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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/949-h.zip b/949-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..309c879 --- /dev/null +++ b/949-h.zip diff --git a/949-h/949-h.htm b/949-h/949-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1a8890 --- /dev/null +++ b/949-h/949-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8304 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat, +by Victor Appleton +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.finis { text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat, by Victor Appleton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat + or, Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #949] +Release Date: June, 1997 +[Last updated on June 6, 2013] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +by +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +VICTOR APPLETON +</H2> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">News of a Treasure Wreck</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">Finishing the Submarine</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">Mr. Berg Is Astonished</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">Tom Is Imprisoned</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">Mr. Berg Is Suspicious</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">Turning the Tables</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">Mr. Damon Will Go</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">Another Treasure Expedition</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">Captain Weston's Advent</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">Trial of the Submarine</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">On the Ocean Bed</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">For a Breath of Air</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">Off for the Treasure</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">In the Diving Suits</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">At the Tropical Island</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">"We'll Race You For It!"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">The Race</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">The Electric Gun</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">Captured</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">Doomed to Death</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">The Escape</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">At the Wreck</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">Attacked by Sharks</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">Ramming the Wreck</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">Home with the Gold</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter One +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +News of a Treasure Wreck +</H3> + +<P> +There was a rushing, whizzing, throbbing noise in the air. A great +body, like that of some immense bird, sailed along, casting a grotesque +shadow on the ground below. An elderly man, who was seated on the +porch of a large house, started to his feet in alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Gracious goodness! What was that, Mrs. Baggert?" he called to a +motherly-looking woman who stood in the doorway. "What happened?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing much, Mr. Swift," was the calm reply "I think that was Tom and +Mr. Sharp in their airship, that's all. I didn't see it, but the noise +sounded like that of the Red Cloud." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course! To be sure!" exclaimed Mr. Barton Swift, the well-known +inventor, as he started down the path in order to get a good view of +the air, unobstructed by the trees. "Yes, there they are," he added. +"That's the airship, but I didn't expect them back so soon. They must +have made good time from Shopton. I wonder if anything can be the +matter that they hurried so?" +</P> + +<P> +He gazed aloft toward where a queerly-shaped machine was circling about +nearly five hundred feet in the air, for the craft, after swooping down +close to the house, had ascended and was now hovering just above the +line of breakers that marked the New Jersey seacoast, where Mr. Swift +had taken up a temporary residence. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't begin worrying, Mr. Swift," advised Mrs. Baggert, the +housekeeper. "You've got too much to do, if you get that new boat done, +to worry." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. I must not worry. But I wish Tom and Mr. Sharp would land, +for I want to talk to them." +</P> + +<P> +As if the occupants of the airship had heard the words of the aged +inventor, they headed their craft toward earth. The combined aeroplane +and dirigible balloon, a most wonderful traveler of the air, swung +around, and then, with the deflection rudders slanted downward, came on +with a rush. When near the landing place, just at the side of the +house, the motor was stopped, and the gas, with a hissing noise, rushed +into the red aluminum container. This immediately made the ship more +buoyant and it landed almost as gently as a feather. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had the wheels which formed the lower part of the craft +touched the ground than there leaped from the cabin of the Red Cloud a +young man. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, dad!" he exclaimed. "Here we are again, safe and sound. Made a +record, too. Touched ninety miles an hour at times—didn't we, Mr. +Sharp?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what," agreed a tall, thin, dark-complexioned man, who followed +Tom Swift more leisurely in his exit from the cabin. Mr. Sharp, a +veteran aeronaut, stopped to fasten guy ropes from the airship to +strong stakes driven into the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"And we'd have done better, only we struck a hard wind against us about +two miles up in the air, which delayed us," went on Tom. "Did you hear +us coming, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and it startled him," put in Mrs. Baggert. "I guess he wasn't +expecting you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, I shouldn't have been so alarmed, only I was thinking deeply +about a certain change I am going to make in the submarine, Tom. I was +day-dreaming, I think, when your ship whizzed through the air. But tell +me, did you find everything all right at Shopton? No signs of any of +those scoundrels of the Happy Harry gang having been around?" and Mr. +Swift looked anxiously at his son. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a sign, dad," replied Tom quickly. "Everything was all right. We +brought the things you wanted. They're in the airship. Oh, but it was a +fine trip. I'd like to take another right out to sea." +</P> + +<P> +"Not now, Tom," said his father. "I want you to help me. And I need +Mr. Sharp's help, too. Get the things out of the car, and we'll go to +the shop." +</P> + +<P> +"First I think we'd better put the airship away," advised Mr. Sharp. "I +don't just like the looks of the weather, and, besides, if we leave the +ship exposed we'll be sure to have a crowd around sooner or later, and +we don't want that." +</P> + +<P> +"No, indeed," remarked the aged inventor hastily. "I don't want people +prying around the submarine shed. By all means put the airship away, +and then come into the shop." +</P> + +<P> +In spite of its great size the aeroplane was easily wheeled along by +Tom and Mr. Sharp, for the gas in the container made it so buoyant that +it barely touched the earth. A little more of the powerful vapor and +the Red Cloud would have risen by itself. In a few minutes the +wonderful craft, of which my readers have been told in detail in a +previous volume, was safely housed in a large tent, which was securely +fastened. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Sharp and Tom, carrying some bundles which they had taken from the +car, or cabin, of the craft, went toward a large shed, which adjoined +the house that Mr. Swift had hired for the season at the seashore. They +found the lad's father standing before a great shape, which loomed up +dimly in the semi-darkness of the building. It was like an immense +cylinder, pointed at either end, and here and there were openings, +covered with thick glass, like immense, bulging eyes. From the number +of tools and machinery all about the place, and from the appearance of +the great cylinder itself, it was easy to see that it was only partly +completed. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, how goes it, dad?" asked the youth, as he deposited his bundle +on a bench. "Do you think you can make it work?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, Tom. The positive and negative plates are giving me +considerable trouble, though. But I guess we can solve the problem. Did +you bring me the galvanometer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and all the other things," and the young inventor proceeded to +take the articles from the bundles he carried. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift looked them over carefully, while Tom walked about examining +the submarine, for such was the queer craft that was contained in the +shed. He noted that some progress had been made on it since he had +left the seacoast several days before to make a trip to Shopton, in New +York State, where the Swift home was located, after some tools and +apparatus that his father wanted to obtain from his workshop there. +</P> + +<P> +"You and Mr. Jackson have put on several new plates," observed the lad +after a pause. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," admitted his father. "Garret and I weren't idle, were we, +Garret?" and he nodded to the aged engineer, who had been in his employ +for many years. +</P> + +<P> +"No; and I guess we'll soon have her in the water, Tom, now that you +and Mr. Sharp are here to help us," replied Garret Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"We ought to have Mr. Damon here to bless the submarine and his liver +and collar buttons a few times," put in Mr. Sharp, who brought in +another bundle. He referred to an eccentric individual who had recently +made an airship voyage with himself and Tom, Mr. Damon's peculiarity +being to use continually such expressions as: "Bless my soul! Bless my +liver!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll be glad when we can make a trial trip," went on Tom. "I've +traveled pretty fast on land with my motorcycle, and we certainly have +hummed through the air. Now I want to see how it feels to scoot along +under water." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if everything goes well we'll be in position to make a trial +trip inside of a month," remarked the aged inventor. "Look here, Mr. +Sharp, I made a change in the steering gear, which I'd like you and Tom +to consider." +</P> + +<P> +The three walked around to the rear of the odd-looking structure, if an +object shaped like a cigar can be said to have a front and rear, and +the inventor, his son, and the aeronaut were soon deep in a discussion +of the technicalities connected with under-water navigation. +</P> + +<P> +A little later they went into the house, in response to a summons from +the supper bell, vigorously rung by Mrs. Baggert. She was not fond of +waiting with meals, and even the most serious problem of mechanics was, +in her estimation, as nothing compared with having the soup get cold, +or the possibility of not having the meat done to a turn. +</P> + +<P> +The meal was interspersed with remarks about the recent airship flight +of Tom and Mr. Sharp, and discussions about the new submarine. This +talk went on even after the table was cleared off and the three had +adjourned to the sitting-room. There Mr. Swift brought out pencil and +paper, and soon he and Mr. Sharp were engrossed in calculating the +pressure per square inch of sea water at a depth of three miles. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you intend to go as deep as that?" asked Tom, looking up from a +paper he was reading. +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly," replied his father; and his son resumed his perusal of the +sheet. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," went on the inventor to the aeronaut, "I have another plan. In +addition to the positive and negative plates which will form our motive +power, I am going to install forward and aft propellers, to use in case +of accident." +</P> + +<P> +"I say, dad! Did you see this?" suddenly exclaimed Tom, getting up from +his chair, and holding his finger on a certain place in the page of the +paper. +</P> + +<P> +"Did I see what?" asked Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, this account of the sinking of the treasure ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Treasure ship? No. Where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Listen," went on Tom. "I'll read it: 'Further advices from Montevideo, +Uruguay, South America, state that all hope has been given up of +recovering the steamship Boldero, which foundered and went down off +that coast in the recent gale. Not only has all hope been abandoned of +raising the vessel, but it is feared that no part of the three hundred +thousand dollars in gold bullion which she carried will ever be +recovered. Expert divers who were taken to the scene of the wreck state +that the depth of water, and the many currents existing there, due to a +submerged shoal, preclude any possibility of getting at the hull. The +bullion, it is believed, was to have been used to further the interests +of a certain revolutionary faction, but it seems likely that they will +have to look elsewhere for the sinews of war. Besides the bullion the +ship also carried several cases of rifles, it is stated, and other +valuable cargo. The crew and what few passengers the Boldero carried +were, contrary to the first reports, all saved by taking to the boats. +It appears that some of the ship's plates were sprung by the stress in +which she labored in a storm, and she filled and sank gradually.' +There! what do you think of that, dad?" cried Tom as he finished. +</P> + +<P> +"What do I think of it? Why, I think it's too bad for the +revolutionists, Tom, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"No; I mean about the treasure being still on board the ship. What +about that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's likely to stay there, if the divers can't get at it. Now, +Mr. Sharp, about the propellers—" +</P> + +<P> +"Wait, dad!" cried Tom earnestly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Tom, what's the matter?" asked Mr. Swift in some surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"How soon before we can finish our submarine?" went on Tom, not +answering the question. +</P> + +<P> +"About a month. Why?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why? Dad, why can't we have a try for that treasure? It ought to be +comparatively easy to find that sunken ship off the coast of Uruguay. +In our submarine we can get close up to it, and in the new diving suits +you invented we can get at that gold bullion. Three hundred thousand +dollars! Think of it, dad! Three hundred thousand dollars! We could +easily claim all of it, since the owners have abandoned it, but we +would be satisfied with half. Let's hurry up, finish the submarine, and +have a try for it." +</P> + +<P> +"But, Tom, you forget that I am to enter my new ship in the trials for +the prize offered by the United States Government." +</P> + +<P> +"How much is the prize if you win it?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Fifty thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, here's a chance to make three times that much at least, and +maybe more. Dad, let the Government prize go, and try for the treasure. +Will you?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom looked eagerly at his father, his eyes shining with anticipation. +Mr. Swift was not a quick thinker, but the idea his son had proposed +made an impression on him. He reached out his hand for the paper in +which the young inventor had seen the account of the sunken treasure. +Slowly he read it through. Then he passed it to Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think of it?" he asked of the aeronaut. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a possibility," remarked the balloonist "We might try for it. +We can easily go three miles down, and it doesn't lie as deeply as +that, if this account is true. Yes, we might try for it. But we'd have +to omit the Government contests." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you, dad?" asked Tom again. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift considered a moment longer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Tom, I will," he finally decided. "Going after the treasure will +be likely to afford us a better test of the submarine than would any +Government tests. We'll try to locate the sunken Boldero." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah!" cried the lad, taking the paper from Mr. Sharp and waving it +in the air. "That's the stuff! Now for a search for the submarine +treasure!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Two +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Finishing the Submarine +</H3> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" cried Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, hurrying in +from the kitchen, where she was washing the dishes. "Have you seen some +of those scoundrels who robbed you, Mr. Swift? If you have, the police +down here ought to—" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it's nothing like that," explained Mr. Swift. "Tom has merely +discovered in the paper an account of a sunken treasure ship, and he +wants us to go after it, down under the ocean." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dear! Some more of Captain Kidd's hidden hoard, I suppose?" +ventured the housekeeper. "Don't you bother with it, Mr. Swift. I had a +cousin once, and he got set in the notion that he knew where that +pirate's treasure was. He spent all the money he had and all he could +borrow digging for it, and he never found a penny. Don't waste your +time on such foolishness. It's bad enough to be building airships and +submarines without going after treasure." Mrs. Baggert spoke with the +freedom of an old friend rather than a hired housekeeper, but she had +been in the family ever since Tom's mother died, when he was a baby, +and she had many privileges. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, this isn't any of Kidd's treasure," Tom assured her. "If we get +it, Mrs. Baggert, I'll buy you a diamond ring." +</P> + +<P> +"Humph!" she exclaimed, as Tom began to hug her in boyish fashion. "I +guess I'll have to buy all the diamond rings I want, if I have to +depend on your treasure for them," and she went back to the kitchen. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," went on Mr. Swift after a pause, "if we are going into the +treasure-hunting business, Tom, we'll have to get right to work. In the +first place, we must find out more about this ship, and just where it +was sunk." +</P> + +<P> +"I can do that part," said Mr. Sharp. "I know some sea captains, and +they can put me on the track of locating the exact spot. In fact, it +might not be a bad idea to take an expert navigator with us. I can +manage in the air all right, but I confess that working out a location +under water is beyond me." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, an old sea captain wouldn't be a bad idea, by any means," +conceded Mr. Swift. "Well, if you'll attend to that detail, Mr. Sharp, +Tom, Mr. Jackson and I will finish the submarine. Most of the work is +done, however, and it only remains to install the engine and motors. +Now, in regard to the negative and positive electric plates, I'd like +your opinion, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +For Tom Swift was an inventor, second in ability only to his father, +and his advice was often sought by his parent on matters of electrical +construction, for the lad had made a specialty of that branch of +science. +</P> + +<P> +While father and son were deep in a discussion of the apparatus of the +submarine, there will be an opportunity to make the reader a little +better acquainted with them. Those of you who have read the previous +volumes of this series do not need to be told who Tom Swift is. Others, +however, may be glad to have a proper introduction to him. +</P> + +<P> +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the village of +Shopton, New York. The Swift home was on the outskirts of the town, and +the large house was surrounded by a number of machine shops, in which +father and son, aided by Garret Jackson, the engineer, did their +experimental and constructive work. Their house was not far from Lake +Carlopa, a fairly large body of water, on which Tom often speeded his +motor-boat. +</P> + +<P> +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and His +Motor-Cycle," it was told how he became acquainted with Mr. Wakefield +Damon, who suffered an accident while riding one of the speedy +machines. The accident disgusted Mr. Damon with motor-cycles, and Tom +secured it for a low price. He had many adventures on it, chief among +which was being knocked senseless and robbed of a valuable patent model +belonging to his father, which he was taking to Albany. The attack was +committed by a gang known as the Happy Harry gang, who were acting at +the instigation of a syndicate of rich men, who wanted to secure +control of a certain patent turbine engine which Mr. Swift had invented. +</P> + +<P> +Tom set out in pursuit of the thieves, after recovering from their +attack, and had a strenuous time before he located them. +</P> + +<P> +In the second volume, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," there +was related our hero's adventures in a fine craft which was recovered +from the thieves and sold at auction. There was a mystery connected +with the boat, and for a long time Tom could not solve it. He was +aided, however, by his chum, Ned Newton, who worked in the Shopton +Bank, and also by Mr. Damon and Eradicate Sampson, an aged colored +whitewasher, who formed quite an attachment for Tom. +</P> + +<P> +In his motor-boat Tom had more than one race with Andy Foger, a rich +lad of Shopton, who was a sort of bully. He had red hair and squinty +eyes, and was as mean in character as he was in looks. He and his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, made trouble for Tom, chiefly +because Tom managed to beat Andy twice in boat races. +</P> + +<P> +It was while in his motor-boat, Arrow, that Tom formed the acquaintance +of John Sharp, a veteran balloonist. While coming down Lake Carlopa on +the way to the Swift home, which had been entered by thieves, Tom, his +father and Ned Newton, saw a balloon on fire over the lake. Hanging +from a trapeze on it was Mr. Sharp, who had made an ascension from a +fair ground. By hard work on the part of Tom and his friends the +aeronaut was saved, and took up his residence with the Swifts. +</P> + +<P> +His advent was most auspicious, for Tom and his father were then +engaged in perfecting an airship, and Mr. Sharp was able to lend them +his skill, so that the craft was soon constructed. +</P> + +<P> +In the third volume, called "Tom Swift and His Airship," there was set +down the doings of the young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon on a +trip above the clouds. They undertook it merely for pleasure, but they +encountered considerable danger, before they completed it, for they +nearly fell into a blazing forest once, and were later fired at by a +crowd of excited people. This last act was to effect their capture, for +they were taken for a gang of bank robbers, and this was due directly +to Andy Foger. +</P> + +<P> +The morning after Tom and his friends started on their trip in the air, +the Shopton Bank was found to have been looted of seventy-five thousand +dollars. Andy Foger at once told the police that Tom Swift had taken +the money, and when asked how he knew this, he said he had seen Tom +hanging around the bank the night before the vault was burst open, and +that the young inventor had some burglar tools in his possession. +Warrants were at once sworn out for Tom and Mr. Damon, who was also +accused of being one of the robbers, and a reward of five thousand +dollars was offered. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp sailed on, all unaware of this, and unable +to account for being fired upon, until they accidentally read in the +paper an account of their supposed misdeeds. They lost no time in +starting back home, and on the way got on the track of the real bank +robbers, who were members of the Happy Harry gang. +</P> + +<P> +How the robbers were captured in an exciting raid, how Tom recovered +most of the stolen money, and how he gave Andy Foger a deserved +thrashing for giving a false clue was told of, and there was an account +of a race in which the Red Cloud (as the airship was called) took part, +as well as details of how Tom and his friends secured the reward, which +Andy Foger hoped to collect. +</P> + +<P> +Those of you who care to know how the Red Cloud was constructed, and +how she behaved in the air, even during accidents and when struck by +lightning, may learn by reading the third volume, for the airship was +one of the most successful ever constructed. +</P> + +<P> +When the craft was finished, and the navigators were ready to start on +their first long trip, Mr. Swift was asked to go with them. He +declined, but would not tell why, until Tom, pressing him for an +answer, learned that his father was planning a submarine boat, which he +hoped to enter in some trials for Government prizes. Mr. Swift remained +at home to work on this submarine, while his son and Mr. Sharp were +sailing above the clouds. +</P> + +<P> +On their return, however, and after the bank mystery had been cleared +up, Tom and Mr. Sharp, aided Mr. Swift in completing the submarine, +until, when the present story opens, it needed but little additional +work to make the craft ready for the water. +</P> + +<P> +Of course it had to be built near the sea, as it would have been +impossible to transport it overland from Shopton. So, before the keel +was laid, Mr. Swift rented a large cottage at a seaside place on the +New Jersey coast and there, after erecting a large shed, the work on +the Advance, as the under-water ship was called, was begun. +</P> + +<P> +It was soon to be launched in a large creek that extended in from the +ocean and had plenty of water at high tide. Tom and Mr. Sharp made +several trips back and forth from Shopton in their airship, to see that +all was safe at home and occasionally to get needed tools and supplies +from the shops, for not all the apparatus could be moved from Shopton +to the coast. +</P> + +<P> +It was when returning from one of these trips that Tom brought with him +the paper containing an account of the wreck of the Boldero and the +sinking of the treasure she carried. +</P> + +<P> +Until late that night the three fortune-hunters discussed various +matters. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll hurry work on the ship," said Mr. Swift at length. "Tom, I +wonder if your friend, Mr. Damon, would care to try how it seems under +water? He stood the air trip fairly well." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll write and ask him," answered the lad. "I'm sure he'll go." +</P> + +<P> +Securing, a few days later, the assistance of two mechanics, whom he +knew he could trust, for as yet the construction of the Advance was a +secret, Mr. Swift prepared to rush work on the submarine, and for the +next three weeks there were busy times in the shed next to the seaside +cottage. So busy, in fact, were Tom and Mr. Sharp, that they only found +opportunity for one trip in the airship, and that was to get some +supplies from the shops at home. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift one night, at the close of a hard day's +work, "another week will see our craft completed. Then we will put it +in the water and see how it floats, and whether it submerges as I hope +it does. But come on, Tom. I want to lock up. I'm very tired to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, dad," answered the young inventor coming from the darkened +rear of the shop. "I just want to—" +</P> + +<P> +He paused suddenly, and appeared to be listening. Then he moved softly +back to where he had come from. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked his father in a whisper. "What's up, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +The lad did not answer Mr. Swift, with a worried look on his face, +followed his son. Mr. Sharp stood in the door of the shop. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I heard some one moving around back here," went on Tom +quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one in this shop!" exclaimed the aged inventor excitedly. "Some +one trying to steal my ideas again! Mr. Sharp, come here! Bring that +rifle! We'll teach these scoundrels a lesson!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom quickly darted back to the extreme rear of the building. There was +a scuffle, and the next minute Tom cried out: +</P> + +<P> +"What are you doing here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! I beg your pardon," replied a voice. "I am looking for Mr. Barton +Swift." +</P> + +<P> +"My father," remarked Tom. "But that's a queer place to look for him. +He's up front. Father, here's a man who wishes to see you," he called. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I strolled in, and seeing no one about I went to the rear of the +place," the voice went on. "I hope I haven't transgressed." +</P> + +<P> +"We were busy on the other side of the shop, I guess," replied Tom, and +he looked suspiciously at the man who emerged from the darkness into +the light from a window. "I beg your pardon for grabbing you the way I +did," went on the lad, "but I thought you were one of a gang of men +we've been having trouble with." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's all right," continued the man easily. "I know Mr. Swift, +and I think he will remember me. Ah, Mr. Swift, how do you do?" he +added quickly, catching sight of Tom's father, who, with Mr. Sharp, was +coming to meet the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed the aged inventor as he saw the man's face +more plainly. "What are you doing here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I came to see you," replied the man. "May I have a talk with you +privately?" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I suppose so," assented Mr. Swift nervously. "Come into the house." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Berg left Tom's side and advanced to where Mr. Swift was standing. +Together the two emerged from the now fast darkening shop and went +toward the house. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is he?" asked Mr. Sharp of the young inventor in a whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know," replied the lad; "but, whoever he is, dad seems afraid +of him. I'm going to keep my eyes open." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Three +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Mr. Berg is Astonished +</H3> + +<P> +Following his father and the stranger whom the aged inventor had +addressed as Mr. Berg, Tom and Mr. Sharp entered the house, the lad +having first made sure that Garret Jackson was on guard in the shop +that contained the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said Mr. Swift to the newcomer, "I am at your service. What is +it you wish?" +</P> + +<P> +"In the first place, let me apologize for having startled you and your +friends," began the man. "I had no idea of sneaking into your workshop, +but I had just arrived here, and seeing the doors open I went in. I +heard no one about, and I wandered to the back of the place. There I +happened to stumble over a board—" +</P> + +<P> +"And I heard you," interrupted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this one of your employees?" asked Mr. Berg in rather frigid tones. +</P> + +<P> +"That is my son," replied Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I beg your pardon." The man's manner changed quickly. "Well, I +guess you did hear me, young man. I didn't intend to bark my shins the +way I did, either. You must have taken me for a burglar or a sneak +thief." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been very much bothered by a gang of unscrupulous men," said +Mr. Swift, "and I suppose Tom thought it was some of them sneaking +around again." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I did," added the lad. "I wasn't going to have any one +steal the secret of the submarine if I could help it." +</P> + +<P> +"Quite right! Quite right!" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "But my purpose was an +open one. As you know, Mr. Swift, I represent the firm of Bentley & +Eagert, builders of submarine boats and torpedoes. They heard that you +were constructing a craft to take part in the competitive prize tests +of the United States Government, and they asked me to come and see you +to learn when your ship would be ready. Ours is completed, but we +recognize that it will be for the best interests of all concerned if +there are a number of contestants, and my firm did not want to send in +their entry until they knew that you were about finished with your +ship. How about it? Are you ready to compete?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Mr. Swift slowly. "We are about ready. My craft needs a few +finishing touches, and then it will be ready to launch." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we may expect a good contest on your part," suggested Mr. Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," began the aged inventor, "I don't know about that." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"I said I wasn't quite sure that we would compete," went on Mr. Swift. +"You see, when I first got this idea for a submarine boat I had it in +mind to try for the Government prize of fifty thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we want, too," interrupted Mr. Berg with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"But," went on Tom's father, "since then certain matters have come up, +and I think, on the whole, that we'll not compete for the prize after +all." +</P> + +<P> +"Not compete for the prize?" almost shouted the agent for Bentley & +Eagert. "Why, the idea! You ought to compete. It is good for the trade. +We think we have a very fine craft, and probably we would beat you in +the tests, but—" +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't be too sure of that," put in Tom. "You have only seen the +outside of our boat. The inside is better yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, I have no doubt of that," spoke Mr. Berg, "but we have been at the +business longer than you have, and have had more experience. Still we +welcome competition. But I am very much surprised that you are not +going to compete for the prize, Mr. Swift. Very much surprised, indeed! +You see, I came down from Philadelphia to arrange so that we could both +enter our ships at the same time. I understand there is another firm of +submarine boat builders who are going to try for the prize, and I want +to arrange a date that will be satisfactory to all. I am greatly +astonished that you are not going to compete." