CHAPTER XXXII.
A SUBMARINE ENCOUNTER.
"THERE is one thing I didn't mention to the Admiral," remarked Whittinghame on his way back to the airship. "It has been worrying me somewhat. The 'Meteor's' supply of ultra-hydrogen is running low."
"I thought so too, sir," said Dacres. "We've had quite a series of accidents."
"And we cannot risk another mishap with equanimity," added Whittinghame. "Even under the best conditions we must be back in England before the next fortnight; otherwise we must remain here until we get a fresh supply from home. If, in the event of—Hulloa! The 'Meteor' seems to be lower in the water than when we left her."
Whittinghame's surmise was quite correct. The airship was floating with a pronounced list to starboard and slightly down by the stern.
"Anything wrong?" he demanded briskly as he ascended the swaying ladder and gained the interior of the "Meteor."
"Yes, sir," answered Setchell. "There's a leak in No. 5 compartment. We have located it, and exhausted the ultra-hydrogen from the three sub-divisions affected."
"It's lucky that the gas wasn't wasted," remarked the Captain. "The ballonette sub-divisions are flooded, I presume?"
"Yes, sir, a fairly large hole, I should think. We tried compressed air, but could not expel the water."