p>He opened the sea cocks in the ballast tanks and soon the <i>Porpoise</i> +sunk about two hundred feet beneath the waves. The craft, which had been +pitching and tossing under the influence of a ground swell, became more +steady and quiet once it left the surface.</p> + +<p>The searchlight in the conning tower was turned on, and in the glare of +it Andy and the professor were able to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stear'">steer</ins> properly, aided by the +compass which gave them the true southern course.</p> + +<p>It was now quite dark. Additional electric lights were switched on in +the cabin, engine and dining room. Andy came out of the conning tower +and announced that Captain Henderson wanted Washington to get supper.</p> + +<p>All the cooking was done by electricity, and, in addition to a supply of +the usual and ordinary kinds of food, there was a big lot of patent +condensed victuals to draw on. Soup, broiled steak, potatoes, hot +biscuits, rice pudding and coffee made up the repast which was enjoyed +by all.</p> + +<p>Toward the close of the meal Professor Henderson began to sniff the air +of the cabin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Do you smell a storm brewing?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"No, but the air is not as fresh as it should be," replied the inventor. +"Washington, release a little more of the supply from the compression +tanks."</p> + +<p>The ship, which had been left to steer itself automatically while the +professor was absent from the conning tower, was moving along at about +half speed. The gage showed they were going at twenty miles an hour, and +were three hundred feet below the surface.</p> + +<p>"Washington and I will share the first night's watch between us," said +the inventor, after the supper things had been cleared away. "There will +not be much to do, as the ship will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stear'">steer</ins> automatically in whatever +direction I set her. Still I want to see how she behaves. The rest of +you might as well go to your bunks."</p> + +<p>The two boys were especially glad of a chance to go to bed, as they had +had but little sleep the night before on account of the fire. So they +lost no time in undressing and rolling up in the blankets, for it was +quite cool so far down under the water.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've slept on the earth, above the earth and now we're under the +waters," observed Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's only one place more to spend your time taking a snooze," said +Mark.</p> + +<p>"Where's that?"</p> + +<p>"Inside the earth."</p> + +<p>Then they fell asleep. During the night and the next day the <i>Porpoise</i> +forged on underneath the waves. Washington relieved Mr. Henderson in the +conning tower and reported the machinery to be working well.</p> + +<p>"Keep her headed due south," was the order of the inventor, and the +colored man did so.</p> + +<p>It was about four o'clock one morning that Washington felt a slight jar +to the submarine.</p> + +<p>"Hope we ain't goin' to hit no more battleships," he said.</p> + +<p>He glanced at the speed-indicating gage. To his surprise it stood at +zero. The craft was not moving forward a foot! Yet the engines were +going at half speed!</p> + +<p>In great alarm Washington shut off the power and ran to acquaint +Professor Henderson with the news.</p> + +<p>"Suffin's ketched us!" cried the colored man.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said the inventor, yet he seemed alarmed as he slipped on +his clothes and hastened to the conning tower.</p> + +<p>He peered ahead along the path of water illuminated by the glare of the +searchlight, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> nothing was to be seen. Then he started the engine, +increasing the speed gradually until the big screw in the shaft revolved +more than one thousand times a minute. Still the <i>Porpoise</i> never +stirred. She remained in the same position, as if some giant hand +grasped her.</p> + +<p>"Reverse the engine," said the professor.</p> + +<p>Washington did so. To the surprise of both of them the ship shot +backward like a frightened crab.</p> + +<p>"Now forward!" exclaimed the old inventor.</p> + +<p>But this time the <i>Porpoise</i> did not move. It was as if she was up +against a stone wall.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mark, who had been awakened by the excitement +on board.</p> + +<p>"I do not know," replied Mr. Henderson gravely. "Something mysterious +has occurred. We can go no further!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>ASHORE IN THE DARK</h3> + + +<p>"Stop the engine," the captain commanded after he had peered through the +lens in the conning tower for some time. "We must see what is the +matter."</p> + +<p>He glanced at the depth gage and noted that they were now four hundred +feet below the surface. Then he consulted some charts.</p> + +<p>"There is a depth of one thousand feet about here," he remarked. "Lower +the ship, Washington. Let us see if by getting on the ocean bed we can +get away from this obstruction."</p> + +<p>The colored man opened wider the sea cocks by which the tanks were +filled. The increased ballast sunk the <i>Porpoise</i> still lower, and, in a +few minutes a slight jar told the navigators that they were on the +bottom of the ocean.</p> + +<p>"Now we will see if we have cleared the obstruction," said the +professor.</p> + +<p>He started the big screw to revolving, but the ship did not move. It +shivered and trembled throughout its length but remained stationary.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Maybe dar's a debil fish what hab circumulated dis ship in de exteror +portion ob his anatomy," suggested Washington, rolling his eyes until +only the whites were visible.</p> + +<p>"I presume you mean that a giant squid or cuttle fish has attacked us," +spoke the professor.</p> + +<p>"Yas, sir," replied Washington.</p> + +<p>"That's nonsense," went on the inventor. "However, we must make an +investigation."</p> + +<p>"How are you going to do it?" asked Mark. "You can't see the end of the +tube from inside the ship, and, even if we went to the surface it would +still be under water."</p> + +<p>"We are going to look at it while here, under the ocean," said the +inventor.</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe you're a good swimmer," put in Jack, "but I don't believe +you can stay under, in this depth of water, long enough to see what the +trouble is."</p> + +<p>"I think I can," answered Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I'll show you. Washington, bring out the diving suits."</p> + +<p>The colored man, his eyes growing bigger every minute, went to a locker +and brought out what seemed quite a complicated bit of apparatus.</p> + +<p>"With the aid of these," said the professor, "I will be able to go out, +walk along the ocean bed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> and investigate the mystery. Do you boys want +to come along?"</p> + +<p>"Is it safe?" asked Mark, who was inclined to be cautious.</p> + +<p>"As safe as any part of this under-sea voyage," replied the professor. +"These diving suits are something I have not told you about," he went +on. "They are my own invention. Besides the regular rubber suits there +is an interlining of steel,—something like the ancient suits of chain +mail—to withstand the great pressure of water. Then, instead of being +dependent on a supply of air, pumped into the helmet from an apparatus +in a boat on the surface, each person carries his own air supply with +him."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" asked Jack, and Mark also asked the question.</p> + +<p>"Simply by attaching a little tank of the compressed gas to the shoulder +piece of the suit," said the inventor. "There is enough air in the tank +to last for nearly a day. It is admitted to the helmet as needed by +means of automatic valves. In other respects the diving suit is the same +as the ordinary kind, except that there is a small searchlight, fed by a +storage battery, on top of the helmet."</p> + +<p>In spite of their fears at venturing out under the great ocean, the two +boys were anxious to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> try the suits. So, after some hesitation, they +donned them.</p> + +<p>"Here, take these with you," said the professor, before their <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'helmet'">helmets</ins> +were screwed on. He held out what looked like long sticks.</p> + +<p>"What are they?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Electric guns," replied the professor. "But come on now, we have no +time to lose."</p> + +<p>Further conversation was impossible, for the boys had their heavy copper +helmets on, and they were as tightly enclosed as if inside a box. They +grasped their weapons and waited for the next move.</p> + +<p>The professor led the way to the stern of the ship. The boys found it +hard to walk, as they were weighted down by the heavy suits, and also +the boots, the soles of which were of lead.</p> + +<p>They followed the inventor into what seemed a small room. Inside they +found themselves in darkness. There was a clanking sound as Washington +fastened and clamped the door shut. Then came a hissing.</p> + +<p>The boys felt water rising about them. They could experience its +coldness, even through the diving suits. They were much afraid, but the +professor put a reassuring hand on their shoulders.</p> + +<p>They seemed to feel a great weight. It gradually lessened, however, and, +in a few minutes, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> saw something move in front of them. The +professor pushed them gently forward.</p> + +<p>In another instant they were walking on the bed of the ocean, having +stepped from the <i>Porpoise</i>. They had gone into a locked compartment, +the inner door of which had been tightly closed, after which water from +outside had been gradually admitted until the pressure was equal, and +then the boys and the professor had merely to emerge out into the bottom +of the sea when the outer portal was swung aside by Washington, who +worked the lever from inside.</p> + +<p>The boys were in intense darkness, but, suddenly a light glowed about +them, and they saw that the professor had switched on his miniature +search lamp. They remembered how he had told them to work the apparatus, +and soon tiny gleams shot out from their helmets.</p> + +<p>The professor pointed ahead, for not a sound could be heard, and the +boys followed him.</p> + +<p>It was a new sensation, this walking along the bed of the ocean. At +first the great pressure of water, even though the steel lined diving +suits kept most of it off, was unpleasant. Gradually, however, the boys +became used to it. They had to move slowly, for the water was denser +than the air and impeded their progress.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they reached the forward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> end of the <i>Porpoise</i>. Now +they were to solve the mystery of what had stopped the submarine. For a +few moments they could distinguish nothing.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the boys felt the professor grasping their arms. They looked in +the direction he pointed. There in the diffused glare from the search +light and the illumination of their helmet lamps they saw, wrapped about +the forward shaft opening a gigantic squid or devil fish. Its soft, +jelly-like body completely covered the opening of the shaft preventing +any water from entering, and thus stopping any forward motion to the +ship.</p> + +<p>This was what had caused all the trouble. The <i>Porpoise</i> had run into +the monster, who feeling what it must have thought an enemy, had grasped +the submarine with its long sinuous arms.</p> + +<p>The professor hesitated a moment. Then he slowly raised his electrical +gun, and took aim at the hideous mass. The boys followed his example. At +Mr. Henderson's signal they all fired together.</p> + +<p>From the muzzles of the guns darted small barbs that carried with them a +strong shock of electricity, from storage batteries in the shoulder +pieces of the weapons. Three of them were enough to produce death in an +animal as large as a whale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>The devil fish quivered. Then the water about it suddenly grew black, +and the boys and the professor were in dense darkness, for the squid had +dyed the ocean with a dark liquid from the sack it carried for the +purpose.</p> + +<p>The explorers groped their way to the left, having fortunately grasped +hands after firing their guns, to prevent being separated in case the +terrible fish began a death struggle.</p> + +<p>Luckily Professor Henderson went in the right direction and managed to +locate the <i>Porpoise</i>. Then, feeling along her steel sides, he led the +boys through the inky blackness to the water chamber by which entrance +could be had to the interior.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes all three were safely inside and had removed their +diving suits. The others crowded about, anxious to learn what had +happened. The inventor related it briefly.</p> + +<p>Once more the engines were started. This time there was no hanging back +on the part of the <i>Porpoise</i>. The big screw revolved, the water came in +the shaft and was thrust out of the rear end, making a current that sent +the craft ahead swiftly. The gigantic fish had been killed, and its body +no longer obstructed progress.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll rise to the surface and see how it feels to sail along that +way for a while," said the professor as he started the pumps that +emptied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> the tanks. In a little while the ship was floating on the +waves.</p> + +<p>It was now night, and the clouds overhead made it so dark that it was +hard to see ten feet in advance. The professor did not want to use the +searchlight for he did not care to have his presence discovered by +curious persons. So he ran the ship at half speed.</p> + +<p>"Where are we now?" asked Mark, who had entered the conning tower, where +the professor was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stearing'">steering</ins>.</p> + +<p>"Somewhere's off the coast of South Carolina," replied the inventor.</p> + +<p>The next instant there was a sudden shock and jar. The ship quivered +from stem to stern, and came to an abrupt stop.</p> + +<p>"We've hit something!" exclaimed the professor, shutting down the +engines with a jerk of the lever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>A PRICE ON THEIR HEADS</h3> + + +<p>On board the <i>Porpoise</i> there was great excitement. Washington, with +Andy, Tom, Bill and Jack came running from the engine room.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the professor as calmly as he could. "We'll +soon see, however."</p> + +<p>He switched on the searchlight and peered from the conning tower.</p> + +<p>"Can you see anything?" asked Andy, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I can," announced the inventor.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Land," replied Mr. Henderson. "We've hit the coast."</p> + +<p>"I hope we ain't done no damage," put in Washington.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to the coast or to us?" asked the professor, with a smile. +"I guess there isn't much danger in ramming the shore excepting to the +<i>Porpoise</i>. However, we do not seem to be in any immediate trouble."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>He tested various wheels and levers, and announced that, aside from the +jar, which might have started some of the machinery, the <i>Porpoise</i> was +unharmed.</p> + +<p>The cover of the man-hole was loosened and, one after another, the +adventurers crawled out on the small deck or platform. It took them a +little while to become accustomed to the darkness, but soon they were +able to make out that they had run on the muddy bank of the ocean beach. +The tide was low and the <i>Porpoise</i> had rammed her nose well into the +soft muck, which accounted for the lack of damage.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess there is nothing to do excepting to wait for morning," +said Mr. Henderson. "It doesn't look like a very lively neighborhood +about here. I don't believe we'll be disturbed."</p> + +<p>Save for the splash and lapping of the waves and the sound of the wind, +it was as quiet as the proverbial graveyard. Not a light showed on +shore, and the gleam from the search lamp of the <i>Porpoise</i> cut the +darkness like a small moonbeam.</p> + +<p>"If there's nothing to do I'm going to turn in," said Andy. "I'm tired."</p> + +<p>The professor said this was a good suggestion, and, leaving instructions +that Washington and Bill were to divide the night's watch between them, +the inventor sought his bunk.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boys remained on deck a few minutes longer.</p> + +<p>"We certainly are getting our share of adventures," remarked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I should say so," answered Mark.</p> + +<p>"Gollyation yes!" exclaimed Washington. "You-uns done most been eat by +dat air koslostrous specimen ob a parralleledon! I'm glad I didn't go. +But I'se brave enough!"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Mark suddenly, pointing to an object floating on +the water.</p> + +<p>Washington turned to behold something white drifting along.</p> + +<p>"Oh my good land ob mercy! It's a ghost!" the colored man yelled. "It's +a ghost! Land a' massy! Hide me some where, quick!"</p> + +<p>Washington fell on his knees and stretched up his clasped hands in +supplication. The boys gazed curiously at the white object that was +slowly floating toward the stranded ship.</p> + +<p>It rose and fell on the waves, with an odd motion.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what it is," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon see," spoke Jack. "It's coming this way."</p> + +<p>"Don't go near it! Don't touch it, boys!" pleaded Washington. "It'll put +de evil eye on yo', suah! Turn yo' haids away!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the boys were not so easily frightened. The white thing did look +queer, but Jack reasoned correctly that the darkness of the night +magnified it, and made it appear stranger than it probably was.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try to get it," said Mark.</p> + +<p>The white thing was now quite close. It resembled a bundle of rags, +floating on top of the water, and, as it came nearer, it seemed to take +on a curious form.</p> + +<p>"It's a baby! It's de ghost ob a little dead baby!" cried the colored +man. "Let it alone, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>Indeed, now that Washington had suggested it, the boys could see a +resemblance to a child in the white object. But this did not deter them. +Jack secured a boat hook from where it was fastened to the platform. +With it he gently poked at the white thing. The object seemed to +collapse and Jack was conscious of a strange feeling. Then, with slow +motions, he drew it close to the side of the ship.</p> + +<p>Lying on his face he was able to get a good look at the thing. He +muttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but a newspaper!" announced Jack with a laugh, as he threw it +on the deck. "All our trouble for nothing."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shore thought it were a ghost," cried Washington as he got up from +his knees.</p> + +<p>The boys went to their bunks. They were the first ones awake the next +morning, and Jack followed Mark on deck.</p> + +<p>"There's the paper you rescued from drowning," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"So it is," came from Jack. "I wonder if there's any news in it."</p> + +<p>The sheet had dried out and Jack spread it open. No sooner had he +scanned the first page than he uttered a whistle.</p> + +<p>"Something startling?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Startling! I guess yes! Look here!"</p> + +<p>Mark looked over Jack's shoulder. Staring at them, from amid a mass of +other news was the announcement in big black type:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<big>REWARD FOR BOY ANARCHISTS!</big><br /> +</div> + +<p>Then followed an account of the burning of the hotel at Easton, a vivid +description with pictures, of how it had been blown up in an attempt to +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'assasinate'">assassinate</ins> Lord Peckham, and how the two boys, sons of an English +anarchist, had escaped.</p> + +<p>The rest of the story was given over to a description which Jack and +Mark could see was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> meant for them though it was incorrect in several +particulars. How the boys had escaped the detective, through the trolley +car mishap, was related, and then came the startling announcement that +the hotel authorities had offered a reward of $1,000 for the capture of +either or both of the boy anarchists. To this Lord Peckham had added an +equal sum.</p> + +<p>"Well, it looks as if we were of some importance in the world," remarked +Jack.</p> + +<p>"Rather," agreed Mark. "Think of having a price on our heads! Well, that +detective certainly is a hustler. When is that paper dated?"</p> + +<p>Jack looked and saw that the sheet had been issued in Charleston the day +previous. It had probably been thrown overboard from some steamer, and +had drifted toward shore.</p> + +<p>While the boys were speculating over the matter Professor Henderson came +on deck. He saw something was up, and soon had the whole story from the +boys.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't worry about it," said the inventor. "They've got to catch +you first, and it isn't like running away when you know you are guilty. +You boys had no more to do with the fire than the man in the moon. And +we'll soon be beyond the reach of rewards and newspapers."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the boys brooded over the mat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>ter. It seemed that they +were still under a cloud, and they wished very much that it could be +cleared away.</p> + +<p>However there were soon busy times. The rising tide floated the boat, +and soon it was riding safely at anchor. The professor needed some small +bits of machinery, and had decided to send the boys to the nearest town +for them. But the news in the paper changed his plans, and he sent Bill +and Washington, who soon returned with the needed articles.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll make another start," said Mr. Henderson, as soon as all were +on board once more. "This time I hope we will keep on until we reach the +south pole!"</p> + +<p>He started the engine, the <i>Porpoise</i> sank beneath the waves, and with a +hum of the big screw that throbbed and vibrated, was away again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>ATTACKED BY A MONSTER</h3> + + +<p>For several days the <i>Porpoise</i> plowed her way beneath the surface of +the ocean. Obedient to the directing hand of Professor Henderson she +rose or sank as the tanks were emptied or filled. He put the craft +through several rather difficult movements to test her under all +conditions. In each one she was a success.</p> + +<p>Dinner was sometimes eaten five hundred feet below the surface. Then +while Washington washed the dishes and cleaned up the galley, Jack and +Mark looked from the side windows at the strange life under water.</p> + +<p>They were getting farther south now and the water was warmer as the +equator was approached. This produced a great variety of animal life, +and the ocean fairly swarmed with fishes, big and little, strange and +curious that could be seen from the glass bull's-eyes.</p> + +<p>Great sharks swam up alongside of the <i>Porpoise</i>, keeping pace with her +in spite of her speed. Their cruel tigerish eyes and ugly mouths made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +the boys shudder as they looked at the creatures. Then came odd +creatures that seemed neither of the land or sea, but which swam along +with their horrible bodies flapping up against the glass. One and all, +the inhabitants of the ocean seemed to resent the intrusion of the +submarine.</p> + +<p>One day the boys turned the light out in the cabin and sat in the +darkness the better to observe the fishes. The sea, in the vicinity of +the ship, was illuminated with a sort of glow that diffused from the +searchlight.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as the boys were watching, there came a thud on the glass +window at the port side. They glanced in that direction to see some +horrible thing peering in at them through the window.</p> + +<p>At first they were greatly frightened. Two big eyes of green, with rims +of what looked like red fire, stared at them, and, there was an ugly +mouth lined with three rows of teeth.</p> + +<p>"It's only a fish," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"Well, I wouldn't like to meet it outside," said Jack. "I'd rather be +here. My, but it's a nasty sight!"</p> + +<p>"Let's give Washington a little scare," suggested Mark.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"We'll go out and tell him some one in the cabin <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'want's'">wants</ins> to see him. The +fish will stay there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> See, it is fastened to the glass by some sort of +suction arrangement, like the octupus fish have on their arms. Then +we'll look in and see what Wash does."</p> + +<p>Jack agreed to the plan. The boys left the cabin, and Mark called to the +colored man, who was in the engine room.</p> + +<p>"I'll go right instanter this minute," said Washington. "Don't no grass +grow under dis chile's feet!"</p> + +<p>"Now listen," said Mark as he and Jack tiptoed after the colored man.</p> + +<p>Washington had no sooner entered the darkened cabin, and caught sight of +the horrible staring red and green eyes looking straight at him, than he +let out a yell that could be heard all over the ship. Then the colored +man dropped on his knees and began to implore:</p> + +<p>"Good please Mr. Satan fish, doan take Washington White," he begged. +"It's all a mistake. I didn't do nuffin. Good please Mr. Satan fish, +take some one else. It's disproportionate to de circumulation ob de +interiorness ob dis subicecream ship, so kindly pass me by dis time!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Amos Henderson, as he came hurrying into the +cabin, seeking the cause for Washington's loud cry.</p> + +<p>Jack and Mark, who came in at that juncture,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> were a little bit ashamed +of the trick they had played.</p> + +<p>"What is the trouble?" repeated Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"We's all goin' to be devoured alibe!" cried Washington pointing to the +fish, that still clung to the glass.</p> + +<p>"Ah, a sucker fish!" remarked the inventor. "A large specimen, too. +Don't be afraid Washington, it can't hurt you."</p> + +<p>"He looks like he could," said the colored man. "Look at dem teef!"</p> + +<p>Indeed the creature's mouth was a horrible sight, as it opened and shut.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you how to get rid of him," said the professor.</p> + +<p>He turned on the electric lights in the cabin, flooding the room with a +bright glow. The big fish darted off, and, when the lights were turned +out again, the terrible eyes did not reappear, much to their +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"The lights scared it away," remarked the inventor. "But you mustn't get +frightened so easily, Washington. You'll see stranger sights than that +before you're through with this voyage."</p> + +<p>"Oh I wasn't 'fraid," spoke up Washington. "I were jest 'stonished, +dat's all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What did you get down on your knees for?" asked Mark with a grin.</p> + +<p>"I might hab been lookin' for my collar button, for all you knows," +replied Washington, with an air of great dignity, and went back to the +engine room.</p> + +<p>For several days after this the <i>Porpoise</i> continued on her way south. +Now and then appearing on the surface to renew the supply of fresh air, +and again skimming along under the surface, or deep down, the strange +craft kept on. It grew much warmer, and even when some distance below +the surface the heat could be felt in an uncomfortable manner.</p> + +<p>"We're getting near the equator," explained the professor.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, when dinner had just been finished, and the ship, under +the direction of Washington, was gliding along well under the sea, there +came a sudden shock.</p> + +<p>"We've hit something!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson as he jumped for the +conning tower. The shock was repeated.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked someone.</p> + +<p>"Shut down the engine!" yelled the inventor to the colored man. "What do +you want to go on ramming an object after you've once hit it? Slow down +the engine!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Power's shut off!" cried Washington. "We didn't hit nothin'! Something +hit us!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Somethin's rammin' us," went on Washington.</p> + +<p>"It must be a big monster. I was sterrin' along an' there was nothin' in +de road, when all of a suddint, ker-plunk! We's hit. Look ahead, an' you +can't see nothin'!"</p> + +<p>The professor, and the boys, who had followed him, gazed out of the +conning tower window. There was nothing forward but a vast expanse of +water.</p> + +<p>The next instant the ship careened as something struck her a violent +blow on the port side. Everyone almost toppled over from the force of +the impact.</p> + +<p>"Dar he goes agin!" cried Washington.</p> + +<p>"We're attacked by a whale!" said the professor. "We must rise to the +surface or it may damage the ship."</p> + +<p>"If it's a whale I'd like to get a shot at it," put in Andy Sudds, from +the foot of the companion ladder leading into the tower.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that it is a whale," went on the inventor. "But it must be +something very big and strong."</p> + +<p>"It's a monster of some sort," put in Andy, "and I want a chance at +him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's too risky," murmured the professor. "We couldn't get down to +bottom here, as the water is several miles deep, and the pressure would +crush the <i>Porpoise</i>, strong as she is."</p> + +<p>Once more came a terrible blow and the ship rocked in a swirl of foam +beneath the waves. In quick succession two more fierce onslaughts were +made by the unseen monster.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to do something," muttered Andy.</p> + +<p>"You're right," agreed the professor. "Our only chance is to rise to the +surface, for I do not believe the creature will follow us there. Empty +the tanks, Washington."</p> + +<p>The colored man started the pumps, and the professor watched the gages +that told the depth of the craft. The pointer should have begun to swing +around in a few seconds after the tanks began to empty. Instead it +remained stationary.</p> + +<p>"Strange," said Mr. Henderson. "I wonder if anything is wrong with the +machinery."</p> + +<p>"More like the whale, or whatever it is, is on top of the boat, holding +her down," suggested Andy.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt of this a moment later, for there were several +violent blows on the upper part of the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>The crew of the submarine were held prisoners below the surface by the +unknown monster!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>For a few minutes the thought of the awful fate that would be theirs if +the ship should be wrecked under the water made each one speechless. As +they stood looking at each other, not knowing what to do, the attack was +renewed on the port side.</p> + +<p>The big fish, whale or whatever it was, kept pounding away.</p> + +<p>"I have an idea!" cried Andy suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the professor quickly.</p> + +<p>"Let me put a diving dress on," began the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"I tell you we can't sink to the bottom in this depth of water," +interrupted the professor.</p> + +<p>"We don't need to," put in Andy. "All I want is a diving suit and a +chance to stand out in the diving chamber. I guess I can fix Mr. Whale, +if I have one of those electric guns."</p> + +<p>"Quick! Get a diving suit, Washington!" cried Mr. Henderson. He saw what +the old hunter planned to do.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes Andy was dressed in the suit. The attacks of the +monster had redoubled in frequency, and the ship rocked as in a storm.</p> + +<p>Andy stepped into the diving chamber, clasping the electric gun. The +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'innner'">inner</ins> door was tightly closed and then the sea cocks that admitted water +from the outside were opened. When the pressure inside the chamber was +equal to that of the ocean<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> outside some one pulled the lever that +opened the outer door.</p> + +<p>Andy knew better than to step outside. He remained in the chamber, like +a sentinel hid in the embrasure of a wall, for the chamber was a sort of +big dent in the side of the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>Once more the ship rocked from a terrific blow, and the old hunter was +nearly thrown out and into the fathomless depths below.</p> + +<p>He clung to the door lever and peered out. Through the big glass eyes of +his copper helmet he saw headed straight at him a whale that seemed +larger than the submarine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT IN A SEA OF GRASS</h3> + + +<p>"It's all up with me and the ship, too," thought Andy as he stood in the +small chamber and watched the oncoming of the monster.</p> + +<p>However, he was not going to die without a fight, so he raised the +electric gun. Yet he knew it was a most forlorn chance.</p> + +<p>He aimed straight down the big open mouth and pulled the trigger. The +next instant the water all about him was a mass of foam, through which +he could dimly see that the whale had halted.</p> + +<p>And, as the old hunter watched, in awe and fear at what he saw, he noted +that instead of one monster there seemed to be a pair. Together they +were threshing the sea into a bloody foam.</p> + +<p>Then, turning on the searchlight in his helmet, Andy beheld a terrible +sight. The whale had been attacked by a gigantic swordfish at the moment +the hunter had fired the shot, and it was that, and not the electric +bullet, that had stopped the infuriated animal's rush at the ship.</p> + +<p>Ancient enemies, the whale and swordfish, had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> met in mortal combat. The +swordfish had engaged the whale just as it was about to strike what +would probably have been a blow that would have disabled the submarine, +for with the door of the diving chamber open, the onslaught might not +have been withstood.</p> + +<p>Rushing here and there, the whale seeking to destroy his enemy with a +sweep of the enormous flukes, and the swordfish plunging his bony weapon +again and again into the whale, the two monsters fought until the water +about the ship was a mass of foam and blood.</p> + +<p>Much as he wanted to see the end of the fight, Andy knew it was +dangerous to remain longer with the door open.</p> + +<p>He closed it, pressed the lever which started the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'pumped'">pumps</ins>, forcing the +water from the chamber and, in a few minutes, emerged into the interior +of the ship.</p> + +<p>Mr. Henderson, realizing that something out of the ordinary was going +on, had opened the slides of the bull's-eye windows, and those in the +submarine saw part of the fight between the whale and swordfish.</p> + +<p>As soon as Andy had removed his diving suit he advised that the ship be +sent to the surface, as there might be danger should the monsters get +too close in their struggles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>Accordingly the pumps, which had been stopped when it was found +impossible to raise the ship, because of the weight of the whale, were +started and the <i>Porpoise</i> was soon on the surface.</p> + +<p>The manhole cover was opened and Andy, with Jack and Mark, went out on +deck. They had no sooner stepped out on the platform than there was a +commotion in the water.</p> + +<p>"They're going to fight up here!" exclaimed Mark.</p> + +<p>A big body shot upward and fell back with a splash, rocking the +submarine.</p> + +<p>"There's the whale," observed Andy. "But I reckon he won't fight any +more. He's dead."</p> + +<p>It was so. The swordfish had conquered, and the lifeless body of the +whale floated on top of the water, only to sink a little later.</p> + +<p>"It was a great battle," said Jack. "I'm glad I was inside the ship."</p> + +<p>The course was due south, and every minute it seemed to the boys that it +was getting warmer, for they were approaching the equator. Every hour +brought them nearer the south pole, though they were still several +thousand miles from it.</p> + +<p>After a while quite a wind sprang up, and as the sea roughened the +professor decided to go down under the surface. The <i>Porpoise</i> sunk as +the tanks filled and, in a little while, the submarine was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> calm +water, and was forging ahead at three-quarter speed.</p> + +<p>It was three days after the adventure with the whale when, as the ship +was going along at a good rate, that there seemed to be a gradual +slacking in the progress.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Washington is slowing down for," said the professor +rising from the dinner table at which all save the colored man had been +sitting. "I told him to keep right on. He must have seen something +ahead. I'll take a look."</p> + +<p>The inventor went to the conning tower, where Washington was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stearing'">steering</ins>.</p> + +<p>"What are you stopping for?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm not slowin' down," replied the colored man. "Guess another ob dem +debil fishes has grabbed holt ob de ship. Dey suttinly am de most +koslostrous conglomerations ob inconsequence dat I eber see."</p> + +<p>"You must keep your big words for another time," remarked Mr. Henderson, +who seemed worried. "Hurry to the engine-room and see if the machinery +is all right. We certainly are slowing down, from some cause or other."</p> + +<p>The <i>Porpoise</i> was now scarcely moving, though from the vibration it was +evident that the engines were working almost at top speed. Washington +came back and reported that the big screw was re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>volving properly and +that all the machinery was working well.</p> + +<p>"Then we're caught in something," said the professor. "Shut off the +power, Washington, I don't want to strain things."</p> + +<p>The ship was now scarcely making a foot a minute, and, a little later, +when the colored man had turned off the engine, the submarine became +stationary, merely undulating with the roll and heave of the ocean.</p> + +<p>Hurrying to the cabin, Captain Henderson opened the side window +shutters, turned off the electric lights and peered out.</p> + +<p>"I can't see anything," he said. "Yet I should be able to, as we are not +very deep."</p> + +<p>The gage showed that the ship was submerged only thirty feet, and at +that depth there should have been no difficulty in seeing, at least +dimly, objects under water. But the windows showed as black as night.</p> + +<p>"Bring me one of the portable searchlights," called Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>Washington brought one, operated by a storage battery. Holding it so the +reflector cast the beams out of the bull's-eye and into the water on the +opposite side, the inventor peered forth.</p> + +<p>"I was afraid of this!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We are caught in the Sargasso Sea," replied Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"The Sargasso Sea?" repeated Mark, in a questioning tone. "What is +that?"</p> + +<p>"It is a great sea of grass," replied the captain. "An immense ocean of +sea weed, that sometimes floats on the surface and sometimes a little +below. The stalks or blades of the grass are very long and closely +matted together."</p> + +<p>"Is there any danger?" asked Andy in some alarm.</p> + +<p>"Very much," answered the professor quietly. "A ship, once fairly +entangled in the grass or sea weed, seldom gets out. If it is a sailing +ship the weed clings to the rudder, making steerage impossible, and even +in a strong wind the ship cannot get free of the mass. The grass winds +about the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'propellors'">propellers</ins> of steamships, and holds them as tight as in a +vise.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes a great storm may tear the mass of weed loose from the bottom +of the ocean, and then the ship is free. But the Sargasso Sea is the +graveyard of many a fine vessel."</p> + +<p>The pumps were set going. Anxiously everyone watched the gage. The +pointer never moved, but remained at thirty feet. The <i>Porpoise</i> was +caught.</p> + +<p>"Well, since we can't go up, let us see if we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> can go down," said the +inventor. "Perhaps we can dive under the sea weed."</p> + +<p>The cocks of the tanks were opened and the water rushed in. Under the +weight of it the ship should have sunk to the bottom. Instead it +remained just where it was, thirty feet below the surface.</p> + +<p>"Try the screw again," suggested Andy, "Maybe we can back out."</p> + +<p>The big <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'propellor'">propeller</ins> in the tube was started going in a reverse direction, +but the <i>Porpoise</i> only moved a few feet and then stopped. To go forward +was equally impossible.</p> + +<p>The submarine was held fast in the grip of the long, sinuous, snake-like +fingers of the terrible sea grass. Weak as one strand was, the thousands +combined served to fasten the ship as securely as wire cables would have +done. The weeds had entangled themselves all around the craft and +refused to let go.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Henderson when all efforts had failed. "We must +think of a new plan."</p> + +<p>He spoke cheerfully, for he did not want the boys and other members of +the crew to know how worried he was. This was a danger he had never +counted on when he planned to go to the south pole.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There is no great hurry," Mr. Henderson went on in a few minutes. "We +can stay here for several days if need be, and by that time a storm may +tear the grass loose."</p> + +<p>"If we had our old hay sythes here," spoke Bill, "me an' Tom could put +on divin' suits an' go out an' cut the sea weed."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid that wouldn't work," answered Mr. Henderson. "I'll think up +some plan, soon."</p> + +<p>He started toward the engine room to look over the machinery. He was met +by Washington, who seemed much alarmed.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked the inventor.</p> + +<p>"De air tank hab busted an' all de air is escapin' out!" cried the +colored man. "We'll all smothercate!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>FIRE ON BOARD</h3> + + +<p>The professor jumped past Washington and hurried into the room where the +tanks were kept, carrying the reserve supply of air for breathing when +the ship was under water. A loud hissing told that the leak was a large +one.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Bring me some tools and a steel plug," shouted the captain.</p> + +<p>Mark hurried in with the things the professor wanted. But before the +plug could be put in the hole the air stopped hissing.</p> + +<p>"The leak is fixed!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"No," said the professor in a strange voice.</p> + +<p>"But the air no longer rushes out."</p> + +<p>"For a good reason, there is no longer any air to rush out. It is all +gone!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that all the reserve stock has been lost?" exclaimed +Andy.</p> + +<p>"I fear so. The leak must have been a bad one. The air was stored in +tanks under pressure, and, as you know, we released it as we needed it. +Now it is all gone."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All? Then we shall smother," said Jack, and his voice trembled.</p> + +<p>"Not at once," went on Mr. Henderson in a calm voice. "There is enough +air in the entire ship, including that which has leaked from the tanks +to last us five hours. After that——" he paused and looked at his +watch.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Andy. "After that?"</p> + +<p>"There is enough stored in the small tanks of the diving suits to last +another two hours, perhaps. Seven hours in all."</p> + +<p>"Then what?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"We shall smother to death," said the professor in a low tone. "That +is," he went on, "unless before that time we can raise the <i>Porpoise</i> to +the surface of the sea and get a fresh supply of air."</p> + +<p>"Then we must work to raise the ship," put in Bill. "Let' get out and +see if we can't cut through the sea weed."</p> + +<p>"It would be useless," said Mr. Henderson. "We can only depend on the +power of the ship herself. But do not be discouraged. We may escape. +Come, Washington, start the engine again. By keeping it going constantly +we can, perhaps, break loose from the grass. It is our only hope."</p> + +<p>Steadily the machinery worked. It might as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> well have remained +stationary, however, as far as any noticeable effect was made on the +boat's progress. The grass of the Sargasso Sea held the <i>Porpoise</i> in a +firm grasp.</p> + +<p>Four hours passed. There was nothing to do but wait and see what would +happen. It all depended on the engines. Silently the navigators of the +realms under the ocean sat and hoped. Now and then the professor would +go to the engine room to adjust the machines.</p> + +<p>The atmosphere in the cabin was growing noticeably heavier. The boys' +heads began to ring with strange noises, and there was a tightness +across their chests. The lack of fresh air was beginning to tell.</p> + +<p>"We might as well use that in the diving suit reservoirs," remarked the +professor. "We will feel better, at least for a little while."</p> + +<p>The helmets of the suits were brought in, and the vapor released from +the small tanks. A change was at once noticed. The old stale air in the +cabin was forced out of the exhaust pipes, and the fresh took its place. +Every one felt better.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster revolved the big screw. The ship vibrated more and +more. Yet it did not move, nor did it rise. The crew were still +prisoners beneath the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>For an hour or so conditions were fairly comfortable. Then the same +unpleasantness was experienced as was noticed before.</p> + +<p>"If we could only open a window," sighed Mark, "and let in a lot of +fresh air, how nice it would be."</p> + +<p>The air rapidly became more foul. Soon Washington was gasping for +breath. Tom and Bill showed signs of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Lie down on the floor," counseled the professor. "You will find the air +a little fresher down there."</p> + +<p>They all did as he advised, the inventor himself stretching out at full +length. A little relief was experienced.</p> + +<p>They knew it could not last long. Even the professor seemed to have +given up hope. The engine was not going to free the ship in time to save +the lives of those on board.</p> + +<p>Washington crawled to the engine room, as some of the bearings needed +oiling. The professor seemed in despair. He opened one of the slides +that covered the glass bulls eye windows. Then he turned off the +electric lights. The opening was black, showing that the sea of grass +still surrounded them. With a groan Mr. Henderson turned aside. The last +hope was gone. He sank down on the floor of the darkened cabin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>Just then Mark happened to look at the bull's-eye. He saw a glimmer of +light. Then he noticed several fishes swimming about. The water was +clear. The grass had disappeared from the vicinity of the window.</p> + +<p>"Look!" cried Mark to the professor.</p> + +<p>The inventor peered forth. As he did so he uttered a cry. Then he +staggered rather than ran to the engine room.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" he called to Washington.</p> + +<p>"I jest let some ob de sulphuric acid out ob de storage battery tank," +replied the colored man.</p> + +<p>"That's it! That's it!" exclaimed the professor. "Quick, let some more +out, Washington. Let out all there is in that tank. It will save our +lives."</p> + +<p>Wonderingly Washington obeyed. The air in the ship was growing more foul +every second. It was hard to breathe even on the floor, and all were +gasping for breath. A few minutes more and they would all become +unconscious and death would come in a little while if the air was not +freshened.</p> + +<p>The professor staggered back to the main cabin. He looked out of the +bull's-eye windows. Then he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"See, it is getting lighter! Thank Heaven we are saved!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next instant the ship began to move backward. Then with increasing +speed it pulled out of the grip of the long grass, and in another minute +was floating on top of the water, at the edge of the Sargasso Sea.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Open the man hole cover!" said Amos Henderson.</p> + +<p>Washington threw back the lever cams, and in rushed the fresh air. It +was a blessed relief from the terrible oppressiveness of the foul +atmosphere of the boat. They all breathed deeply, and, in a few minutes +the effects of their long imprisonment had passed off.</p> + +<p>They went out on the small deck. It was getting dusk, and the reflection +of the red sunset shone brightly on the heaving water.</p> + +<p>"I 'spected I'd neber see dis again," said Washington. "Thought suah I +was a gone chicken!"</p> + +<p>"We had a most fortunate escape," said the professor. "You did the trick +for us when you let the acid run from that tank into the sea. It mingled +with the water and burned or ate through the stems of the grass so they +no longer held the ship. I saw what had happened as soon as I looked out +of the bull's-eye, and that's why I had you turn out all the acid you +could. It was just as if liquid fire had touched the sea weed and burnt +it off."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Golly!" exclaimed Washington. "Fust I know I'll be a perfessor myself!"</p> + +<p>Supper was eaten with the ship on the surface of the ocean, for it was +impossible to go below until the leak in the air tanks had been +repaired. Work was begun on this the next day, and though it proved a +difficult job it was accomplished by Mr. Henderson and the boys.</p> + +<p>There were several minor repairs to be made to the machinery, and it was +a week before all was in readiness for another descent beneath the +waves. In the meanwhile the craft had moved slowly southward on the +surface, where no very great speed was possible.</p> + +<p>Toward evening, on the seventh day after their adventure with the +Sargasso Sea, the travelers closed the man hole, and with air tanks well +filled slowly sank beneath the waves. Supper was eaten at a depth of +sixty feet, and after the meal, while Washington was washing the dishes, +the others sat and looked out through the bull's-eyes at the big fishes +which floated past.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't like to catch one of them air things on my hook an' line," +observed Bill, as a particularly large fish went past. "I reckon I'd +have trouble landin' him."</p> + +<p>"More likely he'd pull you in," said Mark.</p> + +<p>For several minutes they watched the strange<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> procession of deep-sea +life. Presently Jack, who was sitting near the engine room door, sprang +up. At the same instant there was the sound of an explosion.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried the professor.</p> + +<p>"Come quick!" yelled Washington.</p> + +<p>"It's a fire!" yelled Jack. "One of the electrical fuses has blown out, +and the ship is on fire!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE GHOST OF THE SUBMARINE</h3> + + +<p>They all rushed toward the engine room. It was dark, because the lights +had gone out all over the ship, and they could see only by the glare of +the flames, which were increasing.</p> + +<p>"Light one of the oil lanterns!" called the professor, and Bill did so.</p> + +<p>"Unreel the hose," the inventor continued, and Mark and Jack ran to do +this.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the line was stretched into the engine room, and water +was being thrown on the flames, for Washington had started the pump as +soon as he saw the conflagration.</p> + +<p>The fire was in one corner, near the electrical switch board, and had +been caused by the blowing out of one of the fuses, which occasioned the +little explosion. The wood work near the switches was blazing fiercely, +and soon the ship was filled with smoke.</p> + +<p>"Empty the ballast tanks!" called the professor. "We must rise to the +surface!"</p> + +<p>"We'll all be burned up!" cried Tom. "First<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> we nearly smother and then +we get on fire. Neber saw such luck!"</p> + +<p>With a rush the <i>Porpoise</i> began to rise, as her tanks were lightened. +With steady hands, though with fear in their hearts, Jack and Mark +continued to play the water on the flames, while the professor and +Washington got out a second line and aided them.</p> + +<p>"The fire is dying out!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "We'll soon get the +best of it."</p> + +<p>In five minutes the worst was over, though it had been an anxious time, +and one of danger. The ship came to the surface, and the open man-hole +let out the thick smoke that had nearly suffocated the travelers.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was cool enough in the engine room an examination was made +of the damage done. It was not as bad as the professor had feared, and +the running part of the ship was not harmed. A new fuse was put in and +the electric lights turned on.</p> + +<p>The night was spent with the ship floating on the surface of the ocean, +only enough speed being kept up to give her steerage way. The professor +did not want to go below the waves until he had repaired the switch +board.</p> + +<p>Watch was kept, for, though they were out of the regular line of ocean +travel, there was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> telling when a vessel might come along and run +them down, for the <i>Porpoise</i> did not show above the waves more than a +few feet, and carried no lights.</p> + +<p>Mark had the watch just after midnight, and was sitting in the conning +tower, the door of which opened out on the small deck. He had swept the +surface of the water with powerful glasses and was sure there were no +ships in sight. So, feeling that he would like to stretch his legs, he +walked up and down on the platform.</p> + +<p>He had reached the after end, and was about to turn and go back, when he +was startled to see between him and the conning tower a white object. At +first Mark thought it was a cloud of mist, or something the matter with +his eyes. He rubbed them, but the object did not disappear.</p> + +<p>Then it moved, and, to his horror Mark saw that it had the shape of a +man, tall and thin. The two arms were outstretched, and to Mark's +imagination seemed to be pointed toward him.</p> + +<p>In spite of trying not to be, Mark was frightened.</p> + +<p>He did not believe in ghosts, and had always felt that all stories about +them were due to persons' imaginations. Now he saw something that was +hard to explain.</p> + +<p>As he watched it, the white object turned and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> glided without making the +slightest noise, toward the conning tower. It entered and Mark breathed +a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, after all, it was some one from down in the cabin, maybe the +professor himself in his night shirt, who had come up to see that all +was right.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and look," said Mark to himself.</p> + +<p>He had to nerve himself for the ordeal, as, in spite of assuring himself +that there were no such things as ghosts, he was frightened.</p> + +<p>It was absolutely quiet. The only sound was the gentle swish of the +water against the sides of the ship. The engine was running so slowly +that it caused no noise.</p> + +<p>Half way on his journey to the conning tower Mark paused. There, +advancing toward him, was the white object. With outstretched arms it +glided nearer and nearer until Mark's heart was beating as if it would +burst through his ribs. His mouth was dry and he could not have cried +out had he tried.</p> + +<p>There was a splash in the water off to the left as some big fish sprang +out and dropped back again. Involuntarily Mark turned in that direction. +Then he thought of the ghost and looked for it again. To his surprise +the white object was nowhere to be seen!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boy waited a few minutes, and then, screwing up his courage, he went +to the tower. There was no one inside, and, along the length of deck +nothing was to be seen of the ghost.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if I have been asleep and dreaming," the boy asked himself. He +gave his leg a pinch, and the sensation of pain told him he was not +slumbering.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll say nothing about it," Mark went on to himself. "They'll +only laugh at me."</p> + +<p>Entering the tower Mark looked for the glasses in order to make another +observation. He could not find them, yet he was sure he had left them on +a shelf in the tower.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the ghost took them," he said.</p> + +<p>He heard some one coming up the iron stairs of the small companionway +that led down into the interior of the ship through the man-hole. At +first he thought it was his queer midnight visitor returning. Then the +head and shoulders of Jack appeared.</p> + +<p>"I've come to relieve you," said Jack. "Your watch is up; it's two +o'clock. Here are the night glasses. I found them on the cabin table. I +thought you had them with you."</p> + +<p>"I did," replied Mark.</p> + +<p>"Then how did they get below?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," said Mark.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>The mystery was deepening, yet he did not want to tell Jack just yet.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's queer," remarked Jack. "Maybe the captain came up and got +them while you were asleep."</p> + +<p>"I didn't go to sleep," answered Mark rather crossly.</p> + +<p>Jack said nothing more, but took his place in the conning tower, while +Mark went below. Thinking to discover if the ghost might by any chance +have been one of the persons on the <i>Porpoise</i>, Mark looked into each +bunk. From the captain to Washington, all the inmates were peacefully +slumbering.</p> + +<p>"Queer," murmured Jack, as he took a look into the engine room before +turning in. The engine needed no attention, as it worked automatically, +and all there was to do was to steer the ship. Even this needed little +care as the course was a straight one, and the wheel could be locked, +leaving the lookout little to do.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything during your watch?" asked Mark of Jack the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"See anything? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean anything unusual."</p> + +<p>"Nothing, only a school of porpoises went past and gave me a little +scare. They were like a lot of water kittens at play."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mark concluded he would say nothing of the white visitor until he +ascertained whether any one else had seen it.</p> + +<p>It was several nights later, when the ship was once more proceeding +slowly along the surface of the water, that the ghost again appeared. +This time Washington had the midnight watch.</p> + +<p>But the colored man was not one to remain quiet when he had such a scary +visitor, and his yells aroused the ship.</p> + +<p>"It's a ghostess! A big white ghostess!" yelled Washington. "I don seen +it wid my eyes, an' it waved his arms at me. I's goin' to die suah!"</p> + +<p>"What's all this nonsense?" demanded the professor sternly. Then +Washington, more or less excitedly, told of what he had seen. It was +just as it had happened to Mark.</p> + +<p>"You were dreaming," said the professor to Washington. "There are no +such things as ghosts."</p> + +<p>Every one, from old Andy to Tom and Bill, had been roused by +Washington's cries, and listened to his story. At the close of the +recital of how the white thing had suddenly disappeared, Washington +refused to continue his watch, unless some one stayed with him.</p> + +<p>Mark volunteered to do this. He was anxious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> to see if the ghost would +reappear to him. But nothing happened; and the rest of the night passed +off quietly.</p> + +<p>The next day the <i>Porpoise</i> was taken below the surface, in order to +allow of better speed being made. She was running along, submerged to a +depth of two hundred feet, when there came a sudden jar, and the ship +stopped.</p> + +<p>"More trouble!" exclaimed the professor.</p> + +<p>He opened the slide covering the bull's-eye windows and looked out. All +about was swirling muddy water.</p> + +<p>"Can you see anything?" the inventor called to Jack, who was in the +conning tower.</p> + +<p>"We've run into a mud-bank, and are stuck fast," called back the boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>DIGGING OUT THE SHIP</h3> + + +<p>"Reverse the engine!" called the professor. "Maybe we can back the ship +out."</p> + +<p>Washington set the big screw to revolving in the opposite direction. The +<i>Porpoise</i> shook and shivered but the mud held her fast.</p> + +<p>"We must have gone in pretty deep," commented Amos Henderson. "Luckily +it was soft mud instead of a rocky reef or we'd have damaged the ship +beyond repair."</p> + +<p>For several minutes the engines were kept on the reverse, but all to no +purpose. The sticky mud was like glue in its holding power and the ship +had buried her prow deep into it.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll have to dig our way out," said the professor, after +taking a careful view of the big mud bank from the conning tower. +"Washington, get out the diving suits and the spades."</p> + +<p>"Are we really going out in the water to dig?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Mr. Henderson. "You'll be as safe as in the ship, +wearing one of my diving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> suits. We'll all have to help, for it will be +quite a task."</p> + +<p>The queer suits were brought out, and the reservoirs in the helmets were +filled with compressed air. It was decided to have Washington remain +within the <i>Porpoise</i>, to watch the machinery and start the engine when +the digging was partly done, in order to see if the ship would not pull +herself free when some of the mud had been removed from the prow.</p> + +<p>"And we may need Washington for another purpose," said the professor.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Well, he'll have to stay by the diving tank, to let us in quickly in +case of emergency."</p> + +<p>"Do you think there'll be an emergency?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"You never can tell," was the answer. "We are in deep water, and I don't +want any accidents to happen."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes all save Washington were in their diving suits and +ready to go out and walk on the bottom of the sea. They entered the +tank, the door was closed, and then water was slowly admitted from the +ocean. When the tank was full, led by the professor, they stepped out on +the muddy floor of the ocean.</p> + +<p>At first the pressure of the water at so great a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> depth bothered them. +But, as we know, the diving suits were reinforced with plates of steel, +and so strong that little more than an extra weight of water was +noticed. They soon became used to it. Each one carried a spade, while +the professor, Andy and the boys each had, slung about their necks by +straps, one of the electric guns.</p> + +<p>Cautiously they walked toward the big mud bank. They had to go slowly +because of the weight of the water above them, and because they might at +any minute step into some muck hole and sink down. Fortunately, however, +they found there was a firm bottom right up to where the bank of mud +reared upward.</p> + +<p>Turning on the electric lights in their helmets, the voyagers were able +to see quite distinctly. The <i>Porpoise</i> had rammed her nose into the +under-water hill for a distance of about ten feet. It was going to be no +easy matter to get her free, but the divers lost no time.