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we were going to," said Mr. Swift, "only we have changed our +minds, that's all. My son and I have other plans." +</P> + +<P> +"May I ask what they are?" questioned Mr. Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"You may," exclaimed Tom quickly; "but I don't believe we can tell you. +They're a secret," he added more cordially. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I see," retorted Mr. Berg. "Well, of course I don't wish to +penetrate any of your secrets, but I hoped we could contest together +for the Government prize. It is worth trying for I assure you—fifty +thousand dollars. Besides, there is the possibility of selling a number +of submarines to the United States. It's a fine prize." +</P> + +<P> +"But the one we are after is a bigger one," cried Tom impetuously, and +the moment he had spoken he wished he could recall the words. +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "You don't mean to say another +government has offered a larger prize? If I had known that I would not +have let my firm enter into the competition for the bonus offered by +the United States. Please tell me." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sorry," went on Tom more soberly. "I shouldn't have spoken. Mr. +Berg, the plans of my father and myself are such that we can't reveal +them now. We are going to try for a prize, but not in competition with +you. It's an entirely different matter." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess you'll find that the firm of Bentley & Eagert are +capable of trying for any prizes that are offered," boasted the agent. +"We may be competitors yet." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe so," replied Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"We may," repeated Mr. Berg. "And if we do, please remember that we +will show no mercy. Our boats are the best." +</P> + +<P> +"And may the best boat win," interjected Mr. Sharp. "That's all we +ask. A fair field and no favors." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," spoke the agent coldly. "Is this another son of yours?" he +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No but a good friend," replied the aged inventor. "No, Mr. Berg, we +won't compete this time. You may tell your firm so." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good," was the other's stiff reply. "Then I will bid you good +night. We shall carry off the Government prize, but permit me to add +that I am very much astonished, very much indeed, that you do not try +for the prize. From what I have seen of your submarine you have a very +good one, almost as good, in some respects, as ours. I bid you good +night," and with a bow the man left the room and hurried away from the +house. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Four +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Tom is Imprisoned +</H3> + +<P> +"Well, I must say he's a cool one," remarked Tom, as the echoes of Mr. +Berg's steps died away. "The idea of thinking his boat better than +ours! I don't like that man, dad. I'm suspicious of him. Do you think +he came here to steal some of our ideas?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I hardly believe so, my son. But how did you discover him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just as you saw, dad. I heard a noise and went back there to +investigate. I found him sneaking around, looking at the electric +propeller plates. I went to grab him just as he stumbled over a board. +At first I thought it was one of the old gang. I'm almost sure he was +trying to discover something." +</P> + +<P> +"No, Tom. The firm he works for are good business men, and they would +not countenance anything like that. They are heartless competitors, +however, and if they saw a legitimate chance to get ahead of me and +take advantage, they would do it. But they would not sneak in to steal +my ideas. I feel sure of that. Besides, they have a certain type of +submarine which they think is the best ever invented, and they would +hardly change at this late day. They feel sure of winning the +Government prize, and I'm just as glad we're not going to have a +contest." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think our boat is better than theirs?" +</P> + +<P> +"Much better, in many respects." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't like that man Berg, though," went on Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Nor do I," added his father. "There is something strange about him. +He was very anxious that I should compete. Probably he thought his +firm's boat would go so far ahead of ours that they would get an extra +bonus. But I'm glad he didn't see our new method of propulsion. That is +the principal improvement in the Advance over other types of +submarines. Well, another week and we will be ready for the test." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you known Mr. Berg long, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not very. I met him in Washington when I was in the patent office. He +was taking out papers on a submarine for his firm at the same time I +got mine for the Advance. It is rather curious that he should come all +the way here from Philadelphia, merely to see if I was going to +compete. There is something strange about it, something that I can't +understand." +</P> + +<P> +The time was to come when Mr. Swift and his son were to get at the +bottom of Mr. Berg's reasons, and they learned to their sorrow that he +had penetrated some of their secrets. +</P> + +<P> +Before going to bed that night Tom and Mr. Sharp paid a visit to the +shed where the submarine was resting on the ways, ready for launching. +They found Mr. Jackson on guard and the engineer said that no one had +been around. Nor was anything found disturbed. +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is a great machine," remarked the lad as he looked up at +the cigar-shaped bulk towering over his head. "Dad has outdone himself +this trip." +</P> + +<P> +"It looks all right," commented Mr. Sharp. "Whether it will work is +another question." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we can't tell until it's in the water," conceded Tom. "But I +hope it does. Dad has spent much time and money on it." +</P> + +<P> +The Advance was, as her name indicated, much in advance of previous +submarines. There was not so much difference in outward construction as +there was in the means of propulsion and in the manner in which the +interior and the machinery were arranged. +</P> + +<P> +The submarine planned by Mr. Swift and Tom jointly, and constructed by +them, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jackson, was shaped like a +Cigar, over one hundred feet long and twenty feet in diameter at the +thickest part. It was divided into many compartments, all water-tight, +so that if one or even three were flooded the ship would still be +useable. +</P> + +<P> +Buoyancy was provided for by having several tanks for the introduction +of compressed air, and there was an emergency arrangement so that a +collapsible aluminum container could be distended and filled with a +powerful gas. This was to be used if, by any means, the ship was +disabled on the bottom of the ocean. The container could be expanded +and filled, and would send the Advance to the surface. +</P> + +<P> +Another peculiar feature was that the engine-room, dynamos and other +apparatus were all contained amidships. This gave stability to the +craft, and also enabled the same engine to operate both shafts and +propellers, as well as both the negative forward electrical plates, and +the positive rear ones. +</P> + +<P> +These plates were a new idea in submarine construction, and were the +outcome of an idea of Mr. Swift, with some suggestions from his son. +</P> + +<P> +The aged inventor did not want to depend on the usual screw propellers +for his craft, nor did he want to use a jet of compressed air, shooting +out from a rear tube, nor yet a jet of water, by means of which the +creature called the squid shoots himself along. Mr. Swift planned to +send the Advance along under water by means of electricity. +</P> + +<P> +Certain peculiar plates were built at the forward and aft blunt noses +of the submarine. Into the forward plate a negative charge of +electricity was sent, and into the one at the rear a positive charge, +just as one end of a horseshoe magnet is positive and will repel the +north end of a compass needle, while the other pole of a magnet is +negative and will attract it. In electricity like repels like, while +negative and positive have a mutual attraction for each other. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift figured out that if he could send a powerful current of +negative electricity into the forward plate it would pull the boat +along, for water is a good conductor of electricity, while if a +positive charge was sent into the rear plate it would serve to push the +submarine along, and he would thus get a pulling and pushing motion, +just as a forward and aft propeller works on some ferry boats. +</P> + +<P> +But the inventor did not depend on these plates alone. There were +auxiliary forward and aft propellers of the regular type, so that if +the electrical plates did not work, or got out of order, the screws +would serve to send the Advance along. +</P> + +<P> +There was much machinery in the submarine. There were gasolene motors, +since space was too cramped to allow the carrying of coal for boilers. +There were dynamos, motors and powerful pumps. Some of these were for +air, and some for water. To sink the submarine below the surface large +tanks were filled with water. To insure a more sudden descent, +deflecting rudders were also used, similar to those on an airship. +There were also special air pumps, and one for the powerful gas, which +was manufactured on board. +</P> + +<P> +Forward from the engine-room was a cabin, where meals could be served, +and where the travelers could remain in the daytime. There was also a +small cooking galley, or kitchen, there. Back of the engine-room were +the sleeping quarters and the storerooms. The submarine was steered +from the forward compartment, and here were also levers, wheels and +valves that controlled all the machinery, while a number of dials +showed in which direction they were going, how deep they were, and at +what speed they were moving, as well as what the ocean pressure was. +</P> + +<P> +On top, forward, was a small conning, or observation tower, with +auxiliary and steering and controlling apparatus there. This was to be +used when the ship was moving along on the surface of the ocean, or +merely with the deck awash. There was a small flat deck surrounding +the conning tower and this was available when the craft was on the +surface. +</P> + +<P> +There was provision made for leaving the ship when it was on the bed of +the ocean. When it was desired to do this the occupants put on diving +suits, which were provided with portable oxygen tanks. Then they +entered a chamber into which water was admitted until it was equal in +pressure to that outside. Then a steel door was opened, and they could +step out. To re-enter the ship the operation was reversed. This was +not a new feature. In fact, many submarines to-day use it. +</P> + +<P> +At certain places there were thick bull's-eye windows, by means of +which the under-water travelers could look out into the ocean through +which they were moving. As a defense against the attacks of submarine +monsters there was a steel, pointed ram, like a big harpoon. There were +also a bow and a stern electrical gun, of which more will be told later. +</P> + +<P> +In addition to ample sleeping accommodations, there were many +conveniences aboard the Advance. Plenty of fresh water could be +carried, and there was an apparatus for distilling more from the sea +water that surrounded the travelers. Compressed air was carried in +large tanks, and oxygen could be made as needed. In short, nothing that +could add to the comfort or safety of the travelers had been omitted. +There was a powerful crane and windlass, which had been installed when +Mr. Swift thought his boat might be bought by the Government. This was +to be used for raising wrecks or recovering objects from the bottom of +the ocean. Ample stores and provisions were to be carried and, once the +travelers were shut up in the Advance, they could exist for a month +below the surface, providing no accident occurred. +</P> + +<P> +All these things Tom and Mr. Sharp thought of as they looked over the +ship before turning in for the night. The craft was made immensely +strong to withstand powerful pressure at the bottom of the ocean. The +submarine could penetrate to a depth of about three miles. Below that +it was dangerous to go, as the awful force would crush the plates, +powerful as they were. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we'll rush things to-morrow and the next day," observed Tom as +he prepared to leave the building. "Then we'll soon see if it works." +</P> + +<P> +For the next week there were busy times in the shop near the ocean. +Great secrecy was maintained, and though curiosity seekers did stroll +along now and then, they received little satisfaction. At first Mr. +Swift thought that the visit of Mr. Berg would have unpleasant results, +for he feared that the agent would talk about the craft, of which he +had so unexpectedly gotten a sight. But nothing seemed to follow from +his chance inspection, and it was forgotten. +</P> + +<P> +It was one evening, about a week later, that Tom was alone in the shop. +The two mechanics that had been hired to help out in the rush had been +let go, and the ship needed but a few adjustments to make it ready for +the sea. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I'll just take another look at the water tank valves," said +Tom to himself as he prepared to enter the big compartments which +received the water ballast. "I want to be sure they work properly and +quickly. We've got to depend on them to make us sink when we want to, +and, what's more important, to rise to the surface in a hurry. I've got +time enough to look them over before dad and Mr. Sharp get back." +</P> + +<P> +Tom entered the starboard tank by means of an emergency sliding door +between the big compartments and the main part of the ship. This was +closed by a worm and screw gear, and once the ship was in the water +would seldom be used. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor proceeded with his task, carefully inspecting the +valves by the light of a lantern he carried. The apparatus seemed to +be all right, and Tom was about to leave when a peculiar noise +attracted his attention. It was the sound of metal scraping on metal, +and the lad's quick and well-trained ear told him it was somewhere +about the ship. +</P> + +<P> +He turned to leave the tank, but as he wheeled around his light flashed +on a solid wall of steel back of him. The emergency outlet had been +closed! He was a prisoner in the water compartment, and he knew, from +past experience, that shout as he would, his voice could not be heard +ten feet away. His father and Mr. Sharp, as he was aware, had gone to a +nearby city for some tools, and Mr. Jackson, the engineer, was +temporarily away. Mrs. Baggert, in the house, could not hear his cries. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm locked in!" cried Tom aloud. "The worm gear must have shut of +itself. But I don't see how that could be. I've got to get out mighty +soon, though, or I'll smother. This tank is airtight, and it won't take +me long to breath up all the oxygen there is here. I must get that +slide open." +</P> + +<P> +He sought to grasp the steel plate that closed the emergency opening. +His fingers slipped over the smooth, polished surface. He was +hermetically sealed up—a captive! Blankly he set his lantern down and +leaned hopelessly against the wall of the tank. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to get out," he murmured. +</P> + +<P> +As if in answer to him he heard a voice on the outside, crying: +</P> + +<P> +"There, Tom Swift! I guess I've gotten even with you now! Maybe next +time you won't take a reward away from me, and lick me into the +bargain. I've got you shut up good and tight, and you'll stay there +until I get ready to let you out." +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Andy Foger sneaked in here and turned the +gear. But how did he get to this part of the coast? Andy Foger, you let +me out!" shouted the young inventor; and as Andy's mocking laugh came +to him faintly through the steel sides of the submarine, the imprisoned +lad beat desperately with his hands on the smooth sides of the tank, +vainly wondering how his enemy had discovered him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Five +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Mr. Berg is Suspicious +</H3> + +<P> +Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his way out of +the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy sides of it. Tom realized +that this was worse than useless. He listened intently, but could hear +nothing. Even the retreating footsteps of Andy Foger were inaudible. +</P> + +<P> +"This certainly is a pickle!" exclaimed Tom aloud. "I can't understand +how he ever got here. He must have traced us after we went to Shopton +in the airship the last time. Then he sneaked in here. Probably he saw +me enter, but how could he know enough to work the worm gear and close +the door? Andy has had some experience with machinery, though, and one +of the vaults in the bank where his father is a director closed just +like this tank. That's very likely how he learned about it. But I've +got to do something else besides thinking of that sneak, Andy. I've got +to get out of here. Let's see if I can work the gear from inside." +</P> + +<P> +Before he started, almost, Tom knew that it would be impossible. The +tank was made to close from the interior of the submarine, and the +heavy door, built to withstand the pressure of tons of water, could not +be forced except by the proper means. +</P> + +<P> +"No use trying that," concluded the lad, after a tiring attempt to +force back the sliding door with his hands. "I've got to call for help." +</P> + +<P> +He shouted until the vibrations in the confined space made his ears +ring, and the mere exertion of raising his voice to the highest pitch +made his heart beat quickly. Yet there came no response. He hardly +expected that there would be any, for with his father and Mr. Sharp +away, the engineer absent on an errand, and Mrs. Baggert in the house +some distance off, there was no one to hear his calls for help, even if +they had been capable of penetrating farther than the extent of the +shed, where the under-water craft had been constructed. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to wait until some of them come out here," thought Tom. +"They'll be sure to release me and make a search. Then it will be easy +enough to call to them and tell them where I am, once they are inside +the shed. But—" He paused, for a horrible fear came over him. "Suppose +they should come—too late?" The tank was airtight. There was enough +air in it to last for some time, but, sooner or later, it would no +longer support life. Already, Tom thought, it seemed oppressive, though +probably that was his imagination. +</P> + +<P> +"I must get out!" he repeated frantically. "I'll die in here soon." +</P> + +<P> +Again he tried to shove back the steel door. Then he repeated his cries +until he was weary. No one answered him. He fancied once he could hear +footsteps in the shed, and thought, perhaps, it was Andy, come back to +gloat over him. Then Tom knew the red-haired coward would not dare +venture back. We must do Andy the justice to say that he never realized +that he was endangering Tom's life. The bully had no idea the tank was +airtight when he closed it. He had seen Tom enter and a sudden whim +came to him to revenge himself. +</P> + +<P> +But that did not help the young inventor any. There was no doubt about +it now—the air was becoming close. Tom had been imprisoned nearly two +hours, and as he was a healthy, strong lad, he required plenty of +oxygen. There was certainly less than there had been in the tank. His +head began to buzz, and there was a ringing in his ears. +</P> + +<P> +Once more he fell upon his knees, and his fingers sought the small +projections of the gear on the inside of the door. He could no more +budge the mechanism than a child could open a burglar-proof vault. +</P> + +<P> +"It's no use," he moaned, and he sprawled at full length on the floor +of the tank, for there the air was purer. As he did so his fingers +touched something. He started as they closed around the handle of a big +monkey wrench. It was one he had brought into the place with him. +Imbued with new hope he struck a match and lighted his lantern, which +he had allowed to go out as it burned up too much of the oxygen. By the +gleam of it he looked to see if there were any bolts or nuts he could +loosen with the wrench, in order to slide the door back. It needed but +a glance to show him the futility of this. +</P> + +<P> +"It's no go," he murmured, and he let the wrench fall to the floor. +There was a ringing, clanging sound, and as it smote his ears Tom +sprang up with an exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the thing!" he cried. "I wonder I didn't think of it before. I +can signal for help by pounding on the sides of the tank with the +wrench. The blows will carry a good deal farther than my voice would." +Every one knows how far the noise of a boiler shop, with hammers +falling on steel plates, can be heard; much farther than can a human +voice. +</P> + +<P> +Tom began a lusty tattoo on the metal sides of the tank. At first he +merely rattled out blow after blow, and then, as another thought came +to him, he adopted a certain plan. Some time previous, when he and Mr. +Sharp had planned their trip in the air, the two had adopted a code of +signals. As it was difficult in a high wind to shout from one end of +the airship to the other, the young inventor would sometimes pound on +the pipe which ran from the pilot house of the Red Cloud to the +engine-room. By a combination of numbers, simple messages could be +conveyed. The code included a call for help. Forty-seven was the +number, but there had never been any occasion to use it. +</P> + +<P> +Tom remembered this now. At once he ceased his indiscriminate +hammering, and began to beat out regularly—one, two, three, four—then +a pause, and seven blows would be given. Over and over again he rang +out this number—forty seven—the call for help. +</P> + +<P> +"If Mr. Sharp only comes back he will hear that, even in the house," +thought poor Tom "Maybe Garret or Mrs. Baggert will hear it, too, but +they won't know what it means. They'll think I'm just working on the +submarine." +</P> + +<P> +It seemed several hours to Tom that he pounded out that cry for aid, +but, as he afterward learned, it was only a little over an hour. Signal +after signal he sent vibrating from the steel sides of the tank. When +one arm tired he would use the other. He grew weary, his head was +aching, and there was a ringing in his ears; a ringing that seemed as +if ten thousand bells were jangling out their peals, and he could +barely distinguish his own pounding. +</P> + +<P> +Signal after signal he sounded. It was becoming like a dream to him, +when suddenly, as he paused for a rest, he heard his name called +faintly, as if far away. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom! Tom! Where are you?" +</P> + +<P> +It was the voice of Mr. Sharp. Then followed the tones of the aged +inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"My poor boy! Tom, are you still alive?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dad! In the starboard tank!" the lad gasped out, and then he lost +his senses. When he revived he was lying on a pile of bagging in the +submarine shop, and his father and the aeronaut were bending over him. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you all right, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes—I—I guess so," was the hesitating answer. "Yes," the lad added, +as the fresh air cleared his head. "I'll be all right pretty soon. Have +you seen Andy Foger?" +</P> + +<P> +"Did he shut you in there?" demanded Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +Tom nodded. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll have him arrested!" declared Mr. Swift. "I'll go to town as soon +as you're in good shape again and notify the police." +</P> + +<P> +"No, don't," pleaded Tom. "I'll take care of Andy myself. I don't +really believe he knew how serious it was. I'll settle with him later, +though." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it came mighty near being serious," remarked Mr. Sharp grimly. +"Your father and I came back a little sooner than we expected, and as +soon as I got near the house I heard your signal. I knew what it was in +a moment. There were Mrs. Baggert and Garret talking away, and when I +asked them why they didn't answer your call they said they thought you +were merely tinkering with the machinery. But I knew better. It's the +first time we ever had a use for 'forty-seven,' Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"And I hope it will be the last," replied the young inventor with a +faint smile. "But I'd like to know what Andy Foger is doing in this +neighborhood." +</P> + +<P> +Tom was soon himself again and able to go to the house, where he found +Mrs. Baggert brewing a big basin of catnip tea, under the impression +that it would in some way be good for him. She could not forgive +herself for not having answered his signal, and as for Mr. Jackson, he +had started for a doctor as soon as he learned that Tom was shut up in +the tank. The services of the medical man were canceled by telephone, +as there was no need for him, and the engineer came back to the house. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was fully himself the next day, and aided his father and Mr. Sharp +in putting the finishing touches to the Advance. It was found that some +alteration was required in the auxiliary propellers, and this, much to +the regret of the young inventor, would necessitate postponing the +trial a few days. +</P> + +<P> +"But we'll have her in the water next Friday," promised Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't you superstitious about Friday?" asked the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit of it," replied the aged inventor. "Tom," he added, "I wish +you would go in the house and get me the roll of blueprints you'll find +on my desk." +</P> + +<P> +As the lad neared the cottage he saw, standing in front of the place, a +small automobile. A man had just descended from it, and it needed but a +glance to show that he was Mr. Addison Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, good morning, Mr. Swift," greeted Mr. Berg. "I wish to see your +father, but as I don't wish to lay myself open to suspicions by +entering the shop, perhaps you will ask him to step here." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly," answered the lad, wondering why the agent had returned. +Getting the blueprints, and asking Mr. Berg to sit down on the porch, +Tom delivered the message. +</P> + +<P> +"You come back with me, Tom," said his father. "I want you to be a +witness to what he says. I'm not going to get into trouble with these +people." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Berg came to the point at once. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Swift," he said, "I wish you would reconsider your determination +not to enter the Government trials. I'd like to see you compete. So +would my firm." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no use going over that again," replied the aged inventor. "I +have another object in view now than trying for the Government prize. +What it is I can't say, but it may develop in time—if we are +successful," and he looked at his son, smiling the while. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Berg tried to argue, but it was of no avail. Then he changed his +manner, and said: +</P> + +<P> +"Well, since you won't, you won't, I suppose. I'll go back and report +to my firm. Have you anything special to do this morning?" he went on +to Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, +"but as for anything special—" +</P> + +<P> +"I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted +Mr. Berg. "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel +where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't +like to go alone. His name was—let me see. I have a wretched memory +for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger." +</P> + +<P> +"Foger!" cried Tom. "Was it Andy Foger?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that was it. Why, do you know him?" asked Mr. Berg in some +surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"I should say so," replied Tom. "He was the cause of what might have +resulted in something serious for me," and the lad explained about +being imprisoned in the tank. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't tell me!" cried Mr. Berg. "I had no idea he was that kind of +a lad. You see, his father is one of the directors of the firm by whom +I am employed. Andy came from home to spend a few weeks at the seaside, +and stopped at the same hotel that I did. He went off yesterday +afternoon, and I haven't seen him since, though he promised to go for a +ride with me. He must have come over here and entered your shop +unobserved. I remember now he asked me where the submarine was being +built that was going to compete with our firm's, and I told him. I +didn't think he was that kind of a lad. Well, since he's probably gone +back home, perhaps you will come for a ride with me, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid I can't go, thank you," answered the lad. "We are very busy +getting our submarine in shape for a trial. But I can imagine why Andy +left so hurriedly. He probably learned that a doctor had been summoned +for me, though, as it happened, I didn't need one. But Andy probably +got frightened at what he had done, and left. I'll make him more sorry, +when I meet him." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't blame you a bit," commented Mr. Berg. "Well, I must be getting +back." +</P> + +<P> +He hastened out to his auto, while Tom and his father watched the agent. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom, never trust that man," advised the aged inventor solemnly. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I was about to remark," said his son. "Well, let's get back +to work. Queer that he should come here again, and it's queer about +Andy Foger." +</P> + +<P> +Father and son returned to the machine shop, while Mr. Berg puffed away +in his auto. A little later, Tom having occasion to go to a building +near the boundary line of the cottage property which his father had +hired for the season, saw, through the hedge that bordered it, an +automobile standing in the road. A second glance showed him that it was +Mr. Berg's machine. Something had gone wrong with it, and the agent had +alighted to make an adjustment. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor was close to the man, though the latter was unaware +of his presence. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang it all!" Tom heard Mr. Berg exclaim to himself. "I wonder what +they can be up to? They won't enter the Government contests, and they +won't say why. I believe they're up to some game, and I've got to find +out what it is. I wonder if I couldn't use this Foger chap?" +</P> + +<P> +"He seems to have it in for this Tom Swift," Mr. Berg went on, still +talking to himself, though not so low but that Tom could hear him. "I +think I'll try it. I'll get Andy Foger to sneak around and find out +what the game is. He'll do it, I know." +</P> + +<P> +By this time the auto was in working order again, and the agent took +his seat and started off. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's how matters lie, eh?" thought Tom. "Well, Mr. Berg, we'll be +doubly on the lookout for you after this. As for Andy Foger, I think +I'll make him wish he'd never locked me in that tank. So you expect to +find out our 'game,' eh, Mr. Berg? Well, when you do know it, I think +it will astonish you. I only hope you don't learn what it is until we +get at that sunken treasure, though." +</P> + +<P> +But alas for Tom's hopes. Mr. Berg did learn of the object of the +treasure-seekers, and sought to defeat them, as we shall learn as our +story proceeds. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Six +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Turning the Tables +</H3> + +<P> +When the young inventor informed his father what he had overheard Mr. +Berg saying, the aged inventor was not as much worried as his son +anticipated. +</P> + +<P> +"All we'll have to do, Tom," he said, "is to keep quiet about where we +are going. Once we have the Advance afloat, and try her out, we can +start on our voyage for the South American Coast and search for the +sunken treasure. When we begin our voyage under water I defy any one to +tell where we are going, or what our plans are. No, I don't believe we +need worry about Mr. Berg, though he probably means mischief." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for him and Andy Foger," declared +Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The days that followed were filled with work. Not only were there many +unexpected things to do about the submarine, but Mr. Sharp was kept +busy making inquiries about the sunken treasure ship. These inquiries +had to be made carefully, as the adventurers did not want their plans +talked of, and nothing circulates more quickly than rumors of an +expedition after treasure of any kind. +</P> + +<P> +"What about the old sea captain you were going to get to go with us?" +asked Mr. Swift of the balloonist one afternoon. "Have you succeeded +in finding one yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I am in communication with a man I think will be just the person +for us. His name is Captain Alden Weston, and he has sailed all over +the world. He has also taken part in more than one revolution, and, in +fact, is a soldier of fortune. I do not know him personally, but a +friend of mine knows him, and says he will serve us faithfully. I have +written to him, and he will be here in a few days." +</P> + +<P> +"That's good. Now about the location of the wreck itself. Have you +been able to learn any more details?