“Well, a miss is as good as a mile,” said Captain McGill cheerily; “and we won’t go to Davy Jones this cruise.”
“I assume your pumps can take care of the leak, Mr. Lockyer?” asked one of the board.
“Yes, indeed,” said the inventor; “the boat is so constructed that all leakage is drained to a central well. I’ll pass word to the engine room to have the centrifugal pump set to work at once.”
“Possibly we can caulk the leak temporarily,” suggested Lieutenant Parry; “at any rate, there’s no harm in trying.”
“Right you are, Parry,” assented Captain McGill; “you and Mr. Lockyer go below. Make a thorough examination, and act according to your judgment.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” rejoined the young officer, saluting, and darting off on his errand, followed by Mr. Lockyer.
The submarine had been stopped by this time, and she now lay tossing on the surface of the waters, her engines silent and motionless, except for the hum of the dynamos. This latter sound suggested an idea to Captain McGill.
“Strong, do you understand the management of this craft’s searchlight?” he inquired, turning to Ned.
“Yes, sir,” rejoined Ned; “we learned how to work it as part of our duty before the Lockyer was launched.”
“Then let’s have some light on this obscure subject,” said the officer. “I’m anxious to see what it was that came so near to sending us to the bottom.”