Silently officers and men were soon streaming over the decks, on their way to their various stations. Curtin stood with one hand on the engine-room telegraph, awaiting the order for headway.
The three-inch guns were loaded, and also the one-pounders and the machine guns. Two men stood by the darkened searchlight.
“Searchlight men!” Dave called, in a low voice. “You know where we’re looking?”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“Stand by to put a beam squarely across its conning tower if it proves to be a submarine.”
Again Dave took a long, careful, steady look through his night glass. Secretly he was a-quiver with excitement; outwardly he was wholly calm.
“Throw the beam!” called Dave sharply, a few seconds later. “Gun-crews in line with the enemy, stand by!”
A broad band of light from the searchlight played into the sky, then descended. As the beam reached the water it revealed the tower and deck of a large submarine rolling awash a little more than half a mile away. A muffled cheer rose from some of the members of the watch. The men at the guns were too much occupied to open their mouths.
“Silence in the watch!” Dave commanded, sternly. “Mr. Curtin, half-speed ahead. Bear straight down on the enemy! Ram him if possible! Ram him at all hazards if he is submerging when we reach him,” commanded Lieutenant Commander Darrin.
“Aye, aye,” answered the quartermaster at the wheel.