</p> + +<p>Vigorously they attacked the big hill of mud. They dug their spades in +and tossed the earth to one side. It was a strange place to work. At +first the weight of water hampered every one, but they soon became used +to it and were able to proceed more rapidly.</p> + +<p>From the conning tower Washington kept watch of their progress. When +they had gone in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> about five feet he started the engines, hoping the +<i>Porpoise</i> might now pull herself free. But the mud still held.</p> + +<p>By signs, for it was of course impossible for any one to hear or speak, +attired as they were in helmets and suits, the professor motioned that +they must dig deeper.</p> + +<p>Once more they attacked the big mud bank with their shovels. Farther and +farther they went into the muck until it seemed that the nose of the +submarine must be free. But when Washington started the engines it was +obvious that the ship was still held.</p> + +<p>Again the digging was resumed. All at once, while every one was wielding +his spade to best advantage, a shadow seemed to cover the water. It +loomed up large and black, and the professor stopped and gazed upward. +What he saw made him drop his spade and grab the gun that was about his +neck.</p> + +<p>Floating in the water above the diggers, were three immense sharks. +Their cruel mouths were partly open, showing three rows of big teeth, +and they were slowly turning over on their backs to make a sudden rush +and devour the men and boys. Owing to the peculiar shape of its maw a +shark can not bite until it turns over.</p> + +<p>The professor motioned for Bill and Tom to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> move behind him, and +signalled for Jack, Mark and Andy to stand close with their weapons +ready.</p> + +<p>The sharks floated lazily downward as if they knew they had the diggers +at their mercy. To run and escape was impossible, for no one could run +hampered by the weight of water and his diving suit.</p> + +<p>One of the terrible fish opened its mouth wider and, with a flirt of its +tail aimed straight for the professor. Mr. Henderson raised his gun, and +took careful aim at the middle of the fish, half turned over. Unerringly +the electric bullet sped on its way. It entered the soft under part of +the shark, and immediately the thing struggled in its death agony.</p> + +<p>The water was dyed with blood. At the same instant the other sharks +rushed forward in a swirl of foam. The boys and Andy fired as best they +could, and must have hit one of the creatures for there was a greater +commotion.</p> + +<p>But the fight was not over. Instantly the ocean seemed alive with the +giant fish. Attracted by the blood of the killed ones, scores of the +tigers of the seas rushed toward the scene of combat making matters +livelier than ever.</p> + +<p>The professor, the boys and Andy fired their guns at random. Redder and +more red became the water until their helmet lamps barely glowed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> in the +crimson sea. It seemed that a whole army of the voracious sharks had +attacked them.</p> + +<p>The professor realized that to stay and attempt to fight all the sharks +in that part of the ocean was impossible. He motioned for the boys and +Andy to follow him. Then he slowly led the way back to the ship.</p> + +<p>But the sharks were not to be gotten rid of so easily. Several of the +largest followed the diggers, their horrible eyes, and big mouths with +rows of cruel teeth, striking terror to the hearts of all.</p> + +<p>One of the creatures made a rush for Bill and Tom who were close +together. Either or both of the men would have been bitten in twain, in +spite of the protection of their diving suits, had not Mark, with a snap +shot, killed the fierce fish.</p> + +<p>It was now a running fight, and yet not so much that, because to run was +impossible. However, they hurried all they could, and, by dint of quick +firing kept the ugly creatures at bay until the side of the ship, where +the diving tank was placed, was reached.</p> + +<p>The professor stepped to one side, and motioned for the others to +proceed him in entering. Little time was lost. As Bill, the last one in, +stepped past the steel door the inventor attempted to enter. To do so he +had to let go of his gun.</p> + +<p>Instantly one of the sharks made a rush for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> old man. But Andy was +on the watch. He leaned forward, and, from his weapon sent a bullet +straight down the throat of the monster. The electric missile did its +work well, and the lifeless body of the shark was devoured by the others +of its tribe.</p> + +<p>The professor pulled the door shut behind him. Then he set the pump to +work to empty the tank. As he did so there was a tremor to the ship. +What could it mean?</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the tank was empty and the divers stepped out into the +ship, freed from the oppressive weight of water. The ship continued to +vibrate and seemed to be in motion.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mark as soon as he had his helmet off.</p> + +<p>"De ship am free! We've got off de mud bank!" exclaimed Washington, +running in from the engine room.</p> + +<p>It was true. Enough had been dug so that, with the power of the screw +working backward, there was sufficient force to pull the <i>Porpoise</i> from +her perilous position.</p> + +<p>"Empty the tanks and rise to the surface," said the professor.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the ship was on top of the waves, the adventurers freed +from the double danger of the mud and sharks. They congratulated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> each +other on the good outcome of the fight with the monster fishes.</p> + +<p>Wearied with their labors and the battle under the waves, the travelers +sat up on the deck breathing in the fresh breeze. Then, after a while, +supper was made ready and eaten with good appetites.</p> + +<p>It was decided hereafter to sail along near the surface at night, and +not to submerge the ship deeply save during daylight, when it was easier +to distinguish objects under the water.</p> + +<p>Following this plan the <i>Porpoise</i> steamed along just awash that night, +and the next day was sent down about fifty feet below the surface.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, when the travelers were resting, having partaken of a +fine meal, the professor went on deck to make some observations, the +ship having been raised for that purpose. He came down, somewhat +excited.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're half way to the pole," he announced.</p> + +<p>"How can you tell?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Because we have just crossed the equator. We went over the imaginary +line three minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"I was wondering what made it so warm," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"I guess you dreamed it was hotter," spoke the professor. "It has been +just as hot as this for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> the last few days. Crossing the line makes no +difference."</p> + +<p>"Then we are really in the southern hemisphere now," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"That's where we are," replied Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>He put his instruments away.</p> + +<p>"Well, we may as well go below the surface again," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Come quick! Hurry up!" yelled Washington from the deck. "Dar's a +shipwreck up heah! Somebody's on it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGE SHIPWRECK</h3> + + +<p>The professor, followed by the boys and Tom, Bill and Andy hastened on +deck. They saw Washington pointing excitedly off to the west. There, +rising and falling on the easy swell, was the wreck of a large vessel.</p> + +<p>She had been a three masted schooner, but now only the stumps of the +masts remained and the craft was rolling to and fro. It had settled low +in the water, and was quite deep by the head, so that, at times, the +waves broke over the bow in a shower of spray.</p> + +<p>But what attracted the attention of the adventurers more than anything +else was the sight of two figures near what had been the after cabin of +the ship.</p> + +<p>There they stood, frantically waving their hands toward those on the +submarine. Across the water that separated the two craft, there came a +faint hail.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they are nearly dead," exclaimed the inventor. "We must save +them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>He ordered the <i>Porpoise</i> sent ahead slowly toward the wreck. The +distance was about half a mile, and was soon covered. As the submarine +approached closer those on the schooner could be observed more plainly.</p> + +<p>"One of 'em is a woman!" exclaimed Jack, who was using the glasses.</p> + +<p>"Let me see," spoke the professor.</p> + +<p>"You're right," he added. "The other is a little girl."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the <i>Porpoise</i> was alongside. The woman and child +came to the rail of the schooner, which was barely five feet above the +waves.</p> + +<p>"Can you jump down, or shall I come aboard and get you?" asked Mr. +Henderson seeing the woman hesitate.</p> + +<p>"I can jump down, if you will catch the child," said the woman. "Oh I am +so glad you came," she added. "We are almost dead from hunger and +thirst, and the wreck is ready to sink and cannot last many hours +longer."</p> + +<p>"Pass the little girl down to me," spoke Andy. "Then you jump. We'll +save you all right."</p> + +<p>The little girl reached the deck in safety, and the woman, who proved to +be her mother, followed.</p> + +<p>"Now take us to your ship," said the woman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You must be a long way from her, as she is not in sight."</p> + +<p>"Our ship is right here," spoke Mr. Henderson with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Where, I don't see her," and the woman looked in all directions.</p> + +<p>"Allow me to introduce you to Profess Amos Henderson's famous submarine, +the <i>Porpoise</i>," spoke the inventor with a bow. "But come, let us go +below. You must be suffering, and here I am making speeches."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am hungry, and thirsty too," said the woman. "So is Nellie. +But I thought this was merely a small boat, sent from some large ship to +get us."</p> + +<p>The woman and girl descended to the cabin of the submarine, where +Washington set before them a fine meal. Under the advice of the +professor they partook sparingly of food and drink at first, as, having +eaten nothing in many hours, the inventor said they must begin by taking +a little at a time.</p> + +<p>As soon as they had finished and become somewhat rested, the woman told +her story. She was Mrs. Johnson, a widow, her husband having once owned +and been captain of the schooner that was wrecked. After his death she +and her daughter, having become part owners of the craft, disposing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> of +a third interest to the former mate of the ship, had set out on one of +the voyages to South American ports.</p> + +<p>They had had good weather going, and took on a valuable cargo of lumber +and rare woods. But the return trip was more perilous. Heavy storms had +buffeted the craft almost from the time of leaving port, and in one +heavy blow, ten days before, the ship had been wrecked.</p> + +<p>"What became of the crew?" asked Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"They took to the boats," replied Mrs. Johnson. "My little girl and +myself were to go with the mate and his men. The waves were fearfully +high, and, as they held the boat close to the schooner so we could get +in, a big roller smashed the little craft. The men must have all been +drowned for I never afterwards caught sight of one of them."</p> + +<p>"But the other boats?" asked the inventor.</p> + +<p>"They had gotten too far away to hail, supposing that I would be taken +care of by the mate. There was nothing for Nellie and I to do but stay +on board, expecting the ship to sink every minute."</p> + +<p>"And you have been there ever since?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"Ever since. That was ten days ago. Every day I thought it would be our +last. The storm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> passed away and the sea became calm but the ship kept +settling lower and lower. Only the fact that part of the cargo was wood +kept her afloat so long. I managed to get some provisions and water up +on deck, but the sea had spoiled most of the stuff. We had to eat only a +little at a time, as I knew it would be some days before we could be +rescued, if we ever were. Two days ago we ate the last of the food and +drank almost the last of the water."</p> + +<p>"Then you had nothing since then," spoke Jack.</p> + +<p>"Only a few drops of rain that I caught on a piece of sail," answered +Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, you can have all you want now, mother," said Nellie, coming +over to pat her parent's cheek. "Oh," the child went on, "I was so +thirsty I could just cry when I thought of such things as ice cream +sodas."</p> + +<p>"I guess you could," agreed Mark. "Well, we can't give you any soda +water, but we have plenty of the other kind."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Johnson was much interested in the <i>Porpoise</i> and Professor +Henderson showed her all about the craft. Though the quarters were +rather cramped, a small cabin was fitted up for the lady and her +daughter.</p> + +<p>"We will travel a bit under the water so you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> can get used to it," said +the captain after a tour of the ship had been made. The tanks were +filled, and the <i>Porpoise</i> sank beneath the waves. At first Mrs. Johnson +was much frightened, and Nellie cried. But when they saw how skillfully +the ship was managed, and how easy it was to rise again, they lost their +fears.</p> + +<p>For several days the voyage was continued. Mrs. Johnson and Nellie +remained aboard as there was no place to land them, and they said they +wished to stay until they met some ship sailing north.</p> + +<p>One day, just at dusk, when the <i>Porpoise</i>, after a long run under the +water had come to the surface, the professor, came up on deck to take a +look around. Washington and Andy accompanied him.</p> + +<p>"Looks like land, off there to the left," remarked the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"Get the glasses, Washington," said Mr. Henderson. "It may be a ship."</p> + +<p>He took a long and careful look through the binoculars.</p> + +<p>"It's some sort of land," he announced. "We'll go over in the morning +and see what it is. Probably it's an island, for there's no main land in +these parts. We are in the middle of the southern Atlantic now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next morning, after breakfast, the <i>Porpoise</i> was headed toward the +dark spot on the surface of the water that the professor had gazed at +the evening before. As they came nearer it was seen that the place was a +large island.</p> + +<p>"But it's a mighty queer one," spoke Mr. Henderson. "It looks more like +a big volcano than anything else."</p> + +<p>As the ship came nearer it was seen that this was true. The island rose +abruptly from the surface of the sea in a big ridge, slightly rounded. +There appeared to be no signs of life on the land, but in the air +overhead hovered several big birds. These circled about and then +fluttered down, seemingly about the middle of the island.</p> + +<p>"We'll sail around and see if there's a place to land," spoke the +inventor. "There doesn't seem to be a good harbor on this side."</p> + +<p>Slowly the <i>Porpoise</i> made the circuit. The island appeared to be almost +round. When they had gone about half way around Andy, who was staring +ahead, cried out:</p> + +<p>"Look out Professor! Don't go any nearer or we'll be sucked into the +whirlpool!"</p> + +<p>The inventor looked where the hunter pointed. Then he beheld the +strangest sight he had ever seen. The island was low toward where Andy +pointed and they beheld the waters of the ocean<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> pouring over the edge +of it, and falling down into an immense hole with a roar like that of +Niagara Falls.</p> + +<p>"Reverse the ship!" cried Professor Henderson. "Send her back quickly, +Washington, or we'll be sucked down!"</p> + +<p>The colored man lost no time, and the big screw was sent whirling in the +opposite direction. And it was high time, for already the onward rush of +the falling waters was slowly drawing the ship toward the big cavern.</p> + +<p>"That was a lucky escape," commented Amos Henderson. "Well, as we can't +land there we'll try the other way around."</p> + +<p>The ship was headed in the opposite direction, and, after an hour's +sailing, a good harbor was discovered. The <i>Porpoise</i> was anchored in +shallow water close to the shore and in a small boat the professor, Andy +and the two boys went to the strange island.</p> + +<p>They found it merely an immense circle of land with the middle part +taken up by the big hole. And such a hole as it was! It was so wide +across that they could not see the farther side, and the depth they +could only guess at. Looking down they could only see great rolling +masses of clouds or vapor.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's steam," suggested Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Maybe it is," agreed the professor. "If this is a volcano, with lava in +it, the water of the ocean, pouring in on the other side, may be changed +to steam."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose this hole leads to the centre of the earth?" asked Mark. +"I've read somewhere, that the earth is hollow."</p> + +<p>"Some scientists believe it," commented the professor. "This looks like +a big enough hole to lead clear through to China. Hark, you can hear the +roar of the water now."</p> + +<p>They listened, and the wind brought to them the sound of the sea pouring +down into the unfathomable depths.</p> + +<p>"Let's throw a big rock down," suggested Jack. "Maybe we can hear it +strike bottom."</p> + +<p>With the aid of Mark he cast a big boulder down into the depths. They +listened intently, but not the slightest sound echoed back.</p> + +<p>"I guess the bottom is too far away for you to hear the stone land," +said the professor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE GHOST AGAIN</h3> + + +<p>They spent some time looking down into the hole. The masses of vapor, or +clouds, rolled and swirled hundreds of feet below them, but never broke +sufficiently to allow of a clear sight.</p> + +<p>"Well, we had better go back to the ship," remarked the professor. "We +must continue our voyage."</p> + +<p>They were soon on the <i>Porpoise</i> and steaming away from the strange +island, the inventor deciding to get far off out of the influence of the +terrible waterfall.</p> + +<p>The night was, as usual, spent with the ship slowly steaming ahead on +the surface of the water. It was getting on toward twelve o'clock and +Washington had the watch. He was to be relieved by Jack.</p> + +<p>The latter had been awakened by the alarm clock at the head of his bed, +which time-piece he had set to arouse him so that he might take +Washington's place. Jack was just getting the sleep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> from his eyes by a +vigorous rubbing when he heard a loud yell.</p> + +<p>"Land a' Massy!" cried Washington from the deck above. "I's goin' t' die +suah! De ghostess am after me ag'in!"</p> + +<p>Without waiting to dress, Jack sprang up the ladder and was soon out on +the deck. He saw Washington kneeling down in front of the conning tower +door while, at the after end of the deck, was a mysterious white object; +the same strange shape that had been observed before.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to solve this puzzle!" exclaimed Jack to himself as he made a +dive toward the object in white. "This ghost business will have to +stop!"</p> + +<p>But, unfortunately for his plans, his foot slipped on the smooth steel +deck, and he went down in a heap. When he got up the ghost was nowhere +to be seen.</p> + +<p>Washington, however, was still kneeling down and praying to be spared +from the attack of the midnight visitor. Jack limped over to the colored +man.</p> + +<p>"Keep still," said the boy. "It's gone now. What was it, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Some ghost from de grabeyard," replied Washington.</p> + +<p>"When did you see it first?" went on Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Bout ten minutes ago," replied Washington.</p> + +<p>"Well it's gone now," said Jack, though he had to admit to himself that +the affair was somewhat puzzling. Professor Henderson had been awakened +by the yells of the colored man and came on deck to see what the trouble +was. He appeared somewhat annoyed when Washington told him what had +happened.</p> + +<p>"There are no ghosts!" declared the inventor in positive tones.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't say so, Perfessor, if you'd seen him," spoke Washington. +"He were all in white, tall an' slim, an' big red eyes, an' a green +nose, an' fire comin' from his mouth an'—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," interrupted Jack. "It was nothing but a white object, +Professor Henderson. I saw it."</p> + +<p>"And what do you think it was?" asked the inventor.</p> + +<p>"I—I can hardly say," replied Jack. "Of course I don't believe in +ghosts, but this—"</p> + +<p>"It was probably a mist from the ocean," interrupted the professor. +"Don't let me hear any more of it. Washington, go below. Your watch is +up and Jack will take charge. I don't believe there will be any more +ghosts."</p> + +<p>Nor were there that night. The <i>Porpoise</i> glided along, requiring little +attention, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> morning broke was several miles nearer the southern +pole.</p> + +<p>The journey was continued beneath the waves and it was found much cooler +under them than upon the surface, for the ship was in the midst of the +equatorial heat.</p> + +<p>About four o'clock in the afternoon, when all was quiet aboard, there +came a sudden yell from the engine room. Washington's voice could be +heard calling for help. Then it died away in a groan.</p> + +<p>"Something has happened!" called Jack. "Washington is in trouble."</p> + +<p>He hurried toward where the machinery could be heard buzzing. The +professor, with Andy and Mark followed. They expected to see the colored +man caught in some shaft or belt, but he was nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has fallen into the ocean," suggested Mark.</p> + +<p>"The engine room does not open into the sea," answered the professor.</p> + +<p>A deep groan came from some corner of the engine room.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>But a careful search failed to reveal Washington. Still he could be +heard to groan at intervals. Bill and Tom came and aided in the search, +while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> Mrs. Johnson, who was worried at the unusual activity, asked what +the trouble was.</p> + +<p>Captain Henderson did not tell her, for, as he said afterward, he did +not want any women fainting away on his ship. At his request Mrs. +Johnson went back to her cabin, and the hunt for Washington continued.</p> + +<p>"Here he is!" cried Jack at last.</p> + +<p>The boy had climbed up on a small ladder that led to the big storage +battery tanks. He had looked down, and there, in the large metal box had +spied the colored man on the bottom. Washington was unconscious and +breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>"He has been overcome by the fumes of the sulphuric acid!" exclaimed the +professor. "We must get him out quickly or he will die!"</p> + +<p>"I'll get him!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>The old hunter grabbed a small step ladder that stood against the wall +of the engine room. With this on his shoulder he climbed up the steps +which led to the top of the storage battery tank. Then, by means of his +ladder, he descended inside.</p> + +<p>He had to work quickly as the fumes were very strong, but he managed to +hoist Washington up so that Bill and Tom, from outside, could take hold +of him. Then the colored man was carried out on the deck, where the +fresh air and some restoratives the professor used soon revived him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is I dead," were Washington's first words, as he sat up and looked +about him.</p> + +<p>"Not this time," replied the professor. "You had a close call, though. +How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>Washington explained that he started to clean the battery tank, when he +lost his balance and fell in. He cried as he felt himself falling, but +as soon as he struck the bottom of the tank the fumes of the chemicals +made him unconscious. His deep breathing, which had sounded like groans, +alone served to attract attention to his location.</p> + +<p>In a little while Washington was all right save for a slight weakness. +Captain Henderson made him go to his bunk, and ordered him to remain +there until morning.</p> + +<p>During the excitement over Washington's mishap all thought of steering +the ship had been forgotten, and when Mr. Henderson went to the conning +tower about five o'clock he found that the <i>Porpoise</i> was several points +off her course and was headed to the east instead of to the south. How +many miles out of her way the craft had steamed could only be guessed, +but as she had been going wrong for nearly an hour, it must be quite a +few the inventor calculated.</p> + +<p>However, he said, no great harm had been done. Even this slight accident +would not have happened had not Bill, who was in the conning tower +steer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>ing, forgotten to put the automatic device in operation when he +left the wheel to join in the search for Washington.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon make up the lost ground," said Mr. Henderson. "Another week +or ten days ought to see us at the end of our journey."</p> + +<p>"And what will we do when we get there?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"We will make some important geographical and scientific observations," +said the professor. "Not only that, but we will have done something that +no living person has ever accomplished. We reached the north pole, +though we could not land on the exact spot. Let us hope we will be more +successful regarding the south pole."</p> + +<p>The professor set the ship on her course again. Bill and Tom got supper +in place of Washington, while Mrs. Johnson helped set the table.</p> + +<p>The meal was eaten, and then the inventor started the ship toward the +surface, following the plan of not sailing beneath the waves after dark, +in order to avoid accidents.</p> + +<p>The craft was making good speed ahead, with the big screw revolving in +the tunnel and spurting the water from the rear, when there came a +sudden jar, and everyone nearly toppled over from the quick stopping of +the <i>Porpoise</i>. At the same time the forward end seemed to go up in the +air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What has happened? Are we sinking?" cried Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"I think we are going up," spoke the professor in cool tones.</p> + +<p>"In the air?" asked the lady.</p> + +<p>"On the land," answered the inventor. "I think we have struck shore and +slid up on a beach."</p> + +<p>He ordered the engine stopped and hurried to the conning tower to make +an observation. He turned on the searchlight and looked carefully at +what the beams showed. Then he came back to the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it?" asked Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"We have gone ashore, just as I supposed," said Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"And whereabouts are we?"</p> + +<p>"On the coast of South America."</p> + +<p>"Near where?"</p> + +<p>"Near Terra Del Fuego, the land of fire!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>ATTACKED BY SAVAGES</h3> + + +<p>"Are we in any danger?" asked Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," replied the captain. "If the ship is not strained the +rising tide will probably float her safely, and we can continue our +trip. We will have to wait until morning to see, however."</p> + +<p>"And if the ship is damaged?"</p> + +<p>"We will have to do what we can. We will hope for the best, madam."</p> + +<p>The professor went on deck. His first opinion of the accident was +confirmed. The <i>Porpoise</i>, in emerging from the waves, had slid well up +on a sandy shore, where she was held fast because the tide was rapidly +falling. It would be twelve hours before there would be a chance of her +floating again.</p> + +<p>The mishap had occurred because the ship had gotten off her course when +Washington's accident occurred, and had not been set right in time.</p> + +<p>However, as Mr. Henderson had said, there was no particular danger, +unless it was found that some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> of the plates had been strained, which +might cause a leak.</p> + +<p>The night was passed with the nose of the <i>Porpoise</i> well up on shore, +and before morning, as the tide continued to fall, more and more of the +craft became exposed until the whole steel body rested on the sloping +beach.</p> + +<p>Jack was the first to awaken. He was up with the sun, and went out on +the deck to take a view of the country he had often heard about. A +stretch of wild landscape met his eyes, and to the left and right of the +ship the waves were breaking on jagged rocks.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing we didn't hit the rocks," thought the youth.</p> + +<p>Mark came up on deck, and the two boys looked over the scene. It was a +strange one. Beyond the beach was a low level country, green in places, +with now and then a patch of what looked like trees.</p> + +<p>"And what are those brown spots moving about?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I guess they are herds of cattle," replied Jack. "You know South +America is a great place for them."</p> + +<p>For half an hour the two lads gazed about. Except for the stern of the +<i>Porpoise</i> all of the craft was now out of water, and one could have +jumped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> from the low deck down to a mound of white sand of the beach.</p> + +<p>"Let's go ashore and take a run," suggested Mark. "I've almost forgotten +how to walk on dry land."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," answered Jack. "I'm with you."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>The boys lost no time in getting down to the beach. They found it hard +and firm, and made their way to the strip of grass-covered land lying +beyond. Up and down they wandered, finding many curious and beautifully +marked shells where the waves had washed them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack gave a big jump and let out a yell.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I thought I saw one of those cocoanuts move," answered Jack, pointing +to where several of the big shaggy fruits lay under a tree from which +they had fallen.</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right," spoke Mark. "I certainly saw one of them take a +little side step. I wonder what does it."</p> + +<p>As the boys watched they were surprised, to see one of the cocoanuts +come toward them, apparently advancing without any visible means of +locomotion.</p> + +<p>"This is a queer country," remarked Jack, get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>ting ready to run in case +the strangely moving cocoanut might be a warning of danger.</p> + +<p>"Look! There's a whole lot of them moving," cried Mark.</p> + +<p>Sure enough a dozen or more of the nuts began to advance toward the +lads. The boys were not so much afraid as they were surprised. But a few +seconds later the reason for the strange sight was made plain.</p> + +<p>As they looked they saw one of the nuts roll down a little mound of +sand. Then they noticed that a big land crab was on the tiny hill and it +was evident that the nut had fallen from his claws.</p> + +<p>"It's the crabs!" exclaimed Mark. "I remember reading about them now. +They come ashore from the water where they live part of the time and get +the cocoanuts. Then they smash the shells by pounding the nuts on a +stone and eat the white meat inside. They are called cocoanut crabs."</p> + +<p>"I was beginning to think we were in some enchanted land," spoke Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, it certainly looked queer," agreed Mark.</p> + +<p>For some time the boys watched the strange sight. Then they walked along +the beach, seeing several large star fish, and some big horse-shoe crabs +that had been stranded by the tide.</p> + +<p>"Look at that immense turtle!" exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> Mark, as one of the creatures +scuttled over the sand toward the sea. "I'll bet she's been laying +eggs!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so."</p> + +<p>They made a rush for the tortoise but were not quick enough, for she +slid into the water and made off.</p> + +<p>"Here's her nest, anyhow," called Jack, as he pointed to some eggs, +thinly covered with sand. "Let's go back and take them with us. I've +heard they are good eating."</p> + +<p>Jack and Mark started to gather up as many of the eggs as they could in +their hats. While they were thus engaged they heard a call from the ship +and looked up to see coming toward them, all of the ship's company +except Washington.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if anything could have happened," spoke Mark.</p> + +<p>He and Jack dropped the eggs and started on a run toward the stranded +ship. They were reassured, however, when they saw the professor waving +his hand at them. When he got within hailing distance the inventor +called:</p> + +<p>"It's all right, boys. We're just taking a little walk, before +breakfast, for an appetizer. It's been some time since we were on land. +Washington says he'll have some fine fried ham for us in a little +while."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And here are the eggs to go with it," spoke Jack.</p> + +<p>"Have you found a hen house?" asked Mr. Henderson in some wonder.</p> + +<p>"No, but we discovered a turtle, which is just as good," replied Mark. +The professor agreed with him, and called for Washington to come and get +the eggs.</p> + +<p>"Wall I 'clare to goodness!" exclaimed the colored man as he gathered +the product of the turtle up in his cook's apron. "Dis suttinly am a +queer contraption of a country to find eggs growin' in de sand."</p> + +<p>He shuffled back to the ship, while the others walked up and down on the +beach. In about half an hour the professor suggested that they return.</p> + +<p>"Washington must have breakfast ready by now," he said, "and I, for one, +am hungry enough to enjoy it."</p> + +<p>They turned toward the stranded <i>Porpoise</i> but no sooner had their eyes +taken in the sweep of the ocean that lay before them than they uttered +cries of fear.</p> + +<p>Spreading out from the beach in a big half circle that enclosed within +its curve the submarine, were three score of canoes, each one filled +with half naked savages.</p> + +<p>"The natives are going to attack the ship!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> cried the professor. "We +must hurry back or we are lost!"</p> + +<p>He started on the run, accompanied by the boys and men. Mrs. Johnson and +her daughter brought up the rear. The adventurers had gone from one +misfortune into another.</p> + +<p>At the top of their speed they approached the stranded ship. The natives +saw them coming and the next instant hundreds of paddles broke the waves +into a mass of sparkling water as the wily savages urged their canoes +swiftly toward the submarine.</p> + +<p>"If we can only reach it first we can hold them off until the tide +floats us, and then we can escape," said the professor.</p> + +<p>He increased his pace though the run was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'begining'">beginning</ins> to tell on his aged +frame. The adventurers were now within an eighth of a mile of the ship, +but the savages were closer, and had the advantage of being able to make +greater speed. The two forces approached nearer and nearer. Finally the +first of the canoes reached the submerged end of the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>With wild shouts a score of the brown men leaped from the boats and +scrambled up the steel sides. An instant later they were joined by +several canoe loads of their companions. They swarmed up on the deck, +and some peered down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> the winding stairs that led to the interior of the +ship.</p> + +<p>"Too late!" cried the professor. "They have captured the <i>Porpoise!</i>"</p> + +<p>"But Washington is aboard!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p>As he spoke the colored man was seen clambering up out of the companion +way. He gave one look at the wild natives who swarmed over the ship, and +then, with a yell to be heard a long way off, disappeared below.</p> + +<p>The shouts and cries of the savages grew louder and they seemed to be +doing a sort of war dance.</p> + +<p>"We must make one effort to drive them away," said the professor in +desperation.</p> + +<p>"We haven't even a revolver," spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"Let's use stones," suggested Jack, grabbing up a handful from the +beach.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" yelled Mark. "They are going to shoot some arrows!"</p> + +<p>A second later a flight of the weapons filled the air. Fortunately the +natives were too far away to permit the shots taking effect, but it +showed that they intend to fight and take possession of the ship.</p> + +<p>Even this did not frighten Mr. Henderson. His vessel was more than life +to him and he kept on. Several arrows fell dangerously close and he +might have been hurt had not old Andy run after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> him and induced him to +go farther up the beach and out of harm's way.</p> + +<p>"They will kill Washington!" cried Jack as he thought of the colored man +at the mercy of the savages.</p> + +<p>"There he comes!" yelled Mark.</p> + +<p>He pointed toward the ship and as they all looked in that direction they +saw the colored man climbing out on the deck. Under one arm he bore a +long narrow box, and in the other hand he carried one of the electric +guns.</p> + +<p>"He's goin' to fight 'em!" exclaimed Andy. "He's got a gun and he will +show 'em what's what!"</p> + +<p>But Washington did not seem to have any such intentions. With a yell +that equalled the savage cries of the natives, he sprang over the side +of the ship, onto the sand and ran toward the group of adventurers. A +flight of arrows followed him, but he was not hit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>ON LAND</h3> + + +<p>"Why don't he shoot his gun at 'em?" demanded Andy, capering about on +the sand. "He could soon scare 'em off!"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid Washington is too frightened to do anything like that," +answered Professor Henderson. "He is lucky to have escaped alive."</p> + +<p>"Wait until he gets here with that gun, an' I'll do some huntin' that +will make them savages skip!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>In a little while Washington came up to where the others from the +<i>Porpoise</i> stood on the beach. The colored man was panting from his run.</p> + +<p>"De most monstrous disproportionately extradition ob circumstantial +occurrances dat ever transpositioned on my optical vasionariness!" he +exclaimed as he laid his gun and the black box carefully down on the +sand. "Ten thousand naked imps of darkness swarmin' ober de ship an' not +a pusson to say what dey ought to do an' where dey ought t' go! It am +suttinly terrible!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why didn't you shoot some of 'em?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"Me?" exclaimed Washington. "What for I want t' shoot 'em? S'pose I want +'em t' git mad at me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you're a great one," went on Andy, picking up the gun. "I guess +I'll have to take a few shots myself."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah."</p> + +<p>From Washington the adventurers learned how the savages had silently +come up in their canoes and surrounded the ship, gaining possession of +it before he could make any effort at defense, even had he so desired.</p> + +<p>"What are we to do now?" asked Mrs. Johnson, when they had retreated out +of sight of the savages. "The natives have possession of the boat, and +how are we to regain her when there are so many of them?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly is a hard nut to crack," admitted the professor. "We will +have to camp out on the beach for a while and see what happens. Perhaps +they may leave the vessel when they find it will do them no good. They +can't run her."</p> + +<p>"But they can tear her all apart and damage the machinery," said Jack. +"Then we would be in a pickle."</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't hope for any such bad luck as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> that," interrupted the +professor. "We will look for the best."</p> + +<p>"When are we going to have breakfast?" asked the little girl, after a +long wait. "I'm hungry, mother."</p> + +<p>"We will have it pretty soon," replied Mrs. Johnson in order to quiet +her daughter's mind.</p> + +<p>"But I want it now," continued Nellie. "I'm very hungry."</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"An' I had de finest brekfust what was ever invented," said Washington, +rolling his big eyes. "Mud turkle eggs, ham, preserves, coffee—"</p> + +<p>"That will do, Washington," said the professor. "It only makes our +mouths water to think about such things."</p> + +<p>At the mention of the turtle eggs Jack nudged Mark, and signalled him to +walk to one side. When they were out of earshot of the others Jack said:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with cooking some of the eggs that are left on the +sand? There are plenty of them, and there is no sense in our going +hungry."</p> + +<p>"How you going to cook 'em?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," replied Jack.</p> + +<p>He scooped a hollow place out in the sand until he had quite a hole. +This he banked up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> stones until he had a small oven. By arching the +stones over toward the top there was left a sort of circular opening. +Over this Jack fitted a monster clam shell, with the concave side +uppermost.</p> + +<p>This made an improvised stew pan. Underneath was piled small bits of dry +drift-wood, which a match soon set on fire. In a little while the water +in the big shell was boiling.</p> + +<p>"Now get some other shells for dishes," said Jack to Mark.</p> + +<p>Soon Mark had piled up a lot of smaller shells.</p> + +<p>"Help me gather some eggs now," said Jack, "and we'll put them in to +boil. Then we'll invite the rest of the folks to breakfast."</p> + +<p>The two boys soon uncovered from the sand a pile of the eggs, and in a +little while they were steaming in the hot water. Then Jack arranged the +shell-dishes on the sand. He went over to where the others were gloomily +considering their plight.</p> + +<p>"Breakfast is ready," he announced.</p> + +<p>"This isn't any time for joking," spoke Professor Henderson, rather +sternly.</p> + +<p>"But I mean it," went on Jack. "Just come over and see. I'm not fooling +you."</p> + +<p>Wondering what he had done they all followed him.</p> + +<p>"Welcome to Hotel Terra del Fuego!" cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> Mark. "We haven't much of a +variety, but what there is we can recommend."</p> + +<p>He began to dip the eggs out of the water with a bit of shell and placed +them on the improvised dishes.</p> + +<p>"Everyone sit down," commanded Jack. "The bill of fare is ready."</p> + +<p>They all joined in the short laugh that followed, and soon were seated +in a circle about the beach-oven. The eggs proved to be very good, even +though there was no pepper. The salt of the sea water they were boiled +in was more than sufficient.</p> + +<p>"Now if there was only bread in that ammunition bag Washington brought +with the gun," said Andy, "we wouldn't want a better meal."</p> + +<p>"He'p yo'se'f!" exclaimed the colored man with a grin as he extended a +canvas bag that was tied to the stock of the electric gun.</p> + +<p>The old hunter opened it and found it filled with ship biscuits.</p> + +<p>"Well I am stumped!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I grabbed up de wrong thing in my haste," Washington explained. "I +thought I had de electrical lightning bullets, but I didn't. Howsomever +de gun's got some in de chamber."</p> + +<p>"It's a lucky mistake," commented the professor as he munched a biscuit +and an egg. "Bullets are good but these are better, when one is +hungry."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>They managed to make a fairly good meal, so that even hungry Nellie was +satisfied. The boys found a spring of fresh water up on shore, and this +furnished something to drink, for which they were grateful.</p> + +<p>They sat about on the beach, after the breakfast and discussed what they +had better do. It was evident that an attempt to regain possession of +the ship, with their small force and only one weapon, was out of the +question.</p> + +<p>"We've got to use strategy," said Andy. "If we could play some trick on +the savages we might scare them away. Otherwise I don't see what we are +to do."</p> + +<p>"It's a bad state of affairs," replied professor Henderson. "Even if we +got the ship we might find it so badly damaged that it would be +impossible to run it. It is a terrible thing," and he heaved a deep +sigh.</p> + +<p>The hours passed with no change in the situation. The savages remained +in possession of the submarine, and did not seem inclined to quit the +vessel. Most of them were inside, but quite a number paddled about the +stranded craft in their canoes.</p> + +<p>There was nothing for the adventurers to do but to await developments. +With no chance of attacking the force of natives, they might consider<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +themselves lucky if the savages did not come ashore to give battle.</p> + +<p>The sun was high in the heavens when, in the shade of a big tree where +they had all taken refuge from the heat, Nellie again announced that she +was hungry.</p> + +<p>"I guess the boys will have to provide another meal," said Mr. +Henderson.</p> + +<p>Jack and Mark said they guessed they could find some more turtle eggs, +and Washington volunteered to accompany them. As they were looking for a +nest in the sand they saw one of the tortoises scurrying down to the +ocean.</p> + +<p>"Git her, quick!" cried the colored man. "Turn her ober on her back!"</p> + +<p>The boys did so, though they did not know what Washington's object was. +The big animal lay bottom side up, vainly moving its flippers. In a few +minutes Washington had killed the turtle and cut it out of the shell.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll hab turtle soup!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Soon the fire was again blazing in the improvised stove, and a little +later an appetizing smell filled the air. Washington had made the soup, +and, in addition, had cooked a number of the turtle eggs.</p> + +<p>Big clam shells again served for dishes and a better meal than the +breakfast was served.</p> + +<p>"Now if we only had some dessert," spoke Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> Henderson in a joking +tone, "we wouldn't want much more. But I suppose dessert is out of the +question."</p> + +<p>Jack and Mark looked at each other and, without a word went off toward +the woods. In a little while they came back, their arms filled with +cocoanuts.</p> + +<p>"How will these do for dessert?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>The fruit was broken open with stones and the delicious milk and soft +pulp eaten with much relish. Then the adventurers stretched out beneath +the trees and rested. The thoughts of each one were busy with plans for +recovering the submarine, though no one seemed to be able to suggest any +thing.</p> + +<p>It was getting dusk, when, somewhat discouraged over the result of the +visit of the savages, they were all seated on the beach. They were +beginning to think again of something to eat when Andy Sudds, discovered +the long black box which Washington had brought with him in his flight +from the <i>Porpoise</i>, and dropped in a hollow.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you've got something very fine in there, Washington?"</p> + +<p>"I declare to goodness I don't know what dat air contraption am +conglomerated with," said the colored man. "I jest grabbed it up and +run."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old hunter had, in the meanwhile, taken the cover off.</p> + +<p>"What in the world have we struck," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Sky rockets!" cried Jack, with a glance at the contents of the box.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Professor Henderson. "I took some aboard in case we might +have to signal for help on the water."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" yelled Andy.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"We'll use the sky rockets as weapons against the natives!" shouted the +old hunter, capering about on the sand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>REGAINING THE SHIP</h3> + + +<p>At first the others did not know what he meant. Andy seemed much +excited, and for a time the professor thought the heat and worry might +have affected the hunter's mind.</p> + +<p>"We'll show 'em a thing or two!" cried Andy. "I once scared a lot of +Indians this way so they didn't know whether they were on their head or +their feet. Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about?" asked Mr. Henderson. "Hadn't you better +sit down and rest a bit?"</p> + +<p>"I'm all right," replied Andy. "I'm talking about those sky rockets. +They'll be better than bullets. You see," he went on, "after it gets +dark we'll shoot the rockets over the ship. The savages will think they +are in the midst of a lot of falling stars, and if they don't take to +their boats and leave us the ship I'll miss my guess, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed the inventor. "We'll try it."</p> + +<p>The rockets were taken out and examined.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> They were big affairs of +several pound weight and were intended for far-off signalling at sea.</p> + +<p>Andy, with the aid of the boys, Tom and Bill, soon constructed a rough +sort of support from which to set off the fire-works. As soon as it grew +dark, which it did about seven o'clock, preparations were made to try +the experiment.</p> + +<p>With a whizz and roar the first rocket went sailing skyward. Up through +the black night it went, trailing behind it a shower of fire and sparks. +Then, with a loud report like that of a gun it burst directly over the +ship and a rain of brilliantly colored globes of flame descended.</p> + +<p>"Shot number one!" cried Andy, who was setting off the rockets.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds after the first flight there came no sound from the +natives at the ship. Then, just as the second rocket was set off there +issued a long-drawn howl, which was succeeded by cries of fear.</p> + +<p>"We've waked 'em up!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p>In rapid succession several more rockets were sent over the <i>Porpoise</i>. +By the light of them could be seen a mass of natives crowded out on the +small deck, while others were in their canoes.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll try it a little lower this time," remarked Andy. "Maybe I +can hit some of 'em!"</p> + +<p>He slanted the support closer to the ground and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> set off two rockets at +once. Straight across the sandy beach they flew, directly toward the +crowd of natives on the ship. Right into the midst of the savages the +trailing comet of fire shot, with a hiss, roar and sputter that was +enough to strike terror into the bravest heart.</p> + +<p>There was a long piercing howl of fear. Then, as the natives felt the +hot sparks scatter over their half-naked bodies, they broke into a wild +stampede. Over the side of the ship they plunged, into the sea, and swam +off. Those in boats paddled quickly away.</p> + +<p>For good measure Andy sent another rocket into the midst of the fleeing +ones, and this served to quicken their departure. By the light of the +last one it could be seen that the ship was deserted, though the water +all about her was black with the swimming savages, and the canoes.</p> + +<p>"I guess they won't come back in a hurry!" cried Andy. "Come on! We'll +board the ship now, and get the electric guns to ward off any further +attacks!"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>Toward the <i>Porpoise</i> all started on a run. As they neared her they +found that the rising tide had floated her.</p> + +<p>"We must see if the natives damaged her," spoke Mr. Henderson as soon as +he set foot on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> deck. "If they have it will be a hard matter to make +repairs so far from civilization."</p> + +<p>A hasty examination, however, showed that the savages had disturbed +little. The engine was soon set in motion, and, in ten minutes the ship +was steaming away from the coast, headed toward the south, the goal they +were so eagerly seeking.</p> + +<p>As soon as they were well out to sea, and all sight of the canoes of the +savages had been lost, supper was served, and all brought good appetites +to the table. For, though the improvised meals on shore had tasted good, +there had not been much to them.</p> + +<p>For several days the <i>Porpoise</i> was kept on her course, sailing along +under the water by day, and upon the surface at night. It was one +pleasant afternoon, while Nellie, Jack and Mark were sitting out on the +deck, during one of the times when the boat had risen to the surface to +renew the air supply, that a strange commotion was observed off their +lee. The ocean seemed to be boiling.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>The two boys looked to where she pointed. Indeed the ocean seemed to be +bubbling up and down in a strange manner.</p> + +<p>"It's a school of porpoises," said Jack.</p> + +<p>Just then the water became alive with big fish. They leaped over each +other, springing high into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> the air and falling back into the sea with +resounding splashes.</p> + +<p>"They're not porpoises! They're whales! Baby whales!" yelled Mark. "Look +out or some of the big ones may ram the boat!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke the water all about the submarine was seen to be fairly +swarming with the small whales. There were scores of them, and, at +times, they were so thick that it appeared possible to walk out upon +them without getting very deep into the water.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the ship careened to one side and the sea rushed over the deck. +It was evident that one of the big whales, which were deeper down in the +water, had struck the vessel.</p> + +<p>Nellie screamed and tried to grab the hand rail that was about the +platform. She missed her grip. The next instant she was floundering in +the ocean, in the midst of the school of whales.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard!" yelled Jack, remembering vaguely that he had read this +was the proper call to make in case of accident.</p> + +<p>His cry brought Washington and the professor up the companionway on the +jump.</p> + +<p>"Launch the boat!" cried the inventor as he saw what had happened.</p> + +<p>Mark was already in action. At the first sight of Nellie slipping over +the side he had thrown off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> his coat, broken the laces of his shoes in +order the more quickly to remove the foot coverings, and had dived into +the swirling water which surrounded the submarine.</p> + +<p>He struck out in the direction where the little girl had disappeared, +and as her golden head appeared above the mass of foam he yelled in +encouragement.</p> + +<p>By this time the small boat was launched and the colored man and Jack +were pulling toward him. Mark succeeded in reaching Nellie as she was +going down the second time. He grabbed her long locks and managed to +keep her up until the little craft was alongside of him.</p> + +<p>"Git in quick, 'fore dem whales eat yo' up!" cried Washington.</p> + +<p>He hauled the unconscious child in first, and then Jack gave Mark a +hand. As if by magic all the whales had disappeared and the sea was +quiet again. In a few minutes the rescuers and the rescued one went back +again on the <i>Porpoise</i>, where Professor Henderson soon brought Nellie +around again. Beyond the shock and wetting neither she nor Mark was +harmed.</p> + +<p>It was Jack's watch on deck that night. He had the tour from eight until +twelve o'clock and when, about ten, every one but himself had retired, +he took his position in the door of the conning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> tower and prepared to +pass the time as best he could.</p> + +<p>The ship was moving along at half speed, and, as the automatic steering +attachment was working Jack had little to do. He sat looking at the +stars that twinkled in the sky, the blazing Southern Cross showing among +the constellations, when he heard a slight noise near the companionway.</p> + +<p>He looked in that direction and, to his horror, he saw the ghostly white +shape that had, on previous occasions, caused him and the others fright.</p> + +<p>At first the boy resolved to shut himself up in the tower and wait until +the uncanny thing had disappeared. Then his courage came back and he +thought he would try to solve the mystery.</p> + +<p>He argued that if the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'wierd'">weird</ins> white object was human and could witness his +movements the best thing to do would be to try and creep upon it +unobserved. On the contrary, if the ghost was some natural phenomenon, +or a supernatural agent, all he could do would be of no avail.</p> + +<p>So he decided the best thing to do would be to crawl upon the thing, +keeping as near to the deck as possible and trying to hide himself. With +this in view he put on a long rain coat that hung in the conning tower, +and then, like a snake, commenced to wiggle his way toward the middle of +the platform where the white object still stood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer to it Jack came. His heart was beating fast and he was +much frightened, but he nerved himself to continue. As he came closer he +could see that the object looked more and more like a man, completely +robed in white garments.</p> + +<p>Jack was now within ten feet of the strange object. It was a man, he was +sure of it, but whether a present or former inhabitant of the earth he +could not decide. Jack's hair was beginning to raise. A cold shiver ran +down his spine as the white thing lifted an arm and seemed to point +directly at him. At the same time it groaned in a deep tone.</p> + +<p>Jack let out a yell that could be heard all over the ship. He made a +spring for the object, determined to discover what it was or die.</p> + +<p>At that instant the whole ship seemed to rise in the air. It left the +water and began moving skyward. Right out of the waves the <i>Porpoise</i> +was lifted until the big screw was clear of the water and it was +churning around in the tunnel without any resistance, racing at top +speed now that it had no water to thrust against.</p> + +<p>Then the ghost seemed to vanish into thin air, and Jack felt himself +falling down the hatchway.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>ON A VOLCANIC ISLAND</h3> + + +<p>In an instant the ship was in confusion. The professor, followed by old +Andy, Washington, Mark, Bill and Tom, came rushing from their berths, +all in their night clothing, to see what the trouble was. They met in a +tangled mass, stumbling over Jack at the foot of the steps.</p> + +<p>"Is the ship on fire?" called Mrs. Johnson from her cabin.</p> + +<p>"I hope not!" called the professor. "But something has happened. Don't +be frightened!"</p> + +<p>By this time Jack, who had been somewhat stunned, recovered his senses +and worked his way out of the mass of bodies.</p> + +<p>"The ghost! The ghost!" he cried. "I saw him again!"</p> + +<p>"Land a' massy!" yelled Washington.</p> + +<p>"What has happened to the ship?" cried the professor. "Is it a tidal +wave?"</p> + +<p>"I was on deck," panted Jack. "I saw the white thing! I crept up on it! +All at once the ship rose in the air!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And it's still rising!" shouted the inventor. "I must see what this +means!"</p> + +<p>He made his way to the deck, and his loud shout soon brought the others +up to him.</p> + +<p>"Shut off the engine!" Mr. Henderson called down to Washington, who +hurried to obey.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" asked Andy, rushing towards him.</p> + +<p>"We have run upon an island," answered the professor. "This is the worst +thing that has yet happened to us."</p> + +<p>"What sort of an island is it that shoots you up in the air?" asked the +old hunter.</p> + +<p>"It's hard to say," replied Mr. Henderson. "We will have to wait until +morning to find out."</p> + +<p>The boys and men went up on deck and there beheld a curious sight. The +<i>Porpoise</i> had been lifted bodily from the surface of the ocean where +she had been sailing and was now raised about ten feet above the crest +of the billows. It was too dark to see the extent of the island she +rested on, but, from the circle of foam around the outer edge it did not +appear to be very big.</p> + +<p>The excitement occasioned by the appearance of the ghost, Jack's yells +and fall, and the rising of the ship, had subsided somewhat. Mrs. +Johnson and her daughter, who were much frightened, were assured there +was no immediate danger, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> men and boys put on more substantial +clothing than that of their night robes.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if morning would never come, but at length there was a pale +light in the east and soon it changed to a rosy glow, showing that the +sun was coming.</p> + +<p>The professor was early on deck, and Mark and Jack were not far behind. +As soon as it was light enough they could see that the ship was held +fast on top of a small rocky isle, about one hundred feet in diameter, +which rose abruptly from the water.</p> + +<p>"It's a volcanic island," decided the professor. "We are in the midst of +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'subterreanean'">subterranean</ins> disturbances and this is probably one of the effects of +some under-sea eruption. The pinnacle of rock rose from the ocean, +forced up by some power underneath, just as our ship came over it. That +accounts for the sudden rising into the air of the <i>Porpoise</i>. No wonder +we were all scared."</p> + +<p>"The next question," began old Andy, "is how are we to get off?"</p> + +<p>"That's the point," agreed Mr. Henderson. "Here we are, high and dry, +and we might as well be a broken flying machine as a submarine for all +the power we have."</p> + +<p>"Will we have to stay here forever?" asked Nellie, who had come up on +deck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hope not," answered the professor, smiling for the first time since +the accident. "We will find a way to get down, never fear, little girl."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we might dig some sort of a canal down to the water," +remarked Jack. "If we could we might float the ship."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you'd find it slow digging through this volcanic rock," +answered Andy. "It's like flint."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no use worrying over it," went on the professor in as +calm a tone as he could muster. "It's time for breakfast, and we have to +eat whether we're on the top of an island that shoots out of the water +when you least expect it, or sailing along as we ought to."</p> + +<p>Accordingly Washington prepared the morning meal, and they all found +they had appetites for it, in spite of their fright. Afterward they all +came on deck again and looked about them.</p> + +<p>They were in the midst of a wild waste of water. Not a sign of land +could be seen in any direction, and there was no evidence of a sail or +steamship as far as the horizon showed.</p> + +<p>The little island which held the <i>Porpoise</i> so close a prisoner was a +mere speck in the vast ocean, but it was large enough to put an end, +temporarily at least, to the progress of the powerful submarine.</p> + +<p>The professor and the boys went over the side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> and climbed down to the +rock. Then the inventor verified his surmise that the rocky point was of +volcanic origin. It was also seen that there was little chance to get +the craft back into the ocean.</p> + +<p>"I guess we're doomed to stick here for some time," remarked Mr. +Henderson, with a grim smile. "The rock has caught us squarely and +nothing short of dynamite will free us. To use the explosive might mean +the destruction of the ship, and I dare not risk it."