CHAPTER XXIX.
THE LAST SHOT OF THE D-16.
Running smoothly and swiftly the submarine passed from the Sea ofMarmora back into the Dardanelles, and set out on the last lap of herjourney. It was now after 7 o'clock in the morning, and a grey mist,heralding the approach of a storm, was in the air above.
Gradually the swell of the waves increased as the wind grew in violence,and the waters of the strait grew angry. But below, where the D-16 movedswiftly along, all was smooth and tranquil, although the barometershowed a heavy disturbance above.
The new military governor of Constantinople, desiring the freedom of thevessel rather than to be confined, had given his parole, and, seeming totake his plight with fortitude, was watching the workings of the vesselwith the greatest interest. Some of the intricate details Lord Hastingstook the trouble to explain to him.
Then, just as the D-16 seemed about to accomplish the last lap of herreturn journey safely, the trouble occurred.
Lord Hastings had given it as his opinion that they must at that momentbe in the very heart of the Turkish fortifications in the strait, andhad turned away, when the prisoner, with a sudden leap, sprang to thesignal that controlled the air tanks. Before any one could stop him hehad given the signal that sent the D-16 soaring to the top of the water,where she floated upon the surface not a hundred yards from the guns ofthe nearest Turkish fort.
The wind had kicked the strait into an angry swirling mass of water,with the waves running high. But the D-16 had hardly been tossed uponthe crest of the first wave when a Turkish sentry espied her.
He gave a hoarse cry, and in another moment a big gun spoke.
"Boom!"
The D-16 staggered. One more huge wave she climbed, and when she settledinto the trough of the sea with it, she went deeper.
She seemed to turn on her beam ends as she dived, but suddenly sherighted herself. Officers and crew picked themselves up from thepositions into which they had been flung, and rushed for their posts.
"Look at the tanks!" cried Lord Hastings, and Jack rushed to obey.
He came running back an instant later.
"A miracle," he cried. "The tanks are full. That is what brought usdown."
Lord Hastings stared at him in surprise.
"Impossible," he said. "How could the tanks be full?"
"I don't know, sir," replied Jack, "but they are."
Lord Hastings thought hard and fast.
"Where did the shell strike us?" he asked at length.
"Just forward of the tanks, sir."
"That may have had something to do with it," mused the commander,"although I can't see how. Give the command to rise two fathoms, Mr.Templeton."
Jack obeyed. Once, twice, thrice he gave it, with no result. Then theman who had answered the signal came running into the cabin.
"Something wrong, sir," he said quietly. "I can't budge her, sir."
"You mean you cannot force out the water?" asked Lord Hastings quietly.
"Yes, sir."
"It is as I feared," said the commander. He turned to officers and crewwho had gathered about. "It is all over," he said quietly. "We are donefor. If we cannot force the water from the tanks, we cannot go to thesurface. It is impossible to fix the break beneath the water. That isall, men."
As the men started slowly from his cabin, Lord Hastings raised a hand.
"One moment," he said quietly. "There is a chance for all but one of us.As I am the commander of this vessel, and should be the last to leave,that one shall be me."
"What do you mean, sir?" asked one of the men, stepping forward.
"The torpedo tubes," said Lord Hastings quietly. "All but one of us canbe shot to the surface by means of the torpedo tubes."
The face of every member of the crew lighted up with hope.
"Are we still moving ahead?" asked Lord Hastings.
"Yes, sir," replied Jack.
"Good, at what speed?"
"Fifteen knots, sir."
"All right. In another three quarters of an hour we will be beneath ourown fleet. There we shall stop. Then, one at a time, you men will climbinto the torpedo tubes and I will launch you safely. This has been donemore than once, and in spite of some slight pain and inconvenience,there is no danger."
"But you, sir?" asked Frank. "How will you get out, if you remain tosend us?"
"Why," said Lord Hastings quietly, "being the last man, I shall not getout."
Jack jumped to his feet.
"I'll not hear of it!" he exclaimed. "If you stay, I stay."
"And I, too!" declared Frank, taking his place by his friend's side.
Lord Hastings opened his lips to protest, but Jack took the words out ofhis mouth.
"It's no use, sir, we mean it," he said firmly.
A sailor approached and took his stand alongside the two lads.
"Neither will I go," he said quietly.
A second sailor fell in line, the engineer, another sailor, the chiefgunner's mate, until finally the entire crew of the D-16 had expressedtheir determination to die with their commander.
Now the German prisoner spoke.
"It is useless for us all to die," he said quietly. "Why not draw lotsand see who shall stay? That is fair to all. I myself shall draw withyou."
Each member of the crew looked at the other. Slowly all nodded theirheads.
