CHAPTER XIV
ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
Listening for a few moments at the microphones, McClure turned abruptly and rang the crew to quarters.
The engine room was signaled to tune up the motors.
"From the way that fellow is hugging the coast I wouldn't be surprised if he is a Hun raider poking along on a little reconnaissance," observed McClure to his executive officer.
Aroused from his slumber, Sammy Smith took charge of the electrical receiving room and after listening for awhile gave his opinion that the approaching ship was moving south along the Belgian coast and distant from the Dewey about a mile and a half. From the faint registrations in the microphones he judged it to be a vessel of light draft—-probably a small cruiser or a destroyer.
"Well, we never lose an opportunity to do our duty, be the enemy large or small fry," observed McClure.
After waiting for a few moments longer, and being advised of the continued steady approach of the ship, the young lieutenant decided to move in closer to get within better range, and then rise to the surface and "look her over." It was well on toward four o'clock and soon would be daylight.
Creeping along at half speed, the Dewey veered slightly to starboard and steered a course N.N.W. toward the oncoming craft. After cruising thus for a quarter of an hour the submarine was stopped altogether again and her captain conferred again with his wireless chief.
"She seems to have changed her course," announced Smith after listening intently at both port and starboard microphones. "As near as I can calculate she has turned off abruptly to port and is running due east toward the coast."