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not many. You see, the Boldero was abandoned in a storm, and the +captain did not take very careful observations. As nearly as it can be +figured out the treasure ship went to the bottom in latitude forty-five +degrees south, and longitude twenty-seven east from Washington. That's +a pretty indefinite location, but I hope, once we get off the Uruguay +coast, we can better it. We can anchor or lay outside the harbor, and +in the small boat we carry go ashore and possibly gain more details. +For it was at Montevideo that the shipwrecked passengers and sailors +landed." +</P> + +<P> +"Does Captain Weston know our object?" inquired Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"No, and I don't propose to tell him until we are ready to start," +replied Mr. Sharp. "I don't know just how he'll consider a submarine +trip after treasure, but if I spring it on him suddenly he's less +likely to back out. Oh, I think he'll go." +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat unexpectedly the next day it was discovered that certain tools +and appliances were needed for the submarine, and they had been left in +the house at Shopton, where Eradicate Sampson was in charge as +caretaker during the absence of Mr. Swift and his son and the +housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I suppose we'll have to go back after them," remarked Tom. +"We'll take the airship, dad, and make a two-days' trip of it. Is there +anything else you want?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you might bring a bundle of papers you'll find in the lower +right hand drawer of my desk. They contain some memoranda I need." +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Sharp had become so used to traveling in the airship that +it seemed no novelty to them, though they attracted much attention +wherever they went. They soon had the Red Cloud in readiness for a +flight, and rising in the air above the shop that contained the +powerful submarine, a craft utterly different in type from the +aeroplane, the nose of the airship was pointed toward Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +They made a good flight and landed near the big shed where the bird of +the air was kept. It was early evening when they got to the Swift +homestead, and Eradicate Sampson was glad to see them. +</P> + +<P> +Eradicate was a good cook, and soon had a meal ready for the travelers. +Then, while Mr. Sharp selected the tools and other things needed, and +put them in the airship ready for the start back the next morning, Tom +concluded he would take a stroll into Shopton, to see if he could see +his friend, Ned Newton. It was early evening, and the close of a +beautiful day, a sharp shower in the morning having cooled the air. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was greeted by a number of acquaintances as he strolled along, for, +since the episode of the bank robbery, when he had so unexpectedly +returned with the thieves and the cash, the lad was better known than +ever. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess Ned must be home," thought our hero as he looked in vain for +his chum among the throng on the streets. "I've got time to take a +stroll down to his house." +</P> + +<P> +Tom was about to cross the street when he was startled by the sound of +an automobile horn loudly blown just at his side. Then a voice called: +</P> + +<P> +"Hey, there! Git out of the way if you don't want to be run over!" +</P> + +<P> +He looked up, and saw a car careening along. At the wheel was the +red-haired bully, Andy Foger, and in the tonneau were Sam Snedecker and +Pete Bailey. +</P> + +<P> +"Git out of the way," added Sam, and he grinned maliciously at Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The latter stepped back, well out of the path of the car, which was not +moving very fast. Just in front of Tom was a puddle of muddy water. +There was no necessity for Andy steering into it, but he saw his +opportunity, and a moment later one of the big pneumatic tires had +plunged into the dirty fluid, spattering it all over Tom, some even +going as high as his face. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! ha!" laughed Andy. "Maybe you'll get out of my way next time, Tom +Swift." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor was almost speechless from righteous anger. He wiped +the mud from his face, glanced down at his clothes, which were all but +ruined, and called out: +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on there, Andy Foger! I want to see you!" for he thought of the +time when Andy had shut him in the tank. +</P> + +<P> +"Ta! ta!" shouted Pete Bailey. +</P> + +<P> +"See you later," added Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Better go home and take a bath, and then sail away in your submarine," +went on Andy. "I'll bet it will sink." +</P> + +<P> +Before Tom could reply the auto had turned a corner. Disgusted and +angry, he tried to sop up some of the muddy water with his +handkerchief. While thus engaged he heard his name called, and looked +up to see Ned Newton. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter? Fall down?" asked his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"That's enough," retorted Ned. "I can guess the rest. We'll have to +tar and feather him some day, and ride him out of town on a rail. I'd +kick him myself, only his father is a director in the bank where I +work, and I'd be fired if I did. Can't afford any such pleasure. But +some day I'll give Andy a good trouncing, and then resign before they +can discharge me. But I'll be looking for another job before I do that. +Come on to my house, Tom, and I'll help you clean up." +</P> + +<P> +Tom was a little more presentable when he left his chum's residence, +after spending the evening there, but he was still burning for revenge +against Andy and his cronies. He had half a notion to go to Andy's +house and tell Mr. Foger how nearly serious the bully's prank at the +submarine had been, but he concluded that Mr. Foger could only uphold +his son. "No, I'll settle with him myself," decided Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Bidding Eradicate keep a watchful eye about the house, and leaving word +for Mr. Damon to be sure to come to the coast if he again called at the +Shopton house, Tom and Mr. Sharp prepared to make their return trip +early the next morning. +</P> + +<P> +The gas tank was filled and the Red Cloud arose in the air. Then, with +the propellers moving at moderate speed, the nose of the craft was +pointed toward the New Jersey coast. +</P> + +<P> +A few miles out from Shopton, finding there was a contrary wind in the +upper regions where they were traveling, Mr. Sharp descended several +hundred feet. They were moving over a sparsely settled part of the +country, and looking down, Tom saw, speeding along a highway, an +automobile. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder who's in it?" he remarked, taking down a telescope and +peering over the window ledge of the cabin. The next moment he uttered +a startled exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey!" he cried. "Oh, I wish I +had a bucket of water to empty on them." +</P> + +<P> +"I know a better way to get even with them than that," said Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"How?" asked Tom eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll show you," replied the balloonist. "It's a trick I once played on +a fellow who did me an injury. Here, you steer for a minute until I get +the thing fixed, then I'll take charge." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Sharp went to the storeroom and came back with a long, stout rope +and a small anchor of four prongs. It was carried to be used in +emergencies, but so far had never been called into requisition. +Fastening the grapple to the cable, the balloonist said: +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Tom, they haven't seen you. You stand in the stern and pay out +the rope. I'll steer the airship, and what I want you to do is to catch +the anchor in the rear of their car. Then I'll show you some fun." +</P> + +<P> +Tom followed instructions. Slowly he lowered the rope with the dangling +grapple. The airship was also sent down, as the cable was not quite +long enough to reach the earth from the height at which they were. The +engine was run at slow speed, so that the noise would not attract the +attention of the three cronies who were speeding along, all unconscious +of the craft in the air over their heads. The Red Cloud was moving in +the same direction as was the automobile. +</P> + +<P> +The anchor was now close to the rear of Andy's car. Suddenly it caught +on the tonneau and Tom called that fact to Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Fasten the rope at the cleat," directed the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +Tom did so, and a moment later the aeronaut sent the airship up by +turning more gas into the container. At the same time he reversed the +engine and the Red Cloud began pulling the touring car backward, also +lifting the rear wheels clear from the earth. +</P> + +<P> +A startled cry from the occupants of the machine told Tom and his +friend that Andy and his cronies were aware something was wrong. A +moment later Andy, looking up, saw the airship hovering in the air +above him. Then he saw the rope fast to his auto. The airship was not +rising now, or the auto would have been turned over, but it was slowly +pulling it backward, in spite of the fact that the motor of the car was +still going. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! You let go of me!" cried Andy. "I'll have you arrested if you +damage my car." +</P> + +<P> +"Come up here and cut the rope," called Tom leaning over and looking +down. He could enjoy the bully's discomfiture. As for Sam and Pete, +they were much frightened, and cowered down on the floor of the tonneau. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe you'll shut me in the tank again and splash mud on me!" shouted +Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The rear wheels of the auto were lifted still higher from the ground, +as Mr. Sharp turned on a little more gas. Andy was not proof against +this. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! oh!" he cried. "Please let me down, Tom. I'm awful sorry for what +I did! I'll never do it again! Please, please let me down! Don't! You'll +tip me over!" +</P> + +<P> +He had shut off his motor now, and was frantically clinging to the +steering wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you admit that you're a sneak and a coward?" asked Tom, "rubbing it +in." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, yes! Oh, please let me down!" +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we?" asked Tom of Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied the balloonist. "We can afford to lose the rope and +anchor for the sake of turning the tables. Cut the cable." +</P> + +<P> +Tom saw what was intended. Using a little hatchet, he severed the rope +with a single blow. With a crash that could be heard up in the air +where the Red Cloud hovered, the rear wheels of the auto dropped to the +ground. Then came two loud reports. +</P> + +<P> +"Both tires busted!" commented Mr. Sharp dryly, and Tom, looking down, +saw the trio of lads ruefully contemplating the collapsed rubber of the +rear wheels. The tables had been effectually turned on Andy Foger. His +auto was disabled, and the airship, with a graceful sweep, mounted +higher and higher, continuing on its way to the coast. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Seven +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Mr. Damon Will Go +</H3> + +<P> +"Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as he took an +observation through the telescope and saw Andy and his cronies hard at +work trying to repair the ruptured tires. "That certainly was a corking +good trick." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," admitted Mr. Sharp modestly. "I once did something similar, only +it was a horse and wagon instead of an auto. But let's try for another +speed record. The conditions are just right." +</P> + +<P> +They arrived at the coast much sooner than they had dared to hope, the +Red Cloud proving herself a veritable wonder. +</P> + +<P> +The remainder of that day, and part of the next, was spent in working +on the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll launch her day after to-morrow," declared Mr. Swift +enthusiastically. "Then to see whether my calculations are right or +wrong." +</P> + +<P> +"It won't be your fault if it doesn't work," said his son. "You +certainly have done your best." +</P> + +<P> +"And so have you and Mr. Sharp and the others, for that matter. Well, I +have no doubt but that everything will be all right, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"There!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp the next morning, as he was adjusting a +certain gage. "I knew I'd forget something. That special brand of +lubricating oil. I meant to bring it from Shopton, and I didn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe I can get it in Atlantis," suggested Tom, naming the coast city +nearest to them. "I'll take a walk over. It isn't far." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you? I'll be glad to have you," resumed the balloonist. "A gallon +will be all we'll need." +</P> + +<P> +Tom was soon on his way. He had to walk, as the roads were too poor to +permit him to use the motor-cycle, and the airship attracted too much +attention to use on a short trip. He was strolling along, when from +the other side of a row of sand dunes, that lined the uncertain road to +Atlantis, he heard some one speaking. At first the tones were not +distinct, but as the lad drew nearer to the voice he heard an +exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gold-headed cane! I believe I'm lost. He said it was out this +way somewhere, but I don't see anything of it. If I had that Eradicate +Sampson here now I'd—bless my shoelaces I don't know what I would do +to him." +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Damon! Mr. Damon!" cried Tom. "Is that you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Me? Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" answered the voice. "But +who are you. Why, bless my liver! If it isn't Tom Swift!" he cried. +"Oh, but I'm glad to see you! I was afraid I was shipwrecked! Bless my +gaiters, how are you, anyhow? How is your father? How is Mr. Sharp, and +all the rest of them?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well. And you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Me? Oh, I'm all right; only a trifle nervous. I called at your house +in Shopton yesterday, and Eradicate told me, as well as he could, where +you were located. I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd take a run down +here. But what's this I hear about you? Are you going on a voyage?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"In the air? May I go along again? I certainly enjoyed my other trip in +the Red Cloud. That is, all but the fire and being shot at. May I go?" +</P> + +<P> +"We're going on a different sort of trip this time," said the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Under water." +</P> + +<P> +"Under water? Bless my sponge bath! You don't mean it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Dad has completed the submarine he was working on when we were +off in the airship, and it will be launched the day after to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's so. I'd forgotten about it. He's going to try for the +Government prize, isn't he? But tell me more about it. Bless my +scarf-pin, but I'm glad I met you! Going into town, I take it. Well, I +just came from there, but I'll walk back with you. Do you think—is +there any possibility—that I could go with you? Of course, I don't +want to crowd you, but—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, there'll be plenty of room," replied the young inventor. "In fact, +more room than we had in the airship. We were talking only the other +day about the possibility of you going with us, but we didn't think +you'd risk it." +</P> + +<P> +"Risk it? Bless my liver! Of course I'll risk it! It can't be as bad +as sailing in the air. You can't fall, that's certain." +</P> + +<P> +"No; but maybe you can't rise," remarked Tom grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we won't think of that. Of course, I'd like to go. I fully +expected to be killed in the Red Cloud, but as I wasn't. I'm ready to +take a chance in the water. On the whole, I think I prefer to be buried +at sea, anyhow. Now, then, will you take me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think I can safely promise," answered Tom with a smile at his +friend's enthusiasm. +</P> + +<P> +The two were approaching the city, having walked along as they talked. +There were still some sand dunes near the road, and they kept on the +side of these, nearest the beach, where they could watch the breakers. +</P> + +<P> +"But you haven't told me where you are going," went on Mr. Damon, after +blessing a few dozen objects. "Where do the Government trials take +place?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well," replied the lad, "to be frank with you, we have abandoned our +intention of trying for the Government prize." +</P> + +<P> +"Not going to try for it? Bless my slippers! Why not? Isn't fifty +thousand dollars worth striving for? And, with the kind of a submarine +you say you have, you ought to be able to win." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, probably we could win," admitted the young inventor, "but we are +going to try for a better prize." +</P> + +<P> +"A better one? I don't understand." +</P> + +<P> +"Sunken treasure," explained Tom. "There's a ship sunk off the coast of +Uruguay, with three hundred thousand dollars in gold bullion aboard. +Dad and I are going to try to recover that in our submarine. We're +going to start day after to-morrow, and, if you like, you may go along." +</P> + +<P> +"Go along! Of course I'll go along!" cried the eccentric man. "But I +never heard of such a thing. Sunken treasure! Three hundred thousand +dollars in gold! My, what a lot of money! And to go after it in a +submarine! It's as good as a story!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we hope to recover all the treasure," said the lad. "We ought to +be able to claim at least half of it." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my pocketbook!" cried Mr. Damon, but Tom did not hear him. At +that instant his attention was attracted by seeing two men emerge from +behind the sand dune near which he and Mr. Damon had halted +momentarily, when the youth explained about the treasure. The man +looked sharply at Tom. A moment later the first man was joined by +another, and at the sight of him our hero could not repress an +exclamation of alarm. For the second man was none other than Addison +Berg. +</P> + +<P> +The latter glanced quickly at Tom, and then, with a hasty word to his +companion, the two swung around and made off in the opposite direction +to that in which they had been walking. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Damon, seeing the young inventor was +strangely affected. +</P> + +<P> +"That—that man," stammered the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean to tell me that was one the Happy Harry gang, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. But one, or both of those men, may prove to be worse. That second +man was Addison Berg, and he's agent for a firm of submarine boat +builders who are rivals of dad's. Berg has been trying to find out why +we abandoned our intention of competing for the Government prize." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you didn't tell him." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't intend to," replied Tom, smiling grimly, "but I'm afraid I +have, however. He certainly overheard what I said. I spoke too loud. +Yes, he must have heard me. That's why he hurried off so." +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly no harm is done. You didn't give the location of the sunken +ship." +</P> + +<P> +"No; but I guess from what I said it will be easy enough to find. Well, +if we're going to have a fight for the possession of that sunken gold, +I'm ready for it. The Advance is well equipped for a battle. I must +tell dad of this. It's my fault." +</P> + +<P> +"And partly mine, for asking you such leading questions in a public +place," declared Mr. Damon. "Bless my coat-tails, but I'm sorry! Maybe, +after all, those men were so interested in what they themselves were +saying that they didn't understand what you said." +</P> + +<P> +But if there had been any doubts on this score they would have been +dissolved had Tom and his friend been able to see the actions of Mr. +Berg and his companion a little later. The plans of the +treasure-hunters had been revealed to their ears. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eight +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Another Treasure Expedition +</H3> + +<P> +While Tom and Mr. Damon continued on to Atlantis after the oil, the +young inventor lamenting from time to time that his remarks about the +real destination of the Advance had been overheard by Mr. Berg, the +latter and his companion were hastening back along the path that ran on +one side of the sand dunes. +</P> + +<P> +"What's your hurry?" asked Mr. Maxwell, who was with the submarine +agent. "You turned around as if you were shot when you saw that man and +the lad. There didn't appear to be any cause for such a hurry. From +what I could hear they were talking about a submarine. You're in the +same business. You might be friends." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we might," admitted Mr. Berg with a peculiar smile; "but, unless +I'm very much mistaken, we're going to be rivals." +</P> + +<P> +"Rivals? What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't tell you now. Perhaps I may later. But if you don't mind, walk +a little faster, please. I want to get to a long-distance telephone." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have just overheard something that I wish to communicate to my +employers, Bentley & Eagert." +</P> + +<P> +"Overheard something? I don't see what it could be, unless that lad—" +</P> + +<P> +"You'll learn in good time," went on the submarine agent. "But I must +telephone at once." +</P> + +<P> +A little later the two men had reached a trolley line that ran into +Atlantis, and they arrived at the city before Mr. Damon and Tom got +there, as the latter had to go by a circuitous route. Mr. Berg lost no +time in calling up his firm by telephone. +</P> + +<P> +"I have had another talk with Mr. Swift," he reported to Mr. Bentley, +who came to the instrument in Philadelphia. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what does he say?" was the impatient question. "I can't +understand his not wanting to try for the Government prize. It is +astonishing. You said you were going to discover the reason, Mr. Berg, +but you haven't done so." +</P> + +<P> +"I have." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, the reason Mr. Swift and his son don't care to try for the fifty +thousand dollar prize is that they are after one of three hundred +thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Three hundred thousand dollars!" cried Mr. Bentley. "What government +is going to offer such a prize as that for submarines, when they are +getting almost as common as airships? We ought to have a try for that +ourselves. What government is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"No government at all. But I think we ought to have a try for it, Mr. +Bentley." +</P> + +<P> +"Explain." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I have just learned, most accidentally, that the Swifts are +going after sunken treasure—three hundred thousand dollars in gold +bullion." +</P> + +<P> +"Sunken treasure? Where? +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know exactly, but off the coast of Uruguay," and Mr. Berg +rapidly related what he had overheard Tom tell Mr. Damon. Mr. Bentley +was much excited and impatient for more details, but his agent could +not give them to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," concluded the senior member of the firm of submarine boat +builders, "if the Swifts are going after treasure, so can we. Come to +Philadelphia at once, Mr. Berg, and we'll talk this matter over. There +is no time to lose. We can afford to forego the Government prize for +the chance of getting a much larger one. We have as much right to +search for the sunken gold as the Swifts have. Come here at once, and +we will make our plans." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed the agent with a smile as he hung up the receiver. +"I guess," he murmured to himself, "that you won't be so high and +mighty with me after this, Tom Swift. We'll see who has the best boat, +after all. We'll have a contest and a competition, but not for a +government prize. It will be for the sunken gold." +</P> + +<P> +It was easy to see that Mr. Berg was much pleased with himself. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile, Tom and Mr. Damon had reached Atlantis, and had purchased +the oil. They started back, but Tom took a street leading toward the +center of the place, instead of striking for the beach path, along +which they had come. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to see if that Andy Foger has come back here," replied the lad, +and he told of having been shut in the tank by the bully. +</P> + +<P> +"I've never properly punished him for that trick," he went on, "though +we did manage to burst his auto tires. I'm curious to know how he knew +enough to turn that gear and shut the tank door. He must have been +loitering near the shop, seen me go in the submarine alone, watched his +chance and sneaked in after me. But I'd like to get a complete +explanation, and if I once got hold of Andy I could make him talk," and +Tom clenched his fist in a manner that augured no good for the +squint-eyed lad. "He was stopping at the same hotel with Mr. Berg, and +he hurried away after the trick he played on me. I next saw him in +Shopton, but I thought perhaps he might have come back here. I'm going +to inquire at the hotel," he added. +</P> + +<P> +Andy's name was not on the register since his hasty flight, however, +and Tom, after inquiring from the clerk and learning that Mr. Berg was +still a guest at the hostelry, rejoined Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my hat!" exclaimed that eccentric individual as they started +back to the lonely beach where the submarine was awaiting her advent +into the water. "The more I think of the trip I'm going to take, the +more I like it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you will," remarked Tom. "It will be a new experience for all +of us. There's only one thing worrying me, and that is about Mr. Berg +having overheard what I said." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't worry about that. Can't we slip away and leave no trace in +the water?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so, but I must tell dad and Mr. Sharp about what happened." +</P> + +<P> +The aged inventor was not a little alarmed at what his son related, but +he agreed with Mr. Damon, whom he heartily welcomed, that little was to +be apprehended from Berg and his employers. +</P> + +<P> +"They know we're after a sunken wreck, but that's all they do know," +said Tom's father. "We are only waiting for the arrival of Captain +Alden Weston, and then we will go. Even if Bentley & Eagert make a try +for the treasure we'll have the start of them, and this will be a case +of first come, first served. Don't worry, Tom. I'm glad you're going, +Mr. Damon. Come, I will show you our submarine." +</P> + +<P> +As father and son, with their guest, were going to the machine shop, +Mr. Sharp met them. He had a letter in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Good news!" the balloonist cried. "Captain Weston will be with us +to-morrow. He will arrive at the Beach Hotel in Atlantis, and wants one +of us to meet him there. He has considerable information about the +wreck." +</P> + +<P> +"The Beach Hotel," murmured Tom. "That is where Mr. Berg is stopping. I +hope he doesn't worm any of our secret from Captain Weston," and it was +with a feeling of uneasiness that the young inventor continued after +his father and Mr. Damon to where the submarine was. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Nine +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Captain Weston's Advent +</H3> + +<P> +"Bless my water ballast, but that certainly is a fine boat!" cried Mr. +Damon, when he had been shown over the new craft. "I think I shall +feel even safer in that than in the Red Cloud." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, don't go back on the airship!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "I was counting +on taking you on another trip." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, maybe after we get back from under the ocean," agreed Mr. Damon. +"I particularly like the cabin arrangements of the Advance. I think I +shall enjoy myself." +</P> + +<P> +He would be hard to please who could not take pleasure from a trip in +the submarine. The cabin was particularly fine, and the sleeping +arrangements were good. +</P> + +<P> +More supplies could be carried than was possible on the airship, and +there was more room in which to cook and serve food. Mr. Damon was fond +of good living, and the kitchen pleased him as much as anything else. +</P> + +<P> +Early the next morning Tom set out for Atlantis, to meet Captain Weston +at the hotel. The young inventor inquired of the clerk whether the +seafaring man had arrived, and was told that he had come the previous +evening. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he in his room?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered the clerk with a peculiar grin. "He's an odd character. +Wouldn't go to bed last night until we had every window in his room +open, though it was blowing quite hard, and likely to storm. The +captain said he was used to plenty of fresh air. Well, I guess he got +it, all right." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is he now?" asked the youth, wondering what sort of an +individual he was to meet. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he was up before sunrise, so some of the scrubwomen told me. They +met him coming from his room, and he went right down to the beach with +a big telescope he always carries with him. He hasn't come back yet. +Probably he's down on the sand." +</P> + +<P> +"Hasn't he had breakfast?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. He left word he didn't want to eat until about four bells, +whatever time that is." +</P> + +<P> +"It's ten o'clock," replied Tom, who had been studying up on sea terms +lately. "Eight bells is eight o'clock in the morning, or four in the +afternoon or eight at night, according to the time of day. Then there's +one bell for every half hour, so four bells this morning would be ten +o'clock in this watch, I suppose." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's the way it goes, eh?" asked the clerk. "I never could get +it through my head. What is twelve o'clock noon?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's eight bells, too; so is twelve o'clock midnight. Eight bells +is as high as they go on a ship. But I guess I'll go down and see if I +can meet the captain. It will soon be ten o'clock, or four bells, and +he must be hungry for breakfast. By the way, is that Mr. Berg still +here?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; he went away early this morning. He and Captain Weston seemed to +strike up quite an acquaintance, the night clerk told me. They sat and +smoked together until long after midnight, or eight bells," and the +clerk smiled as he glanced down at the big diamond ring on his little +finger. +</P> + +<P> +"They did?" fairly exploded Tom, for he had visions of what the wily +Mr. Berg might worm out of the simple captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Why, isn't the captain a proper man to make friends with?" and +the clerk looked at Tom curiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, of course," was the hasty answer. "I guess I'll go and see if +I can find him—the captain, I mean." +</P> + +<P> +Tom hardly knew what to think. He wished his father, or Mr. Sharp, had +thought to warn Captain Weston against talking of the wreck. It might +be too late now. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor hurried to the beach, which was not far from the +hotel. He saw a solitary figure pacing up and down, and from the fact +that the man stopped, every now and then, and gazed seaward through a +large telescope, the lad concluded it was the captain for whom he was +in search. He approached, his footsteps making no sound on the sand. +The man was still gazing through the glass. +</P> + +<P> +"Captain Weston?" spoke Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Without a show of haste, though the voice must have startled him, the +captain turned. Slowly he lowered the telescope, and then he replied +softly: +</P> + +<P> +"That's my name. Who are you, if I may ask?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom was struck, more than by anything else, by the gentle voice of the +seaman. He had prepared himself, from the description of Mr. Sharp, to +meet a gruff, bewhiskered individual, with a voice like a crosscut saw, +and a rolling gait. Instead he saw a man of medium size, with a smooth +face, merry blue eyes, and the softest voice and gentlest manner +imaginable. Tom was very much disappointed. He had looked for a regular +sea-dog, and he met a landsman, as he said afterward. But it was not +long before our hero changed his mind regarding Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm Tom Swift," the owner of that name said, "and I have been sent to +show you the way to where our ship is ready to launch." The young +inventor refrained from mentioning submarine, as it was the wish of Mr +Sharp to disclose this feature of the voyage to the sailor himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha, I thought as much," resumed the captain quietly. "It's a fine +day, if I may be permitted to say so," and he seemed to hesitate, as if +there was some doubt whether or not he might make that observation. +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is," agreed the lad. Then, with a smile he added: "It is +nearly four bells." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha!" exclaimed the captain, also smiling, but even his manner of +saying "Ha!" was less demonstrative than that of most persons. "I +believe I am getting hungry, if I may be allowed the remark," and again +he seemed asking Tom's pardon for mentioning the fact. