"Now, we'll give it more," continued Mr. Farnum. He swung the wrench well around in order to release compressed air with a rush and great force into the water tanks.
Then he stood there, waiting. There was no perceptible motion or other change that the boys could note about the boat.
"Wha—what makes it act so slowly?" asked Eph Somers, in a queer voice. "Or isn't it going to act?"
For some seconds more the four stood there looking at one another.
Andrews came to the doorway of the engine room, looking anxious.
"We've released a lot of compressed air," uttered Mr. Farnum. "More than half of the force in the receiver is gone."
A few seconds more passed. Then restless Eph sprang to the stairway.
"Mr. Pollard," he cried, nervously, "when on earth—under the sea,
I mean—are we going up? What's wrong?"
"Going up?" called down the inventor. "This isn't an airship."
"When are we going to strike the surface?" Eph insisted.
"Why, we're awash already. Don't you notice I've just shut off the electric motor?"