It was calculated that it would take five minutes to run from one ship to another, and five minutes to adjust each of the several torpedoes.
Soon the Wilhelm II. was gained, and in absolute silence the torpedo was fastened to her keel.
Only fish watched the movement and gazed curiously at the torpedo, against which they rubbed their slimy sides.
"Set the fuse at half an hour," ordered Captain Oscar, and this was done.
Five minutes later they had gained the keel of the Terrible, and here a torpedo was set at twenty minutes.
Then a swift run was made for the Philippe, where they set a torpedo at ten minutes.
"Now run for it!" cried Captain Oscar, and the new Holland spun away, straight into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The torpedoes had been set to go off at exactly half-past eleven, and it lacked but two minutes of that time when the new Holland shot to the surface at a safe distance from the hostile fleet.
But the submarine boat was discovered and at once several torpedo-boats belonging to the British set off to give her chase.
"We are going to catch it from the little fellows," said Andy Greggs, with a grim smile.