The Motor Boys Under the Sea; or, From Airship to Submarine
Page 17
CHAPTER XVII
A GLAD SURPRISE
For a moment Jerry hesitated, but for a moment only. He realized thatthis was the only means of salvation for himself and his friends, and,though there was a suspicion that the commander of the submarine wasperhaps a vindictive crank, there was no choice. So Jerry started downthe iron stairs that led into the interior of the vessel.
“One moment, please,” said the commander, “you’ll not need your lifepreserver here. It takes up too much room, and we have not much tospare. We have to utilize every inch in a submarine. Besides, I havepreservers of my own. Kindly discard it, if you please.”
Jerry did so, calling to his companions to do the same. Then, taking alast look at the _Comet_, he went down the hatchway.
The others followed, Professor Snodgrass being the last to go down. Andas he entered the hole that led into the boat Ned, who was just aheadof him, heard him say:
“Oh, that lovely black beetle. I have lost him. Oh, what a calamity.”
“Better lose him than your life,” commented Ned. “And we couldn’t havestayed aboard the _Comet_ another minute. It’s too bad we had to deserther. Dear old _Comet_! There’ll never be another like her.”
“Yes, she served us well,” spoke the scientist. “But perhaps all is forthe best. At least I am in a submarine, and now I may get those crabs.Yes, I’m sure everything is for the best,” and he seemed quite resignedto the change.
The four had descended into a plainly furnished room at the foot ofthe companionway leading to the opening in the deck. As soon as theProfessor was standing beside the three boys the German stepped towhere several levers and wheels were set into the wall, and moveda small handle. Immediately a grinding sound was heard overhead,the sliding of steel on steel, and the refugees realized that thehatch-cover was closed--hermetically sealed, of necessity. They werebottled up in the submarine, and with a strange man of whom they knewlittle.
“But there must be others,” reasoned Jerry. “He can’t run this allalone, and his crew can’t all be as crusty as he seems to be. I guesswe’ll be all right. Anyhow, it’s all we could do--come aboard her.”
The aged commander turned and faced his guests.
“Perhaps,” he said, “I had better ask your names, and then I will tellyou all that is necessary to know about myself--and my vessel.”
Jerry responded to the implied request by giving the names of hiscompanions and himself. He also briefly related their object in beingso far to sea in their airship, and told how they were practicallyassured of the safety of Mr. Sheldon and his daughter. They hadintended to return home in a day or so, but the bolt of lightning hadwrecked their craft.
“And you thought to have a little sport in chasing me; eh? Did younot?” asked the German gruffly.
“Well, we meant no harm,” said Jerry, in some confusion. “To tell youthe truth we are much interested in submarines. We had some idea ofgetting one of our own, and we wanted to talk to you about it.”
“I see,” said the German, a little mollified. “I have a wonderful crafthere, even though I invented her myself. Allow me to tell you my name.I am Dr. Emanuel Klauss, of Hamburg, and I----”
“I have heard of you!” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, eagerly, whileNed looked at his chums as much as to say: “This is the man I wastelling you about.”
“Are you not the inventor of the Klauss refracting microscope?” went onProfessor Snodgrass. “That instrument which has been such an invaluableaid to the proper study of insect life. Are you that Dr. Klauss?”
“I am,” was the answer, “but I count that among the least of myachievements. I am devoting all my time now to submarines.” He did notseem ill-pleased that his fame was known to one he had strangely pickedup at random out of the sea.
“This boat has only recently been completed,” went on Dr. Klauss, “andI am giving it a severe test. You have seen me before, I believe.”
“Twice before,” replied Jerry with a smile. “We were just saying thatthere must be one more, for luck goes in threes.”
“Bah! I have no use for luck!” exclaimed the German, snapping hisfingers. “But I must not forget that you are my guests. As I said, wehave not too much room aboard, but I will try to make you comfortable.First you will want dry garments. I think some of my crew are smallenough so that their clothes will fit you--temporarily, at least,” andhe glanced at stout Bob.
“If you could arrange to stand by our craft until morning,” spokeJerry, eagerly, “we might get some of our things off her. I think shewill keep afloat until then.”
“I shall be far away from here in the morning,” said Dr. Klauss,coldly. “It is impossible for me to grant your request. I am sorry, butyou will have to make the best of it.”
“Oh, we don’t want to put you out,” returned Ned, “and we realize thatit was providential of you to be here at all and save us. I guess we’lljust have to stand our loss--that’s all.”
“And my specimens!” exclaimed the professor. “It is too bad that Icould not get my black beetle; but there was such confusion I could notfind him. However, I am glad to be with you, Dr. Klauss. I think weshall be mutually helpful. Tell me--can you go to the bottom of the seain your vessel?”
“Yes. I have been there several times--of course not in the deepestpart, but at a good depth.”
“And have you diving dress--any arrangement for getting out of here tothe very sea bottom itself?” asked the scientist eagerly.
“Yes, that can be done. But----”
“Then it is all right,” interrupted Professor Snodgrass, with a sighof contentment. “I shall be able to get my hermit crabs, and whenI do, and write a monograph on them I shall, in it, acknowledge myindebtedness to you, my dear Dr. Klauss.”
“Humph!” exclaimed the crusty German, and he did not seem any too wellpleased with the intended honor.
“Then you can’t stand by the wreck of our craft until morning?” askedJerry, with a last hope. “I don’t mean to save her, but merely to allowus to get off some of our possessions.”
“I am sorry to say I cannot,” was the answer. “I should be on my waynow. I merely came to the surface to replenish my air supply. That willbe completed in a few minutes, and then we will go below.”
“Under the ocean?” queried Bob, with a gasp.
“Certainly under the ocean. Are you afraid?”
“No--no. Only it’s our first experience.”
“Not that we mind,” put in Ned. “We were going to take up submarinetraveling next, anyhow.”
“Humph!” exclaimed the German. “Well, I do not mind showing you aboutmy craft. There are some secrets, of course, but I am not afraid of youfinding them out. I think you will enjoy seeing the workings of the_Sonderbaar_.”
“I am sure we shall,” said Jerry, wondering if Dr. Klauss was always sogrouchy.
“Now to get you more comfortable,” went on the German commander. “Ifyou will come with me I will see if my men cannot fit you out with drygarments.”
He opened a sliding door that led from the compartment, which seemed tobe as much a reception room as anything else. At once a wonderful sightwas revealed to the boys.
They stood in a long passageway that ran lengthwise of the craft,amidships. At one end could be seen a glittering array of machinery, atthe sight of which Jerry’s heart beat with delight. Between them andthe engine room could be seen other compartments, evidently living,sleeping and dining quarters.
Forward were other pieces of apparatus, tanks for the storage of air,other tanks for the holding of water ballast and at the extreme bowwas the pilot house, the walls of which were a maze of wheels, gears,levers, switches and controls.
Just aft of the pilot house there seemed to be a main cabin, and inthis, seated at a table, on which were spread books and papers, sat aman and a girl. A soft light glowed over their heads, revealing theirfeatures clearly.
And, at the sight of them Bob Baker uttered a cry--a cry of surpriseand joy.
/> “My uncle!” he exclaimed, starting forward. “My Uncle Nelson Sheldon,and my Cousin Grace! How in the world did they get here? I--I----”
But words failed Bob, while his chums were also too stunned to be ableto say anything.