"Jansen," said the commander, "we are going to attack the Turkish battleships at the mouth of the Euphrates."
The old man let out a siren-like yell, and turned crimson all over his pink and white face.
Captain Nicholson turned the submarine over to him, and, followed by the two lads, made his way below.
"I never knew eighteen throats could make so much noise," said
Frank to Jack, after the crew had been informed of their project.
And it was indeed a terrific noise the men made when they learned they were about to go into action.
"The 'subs' aren't like the big ships," Captain Nicholson explained. "With such a small crew I know the men personally, and I know I can count on each and every one of them, particularly Old Jansen, and Brown, the gunner's mate. I need not caution the engine-room crew for special watchfulness. Every oiler aft knows a warm bearing would condemn him forever in the eyes of his shipmates."
A few moments more and the submarine was racing along toward the mouth of the Euphrates, where the enemy was known to be. Just as dusk was setting in, Brown, the gunner's mate, reported an aeroplane to leeward. Captain Nicholson, Jack and Frank, who stood on the bridge, could just make it out with binoculars.
"I hate to use any electricity out of my batteries now," said
Captain Nicholson, "for it is likely to be very precious later.
However, I don't want to run chances of being discovered. We'll
dive."
The three made their way below. The entrance was hermetically closed, and soon the tanks were being filled. A moment later the Y-3 began to submerge.
At a depth of 60 feet Captain Nicholson trimmed down, and f or an hour the vessel ran along at eight knots, the commander wishing to make sure of complete darkness before coming up.