Before they could make a move, Rawlins and his crew had reached the gun, a shell was slipped into the breech, Rawlins spun the controls, the wicked-looking black barrel swung towards the enemy craft. The next instant there was a blinding flash, a puff of smoke, a deafening report and the wireless mast of the other submarine and the rails of the conning tower vanished as if by magic, while a few yards beyond her a great column of water leaped high in air.
“I’ll say I bumped ’em!” fairly screamed Rawlins, as he spun open the breech of his gun and a second shell was slipped in.
At this totally unexpected turn of events the men upon the enemy submarine became panic-stricken. Some flung themselves flat upon the decks, others plunged headlong down the hatch, and still others huddled behind the rails and super-structure.
“Surrender or we’ll sink you!” shouted Mr. Henderson who had grabbed up a megaphone.
As if in reply, there was a puff of smoke from the conning tower of the other vessel, a shrill whistle in the air and a bullet spatted spitefully against the steel plates within six inches of Mr. Henderson’s head.
Rawlins waited for no further orders. Again came the flash and roar of his gun and in a burst of flame the entire top of the other’s conning tower disappeared.
“Hurrah!” shouted the boys fairly dancing about, so excited and thrilled that they did not realize their danger. “Hurrah! That’ll teach ’em!”
At this instant, Frank caught sight of a strange thing—a slender line of white moving swiftly through the blue water from the injured submarine and headed directly towards where he stood.
“Jimmy!” he yelled. “What’s that? Look, coming right towards us! Looks like a big fish!”
The others glanced towards the spot indicated. “It’s a torpedo!” cried Mr. Pauling. “Back her! Full speed astern! Quick or we’ll all be killed!”