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you will come back to the cabin and have a little breakfast +with me," he went on. "I don't know what sort of a galley or cook they +have aboard the Beach Hotel, but it can't be much worse than some I've +tackled." +</P> + +<P> +"No, thank you," answered the youth. "I've had my breakfast. But I'll +wait for you, and then I'd like to get back. Dad and Mr. Sharp are +anxious to meet you." +</P> + +<P> +"And I am anxious to meet them, if you don't mind me mentioning it," +was the reply, as the captain once more put the spyglass to his eye and +took an observation. "Not many sails in sight this morning," he added. +"But the weather is fine, and we ought to get off in good shape to hunt +for the treasure about which Mr. Sharp wrote me. I believe we are going +after treasure," he said; "that is, if you don't mind talking about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Not in the least," replied Tom quickly, thinking this a good +opportunity for broaching a subject that was worrying him. "Did you +meet a Mr. Berg here last night, Captain Weston?" he went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Mr. Berg and I had quite a talk. He is a well-informed man." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he mention the sunken treasure?" asked the lad, eager to find out +if his suspicions were true. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he did, if you'll excuse me putting it so plainly," answered the +seaman, as if Tom might be offended at so direct a reply. But the young +inventor was soon to learn that this was only an odd habit with the +seaman. +</P> + +<P> +"Did he want to know where the wreck of the Boldero was located?" +continued the lad. "That is, did he try to discover if you knew +anything about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Mr. Weston, "he did. He pumped me, if you are acquainted +with that term, and are not offended by it. You see, when I arrived +here I made inquiries as to where your father's place was located. Mr. +Berg overheard me, and introduced himself as agent for a shipbuilding +concern. He was very friendly, and when he said he knew you and your +parent, I thought he was all right." +</P> + +<P> +Tom's heart sank. His worst fears were to be realized, he thought. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he and I talked considerable, if I may be permitted to say so," +went on the captain. "He seemed to know about the wreck of the Boldero, +and that she had three hundred thousand dollars in gold aboard. The +only thing he didn't know was where the wreck was located. He knew it +was off Uruguay somewhere, but just where he couldn't say. So he asked +me if I knew, since he must have concluded that I was going with you on +the gold-hunting expedition." +</P> + +<P> +"And you do know, don't you?" asked Tom eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I have it pretty accurately charted out, if you will allow me +that expression," was the calm answer. "I took pains to look it up at +the request of Mr. Sharp." +</P> + +<P> +"And he wanted to worm that information out of you?" inquired the youth +excitedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I'm afraid he did." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you give him the location?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked the captain, as he took another observation before +closing up the telescope, "you see, while we were talking, I happened +to drop a copy of a map I'd made, showing the location of the wreck. +Mr. Berg picked it up to hand to me, and he looked at it." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" cried Tom. "Then he knows just where the treasure is, and he may +get to it ahead of us. It's too bad." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," continued the seaman calmly, "Mr. Berg picked up that map, and +he looked very closely at the latitude and longitude I had marked as +the location of the wreck." +</P> + +<P> +"Then he won't have any trouble finding it," murmured our hero. +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? What's that?" asked the captain, "if I may be permitted to request +you to repeat what you said." +</P> + +<P> +"I say he won't have any trouble locating the sunken Boldero," repeated +Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, but I think he will, if he depends on that map," was the +unexpected reply. "You see," explained Mr. Weston, "I'm not so simple +as I look. I sensed what Mr. Berg was after, the minute he began to +talk to me. So I fixed up a little game on him. The map which I dropped +on purpose, not accidentally, where he would see it, did have the +location of the wreck marked. Only it didn't happen to be the right +location. It was about five hundred miles out of the way, and I rather +guess if Mr. Berg and his friends go there for treasure they'll find +considerable depth of water and quite a lonesome spot. Oh, no, I'm not +as easy as I look, if you don't mind me mentioning that fact; and when +a scoundrel sets out to get the best of me, I generally try to turn the +tables on him. I've seen such men as Mr. Berg before. I'm afraid, I'm +very much afraid, the sight he had of the fake map I made won't do him +much good. Well, I declare, it's past four bells. Let's go to +breakfast, if you don't mind me asking you," and with that the captain +started off up the beach, Tom following, his ideas all a whirl at the +unlooked-for outcome of the interview. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Ten +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Trial of the Submarine +</H3> + +<P> +Tom felt such a relief at hearing of Captain Weston's ruse that his +appetite, sharpened by an early breakfast and the sea air, came to him +with a rush, and he had a second morning meal with the odd sea captain, +who chuckled heartily when he thought of how Mr. Berg had been deceived. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," resumed Captain Weston, over his bacon and eggs, "I sized him up +for a slick article as soon as I laid eyes on him. But he evidently +misjudged me, if I may be permitted that term. Oh, well, we may meet +again, after we secure the treasure, and then I can show him the real +map of the location of the wreck." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you have it?" inquired the lad eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Weston nodded, before hiding his face behind a large cup of +coffee; his third, by the way. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see it?" asked Tom quickly. The captain set down his cup. He +looked carefully about the hotel dining-room. There were several +guests, who, like himself, were having a late breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a good plan," the sailor said slowly, "when you're going into +unknown waters, and don't want to leave a wake for the other fellow to +follow, to keep your charts locked up. If it's all the same to you," he +added diffidently, "I'd rather wait until we get to where your father +and Mr. Sharp are before displaying the real map. I've no objection to +showing you the one Mr. Berg saw," and again he chuckled. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor blushed at his indiscretion. He felt that the news +of the search for the treasure had leaked out through him, though he +was the one to get on the trail of it by seeing the article in the +paper. Now he had nearly been guilty of another break. He realized that +he must be more cautious. The captain saw his confusion, and said: +</P> + +<P> +"I know how it is. You're eager to get under way. I don't blame you. I +was the same myself when I was your age. But we'll soon be at your +place, and then I'll tell you all I know. Sufficient now, to say that I +believe I have located the wreck within a few miles. I got on the track +of a sailor who had met one of the shipwrecked crew of the Boldero, and +he gave me valuable information. Now tell me about the craft we are +going in. A good deal depends on that." +</P> + +<P> +Tom hardly knew what to answer. He recalled what Mr. Sharp had said +about not wanting to tell Captain Weston, until the last moment, that +they were going in a submarine, for fear the old seaman (for he was old +in point of service though not in years) might not care to risk an +under-water trip. Therefore Tom hesitated. Seeing it, Captain Weston +remarked quietly: +</P> + +<P> +"I mean, what type is your submarine? Does it go by compressed air, or +water power?" +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know it's a submarine?" asked the young inventor quickly, +and in some confusion. +</P> + +<P> +"Easy enough. When Mr. Berg thought he was pumping me, I was getting a +lot of information from him. He told me about the submarine his firm +was building, and, naturally, he mentioned yours. One thing led to +another until I got a pretty good idea of your craft. What do you call +it?" +</P> + +<P> +"The Advance." +</P> + +<P> +"Good name. I like it, if you don't mind speaking of it." +</P> + +<P> +"We were afraid you wouldn't like it," commented Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"What, the name?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, the idea of going in a submarine." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh," and Captain Weston laughed. "Well, it takes more than that to +frighten me, if you'll excuse the expression. I've always had a +hankering to go under the surface, after so many years spent on top. +Once or twice I came near going under, whether I wanted to or not, in +wrecks, but I think I prefer your way. Now, if you're all done, and +don't mind me speaking of it, I think we'll start for your place. We +must hustle, for Berg may yet get on our trail, even if he has got the +wrong route," and he laughed again. +</P> + +<P> +It was no small relief to Mr. Swift and Mr. Sharp to learn that Captain +Weston had no objections to a submarine, as they feared he might have. +The captain, in his diffident manner, made friends at once with the +treasure-hunters, and he and Mr. Damon struck up quite an acquaintance. +Tom told of his meeting with the seaman, and the latter related, with +much gusto, the story of how he had fooled Mr. Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, perhaps you'd like to come and take a look at the craft that is +to be our home while we're beneath the water," suggested Mr. Swift and +the sailor assenting, the aged inventor, with much pride, assisted by +Tom, pointed out on the Advance the features of interest. Captain +Weston gave hearty approval, making one or two minor suggestions, which +were carried out. +</P> + +<P> +"And so you launch her to-morrow," he concluded, when he had completed +the inspection "Well, I hope it's a success, if I may be permitted to +say so." +</P> + +<P> +There were busy times around the machine shop next day. So much secrecy +had been maintained that none of the residents, or visitors to the +coast resort, were aware that in their midst was such a wonderful craft +as the submarine. The last touches were put on the under-water ship; +the ways, leading from the shop to the creek, were well greased, and +all was in readiness for the launching. The tide would soon be at +flood, and then the boat would slide down the timbers (at least, that +was the hope of all), and would float in the element meant to receive +her. It was decided that no one should be aboard when the launching +took place, as there was an element of risk attached, since it was not +known just how buoyant the craft was. It was expected she would float, +until the filled tanks took her to the bottom, but there was no telling. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be flood tide now in ten minutes," remarked Captain Weston +quietly, looking at his watch. Then he took an observation through the +telescope. "No hostile ships hanging in the offing," he reported. "All +is favorable, if you don't mind me saying so," and he seemed afraid +lest his remark might give offense. +</P> + +<P> +"Get ready," ordered Mr. Swift. "Tom, see that the ropes are all +clear," for it had been decided to ease the Advance down into the water +by means of strong cables and windlasses, as the creek was so narrow +that the submarine, if launched in the usual way, would poke her nose +into the opposite mud bank and stick there. +</P> + +<P> +"All clear," reported the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"High tide!" exclaimed the captain a moment later, snapping shut his +watch. +</P> + +<P> +"Let go!" ordered Mr. Swift, and the various windlasses manned by the +inventor, Tom and the others began to unwind their ropes. Slowly the +ship slid along the greased ways. Slowly she approached the water. How +anxiously they all watched her! Nearer and nearer her blunt nose, with +the electric propulsion plate and the auxiliary propeller, came to the +creek, the waters of which were quiet now, awaiting the turn of the +tide. +</P> + +<P> +Now little waves lapped the steel sides. It was the first contact of +the Advance with her native element. +</P> + +<P> +"Pay out the rope faster!" cried Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +The windlasses were turned more quickly. Foot by foot the craft slid +along until, with a final rush, the stern left the ways and the +submarine was afloat. Now would come the test. Would she ride on an +even keel, or sink out of sight, or turn turtle? They all ran to the +water's edge, Tom in the lead. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah!" suddenly yelled the lad, trying to stand on his head. "She +floats! She's a success! Come on! Let's get aboard!" +</P> + +<P> +For, true enough, the Advance was riding like a duck on the water. She +had been proportioned just right, and her lines were perfect. She rode +as majestically as did any ship destined to sail on the surface, and +not intended to do double duty. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, we must moor her to the pier," directed Mr. Sharp. "The tide +will turn in a few minutes and take her out to sea." +</P> + +<P> +He and Tom entered a small boat, and soon the submarine was tied to a +small dock that had been built for the purpose. +</P> + +<P> +"Now to try the engine," suggested Mr. Swift, who was almost trembling +with eagerness; for the completion of the ship meant much to him. +</P> + +<P> +"One moment," begged Captain Weston. "If you don't mind, I'll take an +observation," he went on, and he swept the horizon with his telescope. +"All clear," he reported. "I think we may go aboard and make a trial +trip." +</P> + +<P> +Little time was lost in entering the cabin and engine-room, Garret +Jackson accompanying the party to aid with the machinery. It did not +take long to start the motors, dynamos and the big gasolene engine that +was the vital part of the craft. A little water was admitted to the +tanks for ballast, since the food and other supplies were not yet on +board. The Advance now floated with the deck aft of the conning tower +showing about two feet above the surface of the creek. Mr. Swift and +Tom entered the pilot house. +</P> + +<P> +"Start the engines," ordered the aged inventor, "and we'll try my new +system of positive and negative electrical propulsion." +</P> + +<P> +There was a hum and whir in the body of the ship beneath the feet of +Tom and his father. Captain Weston stood on the little deck near the +conning tower. +</P> + +<P> +"All ready?" asked the youth through the speaking tube to Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Jackson in the engine-room. +</P> + +<P> +"All ready," came the answer. +</P> + +<P> +Tom threw over the connecting lever, while his father grasped the +steering wheel. The Advance shot forward, moving swiftly along, about +half submerged. +</P> + +<P> +"She goes! She goes!" cried Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"She certainly does, if I may be permitted to say so," was the calm +contribution of Captain Weston. "I congratulate you." +</P> + +<P> +Faster and faster went the new craft. Mr. Swift headed her toward the +open sea, but stopped just before passing out of the creek, as he was +not yet ready to venture into deep water. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to test the auxiliary propellers," he said. After a little +longer trial of the electric propulsion plates, which were found to +work satisfactorily, sending the submarine up and down the creek at a +fast rate, the screws, such as are used on most submarines, were put +into gear. They did well, but were not equal to the plates, nor was so +much expected of them. +</P> + +<P> +"I am perfectly satisfied," announced Mr. Swift as he once more headed +the boat to sea. "I think, Captain Weston, you had better go below now." +</P> + +<P> +"Why so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because I am going to completely submerge the craft. Tom, close the +conning tower door. Perhaps you will come in here with us, Captain +Weston, though it will be rather a tight fit." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, I will. I want to see how it feels to be in a pilot house +under water." +</P> + +<P> +Tom closed the water-tight door of the conning tower. Word was sent +through the tube to the engine-room that a more severe test of the ship +was about to be made. The craft was now outside the line of breakers +and in the open sea. +</P> + +<P> +"Is everything ready, Tom?" asked his father in a quiet voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything," replied the lad nervously, for the anticipation of being +about to sink below the surface was telling on them all, even on the +calm, old sea captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Then open the tanks and admit the water," ordered Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +His son turned a valve and adjusted some levers. There was a hissing +sound, and the Advance began sinking. She was about to dive beneath the +surface of the ocean, and those aboard her were destined to go through +a terrible experience before she rose again. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eleven +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +On the Ocean Bed +</H3> + +<P> +Lower and lower sank the submarine. There was a swirling and foaming of +the water as she went down, caused by the air bubbles which the craft +carried with her in her descent. Only the top of the conning tower was +out of water now, the ocean having closed over the deck and the rounded +back of the boat. Had any one been watching they would have imagined +that an accident was taking place. +</P> + +<P> +In the pilot house, with its thick glass windows, Tom, his father and +Captain Weston looked over the surface of the ocean, which every minute +was coming nearer and nearer to them. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll be all under in a few seconds," spoke Tom in a solemn voice, as +he listened to the water hissing into the tanks. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and then we can see what sort of progress we will make," added +Mr. Swift. "Everything is going fine, though," he went on cheerfully. +"I believe I have a good boat." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no doubt of it in my mind," remarked Captain Weston, and Tom +felt a little disappointed that the sailor did not shout out some such +expression as "Shiver my timbers!" or "Keel-haul the main braces, +there, you lubber!" But Captain Weston was not that kind of a sailor, +though his usually quiet demeanor could be quickly dropped on +necessity, as Tom learned later. +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes more and the waters closed over the top of the conning +tower. The Advance was completely submerged. Through the thick glass +windows of the pilot house the occupants looked out into the greenish +water that swirled about them; but it could not enter. Then, as the +boat went lower, the light from above gradually died out, and the +semi-darkness gave place to gloom. +</P> + +<P> +"Turn on the electrics and the searchlight, Tom," directed his father. +</P> + +<P> +There was the click of a switch, and the conning tower was flooded with +light. But as this had the effect of preventing the three from peering +out into the water, just as one in a lighted room cannot look out into +the night, Tom shut them off and switched on the great searchlight. +This projected its powerful beams straight ahead and there, under the +ocean, was a pathway of illumination for the treasure-seekers. +</P> + +<P> +"Fine!" cried Captain Weston, with more enthusiasm than he had yet +manifested. "That's great, if you don't mind me mentioning it. How deep +are we?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom glanced at a gage on the side of the pilot tower. +</P> + +<P> +"Only about sixty feet," he answered. +</P> + +<P> +"Then don't go any deeper!" cried the captain hastily. "I know these +waters around here, and that's about all the depth you've got. You'll +be on the bottom in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +"I intend to get on the bottom after a while," said Mr. Swift, "but not +here. I want to try for a greater distance under water before I come to +rest on the ocean's bed. But I think we are deep enough for a test. +Tom, close the tank intake pipes and we'll see how the Advance will +progress when fully submerged." +</P> + +<P> +The hissing stopped, and then, wishing to see how the motors and other +machinery would work, the aged inventor and his son, accompanied by +Captain Weston, descended from the conning tower, by means of an inner +stairway, to the interior of the ship. The submarine could be steered +and managed from below or above. She was now floating about sixty-five +feet below the surface of the bay. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, how do you like it?" asked Tom of Mr. Damon, as he saw his +friend in an easy chair in the living-room or main cabin of the craft, +looking out of one of the plate-glass windows on the side. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my spectacles, it's the most wonderful thing I ever dreamed of!" +cried the queer character, as he peered at the mass of water before +him. "To think that I'm away down under the surface, and yet as dry as +a bone. Bless my necktie, but it's great! What are we going to do now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Go forward," replied the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I had better make an observation," suggested Captain Weston, +taking his telescope from under his arm, where he had carried it since +entering the craft, and opening it. "We may run afoul of something, if +you don't mind me mentioning such a disagreeable subject." Then, as he +thought of the impossibility of using his glass under water, he closed +it. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall have little use for this here, I'm afraid," he remarked with a +smile. "Well, there's some consolation. We're not likely to meet many +ships in this part of the ocean. Other vessels are fond enough of +remaining on the surface. I fancy we shall have the depths to +ourselves, unless we meet a Government submarine, and they are hardly +able to go as deep as we can. No, I guess we won't run into anything +and I can put this glass away." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless we run into Berg and his crowd," suggested Tom in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! ha!" laughed Captain Weston, for he did not want Mr. Swift to +worry over the unscrupulous agent. "No, I don't believe we'll meet +them, Tom. I guess Berg is trying to work out the longitude and +latitude I gave him. I wish I could see his face when he realizes that +he's been deceived by that fake map." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hope he doesn't discover it too soon and trail us," went on +the lad. "But they're going to start the machinery now. I suppose you +and I had better take charge of the steering of the craft. Dad will +want to be in the engine-room." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," replied the captain, and he moved forward with the lad to +a small compartment, shut off from the living-room, that served as a +pilot house when the conning tower was not used. The same levers, +wheels and valves were there as up above, and the submarine could be +managed as well from there as from the other place. +</P> + +<P> +"Is everything all right?" asked Mr. Swift as he went into the +engine-room, where Garret Jackson and Mr. Sharp were busy with oil cans. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything," replied the balloonist. "Are you going to start now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we're deep enough for a speed trial. We'll go out to sea, +however, and try for a lower depth record, as soon as there's enough +water. Start the engine." +</P> + +<P> +A moment later the powerful electric currents were flowing into the +forward and aft plates, and the Advance began to gather way, forging +through the water. +</P> + +<P> +"Straight ahead, out to sea, Tom," called his father to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," responded the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Quite seaman-like, if you don't mind a reference to it," commented +Captain Weston with a smile. "Mind your helm, boy, for you don't want +to poke her nose into a mud bank, or run up on a shoal." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you steer?" suggested the lad. "I'd rather take lessons for a +while." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Perhaps it will be safer. I know these waters from the top, +though I can't say as much for the bottom. However, I know where the +shoals are." +</P> + +<P> +The powerful searchlight was turned, so as to send its beams along the +path which the submarine was to follow, and then, as she gathered +speed, she shot ahead, gliding through the waters like a fish. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon divided his time between the forward pilot-room, the +living-apartment, and the place where Mr. Swift, Garret Jackson and Mr. +Sharp were working over the engines. Every few minutes he would bless +some part of himself, his clothing, or the ship. Finally the old man +settled down to look through the plate-glass windows in the main +apartment. +</P> + +<P> +On and on went the submarine. She behaved perfectly, and was under +excellent control. Some times Tom, at the request of his father, would +send her toward the surface by means of the deflecting rudder. Then she +would dive to the bottom again. Once, as a test, she was sent obliquely +to the surface, her tower just emerging, and then she darted downward +again, like a porpoise that had come up to roll over, and suddenly +concluded to seek the depths. In fact, had any one seen the maneuver +they would have imagined the craft was a big fish disporting itself. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Weston remained at Tom's side, giving him instructions, and +watching the compass in order to direct the steering so as to avoid +collisions. For an hour or more the craft was sent almost straight +ahead at medium speed. Then Mr. Swift, joining his son and the +captain, remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"How about depth of water here, Captain Weston?" +</P> + +<P> +"You've got more than a mile." +</P> + +<P> +"Good! Then I'm going down to the bottom of the sea! Tom, fill the +tanks still more. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the lad gaily. "Now for a new experience!" +</P> + +<P> +"And use the deflecting rudder, also," advised his father. "That will +hasten matters." +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes later there was a slight jar noticeable. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul! What's that?" cried Mr. Damon. "Have we hit something?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," answered Tom with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"What, for gracious sake?" +</P> + +<P> +"The bottom of the sea. We're on the bed of the ocean." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twelve +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +For a Breath of Air +</H3> + +<P> +They could hardly realize it, yet the depth-gage told the story. It +registered a distance below the surface of the ocean of five thousand +seven hundred feet—a little over a mile. The Advance had actually come +to rest on the bottom of the Atlantic. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Let's get on the diving suits, dad, and walk +about on land under water for a change." +</P> + +<P> +"No," said Mr. Swift soberly. "We will hardly have time for that now. +Besides, the suits are not yet fitted with the automatic air-tanks, and +we can't use them. There are still some things to do before we start on +our treasure cruise. But I want to see how the plates are standing +this pressure." +</P> + +<P> +The Advance was made with a triple hull, the spaces between the layers +of plates being filled with a secret material, capable of withstanding +enormous pressure, as were also the plates themselves. Mr. Swift, aided +by Mr. Jackson and Captain Weston, made a thorough examination, and +found that not a drop of water had leaked in, nor was there the least +sign that any of the plates had given way under the terrific strain. +</P> + +<P> +"She's as tight as a drum, if you will allow me to make that +comparison," remarked Captain Weston modestly. "I couldn't ask for a +dryer ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, let's take a look around by means the searchlight and the +observation windows, and then we'll go back," suggested Mr. Swift. "It +will take about two days to get the stores and provisions aboard and +rig up the diving suits; then we will start for the sunken treasure." +</P> + +<P> +There were several powerful searchlights on the Advance, so arranged +that the bow, stern or either side could be illuminated independently. +There were also observation windows near each light. +</P> + +<P> +In turn the powerful rays were cast first at the bow and then aft. In +the gleams could be seen the sandy bed of the ocean, covered with +shells of various kinds. Great crabs walked around on their long, +jointed legs, and Tom saw some lobsters that would have brought joy to +the heart of a fisherman. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at the big fish!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly, and he pointed to +some dark, shadowy forms that swam up to the glass windows, evidently +puzzled by the light. +</P> + +<P> +"Porpoises," declared Captain Weston briefly, "a whole school of them." +</P> + +<P> +The fish seemed suddenly to multiply, and soon those in the submarine +felt curious tremors running through the whole craft. +</P> + +<P> +"The fish are rubbing up against it," cried Tom. "They must think we +came down here to allow them to scratch their backs on the steel +plates." +</P> + +<P> +For some time they remained on the bottom, watching the wonderful sight +of the fishes that swam all about them. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I think we may as well rise," announced Mr. Swift, after they +had been on the bottom about an hour, moving here and there. "We didn't +bring any provisions, and I'm getting hungry, though I don't know how +the others of you feel about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my dinner-plate, I could eat, too!" cried Mr. Damon. "Go up, by +all means. We'll get enough of under-water travel once we start for the +treasure." +</P> + +<P> +"Send her up, Tom," called his father. "I want to make a few notes on +some needed changes and improvements." +</P> + +<P> +Tom entered the lower pilot house, and turned the valve that opened the +tanks. He also pulled the lever that started the pumps, so that the +water ballast would be more quickly emptied, as that would render the +submarine buoyant, and she would quickly shoot to the surface. To the +surprise of the lad, however, there followed no outrushing of the +water. The Advance remained stationary on the ocean bed. Mr. Swift +looked up from his notes. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't you hear me ask you to send her up, Tom?" he inquired mildly. +</P> + +<P> +"I did, dad, but something seems to be the matter," was the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Matter? What do you mean?" and the aged inventor hastened to where his +son and Captain Weston were at the wheels, valves and levers. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the tanks won't empty, and the pumps don't seem to work." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me try," suggested Mr. Swift, and he pulled the various handles. +There was no corresponding action of the machinery. +</P> + +<P> +"That's odd," he remarked in a curious voice "Perhaps something has +gone wrong with the connections. Go look in the engine-room, and ask +Mr. Sharp if everything is all right there." +</P> + +<P> +Tom made a quick trip, returning to report that the dynamos, motors and +gas engine were running perfectly. +</P> + +<P> +"Try to work the tank levers and pumps from the conning tower," +suggested Captain Weston. "Sometimes I've known the steam steering gear +to play tricks like that." +</P> + +<P> +Tom hurried up the circular stairway into the tower. He pulled the +levers and shifted the valves and wheels there. But there was no +emptying of the water tanks. The weight and pressure of water in them +still held the submarine on the bottom of the sea, more than a mile +from the surface. The pumps in the engine-room were working at top +speed, but there was evidently something wrong in the connections. Mr. +Swift quickly came to this conclusion. +</P> + +<P> +"We must repair it at once," he said. "Tom, come to the engine-room. +You and I, with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharp, will soon have it in shape +again." +</P> + +<P> +"Is there any danger?" asked Mr. Damon in a perturbed voice. "Bless my +soul, it's unlucky to have an accident on our trial trip." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we must expect accidents," declared Mr. Swift with a smile. "This +is nothing." +</P> + +<P> +But it proved to be more difficult than he had imagined to re-establish +the connection between the pumps and the tanks. The valves, too, had +clogged or jammed, and as the pressure outside the ship was so great, +the water would not run out of itself. It must be forced. +</P> + +<P> +For an hour or more the inventor, his son and the others, worked away. +They could accomplish nothing. Tom looked anxiously at his parent when +the latter paused in his efforts. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't worry," advised the aged inventor. "It's got to come right +sooner or later." +</P> + +<P> +Just then Mr. Damon, who had been wandering about the ship, entered the +engine-room. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know," he said, "you ought to open a window, or something." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, what's the matter?" asked Tom quickly, looking to see if the odd +man was joking. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, of course I don't exactly mean a window," explained Mr. Damon, +"but we need fresh air." +</P> + +<P> +"Fresh air!" There was a startled note in Mr. Swift's voice as he +repeated the words. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I can hardly breathe in the living-room, and it's not much better +here." