It did seem, after an hour had passed, and then another, that this sub pack was going to do just as the other had done. As Sally listened, turned dials, and waited, the broadcasters on the enemy subs began to fan out. After that, with a slow movement that was ominous, they began to surround the convoy. After the circle had been completed they started moving in.
It was the hour before sunset when she hurried to the radio room.
“Rig-Riggs!” She was stammering in her excitement. “They are all around us!”
“How close?” He blinked tired eyes.
“There’s no way to know that,” she replied cautiously.
“They’ll attack at dusk. Always do. You can’t see the wake of their periscopes so well then.”
“Don’t you think we should send for the big planes from the mainland?” she asked.
“It may be too soon. We want them to arrive at what you might call the psychological moment. Wait. I’ll ask the Skipper.”
He called the Captain on the ship’s phone, then stated his problem.
“You don’t think so?” he spoke into the phone. “I thought that might be best, sir.