Curiously the others crowded about the object glass of the periscope. Each declared in turn that they recognized Mackinder.
“Now, I wonder what he’s doing aboard that vessel!” mused Jack.
“Quite likely this ship met the fishing boat and took him off so as to save the other the trouble of going clear back to England!”
“No doubt that’s it,” agreed Jack. “But look!” he continued, “he’s discovered us! See him pointing toward us!”
“Better get ready to dive, then,” cautioned Harry. “If he’s able, he’ll get them to shoot at us. If they hit the ‘U-13’ it’ll be a long way to Tipperary for us! We don’t know how thick this armor is!”
“Down we go!” shouted Jimmie, seizing the wheel. “Lively, now!”
Even as the boy spoke, a muffled roar was distinctly heard by the lads in the submarine. A crash that reverberated through every portion of the vessel told that they had been hit by a projectile.
With a quick, startled glance at his companions, Ned hastened aft to examine the possible damage. He could discover no leak.
“I guess we’re lucky, after all!” he stated presently. “We’re not taking in water, so I’m sure they didn’t do very much damage.”
“It might have been more serious, though!” commented Jack.