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, there ought to be plenty of fresh air," went on the inventor. "It +is renewed automatically." +</P> + +<P> +Tom jumped up and looked at an indicator. He uttered a startled cry. +</P> + +<P> +"The air hasn't been changed in the last hour!" he exclaimed. "It is +bad. There's not enough oxygen in it. I notice it, now that I've +stopped working. The gage indicates it, too. The automatic air-changer +must have stopped working. I'll fix it." +</P> + +<P> +He hurried to the machine which was depended on to supply fresh air to +the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the air tanks are empty!" the young inventor cried. "We haven't +any more air except what is in the ship now!" +</P> + +<P> +"And we're rapidly breathing that up," added Captain Weston solemnly. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you make more?" cried Mr. Damon. "I thought you said you could +make oxygen aboard the ship." +</P> + +<P> +"We can," answered Mr. Swift, "but I did not bring along a supply of +the necessary chemicals. I did not think we would be submerged long +enough for that. But there should have been enough in the reserve tank +to last several days. How about it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's all leaked out, or else it wasn't filled," was the despairing +answer. "All the air we have is what's in the ship, and we can't make +more." +</P> + +<P> +The treasure-seekers looked at each other. It was an awful situation. +</P> + +<P> +"Then the only thing to do is to fix the machinery and rise to the +surface," said Mr. Sharp simply. "We can have all the air we want, +then." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but the machinery doesn't seem possible of being fixed," spoke +Tom in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"We must do it!" cried his father. +</P> + +<P> +They set to work again with fierce energy, laboring for their very +lives. They all knew that they could not long remain in the ship +without oxygen. Nor could they desert it to go to the surface, for the +moment they left the protection of the thick steel sides the terrible +pressure of the water would kill them. Nor were the diving suits +available. They must stay in the craft and die a miserable death—unless +the machinery could be repaired and the Advance sent to the surface. +The emergency expanding lifting tank was not yet in working order. +</P> + +<P> +More frantically they toiled, trying every device that was suggested to +the mechanical minds of Tom, his father, Mr. Sharp or Mr. Jackson, to +make the pumps work. But something was wrong. More and more foul grew +the air. They were fairly gasping now. It was difficult to breathe, to +say nothing of working, in that atmosphere. The thought of their +terrible position was in the minds of all. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, for one breath of fresh air!" cried Mr. Damon, who seemed to +suffer more than any of the others. Grim death was hovering around +them, imprisoned as they were on the ocean's bed, over a mile from the +surface. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Thirteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Off for the Treasure +</H3> + +<P> +Suddenly Tom, after a moment's pause, seized a wrench and began +loosening some nuts. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you doing?" asked his father faintly, for he was being +weakened by the vitiated atmosphere. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to take this valve apart," replied his son. "We haven't +looked there for the trouble. Maybe it's out of order." +</P> + +<P> +He attacked the valve with energy, but his hands soon lagged. The lack +of oxygen was telling on him. He could no longer work quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll help," murmured Mr. Sharp thickly. He took a wrench, but no +sooner had he loosened one nut than he toppled over. "I'm all in," he +murmured feebly. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he dead?" cried Mr. Damon, himself gasping. +</P> + +<P> +"No, only fainted. But he soon will be dead, and so will all of us, if +we don't get fresh air," remarked Captain Weston. "Lie down on the +floor, every one. There is a little fairly good air there. It's heavier +than the air we've breathed, and we can exist on it for a little +longer. Poor Sharp was so used to breathing the rarified air of high +altitudes that he can't stand this heavy atmosphere." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon was gasping worse than ever, and so was Mr. Swift. The +balloonist lay an inert heap on the floor, with Captain Weston trying +to force a few drops of stimulant down his throat. +</P> + +<P> +With a fierce determination in his heart, but with fingers that almost +refused to do his bidding, Tom once more sought to open the big valve. +He felt sure the trouble was located there, as they had tried to locate +it in every other place without avail. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll help," said Mr. Jackson in a whisper. He, too, was hardly able to +move. +</P> + +<P> +More and more devoid of oxygen grew the air. It gave Tom a sense as if +his head was filled, and ready to burst with every breath he drew. +Still he struggled to loosen the nuts. There were but four more now, +and he took off three while Mr. Jackson removed one. The young inventor +lifted off the valve cover, though it felt like a ton weight to him. He +gave a glance inside. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's the trouble!" he murmured. "The valve's clogged. No wonder it +wouldn't work. The pumps couldn't force the water out." +</P> + +<P> +It was the work of only a minute to adjust the valve. Then Tom and the +engineer managed to get the cover back on. +</P> + +<P> +How they inserted the bolts and screwed the nuts in place they never +could remember clearly afterward, but they managed it somehow, with +shaking, trembling hands and eyes that grew more and more dim. +</P> + +<P> +"Now start the pumps!" cried Tom faintly. "The tanks will be emptied, +and we can get to the surface." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Sharp was still unconscious, nor was Mr. Swift able to help. He lay +with his eyes closed. Garret Jackson, however, managed to crawl to the +engine-room, and soon the clank of machinery told Tom that the pumps +were in motion. The lad staggered to the pilot house and threw the +levers over. An instant later there was the hissing of water as it +rushed from the ballast tanks. The submarine shivered, as though +disliking to leave the bottom of the sea, and then slowly rose. As the +pumps worked more rapidly, and the sea was sent from the tank in great +volumes, the boat fairly shot to the surface. Tom was ready to open the +conning tower and let in fresh air as soon as the top was above the +surface. +</P> + +<P> +With a bound the Advance reached the top. Tom frantically worked the +worm gear that opened the tower. In rushed the fresh, life-giving air, +and the treasure-hunters filled their lungs with it. +</P> + +<P> +And it was only just in time, for Mr. Sharp was almost gone. He quickly +revived, as did the others, when they could breathe as much as they +wished of the glorious oxygen. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a close call," commented Mr. Swift. "We'll not go below again +until I have provided for all emergencies. I should have seen to the +air tanks and the expanding one before going below. We'll sail home on +the surface now." +</P> + +<P> +The submarine was put about and headed for her dock. On the way she +passed a small steamer, and the passengers looked down in wonder at the +strange craft. +</P> + +<P> +When the Advance reached the secluded creek where she had been +launched, her passengers had fully recovered from their terrible +experience, though the nerves of Mr. Swift and Mr. Damon were not at +ease for some days thereafter. +</P> + +<P> +"I should never have made a submerged test without making sure that we +had a reserve supply of air," remarked the aged inventor. "I will not +be caught that way again. But I can't understand how the pump valve got +out of order." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe some one tampered with it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Could Andy +Foger, any of the Happy Harry gang, or the rival gold-seekers have done +it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hardly think so," answered Tom. "The place has been too carefully +guarded since Berg and Andy once sneaked in. I think it was just an +accident, but I have thought of a plan whereby such accidents can be +avoided in the future. It needs a simple device." +</P> + +<P> +"Better patent it," suggested Mr. Sharp with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe I will," replied the young inventor. "But not now. We haven't +time, if we intend to get fitted out for our trip." +</P> + +<P> +"No; I should say the sooner we started the better," remarked Captain +Weston. "That is, if you don't mind me speaking about it," he added +gently, and the others smiled, for his diffident comments were only a +matter of habit. +</P> + +<P> +The first act of the adventurers, after tying the submarine at the +dock, was to proceed with the loading of the food and supplies. Tom and +Mr. Damon looked to this, while Mr. Swift and Mr. Sharp made some +necessary changes to the machinery. The next day the young inventor +attached his device to the pump valve, and the loading of the craft was +continued. +</P> + +<P> +All was in readiness for the gold-seeking expedition a week later. +Captain Weston had carefully charted the route they were to follow, and +it was decided to move along on the surface for the first day, so as to +get well out to sea before submerging the craft. Then it would sink +below the surface, and run along under the water until the wreck was +reached, rising at times, as needed, to renew the air supply. +</P> + +<P> +With sufficient stores and provisions aboard to last several months, if +necessary, though they did not expect to be gone more than sixty days +at most, the adventurers arose early one morning and went down to the +dock. Mr. Jackson was not to accompany them. He did not care about a +submarine trip, he said, and Mr. Swift desired him to remain at the +seaside cottage and guard the shops, which contained much valuable +machinery. The airship was also left there. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, are we all ready?" asked Mr. Swift of the little party of +gold-seekers, as they were about to enter the conning tower hatchway of +the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"All ready, dad," responded his son. +</P> + +<P> +"Then let's get aboard," proposed Captain Weston. "But first let me +take an observation." +</P> + +<P> +He swept the horizon with his telescope, and Tom noticed that the +sailor kept it fixed on one particular spot for some time. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you see anything?" asked the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there is a boat lying off there," was the answer. "And some one +is observing us through a glass. But I don't believe it matters. +Probably they're only trying to see what sort of an odd fish we are." +</P> + +<P> +"All aboard, then," ordered Mr. Swift, and they went into the +submarine. Tom and his father, with Captain Weston, remained in the +conning tower. The signal was given, the electricity flowed into the +forward and aft plates, and the Advance shot ahead on the surface. +</P> + +<P> +The sailor raised his telescope once more and peered through a window +in the tower. He uttered an exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"That other ship—a small steamer—is weighing anchor and seems to be +heading this way," was the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe it's some one hired by Berg to follow us and trace our +movements," suggested Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"If it is we'll fool them," added his father. "Just keep an eye on +them, captain, and I think we can show them a trick or two in a few +minutes." +</P> + +<P> +Faster shot the Advance through the water. She had started on her way +to get the gold from the sunken wreck, but already enemies were on the +trail of the adventurers, for the ship the sailor had noticed was +steaming after them. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Fourteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +In the Diving Suits +</H3> + +<P> +There was no doubt that the steamer was coming after the submarine. +Several observations Captain Weston made confirmed this, and he +reported the fact to Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we'll change our plans, then," said the inventor. "Instead of +sailing on the surface we'll go below. But first let them get near so +they may have the benefit of seeing what we do. Tom, go below, please, +and tell Mr. Sharp to get every thing in readiness for a quick descent. +We'll slow up a bit now, and let them get nearer to us." +</P> + +<P> +The speed of the submarine was reduced, and in a short time the strange +steamer had overhauled her, coming to within hailing distance. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift signaled for the machinery to stop and the submarine came to +a halt on the surface, bobbing about like a half-submerged bottle. The +inventor opened a bull's-eye in the tower, and called to a man on the +bridge of the steamer: +</P> + +<P> +"What are you following us for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Following you?" repeated the man, for the strange vessel had also come +to a stop. "We're not following you." +</P> + +<P> +"It looks like it," replied Mr. Swift. "You'd better give it up." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess the waters are free," was the quick retort. "We'll follow you +if we like." +</P> + +<P> +"Will you? Then come on!" cried the inventor as he quickly closed the +heavy glass window and pulled a lever. An instant later the submarine +began to sink, and Mr. Swift could not help laughing as, just before +the tower went under water, he had a glimpse of the astonished face of +the man on the bridge. The latter had evidently not expected such a +move as that. +</P> + +<P> +Lower and lower in the water went the craft, until it was about two +hundred feet below the surface. Then Mr. Swift left the conning tower, +descended to the main part of the ship, and asked Tom and Captain +Weston to take charge of the pilot house. +</P> + +<P> +"Send her ahead, Tom," his father said. "That fellow up above is +rubbing his eyes yet, wondering where we are, I suppose." +</P> + +<P> +Forward shot the Advance under water, the powerful electrical plates +pulling and pushing her on the way to secure the sunken gold. +</P> + +<P> +All that morning a fairly moderate rate of speed was maintained, as it +was thought best not to run the new machinery too fast. +</P> + +<P> +Dinner was eaten about a quarter of a mile below the surface, but no +one inside the submarine would ever have known it. Electric lights made +the place as brilliant as could be desired, and the food, which Tom and +Mr. Damon prepared, was equal to any that could have been served on +land. After the meal they opened the shutters over the windows in the +sides of the craft, and looked at the myriads of fishes swimming past, +as the creatures were disclosed in the glare of the searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +That night they were several hundred miles on their journey, for the +craft was speedy, and leaving Tom and Captain Weston to take the first +watch, the others went to bed. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul, but it does seem odd, though, to go to bed under water, +like a fish," remarked Mr. Damon. "If my wife knew this she would worry +to death. She thinks I'm off automobiling. But this isn't half as +dangerous as riding in a car that's always getting out of order. A +submarine for mine, every time." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait until we get to the end of this trip," advised Tom. "I guess +you'll find almost as many things can happen in a submarine as can in +an auto," and future events were to prove the young inventor to be +right. +</P> + +<P> +Everything worked well that night, and the ship made good progress. +They rose to the surface the next morning to make sure of their +position, and to get fresh air, though they did not really need the +latter, as the reserve supply had not been drawn on, and was sufficient +for several days, now that the oxygen machine had been put in running +order. +</P> + +<P> +On the second day the ship was sent to the bottom and halted there, as +Mr. Swift wished to try the new diving suits. These were made of a new, +light, but very strong metal to withstand the pressure of a great depth. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the others agreeing +to wait until they saw how the first trial resulted. Then, too, it was +necessary for some one acquainted with the machinery to remain in the +ship to operate the door and water chamber through which the divers had +to pass to get out. +</P> + +<P> +The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting the three +out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea. They entered a +chamber in the side of the submarine, water was gradually admitted +until it equaled in pressure that outside, then an outer door was +opened by means of levers, and they could step out. +</P> + +<P> +It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel that they were +actually walking along the bed of the ocean. All around them was the +water, and as they turned on the small electric lights in their +helmets, which lights were fed by storage batteries fastened to the +diving suits, they saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them, +doubtless astonished at the odd creatures which had entered their +domain. On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the shells and +rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and other odd creatures +seldom seen on the surface of the water. The three divers found no +difficulty in breathing, as there were air tanks fastened to their +shoulders, and a constant supply of oxygen was fed through pipes into +the helmets. The pressure of water did not bother them, and after the +first sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it. At first the +inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he soon got so he +could make signs and motions, and be understood. +</P> + +<P> +They walked about for some time, and once the lad came upon a part of a +wrecked vessel buried deep in the sand. There was no telling what ship +it was, nor how long it had been there, and after silently viewing it, +they continued on. +</P> + +<P> +"It was great!" were the first words Tom uttered when he and the others +were once more inside the submarine and had removed the suits. "If we +can only walk around the wreck of the Boldero that way, we'll have all +the gold out of her in no time. There are no life-lines nor air-hose to +bother with in these diving suits." +</P> + +<P> +"They certainly are a success," conceded Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my topknot!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'll try it next time. I've +always wanted to be a diver, and now I have the chance." +</P> + +<P> +The trip was resumed after the diving chamber had been closed, and on +the third day Captain Weston announced, after a look at his chart, that +they were nearing the Bahama Islands. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll have to be careful not to run into any of the small keys," he +said, that being the name for the many little points of land, hardly +large enough to be dignified by the name of island. "We must keep a +constant lookout." +</P> + +<P> +Fortune favored them, though once, when Tom was steering, he narrowly +avoided ramming a coral reef with the submarine. The searchlight +showed it to him just in time, and he sheered off with a thumping in +his heart. +</P> + +<P> +The course was changed from south to east, so as to get ready to swing +out of the way of the big shoulder of South America where Brazil takes +up so much room, and as they went farther and farther toward the +equator, they noticed that the waters teemed more and more with fish, +some beautiful, some ugly and fear-inspiring, and some such monsters +that it made one shudder to look at them, even through the thick glass +of the bulls-eye windows. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Fifteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +At the Tropical Island +</H3> + +<P> +It was on the evening of the fourth day later that Captain Weston, who +was steering the craft, suddenly called out: +</P> + +<P> +"Land ho!" +</P> + +<P> +"Where away?" inquired Tom quickly, for he had read that this was the +proper response to make. +</P> + +<P> +"Dead ahead," answered the sailor with a smile. "Shall we make for it, +if I may be allowed the question?" +</P> + +<P> +"What land is it likely to be?" Mr. Swift wanted to know. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, some small tropical island," replied the seafaring man. "It isn't +down on the charts. Probably it's too small to note. I should say it +was a coral island, but we may be able to find a spring of fresh water +there, and some fruit." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll land there," decided the inventor. "We can use some fresh +water, though our distilling and ice apparatus does very well." +</P> + +<P> +They made the island just at dusk, and anchored in a little lagoon, +where there was a good depth of water. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for shore!" cried Tom, as the submarine swung around on the chain. +"It looks like a fine place. I hope there are cocoanuts and oranges +here. Shall I get out the electric launch, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you may, and we'll all go ashore. It will do us good to stretch +our legs a bit." +</P> + +<P> +Carried in a sort of pocket on the deck of the submarine was a small +electric boat, capable of holding six. It could be slid from the +pocket, or depression, into the water without the use of davits, and, +with Mr. Sharp to aid him, Tom soon had the little craft afloat. The +batteries were already charged, and just as the sun was going down the +gold-seekers entered the launch and were soon on shore. +</P> + +<P> +They found a good spring of water close at hand, and Tom's wish +regarding the cocoanuts was realized, though there were no oranges. The +lad took several of the delicious nuts, and breaking them open poured +the milk into a collapsible cup he carried, drinking it eagerly. The +others followed his example, and pronounced it the best beverage they +had tasted in a long time. +</P> + +<P> +The island was a typical tropical one, not very large, and it did not +appear to have been often visited by man. There were no animals to be +seen, but myriads of birds flew here and there amid the trees, the +trailing vines and streamers of moss. +</P> + +<P> +"Let's spend a day here to-morrow and explore it," proposed Tom, and +his father nodded an assent. They went back to the submarine as night +was beginning to gather, and in the cabin, after supper, talked over +the happenings of their trip so far. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think we'll have any trouble getting the gold out of the +wrecked vessel?" asked Tom of Captain Weston, after a pause. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's hard to say. I couldn't learn just how the wreck lays, +whether it's on a sandy or a rocky bottom. If the latter, it won't be +so hard, but if the sand has worked in and partly covered it, we'll +have some difficulties, if I may be permitted to say so. However, don't +borrow trouble. We're not there yet, though at the rate we're +traveling it won't be long before we arrive." +</P> + +<P> +No watch was set that night, as it was not considered necessary. Tom +was the first to arise in the morning, and he went out on the deck for +a breath of fresh air before breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +He looked off at the beautiful little island, and as his eye took in +all of the little lagoon where the submarine was anchored he uttered a +startled cry. +</P> + +<P> +And well he might, for, not a hundred yards away, and nearer to the +island than was the Advance, floated another craft—another craft, +almost similar in shape and size to the one built by the Swifts. Tom +rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing double. No, there could +be no mistake about it. There was another submarine at the tropical +island. +</P> + +<P> +As he looked, some one emerged from the conning tower of the second +craft. The figure seemed strangely familiar. Tom knew in a moment who +it was—Addison Berg. The agent saw the lad, too, and taking off his +cap and making a mocking bow, he called out: +</P> + +<P> +"Good morning! Have you got the gold yet?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom did not know what to answer. Seeing the other submarine, at an +island where he had supposed they would not be disturbed, was +disconcerting enough, but to be greeted by Berg was altogether too +much, Tom thought. His fears that the rival boat builders would follow +had not been without foundation. +</P> + +<P> +"Rather surprised to see us, aren't you?" went on Mr. Berg, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"Rather," admitted Tom, choking over the word. +</P> + +<P> +"Thought you'd be," continued Berg. "We didn't expect to meet you so +soon, but we're glad we did. I don't altogether like hunting for sunken +treasure, with such indefinite directions as I have." +</P> + +<P> +"You—are going to—" stammered Tom, and then he concluded it would be +best not to say anything. But his talk had been heard inside the +submarine. His father came to the foot of the conning tower stairway. +</P> + +<P> +"To whom are you speaking, Tom?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"They're here, dad," was the youth's answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Here? Who are here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Berg and his employers. They've followed us, dad." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Sixteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"We'll Race You For It" +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Swift hurried up on deck. He was accompanied by Captain Weston. At +the sight of Tom's father, Mr. Berg, who had been joined by two other +men, called out: +</P> + +<P> +"You see we also concluded to give up the trial for the Government +prize, Mr. Swift. We decided there was more money in something else. +But we still will have a good chance to try the merits of our +respective boats. We hurried and got ours fitted up almost as soon as +you did yours, and I think we have the better craft." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care to enter into any competition with you," said Mr. Swift +coldly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, but I'm afraid you'll have to, whether you want to or not," was +the insolent reply. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that? Do you mean to force this matter upon me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid I'll have to—my employers and I, that is. You see, we +managed to pick up your trail after you left the Jersey coast, having +an idea where you were bound, and we don't intend to lose you now." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to follow us?" asked Captain Weston softly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you can put it that way if you like," answered one of the two +men with Mr. Berg. +</P> + +<P> +"I forbid it!" cried Mr. Swift hotly. "You have no right to sneak after +us." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess the ocean is free," continued the rascally agent. +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you persist in keeping after us?" inquired the aged inventor, +thinking it well to ascertain, if possible, just how much the men knew. +</P> + +<P> +"Because we're after that treasure as well as you," was the bold reply. +"You have no exclusive right to it. The sunken ship is awaiting the +first comer, and whoever gets there first can take the gold from the +wreck. We intend to be there first, but we'll be fair with you." +</P> + +<P> +"Fair? What do you mean?" demanded Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"This: We'll race you for it. The first one to arrive will have the +right to search the wreck for the gold bullion. Is that fair? Do you +agree to it?" +</P> + +<P> +"We agree to nothing with you," interrupted Captain Weston, his usual +diffident manner all gone. "I happen to be in partial command of this +craft, and I warn you that if I find you interfering with us it won't +be healthy for you. I'm not fond of fighting, but when I begin I don't +like to stop," and he smiled grimly. "You'd better not follow us." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll do as we please," shouted the third member of the trio on the +deck of the other boat, which, as Tom could see, was named the Wonder. +"We intend to get that gold if we can." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. I've warned you," went on the sailor, and then, motioning +to Tom and his father to follow, he went below. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Mr. Swift when they were seated in the +living-room, and had informed the others of the presence of the rival +submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"The only thing I see to do is to sneak away unobserved, go as deep as +possible, and make all haste for the wreck," advised the captain. "They +will depend on us, for they have evidently no chart of the wreck, +though of course the general location of it may be known to them from +reading the papers. I hoped I had thrown them off the track by the +false chart I dropped, but it seems they were too smart for us." +</P> + +<P> +"Have they a right to follow us?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Legally, but not morally. We can't prevent them, I'm afraid. The only +thing to do is to get there ahead of them. It will be a race for the +sunken treasure, and we must get there first." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you propose doing, captain?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my +shirt-studs, but can't we pull their ship up on the island and leave it +there?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid such high-handed proceedings would hardly answer," replied +Mr. Swift. "No, as Captain Weston says, we must get there ahead of +them. What do you think will be the best scheme, captain?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there's no need for us to forego our plan to get fresh water. +Suppose we go to the island, that is, some of us, leaving a guard on +board here. We'll fill our tanks with fresh water, and at night we'll +quietly sink below the surface and speed away." +</P> + +<P> +They all voted that an excellent idea, and little time was lost putting +it into operation. +</P> + +<P> +All the remainder of that day not a sign of life was visible about the +Wonder. She lay inert on the surface of the lagoon, not far away from +the Advance; but, though no one showed himself on the deck, Tom and his +friends had no doubt but that their enemies were closely watching them. +</P> + +<P> +As dusk settled down over the tropical sea, and as the shadows of the +trees on the little island lengthened, those on board the Advance +closed the Conning tower. No lights were turned on, as they did not +want their movements to be seen, but Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp took +their positions near the various machines and apparatus, ready to open +the tanks and let the submarine sink to the bottom, as soon as it was +possible to do this unobserved. +</P> + +<P> +"Luckily there's no moon," remarked Captain Weston, as he took his +place beside Tom. "Once below the surface and we can defy them to find +us. It is odd how they traced us, but I suppose that steamer gave them +the clue." +</P> + +<P> +It rapidly grew dark, as it always does in the tropics, and when a +cautious observation from the conning tower did not disclose the +outlines of the other boat, those aboard the Advance rightly concluded +that their rivals were unable to see them. +</P> + +<P> +"Send her down, Tom," called his father, and with a hiss the water +entered the tanks. The submarine quickly sank below the surface, aided +by the deflecting rudder. +</P> + +<P> +But alas for the hopes of the gold-seekers. No sooner was she +completely submerged, with the engine started so as to send her out of +the lagoon and to the open sea, than the waters all about were made +brilliant by the phosphorescent phenomenon. In southern waters this +frequently occurs. Millions of tiny creatures, which, it is said, +swarm in the warm currents, give an appearance of fire to the ocean, +and any object moving through it can plainly be seen. It was so with +the Advance. The motion she made in shooting forward, and the +undulations caused by her submersion, seemed to start into activity the +dormant phosphorus, and the submarine was afloat in a sea of fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Quick!" cried Tom. "Speed her up! Maybe we can get out of this patch +of water before they see us." +</P> + +<P> +But it was too late. Above them they could hear the electric siren of +the Wonder as it was blown to let them know that their escape had been +noticed. A moment later the water, which acted as a sort of +sounding-board, or telephone, brought to the ears of Tom Swift and his +friends the noise of the engines of the other craft in operation. She +was coming after them. The race for the possession of three hundred +thousand dollars in gold was already under way. Fate seemed against +those on board the Advance. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Seventeen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Race +</H3> + +<P> +Directed by Captain Weston, who glanced at the compass and told him +which way to steer to clear the outer coral reef, Tom sent the +submarine ahead, signaling for full speed to the engine-room, where his +father and Mr. Sharp were. The big dynamos purred like great cats, as +they sent the electrical energy into the forward and aft plates, +pulling and pushing the Advance forward. On and on she rushed under +water, but ever as she shot ahead the disturbance in the phosphorescent +water showed her position plainly. She would be easy to follow. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you get any more speed out of her?" asked the captain of the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was the quick reply; "by using the auxiliary screws I think we +can. I'll try it." +</P> + +<P> +He signaled for the propellers, forward and aft, to be put in +operation, and the motor moving the twin screws was turned on. At once +there was a perceptible increase to the speed of the Advance. +</P> + +<P> +"Are we leaving them behind?" asked Tom anxiously, as he glanced at the +speed gage, and noted that the submarine was now about five hundred +feet below the surface. +</P> + +<P> +"Hard to tell," replied the Captain. "You'd have to take an observation +to make sure." