"What's the situation up there?"
"Clackett and Speake are locked in the steel room. Two Chilians are watching me like cats watching a mouse. One of them has the key to the room."
"Well," called Matt, "don't do anything until I give the word."
Matt and his chums had the advantage of being able to talk among themselves without their captors understanding a word. On the other hand, Glennie could hear what the Chilians were talking about and communicate it to Matt and his chums.
"Empty the tanks, Dick," called Matt, getting the engine to running preparatory to switching the power into the propeller.
Dick was a good all-round hand. He had made it his business to learn the engine so that he could relieve Gaines, and he had also learned how to use the turbines, the compressed air, to load and fire torpedoes, to steer, and everything else connected with the operating of the submarine.
The turbines got to work with a splash, and the Grampus began slowly to rise. The two Chilians watched operations with considerable curiosity, although they did not fail to give their closest attention to Matt and Dick.
Presently the boat was at the surface.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Glennie, through the tube, "we almost came up under a canoe with——"
Matt did not hear the rest. Just at that instant there was a fierce yell from Carl. Matt whirled just in time to see the Dutch boy flinging himself on the Chilian with the harpoon.