In his intense agitation the captain began pacing up and down the deck. The submarine drew close alongside the schooner easily keeping pace with the sailing vessel at the rate they were progressing.
“Von Kluck is certainly worked up about it,” remarked Harry as he noted the captain’s distracted manner. “He’s almost bughouse!”
“Well, so would you be, too, if all you had were about to be sent to the bottom of the ocean!” declared Ned. “It’s tough luck!”
“Maybe we’d better be getting our kits in shape,” suggested Jack moving toward the cabin. “I don’t want to leave everything!”
“I had to leave everything,” put in Frank, “when they sunk the ship I was on. I felt lucky to get away with my life!”
“Let’s make a try for it, anyway,” continued Jack.
“Wait a minute!” cried Ned, “let’s see what they’re going to do. The man is going below again! Why don’t he hail us?”
Strangely enough the officer was descending the hatchway without speaking a word to those on board the schooner.
This procedure puzzled von Kluck, but did not serve to reduce in any degree the excitement under which he was laboring.
“Lay aft a couble of handts und make reaty der boats!” he shouted. “Come on, hurry oop! Lifely, now, men!”