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll do it," cried the youth. "You steer, please, and I'll go in the +conning tower. I can look forward and aft there, as well as straight +up. Maybe I can see the Wonder." +</P> + +<P> +Springing up the circular ladder leading into the tower, Tom glanced +through the windows all about the small pilot house. He saw a curious +sight. It was as if the submarine was in a sea of yellowish liquid +fire. She was immersed in water which glowed with the flames that +contained no heat. So light was it, in fact, that there was no need of +the incandescents in the tower. The young inventor could have seen to +read a paper by the illumination of the phosphorus. But he had +something else to do than observe this phenomenon. He wanted to see if +he could catch sight of the rival submarine. +</P> + +<P> +At first he could make out nothing save the swirl and boiling of the +sea, caused by the progress of the Advance through it. But suddenly, as +he looked up, he was aware of some great, black body a little to the +rear and about ten feet above his craft. +</P> + +<P> +"A shark!" he exclaimed aloud. "An immense one, too." +</P> + +<P> +But the closer he looked the less it seemed like a shark. The position +of the black object changed. It appeared to settle down, to be +approaching the top of the conning tower. Then, with a suddenness that +unnerved him for the time being, Tom recognized what it was; it was the +underside of a ship. He could see the plates riveted together, and +then, as he noted the rounded, cylindrical shape, he knew that it was a +submarine. It was the Wonder. She was close at hand and was creeping up +on the Advance. But, what was more dangerous, she seemed to be slowly +settling in the water. Another moment and her great screws might crash +into the Conning tower of the Swifts' boat and shave it off. Then the +water would rush in, drowning the treasure-seekers like rats in a trap. +</P> + +<P> +With a quick motion Tom yanked over the lever that allowed more water +to flow into the ballast tanks. The effect was at once apparent. The +Advance shot down toward the bottom of the sea. At the same time the +young inventor signaled to Captain Weston to notify those in the +engine-room to put on a little more speed. The Advance fairly leaped +ahead, and the lad, looking up through the bull's-eye in the roof of +the conning tower, had the satisfaction of seeing the rival submarine +left behind. +</P> + +<P> +The youth hurried down into the interior of the ship to tell what he +had seen, and explain the reason for opening the ballast tanks. He +found his father and Mr. Sharp somewhat excited over the unexpected +maneuver of the craft. +</P> + +<P> +"So they're still following us," murmured Mr. Swift. "I don't see why +we can't shake them off." +</P> + +<P> +"It's on account of this luminous water," explained Captain Weston. +"Once we are clear of that it will be easy, I think, to give them the +slip. That is, if we can get out of their sight long enough. Of course, +if they keep close after us, they can pick us up with their +searchlight, for I suppose they carry one." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," admitted the aged inventor, "they have as strong a one as we +have. In fact, their ship is second only to this one in speed and +power. I know, for Bentley & Eagert showed me some of the plans before +they started it, and asked my opinion. This was before I had the notion +of building a submarine. Yes, I am afraid we'll have trouble getting +away from them." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't understand this phosphorescent glow keeping up so long," +remarked Captain Weston. "I've seen it in this locality several times, +but it never covered such an extent of the ocean in my time. There +must be changed conditions here now." +</P> + +<P> +For an hour or more the race was kept up, and the two submarines forged +ahead through the glowing sea. The Wonder remained slightly above and +to the rear of the other, the better to keep sight of her, and though +the Advance was run to her limit of speed, her rival could not be +shaken off. Clearly the Wonder was a speedy craft. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too bad that we've got to fight them, as well as run the risk of +lots of other troubles which are always present when sailing under +water," observed Mr. Damon, who wandered about the submarine like the +nervous person he was. "Bless my shirt-studs! Can't we blow them up, or +cripple them in some way? They have no right to go after our treasure." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess they've got as much right as we have," declared Tom. "It +goes to whoever reaches the wreck first. But what I don't like is +their mean, sneaking way of doing it. If they went off on their own +hook and looked for it I wouldn't say a word. But they expect us to +lead them to the wreck, and then they'll rob us if they can. That's not +fair." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, it isn't," agreed Captain Weston, "if I may be allowed the +expression. We ought to find some way of stopping them. But, if I'm not +mistaken," he added quickly, looking from one of the port bull's-eyes, +"the phosphorescent glow is lessening. I believe we are running beyond +that part of the ocean." +</P> + +<P> +There was no doubt of it, the glow was growing less and less, and ten +minutes later the Advance was speeding along through a sea as black as +night. Then, to avoid running into some wreck, it was necessary to turn +on the searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +"Are they still after us?" asked Mr. Swift of his son, as he emerged +from the engine-room, where he had gone to make some adjustments to the +machinery, with the hope of increasing the speed. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go look," volunteered the lad. He climbed up into the conning +tower again, and for a moment, as he gazed back into the black waters +swirling all about, he hoped that they had lost the Wonder. But a +moment later his heart sank as he caught sight, through the liquid +element, of the flickering gleams of another searchlight, the rays +undulating through the sea. +</P> + +<P> +"Still following," murmured the young inventor. "They're not going to +give up. But we must make 'em—that's all." +</P> + +<P> +He went down to report what he had seen, and a consultation was held. +Captain Weston carefully studied the charts of that part of the ocean, +and finding that there was a great depth of water at hand, proposed a +series of evolutions. +</P> + +<P> +"We can go up and down, shoot first to one side and then to the other," +he explained. "We can even drop down to the bottom and rest there for a +while. Perhaps, in that way, we can shake them off." +</P> + +<P> +They tried it. The Advance was sent up until her conning tower was out +of the water, and then she was suddenly forced down until she was but a +few feet from the bottom. She darted to the left, to the right, and +even doubled and went back over the course she had taken. But all to no +purpose. The Wonder proved fully as speedy, and those in her seemed to +know just how to handle the submarine, so that every evolution of the +Advance was duplicated. Her rival could not be shaken off. +</P> + +<P> +All night this was kept up, and when morning came, though only the +clocks told it, for eternal night was below the surface, the rival +gold-seekers were still on the trail. +</P> + +<P> +"They won't give up," declared Mr. Swift hopelessly. +</P> + +<P> +"No, we've got to race them for it, just as Berg proposed," admitted +Tom. "But if they want a straightaway race we'll give it to 'em. Let's +run her to the limit, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we've been doing, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"No, not exactly, for we've been submerged a little too much to get the +best speed out of our craft. Let's go a little nearer the surface, and +give them the best race they'll ever have." +</P> + +<P> +Then the race began; and such a contest of speed as it was! With her +propellers working to the limit, and every volt of electricity that was +available forced into the forward and aft plates, the Advance surged +through the water, about ten feet below the surface. But the Wonder +kept after her, giving her knot for knot. The course of the leading +submarine was easy to trace now, in the morning light which penetrated +ten feet down. +</P> + +<P> +"No use," remarked Tom again, when, after two hours, the Wonder was +still close behind them. "Our only chance is that they may have a +breakdown." +</P> + +<P> +"Or run out of air, or something like that," added Captain Weston. +"They are crowding us pretty close. I had no idea they could keep up +this speed. If they don't look out," he went on as he looked from one +of the aft observation windows, "they'll foul us, and—" +</P> + +<P> +His remarks were interrupted by a jar to the Advance. She seemed to +shiver and careened to one side. Then came another bump. +</P> + +<P> +"Slow down!" cried the captain, rushing toward the pilot house. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, as he threw the engines and electrical +machines out of gear. "Have we hit anything?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. Something has hit us," cried the captain. "Their submarine has +rammed us." +</P> + +<P> +"Rammed us!" repeated Mr. Swift. "Tom, run out the electric cannon! +They're trying to sink us! We'll have to fight them. Run out the stern +electric gun and we'll make them wish they'd not followed us." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eighteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Electric Gun +</H3> + +<P> +There was much excitement aboard the Advance. The submarine came to a +stop in the water, while the treasure-seekers waited anxiously for what +was to follow. Would they be rammed again? This time, stationary as +they were, and with the other boat coming swiftly on, a hole might be +stove through the Advance, in spite of her powerful sides. +</P> + +<P> +They had not long to wait. Again there came a jar, and once more the +Swifts' boat careened. But the blow was a glancing one and, +fortunately, did little damage. +</P> + +<P> +"They certainly must be trying to sink us," agreed Captain Weston. +"Come, Tom, we'll take a look from the stern and see what they're up +to." +</P> + +<P> +"And get the stern electric gun ready to fire," repeated Mr. Swift. "We +must protect ourselves. Mr. Sharp and I will go to the bow. There is no +telling what they may do. They're desperate, and may ram us from in +front." +</P> + +<P> +Tom and the captain hurried aft. Through the thick plate-glass windows +they could see the blunt nose of the Wonder not far away, the rival +submarine having come to a halt. There she lay, black and silent, like +some monster fish waiting to devour its victim. +</P> + +<P> +"There doesn't appear to be much damage done back here," observed Tom. +"No leaks. Guess they didn't puncture us." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it was due to an accident that they rammed us," suggested the +captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, they wouldn't have done it if they hadn't followed us so close," +was the opinion of the young inventor. "They're taking too many +chances. We've got to stop 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"What is this electric gun your father speaks of?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it's a regular electric cannon. It fires a solid ball, weighing +about twenty-five pounds, but instead of powder, which would hardly do +under water, and instead of compressed air, which is used in the +torpedo tubes of the Government submarines, we use a current of +electricity. It forces the cannon ball out with great energy." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what they will do next?" observed the captain, peering +through a bull's eye. +</P> + +<P> +"We can soon tell," replied the youth. "We'll go ahead, and if they try +to follow I'm going to fire on them." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you sink them?" +</P> + +<P> +"I won't fire to do that; only to disable them. They brought it on +themselves. We can't risk having them damage us. Help me with the +cannon, will you please, captain?" +</P> + +<P> +The electric cannon was a long, steel tube in the after part of the +submarine. It projected a slight distance from the sides of the ship, +and by an ingenious arrangement could be swung around in a ball and +socket joint, thus enabling it to shoot in almost any direction. +</P> + +<P> +It was the work of but a few minutes to get it ready and, with the +muzzle pointing toward the Wonder, Tom adjusted the electric wires and +inserted the solid shot. +</P> + +<P> +"Now we're prepared for them!" he cried. "I think a good plan will be +to start ahead, and if they try to follow to fire on them. They've +brought it on themselves." +</P> + +<P> +"Correct," spoke Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +Tom hurried forward to tell his father of this plan. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll do it!" cried Mr. Swift. "Go ahead, Mr. Sharp, and we'll see if +those scoundrels will follow." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor returned on the run to the electric cannon. There +was a whir of machinery, and the Advance moved forward. She increased +her speed, and the two watchers in the stern looked anxiously out of +the windows to see what their rivals would do. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment no movement was noticeable on the part of the Wonder. +Then, as those aboard her appeared to realize that the craft on which +they depended to pilot them to the sunken treasure was slipping away, +word was given to follow. The ship of Berg and his employers shot after +the Advance. +</P> + +<P> +"Here they come!" cried Captain Weston. "They're going to ram us again!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'm going to fire on them!" declared Tom savagely. +</P> + +<P> +On came the Wonder, nearer and nearer. Her speed was rapidly +increasing. Suddenly she bumped the Advance, and then, as if it was an +unavoidable accident, the rear submarine sheered off to one side. +</P> + +<P> +"They're certainly at it again!" cried Tom, and peering from the +bull's-eye he saw the Wonder shoot past the mouth of the electric +cannon. "Here it goes!" he added. +</P> + +<P> +He shoved over the lever, making the proper connection. There was no +corresponding report, for the cannon was noiseless, but there was a +slight jar as the projectile left the muzzle. The Wonder could be seen +to heel over. +</P> + +<P> +"You hit her! You hit her!" cried Captain Weston. "A good shot!" +</P> + +<P> +"I was afraid she was past me when I pulled the lever," explained Tom. +"She went like a flash." +</P> + +<P> +"No, you caught her on the rudder," declared the captain. "I think +you've put her out of business. Yes, they're rising to the surface." +</P> + +<P> +The lad rapidly inserted another ball, and recharged the cannon. Then +he peered out into the water, illuminated by the light of day overhead, +as they were not far down. He could see the Wonder rising to the +surface. Clearly something had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe they're going to drop down on us from above, and try to sink +us," suggested the youth, while he stood ready to fire again. "If they +do—" +</P> + +<P> +His words were interrupted by a slight jar throughout the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"What was that?" cried the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Dad fired the bow gun at them, but I don't believe he hit them," +answered the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what damage I did? Guess we'll go to the surface to find out." +</P> + +<P> +Clearly the Wonder had given up the fight for the time being. In fact, +she had no weapon with which to respond to a fusillade from her rival. +Tom hastened forward and informed his father of what had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"If her steering gear is out of order, we may have a chance to slip +away," said Mr. Swift "We'll go up and see what we can learn." +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes later Tom, his father and Captain Weston stepped from the +conning tower, which was out of water, on to the little flat deck a +short distance away lay the Wonder, and on her deck was Berg and a +number of men, evidently members of the crew. +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you fire on us?" shouted the agent angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you follow us?" retorted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've broken our rudder and disabled us," went on Berg, not +answering the question. "You'll suffer for this! I'll have you +arrested." +</P> + +<P> +"You only got what you deserved," added Mr. Swift. "You were acting +illegally, following us, and you tried to sink us by ramming my craft +before we retaliated by firing on you." +</P> + +<P> +"It was an accident, ramming you," said Berg. "We couldn't help it. I +now demand that you help us make repairs." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you've got nerve!" cried Captain Weston, his eyes flashing. "I'd +like to have a personal interview with you for about ten minutes. Maybe +something besides your ship would need repairs then." +</P> + +<P> +Berg turned away, scowling, but did not reply. He began directing the +crew what to do about the broken rudder. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on," proposed Tom in a low voice, for sounds carry very easily +over water. "Let's go below and skip out while we have a chance. They +can't follow now, and we can get to the sunken treasure ahead of them." +</P> + +<P> +"Good advice," commented his father. "Come, Captain Weston, we'll go +below and close the conning tower." +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes later the Advance sank from sight, the last glimpse Tom +had of Berg and his men being a sight of them standing on the deck of +their floating boat, gazing in the direction of their successful rival. +The Wonder was left behind, while Tom and his friends were soon once +more speeding toward the treasure wreck. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Nineteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Captured +</H3> + +<P> +"Down deep," advised Captain Weston, as he stood beside Tom and Mr. +Swift in the pilot house. "As far as you can manage her, and then +forward. We'll take no more chances with these fellows." +</P> + +<P> +"The only trouble is," replied the young inventor, "that the deeper we +go the slower we have to travel. The water is so dense that it holds us +back." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there is no special need of hurrying now," went on the sailor. +"No one is following you, and two or three days difference in reaching +the wreck will not amount to anything." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless they repair their rudder, and take after us again," suggested +Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"They're not very likely to do that," was the captain's opinion. "It +was more by luck than good management that they picked us up before. +Now, having to delay, as they will, to repair their steering gear, +while we can go as deep as we please and speed ahead, it is practically +impossible for them to catch up to us. No, I think we have nothing to +fear from them." +</P> + +<P> +But though danger from Berg and his crowd was somewhat remote, perils +of another sort were hovering around the treasure-seekers, and they +were soon to experience them. +</P> + +<P> +It was much different from sailing along in the airship, Tom thought, +for there was no blue sky and fleecy clouds to see, and they could not +look down and observe, far below them, cities and villages. Nor could +they breathe the bracing atmosphere of the upper regions. +</P> + +<P> +But if there was lack of the rarefied air of the clouds, there was no +lack of fresh atmosphere. The big tanks carried a large supply, and +whenever more was needed the oxygen machine would supply it. +</P> + +<P> +As there was no need, however, of remaining under water for any great +stretch of time, it was their practice to rise every day and renew the +air supply, also to float along on the surface for a while, or speed +along, with only the conning tower out, in order to afford a view, and +to enable Captain Weston to take observations. But care was always +exercised to make sure no ships were in sight when emerging on the +surface, for the gold-seekers did not want to be hailed and questioned +by inquisitive persons. +</P> + +<P> +It was about four days after the disabling of the rival submarine, and +the Advance was speeding along about a mile and a half under water. Tom +was in the pilot house with Captain Weston, Mr. Damon was at his +favorite pastime of looking out of the glass side windows into the +ocean and its wonders, and Mr. Swift and the balloonist were, as +usual, in the engine-room. +</P> + +<P> +"How near do you calculate we are to the sunken wreck?" asked Tom of +his companion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, at the calculation we made yesterday, we are within about a +thousand miles of it now. We ought to reach it in about four more days, +if we don't have any accidents." +</P> + +<P> +"And how deep do you think it is?" went on the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm afraid it's pretty close to two miles, if not more. It's +quite a depth, and of course impossible for ordinary divers to reach. +But it will be possible in this submarine and in the strong diving +suits your father has invented for us to get to it. Yes, I don't +anticipate much trouble in getting out the gold, once we reach the +wreck of course—" +</P> + +<P> +The captain's remark was not finished. From the engine-room there came +a startled shout: +</P> + +<P> +"Tom! Tom! Your father is hurt! Come here, quick!" +</P> + +<P> +"Take the wheel!" cried the lad to the captain. "I must go to my +father." It was Mr. Sharp's voice he had heard. +</P> + +<P> +Racing to the engine-room, Tom saw his parent doubled up over a dynamo, +while to one side, his hand on a copper switch, stood Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" shouted the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"He's held there by a current of electricity," replied the balloonist. +"The wires are crossed." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you shut off the current?" demanded the youth, as he +prepared to pull his parent from the whirring machine. Then he +hesitated, for he feared he, too, would be glued fast by the terrible +current, and so be unable to help Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm held fast here, too," replied the balloonist. "I started to cut +out the current at this switch, but there's a short circuit somewhere, +and I can't let go, either. Quick, shut off all power at the main +switchboard forward." +</P> + +<P> +Tom realized that this was the only thing to do. He ran forward and +with a yank cut out all the electric wires. With a sigh of relief Mr. +Sharp pulled his hands from the copper where he had been held fast as +if by some powerful magnet, his muscles cramped by the current. +Fortunately the electricity was of low voltage, and he was not burned. +The body of Mr. Swift toppled backward from the dynamo, as Tom sprang +to reach his father. +</P> + +<P> +"He's dead!" he cried, as he saw the pale face and the closed eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"No, only badly shocked, I hope," spoke Mr. Sharp. "But we must get him +to the fresh air at once. Start the tank pumps. We'll rise to the +surface." +</P> + +<P> +The youth needed no second bidding. Once more turning on the electric +current, he set the powerful pumps in motion and the submarine began to +rise. Then, aided by Captain Weston and Mr. Damon, the young inventor +carried his father to a couch in the main cabin. Mr. Sharp took charge +of the machinery. +</P> + +<P> +Restoratives were applied, and there was a flutter of the eyelids of +the aged inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"I think he'll come around all right," said the sailor kindly, as he +saw Tom's grief. "Fresh air will be the thing for him. We'll be on the +surface in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +Up shot the Advance, while Mr. Sharp stood ready to open the conning +tower as soon as it should be out of water. Mr. Swift seemed to be +rapidly reviving. With a bound the submarine, forced upward from the +great depth, fairly shot out of the water. There was a clanking sound +as the aeronaut opened the airtight door of the tower, and a breath of +fresh air came in. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you walk, dad, or shall we carry you?" asked Tom solicitously. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I—I'm feeling better now," was the inventor's reply. "I'll soon +be all right when I get out on deck. My foot slipped as I was adjusting +a wire that had gotten out of order, and I fell so that I received a +large part of the current. I'm glad I was not burned. Was Mr. Sharp +hurt? I saw him run to the switch, just before I lost consciousness." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm all right," answered the balloonist. "But allow us to get you +out to the fresh air. You'll feel much better then." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift managed to walk slowly to the ladder leading to the conning +tower, and thence to the deck. The others followed him. As all emerged +from the submarine they uttered a cry of astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +There, not one hundred yards away, was a great warship, flying a flag +which, in a moment, Tom recognized as that of Brazil. The cruiser was +lying off a small island, and all about were small boats, filled with +natives, who seemed to be bringing supplies from land to the ship. At +the unexpected sight of the submarine, bobbing up from the bottom of +the ocean, the natives uttered cries of fright. The attention of those +on the warship was attracted, and the bridge and rails were lined with +curious officers and men. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a good thing we didn't come up under that ship," observed Tom. +"They would have thought we were trying to torpedo her. Do you feel +better, dad?" he asked, his wonder over the sight of the big vessel +temporarily eclipsed in his anxiety for his parent. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, much better. I'm all right now. But I wish we hadn't +disclosed ourselves to these people. They may demand to know where we +are going, and Brazil is too near Uruguay to make it safe to tell our +errand. They may guess it, however, from having read of the wreck, and +our departure." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I guess it will be all right," replied Captain Weston. "We can +tell them we are on a pleasure trip. That's true enough. It would give +us great pleasure to find that gold." +</P> + +<P> +"There's a boat, with some officers in it, to judge by the amount of +gold lace on them, putting off from the ship," remarked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Yes! Evidently they intend to pay us a formal visit," observed Mr. +Damon. "Bless my gaiters, though. I'm not dressed to receive company. I +think I'll put on my dress suit." +</P> + +<P> +"It's too late," advised Tom. "They'll be here in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +Urged on by the lusty arms of the Brazilian sailors, the boat, +containing several officers, neared the floating submarine rapidly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ahoy there!" called an officer in the bow, his accent betraying his +unfamiliarity with the English language. "What craft are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Submarine, Advance, from New Jersey," replied Tom. "Who are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Brazilian cruiser San Paulo," was the reply. "Where are you bound?" +went on the officer. +</P> + +<P> +"On pleasure," answered Captain Weston quickly. "But why do you ask? We +are an American ship, sailing under American colors. Is this Brazilian +territory?" +</P> + +<P> +"This island is—yes," came back the answer, and by this time the small +boat was at the side of the submarine. Before the adventurers could +have protested, had they a desire to do so, there were a number of +officers and the crew of the San Paulo on the small deck. +</P> + +<P> +With a flourish, the officer who had done the questioning drew his +sword. Waving it in the air with a dramatic gesture, he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"You're our prisoners! Resist and my men shall cut you down like dogs! +Seize them, men!" +</P> + +<P> +The sailors sprang forward, each one stationing himself at the side of +one of our friends, and grasping an arm. +</P> + +<P> +"What does this mean?" cried Captain Weston indignantly. "If this is a +joke, you're carrying it too far. If you're in earnest, let me warn you +against interfering with Americans!" +</P> + +<P> +"We know what we are doing," was the answer from the officer. +</P> + +<P> +The sailor who had hold of Captain Weston endeavored to secure a +tighter grip. The captain turned suddenly, and seizing the man about +the waist, with an exercise of tremendous strength hurled him over his +head and into the sea, the man making a great splash. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way I'll treat any one else who dares lay a hand on me!" +shouted the captain, who was transformed from a mild-mannered +individual into an angry, modern giant. There was a gasp of +astonishment at his feat, as the ducked sailor crawled back into the +small boat. And he did not again venture on the deck of the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"Seize them, men!" cried the gold-laced officer again, and this time he +and his fellows, including the crew, crowded so closely around Tom and +his friends that they could do nothing. Even Captain Weston found it +impossible to offer any resistance, for three men grabbed hold of him +but his spirit was still a fighting one, and he struggled desperately +but uselessly. +</P> + +<P> +"How dare you do this?" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added Tom, "what right have you to interfere with us?" +</P> + +<P> +"Every right," declared the gold-laced officer. +</P> + +<P> +"You are in Brazilian territory, and I arrest you." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" demanded Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Because your ship is an American submarine, and we have received word +that you intend to damage our shipping, and may try to torpedo our +warships. I believe you tried to disable us a little while ago, but +failed. We consider that an act of war and you will be treated +accordingly. Take them on board the San Paulo," the officer went on, +turning to his aides. "We'll try them by court-marital here. Some of +you remain and guard this submarine. We will teach these filibustering +Americans a lesson." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Doomed to Death +</H3> + +<P> +There was no room on the small deck of the submarine to make a stand +against the officers and crew of the Brazilian warship. In fact, the +capture of the gold-seekers had been effected so suddenly that their +astonishment almost deprived them of the power to think clearly. +</P> + +<P> +At another command from the officer, who was addressed as Admiral +Fanchetti, several of the sailors began to lead Tom and his friends +toward the small boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you feel all right, father?" inquired the lad anxiously, as he +looked at his parent. "These scoundrels have no right to treat us so." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Tom, I'm all right as far as the electric shock is concerned, but +I don't like to be handled in this fashion." +</P> + +<P> +"We ought not to submit!" burst out Mr. Damon. "Bless the stars and +stripes! We ought to fight." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no chance," said Mr. Sharp. "We are right under the guns of +the ship. They could sink us with one shot. I guess we'll have to give +in for the time being." +</P> + +<P> +"It is most unpleasant, if I may be allowed the expression," commented +Captain Weston mildly. He seemed to have lost his sudden anger, but +there was a steely glint in his eyes, and a grim, set look around his +month that showed his temper was kept under control only by an effort. +It boded no good to the sailors who had hold of the doughty captain if +he should once get loose, and it was noticed that they were on their +guard. +</P> + +<P> +As for Tom, he submitted quietly to the two Brazilians who had hold of +either arm, and Mr. Swift was held by only one, for it was seen that he +was feeble. +</P> + +<P> +"Into the boat with them!" cried Admiral Fanchetti. "And guard them +well, Lieutenant Drascalo, for I heard them plotting to escape," and +the admiral signaled to a younger officer, who was in charge of the men +guarding the prisoners. +</P> + +<P> +"Lieutenant Drascalo, eh?" murmured Mr. Damon. "I think they made a +mistake naming him. It ought to be Rascalo. He looks like a rascal." +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" exclaimed the lieutenant, scowling at the odd character. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my spark plug! He's a regular fire-eater!" went on Mr. Damon, +who appeared to have fully recovered his spirits. +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" cried the lieutenant, scowling again, but Mr. Damon did not +appear to mind. +</P> + +<P> +Admiral Fanchetti and several others of the gold-laced officers +remained aboard the submarine, while Tom and his friends were hustled +into the small boat and rowed toward the warship. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope they don't damage our craft," murmured the young inventor, as +he saw the admiral enter the conning tower. +</P> + +<P> +"If they do, we'll complain to the United States consul and demand +damages," said Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid we won't have a chance to communicate with the consul," +remarked Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but will +these scoundrels—" +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo quickly. "Dogs of Americans, do +you wish to insult us?" +</P> + +<P> +"Impossible; you wouldn't appreciate a good, genuine United States +insult," murmured Tom under his breath. +</P> + +<P> +"What I mean," went on the captain, "is that these people may carry the +proceedings off with a high hand. You heard the admiral speak of a +court-martial." +</P> + +<P> +"Would they dare do that?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"They would dare anything in this part of the world, I'm afraid," +resumed Captain Weston. "I think I see their plan, though. This admiral +is newly in command; his uniform shows that. He wants to make a name for +himself, and he seizes on our submarine as an excuse. He can send word +to his government that he destroyed a torpedo craft that sought to +wreck his ship. Thus he will acquire a reputation." +</P> + +<P> +"But would his government support him in such a hostile act against the +United States, a friendly nation?