Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat; Or, Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure

by Victor Appleton

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ramming the Wreck

  Fitted with a long, sharp steel ram in front, the Advance waspeculiarly adapted for this sort of work. In designing the ship thisram was calculated to be used against hostile vessels in war time, forthe submarine was at first, as we know, destined for a Government boat.Now the ram was to serve a good turn.

  To make sure that the attempt would be a success, the machinery of thecraft was carefully gone over. It was found to be in perfect order,save for a few adjustments which were needed. Then, as it was night,though there was no difference in the appearance of things below thesurface, it was decided to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nordid the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they mightencounter a storm.

  "We had trouble enough locating the wreck," said Captain Weston, "andif we go up we may be blown off our course. We have air enough to staybelow, haven't we, Tom?"

  "Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages.

  After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the submarine crew got readyfor their hard task. The craft was backed away as far as was practical,and then, running at full speed, she rammed the wreck. The shock wasterrific, and at first it was feared some damage had been done to theAdvance, but she stood the strain.

  "Did we open up much of a hole?" anxiously asked Mr. Swift.

  "Pretty good," replied Tom, observing it through the conning towerbull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off again. "Let's give heranother."

  Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the Boldero, andagain the submarine shivered from the shock. But there was a biggerhole in the wreck now, and after Captain Weston had viewed it hedecided it was large enough to allow a person to enter and place acharge of dynamite so that the treasure ship would be broken up.

  Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance waswithdrawn to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble, a great swirlingof the water, which was made murky; but when it cleared, and thesubmarine went back, it was seen that the wreck was effectively brokenup. It was in two parts, each one easy of access.

  "That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Now to get at the gold!"

  "Yes, get out the diving suits," added Mr. Damon. "Bless mywatch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you think thesharks are all gone, Captain Weston?"

  "I think so."

  In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were attiredin the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to venture into such a greatdepth of water. Besides, it was necessary for at least one person toremain in the submarine to operate the diving chamber.

  Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold-seekersapproached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a sight of thesharks, but the monster fish seemed to have deserted that part of theocean. Tom was the first to reach the now disrupted steamer. He foundhe could easily climb up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo holdswere scattered all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon joinedthe lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and being more familiarwith ocean craft the captain was permitted to take the lead. He headedaft, seeking to locate the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in findingit. He motioned for the others to enter, that the combined illuminationof the lamps in their helmets would make the place bright enough so asearch could be made for the gold. Tom suddenly seized the arm of thecaptain, and pointed to one corner of the cabin. There stood a smallsafe, and at the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The doorwas not locked, probably having been left open when the ship wasdeserted. Swinging it back the interior was revealed.

  It was empty. There was no gold bullion in it.

  There was no mistaking the dejected air of Captain Weston. The othersshared his feelings, but though they all felt like voicing theirdisappointment, not a word could be spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorousmotions, indicated to his companions to seek further.

  They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the wreck, save for ashort interval for dinner. But no gold rewarded their search.

  Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, and foundhimself in the captain's cabin again, with the empty safe showing dimlyin the water that was all about.

  "Hang it all!" thought the lad, "we've had all our trouble for nothing!They must have taken the gold with them."

  Idly he raised his steel bar, and struck it against the partition backof the safe. To his astonishment the partition seemed to fall inward,revealing a secret compartment. The lad leaned forward to bring thelight for his helmet to play on the recess. He saw a number of boxes,piled one upon the other. He had accidentally touched a hidden springand opened a secret receptacle. But what did it contain?

  Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He found it beyondhis strength. Trembling from excitement, he went in search of theothers. He found them delving in the after part of the wreck, but bymotions our hero caused them to follow him. Captain Weston showed theexcitement he felt as soon as he caught sight of the boxes. He and Mr.Sharp lifted one out, and placed it on the cabin floor. They pried offthe top with their bars.

  There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, gleaming, yellowbars! It needed but a glance to show that they were gold bullion. Tomhad found the treasure. The lad tried to dance around there in thecabin of the wreck, nearly three miles below the surface of the ocean,but the pressure of water was too much for him. Their trip had beensuccessful.