"I'm a human torpedo with a vengeance," thought the lad, as he awaited in the darkness the opening of the outer door of the tube. Thinly clad as he was, the metal chilled his skin. For the first time since he had embarked on the adventure Tom felt a slight nervous thrill run through him.
Suppose he should be caught in the mechanism at the mouth of the tube? In that case he would drown as miserably as a rat. These and a dozen other thoughts ran through his excited mind, as he lay there waiting, through what was really only a short period, but which seemed an eternity.
Suddenly a slight click could be heard. Tom braced himself; the outer door was about to open and the water would rush in on him. He drew a long breath, filling his lungs to the bursting point. The next instant the outer door of the tube was opened and in rushed the water. It seemed to Tom as if he had been struck by a steam-hammer, so great was its force in the confined place. But he kept his wits and struck out, and in a flash, as it seemed, he was on the surface of the water outside the submarine.
The first move of his daring game had been accomplished. Far more difficult, however, was what lay beyond.
Fortunately, it was pitchy dark. As he came to the surface, Tom noticed that the air smelled sulphurous and heavy. He decided that a thunderstorm was brewing. In fact, he presently became aware of livid, snake-like flashes afar off.
Tom trod the water for a time while he looked about him. He was quite close to the bow of the submarine, and, by stretching out his hand, could have touched her sides.
Suddenly, a sound that he recognized as snoring smote on his ear. It came from the guards who had been posted on the deck of the diving-boat.
"Good!" thought Tom. "So far, everything is fine. Now, if the luck will only hold, I'll have Mr. Ironsides on board in no time."
He struck out for the tug, which could be made out—a dark blot on the water—at no considerable distance. He speedily reached her side and snuggled in under the guard rail, where he was out of sight, till he could get the "lay of the land."
Two men were talking on deck. Tom listened intently.