"I protest," said Lord Hastings. "I am the commander of this ship, andshall be obeyed."
"This is one time, sir," said one of the sailors, "when we shall refuseto obey your orders. Let us draw lots."
"One moment, men, before we draw," said Jack. "I just want to say thatFrank here and myself have been close chums. If I should happen to haveto stay, I want his word, and that of Lord Hastings, that neither willinsist on staying with me."
Frank looked at Lord Hastings, and the latter looked back at Frank.
"I agree," said Lord Hastings finally, "with the proviso that the samerule applies should I have to stay."
"And I agree under the same conditions," said Frank.
"Good!" said Jack briskly. "Now as to the method. How shall we draw?"
An old sailor stepped forward.
"If you please, sir," he said, "I have an old pack of cards in mypocket."
"Very well," said Jack, "a pack of cards will serve as well as anythingelse. Just how shall we decide?"
The sailor spoke again.
"There are twenty-six of us here," he said, "because I have counted usall up. In the pack of cards are fifty-two--two to a man. Let the ace ofspades be the death card. Whoever draws the ace of spades stays."
"So be it," said Lord Hastings. "Give me the deck, Grigsby."
Grigsby produced a dirty and grimy pack of playing cards, and gave it toLord Hastings. Slowly the commander of the D-16 counted the cards tomake sure they were all there, then shuffled them gently. Next he placedthe deck in the center of the table in the middle of the room and turnedto Frank.
"Cut," he directed briefly.
Frank advanced to the table with steady tread, and with as steady a handcut the cards.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "let us all stand around the table, and, eachin turn, draw a card. The man who draws the ace of spades stays. Is itunderstood?"
There was a general nod of assent, and all gathered around the table.Lord Hastings stood first, next was Jack, then Frank, then the Germanprisoner and following him the sailors.
"I shall draw the first card," said Lord Hastings, "and then the drawshall pass around to my left. Here goes!"
Midst a death-like silence he stretched forth a hand and drew a card,which he exposed to the view of all. It was the ace of clubs.
Jack stretched forth a steady hand, and drew the two of spades. Frankdrew the five of clubs, and the German the ace of diamonds.
The draw came again to Lord Hastings and the ace of spades was stillhidden in the deck.
The silence was even more pronounced as Lord
Hastings drew his secondcard and slowly held it up so that all might see.
It was the king of spades.
"Pretty close," he said quietly.
"But not close enough," said Jack with a laugh. "I believe I can dobetter myself."
Quickly he stretched forth a steady hand and drew a card, which he threwdown upon the table, face up.
A gasp went round the circle of faces.
The card was the ace of spades.
Jack turned to Lord Hastings with a faint smile.
"You see," he said steadily. "I was sure I could beat you."
When Jack drew the fatal card, Frank stared at it as though dumbfounded,and for a moment was unable to speak. Then he rushed upon his friend,and threw his arms about him.
"But I won't let you stay alone," he cried.
Jack pushed him gently away.
"Remember our agreement," he said quietly.
Lord Hastings approached and laid his hand on Frank's shoulder.
"Jack is right," he said. "An agreement between gentlemen is not to beset aside for any reason. Be sure that I feel just as deeply as you, butI am older and not so much given to showing my feelings."
He walked over to Jack, and held out a hand.
"I am sorry it was not me," he said quietly.
"And still," said Jack, taking the hand, "it won't be so awfully bad,will it, to be the one who fires the last shot of the British SubmarineD-16?"
"We should now be directly beneath the British fleet," said LordHastings, after a glance at his watch.
"Good," said Jack. "Then we may as well stop the engines."
This was the work of an instant.
"How deep are we?" asked Jack.
"Quarter of a mile," replied Lord Hastings briefly.
"Then the pressure will not be so bad for you fellows," said Jack.
He stepped to No. 1 torpedo tube and examined it.
"All right," he said. "The only trouble you may have is that you willnot be seen when you reach the surface. However, that is the chance youwill have to take. Just keep your senses, and when you reach the surfaceswim until you are picked up. How does the barometer read?"
"Clearing," replied Frank, after a quick glance.
"Good! I was afraid it might be stormy above."
He paused and looked around. All was in readiness.
"Now," he said, "the longer you stay here the more danger. The sooner weget it over with the better. You first, Lord Hastings."
"No," replied Lord Hastings. "I shall be the last to go."
Jack bowed.
"Very well," he said. He turned to Frank. "Come, Frank," he said. "Youfirst."
"Not me," Frank protested. "I'll wait until the rest have gone."
"Have your own way," said Jack. He turned to the German prisoner. "Youfirst, then, sir," he said calmly.
