By a few seconds the British vessel had escaped destruction from a torpedo fired from a lurking hostile submarine.
CHAPTER II
Held Up by a U-Boat
"Hard-a-starboard!" roared Osborne. In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves. Almost at the same time three of the Portchester Castle's quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight. Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine. In any case he meant to try and ram the skulking foe.
Round swung the armed liner and, steadying on her helm, bore down upon the spot where the submarine was supposed to be lurking. No slight jarring shock announced the successful issue of her attempt.
"Missed her, I'm afraid, Mr. Osborne," exclaimed a deep voice.
The Lieutenant turned and found himself confronted by the Captain, who, aroused from his slumbers, had appeared on the bridge dressed only in pyjamas, a greatcoat, and carpet slippers.
"And fortunately she missed us, sir," replied Osborne. "The wake of the torpedo was close under our stern."