“I hear someone running along the dock!” he announced presently. “I’ll bet they have heard that noise! I see a light!” he added.
“What are they doing?” inquired Jimmie, holding the boat directly in the center of the channel as he peered anxiously ahead.
“A fellow with a lantern is running out along the planks,” replied Ned. “They’ve got to the outside boat now. Now they’re turning back.”
“Better get that hatch closed so we can dive,” admonished Jimmie. “This is our time for getting out of sight in a hurry!”
“There goes their searchlight!” shouted Frank, who had crowded up the ladder close beside Ned. “They’re going to spot us in a hurry!”
“Ah,” cried Ned as a sullen roar came to their ears. “They’re taking a chance shot at us from that cannon on the hill. Let’s dive!”
Quickly the two boys adjusted the hatch. As they signaled to their companions that this task was completed Harry and Jack turned the deflecting rudders. The half-manned submarine slowly began to descend.
“Get some water into the tanks quick, Harry!” called Jimmie.
“Pump’s going right now!” declared the other. “We’re going down!”
“Take a look through the periscope, Ned,” requested the pilot, “and let me know what you can make out. Can you see any buoys ahead?”