</p> + +<p>Gloom settled over the party in spite of the efforts the professor made +to be cheerful. Washington, after the first few minutes of fright, +regained his usual good spirits, but, no matter how he laughed and +joked, there was a feeling of terror in every heart.</p> + +<p>They realized their helplessness, and knew that unless another upheaval +of nature occurred there was small likelihood of their release.</p> + +<p>On the third day of their strange adventure Professor Henderson resolved +on a bold step.</p> + +<p>"We must use dynamite," he declared. "If we stay here on this desolate +rock we are bound to perish sooner or later, for our food cannot last +many months, though we have a large supply. We are out of the path of +steamers and only by chance would one pass here. With care we may be +able to blast the rock so that the ship will not be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> permanently +damaged. What do you all say? I would like your advice, for this +concerns all of us."</p> + +<p>One after the other all said they were willing to abide by whatever the +inventor did. Accordingly he made his preparations. Washington, with a +hammer and chisel, was set to cutting a fair sized hole in the big rock, +as far away from the ship as possible.</p> + +<p>He was two days at the job, and, during this time those on the stranded +<i>Porpoise</i> watched in vain for the sight of a vessel.</p> + +<p>"I am going to put the dynamite in," announced Mr. Henderson one +morning. "We must all get into the small boat and row some distance +away, as there is no telling what the result of the explosion may be."</p> + +<p>"Suppose the submarine is destroyed?" asked Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Then we will have to sail for the nearest land in the small boat," +replied the captain. "I will provision it and we will take all the +precautions we can."</p> + +<p>It was with anxious hearts that the little party embarked in the little +craft that was carried on the <i>Porpoise</i>. It was barely large enough to +hold them. The professor was the last in, and he lighted a long fuse +that led to the dynamite before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> taking his seat. Then with Tom and Bill +at the oars the little craft moved away.</p> + +<p>"How long before the explosion will take place?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I timed the fuse for ten minutes," answered Mr. Henderson. "That will +enable us to get far enough away so we will not be swamped by a wave."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Mark, who was intently watching the volcanic rock, +gave a loud cry.</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>They all looked to behold a wonderful thing. As easily as though it was +some conjuring trick the rock began to settle down in the water. Lower +and lower it went until only the tallest jagged points showed above the +waves, whose crested tops the keel of the ship now almost touched.</p> + +<p>"That isn't the explosion!" exclaimed the professor. "The fuse has not +had time to get to the powder yet."</p> + +<p>"But the rock is disappearing!" yelled Andy.</p> + +<p>As he spoke the big pile of volcanic stone vanished completely and the +<i>Porpoise</i> floated easily on the surface of the sea.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>"It am de most kloslostrous occurranceness dat eber transpositioned +itself!" exploded Washington.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let's row back to the ship now!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>"Not yet!" said the professor quickly. "The dynamite has not gone off +yet."</p> + +<p>"There it goes now," remarked Jack.</p> + +<p>At that instant a big column of water shot upward and a dull rumbling +could be heard. A few seconds later the little boat rocked violently +from the effects of the waves. Then the sea became calm, and the +<i>Porpoise</i> could be seen dancing up and down on the heaving billows.</p> + +<p>"Now we can go back in safety," spoke Mr. Henderson, and Tom and Bill +bent to the oars.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked Mrs. Johnson. "The rock seemed to disappear +before the explosion occurred."</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what it was," explained the inventor. "By some strange +freak of nature the volcanic mass dropped back into the ocean a little +before I was ready to blow it to pieces. In settling down it lowered the +ship. Then the explosion occurred beneath the waves. If I had waited a +little while I need not have risked the dynamite."</p> + +<p>"Well, there was no guarantee that the rock would go back where it came +from," remarked Jack.</p> + +<p>"No, we had to act," agreed the professor. "But now let us go aboard."</p> + +<p>They rowed back to the <i>Porpoise</i>, which they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> found had sustained no +damage from the queer experience it had been through.</p> + +<p>The motors were set in motion and in a little while the craft was again +moving through the water out of the dangerous vicinity of the volcanic +area.</p> + +<p>"Who has the two watches to-night?" asked Mr. Henderson after supper had +been served.</p> + +<p>"Washington and Andy," answered Jack, who kept track of the matter.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll change it, and have you and Mark take them," went on the +captain. He gave Jack a peculiar look, and made a sign to him not to say +anything. Wondering what was to come Jack went up on deck to watch the +sunset.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT IN A WHIRLPOOL</h3> + + +<p>The boy was joined a little later by the captain, who, coming close to +him whispered:</p> + +<p>"I am going to try to discover the ghost to-night. That is why I wanted +you boys on hand to help me. This thing must be stopped if it is a joke, +and, if it isn't—"</p> + +<p>"Do you think it is some one playing tricks?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think," answered Mr. Henderson. "We will see what +happens to-night."</p> + +<p>Mark came on deck a little while, and the three talked of the strange +appearances of the mysterious white object. The boys told of their +experiences, and Jack related more fully his on the night the ship went +up on the big rock upheaval.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe in ghosts," said Mr. Henderson, "I'm going to lay this +one," and he smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>Night settled down. Jack, who had the first tour under the new +arrangement, had made himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> comfortable in the conning tower, and Mr. +Henderson had hidden himself in the companionway. His idea was to thus +guard both openings into the ship and ascertain whether the ghost came +from within or without the craft.</p> + +<p>Up to a short time before twelve o'clock nothing out of the ordinary +happened. The only sound was the lapping of the waves on the steel sides +of the <i>Porpoise</i>, and now and then a splash as a big fish leaped out of +the water. There was only the slightest breeze.</p> + +<p>Jack who, somehow or other, felt much sleepier than usual, caught +himself nodding several times. Once he awoke with a start and realized +that he had been dozing.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," he remarked to himself, "this will not do at all. This is +a fine way to watch for a ghost."</p> + +<p>He remained wide awake for perhaps five minutes. Then he was off to the +land of nod again. He was just dreaming that he was skating on a pond +and was playing snap the whip with a lot of boys, when he awoke with a +start.</p> + +<p>He felt something pressing on his chest and to his horror, as he looked +up, he saw a big towering white object standing over him. A second +glance showed him it was a man, or the semblance of one, and the thing's +foot was on his chest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a terrified scream Jack sprang up, upsetting the ghost, which, the +boy thought at the time, seemed rather heavy for an unearthly spirit.</p> + +<p>"Did you catch it?" cried the professor.</p> + +<p>"No! Yes! I don't know!" yelled Jack, struggling to his feet in time to +see the white object glide down the stairs that led from the conning +tower into the forward cabin.</p> + +<p>"Run after it! We must solve the mystery!" cried Mr. Henderson springing +from the companionway up on deck.</p> + +<p>But at that moment the ship began to whirl about in a circle slowly at +first, but with increasing speed until Jack and the professor felt sick +and dizzy. All about the water seemed to be bubbling and boiling, while, +at the same time, there arose on the air a mournful howl.</p> + +<p>The professor jumped to the rail and looked over the side. What he saw +made him recoil with horror.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Close the man-hole hatch!" he cried. "Shut the door of the +conning tower!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Jack managed to ask.</p> + +<p>"We are caught in a whirlpool!" Mr. Henderson yelled as he leaped down +the companionway and pulled the heavy steel cover after him.</p> + +<p>Stricken with a nameless dread, Jack closed the water-tight door of the +conning tower and made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> his way to the cabin. He could hardly get down +the stairs, so swiftly was the ship whirling about.</p> + +<p>He found the captain busy in the engine room and, in response to calls, +Washington and Mark came hurrying in. They had been awakened by the +commotion and the strange movements of the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>"Turn on all the lights," ordered the inventor. "We must prepare for the +worst."</p> + +<p>The incandescents were soon glowing and in the glare the frightened +adventurers gathered about Mr. Henderson, wondering what new terror had +befallen them.</p> + +<p>"See!" exclaimed the inventor. "We are going comparatively slow now, but +we are on the outer edge. Wait until we reach the centre."</p> + +<p>He pointed to a compass and, as the needle pointed steadily to the north +the card seemed to be going around like the hands of a clock that has +lost the balance and escapement wheels. The ship made three complete +circles a minute.</p> + +<p>Pale and frightened, Mrs. Johnson came from her cabin, whence the +terrified cries of Nellie could be heard.</p> + +<p>"Are we sinking?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Sinking will never harm the <i>Porpoise</i>," replied Mr. Henderson. "This +is something decidedly worse."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know! It is a whirlpool!" exclaimed the lady.</p> + +<p>"I'm dizzy; I'm so dizzy!" wailed Nellie. "Please stop the ship from +going round, Mr. Henderson."</p> + +<p>She came from her bed crying, and all her mother could do did not quiet +her.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the submarine continued to whirl about faster and faster in +the swirling waters. Five times each minute now it made the circuit, +and, like the coils of a boa constrictor that is enfolding its victim, +the circles continually grew smaller.</p> + +<p>"We are being sucked down," said Jack in a low tone as he glanced at the +depth gage, and noted that it showed them to be thirty feet under water.</p> + +<p>"That is so," remarked Mr. Henderson quietly.</p> + +<p>"What will be the result?" asked Mrs. Johnson.</p> + +<p>"I do not know," was the answer, and the captain turned aside. He seemed +to have lost all courage in the face of the new disaster.</p> + +<p>"Can't we empty the tanks and rise to the surface?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"The tanks are not filled," replied Mr. Henderson. "What is taking us +down is the force of the whirlpool and not the weight of water."</p> + +<p>"Then you fear for the worst?" asked Andy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do," said the captain simply.</p> + +<p>"Don't give up the ship!" exclaimed the old hunter suddenly. "Never say +die! It's a long lane that has no turns! Hip! Hip! Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>They all turned to stare at the old man.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Mr. Henderson in a soothing tone, that one would use +toward a baby, or a person not right in their head. "Never mind. We may +be saved."</p> + +<p>"Oh I'm not crazy!" exclaimed Andy. He tried to caper about but the +motion of the ship made him dizzy and he had to sit down. "I'm all +right! I just happened to think of something!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the captain eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Send the ship ahead!" exclaimed Andy. "Speed her as fast as she will +go. Try her strength against the force of the whirlpool! We may win!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "I was too much depressed to think of +that! The ship has powerful engines. Queer you should remember that +instead of me. Come, Washington, start the screw going! We will try to +beat the whirlpool!"</p> + +<p>The submarine was now whirling around so rapidly that it was difficult +for any one to stand without leaning against the sides or holding on to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +something. It was going lower and lower down, as the gage showed.</p> + +<p>Soon a throb that was felt through the length of the craft told that the +engine had started. The vibration increased until it seemed that the +ship would be torn apart. Never had the big screw revolved at greater +speed.</p> + +<p>For a while the struggle between the force of man represented by the +engine, and the power of nature, embodied in the whirlpool, seemed +equal. Neither could gain the mastery. The ship continued to slide +around in ever narrowing circles while the big cable of water, forced +through the tunnel by the screw, was like a cataract.</p> + +<p>"Which will win?" asked the professor softly to himself.</p> + +<p>He crawled to the gages and watched them. Only by their needles could it +be told when the battle had turned in favor of the adventurers.</p> + +<p>The circular motion, that was now terrible in its speed and power, +seemed to culminate in a rush that almost overturned the ship. In the +engine room Washington was laboring to keep the machine at top speed. He +put on the last ounce of power.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" yelled the professor suddenly. "I think we shall win!"</p> + +<p>He pointed to the depth gage. The needle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> which had showed a constantly +increasing record, until it was now at two hundred feet, had stopped. It +showed they were going no lower.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Henderson looked at the indicator which showed the progress +straight ahead. The needle was beginning to tremble. As he watched he +saw it move, slowly at first, until, as the powerful screw won a victory +over the terrible whirlpool. The gage marked one, two and then three +miles an hour.</p> + +<p>"We are leaving the swirling waters!" cried Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>Then, all at once, as though it was an arrow shot from a gigantic bow, +the <i>Porpoise</i> cleft the under-billows and shot ahead, free at last from +the grip of the whirlpool.</p> + +<p>Man had triumphed over nature!</p> + +<p>On rushed the ship like a race horse, for the engine was working as it +never had before, and it did not have the pool to contend against.</p> + +<p>"Slow down," said Mr. Henderson, "and we will go to the surface."</p> + +<p>Two minutes later, under the buoyancy of her empty tanks, the <i>Porpoise</i> +lay floating on the top of the waves, under the shining stars.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>UNDER FIRE</h3> + + +<p>"I shouldn't want to go through that experience again," remarked Mr. +Henderson, as he, with all of the ship's company except Mrs. Johnson and +Nellie went on deck. "I thought we were lost, sure."</p> + +<p>"Lucky our engine didn't go disproportionatin' herself at de mostess +criticless moment," put in Washington. "Golly, but she suttinly did +hum!"</p> + +<p>"And you deserve credit for making her do the humming," went on the +professor with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, we didn't catch the ghost," remarked Jack, "though I certainly +saw him, it or her, whatever the thing is. I felt it too."</p> + +<p>"It's rather strange," spoke the professor. "Every time, or nearly every +time the ghost, as I suppose we must call it for the present, makes its +appearance, something terrible happens to the ship. I hope it doesn't +show up too often."</p> + +<p>It was three o'clock in the morning, and they had battled with the +whirlpool over two hours.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> They talked of little else, and each one told +how he or she felt.</p> + +<p>"It was just like twisting yourself up tight in the swing, and then +letting the rope unwind," said Nellie, and they all agreed that she had +described the sensation perfectly. They laughed, also, a thing they had +felt little like doing a short time previous.</p> + +<p>The engine had run so hard, and some of the bearings had become so warm, +that for the rest of the night the professor decided to let the +machinery remain stationary. This would give it time to cool down he +said, and they could make up the time lost the next day.</p> + +<p>Tired out with the night's worry and labors they all slept late the next +morning, and it was nearly ten o'clock before breakfast was over. The +ship was started on her course once more, and Jack, who was steering, +made the engine hum as the submarine scudded along, submerged about +fifty feet.</p> + +<p>"When you have time I would like to talk to you," said Mrs. Johnson to +Captain Henderson.</p> + +<p>"I'm at your service now," replied the inventor.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with Nellie and me?" the lady went on.</p> + +<p>"Take you to the south pole with us," was the answer, with a smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's very kind of you, and I don't want to put you to any trouble," +went on Mrs. Johnson. "But I would like to go back north."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to oblige you," returned the inventor, "but I hate to turn +back now. We are well on our voyage, and I may never get another chance +to locate the pole. Don't you want to accompany us? Think of the +glorious achievement!"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather go back north," persisted the lady. "But I wouldn't ask you +to turn the ship around. What I was going to suggest was to sail along +on the surface for a few days and see if you cannot sight a homeward +bound steamer or sailing vessel. Then you could put me and Nellie aboard +her."</p> + +<p>"Of course!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "I never thought of that. Though +we will be sorry to lose your company, and that of your little girl, I +will do anything to oblige you. We will at once go to the surface."</p> + +<p>He called the necessary order to Jack through a speaking tube which led +to the conning tower. In a few minutes the ship shot upward, and emerged +from the ocean in a little shower of foam and spray.</p> + +<p>She lay undulating on the surface, and was just beginning to move +forward again, under the influence of the screw, when a dull boom echoed +off to the left.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>Jack looked from the observation windows in the conning tower and saw, +about a mile away a big steamer. From her side a white cloud of smoke +floated, and then the water splashed about fifty feet from the blunt +nose of the submarine.</p> + +<p>Once more came the boom, the white cloud of smoke and this time the +water splashed only twenty-five feet away from the bow of the +<i>Porpoise</i>. A third time came the sound, and the splash was even nearer.</p> + +<p>"They're firing on us!" yelled Jack.</p> + +<p>At his cry the professor ran on deck. He was just in time to see the +fourth shot made, and this time the shell dropped into the water just +astern of the <i>Porpoise</i> and so close that when it exploded it sent a +shower of spray all over the deck.</p> + +<p>"Here! Stop that!" yelled Mr. Henderson, shaking his fist in the +direction of the steamer. "You nearly hit us that time. Do your +practicing in some other direction!"</p> + +<p>"I don't think they can hear you," said Jack. "And besides, I don't +believe they are practicing."</p> + +<p>"Then what in the world are they doing?"</p> + +<p>"Shooting at us I guess."</p> + +<p>"Why do they want to shoot at us? We haven't done them any damage."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they think we are a torpedo boat," suggested Jack. "Maybe that +vessel's nation is at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> war with some other one and wants to sink us if +it can."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're right!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "But this will never +do. They must stop!"</p> + +<p>Once more the big gun on the ship was fired and the shell came +dangerously close. At the same time several other reports, less in +volume were heard, and the water all about the submarine began to bubble +as the missiles from the machine guns cut the waves.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's an English vessel sent to capture Mark and me because of +that anarchist trouble at the hotel," Jack went on.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed the captain. "But whatever it is, we must stop it, +or they will sink my ship. Wave your handkerchief, Jack."</p> + +<p>The boy sprang to the top of the conning tower, in order to permit those +on the vessel to see him more plainly, and vigorously shook the white +rag. That it was observed was evident when some one on the steamer +wig-wagged back a reply. In a few minutes a boat was seen to put off +from the ship, and soon a little launch, in command of a lieutenant in +uniform, drew up alongside the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>"Who is captain of this craft?" asked the lieutenant as he came aboard.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am," replied Mr. Henderson. "What do you mean by firing on me?"</p> + +<p>"I am Lieutenant Muchmore," said the other, saluting. "Captain Wackford, +of the <i>Sylph</i>, in His <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Britanic'">Britannic</ins> Majesty's service, presents his +compliments, and asks you to pardon the occurrence. You see we took you +for a derelict and were trying to sink you."</p> + +<p>"I thought perhaps war had broken out between some country and the +United States since we left port," went on Mr. Henderson, "and that you +were trying to make a capture."</p> + +<p>"No, it was only that we thought you a waterlogged craft, and a danger +to navigation," repeated the lieutenant. "But what sort of a ship have +you?"</p> + +<p>"Come below and I'll show you the finest submarine that ever was built," +answered the inventor with pardonable pride. "If you don't mind, give +your launch orders to go back to the ship, and I'll <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'show was something'">show something</ins> +that will make you open your eyes."</p> + +<p>Anxious to see what the strange little craft could do Lieutenant +Muchmore sent his launch back, and went below with Captain Henderson. He +was astonished at what he saw, and unlike most Englishmen was willing to +say so.</p> + +<p>Mr. Henderson then went to the conning tower.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> He directed the man-hole +cover to be clamped on, and then filled the tanks. The ship sank fifty +feet below the surface and then shot forward.</p> + +<p>Seated in the cabin the lieutenant was observing with wonder showing on +his face at the accomplishment of sailing along under water. Suddenly +the lights were shut off, and the shutters moved back from the +bull's-eye windows. The sea, glowing in the beams of the search light, +was alive with fish, large and small, beautiful and hideous.</p> + +<p>"Wonderful!" exclaimed the Englishman.</p> + +<p>The bull's-eyes were closed, the lights switched on, and then, speeding +the engine almost to the top notch the captain steered the submarine +straight for the war-ship.</p> + +<p>He had carefully noted her direction before starting his own craft, and +he resolved to do a little manœuvering that would still further +astonish the visitor. By careful reading of the different gages Mr. +Henderson was able to come to the surface right in front of the <i>Sylph</i>, +to the no small astonishment of the men on the deck of the vessel.</p> + +<p>Then, just to show what the <i>Porpoise</i> could do, the inventor darted +around the war-ship in a circle. He sunk below the surface, went under +the keel of the <i>Sylph</i> and came up on the other side. Then he went the +whole length of her, under water, starting at the stern and ending at +the bow, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> he brought the submarine to a rest in a smother of foam.</p> + +<p>"Great! Wonderful! Surprising!" were some of the adjectives Lieutenant +Muchmore used as he stepped from the conning tower, with Captain +Henderson, onto the deck.</p> + +<p>At the appearance of the officer and the inventor a group of those on +the <i>Sylph</i> gave three cheers for the little vessel.</p> + +<p>"Is she for sale?" asked Captain Wackford.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," replied Mr. Henderson with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Because if she is I'll give you free passage to England with her, on my +ship," went on the commander. "My government would give a fortune for a +boat that can do what yours does."</p> + +<p>"It is not for sale," repeated Mr. Henderson, "but I have some one on +board who would appreciate a free passage to England, or any northern +port."</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" asked Captain Wackford.</p> + +<p>"A Mrs. Johnson and her daughter."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT IN AN ICE FLOE</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Henderson soon explained the finding of the lady and the little +girl, and Captain Wackford readily agreed to give them passage to New +York, as the <i>Sylph</i> was to call at that port.</p> + +<p>So Nellie and her mother were put aboard the warship, after bidding +farewell to the captain and crew of the submarine. Mr. Henderson and the +boys promised to write to them as soon as they got back from their +voyage to the south pole, and, amid a chorus of good-byes the <i>Porpoise</i> +resumed her journey.</p> + +<p>For several days the submarine forged to the south, and the weather +became noticeably cooler. Some of the nights were chilly, and those on +watch were glad of the heavy coats they had brought along.</p> + +<p>One morning, after a week of travel, when no interruptions had occurred +by reason of accidents, old Andy came up on deck, and sniffing the air, +said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll sight ice before night, or I'm a Dutchman."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I can smell it," replied the hunter, whereat Jack, and Mark who had +joined him, laughed.</p> + +<p>"That is no joke," put in Professor Henderson, who, coming up the +companionway heard what was said. "Old sea captains will tell you they +can smell an iceberg long before they can see it."</p> + +<p>"I don't claim to be a sea captain," said Andy, "but I once was on a +whaling voyage and I learned to sniff ice in the air. I saved the ship +from collision with a berg once."</p> + +<p>"Let me see," began the inventor as the adventurers sat about the supper +table after the meal was finished, "who have the watches on deck +to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Washington first and Bill second," replied Jack looking at the chart.</p> + +<p>"Keep a sharp watch for the icebergs," advised the captain. "If you feel +a sudden chill in the air, and see something white, stop the engine at +once and call for me."</p> + +<p>When the <i>Porpoise</i> had been put in shape for the night, and the +company, tired out from their labors over a general "house cleaning" +which Captain Henderson had insisted on, went to bed, Washington took +his place in the conning tower.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was quite cold, but as the temperature for several days past had been +steadily falling, nothing was thought of it.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll git out my fur-lined sealskin coat," said the colored man +to himself as he felt the chill night air, that seemed to increase in +frigidity along about eleven o'clock. He went to the cabin to get his +overcoat, and, returning on deck prepared to spend the rest of his hour +of watch in ease and comfort. He stretched out on the bench in the +conning tower, noted that the machinery was working right and that the +proper course was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'beeing'">being</ins> steered, and then he let his thoughts drift to +the many adventures he and his employer had gone through of late, and +also while on the trip "Through the Air to the North Pole."</p> + +<p>Washington gave one <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'firghtened'">frightened</ins>, startled look, in a few minutes, so +comfortable had he fixed himself, but happening to look forward through +the glass-covered porthole of the tower, he saw something that made the +cold chills run down his back.</p> + +<p>There, right in front of the <i>Porpoise</i>, and not a cable-length away was +a tall, mysterious, white thing which was shimmering in the pale light +of the moon that had lately risen.</p> + +<p>Washington gave one frightened, startled look, and then, with a tongue +that could hardly move, he yelled out:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> + +<p>"De ghost! De ghost! He'll git me suah!"</p> + +<p>Then the colored man made a dive for the stairway leading to the cabin, +but missed it and brought up with a crash on the steel floor of the +conning tower.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" called Professor Henderson, springing out of his bunk.</p> + +<p>"De ghost!" wailed Washington from the huddled up heap he was in.</p> + +<p>"Catch him!" yelled the captain.</p> + +<p>"I dasn't," moaned Washington.</p> + +<p>The next instant the ship quivered from stem to stern. There was a +terrible shock, followed by a grinding, crashing sound. Then the craft +seemed to be pressed down by some great weight. It heeled over to one +side, and the water began to pour down the open man-hole.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Clamp on the covers!" shouted Mr. Henderson as he felt the sea +dashing into the interior of the boat.</p> + +<p>Jack and Mark sprang to obey. It took all their strength, for the water +was running in like a mill-race.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" asked Andy, as he tried to climb up the +companionway ladder, that was tilted backward.</p> + +<p>"I guess we've hit your iceberg!" cried Mr. Henderson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I knew I smelled the frozen stuff," replied the old hunter.</p> + +<p>They got the covers on the manhole only just in time and they all +crowded into the cabin, while Jack switched on the electric lights.</p> + +<p>"Is the ship damaged?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I think not," replied Mr. Henderson. "But we are sinking. Look at the +depth gage."</p> + +<p>The hand on the clock-face was moving slowly around. From ten it went to +twenty feet, then to thirty and kept going until it stood at seventy.</p> + +<p>"Look to the air tanks," ordered Mr. Henderson to Washington, who, by +this time had recovered from his fright. "See if they are all right."</p> + +<p>The colored man came back in a few minutes and reported that the supply +of compressed atmosphere was safe and that there was plenty of it.</p> + +<p>"That's good," remarked Mr. Henderson. "Whatever else happens we can +breathe for a while."</p> + +<p>"But what has happened?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"I think the top part of an iceberg toppled down on us," was the reply. +"You know about nine-tenths of a berg is under water. Sometimes there is +a warm current of the ocean underneath the ice, and it melts. Then it +becomes top-heavy and tilts over. One of that sort must have caught us, +and has shoved us down into the sea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But why don't we rise again when the ice floe slips off us?" asked +Mark.</p> + +<p>"Because, in all probability the ice will not slip off us," answered the +professor grimly. "It may be so large that it has caught us like a bug +under a barn door."</p> + +<p>"Then we are fast in the ice under water," spoke Andy after a pause.</p> + +<p>"It looks like it," came from the inventor. "However we will not give up +yet. We may be able to make our way out. Start the engine at full speed, +Washington."</p> + +<p>The machinery which the professor had shut down at the first cry of +alarm was set going. Soon the throb and hum told that the big screw was +revolving.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the <i>Porpoise</i> had regained an even keel, and had stopped +sinking, remaining at the depth of seventy feet below the surface.</p> + +<p>"We will first try to go straight ahead," said the captain.</p> + +<p>He turned on more power and they all waited in anxiety. The test would +tell whether they could escape in that direction or not.</p> + +<p>But, though the powerful screw churned the water to foam in the tunnel, +the <i>Porpoise</i> never budged. It was as if she was held in a vice.</p> + +<p>"It's of no use," remarked Mr. Henderson with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> a shake of his head as he +watched the speed gage and noted that it remained stationary. "We must +now try the other way."</p> + +<p>Once more the big screw was set going, this time in the opposite +direction, so as to pull the ship out of the ice if it was possible. But +this, too, was of no avail.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the ice had us," said Andy, trying to speak in a +cheerful tone. "But there's one way more to try."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"If we were in the air ship we could go up," replied the old hunter. +"But, as it is, we had better go down. Why don't you fill all the water +tanks, and try to sink beneath the iceberg? It can't go down so very far +into the water, and I reckon we could slip under it."</p> + +<p>"The very thing!" exclaimed the professor, whose mind was too sorely +troubled over the happening to enable him to think of plans of escape. +"That's the best thing to do."</p> + +<p>Under the inventor's direction Washington filled the tanks and then, ere +the pumps had ceased working, the screw was started and the deflecting +rudder inclined to cause the ship to dive.</p> + +<p>One, two, three minutes passed, and still the <i>Porpoise</i> did not move +toward the bottom of the sea. She remained submerged and stationary.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +Anxious eyes gazed at the dials. The indicating hands trembled under the +throbbing of the engines, but did not move.</p> + +<p>"It will not work!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson in sorrowful tones.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" asked Bill, who had come up to where the others +stood.</p> + +<p>"It means that we are prisoners in the ice; caught between the upper and +lower parts of a gigantic berg, and held here under the water."</p> + +<p>"Can't we ever get out?" asked Jack, a tremor coming into his voice. +"Can't we escape when the ice melts?"</p> + +<p>"The ice of the southern polar sea seldom melts in this latitude," +replied the professor.</p> + +<p>An ominous silence <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'folowed'">followed</ins> his words.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE SHIP GRAVEYARD</h3> + + +<p>Truly the adventurers were in a position that might well cause the +stoutest heart to quail. With hundreds of tons of ice above, below, and +on every side of them, their chances of escaping alive from this frozen +tomb were very small.</p> + +<p>"Can't we make an attempt to get out of this prison?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Indeed we will," said the professor. "We will try all the means at our +command. If they all fail—"</p> + +<p>He dared not finish the sentence, but they all knew what he meant. It +was now about one o'clock in the morning. The ship had become stationary +after the uneasy motion caused by the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'oscilation'">oscillation</ins> of the big berg.</p> + +<p>"We may as well turn in and get a little sleep," remarked Mr. Henderson. +"We can all work better if we get some rest."</p> + +<p>It is doubtful whether any of them slept, for the horror of their +position was too fresh in their minds. Still, lying down in the bunks +rested them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was six o'clock when Washington awoke. In spite of the dangers of the +icy grave, he had managed to get a little sleep. He prepared breakfast +and called the others.</p> + +<p>"Make a good meal," advised Mr. Henderson. "We have plenty of work ahead +of us."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to free the ship?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"I am going to try," was the answer.</p> + +<p>A little later the inventor was busy in one of the small store rooms aft +when Jack came up. The professor was carefully taking out a box +labelled:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<big>DYNAMITE! DANGEROUS!</big><br /> +</div> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked the boy.</p> + +<p>"I am going to try the same experiment we attempted on the volcanic +island," was the reply. "Only, this time, I am afraid we shall have to +complete it to the end. There is little likelihood of the ice falling +apart."</p> + +<p>"Then you are going to blow it up?" went on Jack.</p> + +<p>"That's what I hope to do," the inventor went on. "I see no other way, +and, though there is a risk, it is not so great a one as to wait to be +crushed in the ice as it freezes more solidly."</p> + +<p>Under the directions of Mr. Henderson they got out the diving suits. The +professor, the two boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> and Andy put them on. The dynamite, in +specially <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'preparel'">prepared</ins> water-proof packages, with long fuses was laid in +readiness close to the door of the diving chamber.</p> + +<p>Into the cell, the four who were to make the perilous journey under the +ice, took their places. The water was slowly admitted, and then, with +the electric lights in their helmets throwing out powerful gleams, they +started forward as the outer door swung open.</p> + +<p>It was well they had all taken the precautions to don thick +undergarments and clothing, for, even through the heavy rubber diving +suits, the terrible cold of the southern polar sea struck a chill to +their very bones.</p> + +<p>As the professor had said, the ship was caught between the upper and +lower parts of the iceberg. On either side, ahead and to the rear there +was open water. Beneath their feet there was a floor of ice. It was as +if they and the ship had been placed between two great sheets of the +frozen matter.</p> + +<p>Their progress was slow, for the water hampered their movements and each +one had some of the dynamite to carry. The footing, too, was insecure, +for the icy bed of the ocean was slippery.</p> + +<p>As they were huddled together, the professor in the lead, and their +lamps making a faint illum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>ination in the darkness, they suddenly became +aware of a great shadow over them. They looked up, and their hearts +nearly ceased beating as they saw a gigantic sperm whale right over +them, and between the ice. The terrible animal had observed them also, +and, food being scarce in those frigid regions, had evidently made up +its mind to dine on some choice morsels.</p> + +<p>The whale was nearly as large again as the submarine, and to the +frightened voyagers seemed more immense than a house. With slow motions +of the flukes the animal placed itself right over the boys and men, +ready to rush at and take them into its terrible maw.</p> + +<p>Old Andy, who alone seemed to retain his presence of mind, stepped to +the front. The professor and the boys wondered what he was going to do. +Then Andy held up one of the electric guns.</p> + +<p>Always thinking of his chosen calling, the old hunter had picked up the +weapon as he was leaving the <i>Porpoise</i>. He waited until the whale was +within a short distance, so close in fact that the small eyes, out of +all seeming proportion to the rest of the big body, could be seen. Then +Andy fired one of the explosive bullets straight into the open mouth +that was fringed with rows of the springy bone that is a part of a +whale's eating apparatus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>The shot took effect, and made a vital wound. In its death struggles the +beast lashed the ocean to foam, and, but for the fact that Andy as soon +as he fired the shot crouched down, pulling the others toward the floor +of ice, they might all have been killed.</p> + +<p>The whale turned and made a rush in the opposite direction to that of +the divers. This was a welcome sign to the professor, for he knew the +animal was seeking open water and this told him it must be somewhere in +the vicinity.</p> + +<p>Their hearts still beating loudly from the closeness of death, the +adventurers continued their way. On every side were fish, big and +little, and, though some of the larger ones thrust themselves to the men +and boys, as if wondering what strange creatures they were, none of them +offered to attack.</p> + +<p>Led by the professor they made a complete circuit of the ship that was +held fast in the ice. As the inventor had surmised, the <i>Porpoise</i> was +nipped only above and below. If she could be freed at either of those +points she could rise to the surface, or sink down under the ice.</p> + +<p>After making a careful examination of the position of the craft, Mr. +Henderson motioned to have the dynamite placed on the ice, in front of, +and about two hundred feet away from the nose of the ship.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>He connected the cartridges with the fuse and wires that were to explode +them, and then, taking the free end, he started back toward the ship. +Washington was on the watch for them, and operated the diving chamber. +Soon the four were back in the <i>Porpoise</i>.</p> + +<p>"Now to see if our plan will work," said Mr. Henderson. "I am relying on +the well known downward force of dynamite to blow a hole in the bottom +part of the ice, so that we can drop below."</p> + +<p>"Why not make a hole above so we can rise and escape?" asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"Because," replied the professor, "we are now in the region of perpetual +ice. The ocean above us is one fast floe, or a number of smaller ones, +so that, in any event our progress would be impossible. But we can sail +far enough down under water to escape all the ice. That is the purpose +of the <i>Porpoise</i>. That is why I built her. We will now begin on the +last part of our voyage; that is if we can get free of the fearful grip +of this sea of ice."</p> + +<p>There was little they could do to protect themselves. They would either +escape or be blown to pieces in case the explosive exerted too great a +force. They all put on life preservers to guard against the contingency +of the <i>Porpoise</i> being ripped apart and themselves cast into the water, +yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> they realized that without their ship, they could live but a little +while in the ice-filled water near the south pole.</p> + +<p>The professor saw that everything was in readiness. He hesitated a +moment and looked at the electric button in his hand, for this time the +dynamite was to be detonated by a battery. How much might depend on one +push of the finger!</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 265px;"> +<img src="images/203.jpg" width="265" height="400" alt="THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF A GRAVEYARD OF WRECKED SHIPS.—Page 200." title="THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF A GRAVEYARD OF WRECKED SHIPS.—Page 200." /> +<span class="caption">THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF A GRAVEYARD OF WRECKED SHIPS.—Page 200.</span> +</div> + +<p>There was a slight movement to the muscles of the professor's hand. Then +it seemed as if a thunderbolt had fallen into the midst of the ocean +about them.</p> + +<p>There was a dull rumble, but the confined space and the thick walls of +the ship shut most of it out. It was followed by a sickening dizzy +motion to the submarine. She seemed about to roll over and those in her +grabbed frantically at the sides. The next instant the craft plunged +down, down, down, into the water which was filled with broken cakes of +ice, that rattled against the steel sides, like peas in a pan.</p> + +<p>Down and down the <i>Porpoise</i> went, for her tanks were full. More and +more rapidly she continued to sink, until it seemed she would fetch up +in the deepest cavern of the ocean.</p> + +<p>"We's gwine t' Mars Davy Jones's locker, suah!" Washington exclaimed as +he looked at the depth gages.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + + + +<p>"Has the experiment succeeded?" asked Andy of Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"I think so," was the answer. "At any rate we are free from the ice, +temporarily at least. We are sinking down through the hole the dynamite +made, just as I hoped we would."</p> + +<p>"Where will we end up?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"No one knows," replied the captain. "But I would say—"</p> + +<p>At that instant the ship stopped sinking and brought up with a bump.</p> + +<p>"I should say we were at the end of this part of our journey," finished +the inventor.</p> + +<p>He turned off the cabin lights and lighted the search lamps that threw a +gleam so the water could be looked at from the bull's-eyes windows. The +sight that met their gaze was an astonishing one.</p> + +<p>They were in the midst of a graveyard of wrecked ships, and, on every +side, scattered over the ocean bed, were the broken hulks that had once +been stately vessels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT BY SEA SUCKERS</h3> + + +<p>"What sort of a place is this?" asked Andy, as he gazed at the last +resting spot of the big ships.</p> + +<p>"They have probably drifted here with the ocean currents, become caught +in the ice and have remained here hundreds of years," said Mr. +Henderson. "Some of the ships are very old, and, by their build must +have sailed the waters centuries ago."</p> + +<p>"Maybe some of them are treasure ships," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"They might be," admitted the professor.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go aboard and get the gold," spoke Mark.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," went on the inventor. "In the first +place most treasure ships are looted before they sink. And it would be +very dangerous for any of us to venture to explore those hulks."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Because they are rotten, and liable to fall to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> pieces any minute. If +you happened to be in one at the time you would be caught in the +wreckage and eventually drowned even though you had on a diving suit. +Then, again, the ice here is constantly shifting about, and a sudden +motion of the under-water floe might carry you hundreds of miles away. +So we will not try to hunt for any fortunes on the sunken ships."</p> + +<p>With this the boys were forced to be content. They stood at the small +windows looking at the skeletons of ships that lay on every side of the +<i>Porpoise</i>. Some of the craft were big steamers, and others were small +sailing vessels. A few had jagged holes in the hulls, showing how they +had been damaged. A few stood upright, with sails all set, as if +disaster had suddenly come upon them.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is the next move?" asked Andy after a pause. "Are we going +to stay here?"</p> + +<p>"We are going to find the South Pole," spoke Mr. Henderson suddenly. +"That is what I set out to do, and I am going to accomplish it if +possible. We have had many accidents and a harder time in some respects +than when we made our trip to the north in the air ship. But I am sure +we shall succeed. Start the ship to the south, Washington."</p> + +<p>"But we may run into an iceberg," objected the old hunter, who was +inclined to be cautious.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think not," answered Mr. Henderson. "I believe we are on a sort of +level plane between two vast upper and lower fields of ice. We can go +freely in any direction excepting up or down."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" asked Mark. "I don't quite understand."</p> + +<p>"Because there is, I believe, a big sheet of ice above us, one, say +several hundred feet thick. The same thing is below us, between us and +the real bed of the ocean."</p> + +<p>"But suppose we have to go up to renew our air supply?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"We can't go," replied the inventor.</p> + +<p>"Then we will die."</p> + +<p>"Not necessarily. We will steam along until we come to a place where +there is no ice above us."</p> + +<p>"But I thought you said there was nothing but ice above us now."</p> + +<p>"So there is, but I intend to head due south and there, I believe, we +will find an open polar sea. If we do my theory will be proved and we +will have made a great discovery."</p> + +<p>"Forward then!" exclaimed Jack. "Let us strike for the open sea."</p> + +<p>The <i>Porpoise</i> began to move ahead. She steamed slowly, for Mr. +Henderson realized that he was in dangerous waters. He took his position +in the conning tower, and had Jack with him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> assist in looking for +any obstructions that they might unexpectedly meet.</p> + +<p>The big searchlight gave a fine illumination, for the ice above and +below reflected back the beams, and what would otherwise have been a sea +of darkness was made one of daylight.</p> + +<p>The water swarmed with fish, but they were like none that the +adventurers had ever seen or dreamed of before. There were monsters with +hideous heads, and eyes so large that they occupied nearly half of the +ugly bodies.</p> + +<p>Then there were serpent-like forms, fish with long slender bodies and +whip-fashioned tails, with jaws that extended before them for ten feet +or more. Others there were, great lumbering monsters that crawled along +on the ice, somewhat as seals do.</p> + +<p>After several hours' travel the submarine ran into a school of fish that +had shapes like those of polar bears, while their heads were like those +of sharks. The creatures swarmed up to the side of the vessel, and some +scratched with their claw-like fins on the glass windows of the conning +tower and the side bull's-eyes.</p> + +<p>A meal was prepared by Washington, and all the adventurers brought good +appetites to the table. On and on rushed the ship, every hour coming +nearer and nearer to the pole.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>Professor Henderson had turned the steering of the craft over to Mark, +who, with Jack as an assistant was sending her along at a good speed, +when suddenly the submarine seemed to slacken in her progress.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now I wonder?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the engine bearings got hot, and Washington had to slow up to +cool them," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>He looked through one of the side windows in the conning tower, a moment +later, and uttered a cry of fear.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mark.</p> + +<p>Jack pointed with a hand that trembled from fright. Staring at them +through the thick glass of the bull's-eye the boys beheld the most +hideous sea monster they had yet encountered.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be a vast circular mass of flesh, twenty feet in diameter, +and, in the middle were two openings each three feet across. They were +like big holes, and, at the farther end of them could be seen two +unblinking eyes. In the centre was a horrible mouth, armed with a triple +row of teeth.</p> + +<p>Down below there was a short body, at the end of which was a smaller +disk, armed with a sharp horny point.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Jack in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Mark.</p> + +<p>A moment later Mr. Henderson came up the companionway into the tower. He +caught one glimpse of the monster.</p> + +<p>"It is the great sucker of the polar seas!" he exclaimed. "Quick! Speed +up the engine! If that one, and the mates of it, fasten on to us we will +have trouble!"</p> + +<p>He pressed the signal that connected with the engine room, and told +Washington to start the engine at its greatest power. The next instant +the ship throbbed and trembled under the vibrations of the big screw.</p> + +<p>"We may escape!" cried the professor.</p> + +<p>As he spoke the ship seemed to come to a sudden stop. The engine could +still be felt moving, and the big screw still churned the water to foam +in the tunnel, but the craft was stationary.</p> + +<p>"We are caught!" exclaimed the professor.</p> + +<p>"So we are!"</p> + +<p>The windows in the conning tower were darkened. The big sucker had +thrown itself forward and spread itself over the glass, clasping its +horrible form half way about the submarine.</p> + +<p>"Let's look at the other windows! There may be only one of the +creatures!" Mr. Henderson exclaimed, as he hurried down the companion +way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> and into the main cabin. He threw back the slides covering the +glass.</p> + +<p>The sight that met his eyes caused him to recoil in horror. There, +pressing their shapes against the steel sides, and over the bull's-eyes +of the ship were two more of the gigantic suckers!</p> + +<p>The ship had now ceased to move, and Washington, in the engine room, +feeling that something was wrong, had shut off the power. The +adventurers were caught in a trap more terrible than that of the ice, +the volcanic mountain, or the Sargasso Sea. It was a trap from which +they might never escape.</p> + +<p>The suckers, thinking the submarine was perhaps a species of fish, like +themselves, and one of their enemies, had fastened on it their fatal +vice-like grip. To move through the water, with the weight of all that +clinging flesh was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'impossile'">impossible</ins>.</p> + +<p>"What sort of creatures are they?" asked Jack, speaking in a whisper, so +great was the terror inspired by the presence of the gigantic sea +suckers.</p> + +<p>"I never saw any of them before," replied the professor, "but I have +read about them. They live only in the polar regions and are a species +of octupus, only more terrible. Their powers of suction are enormous, +and once they fasten on a fish or animal they never let go until they +have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> absorbed it completely. They act in the same way that a star fish +does on an oyster."</p> + +<p>"But they can't eat the ship," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"No, I fancy the steel and iron sides will prevent them from making a +meal of us."</p> + +<p>"Then where is the danger?"</p> + +<p>"They will not let go until they discover that they cannot devour us, +and it may take days. We can only remain under water a comparatively +short time at the most. So you see where the danger is."</p> + +<p>"But can't we go out and kill them? Then they would let go."</p> + +<p>"It would be most risky to venture out, protected even with a diving +suit, and carrying the electric guns," the professor went on. "No, I +must think of some other plan to free ourselves from the creatures."</p> + +<p>"Blow 'em up wif dynamite an' send 'em inter disproportionately +contrastedable circumferences!" exclaimed Washington, who had been +listening to the conversation.</p> + +<p>"This isn't any time to joke," Mr. Henderson said sternly.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't joking," replied the colored man. "Can't we squirt acid on 'em +or chop 'em up, or—or—"</p> + +<p>"We can do nothing for the time being," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> the professor. "Come, we +will have a consultation on the subject. Perhaps some one may be able to +think of a plan of rescue."</p> + +<p>"Let us hope so."</p> + +<p>They all gathered in the cabin. The professor explained the nature of +the creatures, as far as he knew them from what he had read or heard. He +pointed out, through the glass windows, over which the suckers were +still clinging, how they maintained their grip, by exhausting, through +their big mouths, the air between their saucer-like surfaces and the +ship to which they were clinging.</p> + +<p>"Can't we go out and fight 'em?" asked Andy, who was always ready to use +a gun.</p> + +<p>"I doubt if we could get out," replied the professor. "Though we can not +see them, I believe the creatures cover every part of the ship from stem +to stern. We could never open the door of the diving chamber with that +terrible sucker covering the iron portal."</p> + +<p>"Maybe if we wait long enough a lot of sharks will come along and eat +'em up," put in Jack.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid sharks will not come to these frozen waters," said the +professor. "They like a warm climate."</p> + +<p>"And you don't think it would be feasible to use dynamite," asked Mark.</p> + +<p>"We can't get out to place it where it would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> blow up the fish and not +us," answered Mr. Henderson. "If we could it might serve."</p> + +<p>A silence fell on the group. They were in sore straits and there seemed +no hope of rescue. The big disk-like bodies that covered the windows did +not move, but remained there, staring with horrible persistency into the +interior of the ship.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>LAND UNDER ICE</h3> + + +<p>Suddenly the craft began to move. Slowly at first, then, with more speed +it forged ahead through the water.</p> + +<p>"Are we free?" asked Andy, starting up.</p> + +<p>"Who started the machinery?" demanded the professor.</p> + +<p>"No one," replied Jack. "We are all here. There is no one in the engine +room."</p> + +<p>"But we are moving," said Mark.</p> + +<p>"It's dem sucker-fish!" exclaimed Washington. "Dey is takin' us off to +der dens an' dere we'll all be eat up!"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid part of it is true," said Mr. Henderson. "The creatures are +certainly making off with us. How powerful they must be!"</p> + +<p>"Will dey take us to a cave?" faltered Washington. "Will dey eat us up?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think they'll eat us up," spoke the inventor. "It would defy +even their powerful sucking apparatus to bore through the steel sides of +the <i>Porpoise</i>. What I am afraid of is that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> they may move us to some +hidden depth where we will be caught under the rocks or in the ice, and +so lose what little chance there is of getting free."</p> + +<p>"And the worst of it is we can't do a thing to help ourselves!" +exclaimed Andy. "This is the worst game I was ever up against!"</p> + +<p>The adventurers were indeed helpless. They could not get out of their +ship to attack the monsters, even had they dared to. Their engine, +powerful as it was, had proved no match for the creatures, and now they +were being carried away, ship and all, to some unknown place.</p> + +<p>The ship did not go through the water fast. Though the suckers seemed to +be working in union their bodies were too unwieldly, and the ship so +large, that their pace was slow. Nevertheless they kept steadily on.</p> + +<p>Several times, in their desperation, the adventurers tried the force of +the big screw against that of the suckers. It was of no avail. Neither +was the device of emptying the tanks, and trying to force the craft up +as far as the roof of ice would permit it to go.</p> + +<p>"It's of no use," announced Mr. Henderson with something that sounded +like a groan. "We must prepare for the worst."</p> + +<p>"How long can we live here without going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> the surface after a fresh +supply of air?" asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"About three days," was the answer. "I took the precaution to put a +double supply into the tanks, in readiness for an emergency, but I never +thought of such a terrible situation as this."</p> + +<p>The submarine seemed to be moving more rapidly now. It was useless to +try to see through either the windows in the side or in the conning +tower, for all the glass was covered by the horrible bodies.</p> + +<p>"What will they do with us when they get us where they want us?" asked +Andy.</p> + +<p>"What can they do except hold us prisoners until—until—" The professor +broke off the sentence he dared not finish.</p> + +<p>For an hour or more the craft was moved through the water at moderate +speed. Then it came to a stop. Those on board were alert for what might +happen next.</p> + +<p>"I guess dey done got us in der cave," said Washington with chattering +teeth. "Now dey'll begin to devour us wid dem terrible big mouths! +Golly, I wish I was home!"</p> + +<p>"Stop that nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Be a man! There is no +danger yet. The sides of the <i>Porpoise</i> will defy worse enemies than +those attacking us!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that instant the ship began to move again. It was hauled slowly +through the water.</p> + +<p>"They are pulling us backward!" said Andy, as he watched the needle of +the compass.</p> + +<p>Once more the submarine was stopped. Then it moved forward at a more +rapid pace than at any time since the suckers had seized it. An instant +later it brought up against some solid object with such a jar that those +inside were thrown off their feet.</p> + +<p>"Something has hit us!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"More likely we've struck something," said the professor.</p> + +<p>Again the ship forged to the rear, and once again it was sent swiftly +ahead. Then came the second shock, harder than the first, which sent +some of the party headlong.</p> + +<p>"They are banging us against a rock!" cried Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean those sea suckers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. They have probably found that the shell of the <i>Porpoise</i> is too +hard even for their powerful jaws. So they have taken us to some place +where the rocks show and are banging us against them in order to break +the ship, so they can get at what is inside."</p> + +<p>Once more the ship was drawn backward and again dashed against the +stone. The shock was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> hard one and toppled over all who were not +clinging to something.</p> + +<p>"They are ramming us bow on against the rocks," cried Andy. "It will +break us apart if they hit us many more times!"</p> + +<p>Washington hurried forward. He came back with his eyes showing terror.</p> + +<p>"There's a lot of rocks right ahead ob us!" he exclaimed. "I see 'em +through th' little window jest above th' screw. There's land under this +here water!"</p> + +<p>"Land under this ice do you mean?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean, an' we's bein' rammed agin th' rocks!"</p> + +<p>"There it goes again!" cried Jack, as the ship shivered from stem to +stern against the impact of the blow.</p> + +<p>"This can not last long," said Mr. Henderson. "If they strike us many +more times some of the places will start, the water will come in, and we +will drown!"</p> + +<p>"But what can we do?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Let's go out now and see if we can't kill some of the beasts with the +guns," suggested Andy.</p> + +<p>"I cannot permit it," answered the inventor. "Our position is bad enough +as it is, but to go out would be to lose our lives for a certainty. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +suckers would swallow us up in a moment. I must find some other way."</p> + +<p>There was a period of silence, while all waited anxiously for what was +to happen next. It was not long in coming. The next impact of the ship +against the rocks was the hardest yet, and it seemed that more of the +suckers must have gripped the craft.</p> + +<p>"She's leakin' a little!" exclaimed Washington coming back from an +inspection forward. "De water am tricklin' in!"</p> + +<p>"We must fight them!" exclaimed Andy. He ran to get a gun and his diving +suit.</p> + +<p>"Don't try to go out!" warned the professor. "You will surely be +killed."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather be killed out there than die shut up in the ship!" cried the +old hunter. "I'm going out!"</p> + +<p>"Wait!" exclaimed Jack suddenly. "I have a plan that may save us!"</p> + +<p>"What is it? Speak quickly!" said Mr. Henderson. "We are in desperate +straits!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke there came another crash against the rocks.</p> + +<p>"We must electrocute the suckers!" cried the boy.</p> + +<p>"Electrocute them? