"But we got a bit of credit in the public press," Hartley added, modestly.
Right after that it was reported that one of the wire sweeps had located a bomb. Instantly several men were rushed to aid in landing the prize. Dave and Ormsby hurried to join the group and watch a mine being taken aboard.
On account of its weight the deadly thing was handled by tackle. Carefully the men proceeded to hoist the mine aboard.
"You'll note the little horns standing out from the top of the mine," explained Mr. Hartley, pointing to the circular mine. "These horns are usually called studs. Hit one of these studs even a light blow with a tack hammer, gentlemen, and the mine would explode. A mine like this is more deadly than the biggest shell carried by a super-dreadnaught. Let this mine explode, for instance, under our hull forward, and it would tear us to pieces in a way that would leave us afloat for hardly sixty seconds. Moreover, it would kill any man standing at or near the rail over the point of contact."
He had no more than finished speaking, while the mine was being hoisted aboard, than a terrified gasp escaped the workers.
For the mine slipped from its tackle, and slipped back toward the water, striking the side hull in its downward course!
Dave Darrin did not move. He knew there would not be time to escape!
