CHAPTER XII.
THE SUBMARINE ISLAND.
Under Mr. Barr's guidance the party toured the island. It was about halfa mile across and slightly longer than its width. Coarse grass grewalmost to the water's edge, and in the centre, where it rose in acone-shaped formation, some stunted, wind-twisted bushes grew. Also onthe summit was a driven well, which was formed of galvanized piping, andwent down, so the boys were informed, for more than two hundred feet.
But to the lads of the Eagle Patrol the most interesting thing on theisland was, of course, the shed that housed the submarine. This shed wasopen at both ends, and under its iron roof lay the submarine craft.Lying as it did, with only its rounded back showing above the surface ofthe water, it reminded the boys of a sleeping whale.
On the top of it, amidships, was the conning tower, with thick glasslenses for observation. From the conning tower also protruded theperiscope, an instrument which enabled the operators of the craft to seethe ocean about them even when submerged some twenty feet below thesurface.
A stout rail ran around the top of the hull so as to allow the crew towalk along the slippery decks without danger of going overboard. But itwas the interior that the boys were most anxious to see, and a glad rushfollowed when Mr. Barr invited them on board. Access to the conningtower was gained by a gang plank running from the side of the shed.Reaching the conning tower, with a press of eager lads about him, Mr.Barr threw open a metal door in the top of the observation post, andclimbed inside. The boys needed no invitation to follow him.
Inside they found themselves in a compartment much resembling thewheelhouse of an ordinary surface craft, except that there were variousinstruments to show submergence, and the quality and pressure of theair, and devices for handling the engines; for one of the features ofMr. Barr's invention was that it could be handled by one man once theengines were going.
Leaving the conning tower, they descended a steel ladder into the heartof the submarine. The centre was occupied by a comfortably fitted-uproom which contained, among other things, a small library and aphonograph. The inventor switched on a button and the "cabin," as it maybe called, was instantaneously flooded with a soft light, bright but notglaring. In the bulkheads at either end of this compartment were doors,steel riveted and solid looking. The inventor explained that beyond thestern one were located the engine room and crew's quarters, while on theother side of the forward portal lay the sleeping quarters, galley orkitchen, and bathroom. Beyond these again came the torpedo room, whichcontained the machinery for launching the death-dealers. Each of thesewas inspected in turn, the boys being delighted with the compactness andneatness of everything.
"Now," said the inventor, "we will visit the engine room." Paul Perkinsand Hiram looked interested; machinery was one of their hobbies.
The _Peacemaker_ carried two sets of engines, electrical for runningunder the surface, and gasoline for use above water. The engines werefitted tandem-wise, and to their shafts were attached twin screws of anovel design that gave great speed and controlled the submarine easily.The gasoline engines were of fifteen hundred horse-power each, and theelectrical had a trifle lower capacity.
In the engine room, too, were the powerful pumps used for emptying orfilling the submarine's submergence tanks as it was desired to rise ordescend. Aft of the engine room came the gasoline tanks, the storagebatteries, and some minor machinery, such as an ice-making plant, aircompressor, and so on. In the engine room, too, was a comfortableupholstered lounge for the engineer on duty to rest upon. Several dialsand gauges were on the walls of this compartment, enabling the engineerto know at all times under just what conditions the submarine wasproceeding.
It was in the engines themselves that the inventor had excelled allother types of submarines, as well as in the peculiar attributes of thehull. Extra tanks were provided whereby, in the event of the main supplyof gasoline giving out at any time, the _Peacemaker_ could be run quitea distance on those alone.
"How long could you stay below the surface?" asked Rob, as they cameback into the main cabin once more. There they took their seats on broadleather divans which at night time could be converted into beds or bunksby pulling a lever which caused them to turn over and reveal a snugresting place.
"I have not yet made an exhaustive test of that," rejoined Mr. Barr,"but I estimate that we could remain below, if necessary, forty-eighthours."
"Forty-eight hours!" gasped Rob incredulously.
The inventor nodded calmly.
"My air purifying device makes this supposable. I have a plan by whichfresh, pure air is almost manufactured. At the same time the foul air isforced out."
"I suppose you boys are aching to take a trip," laughed EnsignHargreaves.
"Aching is no word for it," Rob assured him.
"Well, you may have a chance to-morrow," said Mr. Barr; "I am going totest out the whole craft thoroughly, and you boys can come along if Igo."
For the next five minutes nothing could be heard but enthusiasticshouts. The boys fairly went wild with delight at the prospect of a tripbelow the ocean's surface. Soon afterward the party emerged from thesubmarine in time to see the _Seneca_ making out to sea on her returnjourney. She carried letters from the boys to their families, as theywere by no means sure when they would get the next opportunity ofsending a letter north.
The next hour was occupied in making camp. Then the Stars and Stripesand the Eagle banner went up. Donald had no Wolf banner with him, butabove his tent he hung up something that resembled a wolf's head,painted on a bit of canvas.
"Looks more like a chicken than a wolf," scornfully sniffed Tubby whenhe saw it.
"You couldn't think of anything but something good to eat, could you?"was Donald's crushing reply.
By the time camp had been made and everything placed neatly in order,Andy Bowles, on Ensign Hargreaves' order, sounded the dinner call.
"That's the call that Tubby never forgets," laughed Rob, as the stoutlad cantered off in the direction of the combination dining hall andcook house above mentioned.
They found a bare, pine table, scrubbed scrupulously clean and set withmetal plates and cups. Lieutenant Hargreaves showed each boy to hisseat, while he and the inventor sat at opposite ends of the board. Thesailors, and the machinist who had impressed Rob so unfavorably, atelater.
The cook, a stout, good-natured looking negro, came bustling in with ahuge bucket-like pan full of steaming soup. Tubby's eyes glistened ashe saw it, and soon he was piling in prodigious quantities of it. Thesoup was followed by salt beef, potatoes, and other vegetables, and thencame a big wedge of cocoanut pie.
"We get fresh meat fairly often," explained Mr. Barr, "but the launchhas not been to the mainland recently, so we have to get along on whatsailors call 'Willie'."
"Isn't there game of any kind hereabouts?" asked Rob.
"Oh, yes. There are several shore birds of different varieties, but wehave really been too busy of late to go after them. Now that you boyshave come, however, you can take out my shot guns--I have three ofthem--and see what you can do as hunters."
"Are the shore birds good eating?" inquired Tubby with his mouth full ofpie.
"Yes, Master Hopkins. Epicures, in fact, declare that there is no betterdish than roasted plovers."
"I'll take one of the guns," declared Tubby, his eyes glistening, as,even his appetite satisfied for the while, he sank back in his chair.
As they filed out of the dining hall the negro cook announced to thesailors and the mechanic, by means of a big bell, that it was time forthem to eat.
Rob, on his way to the camp, happened to pass by Luke Barton. He greetedthe latter with a cheery nod.
"Going to eat, Barton?" he inquired.
The man glowered at him a minute, and then muttering something about"fresh kids eating up everything," he strode on toward the eating place.
"My gracious," exclaimed Tubby, who had witnessed the whole proceeding,"you and that fellow get along like a pair of panthers, don't you?"
Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam Page 12