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Take the wires from the electric light circuit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> attach one to each end +of the ship, and start the dynamo at full speed!" answered Jack.</p> + +<p>"What good will that do?"</p> + +<p>"The ship is steel," went on the boy. "It will become charged with a +powerful current. We can insulate ourselves by putting on rubber boots, +but the shock of the electricity will kill the creatures!"</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Quick boys, everybody lend a +hand! Washington, detach the wires and run one to the bow and the other +to the stern of the ship. Then get out the boots."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the dynamo was ready to send a death-dealing current +through the entire ship. The professor and all the others put on the +boots, that were a part of the diving equipment. The dynamo was started +at full speed and the purring hum told that electricity of great power +was being developed.</p> + +<p>The professor stood with his hand on a switch, ready to close the +circuit as soon as sufficient power had accumulated. Once more the +suckers backed the ship in order to give it impetus for another impact +on the stones.</p> + +<p>Click! The professor snapped the switch shut. There was a burst of +bluish-green flame, and the movement of the boat suddenly ceased.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess that does for 'em!" shouted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Wait a few minutes," advised the professor. "The suckers may not all be +dead yet!"</p> + +<p>He kept the current flowing throughout the length of the ship for +several minutes, and then turned it off.</p> + +<p>"Now to see if the plan worked," he said. The windows in the cabin were +eagerly scanned.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Mark. "The suckers have gone!"</p> + +<p>"I guess the electricity killed them," spoke Mr. Henderson. "We will +venture out now in our diving suits and see what sort of a place we are +in."</p> + +<p>Soon the adventurers were arrayed in the heavy suits. Under them they +wore thick clothing, and in each suit was placed a small flat heater, +operated by a storage battery. The heaters were made of coils of fine +wires, and the electric current, meeting with much resistance in passing +through them, heated the coils, so there was considerable warmth.</p> + +<p>It was all needed as they found when they felt the water entering the +diving chamber, for the fluid was as cold as an ocean full of icebergs +could make it. Protected however by the heavy suits, warm clothing and +the heaters the divers were fairly comfortable.</p> + +<p>The outer door was opened and they all started<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> back in amazement at the +sight which met their eyes. Before them lay a forest of real trees, with +bushes growing among them, while the ground, instead of being like the +usual ocean bed was covered with grass.</p> + +<p>As Washington had said, on getting a small view of the place from the +little window, it was real land under water.</p> + +<p>Their first surprise at the strange spectacle over, the adventurers +glanced about for a sight of the terrible sea suckers. But they need not +have feared. Lying in a huddled up mass toward the rear of the +<i>Porpoise</i> were the dead bodies of the ugly creatures. The electricity +had finished them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>ATTACKED BY AN OCTUPUS</h3> + + +<p>They walked some distance away from the ship, for the land under the +water was easy to travel on. It looked exactly as if some beautiful +valley had suddenly been submerged in the middle of summer, when +everything was fresh and green.</p> + +<p>They had gone perhaps a quarter of a mile from the <i>Porpoise</i> when +Professor Henderson motioned to them that they had better return. On +their way back they passed what looked to be a large cave in the side of +a hill. Wondering what could be in it, Mark and Jack paused to peer into +the black opening.</p> + +<p>The next instant two long white things, like slender serpents shot out. +With the rapidity of lightning they wrapped themselves, one about each +boy, and, before the horrified companions of the lads could do anything +the unfortunate youths were whisked out of sight into the cavern.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds no one knew what to do. To rush in to the rescue of +the boys would have been foolhardy, as the terrible octupus, which they +knew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> had grabbed the lads, would have been a match for all of the +adventurers, unarmed as they were.</p> + +<p>It would be necessary to return to the ship and come back with some of +the electric guns, which they had neglected to bring with them. In the +meanwhile the beast might, and probably would, kill Mark and Jack. But +there was nothing else to do.</p> + +<p>The professor motioned for Andy to remain on the watch at the mouth of +the cavern, so as to be on hand in case he could help the boys, while +the others were hurrying toward the ship. Then, leading the way, the +Professor signalled for Tom and Bill to follow him.</p> + +<p>They could not hurry much for the heavy suits and the resistance of the +water impeded their progress. But they made all the speed they could, +urged on by a terrible fear.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile old Andy stood in front of the cave, hoping against hope that +there might be some way of aiding the boys. If it had happened above +water he would not have hesitated to rush in and give battle to the +beast, even though he was unarmed. If he had his knife now he would +venture in, at the risk of his life.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why didn't I bring my gun along!" thought Andy regretfully.</p> + +<p>His hand dropped to his side and his fingers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> came in contact with a big +knife in the belt of the diving suit. Here was a weapon he had forgotten +all about.</p> + +<p>He drew forth the blade. It seemed a small one with which to attack so +large and terrible a creature as the octupus. Yet to remain there, +knowing the boys were being killed was more than old Andy could stand. +Grasping the handle with a firm grip he started toward the cave. His +foot caught in something, and he nearly fell.</p> + +<p>Looking down to see what had tripped him he saw a long thin pole, +straight as a lance. It had once been a tree limb, but all the branches +were stripped off.</p> + +<p>"Now if I only had an iron point for that," Andy thought. Then he +recollected the knife in his hand.</p> + +<p>"The very thing," he remarked aloud, the words sounding startlingly loud +in the confinement of the copper helmet. "If I only had something to +fasten the knife on the pole I could make a spear to attack the +octupus."</p> + +<p>Then he saw long streamers of sea weed growing up from the ocean bed. +They were very tough, a kind of wirey grass that was as strong as rope. +Andy cut several streamers and, with a hunter's skill bound the knife to +the end of the staff.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now he had a weapon formidable enough to venture in and give battle to +the monster. He hesitated no longer, fearing that even the short delay +might have been too much and that the boys were dead. He entered the +cave. At first he could perceive nothing for it was quite dark. Then, as +his eyes became used to the gloom, which the lamp in his helmet faintly +illuminated, he saw, far back in the rear, the horrible octupus.</p> + +<p>Two dark objects, around which were wrapped several folds of the +terrible arms, Andy guessed to be Mark and Jack, and when he was a faint +glow coming from them he was sure they were the boys, the gleams coming +from the lamps in their helmets.</p> + +<p>Warily the hunter approached the creature. If he had hoped to take it +unawares he was disappointed, for, when he had come within ten feet, +holding his improvised lance outstretched ready for a deadly thrust, the +creature shot out two long arms toward Andy.</p> + +<p>Now the battle began. The snake-like feelers, armed with big saucer +shaped suckers, lashed about in the water, seeking to clasp the hunter +in their deadly embrace. But Andy, who had fought many kinds of wild +animals on land, did not lose his presence of mind in confronting this +beast of the sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nimbly, in spite of the handicap of the heavy diving suit, Andy dodged +the arms. Watching his chance he thrust at one, and the sharp knife +severed the end. But another arm shot out, while the wounded one was +drawn in, and the battle was as much against the old hunter as before.</p> + +<p>Once more he thrust his lance, and this time he severed one of the arms +close to the ugly body. The creature, in its rage and pain, redoubled +its efforts to clasp Andy.</p> + +<p>The hunter decided to try to get to closer quarters where he could use +his spear on the body of the beast. He stooped down and wiggled along on +the bottom of the cave. But the creature saw him, and darted an arm out +to pull the old man in. Andy squirmed to one side, and then, being as +close as he desired, he rose to his feet and, drawing back the pole +thrust it with all his force straight at the centre of the +whitish-yellow body that was like a horrible lump of soft fat directly +in front of him.</p> + +<p>At the first touch of the knife the creature squirted out an inky +substance that made the water about it as black as night. Andy could not +see, but he could feel that the lance was still in the body. He pulled +it back a little and thrust again and again, turning it around to +enlarge the wound he had made.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, what he had feared all along happened. Two of the creatures arms +found him, and he felt the terrible pressure as they wound themselves +about him, the sucker-plates clinging fast. Yet in it all he did not +lose his presence of mind, nor did he let go of the pole.</p> + +<p>Tighter and tighter the arms clasped him. He struggled with all his +strength but he was in a grip more powerful than that of a boa +constrictor. Suddenly the pole he was holding snapped off. He let go the +useless end and pulled the shorter part, to which the knife was bound, +toward him. Andy felt his senses beginning to leave him, but he +determined to make one more effort.</p> + +<p>One hand was free, that holding the knife. With his last remaining +strength he cut and slashed at the arms of the creature that were +clasped about him.</p> + +<p>Again and again he stuck the blade into the gristle like substance. +Could he win? Could he save his own life, to say nothing of that of the +two boys?</p> + +<p>The creature was lashing about now so that the water was a mass of black +foam. The ink-color was beginning to fade away. Andy could dimly observe +the horrible front of the octupus, and see the wound his lance had made. +Then all seemed to grow dark again. He dimly remembered try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>ing to +thrust the knife into one of the saucer-shaped eyes, and then of a +sudden his senses left him.</p> + +<p>When Andy came to his senses he found himself lying on the ocean bed +just outside the cave. About him stood the professor, Washington, Tom +and Bill. His head buzzed and he felt weak, but he knew he was +uninjured, and that his diving suit had not been punctured in the fight +with the octupus, for he could feel the fresh air entering from the tank +at the back of his helmet.</p> + +<p>Were the boys killed, Andy wondered. Had his fight to save them been in +vain? He managed to stand up, and then, to his relief he saw Mark and +Jack standing behind Tom and Bill. The boys seemed weak but otherwise +uninjured.</p> + +<p>The professor motioned to know if Andy could walk and the old hunter +soon demonstrated that he could by stepping forward. Then the party +proceeded slowly to the ship.</p> + +<p>Little time was lost by each one in divesting himself of his diving suit +as soon as they had left the water chamber. The first thing Andy asked +when his <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hemlet'">helmet</ins> was off, was:</p> + +<p>"Did I kill the beast?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed you did," replied the professor. "And just in time, too. You +were about done for when we came back with the guns, but they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> not +needed. My! But you must have had a terrible fight!"</p> + +<p>"I did, while it lasted," said the hunter. "But were the boys hurt?"</p> + +<p>"They can speak for themselves," replied Mr. Henderson. "I guess not, +though."</p> + +<p>"Having the wind almost squeezed out of us was the worst that happened," +said Mark. "The octupus must have recently dined when it grabbed us, for +it didn't offer to eat us. And it didn't grip us as tightly as it might +have or I reckon we wouldn't have come out alive. I thought sure we were +going to be killed, however."</p> + +<p>"So did I," put in Jack.</p> + +<p>"I don't want any more such fights this trip," said Andy with a weak +smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>OUT OF THE ICE</h3> + + +<p>Worn out with their encounter with the octupus, Andy and the boys were +glad to take to their bunks. The others, too, who were weary from +traveling under water, felt the need of rest, and so it was decided to +let the ship remain stationary down on the bottom of the ocean for +several hours before going on further.</p> + +<p>"When we get rested up we'll have a good meal, and then try to gain the +surface of the ocean," said the professor.</p> + +<p>There was quiet on board the <i>Porpoise</i> for a long time. Washington was +the first to awake and he at once set about getting a meal. When it was +ready he called the professor, and, one after another all the +adventurers rose from their bunks and refreshed themselves with hot +coffee, bacon, eggs and preserves, all prepared from condensed foods, of +which a large supply had been brought.</p> + +<p>"Now to see if we can make our way upward through the ice," announced +Mr. Henderson.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We ought to be far enough south to strike the open polar <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'see'">sea</ins> which I +believe exists."</p> + +<p>The engine was started after the small leaks in the bow, caused by the +ramming of the boat on the rocks, had been stopped up, and the +professor, entering the conning tower, turned her due south.</p> + +<p>The screw vibrated in the tunnel, the water rushed out in a big stream, +the engines and dynamos hummed, and the hearts of all were lightened as +they knew they were nearing the goal of their journey.</p> + +<p>Several hours passed and the professor, who was keeping watch of the +gages noted they had covered more than one hundred miles. As the supply +of compressed air was getting low Mr. Henderson, not wanting to run any +chances, decided to make an attempt to reach the surface and refill the +tanks.</p> + +<p>Accordingly the water tanks were emptied of their ballast, the rudder +was set to force the ship to the surface, and soon the depth gage showed +a constantly decreasing amount of water over the heads of the +adventurers.</p> + +<p>"Now, if we don't hit the ice above us we'll be all right," spoke Mr. +Henderson. "We are within fifteen feet of the surface."</p> + +<p>Hardly had he ceased speaking when the <i>Porpoise</i> brought up against +something with a bump<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> that jarred everyone. Then the submarine went +scraping along, hitting the conning tower every now and then.</p> + +<p>"Not clear of the ice yet," said Mr. Henderson. "We must go down a +little and try again."</p> + +<p>The tanks were filled with enough water to keep the boat about fifty +feet under the surface, and at that depth she was sent ahead at full +speed. The professor's face wore an anxious look, and when Washington +asked him if it was not time to replenish the air supply of the boat the +inventor told the colored man to be very sparing of the contents of the +compressing tanks.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we are not as near the open sea as I at first thought," Mr. +Henderson finished.</p> + +<p>On and on rushed the <i>Porpoise</i>. The engines were kept at full speed, +and after two hours of this fast run another attempt was made to reach +the surface. Once more the thick ice intervened.</p> + +<p>"Guess we'll have to blast our way out," observed Andy. "We seem to have +lots of trouble on this trip."</p> + +<p>"Why not try to ram your way through," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"How do you mean?" asked Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"I mean to sink the boat say two hundred feet. Then start her up +obliquely and perhaps the sharp prow will cut a hole through the ice."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hardly through ice fifteen feet or more thick," said the captain +despondently.</p> + +<p>"But it may be thinner now," persisted Jack.</p> + +<p>"At any rate it will do no harm to try," the inventor admitted. "We can +not last much longer down here."</p> + +<p>Again the tanks were filled, and by the aid of the deflecting rudder the +<i>Porpoise</i> went down into the depths. Then the ballast tanks were +quickly emptied, and the rudder turned so as to force the craft upward +on a slant. The engine was set going at top speed.</p> + +<p>"Hold fast everybody!" called the professor. "It is kill or cure this +trip!"</p> + +<p>Like an arrow from a bow the <i>Porpoise</i> shot upward. On and on it <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'speed'">sped</ins>, +gathering momentum with every foot she traveled.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a terrible crash, a grinding sound and a rending and +tearing. The ship trembled from end to end. Every one was knocked from +his feet. There were bumpings and scrapings all along the sides of the +submarine. Then, with one final spurt of speed, the little ship tore her +way through the ice and emerged, with a splash and shower of foam into +the open sea!</p> + +<p>Quickly the man hole was opened and, half dead from lack of fresh air, +the adventurers crawled out on deck. It was night and the stars +glittered in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> the sky above. They were just beyond the edge of the ice +field, and all about them was a wide open sea.</p> + +<p>"I was right after all," said the professor, "but I miscalculated the +distance. Had we gone on a few feet farther it would not have been +necessary to break through the ice."</p> + +<p>"I guess it's a lucky thing we didn't try it before either," remarked +Andy. "We never could have bored through fifteen feet of the frozen +stuff. Where we plowed up it is less than two feet," and he pointed to +where the immense floe came to an end.</p> + +<p>It was decided to go no farther that night, however, as the professor +wanted to take some observations by daylight and ascertain his position. +So filling their lungs with the air, cold and piercing though it was, +the adventurers descended to their cabin, and lots were drawn to see who +would stand the two night watches. It fell to Mr. Henderson to take the +first, and Washington the second. The captain accordingly took up his +position in the conning tower and prepared to pass several hours.</p> + +<p>He was busy thinking over the exciting times he and his companions had +passed through, and planning new trips to see more wonders of the world, +when his attention was attracted by slight noise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> near the man hole +leading to the amidship companionway.</p> + +<p>The professor looked up, and was startled to see a tall white object, +with outstretched arms advancing toward him with slow and stealthy +tread.</p> + +<p>"The ghost again!" exclaimed the inventor softly. "I must catch it now, +and see what foolishness it is," for the professor did not believe in +spirits.</p> + +<p>He got down on his hands and knees the better to escape observation, +should the white thing prove to be a bodily substance, and started to +crawl toward it. He came within ten feet of the thing, and could make +out that it was a man, or at least the semblance of one, all clothed in +white.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the inventor crawled to the thing. It turned to face +him now and Mr. Henderson could not help feeling startled as he saw the +object had no head. The neck ended in a white stump.</p> + +<p>In spite of a little feeling of qualmishness, which even his boasted +disbelief in ghosts did not save him from, Mr. Henderson was about to +spring upon the thing and solve the mystery.</p> + +<p>At that instant, however, Washington, who was coming on deck to take up +his watch, appeared at the head of the companionway, and caught sight of +the terrible object.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>The yells of the colored man as he dove downward and back into the +cabin, aroused the ship. Determined to solve the mystery, in spite of +everything, the professor made a leap forward. He slipped, and tumbled +down the iron stairway. At the same time, the ghost, with a blood +curdling yell, leaped over the professor's back, and disappeared down +the stairs of the conning tower.</p> + +<p>In an instant the crew were rushing from their bunk rooms, seeking a +meaning for the disturbance.</p> + +<p>"It was the ghost again," explained the professor as he picked himself +up, not much the worse for his tumble. "I tried to catch it, but I +didn't. Come, Washington, it is your turn to stand watch."</p> + +<p>"Not to-night," said Washington firmly.</p> + +<p>It was no use to urge him, so Jack good-naturedly stood Washington's +trick. Nothing further however occurred that night.</p> + +<p>In the morning the professor made several observations and found that he +was within one hundred and fifty miles of the south pole.</p> + +<p>"We'll make it to-morrow, if we have luck," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE BOILING WATER</h3> + + +<p>The hours passed and the strange voyage continued.</p> + +<p>The <i>Porpoise</i> traveled along at good speed, and the professor devoted +most of his time to looking after the different scientific instruments +and gages, for they were nearing the south pole. The deflecting compass, +which when it came directly over the place corresponding to the pole, +would point straight up and down, was assuming more and more of a +perpendicular position.</p> + +<p>"We are getting there!" exclaimed the professor with delight. "A few +hours more and we will have won the goal!"</p> + +<p>There was considerable excitement on board when the professor's +announcement was made. Though few of the adventurers cared as much for +the scientific achievement as did Mr. Henderson, they were all glad he +was about to succeed. To most of them the locating of the south pole was +no different from visiting some new country, except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>ing that there were +more adventures than on most voyages.</p> + +<p>At dusk the <i>Porpoise</i> went to the surface and during the night traveled +along atop of the billows. In the morning she dived below again. The +engine was started at high speed and the deflecting needle dipped still +more.</p> + +<p>"We's gittin' dar!" exclaimed Washington as he oiled the various +bearings of the machinery.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was served and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hurridly'">hurriedly</ins> eaten, for the excitement was telling +on every one. After the meal had been cleared away they all sat in the +darkened cabin looking out at the water as it slipped past the glass +windows. Big and little fish swam up and peered into the bull's-eyes and +then darted away.</p> + +<p>"That's sort of queer," remarked Jack a little later.</p> + +<p>"What is?" asked Mark, who was sitting near his chum.</p> + +<p>"All the fish seem to have suddenly disappeared," replied Jack. "There +were hundreds a little while ago, and now I haven't seen one looking in +the windows for some time."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there's a big fish on their trail," observed Mark. "That's what +makes 'em take to the deep sea weed."</p> + +<p>"Maybe so," replied Jack.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>A little later Professor Henderson entered the room. He went over, +looked at the thermometer, and then called to Washington:</p> + +<p>"Have you got the heat turned on?"</p> + +<p>"No, sah! I ain't done truned on no superheated vapor into de +radiators," replied the colored man. "I were jest thinkin' dat we'd hit +de south pole by de feel of it."</p> + +<p>"It is getting strangely warm," admitted Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Ain't that what you expected at the south pole?" asked Andy. "I thought +it was hot at the south pole and cold at the north."</p> + +<p>"That's what lots of people imagine," said the professor, "but except +for the open sea, which I have proved does exist, I guess it's just as +cold at the south as at the north, especially in the winter. We have +struck the summer season."</p> + +<p>"And a mighty warm one at that," observed Jack. "Whew! I've got to take +off my coat."</p> + +<p>Indeed it was getting uncomfortably warm in the ship, and the +adventurers who had dressed in thick clothing to guard against the +rigors of the icy climate, soon had to lay aside many of their garments.</p> + +<p>"No wonder!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson, as he looked at a thermometer. "It +is eighty degrees in here!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Worse than workin' in a hay field," observed Bill, as he wiped the +beads of perspiration from his forehead.</p> + +<p>"Let us see what sort of water we are traveling through," suggested the +professor, as he again turned off the lights in the cabin so that a view +could be had from the bull's-eyes.</p> + +<p>Wondering what would meet their gaze the adventurers peered out of the +small circular windows. At first they could hardly believe their eyes.</p> + +<p>There, right before them, the sea was bubbling as if it was an immense +tea kettle. Steam formed on the glass, and big clouds of vapor could be +seen. The atmosphere of the cabin became almost unbearable.</p> + +<p>"We are in the midst of a boiling hot ocean!" cried the professor.</p> + +<p>"Are we sailing through hot water?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"I should say so, from the feel of it," answered Mr. Henderson. "Put +your hand on the side of the cabin."</p> + +<p>Andy laid his fingers against the steel plates. He drew back.</p> + +<p>"I burned myself!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"What are we to do?" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Get out of this by all means!" exclaimed the inventor. "If we stay in +this hot ocean we will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> be boiled alive like fishes in a pot. Send the +ship up, Washington!"</p> + +<p>Indeed it was high time. The thermometer marked one hundred and ten +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'degress'">degrees</ins>, and was rising. The interior of the <i>Porpoise</i> was like that of +a steam laundry three times heated. Stripped to their undergarments the +adventurers were obliged to lie down on the floor of the cabin where it +was a little cooler.</p> + +<p>It was all Washington could do, used as colored people are to the heat, +to go into the engine room, and start the machinery that emptied the +tanks, so as to allow the ship to mount to the surface.</p> + +<p>The <i>Porpoise</i> began to rise slowly, and to the suffering men and boys +it seemed that she never went up so reluctantly. The heat was becoming +unbearable. They could hear the water bubbling even through the steel +sides of the submarine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Could they live to reach the surface? was the thought in the mind of +every one. The heat was terrific. They were breathing in gasps. +Professor Henderson went to the water tank, thinking to throw some of +the fluid over himself and his companions, but he found it so warm that +it almost burned his hand.</p> + +<p>"Keep up your courage!" exclaimed the inventor. "We will soon be at the +top!"</p> + +<p>Almost as he spoke the <i>Porpoise</i> bounded from the waves, and fell back +in a splash of foam on the surface of the billows. They were at the +surface.</p> + +<p>The professor rushed for the manhole and soon opened it. He crawled out +on the deck, followed by the others. They breathed in deep breaths of +the fresh air.</p> + +<p>The submarine continued to sail on. Every minute the sea seemed to boil +more violently, until at last the waves were covered with a cloud of +steam, through which it was difficult to observe where they were going.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better turn back," suggested Mark.</p> + +<p>"Our only hope is to press on," replied Mr. Henderson. "We may cross +this zone of boiling water soon."</p> + +<p>He went into the conning tower to make an observation. He came on the +deck the next minute, very much excited.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Are we sinking?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"We are directly over the south pole!" exclaimed the professor. "We have +reached the goal! We have come to the spot hundreds of men have tried to +reach! It has been left for us to succeed. Look at the deflecting +needle!"</p> + +<p>They crowded into the conning tower to note it. The slender hand of +steel stood straight up and down, indicating that the ship was over the +south pole, one of the two chief centres of magnetism of the earth.</p> + +<p>"If we only dared stop to make some scientific notes and observations," +said the professor, "we could render much valuable aid to the seekers +after truth. But it would be sure death to stay in the boiling water!"</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better be getting out of this if we want to reach home +alive," spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>Indeed they were all suffering very much, for the heat from the water +was awful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Speed her up, Washington!" called the professor. "We must get out of +here!"</p> + +<p>"Which way shall I steer?" asked the colored man.</p> + +<p>"Straight ahead. We are now bound north!"</p> + +<p>"Bound north!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," answered the professor. "We have passed over the exact spot +where the south pole is. The deflecting needle is beginning to tilt +again. The compass is indicating a northerly direction. You know that +after you go as far south as you can, you have to begin to go back +north. Well, we have gone as far south as we can. Now we are going +north. We have turned the southern end of the globe, and are on our way +back."</p> + +<p>For several hours the <i>Porpoise</i> continued along on top of the water. By +degrees, as they left the vicinity of the boiling ocean, it became +cooler. The water ceased to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'seeth'">seethe</ins> and bubble, and Jack found, on +experiment, that he could bear his hand in it.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" he cried, "we are safe now."</p> + +<p>"Next we'll have to prepare to freeze to death," spoke Mark. "It's +either one extreme or the other this trip. But we've had lots of fun and +excitement."</p> + +<p>"Plenty of the last," agreed Jack.</p> + +<p>On and on went the submarine. Once it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> out of the range of the +terrible heated zone, the atmosphere rapidly cooled, until the +adventurers were glad to don their heavy garments again.</p> + +<p>"This marks the ending of the first half of the voyage," announced the +professor. "Now we are going back. We have accomplished something no +other living man has done and I am proud of it. Proud of all of you, and +proud of the ship!"</p> + +<p>Several hours later, when it was deemed safe, the <i>Porpoise</i> was sunk +beneath the waves, and once <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'more more'">more</ins> she speeded along through the water at +a fast speed. The ship seemed to know she was going home, for never had +she made better time.</p> + +<p>"We have solved every problem that we met," said the professor while he, +with Jack and Mark, were in the conning tower, as Washington was +preparing a meal.</p> + +<p>"Except two," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"The ghost of the submarine, and the identity of the anarchists who blew +up the Easton hotel."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps both riddles may be solved before we get back to Maine," +answered Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>They both were, sooner, and in stranger ways than either of the boys +expected. That night it was Jack's first watch on deck. The ship was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +speeding on, and by the air the boy knew they were approaching icebergs. +At midnight a strange and sudden chill in the air made him look up.</p> + +<p>Almost dead ahead was a big berg. He quickly shut off the engine, and +narrowly avoided a collision. Then happening to glance back he saw, +standing near the companionway leading down into the man-hole a ghostly +white shape.</p> + +<p>"I'll find out what you are this time, or go overboard with you," said +Jack to himself, clenching his teeth. He crawled along the deck until he +thought he was within leaping distance of the weird white thing. Then he +made a leap.</p> + +<p>He landed on something soft, which, the moment he struck it, let out a +yell that sounded loud on the quiet night. Then the thing began to +fight. But Jack fought back and held on bravely.</p> + +<p>"Here! What are you tryin' to do?" exclaimed a voice in his ear.</p> + +<p>"What are you trying to do?" asked Jack indignantly, finding that the +words came from the "ghost."</p> + +<p>"Nice way to treat a man! Half kill him!" the white thing went on. "Just +when I'm trying to get a little sleep you come along and pull me out of +bed!"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Bill Jones," exclaimed Jack, as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> light from the conning +tower lamp fell on the face of the "ghost."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is; who did you think it was?" asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing on deck in your night shirt?" asked the boy, letting +the helper rise.</p> + +<p>"Me? On deck? Ain't I in my bunk?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not," replied Jack. "What are you doing on deck?"</p> + +<p>"Well! well!" remarked Bill, rubbing his eyes. "I've gone and done it +again."</p> + +<p>"Done what?"</p> + +<p>"Walked in my sleep. I'm a great sleep walker. Greatest you ever knew. +Once I climbed to the top of our barn when I was asleep."</p> + +<p>"So you're the ghost of the submarine," exclaimed Jack. "That explains +it."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right," admitted Bill, as the others came on deck to see +what all the row was about. "I never thought of it when I heard about +the ghost, but I can account for it now. I'd get out of my bunk, wander +out on deck, and then crawl back again. Of course, being barefoot, or in +fur slippers, I made no sounds. I don't wonder you thought I was a +spirit. Queer I didn't wake up after some of the things I went through."</p> + +<p>"And you always managed to get back to your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> bunk in time so that we +never caught you at it," said Jack. "However, it's all over now."</p> + +<p>And so it was, for after that Bill tied a chair in front of his bunk, +and if he did get out in his sleep he stumbled against it and awoke +before he had gone far.</p> + +<p>Northward the <i>Porpoise</i> continued on her journey. She entered a vast +field of ice, and only her ability to sink below the surface enabled her +to get through it unharmed. There were few adventures going home. Once a +big whale rammed the ship, as had happened on the going voyage, and +several times they were surrounded by hordes of wild polar fish and +walrusses, but there were no accidents, and in a couple of weeks the +ship entered the temperate zone.</p> + +<p>Then came lazy happy days of sailing through the tropical region. They +landed at several islands and renewed their supply of food.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming back this way some day," observed Mr. Henderson one +afternoon as the ship was sailing along on top of the waves.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"To investigate that strange island with a big hole in the middle that +seems to lead to the centre of the earth," was the answer. "I have a +fancy we can explore that by means of a balloon. I'm going to try."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you take us along?" asked the two boys.</p> + +<p>"I'll see," replied the professor.</p> + +<p>And later on he did take them on a trip, a thousand miles +underground,—but that is another story to tell.</p> + +<p>It was about a week later that the voyagers came within sight of Key +West.</p> + +<p>"Off there lies the United States," said Mr. Henderson.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for home!" cried Mark.</p> + +<p>Three days later they landed at a small Florida town. The sight of the +<i>Porpoise</i> attracted throngs of people to the dock where she tied up. +Among them was a newsboy.</p> + +<p>"Get me all the papers for the past month," said Jack. "I want to see +what the news is."</p> + +<p>"Same here," put in Mark, and the papers were soon brought.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" exclaimed Jack, as soon as he had looked at several of the +sheets.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mark, who was unfolding a paper.</p> + +<p>"Anarchists Confess," read Jack. "Two Englishmen Admit They Blew Up +Hotel Where Lord Peckham Was Stopping. No Suspicion Attaches to Two +Youths Who So Mysteriously Disappeared!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" joined in Mark.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Those are only the head lines," went on Jack. "There's a long story, +and I guess it lets us out."</p> + +<p>The two boys were completely cleared of the slightest shade of suspicion +of the outrage, and there was even an interview with the English +detective in which he admitted that he was wrong.</p> + +<p>A week later the <i>Porpoise</i> tied up at her own dock, whence she was +launched.</p> + +<p>"Back again," remarked the professor as he stepped ashore. "I've been to +the south pole, and to the north pole. I wonder where I shall go next?"</p> + +<p>"To the big hole and underground," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"We shall see," said Mr. Henderson with a twinkle in his eyes.</p> + + +<h2>THE END</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Dave Dashaway<br />Series</h2> + +<h3>By ROY ROCKWOOD</h3> + + +<div class='center'>Author of the "Speedwell Boys Series" and the "Great Marvel Series."<br /> + +<b>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</b></div> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<p><b>Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway. All +up-to-date lads will surely wish to read about him.</b></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<div class="figleft"> +<a href="images/ddashaway.png"><img src="images/ddashaway-tb.png" alt="DAVE DASHAWAY THE YOUNG AVIATOR" title="DAVE DASHAWAY THE YOUNG AVIATOR" /></a> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap"><b>Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator</b></span><br /> +<i>or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>This initial volume tells how the hero ran away +from his miserly guardian, fell in with a +successful airman, and became a young aviator of +note. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap"><b>Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane</b></span><br /> +<i>or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Showing how Dave continued his career as a birdman +and had many adventures over the Great Lakes, and +how he foiled the plans of some Canadian +smugglers. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship</b></span><br /> +<i>or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>How the giant airship was constructed and how the +daring young aviator and his friends made the +hazardous journey through the clouds from the new +world to the old, is told in a way to hold the +reader spellbound. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Dave Dashaway Around the World</b></span><br /> +<i>or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the +world, of adventures in Alaska, Siberia and +elsewhere. A true to life picture of what may be +accomplished in the near future. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Dave Dashaway: Air Champion</b></span><br /> +<i>or Wizard Work in the Clouds</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Dave makes several daring trips, and then enters a +contest for a big prize. An aviation tale +thrilling in the extreme. </p></div> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE FRED FENTON<br />ATHLETIC SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By ALLEN CHAPMAN</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Tom Fairfield Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series" and +"The Darewell Chums Series."<br /> + +<b>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> + +<p>A line of tales embracing school athletics. Fred is a true type of the +American schoolboy of to-day.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class="figleft"> +<a href="images/ffenton.png"><img src="images/ffenton-tb.png" alt="FRED FENTON THE PITCHER" title="FRED FENTON THE PITCHER" /></a> +</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap"><b>Fred Fenton the Pitcher</b></span><br /> +<i>or The Rivals of Riverport School</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>When Fred came to Riverport none of the school +lads knew him, but he speedily proved his worth in +the baseball box. A true picture of school +baseball. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Fred Fenton in the Line</b></span><br /> +<i>or The Football Boys of Riverport School</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>When Fall came in the thoughts of the boys turned +to football. Fred went in the line, and again +proved his worth, making a run that helped to win +a great game. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Fred Fenton on the Crew</b></span><br /> +<i>or The Young Oarsmen of Riverport School</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>In this volume the scene is shifted to the river, +and Fred and his chums show how they can handle +the oars. There are many other adventures, all +dear to the hearts of boys. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Fred Fenton on the Track</b></span><br /> +<i>or The Athletes of Riverport School</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Track athletics form a subject of vast interest to +many boys, and here is a tale telling of great +running races, high jumping, and the like. Fred +again proves himself a hero in the best sense of +that term. </p></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<span class="smcap"><b>Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner</b></span><br /> +<i>or The Great Race at Riverport School</i><br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Fred is taking a post-graduate course at the +school when the subject of Marathon running came +up. A race is arranged, and Fred shows both his +friends and his enemies what he can do. An +athletic story of special merit. </p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3><span class="u"><i>Everybody will love the story of</i></span></h3> + +<h2>NOBODY'S BOY</h2> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<h3>By HECTOR MALOT</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class="figleft"> +<a href="images/nobody.png"><img src="images/nobody-tb.png" alt="NOBODY'S BOY" title="NOBODY'S BOY" /></a> +</div> + + +<p>The dearest character in all the literature of child life is little Remi +in Hector Malot's famous masterpiece <i>Sans Famille</i> ("Nobody's Boy").</p> + +<p>All love, pathos, loyalty, and noble boy character are exemplified in +this homeless little lad, who has made the world better for his being in +it. The boy or girl who knows Remi has an ideal never to be forgotten. +But it is a story for grownups, too.</p> + +<p>"Nobody's Boy" is one of the supreme heart-interest stories of all time, +which will <i>make you happier and better</i>.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<i>4 Colored Illustrations. $1.25 net.</i><br /> +<b><i>At All Booksellers</i></b><br /> +</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers New York</b></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY</h2> + +<div class='center'><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color.</i><br /> + +<i>Price, per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</i></div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Outing Library"> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="images/outing.png"><img src="images/outing-tb.png" alt="The Saddle Boys of the Rockies" title="The Saddle Boys of the Rockies" /></a> </td><td align='left'><div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Saddle Boys Series"> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="u"><b>THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES</b></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="smcap">By CAPT. JAMES CARSON</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Saddle Boys of the Rockies</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Saddle Boys on the Plains</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails</td></tr> +</table></div></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Dave Dashaway Series"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /><span class="u"><b>THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES</b></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="smcap">By ROY ROCKWOOD</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dave Dashaway Around the World</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dave Dashaway: Air Champion</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Speedwell Boys Series"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /><span class="u"><b>THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES</b></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="smcap">By ROY ROCKWOOD</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Tom Fairfield Series"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /><span class="u"><b>THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES</b></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="u"><span class="smcap">By ALLEN CHAPMAN</span></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tom Fairfield's School Days</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tom Fairfield at Sea</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tom Fairfield in Camp</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Fred Fenton Series"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /><span class="u"><b>THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES</b></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><span class="u"><span class="smcap">By</span> ALLEN CHAPMAN</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fred Fenton the Pitcher</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fred Fenton in the Line</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fred Fenton on the Crew</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fred Fenton on the Track</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>Seven instances of "manhole" and nine of "man-hole" were retained.</p> + +<p>"Octopus" is spelled "octupus" in this volume. This was changed in the table +of contents and a chapter header to reflect text usage.</p> + +<p>One instance each of Penson/Pensen was retained.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Under the Ocean to the South Pole, by Roy Rockwood + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE *** + +***** This file should be named 19731-h.htm or 19731-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/3/19731/ + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Under the Ocean to the South Pole + The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder + +Author: Roy Rockwood + +Release Date: November 7, 2006 [EBook #19731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + +UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE + +Or + +The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder + +BY +ROY ROCKWOOD + + AUTHOR OF "THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE," "THE + RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS," "A SCHOOLBOY'S + PLUCK," ETC. + +ILLUSTRATED + +NEW YORK CUPPLES & LEON CO. + + + + +GOOD BOOKS FOR BOYS + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + * * * * * + +=THE GREAT MARVEL SERIES= + + + THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE + Or The Wonderful Cruise of the Electric Monarch + + UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE + Or The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder + +Cloth. Illustrated + + + Copyright, 1907, by + CUPPLES & LEON CO. + + * * * * * + +UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. WILL THE SHIP WORK? 1 + + II. A LAND OF ICE 10 + + III. RUNNING DOWN A WAR SHIP 19 + + IV. IN THE MIDST OF FIRE 27 + + V. A GRAVE ACCUSATION 35 + + VI. ON A RUNAWAY TROLLEY 43 + + VII. OFF FOR THE SOUTH POLE 52 + + VIII. ASHORE IN THE DARK 60 + + IX. A PRICE ON THEIR HEADS 68 + + X. ATTACKED BY A MONSTER 75 + + XI. CAUGHT IN A SEA OF GRASS 84 + + XII. FIRE ON BOARD 92 + + XIII. THE GHOST OF THE SUBMARINE 100 + + XIV. DIGGING OUT THE SHIP 108 + + XV. THE STRANGE SHIPWRECK 117 + + XVI. THE GHOST AGAIN 126 + + XVII. ATTACKED BY SAVAGES 134 + + XVIII. ON LAND 143 + + XIX. REGAINING THE SHIP 152 + + XX. ON A VOLCANIC ISLAND 160 + + XXI. CAUGHT IN A WHIRLPOOL 169 + + XXII. UNDER FIRE 177 + + XXIII. CAUGHT IN AN ICE FLOE 185 + + XXIV. THE SHIP GRAVEYARD 193 + + XXV. CAUGHT BY SEA SUCKERS 201 + + XXVI. LAND UNDER ICE 211 + + XXVII. ATTACKED BY AN OCTUPUS 220 + + XXVIII. OUT OF THE ICE 228 + + XXIX. THE BOILING WATER 235 + + XXX. THE SOUTH POLE--CONCLUSION 240 + + + + +UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +WILL THE SHIP WORK? + + +"Hand me that wrench, Mark," called Professor Amos Henderson to a boy +who stood near some complicated machinery over which the old man was +working. The lad passed the tool over. + +"Do you think the ship will work, Professor?" he asked. + +"I hope so, Mark, I hope so," muttered the scientist as he tightened +some bolts on what was perhaps the strangest combination of apparatus +that had ever been put together. "There is no reason why she should not, +and yet--" + +The old man paused. Perhaps he feared that, after all, the submarine +boat on which he had labored continuously for more than a year would be +a failure. + +"Is there anything more I can do now?" asked Mark. + +"Not right away," replied the professor, without looking up from the +work he was doing. "But I wish you and Jack would be around in about an +hour. I am going to start the engine then, and I'll need you. If you see +Washington outside send him to me." + +Mark left the big room where the submarine boat had been in process of +construction so long. Outside he met a boy about his own age, who was +cleaning a rifle. + +"How's it going, Mark?" asked this second youth, who was rather fat, +and, if one could judge by his face, of a jolly disposition. + +"The professor is going to try the engine in about an hour," replied +Mark. "We must be on hand." + +"I'll be there all right. But if there isn't anything else to do, let's +shoot at a target. I'll bet I can beat you." + +"Bet you can't. Wait 'till I get my gun." + +"Now don't yo' boys go to disportin' yo'seves in any disproportionable +anticipation ob transposin' dem molecules of lead in a contigious +direction to yo' humble servant!" exclaimed a colored man, coming from +behind the big shed at that moment, and seeing Mark and Jack with their +rifles. + +"I s'pose you mean to say, Washington," remarked Jack, "that you don't +care to be shot at. Is that it?" + +"Neber said nuffin truer in all yo' born days!" exclaimed Washington +earnestly. "De infliction ob distress to de exterior portion ob--" + +"The professor wants you," interrupted Mark, cutting off the colored +man's flow of language. + +"Yo' mind what I tole yo'," Washington muttered as he hurried into the +work room. + +Soon the reports of rifles indicated that the boys were trying to +discover who was the best shot, a contest that waged with friendly +interest for some time. + +The big shed, where the submarine ship was being built, was located at a +lonely spot on the coast of Maine. The nearest town was Easton, about +ten miles away, and Professor Henderson had fixed on this location as +one best suited to give him a chance to work secretly and unobserved on +his wonderful invention. + +The professor was a man about sixty-five years old, and, while of simple +and kindly nature in many ways, yet, on the subjects of airships and +submarines, he possessed a fund of knowledge. He was somewhat queer, as +many persons may be who devote all their thoughts to one object, yet he +was a man of fine character. + +Some time before this story opens he had invented an electric airship in +which he, with Mark Sampson, Jack Darrow and the colored man, +Washington White, had made a trip to the frozen north. + +Their adventures on that journey are told of in the first volume of this +series, entitled, "Through the Air to the North Pole, or, The Wonderful +Cruise of the _Electric Monarch_." + +The two boys, Mark then being fifteen and Jack a year older, had met the +professor under peculiar circumstances. They were orphans, and, after +knocking about the world a bit, had chanced to meet each other. They +agreed to seek together such fortune as might chance to come to them. + +While in the town of Freeport, N. Y., they were driven away by a +constable, who said tramps were not allowed in the village. The boys +jumped on a freight train, which broke in two and ran away down the +mountain, and the lads were knocked senseless in the wreck that +followed. + +As it chanced Professor Henderson had erected nearby a big shop, where +he was building his airship. He and Washington were on hand when the +wreck occurred and they took the senseless boys to the airship shed. + +The boys, after their recovery, accepted the invitation of the professor +to go on a search for the north pole. As the airship was about to start +Andy Sudds, an old hunter, and two men, Tom Smith and Bill Jones, who +had been called in to assist at the flight, held on too long and were +carried aloft. + +Somewhat against their will the three latter made the trip, for the +professor did not want to return to earth with them. + +The party had many adventures on the voyage, having to fight savage +animals and more savage Esquimaux. They reached the north pole, but in +the midst of such a violent storm that the ship was overturned, and the +discovery of the long-sought goal availed little. After many hardships, +and a fierce fight to recover the possession of the ship, which had been +seized by natives, the adventurers reached home. + +Since then a little over a year had passed. The professor, having found +he could successfully navigate the air, turned his attention to the +water, and began to plan a craft that would sail beneath the ocean. + +To this end he had moved his machine shop to this lonely spot on the +Maine coast. The two boys, who had grown no less fond of the old man +than he of them, went with him, as did Washington White, the negro, who +was a genius in his way, though somewhat inclined to use big words, of +the meaning of which he knew little and cared less. + +Andy Sudds, the old hunter, had also been induced to accompany the +professor. + +"I hunted game up north and in the air," said Andy, "and if there's a +chance to shoot something under the water I'm the one to do it." + +Needing more assistance than either the boys, Andy or Washington could +give, the professor had engaged two young machinists, who, under a +strict promise never to divulge any of the secrets of the submarine, had +labored in its building. + +Now the queer craft was almost finished. As it rested on the ways in the +shed, it looked exactly like a big cigar, excepting that the top part +was level, forming a platform. + +The ship, which had been named the _Porpoise_, was eighty feet long, and +twenty feet in diameter at the largest part. From that it tapered +gradually, until the ends were reached. These consisted of flattened +plates about three feet in diameter, with a hole in the center one foot +in size. + +Weary months of labor had been spent on the _Porpoise_, until now it was +almost ready for a trial. The professor had discovered a new method of +propulsion. Instead of propellers or paddle-wheels, he intended to send +his craft ahead or to the rear, by means of a water cable. + +Through the entire length of the ship ran a round hole or shaft, one +foot in diameter. Within this was an endless screw worked by powerful +engines. With a working model the professor had demonstrated that when +the endless screw was revolved it acted on the water just as another +sort of screw does in wood. The water coming in through the shaft served +as a rope, so to speak, and the screw, acting on it, pulled the craft +ahead or to the rear, according to the direction in which the screw was +revolved. + +The submarine was a wonderful craft. It contained a powerful engine, +electric motors and dynamos, and machinery of all kinds. The engine was +a turbine, and steam was generated from heat furnished by the burning of +a powerful gas, manufactured from sea water and chemicals. So there was +no need to carry a supply of coal on the ship. + +The interior of the vessel was divided into an engine-room, a kitchen, +combination dining-room and parlor, bunk rooms, and a conning tower, or +place for the steersman. + +While the boys had been shooting at the target the professor and +Washington had been putting the finishing touches to the engine, +tightening nuts here and screwed up bolts there. + +"I guess that will do," remarked the old inventor. "Call the boys, +Washington." + +The colored man went to the door and gave three blasts on a battered +horn that hung from a string. + +"Coming!" called Mark, as he and Jack ceased their marksmanship contest +and approached the shed. + +"Now boys, we'll see if she works so far," said the professor. "If she +does, we'll give her a trial under water." + +At the inventor's directions the boys started the gas to generating from +the chemicals. Soon the hissing of steam told them that there was power +in the boiler. + +The professor entered the engine-room of the submarine. He looked over +the various wheels, levers, handles, gages and attachments, satisfying +himself that all were in proper shape and position. + +"Three hundred pounds pressure," he muttered, glancing at the steam +indicator. "That ought to be enough. Are you all ready, boys?" + +"All ready!" cried Jack. + +Of course the test was only one to see if the engine worked, for the +boat could not move until in the water. + +The professor opened a valve. The steam filled the turbine with a hiss +and throb. The _Porpoise_ trembled. Then, with a cough and splutter of +the exhaust pipes, the engine started. Slowly it went at first, but, as +the professor admitted more steam, it revolved the long screw until it +fairly hummed in the shaft. + +"Hurrah! It works!" cried Mark. + +"It does!" chimed in Jack. + +"Gollyation! She suttinly am goin'!" yelled Washington. + +"I think we may say it is a success," said the professor calmly, yet +there was a note of exultation in his voice. + +"Now that you've got her started, when are you goin' to put her in the +water an' scoot along under the waves?" asked Andy Sudds. + +"In about a week," replied the professor. + +"And where are you goin' to head for?" went on the hunter. + +"We're going under the ocean to the south pole!" exclaimed the inventor, +as he shut off the engine. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A LAND OF ICE + + +"The south pole?" exclaimed Mark. + +"Way down dat way!" cried Washington. + +"Can you do it?" asked Jack. + +"That remains to be seen," replied the professor, answering them all at +once. "I'm going to try, at any rate." + +"Hurrah!" yelled Mark. "It will be better than going to the north pole, +for we will be in no danger of freezing to death." + +"Don't be so sure of that," interrupted the professor. "There is more +ice at the south pole than at the north, according to all accounts. It +is a place of great icebergs, immense floes and cold fogs. But there is +land beyond the ice, I believe, and I am going to try to find it." + +"It will be a longer voyage than to the north pole," said Jack. + +"Jest de same," argued Washington, "de poles am at each end ob de +world." + +"Yes, but we're quite a way north of the equator now, and we'll have to +cross that before we will be half way to the south pole," explained +Jack. "But I guess the _Porpoise_ can make good time." + +"If the engine behaves under water as well as it did just now, we'll +skim along," said the professor. + +"And so you figure there's land down there to the south, do you?" asked +old Andy. + +"I do," replied the inventor. "I can't prove it, but I'm sure there is. +I have read all the accounts of other explorers and from the signs they +mention I am positive we shall find land if we ever get there. Land and +an open sea." + +"And other things as well," muttered Andy, yet neither he nor any of +them dreamed of the terrible and strange adventures they were to have. + +The next few days were busy ones. Many little details remained to +perfect in connection with the ship, and a lot of supplies and +provisions had to be purchased, for the professor was determined to get +all in readiness for the trip under the water. He believed firmly that +his ship would work, though some of the others were not so positive. + +"We'll put her into the water to-morrow," announced the inventor after +supper one night. "Everything is complete as far as I can make it, and +the only thing remaining is to see if she will float, sink when I want +her to, and, what is most important, rise to the surface again. For," +he added with a twinkle in his eye, "anybody can make a ship that will +sink, but it isn't every one who can make one that will come to the +surface again." + +"Golly! I hope dis chile ain't goin' to git in no subicecream ship +what'll stay down under de water so de fishes gits him!" exclaimed +Washington, opening his eyes wide. "Dat's worser dan freezin!" + +"Can't you swim?" asked Mark with a wink at Jack. + +"Co'se I can swim, boy. I can swim like a starfish, but I can't wif ten +thousand tons of a subicecream ship on my back." + +"A sub-ice-cream ship is a new one," commented the professor with a +smile. "It's a submarine, Washington." + +"I can't see no difference," persisted the colored man. "Subicecream am +good enough for me." + +That night Mark and Jack were thinking so much of the proposed test of +the ship the next day that they each dreamed they were sailing beneath +the waves, and Jack woke Mark up by grabbing him about the neck during a +particularly vivid part of the vision. + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mark, sleepily. + +"I thought the ship turned over and spilled me out and I was drowning," +explained Jack. "I grabbed the first thing I got hold of and it happened +to be you." + +"Well, as long as you're safe you can go to sleep again," said Mark. "I +dreamed I was chasing a whale with the _Porpoise_." + +The boys were up early the next morning, and found the professor and +Washington before them. The inventor was inspecting the track which had +been built from the shed down to the water's edge to enable the +_Porpoise_ to slide into the ocean. + +With him were the two machinists, Henry Watson and James Penson. They +had been busy since daylight making the ways secure. + +"She goes in after breakfast," announced the professor, "and I'm going +to let you christen her, Washington." + +"Me? I neber christened a ship," objected the colored man. + +"Nothing like learning," remarked Mr. Henderson. + +"Has you got the bottle ob wine?" asked Washington. + +"I guess soda water will do," said the inventor. "Now look sharp, boys. +Get your breakfasts and we'll see if the ship will come up to our +expectations." + +No one lingered over the meal. When it was finished the professor gave +Washington a few instructions about breaking the bottle over the nose of +the _Porpoise_ as she slid down to the water, for there was no bow to +such a queerly shaped vessel as the submarine. + +At last all was in readiness. The two machinists knocked away the last +of the retaining blocks and eased the ship slightly down the +well-greased timbers of the ways. + +"There she goes!" cried the professor. "Break the bottle, Washington!" + +"In de name ob de Stars an' Stripes, in de name of liberty, de home of +the free an' de land ob de brave, I names yo' _Mrs. Porpoise_!" cried +the colored man, but he was so long getting the words out, and so slow +in swinging the bottle of soda, that the ship was quite beyond his reach +when he had finished his oration. He was not to be outdone, however, +and, with a quick movement he hurled the bottle at the moving ship. It +struck the blunt nose squarely, and shivered to pieces. + +"Three cheers for de south pole!" yelled Washington, and the others +joined in. + +The next instant the _Porpoise_ was riding the waves of the little bay, +dancing about as lightly as a cork, though, from the nature of her +construction, she was quite low in the water, only about three feet of +freeboard showing where the platform was located. + +"Well, she floats, anyhow," remarked the professor. "Row out and fasten +cables fore and aft," he went on, turning to the two machinists. In a +few minutes the _Porpoise_ was fastened to a small dock with strong +ropes the two young men had carried out to her in rowboats. + +"We will go aboard in a little while," the professor said. "I am anxious +to see if she rides on an even keel and how the sinking tanks work." + +Aided by the boys, he and Washington carried on board a number of tools +and appliances. Then, with the two machinists, they all descended into +the interior of the craft through the small manhole in the middle of the +deck or platform. + +Inside the _Porpoise_, the greater part of which was below the surface +of the waves and consequently in darkness, the professor switched on the +electric lights and then he proceeded to get up steam. + +The propelling power of the craft has already been described. In order +to make the ship sink beneath the water all that was necessary was to +incline the rudder and open certain valves in the four tanks, when the +water, rushing in, would sink her. There was a tank on either side, and +one each fore and aft. If it was desired to sink straight down all four +tanks were filled at once. If the professor wanted to descend slanting +either to the front or back, only one of the end tanks was filled, +according to the direction desired. The deflecting rudder also aided +greatly in this movement. + +To cause the ship to rise the tanks were emptied of the water by means +of powerful pumps. The filling of the tanks, as well as the emptying of +them, the starting or stopping of the engine that moved the boat, as +well as the control of most of the important machinery on the craft +could be accomplished from the conning or steering tower, as well as +from the engine-room. + +There were numerous gages to tell the depth to which the ship had sunk, +the steam pressure, density of the water, and other necessary details. + +There were dynamos to make light, motors to run the pumps, and a great +storage battery, so that in case of a breakdown to the turbine engine +the craft could be run entirely by electricity for a time. + +The cooking was all done by this useful current, and all that was +necessary to make a cup of coffee or fry a beefsteak was to turn a small +switch of the electric stove. + +The professor was busy over the machine for generating gas, that +furnished the heat to create steam. Soon a hissing told that it was +working. In a few minutes the hum and throb of the engine told that it +was ready to start. + +"We are only going down a little way," the professor said, "and only +going to travel a short distance under water for the first time. I think +there is no danger, but if any of you want to back out, now is your +chance." + +No one seemed inclined to withdraw, though Mark said afterward he +thought Washington got as pale as it is possible for a colored man to +get. + +"We will all put on life preservers," the inventor went on, "and one of +you will be stationed near the emergency exit. In case anything goes +wrong, and I cannot make the ship rise, by pulling the lever the top of +the craft will be forced off, and, we can at least save our lives. I +think we are all ready now. Mark, you clamp down the manhole cover, and +Jack, after you close the conning tower station yourself at the +emergency lever after we have donned the life preservers." + +The cork jackets were adjusted and Mark clamped the manhole cover on. +The professor took one last look at the various levers and handles, and +then turned the wheel that admitted water to all four tanks. There was a +hissing sound as the sea water rushed in, and the _Porpoise_ gave a +sudden lurch. + +Then they could all feel the submarine sinking. Down and down she went. +Would she ever stop? Would the professor be able to raise her again? +There were questions that troubled everyone. + +Down and down the craft sunk, until by the gage it was indicated that +she was twenty feet below the surface. Then the professor shut off the +inrush of water and the _Porpoise_ floated away below the surface of the +waves. + +There was a clicking sound and all the lights went out. The boys and +Washington gave a gasp of terror. What did the sudden blackness mean. + +"Open the side windows," called the professor's voice, and the two +machinists obeyed. Heavy steel doors that covered plate glass windows in +either side of the craft were pulled back, and a cry of astonishment +broke from the boys. + +They looked out and saw staring in at them, so close it seemed that they +could touch them, scores of fishes that looked in through the glass +bull's-eyes. + +For the first time they realized that they were in the depths of the +ocean. