CHAPTER IX.
A DESPERATE VENTURE.
"Which way now, sir?" asked Jack.
Lord Hastings hesitated.
"They will probably be laying for us toward the west with theirsubmarines," he said, "and while we may be able to get by, it will bedesperate work."
"Then why not go due east, sir?" asked Frank.
"The Kiel canal is due east," replied Lord Hastings.
"What of that, sir?"
"What of it? Surely, you would not suggest forcing a passage of the Kielcanal?"
"I don't see why not, sir."
Lord Hastings looked at the lad with surprise written all over his face.
"By Jove!" he said at last. "When it comes to finding ways of gettinginto trouble, you are the limit, as the Americans say."
"But don't you think it could be done, sir?" asked Frank.
"Well, I don't know," replied his commander. "It might be done, yes. Andthen again it might not. But what would be our object in getting intothe Baltic?"
"Well, I understand that the Russians are having considerable troublethere," replied Frank, "and we might be able to lend them a hand."
"That's true, too," replied Lord Hastings. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Then what do you say, sir?" asked Frank.
Jack now added his voice to that of his chum, but for some moments LordHastings remained undecided. Frank, however, clinched the matter when hesaid:
"Well, there probably is no more danger that way than there is in tryingto get out of here to the west, where every German submarine availableis on the lookout for us."
"Besides," urged Jack, "they will watch the entrance to the Kiel canalless closely, because they would not dream of an attempt to force itspassage."
"There is some truth in that, too," said Lord Hastings. "Well, the Kielcanal be it then."
Both lads were jubilant, and they could not contain themselves, butexpressed their delight with loud "hurrahs" and by tossing their caps inthe air.
So it came to pass that the D-16 laid herself out on a course for theKiel canal, the waterway which the Germans had constructed at such greatexpense, that her fleet in the North Sea and her fleet in the Balticmight ever be in touch with one another.
An attempted passage of the Kiel canal by a hostile ship or ships hadbeen considered out of the question by all naval authorities. Such anattempt, it was claimed, would be too foolhardy and would be bound toend in destruction.
Nevertheless, Lord Hastings, while realizing all this, was not the manto turn from a purpose once he had made up his mind. He realized thefull danger of the situation much more than did Frank or Jack, who,carried away by the opportunity of participating in what would be one ofthe greatest naval ventures of history, had at once lost sight of allpossible danger.
Deep, deep down in the sea the D-16 made her way from the harbor ofHeligoland, diving far beneath the mines that protected the Germanfortifications. And in her wake she left three sunken German ships ofwar and another so badly damaged that she would be out of commission formany months.
"I am willing to bet," said Frank, "that the Germans either lay the raidto internal troubles or else claim that a British submarine flotilla ofat least 20 vessels participated."
"Right you are," agreed Jack, "and they will probably add that the enemywas driven off with great loss, more than half their number being placedhors du combat."
"At the same time," interrupted Lord Hastings, "saying that 'our losseswere insignificant.'"
"Well," said Frank, "I don't suppose the government can afford to letthe people know just how serious their predicament is."
"That's about the size of it," agreed Lord Hastings.
The speed of the D-16, once she was beyond the German mine field, wasincreased to 20 knots, and she headed directly for the entrance to theKiel canal. Frank and Jack both turned in.
With the coming of morning the D-16 was but a few miles from her goal,and Lord Hastings accordingly ordered the speed slackened that a closewatch might be kept for mines.
At eight o'clock Lord Hastings checked the speed of the vessel andordered that it be brought to the surface.
"But surely we are not through the canal yet?" protested Jack.
"No," was the reply, "but we are almost at the entrance, and I want totake a look about."
Jack did not protest further, and when the submarine again floated onthe surface of the sea he followed his commander to the bridge.
There a startling sight met their gaze, for not a hundred yards away,riding gently with the even swell of the sea, lay a second submarine andshe flew the Red, White and Black of Germany.
"Below quick!" cried Jack.
But Lord Hastings laid a hand on the lad's arm as he darted for thehatchway.
"Wait a minute," he said. "There doesn't seem to be any one on guard, orwe should have perceived some sign of life."
