The target was growing smaller, sinking from sight now!
Again the gun spat and an instant of breathless anxiety followed. Then a cheer, shrill and wild, went up from the Number Four crew. The submarine’s conning tower, low-set between slanting wave-breakers, crumpled up as the five-inch shell struck it fairly!
“Got her!” shouted Garey, peering along the gun. “Give her another, boys! Hurry up, with that powder! Ram her! Ready!”
Number Two gun was firing now, but her range was short. Nelson again shot the spark and again the gun barked, but this time the shell passed over the target. The submarine was still awash. Why didn’t they submerge? Well, if they wanted more——
Number Two landed a shell under the stern and the U-boat plunged and rolled.
“Ready!” cried Garey.
Number Four spoke again and the forward fair-water flattened and the riddled tower disappeared as though a giant hand had swept it into the sea. The U-boat canted. Nelson, darting a look across the water, wondered. Holding the gun on the target, he waited for the thud of the closing breech and Garey’s “Ready!” Something was moving on the deck of the U-boat, an uncertain something amidst the tangled and twisted wreckage. The breech closed.
“Rea—” Garey’s voice broke. “Cease firing!”
“They’re coming up!” That was Tip, until the moment a silent if thrilled spectator.
“They’re surrendering!” That was Garey, in hoarse triumph.