Sure enough, in a few minutes the mound of water that marked the whale’s progress could be seen returning toward them at the same rapid speed. But by this time, Jack had secured a wrench and had managed to turn the stubborn auxiliary valve. As the whale neared them, he set the rising planes and started up the propeller.
The motor craft hesitated, and then like a wind-driven leaf she shot upward. It was not an instant too soon. As her rudder rose drippingly from the sea, the whale rushed viciously under her. Another fraction of a second and there would have been a different ending to this story.
“Saved, by the great horn spoon!” roared out Captain Sprowl. “Lad, that gas-meter thing of yours worked just in time.”
“It certainly did,” agreed Jack, ordering Tom to set the rising planes at a sharper angle.
“Look!” shouted Tom suddenly as they shot upward, soaring above the smooth surface of the ocean. “The sword-fish is going to attack the whale herself, now.”
They saw, far below them, the sword-fish’s ivory blade, stained red from its attack on the baby whale, rushing at the old cow. She gave battle bravely. In an instant the waters were lashed into such a fury that they could see nothing of the details of the battle.
But Professor Von Dinkelspeil, who had brought his binoculars with him from the wreck, determined, in the interests of science, to see all he could of the battle. He leaned far over the side.
“Ach! vot a sight! I nezzer saw such a dings!” he cried. “Oh! I vish I hadt a camera!”
“I’ve got mine,” cried Dick. “I’ll take a picture!”
The red-headed young journalist leaned out over the edge of the Wondership and tried to get a focus on the furious battle beneath.