The two peered long and earnestly at the German vessel, but not a signof life could they make out.
"Must all be dead," said Jack.
"Or asleep," replied Lord Hastings.
"And that's about what's the matter," agreed Jack. "What shall we dowith the boat, sink her?"
"I suppose so," replied Lord Hastings, "but I have another idea."
"What is that, sir?"
"Well, forcing a passage of the Kiel canal is bound to prove ticklishwork. Now if we could lay our hands on the officer of that vessel, wemight persuade him to pilot us through."
"A good idea," said Jack, "if we could only get him."
"We shall make a try at it," said his commander.
"How?" asked Jack.
For answer Lord Hastings turned and went below, and in another momentthe D-16 began creeping toward the German submarine.
At a distance of only a few yards she stopped and Lord Hastings motionedto Jack to follow him, as he dropped over the side into the littlelaunch which had been lowered into the water. To Frank he called:
"If we do not reappear on deck within ten minutes, sink her."
Frank indicated that he understood, and Lord Hastings and Jack put offfor the enemy.
They clambered quietly aboard, and descended below without so much asbeing challenged. Just at the bottom of the companionway they came uponthe figure of a man who emerged from one of the compartments. At sightof the British uniforms the man staggered back and his hand went to hisside, but before he could draw a weapon, Jack had him covered with hisown automatic and spoke quietly.
"One move and you are a dead man," he said quietly.
"Who are you?" asked the man in a low voice.
"British officers," said Lord Hastings. "And you?"
"Captain Bretog, commander of this vessel," came the reply.
"Very good, captain," said Lord Hastings. "You are our prisoner, and Imust ask you to step upon the bridge."
"How did you get here?" asked the German in surprise.
"In a little submarine of our own," said Lord Hastings with a smile."Come, now, captain."
The captain moved toward the companionway, but just as he was about togo through the door, he turned and struck out at Lord Hastings. Thelatter dodged the blow and leaped quickly back, at the same time drawinghis revolver.
"No more of that," he said sternly. "Now move."
But at that instant a German sailor appeared in sight. Perceiving theBritish uniforms, he cried out in surprise. An instant more and therecame the sound of tramping feet, and half a dozen men tumbled into sightafter him.
Lord Hastings put the German commander in front of him, and Jack steppedquickly to his commander's side, their four automatics covering thesuperior numbers of the enemy.
"One move from any of you and you are all dead men," said Lord Hastingscalmly. "We'll shoot you where you stand, and my vessel will blow you toatoms within half a minute." He turned to the German commander.
"Captain," he said, "order these men on deck ahead of you."
The German made a move as though to refuse, but Jack's revolver coveredhim and he did as commanded. The men, unarmed, filed up to the bridge.
"You next, captain," said Lord Hastings, politely, stepping aside.
The German made a move as though to draw a revolver, and Jack was at hisside in an instant.
"I'll relieve you of your weapons," he said quietly.
The German commander was forced to submit while the lad searched him andtook his guns. Then, at another command from Lord Hastings, he followedhis men on deck.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "you will instruct your men to lower thatsmall boat and put off. Is this all your crew, sir?"
"Yes," replied the German shortly.
"Good. For their sakes I hope you are telling the truth. For as soon aswe are all safe, I intend to sink this vessel. Now order your men overthe side."
The German commander did as commanded, and soon the crew of the Teutonvessel were pulling away in the launch.
"Now, captain," said Lord Hastings, "you will accompany me aboard my ownship."
The German stepped into the D-16's launch without a word, and the triowere soon aboard.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "if you wish, you shall have the pleasure ofseeing me sink your vessel; or you may, if you would spare yourself thatsight, go below."
"I will go below if you please," said the German.
Lord Hastings nodded his assent and Captain Bretog disappeared below asLord Hastings turned to Jack.
"You may sink this German submarine immediately, Mr. Templeton," he saidquietly.
"Very good, sir," replied Jack.
He saluted, turned on his heel and went below.
The Boy Allies with the Terror of the Seas; Or, The Last Shot of Submarine D-16 Page 9