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he would not claim to have acted against the United States as a +power. He would say that it was a private submarine, and, as a matter +of fact, it is. While we are under the protection of the stars and +stripes, our vessel is not a Government one," and Captain Weston spoke +the last in a low voice, so the scowling lieutenant could not hear. +</P> + +<P> +"What will they do with us?" inquired Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Have some sort of a court-martial, perhaps," went on the captain, "and +confiscate our craft. Then they will send us back home, I expect for +they would not dare harm us." +</P> + +<P> +"But take our submarine!" cried Tom. "The villains—" +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo and he drew his sword. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the small boat was under the big guns of the San Paulo, +and the prisoners were ordered, in broken English, to mount a companion +ladder that hung over the side. In a short time they were on deck, amid +a crowd of sailors, and they could see the boat going back to bring off +the admiral, who signaled from the submarine. Tom and his friends were +taken below to a room that looked like a prison, and there, a little +later, they were visited by Admiral Fanchetti and several officers. +</P> + +<P> +"You will be tried at once," said the admiral. "I have examined your +submarine and I find she carries two torpedo tubes. It is a wonder you +did not sink me at once." +</P> + +<P> +"Those are not torpedo tubes!" cried Tom, unable to keep silent, though +Captain Weston motioned him to do so. +</P> + +<P> +"I know torpedo tubes when I see them," declared the admiral. "I +consider I had a very narrow escape. Your country is fortunate that +mine does not declare war against it for this act. But I take it you +are acting privately, for you fly no flag, though you claim to be from +the United States." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no place for a flag on the submarine," went on Tom. "What good +would it be under water?" +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo, the admonition to silence +seeming to be the only command of which he was capable. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall confiscate your craft for my government," went on the admiral, +"and shall punish you as the court-martial may direct. You will be +tried at once." +</P> + +<P> +It was in vain for the prisoners to protest. Matters were carried with +a high hand. They were allowed a spokesman, and Captain Weston, who +understood Spanish, was selected, that language being used. But the +defense was a farce, for he was scarcely listened to. Several officers +testified before the admiral, who was judge, that they had seen the +submarine rise out of the water, almost under the prow of the San +Paulo. It was assumed that the Advance had tried to wreck the warship, +but had failed. It was in vain that Captain Weston and the others told +of the reason for their rapid ascent from the ocean depths—that Mr. +Swift had been shocked, and needed fresh air. Their story was not +believed. +</P> + +<P> +"We have heard enough!" suddenly exclaimed the admiral. "The evidence +against you is over-whelming—er—what you Americans call conclusive," +and he was speaking then in broken English. "I find you guilty, and the +sentence of this court-martial is that you be shot at sunrise, three +days hence!" +</P> + +<P> +"Shot!" cried Captain Weston, staggering back at this unexpected +sentence. His companions turned white, and Mr. Swift leaned against his +son for support. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my stars! Of all the scoundrelly!" began Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" shouted the lieutenant, waving his sword. +</P> + +<P> +"You will be shot," proceeded the admiral. "Is not that the verdict of +the honorable court?" he asked, looking at his fellow officers. They +all nodded gravely. +</P> + +<P> +"But look here!" objected Captain Weston. "You don't dare do that! We +are citizens of the United States, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"I consider you no better than pirates," interrupted the admiral. "You +have an armed submarine—a submarine with torpedo tubes. You invade our +harbor with it, and come up almost under my ship. You have forfeited +your right to the protection of your country, and I have no fear on +that score. You will be shot within three days. That is all. Remove +the prisoners." +</P> + +<P> +Protests were in vain, and it was equally useless to struggle. The +prisoners were taken out on deck, for which they were thankful, for the +interior of the ship was close and hot, the weather being intensely +disagreeable. They were told to keep within a certain space on deck, +and a guard of sailors, all armed, was placed near them. From where +they were they could see their submarine floating on the surface of the +little bay, with several Brazilians on the small deck. The Advance had +been anchored, and was surrounded by a flotilla of the native boats, +the brown-skinned paddlers gazing curiously at the odd craft. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, this is tough luck!" murmured Tom. "How do you feel, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"As well as can be expected under the circumstances," was the reply. +"What do you think about this, Captain Weston?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not very much, if I may be allowed the expression," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think they will dare carry out that threat?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +The captain shrugged his shoulders. "I hope it is only a bluff," he +replied, "made to scare us so we will consent to giving up the +submarine, which they have no right to confiscate. But these fellows +look ugly enough for anything," he went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Then if there's any chance of them attempting to carry it out," spoke +Tom, "we've got to do something." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard, of course!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "But what? That's +the question. To be shot! Why, that's a terrible threat! The villains—" +</P> + +<P> +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up at that moment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-One +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Escape +</H3> + +<P> +Events had happened so quickly that day that the gold-hunters could +scarcely comprehend them. It seemed only a short time since Mr. Swift +had been discovered lying disabled on the dynamo, and what had +transpired since seemed to have taken place in a few minutes, though it +was, in reality, several hours. This was made manifest by the feeling +of hunger on the part of Tom and his friends. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if they're going to starve us, the scoundrels?" asked Mr. +Sharp, when the irate lieutenant was beyond hearing. "It's not fair to +make us go hungry and shoot us in the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, they ought to feed us," put in Tom. As yet neither he nor +the others fully realized the meaning of the sentence passed on them. +</P> + +<P> +From where they were on deck they could look off to the little island. +From it boats manned by natives were constantly putting off, bringing +supplies to the ship. The place appeared to be a sort of calling +station for Brazilian warships, where they could get fresh water and +fruit and other food. +</P> + +<P> +From the island the gaze of the adventurers wandered to the submarine, +which lay not far away. They were chagrined to see several of the +bolder natives clambering over the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope they keep out of the interior," commented Tom. "If they get to +pulling or hauling on the levers and wheels they may open the tanks and +sink her, with the Conning tower open." +</P> + +<P> +"Better that, perhaps, than to have her fall into the hands of a +foreign power," commented Captain Weston. "Besides, I don't see that +it's going to matter much to us what becomes of her after we're—" +</P> + +<P> +He did not finish, but every one knew what he meant, and a grim silence +fell upon the little group. +</P> + +<P> +There came a welcome diversion, however, in the shape of three sailors, +bearing trays of food, which were placed on the deck in front of the +prisoners, who were sitting or lying in the shade of an awning, for the +sun was very hot. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Bless my napkin-ring!" cried Mr. Damon with something of his +former gaiety. "Here's a meal, at all events. They don't intend to +starve us. Eat hearty, every one." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we need to keep up our strength," observed Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +"Why?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Because we're going to try to escape!" exclaimed Tom in a low voice, +when the sailors who had brought the food had gone. "Isn't that what +you mean, captain?" +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly. We'll try to give these villains the slip, and we'll need all +our strength and wits to do it. We'll wait until night, and see what we +can do." +</P> + +<P> +"But where will we escape to?" asked Mr. Swift. "The island will afford +no shelter, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but our submarine will," went on the sailor. +</P> + +<P> +"It's in the possession of the Brazilians," objected Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Once I get aboard the Advance twenty of those brown-skinned villains +won't keep me prisoner," declared Captain Weston fiercely. "If we can +only slip away from here, get into the small boat, or even swim to the +submarine, I'll make those chaps on board her think a hurricane has +broken loose." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and I'll help," said Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"And I," added Tom and the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way to talk," commented the captain. "Now let's eat, for I +see that rascally lieutenant coming this way, and we mustn't appear to +be plotting, or he'll be suspicious." +</P> + +<P> +The day passed slowly, and though the prisoners seemed to be allowed +considerable liberty, they soon found that it was only apparent. Once +Tom walked some distance from that portion of the deck where he and the +others had been told to remain. A sailor with a gun at once ordered him +back. Nor could they approach the rails without being directed, harshly +enough at times, to move back amidships. +</P> + +<P> +As night approached the gold-seekers were on the alert for any chance +that might offer to slip away, or even attack their guard, but the +number of Brazilians around them was doubled in the evening, and after +supper, which was served to them on deck by the light of swinging +lanterns, they were taken below and locked in a stuffy cabin. They +looked helplessly at each other. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't give up," advised Captain Weston. "It's a long night. We may be +able to get out of here." +</P> + +<P> +But this hope was in vain. Several times he and Tom, thinking the +guards outside the cabin were asleep, tried to force the lock of the +door with their pocket-knives, which had not been taken from them. But +one of the sailors was aroused each time by the noise, and looked in +through a barred window, so they had to give it up. Slowly the night +passed, and morning found the prisoners pale, tired and discouraged. +They were brought up on deck again, for which they were thankful, as in +that tropical climate it was stifling below. +</P> + +<P> +During the day they saw Admiral Fanchetti and several of his officers +pay a visit to the submarine. They went below through the opened +conning tower, and were gone some time. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope they don't disturb any of the machinery," remarked Mr. Swift. +"That could easily do great damage." +</P> + +<P> +Admiral Fanchetti seemed much pleased with himself when he returned +from his visit to the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"You have a fine craft," he said to the prisoners. "Or, rather, you had +one. My government now owns it. It seems a pity to shoot such good boat +builders, but you are too dangerous to be allowed to go." +</P> + +<P> +If there had been any doubt in the minds of Tom and his friends that +the sentence of the court-martial was only for effect, it was dispelled +that day. A firing squad was told off in plain view of them, and the +men were put through their evolutions by Lieutenant Drascalo, who had +them load, aim and fire blank cartridges at an imaginary line of +prisoners. Tom could not repress a shudder as he noted the leveled +rifles, and saw the fire and smoke spurt from the muzzles. +</P> + +<P> +"Thus we shall do to you at sunrise to-morrow," said the lieutenant, +grinning, as he once more had his men practice their grim work. +</P> + +<P> +It seemed hotter than ever that day. The sun was fairly broiling, and +there was a curious haziness and stillness to the air. It was noticed +that the sailors on the San Paulo were busy making fast all loose +articles on deck with extra lashings, and hatch coverings were doubly +secured. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you suppose they are up to?" asked Tom of Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +"I think it is coming on to blow," he replied, "and they don't want to +be caught napping. They have fearful storms down in this region at this +season of the year, and I think one is about due." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope it doesn't wreck the submarine," spoke Mr. Swift. "They ought +to close the hatch of the conning tower, for it won't take much of a +sea to make her ship considerable water." +</P> + +<P> +Admiral Fanchetti had thought of this, however, and as the afternoon +wore away and the storm signs multiplied, he sent word to close the +submarine. He left a few sailors aboard inside on guard. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too hot to eat," observed Tom, when their supper had been brought +to them, and the others felt the same way about it. They managed to +drink some cocoanut milk, prepared in a palatable fashion by the +natives of the island, and then, much to their disgust, they were taken +below again and locked in the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! But it certainly is hot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon as he sat down on +a couch and fanned himself. "This is awful!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, something is going to happen pretty soon," observed Captain +Weston. "The storm will break shortly, I think." +</P> + +<P> +They sat languidly about the cabin. It was so oppressive that even the +thought of the doom that awaited them in the morning could hardly seem +worse than the terrible heat. They could hear movements going on about +the ship, movements which indicated that preparations were being made +for something unusual. There was a rattling of a chain through a hawse +hole, and Captain Weston remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"They're putting down another anchor. Admiral Fanchetti had better get +away from the island, though, unless he wants to be wrecked. He'll be +blown ashore in less than no time. No cable or chain will hold in such +storms as they have here." +</P> + +<P> +There came a period of silence, which was suddenly broken by a howl as +of some wild beast. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" cried Tom, springing up from where he was stretched out +on the cabin floor. +</P> + +<P> +"Only the wind," replied the captain. "The storm has arrived." +</P> + +<P> +The howling kept up, and soon the ship began to rock. The wind +increased, and a little later there could be heard, through an opened +port in the prisoners' cabin, the dash of rain. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a regular hurricane!" exclaimed the captain. "I wonder if the +cables will hold?" +</P> + +<P> +"What about the submarine?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't much fear for her. She lies so low in the water that the +wind can't get much hold on her. I don't believe she'll drag her +anchor." +</P> + +<P> +Once more came a fierce burst of wind, and a dash of rain, and then, +suddenly above the outburst of the elements, there sounded a crash on +deck. It was followed by excited cries. +</P> + +<P> +"Something's happened!" yelled Tom. The prisoners gathered in a +frightened group in the middle of the cabin. The cries were repeated, +and then came a rush of feet just outside the cabin door. +</P> + +<P> +"Our guards! They're leaving!" shouted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Right!" exclaimed Captain Weston. "Now's our chance! Come on! If we're +going to escape we must do it while the storm is at its height, and all +is in confusion. Come on!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom tried the door. It was locked. +</P> + +<P> +"One side!" shouted the captain, and this time he did not pause to say +"by your leave." He came at the portal on the run, and his shoulder +struck it squarely. There was a splintering and crashing of wood, and +the door was burst open. +</P> + +<P> +"Follow me!" cried the valiant sailor, and Tom and the others rushed +after him. They could hear the wind howling more loudly than ever, and +as they reached the deck the rain dashed into their faces with such +violence that they could hardly see. But they were aware that something +had occurred. By the light of several lanterns swaying in the terrific +blast they saw that one of the auxiliary masts had broken off near the +deck. +</P> + +<P> +It had fallen against the chart house, smashing it, and a number of +sailors were laboring to clear away the wreckage. +</P> + +<P> +"Fortune favors us!" cried Captain Weston. "Come on! Make for the small +boat. It's near the side ladder. We'll lower the boat and pull to the +submarine." +</P> + +<P> +There came a flash of lightning, and in its glare Tom saw something +that caused him to cry out. +</P> + +<P> +"Look!" he shouted. "The submarine. She's dragged her anchors!" +</P> + +<P> +The Advance was much closer to the warship than she had been that +afternoon. Captain Weston looked over the side. +</P> + +<P> +"It's the San Paulo that's dragging her anchors, not the submarine!" he +shouted. "We're bearing down on her! We must act quickly. Come on, +we'll lower the boat!" +</P> + +<P> +In the rush of wind and the dash of rain the prisoners crowded to the +accommodation companion ladder, which was still over the side of the +big ship. No one seemed to be noticing them, for Admiral Fanchetti was +on the bridge, yelling orders for the clearing away of the wreckage. +But Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up from below at that moment, caught +sight of the fleeing ones. Drawing his sword, he rushed at them, +shouting: +</P> + +<P> +"The prisoners! The prisoners! They are escaping!" +</P> + +<P> +Captain Weston leaped toward the lieutenant. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out for his sword!" cried Tom. But the doughty sailor did not +fear the weapon. Catching up a coil of rope, he cast it at the +lieutenant. It struck him in the chest, and he staggered back, lowering +his sword. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Weston leaped forward, and with a terrific blow sent Lieutenant +Drascalo to the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"There!" cried the sailor. "I guess you won't yell 'Silenceo!' for a +while now." +</P> + +<P> +There was a rush of Brazilians toward the group of prisoners. Tom +caught one with a blow on the chin, and felled him, while Captain +Weston disposed of two more, and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon one each. The +savage fighting of the Americans was too much for the foreigners, and +they drew back. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" cried Captain Weston again. "The storm is getting worse. The +warship will crash into the submarine in a few minutes. Her anchors +aren't holding. I didn't think they would." +</P> + +<P> +He made a dash for the ladder, and a glance showed him that the small +boat was in the water at the foot of it. The craft had not been hoisted +on the davits. +</P> + +<P> +"Luck's with us at last!" cried Tom, seeing it also. "Shall I help +you, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I think I'm all right. Go ahead." +</P> + +<P> +There came such a gust of wind that the San Paulo was heeled over, and +the wreck of the mast, rolling about, crashed into the side of a deck +house, splintering it. A crowd of sailors, led by Admiral Fanchetti, +who were again rushing on the escaping prisoners, had to leap back out +of the way of the rolling mast. +</P> + +<P> +"Catch them! Don't let them get away!" begged the commander, but the +sailors evidently had no desire to close in with the Americans. +</P> + +<P> +Through the rush of wind and rain Tom and his friends staggered down +the ladder. It was hard work to maintain one's footing, but they +managed it. On account of the high side of the ship the water was +comparatively calm under her lee, and, though the small boat was +bobbing about, they got aboard. The oars were in place, and in another +moment they had shoved off from the landing stage which formed the foot +of the accommodation ladder. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for the Advance!" murmured Captain Weston. +</P> + +<P> +"Come back! Come back, dogs of Americans!" cried a voice at the rail +over their heads, and looking up, Tom saw Lieutenant Drascalo. He had +snatched a carbine from a marine, and was pointing it at the recent +prisoners. He fired, the flash of the gun and a dazzling chain of +lightning coming together. The thunder swallowed up the report of the +carbine, but the bullet whistled uncomfortable close to Tom's head. The +blackness that followed the lightning shut out the view of everything +for a few seconds, and when the next flash came the adventurers saw +that they were close to their submarine. +</P> + +<P> +A fusillade of shots sounded from the deck of the warship, but as the +marines were poor marksmen at best, and as the swaying of the ship +disconcerted them, our friends were in little danger. +</P> + +<P> +There was quite a sea once they were beyond the protection of the side +of the warship, but Captain Weston, who was rowing, knew how to manage +a boat skillfully, and he soon had the craft alongside the bobbing +submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"Get aboard, now, quick!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +They leaped to the small deck, casting the rowboat adrift. It was the +work of but a moment to open the conning tower. As they started to +descend they were met by several Brazilians coming up. +</P> + +<P> +"Overboard with 'em!" yelled the captain. "Let them swim ashore or to +their ship!" +</P> + +<P> +With almost superhuman strength he tossed one big sailor from the small +deck. Another showed fight, but he went to join his companion in the +swirling water. A man rushed at Tom, seeking the while to draw his +sword, but the young inventor, with a neat left-hander, sent him to +join the other two, and the remainder did not wait to try conclusions. +They leaped for their lives, and soon all could be seen, in the +frequent lightning flashes, swimming toward the warship which was now +closer than ever to the submarine. +</P> + +<P> +"Get inside and we'll sink below the surface!" called Tom. "Then we +don't care what happens." +</P> + +<P> +They closed the steel door of the conning tower. As they did so they +heard the patter of bullets from carbines fired from the San Paulo. +Then came a violent tossing of the Advance; the waves were becoming +higher as they caught the full force of the hurricane. It took but an +instant to sever, from within, the cable attached to the anchor, which +was one belonging to the warship. The Advance began drifting. +</P> + +<P> +"Open the tanks, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom. "Captain Weston and I will +steer. Once below we'll start the engines." +</P> + +<P> +Amid a crash of thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning, the +submarine began to sink. Tom, in the conning tower had a sight of the +San Paulo as it drifted nearer and nearer under the influence of the +mighty wind. As one bright flash came he saw Admiral Fanchetti and +Lieutenant Drascalo leaning over the rail and gazing at the Advance. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later the view faded from sight as the submarine sank below +the surface of the troubled sea. She was tossed about for some time +until deep enough to escape the surface motion. Waiting until she was +far enough down so that her lights would not offer a mark for the guns +of the warship, the electrics were switched on. +</P> + +<P> +"We're safe now!" cried Tom, helping his father to his cabin. "They've +got too much to attend to themselves to follow us now, even if they +could. Shall we go ahead, Captain Weston?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, yes, if I may be allowed to express my opinion," was the +mild reply, in strange contrast to the strenuous work in which the +captain had just been engaged. +</P> + +<P> +Tom signaled to Mr. Sharp in the engine-room, and in a few seconds the +Advance was speeding away from the island and the hostile vessel. Nor, +deep as she was now, was there any sign of the hurricane. In the +peaceful depths she was once more speeding toward the sunken treasure. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Two +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +At the Wreck +</H3> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon, as the submarine hurled herself forward +through the ocean, "I guess that firing party will have something else +to do to-morrow morning besides aiming those rifles at us." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, indeed," agreed Tom. "They'll be lucky if they save their ship. +My, how that wind did blow!" +</P> + +<P> +"You're right," put in Captain Weston. "When they get a hurricane down +in this region it's no cat's paw. But they were a mighty careless lot +of sailors. The idea of leaving the ladder over the side, and the boat +in the water." +</P> + +<P> +"It was a good thing for us, though," was Tom's opinion. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed it was," came from the captain. "But as long as we are safe now +I think we'd better take a look about the craft to see if those chaps +did any damage. They can't have done much, though, or she wouldn't be +running so smoothly. Suppose you go take a look, Tom, and ask your +father and Mr. Sharp what they think. I'll steer for a while, until we +get well away from the island." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor found his father and the balloonist busy in the +engine-room. Mr. Swift had already begun an inspection of the +machinery, and so far found that it had not been injured. A further +inspection showed that no damage had been done by the foreign guard +that had been in temporary possession of the Advance, though the +sailors had made free in the cabins, and had broken into the food +lockers, helping themselves plentifully. But there was still enough for +the gold-seekers. +</P> + +<P> +"You'd never know there was a storm raging up above," observed Tom as +he rejoined Captain Weston in the lower pilot house, where he was +managing the craft. "It's as still and peaceful here as one could wish." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, the extreme depths are seldom disturbed by a surface storm. But +we are over a mile deep now. I sent her down a little while you were +gone, as I think she rides a little more steadily." +</P> + +<P> +All that night they speeded forward, and the next day, rising to the +surface to take an observation, they found no traces of the storm, +which had blown itself out. They were several hundred miles away from +the hostile warship, and there was not a vessel in sight on the broad +expanse of blue ocean. +</P> + +<P> +The air tanks were refilled, and after sailing along on the surface for +an hour or two, the submarine was again sent below, as Captain Weston +sighted through his telescope the smoke of a distant steamer. +</P> + +<P> +"As long as it isn't the Wonder, we're all right," said Tom. "Still, we +don't want to answer a lot of questions about ourselves and our object." +</P> + +<P> +"No. I fancy the Wonder will give up the search," remarked the captain, +as the Advance was sinking to the depths. +</P> + +<P> +"We must be getting pretty near to the end of our search ourselves," +ventured the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"We are within five hundred miles of the intersection of the +forty-fifth parallel and the twenty-seventh meridian, east from +Washington," said the captain. "That's as near as I could locate the +wreck. Once we reach that point we will have to search about under +water, for I don't fancy the other divers left any buoys to mark the +spot." +</P> + +<P> +It was two days later, after uneventful sailing, partly on the surface, +and partly submerged, that Captain Weston, taking a noon observation, +announced: +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we're here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean at the wreck?" asked Mr. Swift eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"We're at the place where she is supposed to lie, in about two miles of +water," replied the captain. "We are quite a distance off the coast of +Uruguay, about opposite the harbor of Rio de La Plata. From now on we +shall have to nose about under water, and trust to luck." +</P> + +<P> +With her air tanks filled to their capacity, and Tom having seen that +the oxygen machine and other apparatus was in perfect working order, +the submarine was sent below on her search. Though they were in the +neighborhood of the wreck, the adventurers might still have to do +considerable searching before locating it. Lower and lower they sank +into the depths of the sea, down and down, until they were deeper than +they had ever gone before. The pressure was tremendous, but the steel +sides of the Advance withstood it. +</P> + +<P> +Then began a search that lasted nearly a week. Back and forth they +cruised, around in great circles, with the powerful searchlight focused +to disclose the sunken treasure ship. Once Tom, who was observing the +path of light in the depths from the conning tower, thought he had seen +the remains of the Boldero, for a misty shape loomed up in front of the +submarine, and he signaled for a quick stop. It was a wreck, but it had +been on the ocean bed for a score of years, and only a few timbers +remained of what had been a great ship. Much disappointed, Tom rang for +full speed ahead again, and the current was sent into the great +electric plates that pulled and pushed the submarine forward. +</P> + +<P> +For two days more nothing happened. They searched around under the +green waters, on the alert for the first sign, but they saw nothing. +Great fish swam about them, sometimes racing with the Advance. The +adventurers beheld great ocean caverns, and skirted immense rocks, +where dwelt monsters of the deep. Once a great octopus tried to do +battle with the submarine and crush it in its snaky arms, but Tom saw +the great white body, with saucer-shaped eyes, in the path of light and +rammed him with the steel point. The creature died after a struggle. +</P> + +<P> +They were beginning to despair when a full week had passed and they +were seemingly as far from the wreck as ever. They went to the surface +to enable Captain Weston to take another observation. It only confirmed +the other, and showed that they were in the right vicinity. But it was +like looking for a needle in a haystack, almost, to find the sunken ship +in that depth of water. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we'll try again," said Mr. Swift, as they sank once more beneath +the surface. +</P> + +<P> +It was toward evening, on the second day after this, that Tom, who was +on duty in the conning tower, saw a black shape looming up in front of +the submarine, the searchlight revealing it to him far enough away so +that he could steer to avoid it. He thought at first that it was a +great rock, for they were moving along near the bottom, but the +peculiar shape of it soon convinced him that this could not be. It came +more plainly into view as the submarine approached it more slowly, then +suddenly, out of the depths in the illumination from the searchlight, +the young inventor saw the steel sides of a steamer. His heart gave a +great thump, but he would not call out yet, fearing that it might be +some other vessel than the one containing the treasure. +</P> + +<P> +He steered the Advance so as to circle it. As he swept past the bows he +saw in big letters near the sharp prow the word, Boldero. +</P> + +<P> +"The wreck! The wreck!" he cried, his voice ringing through the craft +from end to end. "We've found the wreck at last!" +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure?" cried his father, hurrying to his son, Captain Weston +following. +</P> + +<P> +"Positive," answered the lad. The submarine was slowing up now, and Tom +sent her around on the other side. They had a good view of the sunken +ship. It seemed to be intact, no gaping holes in her sides, for only +her plates had started, allowing her to sink gradually. +</P> + +<P> +"At last," murmured Mr. Swift. "Can it be possible we are about to get +the treasure?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's the Boldero, all right," affirmed Captain Weston. "I recognize +her, even if the name wasn't on her bow. Go right down on the bottom, +Tom, and we'll get out the diving suits and make an examination." +</P> + +<P> +The submarine settled to the ocean bed. Tom glanced at the depth gage. +It showed over two miles and a half. Would they be able to venture out +into water of such enormous pressure in the comparatively frail diving +suits, and wrest the gold from the wreck? It was a serious question. +</P> + +<P> +The Advance came to a stop. In front of her loomed the great bulk of +the Boldero, vague and shadowy in the flickering gleam of the +searchlight. As the gold-seekers looked at her through the bull's-eyes +of the conning tower, several great forms emerged from beneath the +wreck's bows. +</P> + +<P> +"Deep-water sharks!" exclaimed Captain Weston, "and monsters, too. But +they can't bother us. Now to get out the gold!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Three +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Attacked by Sharks +</H3> + +<P> +For a few minutes after reaching the wreck, which had so occupied their +thoughts for the past weeks, the adventurers did nothing but gaze at it +from the ports of the submarine. The appearance of the deep-water +sharks gave them no concern, for they did not imagine the ugly +creatures would attack them. The treasure-seekers were more engrossed +with the problem of getting out the gold. +</P> + +<P> +"How are we going to get at it?" asked Tom, as he looked at the high +sides of the sunken ship, which towered well above the comparatively +small Advance. