Boston harbor was soon left behind, and they stood up the New England coast.
"Crowd on all power!" said the young captain to the engineer. "Don't spare anything. This run may prove the run of our lives."
And power was crowded on, until the Holland XI. quivered with an energy that seemed to endow her with life.
Slowly the night went by, and when morning came it found the submarine boat in sight of the great battle ground.
The foreign ships were hammering the Americans as never before, and matters were going badly with the upholders of Old Glory.
"Here is where we make a record for ourselves, or die in the attempt!" cried Captain Oscar. "We must turn that defeat into victory. Let every man do his duty to the utmost. Down we go, Dross."
And down plunged the new Holland into the ocean on her course of destruction and death.
CHAPTER XII.
DEFEAT TURNED INTO VICTORY.
Captain Oscar Pelham knew that whatever was to be done must be done quickly.