“Probably the real ‘U-13’ come up to look us over. Never mind those fellows. I’m going ahead and cut this wagon loose!”
“Wait a minute!” cried Ned. “I see the craft over here to starboard. It’s a peculiar vessel, too! I think I see a man!”
“I see him, too!” declared Frank from a porthole a short distance aft. “Do you suppose he’s trying to get us to descend again?”
“Maybe that’s it! Let’s try it, anyway!” offered Harry.
“Go ahead!” agreed Ned in a tone that showed he was again taking heart. “Let’s act on the suggestion. We can try our scheme later!”
Harry’s hand had already found the levers. In a moment the ballast tanks were being filled with water. Gradually the vessel sank.
As the light grew more dim at the increased depth, Jimmie declared he could see the other vessel descending at about the same speed.
Presently the two craft were at the limit of their travel. The visitor rested on the deck of the Wanderer, while the ‘U-13’, in which the boys were imprisoned, hung again at an angle from the line.
Directly the lads saw the figure that had formerly attracted their attention. It was climbing the main shrouds of the wrecked ship. When the man reached a position level with their craft he began making signs and motions. In his hand he flourished a knife.
“Looks rather bad for us!” commented Jack.