R19 was firmly held in the meshes of an anti-submarine net.
CHAPTER XII
"Away Diving-party!"
Lieutenant-Commander Stockdale descended the ladder from the conning-tower and gained the 'midship compartment of the submarine. Outwardly he appeared cool and collected. If the intense gravity of the situation assailed him, he kept his emotions to himself.
"A nice old jamboree, Macquare!" he exclaimed. "It's the port propeller getting fouled that's the trouble."
"It is, sir," agreed the Lieutenant.
"The consequences of halloing before we're out of the wood," added Stockdale. "I'm going to blow the ballast-tanks. We must risk it, although it's pretty well a dead cert that the Huns have calcium-light alarms in connection with this infernal net. We'll be in a fine old mess if we do break surface in the full glare of a dozen search-lights and hampered with a ton of wire netting over everything."
R19 had been too premature. When the raider and her attendants had increased speed they were clear of the mine-field, but not of the maze of steel netting, which, supported so that the upper edge was at a sufficient depth below the surface to enable them to pass without hindrance, was a dangerous trap to submarine craft.
"Why not fill all ballast-tanks, and see if we can sink clear?" suggested Macquare.
The Lieutenant-Commander shook his head.