But it was not a submarine. A great wave caused by the swift shifting of the Colodia’s helm, brought the object almost to the surface.
“A mine!” roared the crew.
The destroyer’s speed was slackened instantly. She swung broadside to the menace. A few snappy commands, and two of the deck guns roared.
Instantly a geyser of water and smoke rose from the sea. The explosion of the mine could have been seen for many miles. Had the destroyer collided with it——
“We’d have gone to Davy Jones’ locker, sure enough, fellows,” said Al Torrance. “Those mines the Huns are sowing through these seas now would blow up the Brooklyn Bridge. Suppose the Leviathan, troop ship, scraped her keel on that thing?”
There was much discussion all over the destroyer about the mine. It suggested that the submarine that had sunk the Newcastle Boy might be a mine-sower. That fact would help identify the submarine, for all types of German submersibles are not fitted with mine wells.
“You see how it is, George,” said Phil Morgan to their new chum. “These seas around here are just as safe as a powder factory—just about! How does it make you feel?”
“Pshaw!” returned Belding, “didn’t I tell you we almost caught a sub when I was out on the Sirius? I don’t believe the Heinies have got so many of ’em, after all.”
“Never you mind,” said Whistler. “They’ve got enough if they have but one, believe me! Just think how we fellows used to gas about submarines and all that. Before the war, I mean! We never dreamed any country would use them as the Germans have.”
The tone of the whole crew after the narrow escape from the mine was intense. They were on the lookout for almost anything to happen. Before mid-afternoon, while still out of sight of land, the top hailed the deck officers.