The German bowed.
"It might as well be me as another," he said.
He stepped to the torpedo tube and crawled in.
"Lucky I am not too big," he said cheerfully.
"Ready?" asked Jack.
"Ready," came the reply.
"Click!"
Just this faint metallic sound and the human torpedo sped on its upwardjourney like a catapult.
Jack turned to Grigsby.
"You next," he said.
Grigsby crawled into the tube.
"Ready?" asked Jack.
"Ready, sir," came the reply.
Again the click and the second human torpedo sped on its way to safety.
And so on down the line, until there remained, besides Jack, only Frank,his chum, and Lord Hastings, his commander.
Jack turned to Frank.
"It's your turn, Frank," he said.
Frank hung back.
"Let Lord Hastings go first," he protested.
Lord Hastings raised a hand.
"I am still your commander," he said severely. "You will crawl into thetube, sir."
Frank looked long at him, and again started to protest. Lord Hastings'face was inflexible.
Frank drew himself up to attention.
"Very well, sir," he said quietly.
He approached Jack and held out his hand, which the latter grasped withvise-like fingers and squeezed.
"Goodbye, Frank," he said softly. "Remember that I am glad to do thisfor you. I have no one in the world, while you still have a father andfriends at home. Take my advice and return to your own country. Our waris none of your quarrel."
Tears came into Frank's eyes as he gripped his chum's hand. A lump cameinto his throat.
"Goodbye, Jack," he said with an effort.
He staggered toward the tube, and Lord Hastings helped him in. "Get itover quickly," he exclaimed.
"Ready?" asked Jack.
"Ready," replied Frank in a choking voice.
"Click!"
Frank went hurtling on his way to safety.
Jack turned to Lord Hastings.
"I am glad you stayed until last," he said very quietly. "I feared thatFrank would make a scene. Thank you."
"I did it for your sake," was the low response.
"Well, now it is your turn," said Jack. "Come, sir. Let's have it overwith."
"Cannot I prevail upon you to let me take your place?" asked LordHastings earnestly. "You are so young, while I, well I am old, and itwill make no difference."
"You have Lady Hastings to think of," replied Jack, "and I have no oneat all."
"But----" began Lord Hastings.
"Come, sir," said Jack, "don't shake my resolution now. I lost. It is upto me to pay. Remember our agreement."
"True," said Lord Hastings.
He held out his hand and Jack grasped it.
"I wish to say," said Lord Hastings, "that it has never been my pleasureto know a braver and more courageous lad. I am proud to know you."
"And I," said Jack, "am proud of having had the chance to serve underyou, sir."
They gripped hands tenderly for the space of a few seconds; then,without another word, Lord Hastings relaxed his pressure and stepped tothe tube. Jack assisted him, and then called out:
"Ready?"
"Ready," came the reply. "Goodbye, Jack."
The last words were lost in the click of the torpedo and Jack was leftalone.
He walked to his own cabin and sat down upon his bed. Then, rising, heapproached the table and ran his fingers over its edge, counting thenotches.
"Fifteen," he said to himself. "Well, that's not so bad. Now, I wonderhow long I shall have to wait."
He drew his revolver from his pocket and looked at it long andearnestly.
"No," he said aloud, and thrust it back into his pocket.
Then he sat down to await the moment when the D-16 must split open asthe result of the death blow she had received.
When Jack released the catch that sent Frank flying into space, thelad's breath was taken away by the force of his upward flight; but amoment later he felt himself upon the surface of the sea and coolingdraughts filled his lungs. Sputtering and gasping he inhaled greatbreaths, and then, mindful of Jack's injunction, he set about keepinghimself afloat.
Rescue was near at hand; for the first of the sailors had already beenpicked up by the crew of a British warship, and had told his story.Small boats now floated about looking for other arrivals from the deep.
A boat approached Frank and he was dragged over the side. Then he lostconsciousness. He was taken aboard the warship and put to bedimmediately, as was Lord Hastings when he was picked up a few momentslater.
To Jack, sitting below in the doomed submarine, came thoughts of thepast. In his mind he reviewed his meeting with Frank, and later, withLord Hastings. Memories of the earlier days of the war came back to himvividly and he recounted to himself the dangers he and Frank had facedtogether.
"Oh, well," he said at last, "it is all over now."
He arose and made his way toward Lord Hastings' cabin; but even as heset foot over the threshold, the D-16 gave a sudde
n lurch.
"Guess this will finish it," said Jack aloud.
But, to his amazement, the submarine, instead of going deeper, seemed tobe rising. With a faint hope fluttering in his heart, Jack glanced atthe indicator.
