Huxtable was too wily a strategist to move prematurely. It was practically impossible to creep out of the tortuous channel while the submarine was completely submerged. The suspicions of the Turks being aroused, it was equally hazardous to show even a momentary glimpse of the periscope during the hours of daylight. He resolved to lie perdu until nightfall, and then to follow the first steamer that was making for the Bosphorus.
"Let's hope that a deep-draughted craft won't be coming down," he remarked. "There's less than twenty-four feet between the protection girder and the surface. This is one of the occasions when my device has obvious drawbacks."
"It won't hurt us if the steelwork is hit by a vessel's keel, sir," said Devereux.
"I don't know so much about that," objected the Lieutenant-Commander. "The sudden wrench might start some of our plates. In any case the ramming craft would stop to investigate."
"Unless she fancied that she'd fouled some of the wreckage of the cruiser we sank," said Dick.
"Let's hope the Turks will have no necessity to exercise their powers of discernment," said Huxtable. "In any case I want to do a little more damage before we're out of action. But," he added cheerfully, "I have a presentiment that we'll fetch back in safety."
Several hours passed in tedious suspense. Numerous steam vessels sped overhead or within hearing distance, for the thud, thud of their engines and the noise of the revolutions of their propellers could be distinctly heard.
"You'd better turn in," suggested Huxtable to Dick. "There's nothing doing, and you must be awfully tired."
"I feel a bit sleepy," admitted Crosthwaite; "but don't you think you ought to have forty winks, sir?"
"I suppose I'd feel all the better if I did," admitted the Lieutenant-Commander. "Devereux can take charge. He's had his watch below."