Even before he reached his station Seaman Jordan was quaking inwardly more apprehensively than is usual with a sailor caught in a slight delinquency.
[CHAPTER III—QUICK “DOINGS” OVER THE SHOAL]
For several days after that Darrin and the “Logan” cruised back and forth over the area assigned for patrol. During these days nothing much happened out of the usual. Then came a forenoon when Darrin received a wireless message, in code, ordering him to report back at once to the commanding officer of the destroyer patrol.
Mid afternoon found the “Logan” fifteen miles off the port of destination.
“Be on the alert every instant,” was the order Darrin gave out to officers and men. “There have been several sinkings, the last month, in these waters. We are nearing Fisherman’s Shoal, which is believed to be a favorite bit of ground for submarines that hide on the bottom.”
Over Fisherman’s Shoal the water was only about seventy feet in depth—an ideal spot for a lurking, hiding undersea craft.
Five minutes later the bow lookout announced quietly:
“Trail of bubbles ahead, sir.”
Leaving Ensign Phelps on the bridge, Dave and Dan darted down and forward.
A less practised eye might have seen nothing worth noting, but to the two young officers the trail ahead was unmistakable, though Darrin quickly brought up his glass to aid his vision.