It was true. The D-16 was going up--not down.
Jack stared at the indicator like one fascinated.
"Six fathoms, five fathoms, four fathoms," it read.
Jack was moved to action.
"There is still a chance," he told himself. "I know the submarine iswounded unto death, but if she should happen to leap clear of the water,I must be prepared."
He ascended the steps toward the bridge, and stood close to the doorthat would give him life should the D-16 really come to the surface, ifonly for a moment.
With his hand upon the lock, Jack waited, his eyes, meanwhile, stillfastened upon the indicator, which he could barely see from his presentposition.
"Two fathoms," it read, "one fathom, half a fathom," and then Jacksuddenly threw open the door, and with a single jump, was upon thebridge, even as the D-16 leaped clear of the water for a brief instant,before she settled again, to rise no more.
That brief instant was enough, for in it Jack was able to hurl himselfclear of the vessel, into the sea, where he struck with a loud splash,and a shock at the icy coldness of the water.
The lad did not even lose consciousness, but struck out vigorously forwhat he saw was a British warship.
A sailor espied him, and a boat put off after him. Five minutes later hewas lifted aboard, where he promptly succumbed because of the reaction.
He was put to bed alongside Frank and Lord Hastings.
Frank was the first to open his eyes. He glanced about him. There, tohis left, lay Lord Hastings still unconscious.
In a flash it all came back to Frank and he buried his face in his arms.
"Poor old Jack," he said. "I wish I could have stayed in his place."
At that moment a figure on the other side of him moved. Faintlyinterested in spite of his grief, Frank turned to see who it might be.As his eyes fell upon the figure, which was now rising to a sittingposture, they almost bulged from his head, and he cried out in a voiceof amazement:
"Jack!"
Jack looked around slowly.
At first he was unable to gain his bearings, but in a moment the pastcame back to him.
He reached out and took Frank by the hand.
"Yes, it is I," he said quietly. "I had a most miraculous escape. I'lltell you about it."
"Don't tell me now," said Frank, squeezing his chum's hand. "It's enoughfor me to know that you are alive."
An officer entered.
"I thought you would be glad to know," he said, "that we are about toget under way for home."
"I'm glad," said Frank simply.
Lord Hastings' joy, when he recovered consciousness and learned thatJack had not perished beneath the water, was unbounded, and during thelong journey back to England they often talked of his miraculous escape.
And so, while they are enjoying the rest they deserve, as they are beingcarried back to the shores of old England, we will take our leave ofthem--Frank Chadwick, an American youth with all the courage of hisforebears, Jack Templeton, than whom no braver youth ever breathed, andLord Hastings, British nobleman--their commander and friend.
THE END.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boy Allies (Registered in the United States Patent Office) With the Navy
BY ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, meet each otherin an unusual way soon after the declaration of war. Circumstances placethem on board the British cruiser, "The Sylph," and from there on, theyshare adventures with the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L. Drake,the author, is an experienced naval officer, and he describes admirablythe many exciting adventures of the two boys.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; or, Striking the First Blow at the German Fleet.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; or, Sweeping the Enemy from the Sea.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; or, The Naval Raiders of the Great War.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEA; or, The Last Shot of Submarine D-16.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; or, The Vanishing Submarine.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid the Czar.
THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND; or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH UNCLE SAM'S CRUISERS; or, Convoying the American Army Across the Atlantic.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE SUBMARINE D-32; or, The Fall of the Russian Empire.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE VICTORIOUS FLEETS; or, The Fall of the German Navy.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY 114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boy Allies (Registered in the United States Patent Office) With the Army
BY CLAIR W. HAYES
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
In this series we follow the fortunes of two American lads unable toleave Europe after war is declared. They meet the soldiers of theAllies, and decide to cast their lot with them. Their experiences andescapes are many, and furnish plenty of good, healthy action that everyboy loves.
THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; or, Through Lines of Steel.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; or, Twelve Days Battle Along the Marne.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; or, A Wild Dash Over the Carpathians.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; or, Midst Shot and Shell Along the Aisne.
THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; or, With the Italian Army in the Alps.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; or, The Struggle to Save a Nation.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE SOMME; or, Courage and Bravery Rewarded.
THE BOY ALLIES AT VERDUN; or, Saving France from the Enemy.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES; or, Leading the American Troops to the Firing Line.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS; or, The Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; or, Over the Top at Chateau Thierry.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE GREAT ADVANCE; or, Driving the Enemy Through France and Belgium.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH; or, The Closing Days of the Great World War.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY 114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
The Boy Allies with the Terror of the Seas; Or, The Last Shot of Submarine D-16 Page 29