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +RUNNING DOWN A WARSHIP + + +"How do you like it?" asked the professor. + +"Great!" exclaimed Jack. + +"Fine!" cried Mark. + +"It am simply coslostrousness!" exploded Washington. "'Nebber in all my +born days did I eber expansionate on such a sight!" + +"Wish I had a fishing pole and line," remarked Andy Sudds. "There's some +pretty nice specimens out there." + +"You'll see better ones than those before we finish our trip to the +pole," remarked the professor. "Now we will try moving forward. I am +going into the conning tower." + +He turned on the lights once more, but the boys begged him to shut them +off, as they could see out into the ocean when the interior of the ship +was in darkness. So the professor obliged them. + +In the tower he switched on the powerful searchlight that illuminated +the path in front of him. Then he started the engine, slowly at first, +and gradually increasing the speed. The _Porpoise_ forged ahead, riding +as evenly as an ordinary ship does on the surface. + +The professor steered her about in a large circle, bringing her back to +the starting point. She worked as smoothly as if she had been used to +under-water service for years. + +"Now," said the inventor, "we will see if we can go up to the surface +again," and there came a little note of anxiety into his voice. He +slowed down the engine and started the powerful pumps that were to empty +the tanks. For a moment there was a feeling of terror in the hearts of +all. Would the pumps work? + +Then, slowly but surely, those aboard the _Porpoise_ felt her beginning +to rise. Up and up she went as the tanks were emptied and the ship +lightened. + +Then, with a bounce like a rubber ball, the submarine shot upward to the +surface and lay undulating on the waves caused by her emergence from the +depths. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Jack. "We're all right!" + +"We shore am!" exclaimed Washington. + +"It's a success!" Professor Henderson almost whispered. "The pumps +worked. The _Porpoise_ has fulfilled my greatest expectations!" + +Then he steered the ship back to the dock, where she was moored, and the +adventurers disembarked. + +"One or two little details to attend to, and we'll be ready for the +great trip," remarked the professor. "I want to give her a little harder +trial before I trust her, though she seems to be first-rate." + +They all went back to the combined machine shop and cabin, where they +had lived during the building of the submarine. Dinner was prepared and, +after the meal the two machinists approached the professor. + +"I don't suppose you need us any more," remarked Henry Watson. "The ship +is finished as far as we can do anything, and we may as well leave now. +We have an offer to go to work in an electrical shop." + +"I haven't said much to you about my plans," the professor replied, "but +if you would like to remain in my employ, I can promise you an +interesting trip." + +"Thank you, but I prefer to work above ground," said James Pensen. "You +have been very kind to us, and we would do anything we could for, but we +don't want to take any long under-ocean trips if we can help it." + +"Very well," answered the professor, though he seemed disappointed. "I +will pay you what I owe you and you can go." + +For some time after the departure of the two young machinists the +inventor seemed worried. + +"Did you count on them staying with you?" asked Mark. + +"I rather hoped they would," replied Mr. Henderson. "We need two more +hands if we are to make the trip. They need not be machinists, but we +will have to have someone, and I don't like to get strangers. They might +talk too much about the ship." + +At that instant there came a rap on the door. Washington answered it. + +"Yas sir, Perfesser Henderson done lib here," he replied, in answer to a +question from some one. "But he am bery busy jest at de present +occasioness an' he'll be most extremely discommodated if yo' obtrude yo' +presence on him at de conglomeration ob de statutory limitations, which +am to say right now. Come again!" + +"It's the same old Washington!" said someone outside, laughing heartily. +"Just you tell the professor we want to see him most particular." + +At the sound of the voice the professor started and Mark and Jack +wondered where they had heard it before. + +"Show the gentlemen in, Washington," called the inventor. + +"Dere's two ob 'em," objected the colored man. + +"Show them both in, then." + +Washington opened the door of the cabin, and in came two men, who +seemed much amused over something. + +"What can I do for you?" asked the professor, in rather a sharp voice. + +"He don't know us either, Tom," remarked the taller of the two. + +"If it ain't Bill Jones and Tom Smith!" exclaimed Andy Sudds. "Wa'al +I'll be horn swoggled. Where'd ye come from?" + +"Right from the farm," replied Bill. "And we've had a hard job locating +you. I guess Washington didn't know us since we raised beards," and Bill +stroked his wealth of brown whiskers. + +"And I guess we sort of fooled the professor," went on Bill, "eh, Tom?" + +"Right!" said Tom. "You see," he went on, "the farming business is +almost over, as its coming on fall now, so Bill and I thought it would +be a good time to hunt up the professor. We heard he was down in this +neighborhood so we come by easy stages. We didn't have any time to stop +and make our toilets, hence our beards." + +"You've come at the right time," remarked the inventor, as he came +forward to welcome the two young men. "Do you remember the trip you made +with me to the north pole?" + +"I guess we'll not forget it in a hurry," replied Bill. + +"That's what made us hunt you up," put in Tom. "We hoped you might have +something similar on foot." + +"I have," answered the inventor. + +"What is it?" + +"A trip under the ocean!" + +For an instant the two young men hesitated. It was a new proposition to +them. Yet they recalled that they had come safely back from the journey +through the air. + +"Do you want to go along as part of the crew?" asked the inventor, after +some further conversation. + +"You can count on me!" cried Bill. + +"And if Bill goes I'll go too!" exclaimed Tom. + +"Under the seas or over the seas, it'll be all one to us if Professor +Henderson sails the ship!" went on Bill. "We'll go!" + +"Good!" ejaculated the professor. "You certainly came at just the right +time." + +As Tom Smith and Bill Jones were hungry a hasty meal was prepared for +them, during the eating of which they told of their experiences since +landing from the airship. They had been on a farm until fired with a +desire to go roving once more. + +For the next few days the professor, the boys, and the other four were +busy making some improvements to the _Porpoise_. Tom and Bill were much +astonished at their first sight of the queer craft, but they soon became +accustomed to her, and said they preferred her to the airship. + +"To-morrow we are going on a little longer trip than our first trial," +announced the inventor one evening. "We will be gone all day if nothing +happens to make the stay more lengthy," he added grimly. "So, +Washington, put plenty to eat aboard." + +A little later, when supplies had been put on the _Porpoise_, and the +machinery well overhauled, the professor explained that he intended +making a trip, entirely under water, from the dock in the cove to a +point off the Massachusetts coast and return. + +Early the next morning all were aboard. To each one was assigned a +particular station. Washington, with Mark as an assistant, was in the +engine-room. Jack was to watch the various gages and registers to give +warning of any danger. The professor, of course, would be in the conning +tower and operate the craft. Andy was to be with him, to watch out, with +his sharp eyes, for any danger that might loom up in the path of the +searchlight. Tom and Bill were to be ready to help where needed. + +With a hissing sound the water filled the tanks and the _Porpoise_ sunk +beneath the waves. The engine that worked the endless screw was +started, and the threads, working on the water cable, shot the boat +ahead. + +"We're off!" yelled Washington. + +About sixty feet below the surface the craft was sent along. Mile after +mile was covered as shown by the patent log. The lights were turned off, +and through the thick plate glass windows the strange inhabitants of the +sea were observed. + +"I think I'll go a little nearer the surface," said the professor to +Andy. The inventor started the pumps that emptied the tanks. The craft +rose slightly. + +"Quick! Stop her!" shouted the old hunter, grasping the captain's arm. + +Something black, like a grim shadow, loomed up in the dull glare of the +searchlight. + +"What is it?" cried the professor. + +"We're goin' to hit somethin' hard!" yelled Andy. + +"It's the hull of a ship!" exclaimed the inventor as he jammed the +reversing lever hard over. + +It was too late. The next instant the _Porpoise_, with a shock that made +her shiver from stem to stern, collided with the steel side of a small +warship. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN THE MIDST OF FIRE + + +"Pull the secondary emergency lever!" cried the professor through the +speaking tube to Washington. "We must reach the surface at once!" + +"Are we damaged?" asked Andy, scrambling to his feet, for the shock had +knocked him down. The professor had not fallen because he clung to the +steering wheel. + +The ship gave a sudden lurch. + +"We're sinking!" cried Bill, rushing to the conning tower from the +engine-room. + +"That's only the action of one of the emergency levers," said the +professor calmly. "It forces compressed air into the tanks the more +quickly to empty them of water. I think we are safe." + +"What is it?" asked Mark, as, followed by Jack, he came forward. + +"We tried to do the torpedo act to one of Uncle Sam's ships," explained +Andy. + +The electric lights had been switched on, and, with the _Porpoise_ +flooded with the bright beams, those on board waited anxiously for what +was to happen next. + +Suddenly an upward motion was experienced. The next instant the craft +bounced out of the water and fell back in a smother of foam, shaking and +shivering, alongside a small armored warship that was anchored about two +miles and a half from shore. + +"Open the manhole," commanded Mr. Henderson. + +Mark sprang up the iron ladder that led to the opening in the deck of +the _Porpoise_ and threw back the cams that held the heavy iron in +place. Then he swung the cover back and stepped out on the small +platform, followed by the professor, Andy and Jack. They looked up to +find themselves observed by a curious throng that crowded to the rail of +the warship. + +[Illustration: A CURIOUS THRONG CROWDED TO THE RAIL OF THE +WARSHIP.--_Page 28._] + +"What are you trying to do? Ram me with a new-fangled torpedo?" asked an +angry voice, and a man in a gold laced uniform, who, from his importance +plainly showed himself to be the captain of the ship, shook his fist at +Mr. Henderson. + +"I might ask what right your ship has to get in my path," replied the +inventor. "It was all an accident." + +"Mighty queer," muttered the naval commander. "Looks very suspicious. +How do I know but what you're a torpedo from some foreign nation?" + +"Because this is not a torpedo," replied Mr. Henderson. "It is a new +submarine boat of my invention, and I was giving it a trial spin." + +"I guess you'd better come aboard and do your explaining," went on the +captain. "I don't like the looks of things. Lower a boat!" he shouted, +"and bring those chaps to my cabin. I want to question them." + +It did not suit Professor Henderson to have his plans upset in this +fashion. Nor did he care to give a detailed description of his ship to +officers of the war department. He had many valuable inventions that +were not patented. So he determined to outwit the pompous commander of +the cruiser. + +The noise made in preparing the small boat for lowering over the side of +the big ship could be plainly heard. + +"Go below, all of you, and as quietly as you can," whispered Mr. +Henderson. + +Andy, Mark and Jack obeyed. At that instant the side of the warship was +almost deserted, for the sailors who had gathered to observe the +_Porpoise_ had gone to lower the small boat. + +No sooner had Jack, who was in the rear, disappeared through the manhole +than the professor, with a quick jump, followed him. + +"Here! Come back!" shouted the warship's captain as he saw Mr. +Henderson's head disappearing from view. "Come back I say!" + +But with a quick movement the inventor pulled down the manhole cover and +clamped it. Then he sprang to the conning tower, and, with a jerk, +opened the levers that admitted water to the tanks. The _Porpoise_ began +to sink slowly, and then more suddenly, so that, in less than a minute, +she was out of sight beneath the waves, and the angry, gold-laced +captain was staring in wonderment at the place where the submarine had +been. The spot was marked only by a few bubbles and some foam. + +"I guess he'll wait some time for an explanation," spoke Mr. Henderson, +as he started the big screw and sent the _Porpoise_ ahead at a swift +pace. + +"That was rather a narrow escape," observed Jack, standing at the foot +of the conning tower stairs and talking to Andy and Mr. Henderson, who +was steering. + +"It certainly was," agreed the professor. "I have not yet become used to +seeing things very far ahead in the dimness caused by being under water. +But we'll soon get used to it. Luckily, the _Porpoise_ was not damaged +by the shock." + +For several hours the _Porpoise_ was kept on her course. She behaved +handsomely, and nothing excepting slight and easily remedied defects +were found. The professor steered well out to sea, increasing both the +forward speed and the depth to which the vessel sank. Presently the +craft came to a stop with a little jolt. + +"What's the trouble?" asked Mark, somewhat alarmed. + +"Nothing at all," replied the professor with a smile, as he stepped out +of the conning tower and entered the engine-room. "I thought it was time +for dinner so I stopped the ship. We are now resting on the ocean bed, +about half a mile below the surface. Look!" + +As he spoke he slid back the slides covering the plate glass windows. +The boys saw that the ship rested in the midst of an immense forest of +sea weed. Some of the stalks were as large around as trees. In and out +among the snake-like, waving branches swam big fishes. It was a weird, +but beautiful sight. + +"Come, Washington, serve dinner," ordered Mr. Henderson, and the colored +man soon had a good meal prepared. Few repasts have been eaten under +such strange circumstances. + +Desiring to be back at his secluded dock by nightfall, Captain Henderson +soon started the _Porpoise_ up again. Without any accidents the return +trip was made and by nine o'clock the _Porpoise_ rode safely at the +dock where she had been launched. + +The night was spent in the cabin on shore. Early the next morning Mr. +Henderson paid a visit to the ship, to make a thorough examination by +daylight, and see if the craft had suffered any damage. + +"I think you and Mark will have to make a trip to town," he said to Jack +at the breakfast table. "I need a new monkey wrench and some other tools +and some small pieces of machinery. I'll give you a list of them, and +you can bring them back in a valise, for they will be quite numerous." + +After the meal the inventor made a record of what he needed and the boys +started off. + +"In case the machine shop does not have everything and you have to wait +for something, you had better stay in the town all night," the captain +of the _Porpoise_ said. "It is quite a long trip and I don't want you +traveling after dark. Put up at the hotel if you are delayed." + +Provided with money for their purchase, and a large valise in which to +carry them, the boys started off. They had to walk two miles to where a +trolley line was built that ran to the town of Easton, where they were +to get the tools and parts of machinery. + +They made the trip safely and without incident. When they gave the +machinist, to whom they had been directed by Mr. Henderson, the list of +the things needed, the man looked puzzled. + +"I'll have to make one piece," he said. "You'll have to wait for it. +Can't promise it before to-morrow morning about eight o'clock." + +"That will be all right," remarked Mark. "We'll call for it then." + +So, bearing in mind Mr. Henderson's instructions, the boys engaged a +room at the hotel, which was quite a large one, for Easton was a +favorite summer resort and the town was filled with visitors. The lads +strolled about the town, had their dinner, and then went for a bath in +the surf. They retired early, for they were tired. + +In the middle of the night Mark began to dream that he was on board the +_Porpoise_ and that the submarine blew up. There was a loud noise, he +saw a bright flash of flame, and saw rolling clouds of smoke. So vivid +was the vision that he thought he tried to leap out of the boat, and +awoke with a jump, to find Jack shaking him. + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mark. + +"The hotel's on fire!" shouted Jack. + +Mark sprang out of bed and with Jack rushed to the window, for their +room was filled with thick smoke. They could see the dull glare of +flames, which every moment were becoming brighter. + +The next instant a loud explosion shook the building. It swayed and +seemed likely to topple over. Outside the boys could hear excited shouts +and the puffing and whistling of fire engines. + +"Quick! Run!" yelled Mark. He opened the door leading into the corridor, +but was driven back by a rush of flames and smoke that almost stifled +him. + +"We must try the fire escape!" shouted Mark. + +"Don't forget the valise with the tools;" exclaimed Jack, and Mark +hastened to where he had placed it under the bed. + +Then the two boys rushed to the balcony on which their front windows +opened, and whence the fire escapes led down to the streets. The lads +had only time to slip on their coats, trousers, shoes and caps. + +As they were preparing to clamber down the iron ladders they heard +someone on the balcony next to them shout: + +"Here, you boys! Stop! I want you!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A GRAVE ACCUSATION + + +"We haven't time now!" yelled back Mark, looking in the direction of the +voice, and seeing a short, stout man, who appeared greatly excited. + +"Stop or I'll shoot!" the man exclaimed. + +"The fire must have made him crazy," said Jack. "Go on, Mark, it's +getting hot up above!" + +Mark did not linger on the ladder and soon the two boys were in the +street, surrounded by an excited crowd. + +"Are you hurt?" asked several. + +"I guess not," replied Mark. "What caused the fire?" + +"Some sort of an explosion," answered a policeman. "Part of the hotel +was blown up. If you boys wish you can go to a station house where +you'll be comfortable until morning." + +"I guess we will," said Mark. + +They started to work their way through the crowd but did not notice that +the strange man followed them. The fire was now burning fiercely, and +once they had gotten clear of the press the lads halted to look at the +spectacle. + +The hotel was now a mass of flames and the firemen were kept busy. What +with the puffing of engines, the whistling of the steamers, the roar of +the flames, and the shouts of the crowd, pandemonium reigned. + +The boys watched the fire for some time. Gradually the flames came under +the control of the men and the leaping tongues died out. + +"I guess we'd better go to the police station," suggested Jack. + +Mark agreed this would be a good thing to do, as both of them felt +rather chilly in the night air with only half of their clothes on. They +inquired their way of the first policeman they saw, and he volunteered +to escort them. + +"Sure an' you'll have plenty of company," he said. "The hotel was full +an' the people have no place to go except to the lock-up. Some swells +will be glad to take a place behind the bars to-night I'm thinkin'. I +wonder how some of those English aristocrats will like it?" + +"English aristocrats?" repeated Jack. "Are any here?" + +"Sure. There's a lot of them burned out. Lord Peckham was stoppin' at +the hotel with a big crowd of people, an' their apartments was all +destroyed. Some of 'em went to the police station." + +The boys followed their uniformed guide through the streets of Easton, +and were soon at the station house. There they were received by the +sergeant in charge, while the matron gave them each a cup of hot coffee, +a large pot of the beverage having been brewed. + +"I'll have to give you boys one bed between you," said the sergeant. +"We're rather crowded for room to-night." + +"Anything will do us," said Jack with a laugh. + +Just then there was some excitement at the entrance of the police +station. + +"I tell you they're in here! I will see them!" a voice exclaimed. "I +want them arrested at once!" + +"Go easy now," counseled the doorman as he tried to hold back a short, +stout, excited man who was pushing his way into the station. + +"There they are!" exclaimed the man, pointing to Jack and Mark. + +"Why those boys are from the burned hotel," said the doorman. + +"I know it! They are the very ones I want!" + +"What do you of us?" spoke up Mark. He recognized the man as the one who +had called to him as he and Jack were escaping. + +"I charge you with being sons of James Darrow, the notorious English +anarchist!" cried the little man, pointing his finger at the boys, "and +I accuse you of trying to kill Lord Peckham with a bomb, the explosion +of which set fire to the hotel!" + +For a moment the surprising charge so astonished every one that not a +word was said. Then the little man, advancing toward the boys went on: + +"I arrest you in the name of His Royal Highness, Edward VII, King of +England, Scotland and Wales." + +He threw back the lapel of his coat and showed a badge. + +"King of England, Scotland and Wales, is it!" exclaimed the doorman with +a twinkle in his eye. "An' why didn't ye say Ireland into the bargain." + +"Ireland, of course," went on the little man. "I'm an officer of His +Most Gracious Majesty," he added, "and I demand the assistance of the +United States authorities in general and the police of Easton in +particular in taking these desperate criminals into custody!" + +"Hold your horses," advised the desk-sergeant. "Those boys are not +liable to run away. They're to stay here over night, and if you have any +charge to make against them why you'll have to come and see the judge +in the morning." + +"But they are sons of an anarchist! They are anarchists themselves!" +exclaimed the man, "I must arrest them!" + +"You're not going to arrest anybody," said the sergeant, "until you get +a warrant from the judge. This isn't England." + +"Then I'm going to stay with these boys the rest of the night," insisted +the man. "I can't take any chances on their giving me the slip." + +"This place is going to be crowded with people from the burned hotel," +objected the sergeant. "There will be no room for you. Besides, how do I +know these boys are anarchists?" + +"Look in their valise," cried the stranger. "It is filled with bombs." + +"You can't look in this satchel," exclaimed Jack, for he remembered the +valise contained parts of the professor's secret machines. + +"What did I tell you?" cried the Englishman with triumph in his tones. +"They are the guilty ones. They are afraid to open their valise." + +"We are, but not because it has bombs in it," said Mark. "It has parts +of an unpatented machine and the owner does not want any one to see +them," for Mark remembered Mr. Henderson's strict injunctions to let no +one but the mechanist to whom they had gone catch a glimpse of the +parts that were to be duplicated. The machinist was sworn to secrecy. + +"It's none of our affair," said the sergeant, though he seemed a little +impressed by the Englishman's words and the reluctance Mark and Jack +showed to letting the valise be opened. "The boys will be here until +morning, and then you can see the judge. Now you'll have to get out. You +boys get to bed." + +Muttering threats, the stranger went from the station house, and Mark +and Jack, in response to a nod from the doorman, followed him upstairs +to a part of the police station used to detain witnesses. They were +shown to a small room with a single bed. + +"Are ye really anarchists?" asked the doorman. + +"Not a bit," replied Jack, and he told as much of their story as he +dared. + +"I was kind-of hopin' ye was," said the officer with a twinkle in his +eye. "It wouldn't do any harm to scare that uppish Englishman a bit. +Sure he an' his kind have done enough to poor old Ireland." + +"I'm sorry we can't oblige you," said Mark with a laugh. + +"I guess ye're all right," went on the doorman. "I hope ye sleep good +the rest of the night." + +Then he left them alone. What with the excitement of the fire and the +startling accusation against them, the boys' brains were too excited to +let them sleep much. They had a few fitful naps throughout the remainder +of the night. + +It was just getting daylight when Mark was awakened by some one shaking +him. + +"What is it?" he asked. "Another fire?" + +"Not this time," replied a voice, and Mark, now that his eyes were fully +opened, saw the doorman bending over him. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jack waking up in his turn. + +"Easy!" exclaimed the doorman in a whisper. "I happened to think ye +might want to be leavin'." + +"Leaving?" asked Mark in bewilderment. + +"Yes. Ye know that Englishman is liable to be back any minute, an' he +may make trouble for ye. I know ye're innocent lads, an' I'd hate to see +ye mixed up in a mess with that fellow. So I slips up here early, an' ye +can leave by the back door if ye want to, an' the officer of His +Imperial Majesty, King Edward VII, will never know a thing about it." + +"It looks like running away," objected Jack. + +"Sure there's no charge agin ye," went on the doorman. "Ye're free to +come an' go as far as we're concerned, an' ye'd better go whilst ye have +the chance." + +Jack reflected. It was true that the charge of the Englishman, baseless +as it was, might make trouble for them, and cause them endless delays in +getting back to Professor Henderson. Suddenly Jack made up his mind. + +"Come on Mark," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ON A RUNAWAY TROLLEY + + +"Are you going to leave?" asked Mark. + +"Certainly. There is no use staying here and getting mixed up in +something that Englishman thinks we have done. It's easier to go away +quietly and let him find out his mistake." + +"All right," agreed Mark. "I wonder who he is, anyhow?" + +"He thinks he owns the earth, whoever he is," returned Jack. + +"He's some sort of a special detective traveling with Lord Peckham's +party," explained the doorman. "He told us a lot about himself last +night after you boys went to bed. He came back to inquire how early the +judge would be here. + +"He went on to tell how some English anarchists have vowed to kill Lord +Peckham because he foreclosed a lot of mortgages on some poor people in +Ireland where he owned property," added the doorman. "There was some +sort of explosions in the hotel, near where Lord Peckham had his rooms. +Maybe it was a bomb and, maybe ag'in it was only the boiler. Anyhow, +this detective jumped to the conclusion that anarchists had done it, and +he thinks you are responsible. But you'd better be goin' now. It's +gettin' daylight." + +So Mark and Jack, with what scanty clothes they had, and carrying their +valise, went quietly out of the back door of the police station. + +"We'd better go to the machine shop for the rest of the stuff," +suggested Mark, "and then we can take the first trolley we see and get +back to the professor." + +Through quiet side streets the boys made their way toward the machine +shop. They were somewhat amused to think how they had fooled the +detective, but they would not have felt so jolly had they seen the +roughly dressed man who had darted after them as soon as they left the +police station. + +"I'll get you yet," the man muttered. "You needn't think to escape with +the aid of these bloomin' American police." + +The lads found the machinist just opening his shop though it was quite +early. The pieces of apparatus were finished and, after paying for them +Mark put the parts in the valise. + +"Quite a fire in town," observed the machinist. + +"Yes," answered Mark, not wishing to get into a long conversation. + +"Heard the hotel was blowed up by anarchists and that the police are +after 'em," proceeded the man. + +"I believe I did hear something like that," admitted Mark. "I guess +we'll be going." + +He signalled to Jack, and the two hurried out of the shop. As they did +so, the trampish-looking man glided from behind a tree where he had been +hiding and took after them. + +"Say," exclaimed Jack, "I forgot we haven't had any breakfast yet." + +"That's so," said Mark, rubbing his stomach and making a wry face. + +Near by was a bakery, and there the lads got some coffee and rolls which +tasted fine. When they finished their simple meal a trolley came past +and they ran to catch it. So did the man who had been following them, +but this person bore no resemblance to the spruce little detective who +had wanted to arrest the boys. + +"A couple of hours now and we'll be back at the cabin," spoke Mark. "My, +but I must say we have had strenuous times since we started away!" + +There were few passengers on the trolley so early in the morning and not +many stops to make, so the motorman turned on the power full and made +the vehicle speed along. + +Mile after mile was covered and finally the car reached the top of a +long hill. At the foot of this the line came to an end, and the boys had +a two mile tramp before them to reach the lonely spot where the +_Porpoise_ was docked. + +Down the hill the car started. The motorman shut off the electricity and +let the vehicle run by its weight. + +Faster and faster it ran, the dust flying in a cloud about it. + +"Better put the brakes on a bit," called the conductor. "It's gettin' +kinder speedy, Hank!" + +The motorman twisted the handle. There was a grinding noise as the shoes +took hold on the wheels. Then a chain snapped and the car seemed to leap +ahead. + +"The brake's busted! I can't stop the car!" yelled the motorman. + +Vainly he twisted at the handle. Then, seeing he could not stop the +trolley car he made a desperate jump off the vehicle and landed in a +heap on the side of the road, rolling over and over. + +"Reverse the current!" cried one of the passengers, to the conductor. +"That ought to stop her!" + +The conductor made his way to the front platform and turned the +reversing lever. Then he applied the current. But it was no use. With a +blinding flash and a report like that of a gun a fuse blew out, and that +crippled the car completely so far as the electric current was +concerned. + +"Everybody jump!" cried the conductor. "There's a curve at the foot of +the hill, and we'll all be killed if we stay on!" + +One by one the passengers leaped from the car. Several were badly hurt +by the falls they got. Meanwhile the trolley was tearing down the hill +at a terrific rate of speed. + +"Shall we jump?" asked Mark of Jack. + +"We'll be killed if we do," was Jack's answer. + +"And we'll be killed if we stay aboard," said Mark. + +"Not if I can help it," cried Jack as he started for the rear platform. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Mark. + +"Put on the other brake. They never thought to try this one! Maybe it +will work and stop the car!" + +Then Mark saw what Jack was up to and went to help him. The shabbily +dressed man seemed undecided what to do. He stood up, holding to the +straps to prevent himself from being tossed from side to side as the +runaway trolley swayed. He watched the boys curiously. + +The lads, reaching the rear platform, twisted at the brake handle with +all their strength. They could feel that the chain was still intact. But +would the shoes grip the wheels with force sufficient to stop the car? + +There was a shrill screech as the brakes were applied by the boys. With +all their might they turned the handle, winding the chain up tighter and +tighter. At last they could not budge it another inch. Then they waited +anxiously. + +The car never slackened its speed. So great was the momentum that had +both sets of brakes been in working order it is doubtful whether they +would have stopped the vehicle. The speed was so great now that one of +the journals became hot and the oily waste that was packed in it caught +fire, making what railroad men term a "hot box". + +"I guess we're done for," groaned Mark. + +"We certainly haven't checked the speed any," Jack admitted. "But wait a +minute." + +He began stamping on the floor of the platform. + +"What you doing?" cried Mark, for he had to shout to make his voice +heard above the roar and rattle of the car. + +"Putting on the sand," replied Jack, as he kicked at the plunger which, +being depressed, let a stream of fine gravel out on the rails. "The +wheels are gripped I think, and are slipping on the rails. This may help +some." + +"Let me give you a hand," exclaimed a voice, and the boys turned to see +the shabby man standing with them on the platform. He grasped the brake +handle, and gave it an additional turn. His strength seemed remarkable +for so small a man. + +The speed of the car was checked a little, but the vehicle was still +speeding along at a rate that would soon bring it to destruction if not +halted before the curve was reached. + +"That's a little better," observed Mark. "It's a good thing you were +here." + +"Good for me, not so good for you," said the man with a peculiar smile. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mark. + +"I mean that I shall have to place you under arrest for attempting to +assassinate Lord Peckham!" exclaimed the man. "I am Detective Ducket, of +Scotland Yard!" + +He stripped off a false beard he had donned, and threw back his coat, +displaying his shield. He was the same man who had attempted to arrest +the boys in the police station at Easton. + +"I've got you just where I want you now," Detective Ducket went on. +"There are none of those blooming American police to interfere." + +The next instant the car gave a sudden lurch. Then it seemed to rise up +in the air. Jack felt himself flying through space, and he observed +Mark, who was clinging to the valise, following him. + +There was a terrific crash, a ripping, tearing splintering sound, and +the runaway trolley smashed into a big oak tree at the foot of the hill. +The vehicle had completely jumped the track at the sharp curve. + +Jack's eyes grew dim, and he seemed to be sinking down in some dark pool +of water. He heard a splashing beside him and began to strike out, +trying to swim. He seemed to be choking. Then the blessed air and +daylight came to him, and he found he was floating on the surface of a +pond. + +He dashed the water from his eyes and saw, over on the bank, the wreck +of the trolley. Then he noticed that Mark was swimming beside him. + +"What happened?" asked Jack. + +"A little of everything," panted Mark. "Lucky we weren't killed. We must +have been flung off the rear platform into this duck pond." + +The boys soon made their way to shore, unhurt except for the wetting. +The fall into the water had saved their lives. + +"Where's the valise of machinery?" asked Jack. + +"There it is," answered Mark pointing to where it had fallen at the back +of the pond. + +"And what became of Detective Ducket?" + +"He's here, at your service!" exclaimed a voice. "Consider yourselves +under arrest and don't you dare to leave this place without me." + +The boys looked in the direction of the sound and saw the English +officer lying on the grass not far away. He seemed in pain, but had +raised himself on his elbow and was pointing his finger sternly at the +boys. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +OFF FOR THE SOUTH POLE + + +"Are you hurt?" asked Jack. + +"I think my leg is broken, but otherwise I'm not damaged," replied the +detective. "Even if I am disabled, it makes no difference, you are my +prisoners. I command you to stay here until help comes." + +The boys did not know what to do. They did not like to see even an enemy +suffer, but, at the same time, they knew he had no right to arrest them. + +"Here comes a wagon," said Mark, catching the sound of wheels. + +"Well, fo' de land sakes! Gollyation! What terrible catafterme hab +occurred in dis unapproachable manner?" a voice demanded. + +"It's Washington!" cried Mark, as he saw Professor Henderson's colored +assistant driving along the road. + +"Dat's who it am!" exclaimed Washington as he noticed the boys. "My! My! +But am you boff dead?" + +"No, only one of us," said Mark with a laugh, as he and Jack ran toward +the wagon. + +"Ha! Ha! Dat's one ob yo' jokes," said Washington. "But hurry up, boys. +De perfessor he done sent me to meet you. He reckoned you'd becomin' +ober on an early trolley. He's in a hurry to git away." + +"Don't you boys dare to leave!" exclaimed Detective Ducket. + +"Who's dat?" asked Washington. + +"Never mind," said Mark. "He was hurt in the trolley smash, but not +badly. We'll send help, from the first farm house we come to. Come on, +Washington, we'll go with you." + +The boys jumped into the wagon, and Washington started off. He explained +that the inventor was anxious to make a start that day, as there would +be an unusually high tide which would be followed a little later by a +low one, and that would make it difficult to cross the harbor bar. + +"So I hired dis wagon an' come after you," said the colored man. + +At the first house they came to the boys stopped and told about the +accident. The farmer agreed to go and get the detective and the others +who were hurt and take them to a hospital. + +"I guess we're rid of that detective now," observed Jack, as they +started off again. + +"Yes, but we're getting away under a cloud on our characters," said +Mark. "I'd like to stay and see the thing through, if we had time." + +"But we can't, and there's no use worrying over it," spoke Jack. + +In a short time they were at the inventor's cabin, and related to Mr. +Henderson all that had occurred. + +"Well I guess your detective friend will have a hard time to find you in +a few hours," said the old man. "We start on our trip for the south pole +this evening." + +There were busy times for the next few hours. Many supplies had to be +placed on board, and, while the boys, with Tom and Bill, saw to this, the +professor and Washington were occupied with putting the last touches to +the submarine boat's machinery. + +Most of the supplies from the cabin were placed in the _Porpoise_, +including food and clothing and a good quantity of minerals that, with +sea water, generated the gas that made steam. + +An early supper was made on shore, as the professor said they might be +so busy for the first few hours of the starting trip that they would get +no chance to eat. Then the cabin and buildings where the submarine had +been built, were securely fastened. + +"I guess we're all ready," announced the professor, taking a last look +around. + +One by one they went aboard the _Porpoise_ crawling down through the man +hole. The inventor was the last one to enter. He clamped the cover on by +means of the cam levers and switched on the electric lights. Then he +took his place in the conning tower with Andy Sudds. + +"Forward, to the South Pole!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. + +With a turn of his wrist the inventor started the engines. The big screw +in the shaft revolved, pulling the water in at one end of the craft and +sending it out in a swirling stream at the other. The trip was fairly +begun. + +For several miles the _Porpoise_ glided along on the surface of the +ocean. It was a calm evening, and the boys down in the cabin of the +craft could look into the reflecting mirrors on the wall, which were +connected with observation magnifying glasses in the conning tower, and +view what was going on, though their heads were below the surface of the +sea. + +As it grew darker the view of shore and water faded away. The engine +kept up its speed with Washington to see to it every now and then, +oiling the bearings, some of which did not run quite smoothly because of +their newness. + +"I'll send her down a bit now," observed the professor. "I don't want to +run into any more warships or scare the crews by making them think we +are a foreign torpedo boat." + +He opened the sea cocks in the ballast tanks and soon the _Porpoise_ +sunk about two hundred feet beneath the waves. The craft, which had been +pitching and tossing under the influence of a ground swell, became more +steady and quiet once it left the surface. + +The searchlight in the conning tower was turned on, and in the glare of +it Andy and the professor were able to steer properly, aided by the +compass which gave them the true southern course. + +It was now quite dark. Additional electric lights were switched on in +the cabin, engine and dining room. Andy came out of the conning tower +and announced that Captain Henderson wanted Washington to get supper. + +All the cooking was done by electricity, and, in addition to a supply of +the usual and ordinary kinds of food, there was a big lot of patent +condensed victuals to draw on. Soup, broiled steak, potatoes, hot +biscuits, rice pudding and coffee made up the repast which was enjoyed +by all. + +Toward the close of the meal Professor Henderson began to sniff the air +of the cabin. + +"What's the matter? Do you smell a storm brewing?" asked Andy. + +"No, but the air is not as fresh as it should be," replied the inventor. +"Washington, release a little more of the supply from the compression +tanks." + +The ship, which had been left to steer itself automatically while the +professor was absent from the conning tower, was moving along at about +half speed. The gage showed they were going at twenty miles an hour, and +were three hundred feet below the surface. + +"Washington and I will share the first night's watch between us," said +the inventor, after the supper things had been cleared away. "There will +not be much to do, as the ship will steer automatically in whatever +direction I set her. Still I want to see how she behaves. The rest of +you might as well go to your bunks." + +The two boys were especially glad of a chance to go to bed, as they had +had but little sleep the night before on account of the fire. So they +lost no time in undressing and rolling up in the blankets, for it was +quite cool so far down under the water. + +"Well, we've slept on the earth, above the earth and now we're under the +waters," observed Jack. + +"There's only one place more to spend your time taking a snooze," said +Mark. + +"Where's that?" + +"Inside the earth." + +Then they fell asleep. During the night and the next day the _Porpoise_ +forged on underneath the waves. Washington relieved Mr. Henderson in the +conning tower and reported the machinery to be working well. + +"Keep her headed due south," was the order of the inventor, and the +colored man did so. + +It was about four o'clock one morning that Washington felt a slight jar +to the submarine. + +"Hope we ain't goin' to hit no more battleships," he said. + +He glanced at the speed-indicating gage. To his surprise it stood at +zero. The craft was not moving forward a foot! Yet the engines were +going at half speed! + +In great alarm Washington shut off the power and ran to acquaint +Professor Henderson with the news. + +"Suffin's ketched us!" cried the colored man. + +"Nonsense!" said the inventor, yet he seemed alarmed as he slipped on +his clothes and hastened to the conning tower. + +He peered ahead along the path of water illuminated by the glare of the +searchlight, but nothing was to be seen. Then he started the engine, +increasing the speed gradually until the big screw in the shaft revolved +more than one thousand times a minute. Still the _Porpoise_ never +stirred. She remained in the same position, as if some giant hand +grasped her. + +"Reverse the engine," said the professor. + +Washington did so. To the surprise of both of them the ship shot +backward like a frightened crab. + +"Now forward!" exclaimed the old inventor. + +But this time the _Porpoise_ did not move. It was as if she was up +against a stone wall. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mark, who had been awakened by the excitement +on board. + +"I do not know," replied Mr. Henderson gravely. "Something mysterious +has occurred. We can go no further!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +ASHORE IN THE DARK + + +"Stop the engine," the captain commanded after he had peered through the +lens in the conning tower for some time. "We must see what is the +matter." + +He glanced at the depth gage and noted that they were now four hundred +feet below the surface. Then he consulted some charts. + +"There is a depth of one thousand feet about here," he remarked. "Lower +the ship, Washington. Let us see if by getting on the ocean bed we can +get away from this obstruction." + +The colored man opened wider the sea cocks by which the tanks were +filled. The increased ballast sunk the _Porpoise_ still lower, and, in a +few minutes a slight jar told the navigators that they were on the +bottom of the ocean. + +"Now we will see if we have cleared the obstruction," said the +professor. + +He started the big screw to revolving, but the ship did not move. It +shivered and trembled throughout its length but remained stationary. + +"Maybe dar's a debil fish what hab circumulated dis ship in de exteror +portion ob his anatomy," suggested Washington, rolling his eyes until +only the whites were visible. + +"I presume you mean that a giant squid or cuttle fish has attacked us," +spoke the professor. + +"Yas, sir," replied Washington. + +"That's nonsense," went on the inventor. "However, we must make an +investigation." + +"How are you going to do it?" asked Mark. "You can't see the end of the +tube from inside the ship, and, even if we went to the surface it would +still be under water." + +"We are going to look at it while here, under the ocean," said the +inventor. + +"Well, maybe you're a good swimmer," put in Jack, "but I don't believe +you can stay under, in this depth of water, long enough to see what the +trouble is." + +"I think I can," answered Mr. Henderson. + +"How?" + +"I'll show you. Washington, bring out the diving suits." + +The colored man, his eyes growing bigger every minute, went to a locker +and brought out what seemed quite a complicated bit of apparatus. + +"With the aid of these," said the professor, "I will be able to go out, +walk along the ocean bed, and investigate the mystery. Do you boys want +to come along?" + +"Is it safe?" asked Mark, who was inclined to be cautious. + +"As safe as any part of this under-sea voyage," replied the professor. +"These diving suits are something I have not told you about," he went +on. "They are my own invention. Besides the regular rubber suits there +is an interlining of steel,--something like the ancient suits of chain +mail--to withstand the great pressure of water. Then, instead of being +dependent on a supply of air, pumped into the helmet from an apparatus +in a boat on the surface, each person carries his own air supply with +him." + +"How is that?" asked Jack, and Mark also asked the question. + +"Simply by attaching a little tank of the compressed gas to the shoulder +piece of the suit," said the inventor. "There is enough air in the tank +to last for nearly a day. It is admitted to the helmet as needed by +means of automatic valves. In other respects the diving suit is the same +as the ordinary kind, except that there is a small searchlight, fed by a +storage battery, on top of the helmet." + +In spite of their fears at venturing out under the great ocean, the two +boys were anxious to try the suits. So, after some hesitation, they +donned them. + +"Here, take these with you," said the professor, before their helmets +were screwed on. He held out what looked like long sticks. + +"What are they?" asked Jack. + +"Electric guns," replied the professor. "But come on now, we have no +time to lose." + +Further conversation was impossible, for the boys had their heavy copper +helmets on, and they were as tightly enclosed as if inside a box. They +grasped their weapons and waited for the next move. + +The professor led the way to the stern of the ship. The boys found it +hard to walk, as they were weighted down by the heavy suits, and also +the boots, the soles of which were of lead. + +They followed the inventor into what seemed a small room. Inside they +found themselves in darkness. There was a clanking sound as Washington +fastened and clamped the door shut. Then came a hissing. + +The boys felt water rising about them. They could experience its +coldness, even through the diving suits. They were much afraid, but the +professor put a reassuring hand on their shoulders. + +They seemed to feel a great weight. It gradually lessened, however, and, +in a few minutes, they saw something move in front of them. The +professor pushed them gently forward. + +In another instant they were walking on the bed of the ocean, having +stepped from the _Porpoise_. They had gone into a locked compartment, +the inner door of which had been tightly closed, after which water from +outside had been gradually admitted until the pressure was equal, and +then the boys and the professor had merely to emerge out into the bottom +of the sea when the outer portal was swung aside by Washington, who +worked the lever from inside. + +The boys were in intense darkness, but, suddenly a light glowed about +them, and they saw that the professor had switched on his miniature +search lamp. They remembered how he had told them to work the apparatus, +and soon tiny gleams shot out from their helmets. + +The professor pointed ahead, for not a sound could be heard, and the +boys followed him. + +It was a new sensation, this walking along the bed of the ocean. At +first the great pressure of water, even though the steel lined diving +suits kept most of it off, was unpleasant. Gradually, however, the boys +became used to it. They had to move slowly, for the water was denser +than the air and impeded their progress. + +In a few minutes they reached the forward end of the _Porpoise_. Now +they were to solve the mystery of what had stopped the submarine. For a +few moments they could distinguish nothing. + +Suddenly the boys felt the professor grasping their arms. They looked in +the direction he pointed. There in the diffused glare from the search +light and the illumination of their helmet lamps they saw, wrapped about +the forward shaft opening a gigantic squid or devil fish. Its soft, +jelly-like body completely covered the opening of the shaft preventing +any water from entering, and thus stopping any forward motion to the +ship. + +This was what had caused all the trouble. The _Porpoise_ had run into +the monster, who feeling what it must have thought an enemy, had grasped +the submarine with its long sinuous arms. + +The professor hesitated a moment. Then he slowly raised his electrical +gun, and took aim at the hideous mass. The boys followed his example. At +Mr. Henderson's signal they all fired together. + +From the muzzles of the guns darted small barbs that carried with them a +strong shock of electricity, from storage batteries in the shoulder +pieces of the weapons. Three of them were enough to produce death in an +animal as large as a whale. + +The devil fish quivered. Then the water about it suddenly grew black, +and the boys and the professor were in dense darkness, for the squid had +dyed the ocean with a dark liquid from the sack it carried for the +purpose. + +The explorers groped their way to the left, having fortunately grasped +hands after firing their guns, to prevent being separated in case the +terrible fish began a death struggle. + +Luckily Professor Henderson went in the right direction and managed to +locate the _Porpoise_. Then, feeling along her steel sides, he led the +boys through the inky blackness to the water chamber by which entrance +could be had to the interior. + +In a few minutes all three were safely inside and had removed their +diving suits. The others crowded about, anxious to learn what had +happened. The inventor related it briefly. + +Once more the engines were started. This time there was no hanging back +on the part of the _Porpoise_. The big screw revolved, the water came in +the shaft and was thrust out of the rear end, making a current that sent +the craft ahead swiftly. The gigantic fish had been killed, and its body +no longer obstructed progress. + +"Now we'll rise to the surface and see how it feels to sail along that +way for a while," said the professor as he started the pumps that +emptied the tanks. In a little while the ship was floating on the +waves. + +It was now night, and the clouds overhead made it so dark that it was +hard to see ten feet in advance. The professor did not want to use the +searchlight for he did not care to have his presence discovered by +curious persons. So he ran the ship at half speed. + +"Where are we now?" asked Mark, who had entered the conning tower, where +the professor was steering. + +"Somewhere's off the coast of South Carolina," replied the inventor. + +The next instant there was a sudden shock and jar. The ship quivered +from stem to stern, and came to an abrupt stop. + +"We've hit something!" exclaimed the professor, shutting down the +engines with a jerk of the lever. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A PRICE ON THEIR HEADS + + +On board the _Porpoise_ there was great excitement. Washington, with +Andy, Tom, Bill and Jack came running from the engine room. + +"What is it?" cried Jack. + +"I don't know," answered the professor as calmly as he could. "We'll +soon see, however." + +He switched on the searchlight and peered from the conning tower. + +"Can you see anything?" asked Andy, anxiously. + +"I can," announced the inventor. + +"What?" + +"Land," replied Mr. Henderson. "We've hit the coast." + +"I hope we ain't done no damage," put in Washington. + +"Do you mean to the coast or to us?" asked the professor, with a smile. +"I guess there isn't much danger in ramming the shore excepting to the +_Porpoise_. However, we do not seem to be in any immediate trouble." + +He tested various wheels and levers, and announced that, aside from the +jar, which might have started some of the machinery, the _Porpoise_ was +unharmed. + +The cover of the man-hole was loosened and, one after another, the +adventurers crawled out on the small deck or platform. It took them a +little while to become accustomed to the darkness, but soon they were +able to make out that they had run on the muddy bank of the ocean beach. +The tide was low and the _Porpoise_ had rammed her nose well into the +soft muck, which accounted for the lack of damage. + +"Well, I guess there is nothing to do excepting to wait for morning," +said Mr. Henderson. "It doesn't look like a very lively neighborhood +about here. I don't believe we'll be disturbed." + +Save for the splash and lapping of the waves and the sound of the wind, +it was as quiet as the proverbial graveyard. Not a light showed on +shore, and the gleam from the search lamp of the _Porpoise_ cut the +darkness like a small moonbeam. + +"If there's nothing to do I'm going to turn in," said Andy. "I'm tired." + +The professor said this was a good suggestion, and, leaving instructions +that Washington and Bill were to divide the night's watch between them, +the inventor sought his bunk. + +The boys remained on deck a few minutes longer. + +"We certainly are getting our share of adventures," remarked Jack. + +"I should say so," answered Mark. + +"Gollyation yes!" exclaimed Washington. "You-uns done most been eat by +dat air koslostrous specimen ob a parralleledon! I'm glad I didn't go. +But I'se brave enough!" + +"What's that?" asked Mark suddenly, pointing to an object floating on +the water. + +Washington turned to behold something white drifting along. + +"Oh my good land ob mercy! It's a ghost!" the colored man yelled. "It's +a ghost! Land a' massy! Hide me some where, quick!" + +Washington fell on his knees and stretched up his clasped hands in +supplication. The boys gazed curiously at the white object that was +slowly floating toward the stranded ship. + +It rose and fell on the waves, with an odd motion. + +"I wonder what it is," said Mark. + +"We'll soon see," spoke Jack. "It's coming this way." + +"Don't go near it! Don't touch it, boys!" pleaded Washington. "It'll put +de evil eye on yo', suah! Turn yo' haids away!" + +But the boys were not so easily frightened. The white thing did look +queer, but Jack reasoned correctly that the darkness of the night +magnified it, and made it appear stranger than it probably was. + +"I'm going to try to get it," said Mark. + +The white thing was now quite close. It resembled a bundle of rags, +floating on top of the water, and, as it came nearer, it seemed to take +on a curious form. + +"It's a baby! It's de ghost ob a little dead baby!" cried the colored +man. "Let it alone, I tell you!" + +Indeed, now that Washington had suggested it, the boys could see a +resemblance to a child in the white object. But this did not deter them. +Jack secured a boat hook from where it was fastened to the platform. +With it he gently poked at the white thing. The object seemed to +collapse and Jack was conscious of a strange feeling. Then, with slow +motions, he drew it close to the side of the ship. + +Lying on his face he was able to get a good look at the thing. He +muttered an exclamation. + +"What is it?" cried Mark. + +"Nothing but a newspaper!" announced Jack with a laugh, as he threw it +on the deck. "All our trouble for nothing." + +"I shore thought it were a ghost," cried Washington as he got up from +his knees. + +The boys went to their bunks. They were the first ones awake the next +morning, and Jack followed Mark on deck. + +"There's the paper you rescued from drowning," said Mark. + +"So it is," came from Jack. "I wonder if there's any news in it." + +The sheet had dried out and Jack spread it open. No sooner had he +scanned the first page than he uttered a whistle. + +"Something startling?" asked Mark. + +"Startling! I guess yes! Look here!" + +Mark looked over Jack's shoulder. Staring at them, from amid a mass of +other news was the announcement in big black type: + + REWARD FOR BOY ANARCHISTS! + +Then followed an account of the burning of the hotel at Easton, a vivid +description with pictures, of how it had been blown up in an attempt to +assassinate Lord Peckham, and how the two boys, sons of an English +anarchist, had escaped. + +The rest of the story was given over to a description which Jack and +Mark could see was meant for them though it was incorrect in several +particulars. How the boys had escaped the detective, through the trolley +car mishap, was related, and then came the startling announcement that +the hotel authorities had offered a reward of $1,000 for the capture of +either or both of the boy anarchists. To this Lord Peckham had added an +equal sum. + +"Well, it looks as if we were of some importance in the world," remarked +Jack. + +"Rather," agreed Mark. "Think of having a price on our heads! Well, that +detective certainly is a hustler. When is that paper dated?" + +Jack looked and saw that the sheet had been issued in Charleston the day +previous. It had probably been thrown overboard from some steamer, and +had drifted toward shore. + +While the boys were speculating over the matter Professor Henderson came +on deck. He saw something was up, and soon had the whole story from the +boys. + +"I shouldn't worry about it," said the inventor. "They've got to catch +you first, and it isn't like running away when you know you are guilty. +You boys had no more to do with the fire than the man in the moon. And +we'll soon be beyond the reach of rewards and newspapers." + +Nevertheless, the boys brooded over the matter. It seemed that they +were still under a cloud, and they wished very much that it could be +cleared away. + +However there were soon busy times. The rising tide floated the boat, +and soon it was riding safely at anchor. The professor needed some small +bits of machinery, and had decided to send the boys to the nearest town +for them. But the news in the paper changed his plans, and he sent Bill +and Washington, who soon returned with the needed articles. + +"Now we'll make another start," said Mr. Henderson, as soon as all were +on board once more. "This time I hope we will keep on until we reach the +south pole!" + +He started the engine, the _Porpoise_ sank beneath the waves, and with a +hum of the big screw that throbbed and vibrated, was away again. