"But we can navigate with our batteries, can't we?" Ted inquired of Sammy Smith, who had come out of the wireless room to better acquaint himself with the Dewey's newest tale of woe.
Sammy was not at all comforting.
"I understand the batteries, are pretty well exhausted," he said. "They were just going to recharge when we ran into that mine. Blaine says we have only enough juice to last us two hours, moderate running."
He paused for a moment as Ted grasped the significance of the situation.
"Furthermore," Sammy continued, "we cannot dive to any considerable depth."
"With that leak in the reservoir plates Cleary and Blame say it would be foolhardy to go down very far for fear the Dewey would spread wide open and we would be flooded."
It was disquieting news, and Ted hurried forward to talk it over with Jack. As he passed the control station he saw Cleary and Binns in animated conference with the chief engineer. He surmised they were debating the best course under the circumstances.
In the bunk room Ted found Jack had revived considerably under the influence of hot bouillon and strong coffee provided by Jean Cartier, and a change of clothing with a stiff rub-down that had done wonders for him.
"Monsieur is a brave man; he wins the American Croix de Guerre for saving the life of his commander so bravely," Jean was saying as Ted reappeared upon the scene.
Jack was trying hard to be modest.