“Mr. Chadwick, you will take the wheel yourself. I’ll stand beside you and give my orders. These waters are thickly strewn with mines and we can afford to take no chances.”
Frank obeyed this command without question and Lord Hastings took his place beside him, first remarking to Jack:
“You will relieve the lookout forward, Mr. Templeton, and keep your eyes open. I need not mention the need of prompt action should you perceive danger ahead. Slow down to five knots!”
“Very well, sir.”
Jack saluted, and after giving the command that reduced the speed of the vessel, took himself forward.
There, at the extreme bow, he relieved a sailor and took the watch himself.
Now the D-17, like her sister ship the D-16, which had been sunk off the Dardanelles—an accident in which all on board escaped as by a miracle—was as unlike other under-water craft as day is from night.
In the first place, she was able to remain under water indefinitely. It was not necessary for her to return to the surface every so often to replenish her air tanks, for she carried no tanks. The D-17 generated her air supply from the water, by means of a secret process known only to high officials of the British admiralty. Also, the D-17 was the last word in submarine craft in other respects. She had a speed of more than thirty knots when submerged, could move along even faster upon the surface of the water, and her bow, a solid piece of substantial glass, in which reposed a huge searchlight, made it possible for her to pick her course under the water—something that no other submarine craft was able to do. For this latter reason she could venture places where no other vessel would dare.
The huge light flashing in front now, Jack took his stand and stood with eyes straining into the distance ahead.
And while the D-17 is thus moving toward the strongest fortification of the enemy, a few words concerning the two subordinate officers aboard are necessary.