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ATTACKED BY A MONSTER + + +For several days the _Porpoise_ plowed her way beneath the surface of +the ocean. Obedient to the directing hand of Professor Henderson she +rose or sank as the tanks were emptied or filled. He put the craft +through several rather difficult movements to test her under all +conditions. In each one she was a success. + +Dinner was sometimes eaten five hundred feet below the surface. Then +while Washington washed the dishes and cleaned up the galley, Jack and +Mark looked from the side windows at the strange life under water. + +They were getting farther south now and the water was warmer as the +equator was approached. This produced a great variety of animal life, +and the ocean fairly swarmed with fishes, big and little, strange and +curious that could be seen from the glass bull's-eyes. + +Great sharks swam up alongside of the _Porpoise_, keeping pace with her +in spite of her speed. Their cruel tigerish eyes and ugly mouths made +the boys shudder as they looked at the creatures. Then came odd +creatures that seemed neither of the land or sea, but which swam along +with their horrible bodies flapping up against the glass. One and all, +the inhabitants of the ocean seemed to resent the intrusion of the +submarine. + +One day the boys turned the light out in the cabin and sat in the +darkness the better to observe the fishes. The sea, in the vicinity of +the ship, was illuminated with a sort of glow that diffused from the +searchlight. + +Suddenly, as the boys were watching, there came a thud on the glass +window at the port side. They glanced in that direction to see some +horrible thing peering in at them through the window. + +At first they were greatly frightened. Two big eyes of green, with rims +of what looked like red fire, stared at them, and, there was an ugly +mouth lined with three rows of teeth. + +"It's only a fish," said Mark. + +"Well, I wouldn't like to meet it outside," said Jack. "I'd rather be +here. My, but it's a nasty sight!" + +"Let's give Washington a little scare," suggested Mark. + +"How?" + +"We'll go out and tell him some one in the cabin wants to see him. The +fish will stay there. See, it is fastened to the glass by some sort of +suction arrangement, like the octupus fish have on their arms. Then +we'll look in and see what Wash does." + +Jack agreed to the plan. The boys left the cabin, and Mark called to the +colored man, who was in the engine room. + +"I'll go right instanter this minute," said Washington. "Don't no grass +grow under dis chile's feet!" + +"Now listen," said Mark as he and Jack tiptoed after the colored man. + +Washington had no sooner entered the darkened cabin, and caught sight of +the horrible staring red and green eyes looking straight at him, than he +let out a yell that could be heard all over the ship. Then the colored +man dropped on his knees and began to implore: + +"Good please Mr. Satan fish, doan take Washington White," he begged. +"It's all a mistake. I didn't do nuffin. Good please Mr. Satan fish, +take some one else. It's disproportionate to de circumulation ob de +interiorness ob dis subicecream ship, so kindly pass me by dis time!" + +"What's the matter?" asked Amos Henderson, as he came hurrying into the +cabin, seeking the cause for Washington's loud cry. + +Jack and Mark, who came in at that juncture, were a little bit ashamed +of the trick they had played. + +"What is the trouble?" repeated Mr. Henderson. + +"We's all goin' to be devoured alibe!" cried Washington pointing to the +fish, that still clung to the glass. + +"Ah, a sucker fish!" remarked the inventor. "A large specimen, too. +Don't be afraid Washington, it can't hurt you." + +"He looks like he could," said the colored man. "Look at dem teef!" + +Indeed the creature's mouth was a horrible sight, as it opened and shut. + +"I'll show you how to get rid of him," said the professor. + +He turned on the electric lights in the cabin, flooding the room with a +bright glow. The big fish darted off, and, when the lights were turned +out again, the terrible eyes did not reappear, much to their +satisfaction. + +"The lights scared it away," remarked the inventor. "But you mustn't get +frightened so easily, Washington. You'll see stranger sights than that +before you're through with this voyage." + +"Oh I wasn't 'fraid," spoke up Washington. "I were jest 'stonished, +dat's all." + +"What did you get down on your knees for?" asked Mark with a grin. + +"I might hab been lookin' for my collar button, for all you knows," +replied Washington, with an air of great dignity, and went back to the +engine room. + +For several days after this the _Porpoise_ continued on her way south. +Now and then appearing on the surface to renew the supply of fresh air, +and again skimming along under the surface, or deep down, the strange +craft kept on. It grew much warmer, and even when some distance below +the surface the heat could be felt in an uncomfortable manner. + +"We're getting near the equator," explained the professor. + +One afternoon, when dinner had just been finished, and the ship, under +the direction of Washington, was gliding along well under the sea, there +came a sudden shock. + +"We've hit something!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson as he jumped for the +conning tower. The shock was repeated. + +"What was it?" asked someone. + +"Shut down the engine!" yelled the inventor to the colored man. "What do +you want to go on ramming an object after you've once hit it? Slow down +the engine!" + +"Power's shut off!" cried Washington. "We didn't hit nothin'! Something +hit us!" + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Henderson. + +"Somethin's rammin' us," went on Washington. + +"It must be a big monster. I was sterrin' along an' there was nothin' in +de road, when all of a suddint, ker-plunk! We's hit. Look ahead, an' you +can't see nothin'!" + +The professor, and the boys, who had followed him, gazed out of the +conning tower window. There was nothing forward but a vast expanse of +water. + +The next instant the ship careened as something struck her a violent +blow on the port side. Everyone almost toppled over from the force of +the impact. + +"Dar he goes agin!" cried Washington. + +"We're attacked by a whale!" said the professor. "We must rise to the +surface or it may damage the ship." + +"If it's a whale I'd like to get a shot at it," put in Andy Sudds, from +the foot of the companion ladder leading into the tower. + +"I don't know that it is a whale," went on the inventor. "But it must be +something very big and strong." + +"It's a monster of some sort," put in Andy, "and I want a chance at +him." + +"It's too risky," murmured the professor. "We couldn't get down to +bottom here, as the water is several miles deep, and the pressure would +crush the _Porpoise_, strong as she is." + +Once more came a terrible blow and the ship rocked in a swirl of foam +beneath the waves. In quick succession two more fierce onslaughts were +made by the unseen monster. + +"We'll have to do something," muttered Andy. + +"You're right," agreed the professor. "Our only chance is to rise to the +surface, for I do not believe the creature will follow us there. Empty +the tanks, Washington." + +The colored man started the pumps, and the professor watched the gages +that told the depth of the craft. The pointer should have begun to swing +around in a few seconds after the tanks began to empty. Instead it +remained stationary. + +"Strange," said Mr. Henderson. "I wonder if anything is wrong with the +machinery." + +"More like the whale, or whatever it is, is on top of the boat, holding +her down," suggested Andy. + +There was no doubt of this a moment later, for there were several +violent blows on the upper part of the _Porpoise_. + +The crew of the submarine were held prisoners below the surface by the +unknown monster! + +For a few minutes the thought of the awful fate that would be theirs if +the ship should be wrecked under the water made each one speechless. As +they stood looking at each other, not knowing what to do, the attack was +renewed on the port side. + +The big fish, whale or whatever it was, kept pounding away. + +"I have an idea!" cried Andy suddenly. + +"What is it?" asked the professor quickly. + +"Let me put a diving dress on," began the old hunter. + +"I tell you we can't sink to the bottom in this depth of water," +interrupted the professor. + +"We don't need to," put in Andy. "All I want is a diving suit and a +chance to stand out in the diving chamber. I guess I can fix Mr. Whale, +if I have one of those electric guns." + +"Quick! Get a diving suit, Washington!" cried Mr. Henderson. He saw what +the old hunter planned to do. + +In a few minutes Andy was dressed in the suit. The attacks of the +monster had redoubled in frequency, and the ship rocked as in a storm. + +Andy stepped into the diving chamber, clasping the electric gun. The +inner door was tightly closed and then the sea cocks that admitted water +from the outside were opened. When the pressure inside the chamber was +equal to that of the ocean outside some one pulled the lever that +opened the outer door. + +Andy knew better than to step outside. He remained in the chamber, like +a sentinel hid in the embrasure of a wall, for the chamber was a sort of +big dent in the side of the _Porpoise_. + +Once more the ship rocked from a terrific blow, and the old hunter was +nearly thrown out and into the fathomless depths below. + +He clung to the door lever and peered out. Through the big glass eyes of +his copper helmet he saw headed straight at him a whale that seemed +larger than the submarine. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CAUGHT IN A SEA OF GRASS + + +"It's all up with me and the ship, too," thought Andy as he stood in the +small chamber and watched the oncoming of the monster. + +However, he was not going to die without a fight, so he raised the +electric gun. Yet he knew it was a most forlorn chance. + +He aimed straight down the big open mouth and pulled the trigger. The +next instant the water all about him was a mass of foam, through which +he could dimly see that the whale had halted. + +And, as the old hunter watched, in awe and fear at what he saw, he noted +that instead of one monster there seemed to be a pair. Together they +were threshing the sea into a bloody foam. + +Then, turning on the searchlight in his helmet, Andy beheld a terrible +sight. The whale had been attacked by a gigantic swordfish at the moment +the hunter had fired the shot, and it was that, and not the electric +bullet, that had stopped the infuriated animal's rush at the ship. + +Ancient enemies, the whale and swordfish, had met in mortal combat. The +swordfish had engaged the whale just as it was about to strike what +would probably have been a blow that would have disabled the submarine, +for with the door of the diving chamber open, the onslaught might not +have been withstood. + +Rushing here and there, the whale seeking to destroy his enemy with a +sweep of the enormous flukes, and the swordfish plunging his bony weapon +again and again into the whale, the two monsters fought until the water +about the ship was a mass of foam and blood. + +Much as he wanted to see the end of the fight, Andy knew it was +dangerous to remain longer with the door open. + +He closed it, pressed the lever which started the pumps, forcing the +water from the chamber and, in a few minutes, emerged into the interior +of the ship. + +Mr. Henderson, realizing that something out of the ordinary was going +on, had opened the slides of the bull's-eye windows, and those in the +submarine saw part of the fight between the whale and swordfish. + +As soon as Andy had removed his diving suit he advised that the ship be +sent to the surface, as there might be danger should the monsters get +too close in their struggles. + +Accordingly the pumps, which had been stopped when it was found +impossible to raise the ship, because of the weight of the whale, were +started and the _Porpoise_ was soon on the surface. + +The manhole cover was opened and Andy, with Jack and Mark, went out on +deck. They had no sooner stepped out on the platform than there was a +commotion in the water. + +"They're going to fight up here!" exclaimed Mark. + +A big body shot upward and fell back with a splash, rocking the +submarine. + +"There's the whale," observed Andy. "But I reckon he won't fight any +more. He's dead." + +It was so. The swordfish had conquered, and the lifeless body of the +whale floated on top of the water, only to sink a little later. + +"It was a great battle," said Jack. "I'm glad I was inside the ship." + +The course was due south, and every minute it seemed to the boys that it +was getting warmer, for they were approaching the equator. Every hour +brought them nearer the south pole, though they were still several +thousand miles from it. + +After a while quite a wind sprang up, and as the sea roughened the +professor decided to go down under the surface. The _Porpoise_ sunk as +the tanks filled and, in a little while, the submarine was in calm +water, and was forging ahead at three-quarter speed. + +It was three days after the adventure with the whale when, as the ship +was going along at a good rate, that there seemed to be a gradual +slacking in the progress. + +"I wonder what Washington is slowing down for," said the professor +rising from the dinner table at which all save the colored man had been +sitting. "I told him to keep right on. He must have seen something +ahead. I'll take a look." + +The inventor went to the conning tower, where Washington was steering. + +"What are you stopping for?" he asked. + +"I'm not slowin' down," replied the colored man. "Guess another ob dem +debil fishes has grabbed holt ob de ship. Dey suttinly am de most +koslostrous conglomerations ob inconsequence dat I eber see." + +"You must keep your big words for another time," remarked Mr. Henderson, +who seemed worried. "Hurry to the engine-room and see if the machinery +is all right. We certainly are slowing down, from some cause or other." + +The _Porpoise_ was now scarcely moving, though from the vibration it was +evident that the engines were working almost at top speed. Washington +came back and reported that the big screw was revolving properly and +that all the machinery was working well. + +"Then we're caught in something," said the professor. "Shut off the +power, Washington, I don't want to strain things." + +The ship was now scarcely making a foot a minute, and, a little later, +when the colored man had turned off the engine, the submarine became +stationary, merely undulating with the roll and heave of the ocean. + +Hurrying to the cabin, Captain Henderson opened the side window +shutters, turned off the electric lights and peered out. + +"I can't see anything," he said. "Yet I should be able to, as we are not +very deep." + +The gage showed that the ship was submerged only thirty feet, and at +that depth there should have been no difficulty in seeing, at least +dimly, objects under water. But the windows showed as black as night. + +"Bring me one of the portable searchlights," called Mr. Henderson. + +Washington brought one, operated by a storage battery. Holding it so the +reflector cast the beams out of the bull's-eye and into the water on the +opposite side, the inventor peered forth. + +"I was afraid of this!" he murmured. + +"What is it?" asked Jack. + +"We are caught in the Sargasso Sea," replied Mr. Henderson. + +"The Sargasso Sea?" repeated Mark, in a questioning tone. "What is +that?" + +"It is a great sea of grass," replied the captain. "An immense ocean of +sea weed, that sometimes floats on the surface and sometimes a little +below. The stalks or blades of the grass are very long and closely +matted together." + +"Is there any danger?" asked Andy in some alarm. + +"Very much," answered the professor quietly. "A ship, once fairly +entangled in the grass or sea weed, seldom gets out. If it is a sailing +ship the weed clings to the rudder, making steerage impossible, and even +in a strong wind the ship cannot get free of the mass. The grass winds +about the propellers of steamships, and holds them as tight as in a +vise. + +"Sometimes a great storm may tear the mass of weed loose from the bottom +of the ocean, and then the ship is free. But the Sargasso Sea is the +graveyard of many a fine vessel." + +The pumps were set going. Anxiously everyone watched the gage. The +pointer never moved, but remained at thirty feet. The _Porpoise_ was +caught. + +"Well, since we can't go up, let us see if we can go down," said the +inventor. "Perhaps we can dive under the sea weed." + +The cocks of the tanks were opened and the water rushed in. Under the +weight of it the ship should have sunk to the bottom. Instead it +remained just where it was, thirty feet below the surface. + +"Try the screw again," suggested Andy, "Maybe we can back out." + +The big propeller in the tube was started going in a reverse direction, +but the _Porpoise_ only moved a few feet and then stopped. To go forward +was equally impossible. + +The submarine was held fast in the grip of the long, sinuous, snake-like +fingers of the terrible sea grass. Weak as one strand was, the thousands +combined served to fasten the ship as securely as wire cables would have +done. The weeds had entangled themselves all around the craft and +refused to let go. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Henderson when all efforts had failed. "We must +think of a new plan." + +He spoke cheerfully, for he did not want the boys and other members of +the crew to know how worried he was. This was a danger he had never +counted on when he planned to go to the south pole. + +"There is no great hurry," Mr. Henderson went on in a few minutes. "We +can stay here for several days if need be, and by that time a storm may +tear the grass loose." + +"If we had our old hay sythes here," spoke Bill, "me an' Tom could put +on divin' suits an' go out an' cut the sea weed." + +"I'm afraid that wouldn't work," answered Mr. Henderson. "I'll think up +some plan, soon." + +He started toward the engine room to look over the machinery. He was met +by Washington, who seemed much alarmed. + +"What's the matter?" asked the inventor. + +"De air tank hab busted an' all de air is escapin' out!" cried the +colored man. "We'll all smothercate!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +FIRE ON BOARD + + +The professor jumped past Washington and hurried into the room where the +tanks were kept, carrying the reserve supply of air for breathing when +the ship was under water. A loud hissing told that the leak was a large +one. + +"Quick! Bring me some tools and a steel plug," shouted the captain. + +Mark hurried in with the things the professor wanted. But before the +plug could be put in the hole the air stopped hissing. + +"The leak is fixed!" cried Jack. + +"No," said the professor in a strange voice. + +"But the air no longer rushes out." + +"For a good reason, there is no longer any air to rush out. It is all +gone!" + +"Do you mean to say that all the reserve stock has been lost?" exclaimed +Andy. + +"I fear so. The leak must have been a bad one. The air was stored in +tanks under pressure, and, as you know, we released it as we needed it. +Now it is all gone." + +"All? Then we shall smother," said Jack, and his voice trembled. + +"Not at once," went on Mr. Henderson in a calm voice. "There is enough +air in the entire ship, including that which has leaked from the tanks +to last us five hours. After that----" he paused and looked at his +watch. + +"Well?" asked Andy. "After that?" + +"There is enough stored in the small tanks of the diving suits to last +another two hours, perhaps. Seven hours in all." + +"Then what?" asked Mark. + +"We shall smother to death," said the professor in a low tone. "That +is," he went on, "unless before that time we can raise the _Porpoise_ to +the surface of the sea and get a fresh supply of air." + +"Then we must work to raise the ship," put in Bill. "Let' get out and +see if we can't cut through the sea weed." + +"It would be useless," said Mr. Henderson. "We can only depend on the +power of the ship herself. But do not be discouraged. We may escape. +Come, Washington, start the engine again. By keeping it going constantly +we can, perhaps, break loose from the grass. It is our only hope." + +Steadily the machinery worked. It might as well have remained +stationary, however, as far as any noticeable effect was made on the +boat's progress. The grass of the Sargasso Sea held the _Porpoise_ in a +firm grasp. + +Four hours passed. There was nothing to do but wait and see what would +happen. It all depended on the engines. Silently the navigators of the +realms under the ocean sat and hoped. Now and then the professor would +go to the engine room to adjust the machines. + +The atmosphere in the cabin was growing noticeably heavier. The boys' +heads began to ring with strange noises, and there was a tightness +across their chests. The lack of fresh air was beginning to tell. + +"We might as well use that in the diving suit reservoirs," remarked the +professor. "We will feel better, at least for a little while." + +The helmets of the suits were brought in, and the vapor released from +the small tanks. A change was at once noticed. The old stale air in the +cabin was forced out of the exhaust pipes, and the fresh took its place. +Every one felt better. + +Faster and faster revolved the big screw. The ship vibrated more and +more. Yet it did not move, nor did it rise. The crew were still +prisoners beneath the water. + +For an hour or so conditions were fairly comfortable. Then the same +unpleasantness was experienced as was noticed before. + +"If we could only open a window," sighed Mark, "and let in a lot of +fresh air, how nice it would be." + +The air rapidly became more foul. Soon Washington was gasping for +breath. Tom and Bill showed signs of uneasiness. + +"Lie down on the floor," counseled the professor. "You will find the air +a little fresher down there." + +They all did as he advised, the inventor himself stretching out at full +length. A little relief was experienced. + +They knew it could not last long. Even the professor seemed to have +given up hope. The engine was not going to free the ship in time to save +the lives of those on board. + +Washington crawled to the engine room, as some of the bearings needed +oiling. The professor seemed in despair. He opened one of the slides +that covered the glass bulls eye windows. Then he turned off the +electric lights. The opening was black, showing that the sea of grass +still surrounded them. With a groan Mr. Henderson turned aside. The last +hope was gone. He sank down on the floor of the darkened cabin. + +Just then Mark happened to look at the bull's-eye. He saw a glimmer of +light. Then he noticed several fishes swimming about. The water was +clear. The grass had disappeared from the vicinity of the window. + +"Look!" cried Mark to the professor. + +The inventor peered forth. As he did so he uttered a cry. Then he +staggered rather than ran to the engine room. + +"What are you doing?" he called to Washington. + +"I jest let some ob de sulphuric acid out ob de storage battery tank," +replied the colored man. + +"That's it! That's it!" exclaimed the professor. "Quick, let some more +out, Washington. Let out all there is in that tank. It will save our +lives." + +Wonderingly Washington obeyed. The air in the ship was growing more foul +every second. It was hard to breathe even on the floor, and all were +gasping for breath. A few minutes more and they would all become +unconscious and death would come in a little while if the air was not +freshened. + +The professor staggered back to the main cabin. He looked out of the +bull's-eye windows. Then he exclaimed: + +"See, it is getting lighter! Thank Heaven we are saved!" + +The next instant the ship began to move backward. Then with increasing +speed it pulled out of the grip of the long grass, and in another minute +was floating on top of the water, at the edge of the Sargasso Sea. + +"Quick! Open the man hole cover!" said Amos Henderson. + +Washington threw back the lever cams, and in rushed the fresh air. It +was a blessed relief from the terrible oppressiveness of the foul +atmosphere of the boat. They all breathed deeply, and, in a few minutes +the effects of their long imprisonment had passed off. + +They went out on the small deck. It was getting dusk, and the reflection +of the red sunset shone brightly on the heaving water. + +"I 'spected I'd neber see dis again," said Washington. "Thought suah I +was a gone chicken!" + +"We had a most fortunate escape," said the professor. "You did the trick +for us when you let the acid run from that tank into the sea. It mingled +with the water and burned or ate through the stems of the grass so they +no longer held the ship. I saw what had happened as soon as I looked out +of the bull's-eye, and that's why I had you turn out all the acid you +could. It was just as if liquid fire had touched the sea weed and burnt +it off." + +"Golly!" exclaimed Washington. "Fust I know I'll be a perfessor myself!" + +Supper was eaten with the ship on the surface of the ocean, for it was +impossible to go below until the leak in the air tanks had been +repaired. Work was begun on this the next day, and though it proved a +difficult job it was accomplished by Mr. Henderson and the boys. + +There were several minor repairs to be made to the machinery, and it was +a week before all was in readiness for another descent beneath the +waves. In the meanwhile the craft had moved slowly southward on the +surface, where no very great speed was possible. + +Toward evening, on the seventh day after their adventure with the +Sargasso Sea, the travelers closed the man hole, and with air tanks well +filled slowly sank beneath the waves. Supper was eaten at a depth of +sixty feet, and after the meal, while Washington was washing the dishes, +the others sat and looked out through the bull's-eyes at the big fishes +which floated past. + +"I wouldn't like to catch one of them air things on my hook an' line," +observed Bill, as a particularly large fish went past. "I reckon I'd +have trouble landin' him." + +"More likely he'd pull you in," said Mark. + +For several minutes they watched the strange procession of deep-sea +life. Presently Jack, who was sitting near the engine room door, sprang +up. At the same instant there was the sound of an explosion. + +"What's the matter?" cried the professor. + +"Come quick!" yelled Washington. + +"It's a fire!" yelled Jack. "One of the electrical fuses has blown out, +and the ship is on fire!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE GHOST OF THE SUBMARINE + + +They all rushed toward the engine room. It was dark, because the lights +had gone out all over the ship, and they could see only by the glare of +the flames, which were increasing. + +"Light one of the oil lanterns!" called the professor, and Bill did so. + +"Unreel the hose," the inventor continued, and Mark and Jack ran to do +this. + +In a few minutes the line was stretched into the engine room, and water +was being thrown on the flames, for Washington had started the pump as +soon as he saw the conflagration. + +The fire was in one corner, near the electrical switch board, and had +been caused by the blowing out of one of the fuses, which occasioned the +little explosion. The wood work near the switches was blazing fiercely, +and soon the ship was filled with smoke. + +"Empty the ballast tanks!" called the professor. "We must rise to the +surface!" + +"We'll all be burned up!" cried Tom. "First we nearly smother and then +we get on fire. Neber saw such luck!" + +With a rush the _Porpoise_ began to rise, as her tanks were lightened. +With steady hands, though with fear in their hearts, Jack and Mark +continued to play the water on the flames, while the professor and +Washington got out a second line and aided them. + +"The fire is dying out!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "We'll soon get the +best of it." + +In five minutes the worst was over, though it had been an anxious time, +and one of danger. The ship came to the surface, and the open man-hole +let out the thick smoke that had nearly suffocated the travelers. + +As soon as it was cool enough in the engine room an examination was made +of the damage done. It was not as bad as the professor had feared, and +the running part of the ship was not harmed. A new fuse was put in and +the electric lights turned on. + +The night was spent with the ship floating on the surface of the ocean, +only enough speed being kept up to give her steerage way. The professor +did not want to go below the waves until he had repaired the switch +board. + +Watch was kept, for, though they were out of the regular line of ocean +travel, there was no telling when a vessel might come along and run +them down, for the _Porpoise_ did not show above the waves more than a +few feet, and carried no lights. + +Mark had the watch just after midnight, and was sitting in the conning +tower, the door of which opened out on the small deck. He had swept the +surface of the water with powerful glasses and was sure there were no +ships in sight. So, feeling that he would like to stretch his legs, he +walked up and down on the platform. + +He had reached the after end, and was about to turn and go back, when he +was startled to see between him and the conning tower a white object. At +first Mark thought it was a cloud of mist, or something the matter with +his eyes. He rubbed them, but the object did not disappear. + +Then it moved, and, to his horror Mark saw that it had the shape of a +man, tall and thin. The two arms were outstretched, and to Mark's +imagination seemed to be pointed toward him. + +In spite of trying not to be, Mark was frightened. + +He did not believe in ghosts, and had always felt that all stories about +them were due to persons' imaginations. Now he saw something that was +hard to explain. + +As he watched it, the white object turned and glided without making the +slightest noise, toward the conning tower. It entered and Mark breathed +a sigh of relief. + +Perhaps, after all, it was some one from down in the cabin, maybe the +professor himself in his night shirt, who had come up to see that all +was right. + +"I'll go and look," said Mark to himself. + +He had to nerve himself for the ordeal, as, in spite of assuring himself +that there were no such things as ghosts, he was frightened. + +It was absolutely quiet. The only sound was the gentle swish of the +water against the sides of the ship. The engine was running so slowly +that it caused no noise. + +Half way on his journey to the conning tower Mark paused. There, +advancing toward him, was the white object. With outstretched arms it +glided nearer and nearer until Mark's heart was beating as if it would +burst through his ribs. His mouth was dry and he could not have cried +out had he tried. + +There was a splash in the water off to the left as some big fish sprang +out and dropped back again. Involuntarily Mark turned in that direction. +Then he thought of the ghost and looked for it again. To his surprise +the white object was nowhere to be seen! + +The boy waited a few minutes, and then, screwing up his courage, he went +to the tower. There was no one inside, and, along the length of deck +nothing was to be seen of the ghost. + +"I wonder if I have been asleep and dreaming," the boy asked himself. He +gave his leg a pinch, and the sensation of pain told him he was not +slumbering. + +"Well, I'll say nothing about it," Mark went on to himself. "They'll +only laugh at me." + +Entering the tower Mark looked for the glasses in order to make another +observation. He could not find them, yet he was sure he had left them on +a shelf in the tower. + +"I wonder if the ghost took them," he said. + +He heard some one coming up the iron stairs of the small companionway +that led down into the interior of the ship through the man-hole. At +first he thought it was his queer midnight visitor returning. Then the +head and shoulders of Jack appeared. + +"I've come to relieve you," said Jack. "Your watch is up; it's two +o'clock. Here are the night glasses. I found them on the cabin table. I +thought you had them with you." + +"I did," replied Mark. + +"Then how did they get below?" + +"I--I don't know," said Mark. + +The mystery was deepening, yet he did not want to tell Jack just yet. + +"Well, that's queer," remarked Jack. "Maybe the captain came up and got +them while you were asleep." + +"I didn't go to sleep," answered Mark rather crossly. + +Jack said nothing more, but took his place in the conning tower, while +Mark went below. Thinking to discover if the ghost might by any chance +have been one of the persons on the _Porpoise_, Mark looked into each +bunk. From the captain to Washington, all the inmates were peacefully +slumbering. + +"Queer," murmured Jack, as he took a look into the engine room before +turning in. The engine needed no attention, as it worked automatically, +and all there was to do was to steer the ship. Even this needed little +care as the course was a straight one, and the wheel could be locked, +leaving the lookout little to do. + +"Did you see anything during your watch?" asked Mark of Jack the next +morning. + +"See anything? What do you mean?" + +"I mean anything unusual." + +"Nothing, only a school of porpoises went past and gave me a little +scare. They were like a lot of water kittens at play." + +Mark concluded he would say nothing of the white visitor until he +ascertained whether any one else had seen it. + +It was several nights later, when the ship was once more proceeding +slowly along the surface of the water, that the ghost again appeared. +This time Washington had the midnight watch. + +But the colored man was not one to remain quiet when he had such a scary +visitor, and his yells aroused the ship. + +"It's a ghostess! A big white ghostess!" yelled Washington. "I don seen +it wid my eyes, an' it waved his arms at me. I's goin' to die suah!" + +"What's all this nonsense?" demanded the professor sternly. Then +Washington, more or less excitedly, told of what he had seen. It was +just as it had happened to Mark. + +"You were dreaming," said the professor to Washington. "There are no +such things as ghosts." + +Every one, from old Andy to Tom and Bill, had been roused by +Washington's cries, and listened to his story. At the close of the +recital of how the white thing had suddenly disappeared, Washington +refused to continue his watch, unless some one stayed with him. + +Mark volunteered to do this. He was anxious to see if the ghost would +reappear to him. But nothing happened; and the rest of the night passed +off quietly. + +The next day the _Porpoise_ was taken below the surface, in order to +allow of better speed being made. She was running along, submerged to a +depth of two hundred feet, when there came a sudden jar, and the ship +stopped. + +"More trouble!" exclaimed the professor. + +He opened the slide covering the bull's-eye windows and looked out. All +about was swirling muddy water. + +"Can you see anything?" the inventor called to Jack, who was in the +conning tower. + +"We've run into a mud-bank, and are stuck fast," called back the boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +DIGGING OUT THE SHIP + + +"Reverse the engine!" called the professor. "Maybe we can back the ship +out." + +Washington set the big screw to revolving in the opposite direction. The +_Porpoise_ shook and shivered but the mud held her fast. + +"We must have gone in pretty deep," commented Amos Henderson. "Luckily +it was soft mud instead of a rocky reef or we'd have damaged the ship +beyond repair." + +For several minutes the engines were kept on the reverse, but all to no +purpose. The sticky mud was like glue in its holding power and the ship +had buried her prow deep into it. + +"I guess we'll have to dig our way out," said the professor, after +taking a careful view of the big mud bank from the conning tower. +"Washington, get out the diving suits and the spades." + +"Are we really going out in the water to dig?" asked Tom. + +"Of course," said Mr. Henderson. "You'll be as safe as in the ship, +wearing one of my diving suits. We'll all have to help, for it will be +quite a task." + +The queer suits were brought out, and the reservoirs in the helmets were +filled with compressed air. It was decided to have Washington remain +within the _Porpoise_, to watch the machinery and start the engine when +the digging was partly done, in order to see if the ship would not pull +herself free when some of the mud had been removed from the prow. + +"And we may need Washington for another purpose," said the professor. + +"What for?" asked Mark. + +"Well, he'll have to stay by the diving tank, to let us in quickly in +case of emergency." + +"Do you think there'll be an emergency?" asked Jack. + +"You never can tell," was the answer. "We are in deep water, and I don't +want any accidents to happen." + +In a few minutes all save Washington were in their diving suits and +ready to go out and walk on the bottom of the sea. They entered the +tank, the door was closed, and then water was slowly admitted from the +ocean. When the tank was full, led by the professor, they stepped out on +the muddy floor of the ocean. + +At first the pressure of the water at so great a depth bothered them. +But, as we know, the diving suits were reinforced with plates of steel, +and so strong that little more than an extra weight of water was +noticed. They soon became used to it. Each one carried a spade, while +the professor, Andy and the boys each had, slung about their necks by +straps, one of the electric guns. + +Cautiously they walked toward the big mud bank. They had to go slowly +because of the weight of the water above them, and because they might at +any minute step into some muck hole and sink down. Fortunately, however, +they found there was a firm bottom right up to where the bank of mud +reared upward. + +Turning on the electric lights in their helmets, the voyagers were able +to see quite distinctly. The _Porpoise_ had rammed her nose into the +under-water hill for a distance of about ten feet. It was going to be no +easy matter to get her free, but the divers lost no time. + +Vigorously they attacked the big hill of mud. They dug their spades in +and tossed the earth to one side. It was a strange place to work. At +first the weight of water hampered every one, but they soon became used +to it and were able to proceed more rapidly. + +From the conning tower Washington kept watch of their progress. When +they had gone in about five feet he started the engines, hoping the +_Porpoise_ might now pull herself free. But the mud still held. + +By signs, for it was of course impossible for any one to hear or speak, +attired as they were in helmets and suits, the professor motioned that +they must dig deeper. + +Once more they attacked the big mud bank with their shovels. Farther and +farther they went into the muck until it seemed that the nose of the +submarine must be free. But when Washington started the engines it was +obvious that the ship was still held. + +Again the digging was resumed. All at once, while every one was wielding +his spade to best advantage, a shadow seemed to cover the water. It +loomed up large and black, and the professor stopped and gazed upward. +What he saw made him drop his spade and grab the gun that was about his +neck. + +Floating in the water above the diggers, were three immense sharks. +Their cruel mouths were partly open, showing three rows of big teeth, +and they were slowly turning over on their backs to make a sudden rush +and devour the men and boys. Owing to the peculiar shape of its maw a +shark can not bite until it turns over. + +The professor motioned for Bill and Tom to move behind him, and +signalled for Jack, Mark and Andy to stand close with their weapons +ready. + +The sharks floated lazily downward as if they knew they had the diggers +at their mercy. To run and escape was impossible, for no one could run +hampered by the weight of water and his diving suit. + +One of the terrible fish opened its mouth wider and, with a flirt of its +tail aimed straight for the professor. Mr. Henderson raised his gun, and +took careful aim at the middle of the fish, half turned over. Unerringly +the electric bullet sped on its way. It entered the soft under part of +the shark, and immediately the thing struggled in its death agony. + +The water was dyed with blood. At the same instant the other sharks +rushed forward in a swirl of foam. The boys and Andy fired as best they +could, and must have hit one of the creatures for there was a greater +commotion. + +But the fight was not over. Instantly the ocean seemed alive with the +giant fish. Attracted by the blood of the killed ones, scores of the +tigers of the seas rushed toward the scene of combat making matters +livelier than ever. + +The professor, the boys and Andy fired their guns at random. Redder and +more red became the water until their helmet lamps barely glowed in the +crimson sea. It seemed that a whole army of the voracious sharks had +attacked them. + +The professor realized that to stay and attempt to fight all the sharks +in that part of the ocean was impossible. He motioned for the boys and +Andy to follow him. Then he slowly led the way back to the ship. + +But the sharks were not to be gotten rid of so easily. Several of the +largest followed the diggers, their horrible eyes, and big mouths with +rows of cruel teeth, striking terror to the hearts of all. + +One of the creatures made a rush for Bill and Tom who were close +together. Either or both of the men would have been bitten in twain, in +spite of the protection of their diving suits, had not Mark, with a snap +shot, killed the fierce fish. + +It was now a running fight, and yet not so much that, because to run was +impossible. However, they hurried all they could, and, by dint of quick +firing kept the ugly creatures at bay until the side of the ship, where +the diving tank was placed, was reached. + +The professor stepped to one side, and motioned for the others to +proceed him in entering. Little time was lost. As Bill, the last one in, +stepped past the steel door the inventor attempted to enter. To do so he +had to let go of his gun. + +Instantly one of the sharks made a rush for the old man. But Andy was +on the watch. He leaned forward, and, from his weapon sent a bullet +straight down the throat of the monster. The electric missile did its +work well, and the lifeless body of the shark was devoured by the others +of its tribe. + +The professor pulled the door shut behind him. Then he set the pump to +work to empty the tank. As he did so there was a tremor to the ship. +What could it mean? + +In a few minutes the tank was empty and the divers stepped out into the +ship, freed from the oppressive weight of water. The ship continued to +vibrate and seemed to be in motion. + +"What is it?" asked Mark as soon as he had his helmet off. + +"De ship am free! We've got off de mud bank!" exclaimed Washington, +running in from the engine room. + +It was true. Enough had been dug so that, with the power of the screw +working backward, there was sufficient force to pull the _Porpoise_ from +her perilous position. + +"Empty the tanks and rise to the surface," said the professor. + +In a few minutes the ship was on top of the waves, the adventurers freed +from the double danger of the mud and sharks. They congratulated each +other on the good outcome of the fight with the monster fishes. + +Wearied with their labors and the battle under the waves, the travelers +sat up on the deck breathing in the fresh breeze. Then, after a while, +supper was made ready and eaten with good appetites. + +It was decided hereafter to sail along near the surface at night, and +not to submerge the ship deeply save during daylight, when it was easier +to distinguish objects under the water. + +Following this plan the _Porpoise_ steamed along just awash that night, +and the next day was sent down about fifty feet below the surface. + +One afternoon, when the travelers were resting, having partaken of a +fine meal, the professor went on deck to make some observations, the +ship having been raised for that purpose. He came down, somewhat +excited. + +"Well, we're half way to the pole," he announced. + +"How can you tell?" asked Mark. + +"Because we have just crossed the equator. We went over the imaginary +line three minutes ago." + +"I was wondering what made it so warm," said Jack. + +"I guess you dreamed it was hotter," spoke the professor. "It has been +just as hot as this for the last few days. Crossing the line makes no +difference." + +"Then we are really in the southern hemisphere now," said Mark. + +"That's where we are," replied Mr. Henderson. + +He put his instruments away. + +"Well, we may as well go below the surface again," he remarked. + +"Come quick! Hurry up!" yelled Washington from the deck. "Dar's a +shipwreck up heah! Somebody's on it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE STRANGE SHIPWRECK + + +The professor, followed by the boys and Tom, Bill and Andy hastened on +deck. They saw Washington pointing excitedly off to the west. There, +rising and falling on the easy swell, was the wreck of a large vessel. + +She had been a three masted schooner, but now only the stumps of the +masts remained and the craft was rolling to and fro. It had settled low +in the water, and was quite deep by the head, so that, at times, the +waves broke over the bow in a shower of spray. + +But what attracted the attention of the adventurers more than anything +else was the sight of two figures near what had been the after cabin of +the ship. + +There they stood, frantically waving their hands toward those on the +submarine. Across the water that separated the two craft, there came a +faint hail. + +"I suppose they are nearly dead," exclaimed the inventor. "We must save +them." + +He ordered the _Porpoise_ sent ahead slowly toward the wreck. The +distance was about half a mile, and was soon covered. As the submarine +approached closer those on the schooner could be observed more plainly. + +"One of 'em is a woman!" exclaimed Jack, who was using the glasses. + +"Let me see," spoke the professor. + +"You're right," he added. "The other is a little girl." + +A few minutes later the _Porpoise_ was alongside. The woman and child +came to the rail of the schooner, which was barely five feet above the +waves. + +"Can you jump down, or shall I come aboard and get you?" asked Mr. +Henderson seeing the woman hesitate. + +"I can jump down, if you will catch the child," said the woman. "Oh I am +so glad you came," she added. "We are almost dead from hunger and +thirst, and the wreck is ready to sink and cannot last many hours +longer." + +"Pass the little girl down to me," spoke Andy. "Then you jump. We'll +save you all right." + +The little girl reached the deck in safety, and the woman, who proved to +be her mother, followed. + +"Now take us to your ship," said the woman. + +"You must be a long way from her, as she is not in sight." + +"Our ship is right here," spoke Mr. Henderson with a smile. + +"Where, I don't see her," and the woman looked in all directions. + +"Allow me to introduce you to Profess Amos Henderson's famous submarine, +the _Porpoise_," spoke the inventor with a bow. "But come, let us go +below. You must be suffering, and here I am making speeches." + +"Indeed I am hungry, and thirsty too," said the woman. "So is Nellie. +But I thought this was merely a small boat, sent from some large ship to +get us." + +The woman and girl descended to the cabin of the submarine, where +Washington set before them a fine meal. Under the advice of the +professor they partook sparingly of food and drink at first, as, having +eaten nothing in many hours, the inventor said they must begin by taking +a little at a time. + +As soon as they had finished and become somewhat rested, the woman told +her story. She was Mrs. Johnson, a widow, her husband having once owned +and been captain of the schooner that was wrecked. After his death she +and her daughter, having become part owners of the craft, disposing of +a third interest to the former mate of the ship, had set out on one of +the voyages to South American ports. + +They had had good weather going, and took on a valuable cargo of lumber +and rare woods. But the return trip was more perilous. Heavy storms had +buffeted the craft almost from the time of leaving port, and in one +heavy blow, ten days before, the ship had been wrecked. + +"What became of the crew?" asked Mr. Henderson. + +"They took to the boats," replied Mrs. Johnson. "My little girl and +myself were to go with the mate and his men. The waves were fearfully +high, and, as they held the boat close to the schooner so we could get +in, a big roller smashed the little craft. The men must have all been +drowned for I never afterwards caught sight of one of them." + +"But the other boats?" asked the inventor. + +"They had gotten too far away to hail, supposing that I would be taken +care of by the mate. There was nothing for Nellie and I to do but stay +on board, expecting the ship to sink every minute." + +"And you have been there ever since?" inquired Andy. + +"Ever since. That was ten days ago. Every day I thought it would be our +last. The storm passed away and the sea became calm but the ship kept +settling lower and lower. Only the fact that part of the cargo was wood +kept her afloat so long. I managed to get some provisions and water up +on deck, but the sea had spoiled most of the stuff. We had to eat only a +little at a time, as I knew it would be some days before we could be +rescued, if we ever were. Two days ago we ate the last of the food and +drank almost the last of the water." + +"Then you had nothing since then," spoke Jack. + +"Only a few drops of rain that I caught on a piece of sail," answered +Mrs. Johnson. + +"Never mind, you can have all you want now, mother," said Nellie, coming +over to pat her parent's cheek. "Oh," the child went on, "I was so +thirsty I could just cry when I thought of such things as ice cream +sodas." + +"I guess you could," agreed Mark. "Well, we can't give you any soda +water, but we have plenty of the other kind." + +Mrs. Johnson was much interested in the _Porpoise_ and Professor +Henderson showed her all about the craft. Though the quarters were +rather cramped, a small cabin was fitted up for the lady and her +daughter. + +"We will travel a bit under the water so you can get used to it," said +the captain after a tour of the ship had been made. The tanks were +filled, and the _Porpoise_ sank beneath the waves. At first Mrs. Johnson +was much frightened, and Nellie cried. But when they saw how skillfully +the ship was managed, and how easy it was to rise again, they lost their +fears. + +For several days the voyage was continued. Mrs. Johnson and Nellie +remained aboard as there was no place to land them, and they said they +wished to stay until they met some ship sailing north. + +One day, just at dusk, when the _Porpoise_, after a long run under the +water had come to the surface, the professor, came up on deck to take a +look around. Washington and Andy accompanied him. + +"Looks like land, off there to the left," remarked the old hunter. + +"Get the glasses, Washington," said Mr. Henderson. "It may be a ship." + +He took a long and careful look through the binoculars. + +"It's some sort of land," he announced. "We'll go over in the morning +and see what it is. Probably it's an island, for there's no main land in +these parts. We are in the middle of the southern Atlantic now." + +The next morning, after breakfast, the _Porpoise_ was headed toward the +dark spot on the surface of the water that the professor had gazed at +the evening before. As they came nearer it was seen that the place was a +large island. + +"But it's a mighty queer one," spoke Mr. Henderson. "It looks more like +a big volcano than anything else." + +As the ship came nearer it was seen that this was true. The island rose +abruptly from the surface of the sea in a big ridge, slightly rounded. +There appeared to be no signs of life on the land, but in the air +overhead hovered several big birds. These circled about and then +fluttered down, seemingly about the middle of the island. + +"We'll sail around and see if there's a place to land," spoke the +inventor. "There doesn't seem to be a good harbor on this side." + +Slowly the _Porpoise_ made the circuit. The island appeared to be almost +round. When they had gone about half way around Andy, who was staring +ahead, cried out: + +"Look out Professor! Don't go any nearer or we'll be sucked into the +whirlpool!" + +The inventor looked where the hunter pointed. Then he beheld the +strangest sight he had ever seen. The island was low toward where Andy +pointed and they beheld the waters of the ocean pouring over the edge +of it, and falling down into an immense hole with a roar like that of +Niagara Falls. + +"Reverse the ship!" cried Professor Henderson. "Send her back quickly, +Washington, or we'll be sucked down!" + +The colored man lost no time, and the big screw was sent whirling in the +opposite direction. And it was high time, for already the onward rush of +the falling waters was slowly drawing the ship toward the big cavern. + +"That was a lucky escape," commented Amos Henderson. "Well, as we can't +land there we'll try the other way around." + +The ship was headed in the opposite direction, and, after an hour's +sailing, a good harbor was discovered. The _Porpoise_ was anchored in +shallow water close to the shore and in a small boat the professor, Andy +and the two boys went to the strange island. + +They found it merely an immense circle of land with the middle part +taken up by the big hole. And such a hole as it was! It was so wide +across that they could not see the farther side, and the depth they +could only guess at. Looking down they could only see great rolling +masses of clouds or vapor. + +"Perhaps it's steam," suggested Jack. + +"Maybe it is," agreed the professor. "If this is a volcano, with lava in +it, the water of the ocean, pouring in on the other side, may be changed +to steam." + +"Do you suppose this hole leads to the centre of the earth?" asked Mark. +"I've read somewhere, that the earth is hollow." + +"Some scientists believe it," commented the professor. "This looks like +a big enough hole to lead clear through to China. Hark, you can hear the +roar of the water now." + +They listened, and the wind brought to them the sound of the sea pouring +down into the unfathomable depths. + +"Let's throw a big rock down," suggested Jack. "Maybe we can hear it +strike bottom." + +With the aid of Mark he cast a big boulder down into the depths. They +listened intently, but not the slightest sound echoed back. + +"I guess the bottom is too far away for you to hear the stone land," +said the professor. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE GHOST AGAIN + + +They spent some time looking down into the hole. The masses of vapor, or +clouds, rolled and swirled hundreds of feet below them, but never broke +sufficiently to allow of a clear sight. + +"Well, we had better go back to the ship," remarked the professor. "We +must continue our voyage." + +They were soon on the _Porpoise_ and steaming away from the strange +island, the inventor deciding to get far off out of the influence of the +terrible waterfall. + +The night was, as usual, spent with the ship slowly steaming ahead on +the surface of the water. It was getting on toward twelve o'clock and +Washington had the watch. He was to be relieved by Jack. + +The latter had been awakened by the alarm clock at the head of his bed, +which time-piece he had set to arouse him so that he might take +Washington's place. Jack was just getting the sleep from his eyes by a +vigorous rubbing when he heard a loud yell. + +"Land a' Massy!" cried Washington from the deck above. "I's goin' t' die +suah! De ghostess am after me ag'in!" + +Without waiting to dress, Jack sprang up the ladder and was soon out on +the deck. He saw Washington kneeling down in front of the conning tower +door while, at the after end of the deck, was a mysterious white object; +the same strange shape that had been observed before. + +"I'm going to solve this puzzle!" exclaimed Jack to himself as he made a +dive toward the object in white. "This ghost business will have to +stop!" + +But, unfortunately for his plans, his foot slipped on the smooth steel +deck, and he went down in a heap. When he got up the ghost was nowhere +to be seen. + +Washington, however, was still kneeling down and praying to be spared +from the attack of the midnight visitor. Jack limped over to the colored +man. + +"Keep still," said the boy. "It's gone now. What was it, anyhow?" + +"Some ghost from de grabeyard," replied Washington. + +"When did you see it first?" went on Jack. + +"'Bout ten minutes ago," replied Washington. + +"Well it's gone now," said Jack, though he had to admit to himself that +the affair was somewhat puzzling. Professor Henderson had been awakened +by the yells of the colored man and came on deck to see what the trouble +was. He appeared somewhat annoyed when Washington told him what had +happened. + +"There are no ghosts!" declared the inventor in positive tones. + +"You wouldn't say so, Perfessor, if you'd seen him," spoke Washington. +"He were all in white, tall an' slim, an' big red eyes, an' a green +nose, an' fire comin' from his mouth an'--" + +"Nonsense," interrupted Jack. "It was nothing but a white object, +Professor Henderson. I saw it." + +"And what do you think it was?" asked the inventor. + +"I--I can hardly say," replied Jack. "Of course I don't believe in +ghosts, but this--" + +"It was probably a mist from the ocean," interrupted the professor. +"Don't let me hear any more of it. Washington, go below. Your watch is +up and Jack will take charge. I don't believe there will be any more +ghosts." + +Nor were there that night. The _Porpoise_ glided along, requiring little +attention, and when morning broke was several miles nearer the southern +pole. + +The journey was continued beneath the waves and it was found much cooler +under them than upon the surface, for the ship was in the midst of the +equatorial heat. + +About four o'clock in the afternoon, when all was quiet aboard, there +came a sudden yell from the engine room. Washington's voice could be +heard calling for help. Then it died away in a groan. + +"Something has happened!" called Jack. "Washington is in trouble." + +He hurried toward where the machinery could be heard buzzing. The +professor, with Andy and Mark followed. They expected to see the colored +man caught in some shaft or belt, but he was nowhere in sight. + +"Perhaps he has fallen into the ocean," suggested Mark. + +"The engine room does not open into the sea," answered the professor. + +A deep groan came from some corner of the engine room. + +"There he is!" cried Jack. + +But a careful search failed to reveal Washington. Still he could be +heard to groan at intervals. Bill and Tom came and aided in the search, +while Mrs. Johnson, who was worried at the unusual activity, asked what +the trouble was. + +Captain Henderson did not tell her, for, as he said afterward, he did +not want any women fainting away on his ship. At his request Mrs. +Johnson went back to her cabin, and the hunt for Washington continued. + +"Here he is!" cried Jack at last. + +The boy had climbed up on a small ladder that led to the big storage +battery tanks. He had looked down, and there, in the large metal box had +spied the colored man on the bottom. Washington was unconscious and +breathing heavily. + +"He has been overcome by the fumes of the sulphuric acid!" exclaimed the +professor. "We must get him out quickly or he will die!" + +"I'll get him!" cried Andy. + +The old hunter grabbed a small step ladder that stood against the wall +of the engine room. With this on his shoulder he climbed up the steps +which led to the top of the storage battery tank. Then, by means of his +ladder, he descended inside. + +He had to work quickly as the fumes were very strong, but he managed to +hoist Washington up so that Bill and Tom, from outside, could take hold +of him. Then the colored man was carried out on the deck, where the +fresh air and some restoratives the professor used soon revived him. + +"Is I dead," were Washington's first words, as he sat up and looked +about him. + +"Not this time," replied the professor. "You had a close call, though. +How did it happen?" + +Washington explained that he started to clean the battery tank, when he +lost his balance and fell in. He cried as he felt himself falling, but +as soon as he struck the bottom of the tank the fumes of the chemicals +made him unconscious. His deep breathing, which had sounded like groans, +alone served to attract attention to his location. + +In a little while Washington was all right save for a slight weakness. +Captain Henderson made him go to his bunk, and ordered him to remain +there until morning. + +During the excitement over Washington's mishap all thought of steering +the ship had been forgotten, and when Mr. Henderson went to the conning +tower about five o'clock he found that the _Porpoise_ was several points +off her course and was headed to the east instead of to the south. How +many miles out of her way the craft had steamed could only be guessed, +but as she had been going wrong for nearly an hour, it must be quite a +few the inventor calculated. + +However, he said, no great harm had been done. Even this slight accident +would not have happened had not Bill, who was in the conning tower +steering, forgotten to put the automatic device in operation when he +left the wheel to join in the search for Washington. + +"We'll soon make up the lost ground," said Mr. Henderson. "Another week +or ten days ought to see us at the end of our journey." + +"And what will we do when we get there?" asked Jack. + +"We will make some important geographical and scientific observations," +said the professor. "Not only that, but we will have done something that +no living person has ever accomplished. We reached the north pole, +though we could not land on the exact spot. Let us hope we will be more +successful regarding the south pole." + +The professor set the ship on her course again. Bill and Tom got supper +in place of Washington, while Mrs. Johnson helped set the table. + +The meal was eaten, and then the inventor started the ship toward the +surface, following the plan of not sailing beneath the waves after dark, +in order to avoid accidents. + +The craft was making good speed ahead, with the big screw revolving in +the tunnel and spurting the water from the rear, when there came a +sudden jar, and everyone nearly toppled over from the quick stopping of +the _Porpoise_. At the same time the forward end seemed to go up in the +air. + +"What has happened? Are we sinking?" cried Mrs. Johnson. + +"I think we are going up," spoke the professor in cool tones. + +"In the air?" asked the lady. + +"On the land," answered the inventor. "I think we have struck shore and +slid up on a beach." + +He ordered the engine stopped and hurried to the conning tower to make +an observation. He turned on the searchlight and looked carefully at +what the beams showed. Then he came back to the cabin. + +"Well, what is it?" asked Mrs. Johnson. + +"We have gone ashore, just as I supposed," said Mr. Henderson. + +"And whereabouts are we?" + +"On the coast of South America." + +"Near where?" + +"Near Terra Del Fuego, the land of fire!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ATTACKED BY SAVAGES + + +"Are we in any danger?" asked Mrs. Johnson. + +"I hope not," replied the captain. "If the ship is not strained the +rising tide will probably float her safely, and we can continue our +trip. We will have to wait until morning to see, however." + +"And if the ship is damaged?" + +"We will have to do what we can. We will hope for the best, madam." + +The professor went on deck. His first opinion of the accident was +confirmed. The _Porpoise_, in emerging from the waves, had slid well up +on a sandy shore, where she was held fast because the tide was rapidly +falling. It would be twelve hours before there would be a chance of her +floating again. + +The mishap had occurred because the ship had gotten off her course when +Washington's accident occurred, and had not been set right in time. + +However, as Mr. Henderson had said, there was no particular danger, +unless it was found that some of the plates had been strained, which +might cause a leak. + +The night was passed with the nose of the _Porpoise_ well up on shore, +and before morning, as the tide continued to fall, more and more of the +craft became exposed until the whole steel body rested on the sloping +beach. + +Jack was the first to awaken. He was up with the sun, and went out on +the deck to take a view of the country he had often heard about. A +stretch of wild landscape met his eyes, and to the left and right of the +ship the waves were breaking on jagged rocks. + +"It's a good thing we didn't hit the rocks," thought the youth. + +Mark came up on deck, and the two boys looked over the scene. It was a +strange one. Beyond the beach was a low level country, green in places, +with now and then a patch of what looked like trees. + +"And what are those brown spots moving about?" asked Mark. + +"I guess they are herds of cattle," replied Jack. "You know South +America is a great place for them." + +For half an hour the two lads gazed about. Except for the stern of the +_Porpoise_ all of the craft was now out of water, and one could have +jumped from the low deck down to a mound of white sand of the beach. + +"Let's go ashore and take a run," suggested Mark. "I've almost forgotten +how to walk on dry land." + +"Go ahead," answered Jack. "I'm with you." + +"All right." + +The boys lost no time in getting down to the beach. They found it hard +and firm, and made their way to the strip of grass-covered land lying +beyond. Up and down they wandered, finding many curious and beautifully +marked shells where the waves had washed them. + +Suddenly Jack gave a big jump and let out a yell. