Not more than a foot of it showed above water, and, even through the glass, at a distance of nearly half a mile, it would hardly have been discernible without the aid of the searchlight, had it not been for the white wake left by the turret in its course through the water.
"May I try a shot now, sir?" begged Runkle, "I'm certain I can hit the turret this time."
"If you could do it surely, you'd be the best shot in the Navy," smiled Darrin. "I'm not going to use the searchlight unless I have to, and it would be almost impossible to make a hit in the dark without it. The pest is headed shoreward, and I want to creep up close from the rear, if possible."
Dissatisfied, Runkle none the less saluted and turned back to his gun.
"Keep a close sight on the sneak," Dave called after him. "When you hear me call 'Ready!' you will complete your aim and fire without further orders."
An order transmitted to the man standing by the engine sent the launch plunging ahead at increased speed.
Of a sudden the pursuit assumed a new aspect. The submarine suddenly veered around to port, and then headed straight toward the launch.
"Now's our chance!" glowed a seaman, excitedly.
"Yes," retorted another strained voice. "Our chance for death!"
The same thought came into the minds of many on the launch. The submarine, it seemed, was about to discharge a torpedo at the pursuer.