At last they made out the newcomer to be a big Russian cruiser, the Ivan II.
She was supposed to be the largest warship in the Russian navy, if not in the world.
She carried a battery of over a hundred large guns and her muster roll counted over two thousand men.
"By jove! but she's a wonder!" muttered Andy, as he gazed at her through a glass.
"She is, and she's not alone," answered Oscar. "See two more warships have come into view."
The young captain was right. The second and the third ships were also Russian, and these were followed by a Chinese cruiser and a Japanese frigate, and then came six other Russian vessels.
By this time the Ivan II. was so close that Oscar thought it best to descend below the surface of the ocean, and coming down with Andy he gave orders for the trap-door to be closed.
The button which communicated with the machinery of the Holland was touched, but, much to the young commander's surprise, the trap-door remained open.
"Hullo, something is wrong there again!" he cried, and ran to push the button himself.
It worked all right, but he speedily discovered that the connection with the power was broken in the engine room.