"That fellow's as good as useless," remarked the officer in charge.
"But suppose the submarine has any torpedoes left?" queried Ralph.
"That wouldn't do him any good; he would have to use that to sight by," replied the officer.
"Yes; I can see that now," replied Ralph. "If he came to the top in order to fire the torpedo he wouldn't last very long with these guns pointing at him."
As Ralph was ascending the stairway leading to the bridge on his return a half-hour later, the watch shouted out a warning: "Five points to starboard!"
Every one was now keyed up to the highest pitch. The guns were quickly swung to the angle indicated, and another tense moment arrived.
The captain walked over to the commander, and said: "It seems to me that the best policy is to bear down on him with all speed possible. That will give the gunners the best chance, and at the same time present the smallest target for the submarine."
The commander nodded and gave the necessary order, but before the helmsman had time to execute the turning movement the forward gun was heard, quickly followed by the second gun. The aft gun also responded, making three shots that were fired, striking the water in such close proximity to each other that the aim must have been very accurate.
"Gunners from the Royal Navy," remarked the captain, as he lowered his glasses. "And they have hit the mark."
"Do you think so?" asked Alfred.