He stepped aside and Jack took his place at the periscope. The lad uttered an exclamation of surprise.
"By Jove! he has, sir," he ejaculated. "I can see him swimming toward the submarine; and there is a man on the bridge waiting for him. Can't we launch a torpedo at her, sir?"
"I guess we can," replied Lord Hastings. "What do you make the range?"
"Hundred yards, sir," replied Jack. "Number three torpedo, sir!"
Lord Hastings touched a button and the signal board glowed. But even as Jack would have given the command to fire, a new object suddenly rose to the surface of the water and he stayed his hand.
It was a third submarine, and Jack, instead of giving the command to fire, for which the men were eagerly waiting, cried:
"Another submarine, sir! Looks like a German. She's moving toward the pirate, sir!"
Lord Hastings stepped to the periscope, pushing Jack firmly aside.
"We'll move off and let them fight it out," he said. "Full speed ahead, Mr. Templeton!"