So he stood, looking out dreamily over the waters at port. He saw the "Thor" head for the "Hastings," as though intending to come up. Then she veered off, heading eastward. At this instant the naval officer happened to have his glass to his eyes. He had just counted the number of people in sight on the Rhinds craft.
"All but one of the Rhinds crowd on deck," thought Mr. Danvers. "I don't make out that fellow, Radwin. He must be taking the engine trick."
Jack Benson also sauntered over to port side, though not with any intention of addressing the naval officer. Benson was not thinking of anything in particular as he glanced out over the waves.
Then, all of a sudden, the young submarine commander sprang alert with suspicion—next, certainty and horror!
Out there on the water something was moving—something headed toward the "Hastings." It came on with a swift, cleaving movement. There was a suspicion of a fin throwing up a little spray in the path of motion.
It was horrible—unbelievable!
The mere suspicion galvanized him into action.
Captain Jack's feet barely seemed to touch the deck as he leaped forward.
Eph was at the wheel, but there was no time to shout a frenzied order that might be misunderstood.
Besides, in the instant that he was in the air, young Benson had no sharply defined plan of what he was going to do.