"The sound can be heard not only much plainer, but also much sooner than through the air," answered the captain.
"I think we are going down again," remarked Ralph.
"No doubt of it," answered the captain quietly.
"Do you think they have hit us?" eagerly inquired Ralph.
The captain did not reply. Alfred reached his hand forward and grasped the captain's hand. "You needn't fear to tell us if you think we are going down for the last time."
"You are a brave boy!" said the captain. "I do not know what to answer. I have never been on a submarine when it was struck by a bullet; but it seemed to me as though something struck our shell, and if it did there is no help for us, for the devils would gloat on our misery, and would not think of liberating us, to give us a chance for our lives."
Fifteen minutes elapsed before the captain continued: "This gives me some hope."
"What is it?" quickly inquired Ralph.
"We are still on an even keel," was the answer.
"Does that mean that we are safe?" asked Alfred.