“All right, sir?”
“All right, but pursued. Below with you, and be ready to submerge the minute we are below.”
“Aye, aye, sir!”
Price disappeared.
A moment later the motorboat scraped alongside the submarine, and the three clambered over the side as fast as they could amid a veritable rain of bullets, none of which, however, found its mark.
“Down with you, quick!” shouted Lord Hastings.
Frank and Jack dashed for the companionway at top speed, Lord Hastings right behind them. Down the ladder they went with a rush, and the conning tower was hermetically closed behind them.
“Submerge to ten fathoms, and quickly, Mr. Templeton!” said Lord Hastings quietly.
Jack repeated the command, slowly the tanks began to fill, and the D-17 to submerge, the while the occupants of the motorboats without peppered the side of the vessel with rifle and revolver bullets.
“Shall I launch a torpedo at them, sir?” asked Frank.