There was a splash--then the waters closed over the
machinist.
He came up at about the point he had planned, where he had heard the
bumping.
Held below water as he was by the under-hull of the submarine, he could
move with certainty, though but slowly.
Groping, the machinist encountered the metal cylinder. Quickly he felt
for its connections which, like a flash, he knew must exist. He found
the wire, but reached for another. It all had to be done swiftly, for
his reserve "wind" was fast giving out. Not finding a second wire, he
fastened his nippers against the first wire--then cut. Now, steering
the metal cylinder, he pushed it out from under the hull. Cylinder and
man rose together.
Whew! What a powerful breath the man took! Then he steered the cylinder
carefully against the hull, and managed to hold it there until he could
reach a piece of cordage and make the cylinder fast.
This done, he dashed below, thumping hard on the door of the stateroom
occupied by Captain Jack Benson and Hal Hastings.
"Eh? What is it?" called Jack, almost instantly.
"You're wanted on deck, Captain--instantly," replied the dripping
machinist.
"Oh, all right, Williamson," and Benson's feet hit the stateroom floor.
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