At almost the same instant one of the German submarines espied the stranger in the midst. There was a hail across the water. Then a torpedo flashed close to the Roger.
Again Frank glanced at his watch. It was 12:25—only five minutes were left in which the pirate submarine might reach a place of safety. Frank feared to give the signal to submerge for the reason that the speed of the craft would be impeded.
It was better to run the gauntlet of the submarines on top of the water. Torpedoes passed close, but Frank maneuvered the little vessel from port to starboard and back again so rapidly that none struck home.
And at last Frank, watch in hand, felt that the submarine was safely out of the danger zone. His watch showed 12:30.
Frank strained his ears to catch the explosion that would tell him the deadly mines had done their work.
CHAPTER XXX
CAPTAIN JACK PAYS
The attacking party, led by Jack Templeton, Captain Jack and Captain Glenn, advanced across the clearing toward the unsuspecting German settlement at a run.
The distance was perhaps two hundred yards and Captain Jack felt that if this distance could be transversed without discovery, the success of the raid was assured.
But the distance was not to be covered without discovery.