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mark. + +"I thought I saw one of those cocoanuts move," answered Jack, pointing +to where several of the big shaggy fruits lay under a tree from which +they had fallen. + +"I guess you're right," spoke Mark. "I certainly saw one of them take a +little side step. I wonder what does it." + +As the boys watched they were surprised, to see one of the cocoanuts +come toward them, apparently advancing without any visible means of +locomotion. + +"This is a queer country," remarked Jack, getting ready to run in case +the strangely moving cocoanut might be a warning of danger. + +"Look! There's a whole lot of them moving," cried Mark. + +Sure enough a dozen or more of the nuts began to advance toward the +lads. The boys were not so much afraid as they were surprised. But a few +seconds later the reason for the strange sight was made plain. + +As they looked they saw one of the nuts roll down a little mound of +sand. Then they noticed that a big land crab was on the tiny hill and it +was evident that the nut had fallen from his claws. + +"It's the crabs!" exclaimed Mark. "I remember reading about them now. +They come ashore from the water where they live part of the time and get +the cocoanuts. Then they smash the shells by pounding the nuts on a +stone and eat the white meat inside. They are called cocoanut crabs." + +"I was beginning to think we were in some enchanted land," spoke Jack. + +"Well, it certainly looked queer," agreed Mark. + +For some time the boys watched the strange sight. Then they walked along +the beach, seeing several large star fish, and some big horse-shoe crabs +that had been stranded by the tide. + +"Look at that immense turtle!" exclaimed Mark, as one of the creatures +scuttled over the sand toward the sea. "I'll bet she's been laying +eggs!" + +"Perhaps so." + +They made a rush for the tortoise but were not quick enough, for she +slid into the water and made off. + +"Here's her nest, anyhow," called Jack, as he pointed to some eggs, +thinly covered with sand. "Let's go back and take them with us. I've +heard they are good eating." + +Jack and Mark started to gather up as many of the eggs as they could in +their hats. While they were thus engaged they heard a call from the ship +and looked up to see coming toward them, all of the ship's company +except Washington. + +"I wonder if anything could have happened," spoke Mark. + +He and Jack dropped the eggs and started on a run toward the stranded +ship. They were reassured, however, when they saw the professor waving +his hand at them. When he got within hailing distance the inventor +called: + +"It's all right, boys. We're just taking a little walk, before +breakfast, for an appetizer. It's been some time since we were on land. +Washington says he'll have some fine fried ham for us in a little +while." + +"And here are the eggs to go with it," spoke Jack. + +"Have you found a hen house?" asked Mr. Henderson in some wonder. + +"No, but we discovered a turtle, which is just as good," replied Mark. +The professor agreed with him, and called for Washington to come and get +the eggs. + +"Wall I 'clare to goodness!" exclaimed the colored man as he gathered +the product of the turtle up in his cook's apron. "Dis suttinly am a +queer contraption of a country to find eggs growin' in de sand." + +He shuffled back to the ship, while the others walked up and down on the +beach. In about half an hour the professor suggested that they return. + +"Washington must have breakfast ready by now," he said, "and I, for one, +am hungry enough to enjoy it." + +They turned toward the stranded _Porpoise_ but no sooner had their eyes +taken in the sweep of the ocean that lay before them than they uttered +cries of fear. + +Spreading out from the beach in a big half circle that enclosed within +its curve the submarine, were three score of canoes, each one filled +with half naked savages. + +"The natives are going to attack the ship!" cried the professor. "We +must hurry back or we are lost!" + +He started on the run, accompanied by the boys and men. Mrs. Johnson and +her daughter brought up the rear. The adventurers had gone from one +misfortune into another. + +At the top of their speed they approached the stranded ship. The natives +saw them coming and the next instant hundreds of paddles broke the waves +into a mass of sparkling water as the wily savages urged their canoes +swiftly toward the submarine. + +"If we can only reach it first we can hold them off until the tide +floats us, and then we can escape," said the professor. + +He increased his pace though the run was beginning to tell on his aged +frame. The adventurers were now within an eighth of a mile of the ship, +but the savages were closer, and had the advantage of being able to make +greater speed. The two forces approached nearer and nearer. Finally the +first of the canoes reached the submerged end of the _Porpoise_. + +With wild shouts a score of the brown men leaped from the boats and +scrambled up the steel sides. An instant later they were joined by +several canoe loads of their companions. They swarmed up on the deck, +and some peered down the winding stairs that led to the interior of the +ship. + +"Too late!" cried the professor. "They have captured the _Porpoise_!" + +"But Washington is aboard!" shouted Jack. + +As he spoke the colored man was seen clambering up out of the companion +way. He gave one look at the wild natives who swarmed over the ship, and +then, with a yell to be heard a long way off, disappeared below. + +The shouts and cries of the savages grew louder and they seemed to be +doing a sort of war dance. + +"We must make one effort to drive them away," said the professor in +desperation. + +"We haven't even a revolver," spoke Andy. + +"Let's use stones," suggested Jack, grabbing up a handful from the +beach. + +"Look out!" yelled Mark. "They are going to shoot some arrows!" + +A second later a flight of the weapons filled the air. Fortunately the +natives were too far away to permit the shots taking effect, but it +showed that they intend to fight and take possession of the ship. + +Even this did not frighten Mr. Henderson. His vessel was more than life +to him and he kept on. Several arrows fell dangerously close and he +might have been hurt had not old Andy run after him and induced him to +go farther up the beach and out of harm's way. + +"They will kill Washington!" cried Jack as he thought of the colored man +at the mercy of the savages. + +"There he comes!" yelled Mark. + +He pointed toward the ship and as they all looked in that direction they +saw the colored man climbing out on the deck. Under one arm he bore a +long narrow box, and in the other hand he carried one of the electric +guns. + +"He's goin' to fight 'em!" exclaimed Andy. "He's got a gun and he will +show 'em what's what!" + +But Washington did not seem to have any such intentions. With a yell +that equalled the savage cries of the natives, he sprang over the side +of the ship, onto the sand and ran toward the group of adventurers. A +flight of arrows followed him, but he was not hit. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ON LAND + + +"Why don't he shoot his gun at 'em?" demanded Andy, capering about on +the sand. "He could soon scare 'em off!" + +"I'm afraid Washington is too frightened to do anything like that," +answered Professor Henderson. "He is lucky to have escaped alive." + +"Wait until he gets here with that gun, an' I'll do some huntin' that +will make them savages skip!" exclaimed Andy. + +In a little while Washington came up to where the others from the +_Porpoise_ stood on the beach. The colored man was panting from his run. + +"De most monstrous disproportionately extradition ob circumstantial +occurrances dat ever transpositioned on my optical vasionariness!" he +exclaimed as he laid his gun and the black box carefully down on the +sand. "Ten thousand naked imps of darkness swarmin' ober de ship an' not +a pusson to say what dey ought to do an' where dey ought t' go! It am +suttinly terrible!" + +"Why didn't you shoot some of 'em?" demanded Andy. + +"Me?" exclaimed Washington. "What for I want t' shoot 'em? S'pose I want +'em t' git mad at me?" + +"Well, you're a great one," went on Andy, picking up the gun. "I guess +I'll have to take a few shots myself." + +"Yes, sah." + +From Washington the adventurers learned how the savages had silently +come up in their canoes and surrounded the ship, gaining possession of +it before he could make any effort at defense, even had he so desired. + +"What are we to do now?" asked Mrs. Johnson, when they had retreated out +of sight of the savages. "The natives have possession of the boat, and +how are we to regain her when there are so many of them?" + +"It certainly is a hard nut to crack," admitted the professor. "We will +have to camp out on the beach for a while and see what happens. Perhaps +they may leave the vessel when they find it will do them no good. They +can't run her." + +"But they can tear her all apart and damage the machinery," said Jack. +"Then we would be in a pickle." + +"Well, we won't hope for any such bad luck as that," interrupted the +professor. "We will look for the best." + +"When are we going to have breakfast?" asked the little girl, after a +long wait. "I'm hungry, mother." + +"We will have it pretty soon," replied Mrs. Johnson in order to quiet +her daughter's mind. + +"But I want it now," continued Nellie. "I'm very hungry." + +"Hush!" said Mrs. Johnson. + +"An' I had de finest brekfust what was ever invented," said Washington, +rolling his big eyes. "Mud turkle eggs, ham, preserves, coffee--" + +"That will do, Washington," said the professor. "It only makes our +mouths water to think about such things." + +At the mention of the turtle eggs Jack nudged Mark, and signalled him to +walk to one side. When they were out of earshot of the others Jack said: + +"What's the matter with cooking some of the eggs that are left on the +sand? There are plenty of them, and there is no sense in our going +hungry." + +"How you going to cook 'em?" asked Mark. + +"I'll show you," replied Jack. + +He scooped a hollow place out in the sand until he had quite a hole. +This he banked up with stones until he had a small oven. By arching the +stones over toward the top there was left a sort of circular opening. +Over this Jack fitted a monster clam shell, with the concave side +uppermost. + +This made an improvised stew pan. Underneath was piled small bits of dry +drift-wood, which a match soon set on fire. In a little while the water +in the big shell was boiling. + +"Now get some other shells for dishes," said Jack to Mark. + +Soon Mark had piled up a lot of smaller shells. + +"Help me gather some eggs now," said Jack, "and we'll put them in to +boil. Then we'll invite the rest of the folks to breakfast." + +The two boys soon uncovered from the sand a pile of the eggs, and in a +little while they were steaming in the hot water. Then Jack arranged the +shell-dishes on the sand. He went over to where the others were gloomily +considering their plight. + +"Breakfast is ready," he announced. + +"This isn't any time for joking," spoke Professor Henderson, rather +sternly. + +"But I mean it," went on Jack. "Just come over and see. I'm not fooling +you." + +Wondering what he had done they all followed him. + +"Welcome to Hotel Terra del Fuego!" cried Mark. "We haven't much of a +variety, but what there is we can recommend." + +He began to dip the eggs out of the water with a bit of shell and placed +them on the improvised dishes. + +"Everyone sit down," commanded Jack. "The bill of fare is ready." + +They all joined in the short laugh that followed, and soon were seated +in a circle about the beach-oven. The eggs proved to be very good, even +though there was no pepper. The salt of the sea water they were boiled +in was more than sufficient. + +"Now if there was only bread in that ammunition bag Washington brought +with the gun," said Andy, "we wouldn't want a better meal." + +"He'p yo'se'f!" exclaimed the colored man with a grin as he extended a +canvas bag that was tied to the stock of the electric gun. + +The old hunter opened it and found it filled with ship biscuits. + +"Well I am stumped!" he exclaimed. + +"I grabbed up de wrong thing in my haste," Washington explained. "I +thought I had de electrical lightning bullets, but I didn't. Howsomever +de gun's got some in de chamber." + +"It's a lucky mistake," commented the professor as he munched a biscuit +and an egg. "Bullets are good but these are better, when one is +hungry." + +They managed to make a fairly good meal, so that even hungry Nellie was +satisfied. The boys found a spring of fresh water up on shore, and this +furnished something to drink, for which they were grateful. + +They sat about on the beach, after the breakfast and discussed what they +had better do. It was evident that an attempt to regain possession of +the ship, with their small force and only one weapon, was out of the +question. + +"We've got to use strategy," said Andy. "If we could play some trick on +the savages we might scare them away. Otherwise I don't see what we are +to do." + +"It's a bad state of affairs," replied professor Henderson. "Even if we +got the ship we might find it so badly damaged that it would be +impossible to run it. It is a terrible thing," and he heaved a deep +sigh. + +The hours passed with no change in the situation. The savages remained +in possession of the submarine, and did not seem inclined to quit the +vessel. Most of them were inside, but quite a number paddled about the +stranded craft in their canoes. + +There was nothing for the adventurers to do but to await developments. +With no chance of attacking the force of natives, they might consider +themselves lucky if the savages did not come ashore to give battle. + +The sun was high in the heavens when, in the shade of a big tree where +they had all taken refuge from the heat, Nellie again announced that she +was hungry. + +"I guess the boys will have to provide another meal," said Mr. +Henderson. + +Jack and Mark said they guessed they could find some more turtle eggs, +and Washington volunteered to accompany them. As they were looking for a +nest in the sand they saw one of the tortoises scurrying down to the +ocean. + +"Git her, quick!" cried the colored man. "Turn her ober on her back!" + +The boys did so, though they did not know what Washington's object was. +The big animal lay bottom side up, vainly moving its flippers. In a few +minutes Washington had killed the turtle and cut it out of the shell. + +"Now we'll hab turtle soup!" he exclaimed. + +Soon the fire was again blazing in the improvised stove, and a little +later an appetizing smell filled the air. Washington had made the soup, +and, in addition, had cooked a number of the turtle eggs. + +Big clam shells again served for dishes and a better meal than the +breakfast was served. + +"Now if we only had some dessert," spoke Mr. Henderson in a joking +tone, "we wouldn't want much more. But I suppose dessert is out of the +question." + +Jack and Mark looked at each other and, without a word went off toward +the woods. In a little while they came back, their arms filled with +cocoanuts. + +"How will these do for dessert?" asked Jack. + +"Fine!" cried Mr. Henderson. + +The fruit was broken open with stones and the delicious milk and soft +pulp eaten with much relish. Then the adventurers stretched out beneath +the trees and rested. The thoughts of each one were busy with plans for +recovering the submarine, though no one seemed to be able to suggest any +thing. + +It was getting dusk, when, somewhat discouraged over the result of the +visit of the savages, they were all seated on the beach. They were +beginning to think again of something to eat when Andy Sudds, discovered +the long black box which Washington had brought with him in his flight +from the _Porpoise_, and dropped in a hollow. + +"I suppose you've got something very fine in there, Washington?" + +"I declare to goodness I don't know what dat air contraption am +conglomerated with," said the colored man. "I jest grabbed it up and +run." + +The old hunter had, in the meanwhile, taken the cover off. + +"What in the world have we struck," he exclaimed. + +"Sky rockets!" cried Jack, with a glance at the contents of the box. + +"Yes," said Professor Henderson. "I took some aboard in case we might +have to signal for help on the water." + +"Hurrah!" yelled Andy. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jack. + +"We'll use the sky rockets as weapons against the natives!" shouted the +old hunter, capering about on the sand. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +REGAINING THE SHIP + + +At first the others did not know what he meant. Andy seemed much +excited, and for a time the professor thought the heat and worry might +have affected the hunter's mind. + +"We'll show 'em a thing or two!" cried Andy. "I once scared a lot of +Indians this way so they didn't know whether they were on their head or +their feet. Hurrah!" + +"What are you talking about?" asked Mr. Henderson. "Hadn't you better +sit down and rest a bit?" + +"I'm all right," replied Andy. "I'm talking about those sky rockets. +They'll be better than bullets. You see," he went on, "after it gets +dark we'll shoot the rockets over the ship. The savages will think they +are in the midst of a lot of falling stars, and if they don't take to +their boats and leave us the ship I'll miss my guess, that's all." + +"Good!" exclaimed the inventor. "We'll try it." + +The rockets were taken out and examined. They were big affairs of +several pound weight and were intended for far-off signalling at sea. + +Andy, with the aid of the boys, Tom and Bill, soon constructed a rough +sort of support from which to set off the fire-works. As soon as it grew +dark, which it did about seven o'clock, preparations were made to try +the experiment. + +With a whizz and roar the first rocket went sailing skyward. Up through +the black night it went, trailing behind it a shower of fire and sparks. +Then, with a loud report like that of a gun it burst directly over the +ship and a rain of brilliantly colored globes of flame descended. + +"Shot number one!" cried Andy, who was setting off the rockets. + +For a few seconds after the first flight there came no sound from the +natives at the ship. Then, just as the second rocket was set off there +issued a long-drawn howl, which was succeeded by cries of fear. + +"We've waked 'em up!" shouted Jack. + +In rapid succession several more rockets were sent over the _Porpoise_. +By the light of them could be seen a mass of natives crowded out on the +small deck, while others were in their canoes. + +"I think I'll try it a little lower this time," remarked Andy. "Maybe I +can hit some of 'em!" + +He slanted the support closer to the ground and set off two rockets at +once. Straight across the sandy beach they flew, directly toward the +crowd of natives on the ship. Right into the midst of the savages the +trailing comet of fire shot, with a hiss, roar and sputter that was +enough to strike terror into the bravest heart. + +There was a long piercing howl of fear. Then, as the natives felt the +hot sparks scatter over their half-naked bodies, they broke into a wild +stampede. Over the side of the ship they plunged, into the sea, and swam +off. Those in boats paddled quickly away. + +For good measure Andy sent another rocket into the midst of the fleeing +ones, and this served to quicken their departure. By the light of the +last one it could be seen that the ship was deserted, though the water +all about her was black with the swimming savages, and the canoes. + +"I guess they won't come back in a hurry!" cried Andy. "Come on! We'll +board the ship now, and get the electric guns to ward off any further +attacks!" + +"That's the talk!" cried Mark. + +Toward the _Porpoise_ all started on a run. As they neared her they +found that the rising tide had floated her. + +"We must see if the natives damaged her," spoke Mr. Henderson as soon as +he set foot on deck. "If they have it will be a hard matter to make +repairs so far from civilization." + +A hasty examination, however, showed that the savages had disturbed +little. The engine was soon set in motion, and, in ten minutes the ship +was steaming away from the coast, headed toward the south, the goal they +were so eagerly seeking. + +As soon as they were well out to sea, and all sight of the canoes of the +savages had been lost, supper was served, and all brought good appetites +to the table. For, though the improvised meals on shore had tasted good, +there had not been much to them. + +For several days the _Porpoise_ was kept on her course, sailing along +under the water by day, and upon the surface at night. It was one +pleasant afternoon, while Nellie, Jack and Mark were sitting out on the +deck, during one of the times when the boat had risen to the surface to +renew the air supply, that a strange commotion was observed off their +lee. The ocean seemed to be boiling. + +"What is that?" asked the little girl. + +The two boys looked to where she pointed. Indeed the ocean seemed to be +bubbling up and down in a strange manner. + +"It's a school of porpoises," said Jack. + +Just then the water became alive with big fish. They leaped over each +other, springing high into the air and falling back into the sea with +resounding splashes. + +"They're not porpoises! They're whales! Baby whales!" yelled Mark. "Look +out or some of the big ones may ram the boat!" + +As he spoke the water all about the submarine was seen to be fairly +swarming with the small whales. There were scores of them, and, at +times, they were so thick that it appeared possible to walk out upon +them without getting very deep into the water. + +Suddenly the ship careened to one side and the sea rushed over the deck. +It was evident that one of the big whales, which were deeper down in the +water, had struck the vessel. + +Nellie screamed and tried to grab the hand rail that was about the +platform. She missed her grip. The next instant she was floundering in +the ocean, in the midst of the school of whales. + +"Man overboard!" yelled Jack, remembering vaguely that he had read this +was the proper call to make in case of accident. + +His cry brought Washington and the professor up the companionway on the +jump. + +"Launch the boat!" cried the inventor as he saw what had happened. + +Mark was already in action. At the first sight of Nellie slipping over +the side he had thrown off his coat, broken the laces of his shoes in +order the more quickly to remove the foot coverings, and had dived into +the swirling water which surrounded the submarine. + +He struck out in the direction where the little girl had disappeared, +and as her golden head appeared above the mass of foam he yelled in +encouragement. + +By this time the small boat was launched and the colored man and Jack +were pulling toward him. Mark succeeded in reaching Nellie as she was +going down the second time. He grabbed her long locks and managed to +keep her up until the little craft was alongside of him. + +"Git in quick, 'fore dem whales eat yo' up!" cried Washington. + +He hauled the unconscious child in first, and then Jack gave Mark a +hand. As if by magic all the whales had disappeared and the sea was +quiet again. In a few minutes the rescuers and the rescued one went back +again on the _Porpoise_, where Professor Henderson soon brought Nellie +around again. Beyond the shock and wetting neither she nor Mark was +harmed. + +It was Jack's watch on deck that night. He had the tour from eight until +twelve o'clock and when, about ten, every one but himself had retired, +he took his position in the door of the conning tower and prepared to +pass the time as best he could. + +The ship was moving along at half speed, and, as the automatic steering +attachment was working Jack had little to do. He sat looking at the +stars that twinkled in the sky, the blazing Southern Cross showing among +the constellations, when he heard a slight noise near the companionway. + +He looked in that direction and, to his horror, he saw the ghostly white +shape that had, on previous occasions, caused him and the others fright. + +At first the boy resolved to shut himself up in the tower and wait until +the uncanny thing had disappeared. Then his courage came back and he +thought he would try to solve the mystery. + +He argued that if the weird white object was human and could witness his +movements the best thing to do would be to try and creep upon it +unobserved. On the contrary, if the ghost was some natural phenomenon, +or a supernatural agent, all he could do would be of no avail. + +So he decided the best thing to do would be to crawl upon the thing, +keeping as near to the deck as possible and trying to hide himself. With +this in view he put on a long rain coat that hung in the conning tower, +and then, like a snake, commenced to wiggle his way toward the middle of +the platform where the white object still stood. + +Nearer and nearer to it Jack came. His heart was beating fast and he was +much frightened, but he nerved himself to continue. As he came closer he +could see that the object looked more and more like a man, completely +robed in white garments. + +Jack was now within ten feet of the strange object. It was a man, he was +sure of it, but whether a present or former inhabitant of the earth he +could not decide. Jack's hair was beginning to raise. A cold shiver ran +down his spine as the white thing lifted an arm and seemed to point +directly at him. At the same time it groaned in a deep tone. + +Jack let out a yell that could be heard all over the ship. He made a +spring for the object, determined to discover what it was or die. + +At that instant the whole ship seemed to rise in the air. It left the +water and began moving skyward. Right out of the waves the _Porpoise_ +was lifted until the big screw was clear of the water and it was +churning around in the tunnel without any resistance, racing at top +speed now that it had no water to thrust against. + +Then the ghost seemed to vanish into thin air, and Jack felt himself +falling down the hatchway. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +ON A VOLCANIC ISLAND + + +In an instant the ship was in confusion. The professor, followed by old +Andy, Washington, Mark, Bill and Tom, came rushing from their berths, +all in their night clothing, to see what the trouble was. They met in a +tangled mass, stumbling over Jack at the foot of the steps. + +"Is the ship on fire?" called Mrs. Johnson from her cabin. + +"I hope not!" called the professor. "But something has happened. Don't +be frightened!" + +By this time Jack, who had been somewhat stunned, recovered his senses +and worked his way out of the mass of bodies. + +"The ghost! The ghost!" he cried. "I saw him again!" + +"Land a' massy!" yelled Washington. + +"What has happened to the ship?" cried the professor. "Is it a tidal +wave?" + +"I was on deck," panted Jack. "I saw the white thing! I crept up on it! +All at once the ship rose in the air!" + +"And it's still rising!" shouted the inventor. "I must see what this +means!" + +He made his way to the deck, and his loud shout soon brought the others +up to him. + +"Shut off the engine!" Mr. Henderson called down to Washington, who +hurried to obey. + +"What has happened?" asked Andy, rushing towards him. + +"We have run upon an island," answered the professor. "This is the worst +thing that has yet happened to us." + +"What sort of an island is it that shoots you up in the air?" asked the +old hunter. + +"It's hard to say," replied Mr. Henderson. "We will have to wait until +morning to find out." + +The boys and men went up on deck and there beheld a curious sight. The +_Porpoise_ had been lifted bodily from the surface of the ocean where +she had been sailing and was now raised about ten feet above the crest +of the billows. It was too dark to see the extent of the island she +rested on, but, from the circle of foam around the outer edge it did not +appear to be very big. + +The excitement occasioned by the appearance of the ghost, Jack's yells +and fall, and the rising of the ship, had subsided somewhat. Mrs. +Johnson and her daughter, who were much frightened, were assured there +was no immediate danger, and the men and boys put on more substantial +clothing than that of their night robes. + +It seemed as if morning would never come, but at length there was a pale +light in the east and soon it changed to a rosy glow, showing that the +sun was coming. + +The professor was early on deck, and Mark and Jack were not far behind. +As soon as it was light enough they could see that the ship was held +fast on top of a small rocky isle, about one hundred feet in diameter, +which rose abruptly from the water. + +"It's a volcanic island," decided the professor. "We are in the midst of +subterranean disturbances and this is probably one of the effects of +some under-sea eruption. The pinnacle of rock rose from the ocean, +forced up by some power underneath, just as our ship came over it. That +accounts for the sudden rising into the air of the _Porpoise_. No wonder +we were all scared." + +"The next question," began old Andy, "is how are we to get off?" + +"That's the point," agreed Mr. Henderson. "Here we are, high and dry, +and we might as well be a broken flying machine as a submarine for all +the power we have." + +"Will we have to stay here forever?" asked Nellie, who had come up on +deck. + +"I hope not," answered the professor, smiling for the first time since +the accident. "We will find a way to get down, never fear, little girl." + +"I suppose we might dig some sort of a canal down to the water," +remarked Jack. "If we could we might float the ship." + +"I'm afraid you'd find it slow digging through this volcanic rock," +answered Andy. "It's like flint." + +"Well, there's no use worrying over it," went on the professor in as +calm a tone as he could muster. "It's time for breakfast, and we have to +eat whether we're on the top of an island that shoots out of the water +when you least expect it, or sailing along as we ought to." + +Accordingly Washington prepared the morning meal, and they all found +they had appetites for it, in spite of their fright. Afterward they all +came on deck again and looked about them. + +They were in the midst of a wild waste of water. Not a sign of land +could be seen in any direction, and there was no evidence of a sail or +steamship as far as the horizon showed. + +The little island which held the _Porpoise_ so close a prisoner was a +mere speck in the vast ocean, but it was large enough to put an end, +temporarily at least, to the progress of the powerful submarine. + +The professor and the boys went over the side and climbed down to the +rock. Then the inventor verified his surmise that the rocky point was of +volcanic origin. It was also seen that there was little chance to get +the craft back into the ocean. + +"I guess we're doomed to stick here for some time," remarked Mr. +Henderson, with a grim smile. "The rock has caught us squarely and +nothing short of dynamite will free us. To use the explosive might mean +the destruction of the ship, and I dare not risk it." + +Gloom settled over the party in spite of the efforts the professor made +to be cheerful. Washington, after the first few minutes of fright, +regained his usual good spirits, but, no matter how he laughed and +joked, there was a feeling of terror in every heart. + +They realized their helplessness, and knew that unless another upheaval +of nature occurred there was small likelihood of their release. + +On the third day of their strange adventure Professor Henderson resolved +on a bold step. + +"We must use dynamite," he declared. "If we stay here on this desolate +rock we are bound to perish sooner or later, for our food cannot last +many months, though we have a large supply. We are out of the path of +steamers and only by chance would one pass here. With care we may be +able to blast the rock so that the ship will not be permanently +damaged. What do you all say? I would like your advice, for this +concerns all of us." + +One after the other all said they were willing to abide by whatever the +inventor did. Accordingly he made his preparations. Washington, with a +hammer and chisel, was set to cutting a fair sized hole in the big rock, +as far away from the ship as possible. + +He was two days at the job, and, during this time those on the stranded +_Porpoise_ watched in vain for the sight of a vessel. + +"I am going to put the dynamite in," announced Mr. Henderson one +morning. "We must all get into the small boat and row some distance +away, as there is no telling what the result of the explosion may be." + +"Suppose the submarine is destroyed?" asked Mrs. Johnson. + +"Then we will have to sail for the nearest land in the small boat," +replied the captain. "I will provision it and we will take all the +precautions we can." + +It was with anxious hearts that the little party embarked in the little +craft that was carried on the _Porpoise_. It was barely large enough to +hold them. The professor was the last in, and he lighted a long fuse +that led to the dynamite before taking his seat. Then with Tom and Bill +at the oars the little craft moved away. + +"How long before the explosion will take place?" asked Jack. + +"I timed the fuse for ten minutes," answered Mr. Henderson. "That will +enable us to get far enough away so we will not be swamped by a wave." + +Five minutes later Mark, who was intently watching the volcanic rock, +gave a loud cry. + +"There she goes!" he shouted. + +They all looked to behold a wonderful thing. As easily as though it was +some conjuring trick the rock began to settle down in the water. Lower +and lower it went until only the tallest jagged points showed above the +waves, whose crested tops the keel of the ship now almost touched. + +"That isn't the explosion!" exclaimed the professor. "The fuse has not +had time to get to the powder yet." + +"But the rock is disappearing!" yelled Andy. + +As he spoke the big pile of volcanic stone vanished completely and the +_Porpoise_ floated easily on the surface of the sea. + +"Hurrah!" cried Mark. + +"It am de most kloslostrous occurranceness dat eber transpositioned +itself!" exploded Washington. + +"Let's row back to the ship now!" cried Mark. + +"Not yet!" said the professor quickly. "The dynamite has not gone off +yet." + +"There it goes now," remarked Jack. + +At that instant a big column of water shot upward and a dull rumbling +could be heard. A few seconds later the little boat rocked violently +from the effects of the waves. Then the sea became calm, and the +_Porpoise_ could be seen dancing up and down on the heaving billows. + +"Now we can go back in safety," spoke Mr. Henderson, and Tom and Bill +bent to the oars. + +"What happened?" asked Mrs. Johnson. "The rock seemed to disappear +before the explosion occurred." + +"That's exactly what it was," explained the inventor. "By some strange +freak of nature the volcanic mass dropped back into the ocean a little +before I was ready to blow it to pieces. In settling down it lowered the +ship. Then the explosion occurred beneath the waves. If I had waited a +little while I need not have risked the dynamite." + +"Well, there was no guarantee that the rock would go back where it came +from," remarked Jack. + +"No, we had to act," agreed the professor. "But now let us go aboard." + +They rowed back to the _Porpoise_, which they found had sustained no +damage from the queer experience it had been through. + +The motors were set in motion and in a little while the craft was again +moving through the water out of the dangerous vicinity of the volcanic +area. + +"Who has the two watches to-night?" asked Mr. Henderson after supper had +been served. + +"Washington and Andy," answered Jack, who kept track of the matter. + +"I guess we'll change it, and have you and Mark take them," went on the +captain. He gave Jack a peculiar look, and made a sign to him not to say +anything. Wondering what was to come Jack went up on deck to watch the +sunset. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +CAUGHT IN A WHIRLPOOL + + +The boy was joined a little later by the captain, who, coming close to +him whispered: + +"I am going to try to discover the ghost to-night. That is why I wanted +you boys on hand to help me. This thing must be stopped if it is a joke, +and, if it isn't--" + +"Do you think it is some one playing tricks?" asked Jack. + +"I don't know what to think," answered Mr. Henderson. "We will see what +happens to-night." + +Mark came on deck a little while, and the three talked of the strange +appearances of the mysterious white object. The boys told of their +experiences, and Jack related more fully his on the night the ship went +up on the big rock upheaval. + +"I don't believe in ghosts," said Mr. Henderson, "I'm going to lay this +one," and he smiled grimly. + +Night settled down. Jack, who had the first tour under the new +arrangement, had made himself comfortable in the conning tower, and Mr. +Henderson had hidden himself in the companionway. His idea was to thus +guard both openings into the ship and ascertain whether the ghost came +from within or without the craft. + +Up to a short time before twelve o'clock nothing out of the ordinary +happened. The only sound was the lapping of the waves on the steel sides +of the _Porpoise_, and now and then a splash as a big fish leaped out of +the water. There was only the slightest breeze. + +Jack who, somehow or other, felt much sleepier than usual, caught +himself nodding several times. Once he awoke with a start and realized +that he had been dozing. + +"Come, come," he remarked to himself, "this will not do at all. This is +a fine way to watch for a ghost." + +He remained wide awake for perhaps five minutes. Then he was off to the +land of nod again. He was just dreaming that he was skating on a pond +and was playing snap the whip with a lot of boys, when he awoke with a +start. + +He felt something pressing on his chest and to his horror, as he looked +up, he saw a big towering white object standing over him. A second +glance showed him it was a man, or the semblance of one, and the thing's +foot was on his chest. + +With a terrified scream Jack sprang up, upsetting the ghost, which, the +boy thought at the time, seemed rather heavy for an unearthly spirit. + +"Did you catch it?" cried the professor. + +"No! Yes! I don't know!" yelled Jack, struggling to his feet in time to +see the white object glide down the stairs that led from the conning +tower into the forward cabin. + +"Run after it! We must solve the mystery!" cried Mr. Henderson springing +from the companionway up on deck. + +But at that moment the ship began to whirl about in a circle slowly at +first, but with increasing speed until Jack and the professor felt sick +and dizzy. All about the water seemed to be bubbling and boiling, while, +at the same time, there arose on the air a mournful howl. + +The professor jumped to the rail and looked over the side. What he saw +made him recoil with horror. + +"Quick! Close the man-hole hatch!" he cried. "Shut the door of the +conning tower!" + +"What is it?" Jack managed to ask. + +"We are caught in a whirlpool!" Mr. Henderson yelled as he leaped down +the companionway and pulled the heavy steel cover after him. + +Stricken with a nameless dread, Jack closed the water-tight door of the +conning tower and made his way to the cabin. He could hardly get down +the stairs, so swiftly was the ship whirling about. + +He found the captain busy in the engine room and, in response to calls, +Washington and Mark came hurrying in. They had been awakened by the +commotion and the strange movements of the _Porpoise_. + +"Turn on all the lights," ordered the inventor. "We must prepare for the +worst." + +The incandescents were soon glowing and in the glare the frightened +adventurers gathered about Mr. Henderson, wondering what new terror had +befallen them. + +"See!" exclaimed the inventor. "We are going comparatively slow now, but +we are on the outer edge. Wait until we reach the centre." + +He pointed to a compass and, as the needle pointed steadily to the north +the card seemed to be going around like the hands of a clock that has +lost the balance and escapement wheels. The ship made three complete +circles a minute. + +Pale and frightened, Mrs. Johnson came from her cabin, whence the +terrified cries of Nellie could be heard. + +"Are we sinking?" she asked. + +"Sinking will never harm the _Porpoise_," replied Mr. Henderson. "This +is something decidedly worse." + +"I know! It is a whirlpool!" exclaimed the lady. + +"I'm dizzy; I'm so dizzy!" wailed Nellie. "Please stop the ship from +going round, Mr. Henderson." + +She came from her bed crying, and all her mother could do did not quiet +her. + +Meanwhile the submarine continued to whirl about faster and faster in +the swirling waters. Five times each minute now it made the circuit, +and, like the coils of a boa constrictor that is enfolding its victim, +the circles continually grew smaller. + +"We are being sucked down," said Jack in a low tone as he glanced at the +depth gage, and noted that it showed them to be thirty feet under water. + +"That is so," remarked Mr. Henderson quietly. + +"What will be the result?" asked Mrs. Johnson. + +"I do not know," was the answer, and the captain turned aside. He seemed +to have lost all courage in the face of the new disaster. + +"Can't we empty the tanks and rise to the surface?" asked Andy. + +"The tanks are not filled," replied Mr. Henderson. "What is taking us +down is the force of the whirlpool and not the weight of water." + +"Then you fear for the worst?" asked Andy. + +"I do," said the captain simply. + +"Don't give up the ship!" exclaimed the old hunter suddenly. "Never say +die! It's a long lane that has no turns! Hip! Hip! Hurrah!" + +They all turned to stare at the old man. + +"Never mind," said Mr. Henderson in a soothing tone, that one would use +toward a baby, or a person not right in their head. "Never mind. We may +be saved." + +"Oh I'm not crazy!" exclaimed Andy. He tried to caper about but the +motion of the ship made him dizzy and he had to sit down. "I'm all +right! I just happened to think of something!" + +"What is it?" asked the captain eagerly. + +"Send the ship ahead!" exclaimed Andy. "Speed her as fast as she will +go. Try her strength against the force of the whirlpool! We may win!" + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "I was too much depressed to think of +that! The ship has powerful engines. Queer you should remember that +instead of me. Come, Washington, start the screw going! We will try to +beat the whirlpool!" + +The submarine was now whirling around so rapidly that it was difficult +for any one to stand without leaning against the sides or holding on to +something. It was going lower and lower down, as the gage showed. + +Soon a throb that was felt through the length of the craft told that the +engine had started. The vibration increased until it seemed that the +ship would be torn apart. Never had the big screw revolved at greater +speed. + +For a while the struggle between the force of man represented by the +engine, and the power of nature, embodied in the whirlpool, seemed +equal. Neither could gain the mastery. The ship continued to slide +around in ever narrowing circles while the big cable of water, forced +through the tunnel by the screw, was like a cataract. + +"Which will win?" asked the professor softly to himself. + +He crawled to the gages and watched them. Only by their needles could it +be told when the battle had turned in favor of the adventurers. + +The circular motion, that was now terrible in its speed and power, +seemed to culminate in a rush that almost overturned the ship. In the +engine room Washington was laboring to keep the machine at top speed. He +put on the last ounce of power. + +"Hurrah!" yelled the professor suddenly. "I think we shall win!" + +He pointed to the depth gage. The needle, which had showed a constantly +increasing record, until it was now at two hundred feet, had stopped. It +showed they were going no lower. + +Then Mr. Henderson looked at the indicator which showed the progress +straight ahead. The needle was beginning to tremble. As he watched he +saw it move, slowly at first, until, as the powerful screw won a victory +over the terrible whirlpool. The gage marked one, two and then three +miles an hour. + +"We are leaving the swirling waters!" cried Mr. Henderson. + +Then, all at once, as though it was an arrow shot from a gigantic bow, +the _Porpoise_ cleft the under-billows and shot ahead, free at last from +the grip of the whirlpool. + +Man had triumphed over nature! + +On rushed the ship like a race horse, for the engine was working as it +never had before, and it did not have the pool to contend against. + +"Slow down," said Mr. Henderson, "and we will go to the surface." + +Two minutes later, under the buoyancy of her empty tanks, the _Porpoise_ +lay floating on the top of the waves, under the shining stars. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +UNDER FIRE + + +"I shouldn't want to go through that experience again," remarked Mr. +Henderson, as he, with all of the ship's company except Mrs. Johnson and +Nellie went on deck. "I thought we were lost, sure." + +"Lucky our engine didn't go disproportionatin' herself at de mostess +criticless moment," put in Washington. "Golly, but she suttinly did +hum!" + +"And you deserve credit for making her do the humming," went on the +professor with a smile. + +"Well, we didn't catch the ghost," remarked Jack, "though I certainly +saw him, it or her, whatever the thing is. I felt it too." + +"It's rather strange," spoke the professor. "Every time, or nearly every +time the ghost, as I suppose we must call it for the present, makes its +appearance, something terrible happens to the ship. I hope it doesn't +show up too often." + +It was three o'clock in the morning, and they had battled with the +whirlpool over two hours. They talked of little else, and each one told +how he or she felt. + +"It was just like twisting yourself up tight in the swing, and then +letting the rope unwind," said Nellie, and they all agreed that she had +described the sensation perfectly. They laughed, also, a thing they had +felt little like doing a short time previous. + +The engine had run so hard, and some of the bearings had become so warm, +that for the rest of the night the professor decided to let the +machinery remain stationary. This would give it time to cool down he +said, and they could make up the time lost the next day. + +Tired out with the night's worry and labors they all slept late the next +morning, and it was nearly ten o'clock before breakfast was over. The +ship was started on her course once more, and Jack, who was steering, +made the engine hum as the submarine scudded along, submerged about +fifty feet. + +"When you have time I would like to talk to you," said Mrs. Johnson to +Captain Henderson. + +"I'm at your service now," replied the inventor. + +"What are you going to do with Nellie and me?" the lady went on. + +"Take you to the south pole with us," was the answer, with a smile. + +"It's very kind of you, and I don't want to put you to any trouble," +went on Mrs. Johnson. "But I would like to go back north." + +"I'd like to oblige you," returned the inventor, "but I hate to turn +back now. We are well on our voyage, and I may never get another chance +to locate the pole. Don't you want to accompany us? Think of the +glorious achievement!" + +"I'd rather go back north," persisted the lady. "But I wouldn't ask you +to turn the ship around. What I was going to suggest was to sail along +on the surface for a few days and see if you cannot sight a homeward +bound steamer or sailing vessel. Then you could put me and Nellie aboard +her." + +"Of course!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "I never thought of that. Though +we will be sorry to lose your company, and that of your little girl, I +will do anything to oblige you. We will at once go to the surface." + +He called the necessary order to Jack through a speaking tube which led +to the conning tower. In a few minutes the ship shot upward, and emerged +from the ocean in a little shower of foam and spray. + +She lay undulating on the surface, and was just beginning to move +forward again, under the influence of the screw, when a dull boom echoed +off to the left. + +Jack looked from the observation windows in the conning tower and saw, +about a mile away a big steamer. From her side a white cloud of smoke +floated, and then the water splashed about fifty feet from the blunt +nose of the submarine. + +Once more came the boom, the white cloud of smoke and this time the +water splashed only twenty-five feet away from the bow of the +_Porpoise_. A third time came the sound, and the splash was even nearer. + +"They're firing on us!" yelled Jack. + +At his cry the professor ran on deck. He was just in time to see the +fourth shot made, and this time the shell dropped into the water just +astern of the _Porpoise_ and so close that when it exploded it sent a +shower of spray all over the deck. + +"Here! Stop that!" yelled Mr. Henderson, shaking his fist in the +direction of the steamer. "You nearly hit us that time. Do your +practicing in some other direction!" + +"I don't think they can hear you," said Jack. "And besides, I don't +believe they are practicing." + +"Then what in the world are they doing?" + +"Shooting at us I guess." + +"Why do they want to shoot at us? We haven't done them any damage." + +"Perhaps they think we are a torpedo boat," suggested Jack. "Maybe that +vessel's nation is at war with some other one and wants to sink us if +it can." + +"I believe you're right!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "But this will never +do. They must stop!" + +Once more the big gun on the ship was fired and the shell came +dangerously close. At the same time several other reports, less in +volume were heard, and the water all about the submarine began to bubble +as the missiles from the machine guns cut the waves. + +"Maybe it's an English vessel sent to capture Mark and me because of +that anarchist trouble at the hotel," Jack went on. + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the captain. "But whatever it is, we must stop it, +or they will sink my ship. Wave your handkerchief, Jack." + +The boy sprang to the top of the conning tower, in order to permit those +on the vessel to see him more plainly, and vigorously shook the white +rag. That it was observed was evident when some one on the steamer +wig-wagged back a reply. In a few minutes a boat was seen to put off +from the ship, and soon a little launch, in command of a lieutenant in +uniform, drew up alongside the _Porpoise_. + +"Who is captain of this craft?" asked the lieutenant as he came aboard. + +"I am," replied Mr. Henderson. "What do you mean by firing on me?" + +"I am Lieutenant Muchmore," said the other, saluting. "Captain Wackford, +of the _Sylph_, in His Britannic Majesty's service, presents his +compliments, and asks you to pardon the occurrence. You see we took you +for a derelict and were trying to sink you." + +"I thought perhaps war had broken out between some country and the +United States since we left port," went on Mr. Henderson, "and that you +were trying to make a capture." + +"No, it was only that we thought you a waterlogged craft, and a danger +to navigation," repeated the lieutenant. "But what sort of a ship have +you?" + +"Come below and I'll show you the finest submarine that ever was built," +answered the inventor with pardonable pride. "If you don't mind, give +your launch orders to go back to the ship, and I'll show something that +will make you open your eyes." + +Anxious to see what the strange little craft could do Lieutenant +Muchmore sent his launch back, and went below with Captain Henderson. He +was astonished at what he saw, and unlike most Englishmen was willing to +say so. + +Mr. Henderson then went to the conning tower. He directed the man-hole +cover to be clamped on, and then filled the tanks. The ship sank fifty +feet below the surface and then shot forward. + +Seated in the cabin the lieutenant was observing with wonder showing on +his face at the accomplishment of sailing along under water. Suddenly +the lights were shut off, and the shutters moved back from the +bull's-eye windows. The sea, glowing in the beams of the search light, +was alive with fish, large and small, beautiful and hideous. + +"Wonderful!" exclaimed the Englishman. + +The bull's-eyes were closed, the lights switched on, and then, speeding +the engine almost to the top notch the captain steered the submarine +straight for the war-ship. + +He had carefully noted her direction before starting his own craft, and +he resolved to do a little manoeuvering that would still further +astonish the visitor. By careful reading of the different gages Mr. +Henderson was able to come to the surface right in front of the _Sylph_, +to the no small astonishment of the men on the deck of the vessel. + +Then, just to show what the _Porpoise_ could do, the inventor darted +around the war-ship in a circle. He sunk below the surface, went under +the keel of the _Sylph_ and came up on the other side. Then he went the +whole length of her, under water, starting at the stern and ending at +the bow, where he brought the submarine to a rest in a smother of foam. + +"Great! Wonderful! Surprising!" were some of the adjectives Lieutenant +Muchmore used as he stepped from the conning tower, with Captain +Henderson, onto the deck. + +At the appearance of the officer and the inventor a group of those on +the _Sylph_ gave three cheers for the little vessel. + +"Is she for sale?" asked Captain Wackford. + +"No, thank you," replied Mr. Henderson with a laugh. + +"Because if she is I'll give you free passage to England with her, on my +ship," went on the commander. "My government would give a fortune for a +boat that can do what yours does." + +"It is not for sale," repeated Mr. Henderson, "but I have some one on +board who would appreciate a free passage to England, or any northern +port." + +"Who is it?" asked Captain Wackford. + +"A Mrs. Johnson and her daughter." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +CAUGHT IN AN ICE FLOE + + +Mr. Henderson soon explained the finding of the lady and the little +girl, and Captain Wackford readily agreed to give them passage to New +York, as the _Sylph_ was to call at that port. + +So Nellie and her mother were put aboard the warship, after bidding +farewell to the captain and crew of the submarine. Mr. Henderson and the +boys promised to write to them as soon as they got back from their +voyage to the south pole, and, amid a chorus of good-byes the _Porpoise_ +resumed her journey. + +For several days the submarine forged to the south, and the weather +became noticeably cooler. Some of the nights were chilly, and those on +watch were glad of the heavy coats they had brought along. + +One morning, after a week of travel, when no interruptions had occurred +by reason of accidents, old Andy came up on deck, and sniffing the air, +said: + +"We'll sight ice before night, or I'm a Dutchman." + +"What makes you think so?" asked Jack. + +"I can smell it," replied the hunter, whereat Jack, and Mark who had +joined him, laughed. + +"That is no joke," put in Professor Henderson, who, coming up the +companionway heard what was said. "Old sea captains will tell you they +can smell an iceberg long before they can see it." + +"I don't claim to be a sea captain," said Andy, "but I once was on a +whaling voyage and I learned to sniff ice in the air. I saved the ship +from collision with a berg once." + +"Let me see," began the inventor as the adventurers sat about the supper +table after the meal was finished, "who have the watches on deck +to-night?" + +"Washington first and Bill second," replied Jack looking at the chart. + +"Keep a sharp watch for the icebergs," advised the captain. "If you feel +a sudden chill in the air, and see something white, stop the engine at +once and call for me." + +When the _Porpoise_ had been put in shape for the night, and the +company, tired out from their labors over a general "house cleaning" +which Captain Henderson had insisted on, went to bed, Washington took +his place in the conning tower. + +It was quite cold, but as the temperature for several days past had been +steadily falling, nothing was thought of it. + +"I guess I'll git out my fur-lined sealskin coat," said the colored man +to himself as he felt the chill night air, that seemed to increase in +frigidity along about eleven o'clock. He went to the cabin to get his +overcoat, and, returning on deck prepared to spend the rest of his hour +of watch in ease and comfort. He stretched out on the bench in the +conning tower, noted that the machinery was working right and that the +proper course was being steered, and then he let his thoughts drift to +the many adventures he and his employer had gone through of late, and +also while on the trip "Through the Air to the North Pole." + +Washington gave one frightened, startled look, in a few minutes, so +comfortable had he fixed himself, but happening to look forward through +the glass-covered porthole of the tower, he saw something that made the +cold chills run down his back. + +There, right in front of the _Porpoise_, and not a cable-length away was +a tall, mysterious, white thing which was shimmering in the pale light +of the moon that had lately risen. + +Washington gave one frightened, startled look, and then, with a tongue +that could hardly move, he yelled out: + +"De ghost! De ghost! He'll git me suah!" + +Then the colored man made a dive for the stairway leading to the cabin, +but missed it and brought up with a crash on the steel floor of the +conning tower. + +"What is it?" called Professor Henderson, springing out of his bunk. + +"De ghost!" wailed Washington from the huddled up heap he was in. + +"Catch him!" yelled the captain. + +"I dasn't," moaned Washington. + +The next instant the ship quivered from stem to stern. There was a +terrible shock, followed by a grinding, crashing sound. Then the craft +seemed to be pressed down by some great weight. It heeled over to one +side, and the water began to pour down the open man-hole. + +"Quick! Clamp on the covers!" shouted Mr. Henderson as he felt the sea +dashing into the interior of the boat. + +Jack and Mark sprang to obey. It took all their strength, for the water +was running in like a mill-race. + +"What has happened?" asked Andy, as he tried to climb up the +companionway ladder, that was tilted backward. + +"I guess we've hit your iceberg!" cried Mr. Henderson. + +"I knew I smelled the frozen stuff," replied the old hunter. + +They got the covers on the manhole only just in time and they all +crowded into the cabin, while Jack switched on the electric lights. + +"Is the ship damaged?" asked Mark. + +"I think not," replied Mr. Henderson. "But we are sinking. Look at the +depth gage." + +The hand on the clock-face was moving slowly around. From ten it went to +twenty feet, then to thirty and kept going until it stood at seventy. + +"Look to the air tanks," ordered Mr. Henderson to Washington, who, by +this time had recovered from his fright. "See if they are all right." + +The colored man came back in a few minutes and reported that the supply +of compressed atmosphere was safe and that there was plenty of it. + +"That's good," remarked Mr. Henderson. "Whatever else happens we can +breathe for a while." + +"But what has happened?" asked Andy. + +"I think the top part of an iceberg toppled down on us," was the reply. +"You know about nine-tenths of a berg is under water. Sometimes there is +a warm current of the ocean underneath the ice, and it melts. Then it +becomes top-heavy and tilts over. One of that sort must have caught us, +and has shoved us down into the sea." + +"But why don't we rise again when the ice floe slips off us?" asked +Mark. + +"Because, in all probability the ice will not slip off us," answered the +professor grimly. "It may be so large that it has caught us like a bug +under a barn door." + +"Then we are fast in the ice under water," spoke Andy after a pause. + +"It looks like it," came from the inventor. "However we will not give up +yet. We may be able to make our way out. Start the engine at full speed, +Washington." + +The machinery which the professor had shut down at the first cry of +alarm was set going. Soon the throb and hum told that the big screw was +revolving. + +Meanwhile the _Porpoise_ had regained an even keel, and had stopped +sinking, remaining at the depth of seventy feet below the surface. + +"We will first try to go straight ahead," said the captain. + +He turned on more power and they all waited in anxiety. The test would +tell whether they could escape in that direction or not. + +But, though the powerful screw churned the water to foam in the tunnel, +the _Porpoise_ never budged. It was as if she was held in a vice. + +"It's of no use," remarked Mr. Henderson with a shake of his head as he +watched the speed gage and noted that it remained stationary. "We must +now try the other way." + +Once more the big screw was set going, this time in the opposite +direction, so as to pull the ship out of the ice if it was possible. But +this, too, was of no avail. + +"It looks as if the ice had us," said Andy, trying to speak in a +cheerful tone. "But there's one way more to try." + +"What is that?" asked Mr. Henderson. + +"If we were in the air ship we could go up," replied the old hunter. +"But, as it is, we had better go down. Why don't you fill all the water +tanks, and try to sink beneath the iceberg? It can't go down so very far +into the water, and I reckon we could slip under it." + +"The very thing!" exclaimed the professor, whose mind was too sorely +troubled over the happening to enable him to think of plans of escape. +"That's the best thing to do." + +Under the inventor's direction Washington filled the tanks and then, ere +the pumps had ceased working, the screw was started and the deflecting +rudder inclined to cause the ship to dive. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and still the _Porpoise_ did not move +toward the bottom of the sea. She remained submerged and stationary. +Anxious eyes gazed at the dials. The indicating hands trembled under the +throbbing of the engines, but did not move. + +"It will not work!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson in sorrowful tones. + +"What does it mean?" asked Bill, who had come up to where the others +stood. + +"It means that we are prisoners in the ice; caught between the upper and +lower parts of a gigantic berg, and held here under the water." + +"Can't we ever get out?" asked Jack, a tremor coming into his voice. +"Can't we escape when the ice melts?" + +"The ice of the southern polar sea seldom melts in this latitude," +replied the professor. + +An ominous silence followed his words. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE SHIP GRAVEYARD + + +Truly the adventurers were in a position that might well cause the +stoutest heart to quail. With hundreds of tons of ice above, below, and +on every side of them, their chances of escaping alive from this frozen +tomb were very small. + +"Can't we make an attempt to get out of this prison?" asked Jack. + +"Indeed we will," said the professor. "We will try all the means at our +command. If they all fail--" + +He dared not finish the sentence, but they all knew what he meant. It +was now about one o'clock in the morning. The ship had become stationary +after the uneasy motion caused by the oscillation of the big berg. + +"We may as well turn in and get a little sleep," remarked Mr. Henderson. +"We can all work better if we get some rest." + +It is doubtful whether any of them slept, for the horror of their +position was too fresh in their minds. Still, lying down in the bunks +rested them. + +It was six o'clock when Washington awoke. In spite of the dangers of the +icy grave, he had managed to get a little sleep. He prepared breakfast +and called the others. + +"Make a good meal," advised Mr. Henderson. "We have plenty of work ahead +of us." + +"Are you going to free the ship?" asked Mark. + +"I am going to try," was the answer. + +A little later the inventor was busy in one of the small store rooms aft +when Jack came up. The professor was carefully taking out a box +labelled: + + DYNAMITE! DANGEROUS! + +"What are you going to do?" asked the boy. + +"I am going to try the same experiment we attempted on the volcanic +island," was the reply. "Only, this time, I am afraid we shall have to +complete it to the end. There is little likelihood of the ice falling +apart." + +"Then you are going to blow it up?" went on Jack. + +"That's what I hope to do," the inventor went on. "I see no other way, +and, though there is a risk, it is not so great a one as to wait to be +crushed in the ice as it freezes more solidly." + +Under the directions of Mr. Henderson they got out the diving suits. The +professor, the two boys and Andy put them on. The dynamite, in +specially prepared water-proof packages, with long fuses was laid in +readiness close to the door of the diving chamber. + +Into the cell, the four who were to make the perilous journey under the +ice, took their places. The water was slowly admitted, and then, with +the electric lights in their helmets throwing out powerful gleams, they +started forward as the outer door swung open. + +It was well they had all taken the precautions to don thick +undergarments and clothing, for, even through the heavy rubber diving +suits, the terrible cold of the southern polar sea struck a chill to +their very bones. + +As the professor had said, the ship was caught between the upper and +lower parts of the iceberg. On either side, ahead and to the rear there +was open water. Beneath their feet there was a floor of ice. It was as +if they and the ship had been placed between two great sheets of the +frozen matter. + +Their progress was slow, for the water hampered their movements and each +one had some of the dynamite to carry. The footing, too, was insecure, +for the icy bed of the ocean was slippery. + +As they were huddled together, the professor in the lead, and their +lamps making a faint illumination in the darkness, they suddenly became +aware of a great shadow over them. They looked up, and their hearts +nearly ceased beating as they saw a gigantic sperm whale right over +them, and between the ice. The terrible animal had observed them also, +and, food being scarce in those frigid regions, had evidently made up +its mind to dine on some choice morsels. + +The whale was nearly as large again as the submarine, and to the +frightened voyagers seemed more immense than a house. With slow motions +of the flukes the animal placed itself right over the boys and men, +ready to rush at and take them into its terrible maw. + +Old Andy, who alone seemed to retain his presence of mind, stepped to +the front. The professor and the boys wondered what he was going to do. +Then Andy held up one of the electric guns. + +Always thinking of his chosen calling, the old hunter had picked up the +weapon as he was leaving the _Porpoise_. He waited until the whale was +within a short distance, so close in fact that the small eyes, out of +all seeming proportion to the rest of the big body, could be seen. Then +Andy fired one of the explosive bullets straight into the open mouth +that was fringed with rows of the springy bone that is a part of a +whale's eating apparatus. + +The shot took effect, and made a vital wound. In its death struggles the +beast lashed the ocean to foam, and, but for the fact that Andy as soon +as he fired the shot crouched down, pulling the others toward the floor +of ice, they might all have been killed. + +The whale turned and made a rush in the opposite direction to that of +the divers. This was a welcome sign to the professor, for he knew the +animal was seeking open water and this told him it must be somewhere in +the vicinity. + +Their hearts still beating loudly from the closeness of death, the +adventurers continued their way. On every side were fish, big and +little, and, though some of the larger ones thrust themselves to the men +and boys, as if wondering what strange creatures they were, none of them +offered to attack. + +Led by the professor they made a complete circuit of the ship that was +held fast in the ice. As the inventor had surmised, the _Porpoise_ was +nipped only above and below. If she could be freed at either of those +points she could rise to the surface, or sink down under the ice. + +After making a careful examination of the position of the craft, Mr. +Henderson motioned to have the dynamite placed on the ice, in front of, +and about two hundred feet away from the nose of the ship. + +He connected the cartridges with the fuse and wires that were to explode +them, and then, taking the free end, he started back toward the ship. +Washington was on the watch for them, and operated the diving chamber. +Soon the four were back in the _Porpoise_. + +"Now to see if our plan will work," said Mr. Henderson. "I am relying on +the well known downward force of dynamite to blow a hole in the bottom +part of the ice, so that we can drop below." + +"Why not make a hole above so we can rise and escape?" asked Bill. + +"Because," replied the professor, "we are now in the region of perpetual +ice. The ocean above us is one fast floe, or a number of smaller ones, +so that, in any event our progress would be impossible. But we can sail +far enough down under water to escape all the ice. That is the purpose +of the _Porpoise_. That is why I built her. We will now begin on the +last part of our voyage; that is if we can get free of the fearful grip +of this sea of ice." + +There was little they could do to protect themselves. They would either +escape or be blown to pieces in case the explosive exerted too great a +force. They all put on life preservers to guard against the contingency +of the _Porpoise_ being ripped apart and themselves cast into the water, +yet they realized that without their ship, they could live but a little +while in the ice-filled water near the south pole. + +The professor saw that everything was in readiness. He hesitated a +moment and looked at the electric button in his hand, for this time the +dynamite was to be detonated by a battery. How much might depend on one +push of the finger! + +There was a slight movement to the muscles of the professor's hand. Then +it seemed as if a thunderbolt had fallen into the midst of the ocean +about them. + +There was a dull rumble, but the confined space and the thick walls of +the ship shut most of it out. It was followed by a sickening dizzy +motion to the submarine. She seemed about to roll over and those in her +grabbed frantically at the sides. The next instant the craft plunged +down, down, down, into the water which was filled with broken cakes of +ice, that rattled against the steel sides, like peas in a pan. + +Down and down the _Porpoise_ went, for her tanks were full. More and +more rapidly she continued to sink, until it seemed she would fetch up +in the deepest cavern of the ocean. + +"We's gwine t' Mars Davy Jones's locker, suah!" Washington exclaimed as +he looked at the depth gages. + +[Illustration: THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF A GRAVEYARD OF WRECKED +SHIPS.