Two of the men had been hit by splinters. It was impossible to drag again. Besides, again the gun crew loaded and fired.
The first shot had dismantled the doorway of the cabin. Elaine crouched fearfully in the furthest corner, not knowing what to expect next. Suddenly another shot tore through just beside the door, smashing the woodwork terrifically. She shrank back further, in fright.
Anything was better than this hidden terror. Nerved up, she ran through the broken door.
Arnold was gazing through his glass at the effect of the shots. He could now see Del Mar and the others leaping into a swift little motor-boat alongside the steamer which they had been using to help them in dragging for the cable.
Just then he saw Elaine run, screaming, out from the cabin and leap overboard.
"Stop!" shouted Arnold in a fever of excitement, lowering his glass.
"There's a girl—by Jove—it's Miss Dodge!"
"Impossible!" exclaimed Woodward.
"I tell you, it is," reiterated Arnold, thrusting the glass into the
Lieutenant's hand.
The motor-boat had started when Del Mar saw Elaine in the water.
"Look," he growled, pointing, "There's the Dodge girl."
Elaine was swimming frantically away from the boat. "Get her," he ordered, shielding his face so that she could not see it.