--_Page 200._] + +"Has the experiment succeeded?" asked Andy of Mr. Henderson. + +"I think so," was the answer. "At any rate we are free from the ice, +temporarily at least. We are sinking down through the hole the dynamite +made, just as I hoped we would." + +"Where will we end up?" asked Jack. + +"No one knows," replied the captain. "But I would say--" + +At that instant the ship stopped sinking and brought up with a bump. + +"I should say we were at the end of this part of our journey," finished +the inventor. + +He turned off the cabin lights and lighted the search lamps that threw a +gleam so the water could be looked at from the bull's-eyes windows. The +sight that met their gaze was an astonishing one. + +They were in the midst of a graveyard of wrecked ships, and, on every +side, scattered over the ocean bed, were the broken hulks that had once +been stately vessels. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +CAUGHT BY SEA SUCKERS + + +"What sort of a place is this?" asked Andy, as he gazed at the last +resting spot of the big ships. + +"They have probably drifted here with the ocean currents, become caught +in the ice and have remained here hundreds of years," said Mr. +Henderson. "Some of the ships are very old, and, by their build must +have sailed the waters centuries ago." + +"Maybe some of them are treasure ships," suggested Jack. + +"They might be," admitted the professor. + +"Then we'll go aboard and get the gold," spoke Mark. + +"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," went on the inventor. "In the first +place most treasure ships are looted before they sink. And it would be +very dangerous for any of us to venture to explore those hulks." + +"Why?" asked Jack. + +"Because they are rotten, and liable to fall to pieces any minute. If +you happened to be in one at the time you would be caught in the +wreckage and eventually drowned even though you had on a diving suit. +Then, again, the ice here is constantly shifting about, and a sudden +motion of the under-water floe might carry you hundreds of miles away. +So we will not try to hunt for any fortunes on the sunken ships." + +With this the boys were forced to be content. They stood at the small +windows looking at the skeletons of ships that lay on every side of the +_Porpoise_. Some of the craft were big steamers, and others were small +sailing vessels. A few had jagged holes in the hulls, showing how they +had been damaged. A few stood upright, with sails all set, as if +disaster had suddenly come upon them. + +"Well, what is the next move?" asked Andy after a pause. "Are we going +to stay here?" + +"We are going to find the South Pole," spoke Mr. Henderson suddenly. +"That is what I set out to do, and I am going to accomplish it if +possible. We have had many accidents and a harder time in some respects +than when we made our trip to the north in the air ship. But I am sure +we shall succeed. Start the ship to the south, Washington." + +"But we may run into an iceberg," objected the old hunter, who was +inclined to be cautious. + +"I think not," answered Mr. Henderson. "I believe we are on a sort of +level plane between two vast upper and lower fields of ice. We can go +freely in any direction excepting up or down." + +"How is that?" asked Mark. "I don't quite understand." + +"Because there is, I believe, a big sheet of ice above us, one, say +several hundred feet thick. The same thing is below us, between us and +the real bed of the ocean." + +"But suppose we have to go up to renew our air supply?" asked Jack. + +"We can't go," replied the inventor. + +"Then we will die." + +"Not necessarily. We will steam along until we come to a place where +there is no ice above us." + +"But I thought you said there was nothing but ice above us now." + +"So there is, but I intend to head due south and there, I believe, we +will find an open polar sea. If we do my theory will be proved and we +will have made a great discovery." + +"Forward then!" exclaimed Jack. "Let us strike for the open sea." + +The _Porpoise_ began to move ahead. She steamed slowly, for Mr. +Henderson realized that he was in dangerous waters. He took his position +in the conning tower, and had Jack with him to assist in looking for +any obstructions that they might unexpectedly meet. + +The big searchlight gave a fine illumination, for the ice above and +below reflected back the beams, and what would otherwise have been a sea +of darkness was made one of daylight. + +The water swarmed with fish, but they were like none that the +adventurers had ever seen or dreamed of before. There were monsters with +hideous heads, and eyes so large that they occupied nearly half of the +ugly bodies. + +Then there were serpent-like forms, fish with long slender bodies and +whip-fashioned tails, with jaws that extended before them for ten feet +or more. Others there were, great lumbering monsters that crawled along +on the ice, somewhat as seals do. + +After several hours' travel the submarine ran into a school of fish that +had shapes like those of polar bears, while their heads were like those +of sharks. The creatures swarmed up to the side of the vessel, and some +scratched with their claw-like fins on the glass windows of the conning +tower and the side bull's-eyes. + +A meal was prepared by Washington, and all the adventurers brought good +appetites to the table. On and on rushed the ship, every hour coming +nearer and nearer to the pole. + +Professor Henderson had turned the steering of the craft over to Mark, +who, with Jack as an assistant was sending her along at a good speed, +when suddenly the submarine seemed to slacken in her progress. + +"What's the matter now I wonder?" asked Mark. + +"Maybe the engine bearings got hot, and Washington had to slow up to +cool them," suggested Jack. + +He looked through one of the side windows in the conning tower, a moment +later, and uttered a cry of fear. + +"What is it?" asked Mark. + +Jack pointed with a hand that trembled from fright. Staring at them +through the thick glass of the bull's-eye the boys beheld the most +hideous sea monster they had yet encountered. + +It seemed to be a vast circular mass of flesh, twenty feet in diameter, +and, in the middle were two openings each three feet across. They were +like big holes, and, at the farther end of them could be seen two +unblinking eyes. In the centre was a horrible mouth, armed with a triple +row of teeth. + +Down below there was a short body, at the end of which was a smaller +disk, armed with a sharp horny point. + +"What is it?" asked Jack in a whisper. + +"I don't know," replied Mark. + +A moment later Mr. Henderson came up the companionway into the tower. He +caught one glimpse of the monster. + +"It is the great sucker of the polar seas!" he exclaimed. "Quick! Speed +up the engine! If that one, and the mates of it, fasten on to us we will +have trouble!" + +He pressed the signal that connected with the engine room, and told +Washington to start the engine at its greatest power. The next instant +the ship throbbed and trembled under the vibrations of the big screw. + +"We may escape!" cried the professor. + +As he spoke the ship seemed to come to a sudden stop. The engine could +still be felt moving, and the big screw still churned the water to foam +in the tunnel, but the craft was stationary. + +"We are caught!" exclaimed the professor. + +"So we are!" + +The windows in the conning tower were darkened. The big sucker had +thrown itself forward and spread itself over the glass, clasping its +horrible form half way about the submarine. + +"Let's look at the other windows! There may be only one of the +creatures!" Mr. Henderson exclaimed, as he hurried down the companion +way and into the main cabin. He threw back the slides covering the +glass. + +The sight that met his eyes caused him to recoil in horror. There, +pressing their shapes against the steel sides, and over the bull's-eyes +of the ship were two more of the gigantic suckers! + +The ship had now ceased to move, and Washington, in the engine room, +feeling that something was wrong, had shut off the power. The +adventurers were caught in a trap more terrible than that of the ice, +the volcanic mountain, or the Sargasso Sea. It was a trap from which +they might never escape. + +The suckers, thinking the submarine was perhaps a species of fish, like +themselves, and one of their enemies, had fastened on it their fatal +vice-like grip. To move through the water, with the weight of all that +clinging flesh was impossible. + +"What sort of creatures are they?" asked Jack, speaking in a whisper, so +great was the terror inspired by the presence of the gigantic sea +suckers. + +"I never saw any of them before," replied the professor, "but I have +read about them. They live only in the polar regions and are a species +of octupus, only more terrible. Their powers of suction are enormous, +and once they fasten on a fish or animal they never let go until they +have absorbed it completely. They act in the same way that a star fish +does on an oyster." + +"But they can't eat the ship," said Jack. + +"No, I fancy the steel and iron sides will prevent them from making a +meal of us." + +"Then where is the danger?" + +"They will not let go until they discover that they cannot devour us, +and it may take days. We can only remain under water a comparatively +short time at the most. So you see where the danger is." + +"But can't we go out and kill them? Then they would let go." + +"It would be most risky to venture out, protected even with a diving +suit, and carrying the electric guns," the professor went on. "No, I +must think of some other plan to free ourselves from the creatures." + +"Blow 'em up wif dynamite an' send 'em inter disproportionately +contrastedable circumferences!" exclaimed Washington, who had been +listening to the conversation. + +"This isn't any time to joke," Mr. Henderson said sternly. + +"I wasn't joking," replied the colored man. "Can't we squirt acid on 'em +or chop 'em up, or--or--" + +"We can do nothing for the time being," said the professor. "Come, we +will have a consultation on the subject. Perhaps some one may be able to +think of a plan of rescue." + +"Let us hope so." + +They all gathered in the cabin. The professor explained the nature of +the creatures, as far as he knew them from what he had read or heard. He +pointed out, through the glass windows, over which the suckers were +still clinging, how they maintained their grip, by exhausting, through +their big mouths, the air between their saucer-like surfaces and the +ship to which they were clinging. + +"Can't we go out and fight 'em?" asked Andy, who was always ready to use +a gun. + +"I doubt if we could get out," replied the professor. "Though we can not +see them, I believe the creatures cover every part of the ship from stem +to stern. We could never open the door of the diving chamber with that +terrible sucker covering the iron portal." + +"Maybe if we wait long enough a lot of sharks will come along and eat +'em up," put in Jack. + +"I am afraid sharks will not come to these frozen waters," said the +professor. "They like a warm climate." + +"And you don't think it would be feasible to use dynamite," asked Mark. + +"We can't get out to place it where it would blow up the fish and not +us," answered Mr. Henderson. "If we could it might serve." + +A silence fell on the group. They were in sore straits and there seemed +no hope of rescue. The big disk-like bodies that covered the windows did +not move, but remained there, staring with horrible persistency into the +interior of the ship. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +LAND UNDER ICE + + +Suddenly the craft began to move. Slowly at first, then, with more speed +it forged ahead through the water. + +"Are we free?" asked Andy, starting up. + +"Who started the machinery?" demanded the professor. + +"No one," replied Jack. "We are all here. There is no one in the engine +room." + +"But we are moving," said Mark. + +"It's dem sucker-fish!" exclaimed Washington. "Dey is takin' us off to +der dens an' dere we'll all be eat up!" + +"I'm afraid part of it is true," said Mr. Henderson. "The creatures are +certainly making off with us. How powerful they must be!" + +"Will dey take us to a cave?" faltered Washington. "Will dey eat us up?" + +"I don't think they'll eat us up," spoke the inventor. "It would defy +even their powerful sucking apparatus to bore through the steel sides of +the _Porpoise_. What I am afraid of is that they may move us to some +hidden depth where we will be caught under the rocks or in the ice, and +so lose what little chance there is of getting free." + +"And the worst of it is we can't do a thing to help ourselves!" +exclaimed Andy. "This is the worst game I was ever up against!" + +The adventurers were indeed helpless. They could not get out of their +ship to attack the monsters, even had they dared to. Their engine, +powerful as it was, had proved no match for the creatures, and now they +were being carried away, ship and all, to some unknown place. + +The ship did not go through the water fast. Though the suckers seemed to +be working in union their bodies were too unwieldly, and the ship so +large, that their pace was slow. Nevertheless they kept steadily on. + +Several times, in their desperation, the adventurers tried the force of +the big screw against that of the suckers. It was of no avail. Neither +was the device of emptying the tanks, and trying to force the craft up +as far as the roof of ice would permit it to go. + +"It's of no use," announced Mr. Henderson with something that sounded +like a groan. "We must prepare for the worst." + +"How long can we live here without going to the surface after a fresh +supply of air?" asked Bill. + +"About three days," was the answer. "I took the precaution to put a +double supply into the tanks, in readiness for an emergency, but I never +thought of such a terrible situation as this." + +The submarine seemed to be moving more rapidly now. It was useless to +try to see through either the windows in the side or in the conning +tower, for all the glass was covered by the horrible bodies. + +"What will they do with us when they get us where they want us?" asked +Andy. + +"What can they do except hold us prisoners until--until--" The professor +broke off the sentence he dared not finish. + +For an hour or more the craft was moved through the water at moderate +speed. Then it came to a stop. Those on board were alert for what might +happen next. + +"I guess dey done got us in der cave," said Washington with chattering +teeth. "Now dey'll begin to devour us wid dem terrible big mouths! +Golly, I wish I was home!" + +"Stop that nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Be a man! There is no +danger yet. The sides of the _Porpoise_ will defy worse enemies than +those attacking us!" + +At that instant the ship began to move again. It was hauled slowly +through the water. + +"They are pulling us backward!" said Andy, as he watched the needle of +the compass. + +Once more the submarine was stopped. Then it moved forward at a more +rapid pace than at any time since the suckers had seized it. An instant +later it brought up against some solid object with such a jar that those +inside were thrown off their feet. + +"Something has hit us!" cried Jack. + +"More likely we've struck something," said the professor. + +Again the ship forged to the rear, and once again it was sent swiftly +ahead. Then came the second shock, harder than the first, which sent +some of the party headlong. + +"They are banging us against a rock!" cried Mr. Henderson. + +"Do you mean those sea suckers?" + +"Yes. They have probably found that the shell of the _Porpoise_ is too +hard even for their powerful jaws. So they have taken us to some place +where the rocks show and are banging us against them in order to break +the ship, so they can get at what is inside." + +Once more the ship was drawn backward and again dashed against the +stone. The shock was a hard one and toppled over all who were not +clinging to something. + +"They are ramming us bow on against the rocks," cried Andy. "It will +break us apart if they hit us many more times!" + +Washington hurried forward. He came back with his eyes showing terror. + +"There's a lot of rocks right ahead ob us!" he exclaimed. "I see 'em +through th' little window jest above th' screw. There's land under this +here water!" + +"Land under this ice do you mean?" asked the professor. + +"That's what I mean, an' we's bein' rammed agin th' rocks!" + +"There it goes again!" cried Jack, as the ship shivered from stem to +stern against the impact of the blow. + +"This can not last long," said Mr. Henderson. "If they strike us many +more times some of the places will start, the water will come in, and we +will drown!" + +"But what can we do?" asked Jack. + +"Let's go out now and see if we can't kill some of the beasts with the +guns," suggested Andy. + +"I cannot permit it," answered the inventor. "Our position is bad enough +as it is, but to go out would be to lose our lives for a certainty. The +suckers would swallow us up in a moment. I must find some other way." + +There was a period of silence, while all waited anxiously for what was +to happen next. It was not long in coming. The next impact of the ship +against the rocks was the hardest yet, and it seemed that more of the +suckers must have gripped the craft. + +"She's leakin' a little!" exclaimed Washington coming back from an +inspection forward. "De water am tricklin' in!" + +"We must fight them!" exclaimed Andy. He ran to get a gun and his diving +suit. + +"Don't try to go out!" warned the professor. "You will surely be +killed." + +"I'd rather be killed out there than die shut up in the ship!" cried the +old hunter. "I'm going out!" + +"Wait!" exclaimed Jack suddenly. "I have a plan that may save us!" + +"What is it? Speak quickly!" said Mr. Henderson. "We are in desperate +straits!" + +As he spoke there came another crash against the rocks. + +"We must electrocute the suckers!" cried the boy. + +"Electrocute them? What do you mean?" + +"Take the wires from the electric light circuit, attach one to each end +of the ship, and start the dynamo at full speed!" answered Jack. + +"What good will that do?" + +"The ship is steel," went on the boy. "It will become charged with a +powerful current. We can insulate ourselves by putting on rubber boots, +but the shock of the electricity will kill the creatures!" + +"Good for you!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson. "Quick boys, everybody lend a +hand! Washington, detach the wires and run one to the bow and the other +to the stern of the ship. Then get out the boots." + +In a few minutes the dynamo was ready to send a death-dealing current +through the entire ship. The professor and all the others put on the +boots, that were a part of the diving equipment. The dynamo was started +at full speed and the purring hum told that electricity of great power +was being developed. + +The professor stood with his hand on a switch, ready to close the +circuit as soon as sufficient power had accumulated. Once more the +suckers backed the ship in order to give it impetus for another impact +on the stones. + +Click! The professor snapped the switch shut. There was a burst of +bluish-green flame, and the movement of the boat suddenly ceased. + +"I guess that does for 'em!" shouted Andy. + +"Wait a few minutes," advised the professor. "The suckers may not all be +dead yet!" + +He kept the current flowing throughout the length of the ship for +several minutes, and then turned it off. + +"Now to see if the plan worked," he said. The windows in the cabin were +eagerly scanned. + +"Hurrah!" cried Mark. "The suckers have gone!" + +"I guess the electricity killed them," spoke Mr. Henderson. "We will +venture out now in our diving suits and see what sort of a place we are +in." + +Soon the adventurers were arrayed in the heavy suits. Under them they +wore thick clothing, and in each suit was placed a small flat heater, +operated by a storage battery. The heaters were made of coils of fine +wires, and the electric current, meeting with much resistance in passing +through them, heated the coils, so there was considerable warmth. + +It was all needed as they found when they felt the water entering the +diving chamber, for the fluid was as cold as an ocean full of icebergs +could make it. Protected however by the heavy suits, warm clothing and +the heaters the divers were fairly comfortable. + +The outer door was opened and they all started back in amazement at the +sight which met their eyes. Before them lay a forest of real trees, with +bushes growing among them, while the ground, instead of being like the +usual ocean bed was covered with grass. + +As Washington had said, on getting a small view of the place from the +little window, it was real land under water. + +Their first surprise at the strange spectacle over, the adventurers +glanced about for a sight of the terrible sea suckers. But they need not +have feared. Lying in a huddled up mass toward the rear of the +_Porpoise_ were the dead bodies of the ugly creatures. The electricity +had finished them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +ATTACKED BY AN OCTUPUS + + +They walked some distance away from the ship, for the land under the +water was easy to travel on. It looked exactly as if some beautiful +valley had suddenly been submerged in the middle of summer, when +everything was fresh and green. + +They had gone perhaps a quarter of a mile from the _Porpoise_ when +Professor Henderson motioned to them that they had better return. On +their way back they passed what looked to be a large cave in the side of +a hill. Wondering what could be in it, Mark and Jack paused to peer into +the black opening. + +The next instant two long white things, like slender serpents shot out. +With the rapidity of lightning they wrapped themselves, one about each +boy, and, before the horrified companions of the lads could do anything +the unfortunate youths were whisked out of sight into the cavern. + +For a few seconds no one knew what to do. To rush in to the rescue of +the boys would have been foolhardy, as the terrible octupus, which they +knew had grabbed the lads, would have been a match for all of the +adventurers, unarmed as they were. + +It would be necessary to return to the ship and come back with some of +the electric guns, which they had neglected to bring with them. In the +meanwhile the beast might, and probably would, kill Mark and Jack. But +there was nothing else to do. + +The professor motioned for Andy to remain on the watch at the mouth of +the cavern, so as to be on hand in case he could help the boys, while +the others were hurrying toward the ship. Then, leading the way, the +Professor signalled for Tom and Bill to follow him. + +They could not hurry much for the heavy suits and the resistance of the +water impeded their progress. But they made all the speed they could, +urged on by a terrible fear. + +Meanwhile old Andy stood in front of the cave, hoping against hope that +there might be some way of aiding the boys. If it had happened above +water he would not have hesitated to rush in and give battle to the +beast, even though he was unarmed. If he had his knife now he would +venture in, at the risk of his life. + +"Oh, why didn't I bring my gun along!" thought Andy regretfully. + +His hand dropped to his side and his fingers came in contact with a big +knife in the belt of the diving suit. Here was a weapon he had forgotten +all about. + +He drew forth the blade. It seemed a small one with which to attack so +large and terrible a creature as the octupus. Yet to remain there, +knowing the boys were being killed was more than old Andy could stand. +Grasping the handle with a firm grip he started toward the cave. His +foot caught in something, and he nearly fell. + +Looking down to see what had tripped him he saw a long thin pole, +straight as a lance. It had once been a tree limb, but all the branches +were stripped off. + +"Now if I only had an iron point for that," Andy thought. Then he +recollected the knife in his hand. + +"The very thing," he remarked aloud, the words sounding startlingly loud +in the confinement of the copper helmet. "If I only had something to +fasten the knife on the pole I could make a spear to attack the +octupus." + +Then he saw long streamers of sea weed growing up from the ocean bed. +They were very tough, a kind of wirey grass that was as strong as rope. +Andy cut several streamers and, with a hunter's skill bound the knife to +the end of the staff. + +Now he had a weapon formidable enough to venture in and give battle to +the monster. He hesitated no longer, fearing that even the short delay +might have been too much and that the boys were dead. He entered the +cave. At first he could perceive nothing for it was quite dark. Then, as +his eyes became used to the gloom, which the lamp in his helmet faintly +illuminated, he saw, far back in the rear, the horrible octupus. + +Two dark objects, around which were wrapped several folds of the +terrible arms, Andy guessed to be Mark and Jack, and when he was a faint +glow coming from them he was sure they were the boys, the gleams coming +from the lamps in their helmets. + +Warily the hunter approached the creature. If he had hoped to take it +unawares he was disappointed, for, when he had come within ten feet, +holding his improvised lance outstretched ready for a deadly thrust, the +creature shot out two long arms toward Andy. + +Now the battle began. The snake-like feelers, armed with big saucer +shaped suckers, lashed about in the water, seeking to clasp the hunter +in their deadly embrace. But Andy, who had fought many kinds of wild +animals on land, did not lose his presence of mind in confronting this +beast of the sea. + +Nimbly, in spite of the handicap of the heavy diving suit, Andy dodged +the arms. Watching his chance he thrust at one, and the sharp knife +severed the end. But another arm shot out, while the wounded one was +drawn in, and the battle was as much against the old hunter as before. + +Once more he thrust his lance, and this time he severed one of the arms +close to the ugly body. The creature, in its rage and pain, redoubled +its efforts to clasp Andy. + +The hunter decided to try to get to closer quarters where he could use +his spear on the body of the beast. He stooped down and wiggled along on +the bottom of the cave. But the creature saw him, and darted an arm out +to pull the old man in. Andy squirmed to one side, and then, being as +close as he desired, he rose to his feet and, drawing back the pole +thrust it with all his force straight at the centre of the +whitish-yellow body that was like a horrible lump of soft fat directly +in front of him. + +At the first touch of the knife the creature squirted out an inky +substance that made the water about it as black as night. Andy could not +see, but he could feel that the lance was still in the body. He pulled +it back a little and thrust again and again, turning it around to +enlarge the wound he had made. + +Then, what he had feared all along happened. Two of the creatures arms +found him, and he felt the terrible pressure as they wound themselves +about him, the sucker-plates clinging fast. Yet in it all he did not +lose his presence of mind, nor did he let go of the pole. + +Tighter and tighter the arms clasped him. He struggled with all his +strength but he was in a grip more powerful than that of a boa +constrictor. Suddenly the pole he was holding snapped off. He let go the +useless end and pulled the shorter part, to which the knife was bound, +toward him. Andy felt his senses beginning to leave him, but he +determined to make one more effort. + +One hand was free, that holding the knife. With his last remaining +strength he cut and slashed at the arms of the creature that were +clasped about him. + +Again and again he stuck the blade into the gristle like substance. +Could he win? Could he save his own life, to say nothing of that of the +two boys? + +The creature was lashing about now so that the water was a mass of black +foam. The ink-color was beginning to fade away. Andy could dimly observe +the horrible front of the octupus, and see the wound his lance had made. +Then all seemed to grow dark again. He dimly remembered trying to +thrust the knife into one of the saucer-shaped eyes, and then of a +sudden his senses left him. + +When Andy came to his senses he found himself lying on the ocean bed +just outside the cave. About him stood the professor, Washington, Tom +and Bill. His head buzzed and he felt weak, but he knew he was +uninjured, and that his diving suit had not been punctured in the fight +with the octupus, for he could feel the fresh air entering from the tank +at the back of his helmet. + +Were the boys killed, Andy wondered. Had his fight to save them been in +vain? He managed to stand up, and then, to his relief he saw Mark and +Jack standing behind Tom and Bill. The boys seemed weak but otherwise +uninjured. + +The professor motioned to know if Andy could walk and the old hunter +soon demonstrated that he could by stepping forward. Then the party +proceeded slowly to the ship. + +Little time was lost by each one in divesting himself of his diving suit +as soon as they had left the water chamber. The first thing Andy asked +when his helmet was off, was: + +"Did I kill the beast?" + +"Indeed you did," replied the professor. "And just in time, too. You +were about done for when we came back with the guns, but they were not +needed. My! But you must have had a terrible fight!" + +"I did, while it lasted," said the hunter. "But were the boys hurt?" + +"They can speak for themselves," replied Mr. Henderson. "I guess not, +though." + +"Having the wind almost squeezed out of us was the worst that happened," +said Mark. "The octupus must have recently dined when it grabbed us, for +it didn't offer to eat us. And it didn't grip us as tightly as it might +have or I reckon we wouldn't have come out alive. I thought sure we were +going to be killed, however." + +"So did I," put in Jack. + +"I don't want any more such fights this trip," said Andy with a weak +smile. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +OUT OF THE ICE + + +Worn out with their encounter with the octupus, Andy and the boys were +glad to take to their bunks. The others, too, who were weary from +traveling under water, felt the need of rest, and so it was decided to +let the ship remain stationary down on the bottom of the ocean for +several hours before going on further. + +"When we get rested up we'll have a good meal, and then try to gain the +surface of the ocean," said the professor. + +There was quiet on board the _Porpoise_ for a long time. Washington was +the first to awake and he at once set about getting a meal. When it was +ready he called the professor, and, one after another all the +adventurers rose from their bunks and refreshed themselves with hot +coffee, bacon, eggs and preserves, all prepared from condensed foods, of +which a large supply had been brought. + +"Now to see if we can make our way upward through the ice," announced +Mr. Henderson. + +"We ought to be far enough south to strike the open polar sea which I +believe exists." + +The engine was started after the small leaks in the bow, caused by the +ramming of the boat on the rocks, had been stopped up, and the +professor, entering the conning tower, turned her due south. + +The screw vibrated in the tunnel, the water rushed out in a big stream, +the engines and dynamos hummed, and the hearts of all were lightened as +they knew they were nearing the goal of their journey. + +Several hours passed and the professor, who was keeping watch of the +gages noted they had covered more than one hundred miles. As the supply +of compressed air was getting low Mr. Henderson, not wanting to run any +chances, decided to make an attempt to reach the surface and refill the +tanks. + +Accordingly the water tanks were emptied of their ballast, the rudder +was set to force the ship to the surface, and soon the depth gage showed +a constantly decreasing amount of water over the heads of the +adventurers. + +"Now, if we don't hit the ice above us we'll be all right," spoke Mr. +Henderson. "We are within fifteen feet of the surface." + +Hardly had he ceased speaking when the _Porpoise_ brought up against +something with a bump that jarred everyone. Then the submarine went +scraping along, hitting the conning tower every now and then. + +"Not clear of the ice yet," said Mr. Henderson. "We must go down a +little and try again." + +The tanks were filled with enough water to keep the boat about fifty +feet under the surface, and at that depth she was sent ahead at full +speed. The professor's face wore an anxious look, and when Washington +asked him if it was not time to replenish the air supply of the boat the +inventor told the colored man to be very sparing of the contents of the +compressing tanks. + +"I'm afraid we are not as near the open sea as I at first thought," Mr. +Henderson finished. + +On and on rushed the _Porpoise_. The engines were kept at full speed, +and after two hours of this fast run another attempt was made to reach +the surface. Once more the thick ice intervened. + +"Guess we'll have to blast our way out," observed Andy. "We seem to have +lots of trouble on this trip." + +"Why not try to ram your way through," suggested Jack. + +"How do you mean?" asked Mr. Henderson. + +"I mean to sink the boat say two hundred feet. Then start her up +obliquely and perhaps the sharp prow will cut a hole through the ice." + +"Hardly through ice fifteen feet or more thick," said the captain +despondently. + +"But it may be thinner now," persisted Jack. + +"At any rate it will do no harm to try," the inventor admitted. "We can +not last much longer down here." + +Again the tanks were filled, and by the aid of the deflecting rudder the +_Porpoise_ went down into the depths. Then the ballast tanks were +quickly emptied, and the rudder turned so as to force the craft upward +on a slant. The engine was set going at top speed. + +"Hold fast everybody!" called the professor. "It is kill or cure this +trip!" + +Like an arrow from a bow the _Porpoise_ shot upward. On and on it sped, +gathering momentum with every foot she traveled. + +Suddenly there came a terrible crash, a grinding sound and a rending and +tearing. The ship trembled from end to end. Every one was knocked from +his feet. There were bumpings and scrapings all along the sides of the +submarine. Then, with one final spurt of speed, the little ship tore her +way through the ice and emerged, with a splash and shower of foam into +the open sea! + +Quickly the man hole was opened and, half dead from lack of fresh air, +the adventurers crawled out on deck. It was night and the stars +glittered in the sky above. They were just beyond the edge of the ice +field, and all about them was a wide open sea. + +"I was right after all," said the professor, "but I miscalculated the +distance. Had we gone on a few feet farther it would not have been +necessary to break through the ice." + +"I guess it's a lucky thing we didn't try it before either," remarked +Andy. "We never could have bored through fifteen feet of the frozen +stuff. Where we plowed up it is less than two feet," and he pointed to +where the immense floe came to an end. + +It was decided to go no farther that night, however, as the professor +wanted to take some observations by daylight and ascertain his position. +So filling their lungs with the air, cold and piercing though it was, +the adventurers descended to their cabin, and lots were drawn to see who +would stand the two night watches. It fell to Mr. Henderson to take the +first, and Washington the second. The captain accordingly took up his +position in the conning tower and prepared to pass several hours. + +He was busy thinking over the exciting times he and his companions had +passed through, and planning new trips to see more wonders of the world, +when his attention was attracted by slight noise near the man hole +leading to the amidship companionway. + +The professor looked up, and was startled to see a tall white object, +with outstretched arms advancing toward him with slow and stealthy +tread. + +"The ghost again!" exclaimed the inventor softly. "I must catch it now, +and see what foolishness it is," for the professor did not believe in +spirits. + +He got down on his hands and knees the better to escape observation, +should the white thing prove to be a bodily substance, and started to +crawl toward it. He came within ten feet of the thing, and could make +out that it was a man, or at least the semblance of one, all clothed in +white. + +Nearer and nearer the inventor crawled to the thing. It turned to face +him now and Mr. Henderson could not help feeling startled as he saw the +object had no head. The neck ended in a white stump. + +In spite of a little feeling of qualmishness, which even his boasted +disbelief in ghosts did not save him from, Mr. Henderson was about to +spring upon the thing and solve the mystery. + +At that instant, however, Washington, who was coming on deck to take up +his watch, appeared at the head of the companionway, and caught sight of +the terrible object. + +The yells of the colored man as he dove downward and back into the +cabin, aroused the ship. Determined to solve the mystery, in spite of +everything, the professor made a leap forward. He slipped, and tumbled +down the iron stairway. At the same time, the ghost, with a blood +curdling yell, leaped over the professor's back, and disappeared down +the stairs of the conning tower. + +In an instant the crew were rushing from their bunk rooms, seeking a +meaning for the disturbance. + +"It was the ghost again," explained the professor as he picked himself +up, not much the worse for his tumble. "I tried to catch it, but I +didn't. Come, Washington, it is your turn to stand watch." + +"Not to-night," said Washington firmly. + +It was no use to urge him, so Jack good-naturedly stood Washington's +trick. Nothing further however occurred that night. + +In the morning the professor made several observations and found that he +was within one hundred and fifty miles of the south pole. + +"We'll make it to-morrow, if we have luck," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE BOILING WATER + + +The hours passed and the strange voyage continued. + +The _Porpoise_ traveled along at good speed, and the professor devoted +most of his time to looking after the different scientific instruments +and gages, for they were nearing the south pole. The deflecting compass, +which when it came directly over the place corresponding to the pole, +would point straight up and down, was assuming more and more of a +perpendicular position. + +"We are getting there!" exclaimed the professor with delight. "A few +hours more and we will have won the goal!" + +There was considerable excitement on board when the professor's +announcement was made. Though few of the adventurers cared as much for +the scientific achievement as did Mr. Henderson, they were all glad he +was about to succeed. To most of them the locating of the south pole was +no different from visiting some new country, excepting that there were +more adventures than on most voyages. + +At dusk the _Porpoise_ went to the surface and during the night traveled +along atop of the billows. In the morning she dived below again. The +engine was started at high speed and the deflecting needle dipped still +more. + +"We's gittin' dar!" exclaimed Washington as he oiled the various +bearings of the machinery. + +Breakfast was served and hurriedly eaten, for the excitement was telling +on every one. After the meal had been cleared away they all sat in the +darkened cabin looking out at the water as it slipped past the glass +windows. Big and little fish swam up and peered into the bull's-eyes and +then darted away. + +"That's sort of queer," remarked Jack a little later. + +"What is?" asked Mark, who was sitting near his chum. + +"All the fish seem to have suddenly disappeared," replied Jack. "There +were hundreds a little while ago, and now I haven't seen one looking in +the windows for some time." + +"Perhaps there's a big fish on their trail," observed Mark. "That's what +makes 'em take to the deep sea weed." + +"Maybe so," replied Jack. + +A little later Professor Henderson entered the room. He went over, +looked at the thermometer, and then called to Washington: + +"Have you got the heat turned on?" + +"No, sah! I ain't done truned on no superheated vapor into de +radiators," replied the colored man. "I were jest thinkin' dat we'd hit +de south pole by de feel of it." + +"It is getting strangely warm," admitted Mr. Henderson. + +"Ain't that what you expected at the south pole?" asked Andy. "I thought +it was hot at the south pole and cold at the north." + +"That's what lots of people imagine," said the professor, "but except +for the open sea, which I have proved does exist, I guess it's just as +cold at the south as at the north, especially in the winter. We have +struck the summer season." + +"And a mighty warm one at that," observed Jack. "Whew! I've got to take +off my coat." + +Indeed it was getting uncomfortably warm in the ship, and the +adventurers who had dressed in thick clothing to guard against the +rigors of the icy climate, soon had to lay aside many of their garments. + +"No wonder!" exclaimed Mr. Henderson, as he looked at a thermometer. "It +is eighty degrees in here!" + +"Worse than workin' in a hay field," observed Bill, as he wiped the +beads of perspiration from his forehead. + +"Let us see what sort of water we are traveling through," suggested the +professor, as he again turned off the lights in the cabin so that a view +could be had from the bull's-eyes. + +Wondering what would meet their gaze the adventurers peered out of the +small circular windows. At first they could hardly believe their eyes. + +There, right before them, the sea was bubbling as if it was an immense +tea kettle. Steam formed on the glass, and big clouds of vapor could be +seen. The atmosphere of the cabin became almost unbearable. + +"We are in the midst of a boiling hot ocean!" cried the professor. + +"Are we sailing through hot water?" asked Andy. + +"I should say so, from the feel of it," answered Mr. Henderson. "Put +your hand on the side of the cabin." + +Andy laid his fingers against the steel plates. He drew back. + +"I burned myself!" he exclaimed. + +"What are we to do?" cried Jack. + +"Get out of this by all means!" exclaimed the inventor. "If we stay in +this hot ocean we will be boiled alive like fishes in a pot. Send the +ship up, Washington!" + +Indeed it was high time. The thermometer marked one hundred and ten +degrees, and was rising. The interior of the _Porpoise_ was like that of +a steam laundry three times heated. Stripped to their undergarments the +adventurers were obliged to lie down on the floor of the cabin where it +was a little cooler. + +It was all Washington could do, used as colored people are to the heat, +to go into the engine room, and start the machinery that emptied the +tanks, so as to allow the ship to mount to the surface. + +The _Porpoise_ began to rise slowly, and to the suffering men and boys +it seemed that she never went up so reluctantly. The heat was becoming +unbearable. They could hear the water bubbling even through the steel +sides of the submarine. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +CONCLUSION + + +Could they live to reach the surface? was the thought in the mind of +every one. The heat was terrific. They were breathing in gasps. +Professor Henderson went to the water tank, thinking to throw some of +the fluid over himself and his companions, but he found it so warm that +it almost burned his hand. + +"Keep up your courage!" exclaimed the inventor. "We will soon be at the +top!" + +Almost as he spoke the _Porpoise_ bounded from the waves, and fell back +in a splash of foam on the surface of the billows. They were at the +surface. + +The professor rushed for the manhole and soon opened it. He crawled out +on the deck, followed by the others. They breathed in deep breaths of +the fresh air. + +The submarine continued to sail on. Every minute the sea seemed to boil +more violently, until at last the waves were covered with a cloud of +steam, through which it was difficult to observe where they were going. + +"Hadn't we better turn back," suggested Mark. + +"Our only hope is to press on," replied Mr. Henderson. "We may cross +this zone of boiling water soon." + +He went into the conning tower to make an observation. He came on the +deck the next minute, very much excited. + +"What's the matter? Are we sinking?" asked Andy. + +"We are directly over the south pole!" exclaimed the professor. "We have +reached the goal! We have come to the spot hundreds of men have tried to +reach! It has been left for us to succeed. Look at the deflecting +needle!" + +They crowded into the conning tower to note it. The slender hand of +steel stood straight up and down, indicating that the ship was over the +south pole, one of the two chief centres of magnetism of the earth. + +"If we only dared stop to make some scientific notes and observations," +said the professor, "we could render much valuable aid to the seekers +after truth. But it would be sure death to stay in the boiling water!" + +"I guess we'd better be getting out of this if we want to reach home +alive," spoke Andy. + +Indeed they were all suffering very much, for the heat from the water +was awful. + +"Speed her up, Washington!" called the professor. "We must get out of +here!" + +"Which way shall I steer?" asked the colored man. + +"Straight ahead. We are now bound north!" + +"Bound north!" cried Jack. + +"Certainly," answered the professor. "We have passed over the exact spot +where the south pole is. The deflecting needle is beginning to tilt +again. The compass is indicating a northerly direction. You know that +after you go as far south as you can, you have to begin to go back +north. Well, we have gone as far south as we can. Now we are going +north. We have turned the southern end of the globe, and are on our way +back." + +For several hours the _Porpoise_ continued along on top of the water. By +degrees, as they left the vicinity of the boiling ocean, it became +cooler. The water ceased to seethe and bubble, and Jack found, on +experiment, that he could bear his hand in it. + +"Hurrah!" he cried, "we are safe now." + +"Next we'll have to prepare to freeze to death," spoke Mark. "It's +either one extreme or the other this trip. But we've had lots of fun and +excitement." + +"Plenty of the last," agreed Jack. + +On and on went the submarine. Once it was out of the range of the +terrible heated zone, the atmosphere rapidly cooled, until the +adventurers were glad to don their heavy garments again. + +"This marks the ending of the first half of the voyage," announced the +professor. "Now we are going back. We have accomplished something no +other living man has done and I am proud of it. Proud of all of you, and +proud of the ship!" + +Several hours later, when it was deemed safe, the _Porpoise_ was sunk +beneath the waves, and once more she speeded along through the water at +a fast speed. The ship seemed to know she was going home, for never had +she made better time. + +"We have solved every problem that we met," said the professor while he, +with Jack and Mark, were in the conning tower, as Washington was +preparing a meal. + +"Except two," said Jack. + +"What are they?" + +"The ghost of the submarine, and the identity of the anarchists who blew +up the Easton hotel." + +"Perhaps both riddles may be solved before we get back to Maine," +answered Mr. Henderson. + +They both were, sooner, and in stranger ways than either of the boys +expected. That night it was Jack's first watch on deck. The ship was +speeding on, and by the air the boy knew they were approaching icebergs. +At midnight a strange and sudden chill in the air made him look up. + +Almost dead ahead was a big berg. He quickly shut off the engine, and +narrowly avoided a collision. Then happening to glance back he saw, +standing near the companionway leading down into the man-hole a ghostly +white shape. + +"I'll find out what you are this time, or go overboard with you," said +Jack to himself, clenching his teeth. He crawled along the deck until he +thought he was within leaping distance of the weird white thing. Then he +made a leap. + +He landed on something soft, which, the moment he struck it, let out a +yell that sounded loud on the quiet night. Then the thing began to +fight. But Jack fought back and held on bravely. + +"Here! What are you tryin' to do?" exclaimed a voice in his ear. + +"What are you trying to do?" asked Jack indignantly, finding that the +words came from the "ghost." + +"Nice way to treat a man! Half kill him!" the white thing went on. "Just +when I'm trying to get a little sleep you come along and pull me out of +bed!" + +"Why, it's Bill Jones," exclaimed Jack, as the light from the conning +tower lamp fell on the face of the "ghost." + +"Of course it is; who did you think it was?" asked Bill. + +"What are you doing on deck in your night shirt?" asked the boy, letting +the helper rise. + +"Me? On deck? Ain't I in my bunk?" + +"I should say not," replied Jack. "What are you doing on deck?" + +"Well! well!" remarked Bill, rubbing his eyes. "I've gone and done it +again." + +"Done what?" + +"Walked in my sleep. I'm a great sleep walker. Greatest you ever knew. +Once I climbed to the top of our barn when I was asleep." + +"So you're the ghost of the submarine," exclaimed Jack. "That explains +it." + +"I guess you're right," admitted Bill, as the others came on deck to see +what all the row was about. "I never thought of it when I heard about +the ghost, but I can account for it now. I'd get out of my bunk, wander +out on deck, and then crawl back again. Of course, being barefoot, or in +fur slippers, I made no sounds. I don't wonder you thought I was a +spirit. Queer I didn't wake up after some of the things I went through." + +"And you always managed to get back to your bunk in time so that we +never caught you at it," said Jack. "However, it's all over now." + +And so it was, for after that Bill tied a chair in front of his bunk, +and if he did get out in his sleep he stumbled against it and awoke +before he had gone far. + +Northward the _Porpoise_ continued on her journey. She entered a vast +field of ice, and only her ability to sink below the surface enabled her +to get through it unharmed. There were few adventures going home. Once a +big whale rammed the ship, as had happened on the going voyage, and +several times they were surrounded by hordes of wild polar fish and +walrusses, but there were no accidents, and in a couple of weeks the +ship entered the temperate zone. + +Then came lazy happy days of sailing through the tropical region. They +landed at several islands and renewed their supply of food. + +"I'm coming back this way some day," observed Mr. Henderson one +afternoon as the ship was sailing along on top of the waves. + +"What for?" asked Jack. + +"To investigate that strange island with a big hole in the middle that +seems to lead to the centre of the earth," was the answer. "I have a +fancy we can explore that by means of a balloon. I'm going to try." + +"Will you take us along?" asked the two boys. + +"I'll see," replied the professor. + +And later on he did take them on a trip, a thousand miles +underground,--but that is another story to tell. + +It was about a week later that the voyagers came within sight of Key +West. + +"Off there lies the United States," said Mr. Henderson. + +"Hurrah for home!" cried Mark. + +Three days later they landed at a small Florida town. The sight of the +_Porpoise_ attracted throngs of people to the dock where she tied up. +Among them was a newsboy. + +"Get me all the papers for the past month," said Jack. "I want to see +what the news is." + +"Same here," put in Mark, and the papers were soon brought. + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed Jack, as soon as he had looked at several of the +sheets. + +"What is it?" asked Mark, who was unfolding a paper. + +"Anarchists Confess," read Jack. "Two Englishmen Admit They Blew Up +Hotel Where Lord Peckham Was Stopping. No Suspicion Attaches to Two +Youths Who So Mysteriously Disappeared!" + +"Hurrah!" joined in Mark. + +"Those are only the head lines," went on Jack. "There's a long story, +and I guess it lets us out." + +The two boys were completely cleared of the slightest shade of suspicion +of the outrage, and there was even an interview with the English +detective in which he admitted that he was wrong. + +A week later the _Porpoise_ tied up at her own dock, whence she was +launched. + +"Back again," remarked the professor as he stepped ashore. "I've been to +the south pole, and to the north pole. I wonder where I shall go next?" + +"To the big hole and underground," suggested Jack. + +"We shall see," said Mr. Henderson with a twinkle in his eyes. + + +THE END + + + + +The Dave Dashaway Series + +By ROY ROCKWOOD + + +Author of the "Speedwell Boys Series" and the "Great Marvel Series." + +=12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.= + +=Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway. All +up-to-date lads will surely wish to read about him.= + + +[Illustration: DAVE DASHAWAY THE YOUNG AVIATOR] + + DAVE DASHAWAY THE YOUNG AVIATOR + _or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune_ + + This initial volume tells how the hero ran away + from his miserly guardian, fell in with a + successful airman, and became a young aviator of + note. + + + DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS + HYDROPLANE + _or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes_ + + Showing how Dave continued his career as a birdman + and had many adventures over the Great Lakes, and + how he foiled the plans of some Canadian + smugglers. + + + DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS GIANT AIRSHIP + _or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic_ + + How the giant airship was constructed and how the + daring young aviator and his friends made the + hazardous journey through the clouds from the new + world to the old, is told in a way to hold the + reader spellbound. + + + DAVE DASHAWAY AROUND THE WORLD + _or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations_ + + An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the + world, of adventures in Alaska, Siberia and + elsewhere. A true to life picture of what may be + accomplished in the near future. + + + DAVE DASHAWAY: AIR CHAMPION + _or Wizard Work in the Clouds_ + + Dave makes several daring trips, and then enters a + contest for a big prize. An aviation tale + thrilling in the extreme. + + * * * * * + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES + +By ALLEN CHAPMAN + +Author of "The Tom Fairfield Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series" and +"The Darewell Chums Series." + +=12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.= + + * * * * * + +A line of tales embracing school athletics. Fred is a true type of the +American schoolboy of to-day. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: FRED FENTON THE PITCHER] + + FRED FENTON THE PITCHER + _or The Rivals of Riverport School_ + + When Fred came to Riverport none of the school + lads knew him, but he speedily proved his worth in + the baseball box. A true picture of school + baseball. + + + FRED FENTON IN THE LINE + _or The Football Boys of Riverport School_ + + When Fall came in the thoughts of the boys turned + to football. Fred went in the line, and again + proved his worth, making a run that helped to win + a great game. + + + FRED FENTON ON THE CREW + _or The Young Oarsmen of Riverport School_ + + In this volume the scene is shifted to the river, + and Fred and his chums show how they can handle + the oars. There are many other adventures, all + dear to the hearts of boys. + + + FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK + _or The Athletes of Riverport School_ + + Track athletics form a subject of vast interest to + many boys, and here is a tale telling of great + running races, high jumping, and the like. Fred + again proves himself a hero in the best sense of + that term. + + + FRED FENTON: MARATHON RUNNER + _or The Great Race at Riverport School_ + + Fred is taking a post-graduate course at the + school when the subject of Marathon running came + up. A race is arranged, and Fred shows both his + friends and his enemies what he can do. An + athletic story of special merit. + + * * * * * + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +_Everybody will love the story of_ + +NOBODY'S BOY + + * * * * * + +By HECTOR MALOT + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: NOBODY'S BOY] + +The dearest character in all the literature of child life is little Remi +in Hector Malot's famous masterpiece _Sans Famille_ ("Nobody's Boy"). + +All love, pathos, loyalty, and noble boy character are exemplified in +this homeless little lad, who has made the world better for his being in +it. The boy or girl who knows Remi has an ideal never to be forgotten. +But it is a story for grownups, too. + +"Nobody's Boy" is one of the supreme heart-interest stories of all time, +which will _make you happier and better_. + + _4 Colored Illustrations. $1.25 net._ + =_At All Booksellers_= + + * * * * * + +=CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers New York= + + + + +THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._ + +_Price, per volume, 60 cents, postpaid._ + +[Illustration: THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES] + +=THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES= + + * * * * * + +BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON + + * * * * * + + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + The Saddle Boys on the Plains + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails + + +=THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES= + + * * * * * + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + * * * * * + + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship + Dave Dashaway Around the World + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion + + +=THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES= + + * * * * * + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + * * * * * + + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer + + +=THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES= + + * * * * * + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + * * * * * + + Tom Fairfield's School Days + Tom Fairfield at Sea + Tom Fairfield in Camp + Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck + Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip + + +=THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES= + + * * * * * + +BY ALLEN CHAPMAN + + * * * * * + + Fred Fenton the Pitcher + Fred Fenton in the Line + Fred Fenton on the Crew + Fred Fenton on the Track + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + * * * * * + +=CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York= + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 3, "Main" changed to "Maine". (coast of Maine) + +Page 7, "stearsman" changed to "steersman". (for the steersman) + +Page 16, "stearing" changed to "steering". (or steering tower) + +Page 16, "beeksteak" changed to "beefsteak". (fry a beefsteak) + +Page 19, "speciments" changed to "specimens". (pretty nice specimens) + +Page 20, "steared" changed to "steered". (professor steered her) + +Page 24, word "be" added to the text. (it'll be all) + +Page 32, "lauched" changed to "launched". (she had been launched) + +Page 36, "reined" changed to "reigned". (pandemonium reigned) + +Page 56, "stear" changed to "steer". (to steer properly) + +Page 57, "stear" changed to "steer". (ship will steer) + +Page 63, "helmet" changed to "helmets". (their helmets were) + +Page 67, "stearing" changed to "steering". (professor was steering) + +Page 72, "assasinate" changed to "assassinate". (to assassinate Lord) + +Page 76, "want's" changed to "wants". (cabin wants to) + +Page 82, "innner" changed to "inner". (inner door was) + +Page 87, "stearing" changed to "steering". (Washington was steering) + +Page 89, "propellors" changed to "propellers". (about the propellers) + +Page 90, "propellor" changed to "propeller". (big propeller in) + +Page 140, "begining" changed to "beginning". (run was beginning) + +Page 158, "wierd" changed to "weird". (weird white object) + +Page 162, "subterreanean" changed to "subterranean". (of subterranean +disturbances) + +Page 182, "Britanic" changed to "Britannic". (His Britannic Majesty's) + +Page 182, word "was" removed from text. (show something that) Original +read "show was something that". + +Page 187, "beeing" changed to "being". (was being steered) + +Page 187, "firghtened" changed to "frightened". (gave one frightened) + +Page 192, "folowed" changed to "followed". (silence followed his) + +Page 193, "oscilation" changed to "oscillation". (oscillation of the +big) + +Page 195, "preparel" changed to "prepared". (prepared water-proof) + +Page 215, "impossile" changed to "impossible". (flesh was impossible) + +Page 226, "hemlet" changed to "helmet". (his helmet was off) + +Page 229, "see" changed to "sea". (polar sea which) + +Page 236, "hurridly" changed to "hurriedly". (and hurriedly eaten) + +Page 239, "degress" changed to "degrees". (and ten degrees) + +Page 242, "seeth" changed to "seethe". (to seethe and bubble) + +Page 243, extraneous word "more" removed. (once more she) Original read +"once more more she". + +Seven instances of "manhole" and nine of "man-hole" were retained. + +"Octopus" is spelled "octupus" in this volume. This was changed in the +table of contents and a chapter header to reflect text usage. + +One instance each of Penson/Pensen was retained. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Under the Ocean to the South Pole, by Roy Rockwood + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE *** + +***** This file should be named 19731.txt or 19731.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/7/3/19731/ + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Emmy and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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