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, just go in and get it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Where is gold in a +cargo usually kept, Captain Weston? You ought to know, I should think. +Bless my pocketbook!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I should say that in this case the bullion would be kept in a +safe in the captain's cabin," replied the sailor. "Or, if not there, +in some after part of the vessel, away from where the crew is +quartered. But it is going to be quite a problem to get at it. We can't +climb the sides of the wreck, and it will be impossible to lower her +ladder over the side. However, I think we had better get into the +diving suits and take a closer look. We can walk around her." +</P> + +<P> +"That's my idea," put in Mr. Sharp. "But who will go, and who will stay +with the ship?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think Tom and Captain Weston had better go," suggested Mr. Swift. +"Then, in case anything happens, Mr. Sharp, you and I will be on board +to manage matters." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't think anything will happen, do you, dad?" asked his son with +a laugh, but it was not an easy one, for the lad was thinking of the +shadowy forms of the ugly sharks. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no, but it's best to be prepared," answered his father. +</P> + +<P> +The captain and the young inventor lost no time in donning the diving +suits. They each took a heavy metal bar, pointed at one end, to use in +assisting them to walk on the bed of the ocean, and as a protection in +case the sharks might attack them. Entering the diving chamber, they +were shut in, and then water was admitted until the pressure was seen, +by gauges, to be the same as that outside the submarine. Then the +sliding steel door was opened. At first Tom and the captain could +barely move, so great was the pressure of water on their bodies. They +would have been crushed but for the protection afforded by the strong +diving suits. +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes they became used to it, and stepped out on the floor +of the ocean. They could not, of course, speak to each other, but Tom +looked through the glass eyes of his helmet at the captain, and the +latter motioned for the lad to follow. The two divers could breathe +perfectly, and by means of small, but powerful lights on the helmets, +the way was lighted for them as they advanced. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly they approached the wreck, and began a circuit of her. They +could see several places where the pressure of the water, and the +strain of the storm in which she had foundered, had opened the plates +of the ship, but in no case were the openings large enough to admit a +person. Captain Weston put his steel bar in one crack, and tried to +pry it farther open, but his strength was not equal to the task. He +made some peculiar motions, but Tom could not understand them. +</P> + +<P> +They looked for some means by which they could mount to the decks of +the Boldero, but none was visible. It was like trying to scale a +fifty-foot smooth steel wall. There was no place for a foothold. Again +the sailor made some peculiar motions, and the lad puzzled over them. +They had gone nearly around the wreck now, and as yet had seen no way +in which to get at the gold. As they passed around the bow, which was +in a deep shadow from a great rock, they caught sight of the submarine +lying a short distance away. Light streamed from many bull's-eyes, and +Tom felt a sense of security as he looked at her, for it was lonesome +enough in that great depth of water, unable to speak to his companion, +who was a few feet in advance. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly there was a swirling of the water, and Tom was nearly thrown +off his feet by the rush of some great body. A long, black shadow +passed over his head, and an instant later he saw the form of a great +shark launched at Captain Weston. The lad involuntarily cried in alarm, +but the result was surprising. He was nearly deafened by his own voice, +confined as the sound was in the helmet he wore. But the sailor, too, +had felt the movement of the water, and turned just in time. He thrust +upward with his pointed bar. But he missed the stroke, and Tom, a +moment later, saw the great fish turn over so that its mouth, which is +far underneath its snout, could take in the queer shape which the shark +evidently thought was a choice morsel. The big fish did actually get +the helmet of Captain Weston inside its jaws, but probably it would +have found it impossible to crush the strong steel. Still it might have +sprung the joints, and water would have entered, which would have been +as fatal as though the sailor had been swallowed by the shark. Tom +realized this and, moving as fast as he could through the water, he +came up behind the monster and drove his steel bar deep into it. +</P> + +<P> +The sea was crimsoned with blood, and the savage creature, opening its +mouth, let go of the captain. It turned on Tom, who again harpooned it. +Then the fish darted off and began a wild flurry, for it was dying. The +rush of water nearly threw Tom off his feet, but he managed to make his +way over to his friend, and assist him to rise. A confident look from +the sailor showed the lad that Captain Weston was uninjured, though he +must have been frightened. As the two turned to make their way back to +the submarine, the waters about them seemed alive with the horrible +monsters. +</P> + +<P> +It needed but a glance to show what they were, Sharks! Scores of them, +long, black ones, with their ugly, undershot mouths. They had been +attracted by the blood of the one Tom had killed, but there was not a +meal for all of them off the dying creature, and the great fish might +turn on the young inventor and his companion. +</P> + +<P> +The two shrank closer toward the wreck. They might get under the prow +of that and be safe. But even as they started to move, several of the +sea wolves darted quickly at them. Tom glanced at the captain. What +could they do? Strong as were the diving suits, a combined attack by +the sharks, with their powerful jaws, would do untold damage. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment there seemed some movement on board the submarine. Tom +could see his father looking from the conning tower, and the aged +inventor seemed to be making some motions. Then Tom understood. Mr. +Swift was directing his son and Captain Weston to crouch down. The lad +did so, pulling the sailor after him. Then Tom saw the bow electric gun +run out, and aimed at the mass of sharks, most of whom were congregated +about the dead one. Into the midst of the monsters was fired a number +of small projectiles, which could be used in the electric cannon in +place of the solid shot. Once more the waters were red with blood, and +those sharks which were not killed swirled off. Tom and Captain Weston +were saved. They were soon inside the submarine again, telling their +thrilling story. +</P> + +<P> +"It's lucky you saw us, dad," remarked the lad, blushing at the praise +Mr. Damon bestowed on him for killing the monster which had attacked +the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I was on the lookout," said the inventor. "But what about getting +into the wreck?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think the only way we can do it will be to ram a hole in her side," +said Captain Weston. "That was what I tried to tell Tom by motions, but +he didn't seem to understand me." +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the lad, who was still a little nervous from his recent +experience. "I thought you meant for us to turn it over, bottom side +up," and he laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard! Just like a shark," commented Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Please don't mention them," begged Tom. "I hope we don't see any more +of them." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I fancy they have been driven far enough away from this +neighborhood now," commented the captain. "But now about the wreck. We +may be able to approach it from above. Suppose we try to lower the +submarine on it? That will save ripping it open." +</P> + +<P> +This was tried a little later, but would not work. There were strong +currents sweeping over the top of the Boldero, caused by a submerged +reef near which she had settled. It was a delicate task to sink the +submarine on her decks, and with the deep waters swirling about was +found to be impossible, even with the use of the electric plates and +the auxiliary screws. Once more the Advance settled to the ocean bed, +near the wreck. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Tom, as he looked at the high steel +sides. +</P> + +<P> +"Ram her, tear a hole, and then use dynamite," decided Captain Weston +promptly. "You have some explosive, haven't you, Mr. Swift?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes. I came prepared for emergencies." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll blow up the wreck and get at the gold." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Four +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Ramming the Wreck +</H3> + +<P> +Fitted with a long, sharp steel ram in front, the Advance was +peculiarly adapted for this sort of work. In designing the ship this +ram was calculated to be used against hostile vessels in war time, for +the submarine was at first, as we know, destined for a Government boat. +Now the ram was to serve a good turn. +</P> + +<P> +To make sure that the attempt would be a success, the machinery of the +craft 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 the +surface, it was decided to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nor +did the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they might +encounter a storm. +</P> + +<P> +"We had trouble enough locating the wreck," said Captain Weston, "and +if we go up we may be blown off our course. We have air enough to stay +below, haven't we, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages. +</P> + +<P> +After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the submarine crew got ready +for 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 was +terrific, and at first it was feared some damage had been done to the +Advance, but she stood the strain. +</P> + +<P> +"Did we open up much of a hole?" anxiously asked Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty good," replied Tom, observing it through the conning tower +bull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off again. "Let's give her +another." +</P> + +<P> +Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the Boldero, and +again the submarine shivered from the shock. But there was a bigger +hole in the wreck now, and after Captain Weston had viewed it he +decided it was large enough to allow a person to enter and place a +charge of dynamite so that the treasure ship would be broken up. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance was +withdrawn to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble, a great swirling +of the water, which was made murky; but when it cleared, and the +submarine went back, it was seen that the wreck was effectively broken +up. It was in two parts, each one easy of access. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Now to get at the gold!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, get out the diving suits," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my +watch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you think the +sharks are all gone, Captain Weston?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so." +</P> + +<P> +In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were attired +in the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to venture into such a great +depth of water. Besides, it was necessary for at least one person to +remain in the submarine to operate the diving chamber. +</P> + +<P> +Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold-seekers +approached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a sight of the +sharks, but the monster fish seemed to have deserted that part of the +ocean. Tom was the first to reach the now disrupted steamer. He found +he could easily climb up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo holds +were scattered all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon joined +the lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and being more familiar +with ocean craft the captain was permitted to take the lead. He headed +aft, seeking to locate the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in finding +it. He motioned for the others to enter, that the combined illumination +of the lamps in their helmets would make the place bright enough so a +search could be made for the gold. Tom suddenly seized the arm of the +captain, and pointed to one corner of the cabin. There stood a small +safe, and at the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The door +was not locked, probably having been left open when the ship was +deserted. Swinging it back the interior was revealed. +</P> + +<P> +It was empty. There was no gold bullion in it. +</P> + +<P> +There was no mistaking the dejected air of Captain Weston. The others +shared his feelings, but though they all felt like voicing their +disappointment, not a word could be spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorous +motions, indicated to his companions to seek further. +</P> + +<P> +They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the wreck, save for a +short interval for dinner. But no gold rewarded their search. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, and found +himself in the captain's cabin again, with the empty safe showing dimly +in the water that was all about. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang it all!" thought the lad, "we've had all our trouble for nothing! +They must have taken the gold with them." +</P> + +<P> +Idly he raised his steel bar, and struck it against the partition back +of the safe. To his astonishment the partition seemed to fall inward, +revealing a secret compartment. The lad leaned forward to bring the +light 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 spring +and opened a secret receptacle. But what did it contain? +</P> + +<P> +Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He found it beyond +his strength. Trembling from excitement, he went in search of the +others. He found them delving in the after part of the wreck, but by +motions our hero caused them to follow him. Captain Weston showed the +excitement 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 off +the top with their bars. +</P> + +<P> +There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, gleaming, yellow +bars! It needed but a glance to show that they were gold bullion. Tom +had found the treasure. The lad tried to dance around there in the +cabin 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 been +successful. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Five +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Home With the Gold +</H3> + +<P> +There was no time to be lost. They were in a treacherous part of the +ocean, and strong currents might at any time further break up the +wreck, so that they could not come at the gold. It was decided, by +means of motions, to at once transfer the treasure to the submarine. As +the boxes were too heavy to carry easily, especially as two men, who +were required to lift one, could not walk together in the uncertain +footing afforded by the wreck, another plan was adopted. The boxes were +opened and the bars, a few at a time, were dropped on a firm, sandy +place at the side of the wreck. Tom and Captain Weston did this work, +while Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon carried the bullion to the diving chamber +of the Advance. They put the yellow bars inside, and when quite a +number had been thus shifted, Mr. Swift, closing the chamber, pumped +the water out and removed the gold. Then he opened the chamber to the +divers again, and the process was repeated, until all the bullion had +been secured. +</P> + +<P> +Tom would have been glad to make a further examination of the wreck, +for he thought he could get some of the rifles the ship carried, but +Captain Weston signed to him not to attempt this. +</P> + +<P> +The lad went to the pilot house, while his father and Mr. Sharp took +their places in the engine-room. The gold had been safely stowed in Mr. +Swift's cabin. +</P> + +<P> +Tom took a last look at the wreck before he gave the starting signal. +As he gazed at the bent and twisted mass of steel that had once been a +great ship, he saw something long, black and shadowy moving around from +the other side, coming across the bows. +</P> + +<P> +"There's another big shark," he observed to Captain Weston. "They're +coming back after us." +</P> + +<P> +The captain did not speak. He was staring at the dark form. Suddenly, +from what seemed the pointed nose of it, there gleamed a light, as from +some great eye. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at that!" cried Tom. "That's no shark!" +</P> + +<P> +"If you want my opinion," remarked the sailor, "I should say it was the +other submarine—that of Berg and his friends—the Wonder. They've +managed to fix up their craft and are after the gold." +</P> + +<P> +"But they're too late!" cried Tom excitedly. "Let's tell them so." +</P> + +<P> +"No," advised the captain. "We don't want any trouble with them." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift came forward to see why his son had not given the signal to +start. He was shown the other submarine, for now that the Wonder had +turned on several searchlights, there was no doubt as to the identity +of the craft. +</P> + +<P> +"Let's get away unobserved if we can," he suggested. "We have had +trouble enough." +</P> + +<P> +It was easy to do this, as the Advance was hidden behind the wreck, and +her lights were glowing but dimly. Then, too, those in the other +submarine were so excited over the finding of what they supposed was +the wreck containing the treasure, that they paid little attention to +anything else. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder how they'll feel when they find the gold gone?" asked Tom as +he pulled the lever starting the pumps. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we may have a chance to learn, when we get back to +civilization," remarked the captain. +</P> + +<P> +The surface was soon reached, and then, under fair skies, and on a calm +sea, the voyage home was begun. Part of the time the Advance sailed on +the top, and part of the time submerged. +</P> + +<P> +They met with but a single accident, and that was when the forward +electrical plate broke. But with the aft one still in commission, and +the auxiliary screws, they made good time. Just before reaching home +they settled down to the bottom and donned the diving suits again, even +Mr. Swift taking his turn. Mr. Damon caught some large lobsters, of +which he was very fond, or, rather, to be more correct, the lobsters +caught him. When he entered the diving chamber there were four fine +ones clinging to different parts of his diving suit. Some of them were +served for dinner. +</P> + +<P> +The adventurers safely reached the New Jersey coast, and the submarine +was docked. Mr. Swift at once communicated with the proper authorities +concerning the recovery of the gold. He offered to divide with the +actual owners, after he and his friends had been paid for their +services, but as the revolutionary party to whom the bullion was +intended had gone out of existence, there was no one to officially +claim the treasure, so it all went to Tom and his friends, who made an +equitable distribution of it. The young inventor did not forget to buy +Mrs. Baggert a fine diamond ring, as he had promised. +</P> + +<P> +As for Berg and his employers, they were, it was learned later, greatly +chagrined at finding the wreck valueless. They tried to make trouble +for Tom and his father, but were not successful. +</P> + +<P> +A few days after arriving at the seacoast cottage, Tom, his father and +Mr. Damon went to Shopton in the airship. Captain Weston, Garret +Jackson and Mr. Sharp remained behind in charge of the submarine. It was +decided that the Swifts would keep the craft and not sell it to the +Government, as Tom said they might want to go after more treasure some +day. +</P> + +<P> +"I must first deposit this gold," said Mr. Swift as the airship landed +in front of the shed at his home. "It won't do to keep it in the house +over night, even if the Happy Harry gang is in jail." +</P> + +<P> +Tom helped him take it to the bank. As they were making perhaps the +largest single deposit ever put in the institution, Ned Newton came out. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom," he cried to his chum, "it seems that you are never going +to stop doing things. You've conquered the air, the earth and the +water." +</P> + +<P> +"What have you been doing while I've been under water, Ned?" asked the +young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, the same old thing. Running errands and doing all sorts of work in +the bank." +</P> + +<P> +Tom had a sudden idea. He whispered to his father and Mr. Swift nodded. +A little later he was closeted with Mr. Prendergast, the bank +president. It was not long before Ned and Tom were called in. +</P> + +<P> +"I have some good news for you, Ned," said Mr. Prendergast, while Tom +smiled. "Mr. Swift er—ahem—one of our largest depositors, has spoken +to me about you, Ned. I find that you have been very faithful. You are +hereby appointed assistant cashier, and of course you will get a much +larger salary." +</P> + +<P> +Ned could hardly believe it, but he knew then what Tom had whispered to +Mr. Swift. The wishes of a depositor who brings much gold bullion to a +bank can hardly be ignored. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on out and have some soda," invited Tom, and when Ned looked +inquiringly at the president, the latter nodded an assent. +</P> + +<P> +As the two lads were crossing the street to a drug store, something +whizzed past them, nearly running them down. +</P> + +<P> +"What sort of an auto was that?" cried Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"That? Oh, that was Andy Foger's new car," answered Ned. "He's been +breaking the speed laws every day lately, but no one seems to bother +him. It's because his father is rich, I suppose. Andy says he has the +fastest car ever built." +</P> + +<P> +"He has, eh?" remarked Tom, while a curious look came into his eyes. +"Well, maybe I can build one that will beat his." +</P> + +<P> +And whether the young inventor did or not you can learn by reading the +fifth volume of this series, to be called "Tom Swift and His Electric +Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on the Road." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom, I certainly appreciate what you did for me in getting me a +better position," remarked Ned as they left the drug store. "I was +beginning to think I'd never get promoted. Say, have you anything to do +this evening? If you haven't, I wish you'd come over to my house. I've +got a lot of pictures I took while you were away." +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry, but I can't," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, are you going to build another airship or submarine?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but I'm going to see— Oh, what do you want to know for, anyhow?" +demanded the young inventor with a blush. "Can't a fellow go see a +girl without being cross-questioned?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, of course," replied Ned with a laugh. "Give Miss Nestor my +regards," and at this Tom blushed still more. But, as he said, that was +his own affair. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT *** + +***** This file should be named 949-h.htm or 949-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/949/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat + or, Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #949] +Release Date: June, 1997 +[Last updated on June 6, 2013] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + +or + +Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + + +by + +VICTOR APPLETON + + + + +CONTENTS + + I News of a Treasure Wreck + II Finishing the Submarine + III Mr. Berg Is Astonished + IV Tom Is Imprisoned + V Mr. Berg Is Suspicious + VI Turning the Tables + VII Mr. Damon Will Go + VIII Another Treasure Expedition + IX Captain Weston's Advent + X Trial of the Submarine + XI On the Ocean Bed + XII For a Breath of Air + XIII Off for the Treasure + XIV In the Diving Suits + XV At the Tropical Island + XVI "We'll Race You For It!" + XVII The Race + XVIII The Electric Gun + XIX Captured + XX Doomed to Death + XXI The Escape + XXII At the Wreck + XXIII Attacked by Sharks + XXIV Ramming the Wreck + XXV Home with the Gold + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + + + + +Chapter One + +News of a Treasure Wreck + + +There was a rushing, whizzing, throbbing noise in the air. A great +body, like that of some immense bird, sailed along, casting a grotesque +shadow on the ground below. An elderly man, who was seated on the +porch of a large house, started to his feet in alarm. + +"Gracious goodness! What was that, Mrs. Baggert?" he called to a +motherly-looking woman who stood in the doorway. "What happened?" + +"Nothing much, Mr. Swift," was the calm reply "I think that was Tom and +Mr. Sharp in their airship, that's all. I didn't see it, but the noise +sounded like that of the Red Cloud." + +"Of course! To be sure!" exclaimed Mr. Barton Swift, the well-known +inventor, as he started down the path in order to get a good view of +the air, unobstructed by the trees. "Yes, there they are," he added. +"That's the airship, but I didn't expect them back so soon. They must +have made good time from Shopton. I wonder if anything can be the +matter that they hurried so?" + +He gazed aloft toward where a queerly-shaped machine was circling about +nearly five hundred feet in the air, for the craft, after swooping down +close to the house, had ascended and was now hovering just above the +line of breakers that marked the New Jersey seacoast, where Mr. Swift +had taken up a temporary residence. + +"Don't begin worrying, Mr. Swift," advised Mrs. Baggert, the +housekeeper. "You've got too much to do, if you get that new boat done, +to worry." + +"That's so. I must not worry. But I wish Tom and Mr. Sharp would land, +for I want to talk to them." + +As if the occupants of the airship had heard the words of the aged +inventor, they headed their craft toward earth. The combined aeroplane +and dirigible balloon, a most wonderful traveler of the air, swung +around, and then, with the deflection rudders slanted downward, came on +with a rush. When near the landing place, just at the side of the +house, the motor was stopped, and the gas, with a hissing noise, rushed +into the red aluminum container. This immediately made the ship more +buoyant and it landed almost as gently as a feather. + +No sooner had the wheels which formed the lower part of the craft +touched the ground than there leaped from the cabin of the Red Cloud a +young man. + +"Well, dad!" he exclaimed. "Here we are again, safe and sound. Made a +record, too. Touched ninety miles an hour at times--didn't we, Mr. +Sharp?" + +"That's what," agreed a tall, thin, dark-complexioned man, who followed +Tom Swift more leisurely in his exit from the cabin. Mr. Sharp, a +veteran aeronaut, stopped to fasten guy ropes from the airship to +strong stakes driven into the ground. + +"And we'd have done better, only we struck a hard wind against us about +two miles up in the air, which delayed us," went on Tom. "Did you hear +us coming, dad?" + +"Yes, and it startled him," put in Mrs. Baggert. "I guess he wasn't +expecting you." + +"Oh, well, I shouldn't have been so alarmed, only I was thinking deeply +about a certain change I am going to make in the submarine, Tom. I was +day-dreaming, I think, when your ship whizzed through the air. But tell +me, did you find everything all right at Shopton? No signs of any of +those scoundrels of the Happy Harry gang having been around?" and Mr. +Swift looked anxiously at his son. + +"Not a sign, dad," replied Tom quickly. "Everything was all right. We +brought the things you wanted. They're in the airship. Oh, but it was a +fine trip. I'd like to take another right out to sea." + +"Not now, Tom," said his father. "I want you to help me. And I need +Mr. Sharp's help, too. Get the things out of the car, and we'll go to +the shop." + +"First I think we'd better put the airship away," advised Mr. Sharp. "I +don't just like the looks of the weather, and, besides, if we leave the +ship exposed we'll be sure to have a crowd around sooner or later, and +we don't want that." + +"No, indeed," remarked the aged inventor hastily. "I don't want people +prying around the submarine shed. By all means put the airship away, +and then come into the shop." + +In spite of its great size the aeroplane was easily wheeled along by +Tom and Mr. Sharp, for the gas in the container made it so buoyant that +it barely touched the earth. A little more of the powerful vapor and +the Red Cloud would have risen by itself. In a few minutes the +wonderful craft, of which my readers have been told in detail in a +previous volume, was safely housed in a large tent, which was securely +fastened. + +Mr. Sharp and Tom, carrying some bundles which they had taken from the +car, or cabin, of the craft, went toward a large shed, which adjoined +the house that Mr. Swift had hired for the season at the seashore. They +found the lad's father standing before a great shape, which loomed up +dimly in the semi-darkness of the building. It was like an immense +cylinder, pointed at either end, and here and there were openings, +covered with thick glass, like immense, bulging eyes. From the number +of tools and machinery all about the place, and from the appearance of +the great cylinder itself, it was easy to see that it was only partly +completed. + +"Well, how goes it, dad?" asked the youth, as he deposited his bundle +on a bench. "Do you think you can make it work?" + +"I think so, Tom. The positive and negative plates are giving me +considerable trouble, though. But I guess we can solve the problem. Did +you bring me the galvanometer?" + +"Yes, and all the other things," and the young inventor proceeded to +take the articles from the bundles he carried. + +Mr. Swift looked them over carefully, while Tom walked about examining +the submarine, for such was the queer craft that was contained in the +shed. He noted that some progress had been made on it since he had +left the seacoast several days before to make a trip to Shopton, in New +York State, where the Swift home was located, after some tools and +apparatus that his father wanted to obtain from his workshop there. + +"You and Mr. Jackson have put on several new plates," observed the lad +after a pause. + +"Yes," admitted his father. "Garret and I weren't idle, were we, +Garret?" and he nodded to the aged engineer, who had been in his employ +for many years. + +"No; and I guess we'll soon have her in the water, Tom, now that you +and Mr. Sharp are here to help us," replied Garret Jackson. + +"We ought to have Mr. Damon here to bless the submarine and his liver +and collar buttons a few times," put in Mr. Sharp, who brought in +another bundle. He referred to an eccentric individual who had recently +made an airship voyage with himself and Tom, Mr. Damon's peculiarity +being to use continually such expressions as: "Bless my soul! Bless my +liver!" + +"Well, I'll be glad when we can make a trial trip," went on Tom. "I've +traveled pretty fast on land with my motorcycle, and we certainly have +hummed through the air. Now I want to see how it feels to scoot along +under water." + +"Well, if everything goes well we'll be in position to make a trial +trip inside of a month," remarked the aged inventor. "Look here, Mr. +Sharp, I made a change in the steering gear, which I'd like you and Tom +to consider." + +The three walked around to the rear of the odd-looking structure, if an +object shaped like a cigar can be said to have a front and rear, and +the inventor, his son, and the aeronaut were soon deep in a discussion +of the technicalities connected with under-water navigation. + +A little later they went into the house, in response to a summons from +the supper bell, vigorously rung by Mrs. Baggert. She was not fond of +waiting with meals, and even the most serious problem of mechanics was, +in her estimation, as nothing compared with having the soup get cold, +or the possibility of not having the meat done to a turn. + +The meal was interspersed with remarks about the recent airship flight +of Tom and Mr. Sharp, and discussions about the new submarine. This +talk went on even after the table was cleared off and the three had +adjourned to the sitting-room. There Mr. Swift brought out pencil and +paper, and soon he and Mr. Sharp were engrossed in calculating the +pressure per square inch of sea water at a depth of three miles. + +"Do you intend to go as deep as that?" asked Tom, looking up from a +paper he was reading. + +"Possibly," replied his father; and his son resumed his perusal of the +sheet. + +"Now," went on the inventor to the aeronaut, "I have another plan. In +addition to the positive and negative plates which will form our motive +power, I am going to install forward and aft propellers, to use in case +of accident." + +"I say, dad! Did you see this?" suddenly exclaimed Tom, getting up from +his chair, and holding his finger on a certain place in the page of the +paper. + +"Did I see what?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Why, this account of the sinking of the treasure ship." + +"Treasure ship? No. Where?" + +"Listen," went on Tom. "I'll read it: 'Further advices from Montevideo, +Uruguay, South America, state that all hope has been given up of +recovering the steamship Boldero, which foundered and went down off +that coast in the recent gale. Not only has all hope been abandoned of +raising the vessel, but it is feared that no part of the three hundred +thousand dollars in gold bullion which she carried will ever be +recovered. Expert divers who were taken to the scene of the wreck state +that the depth of water, and the many currents existing there, due to a +submerged shoal, preclude any possibility of getting at the hull. The +bullion, it is believed, was to have been used to further the interests +of a certain revolutionary faction, but it seems likely that they will +have to look elsewhere for the sinews of war. Besides the bullion the +ship also carried several cases of rifles, it is stated, and other +valuable cargo. The crew and what few passengers the Boldero carried +were, contrary to the first reports, all saved by taking to the boats. +It appears that some of the ship's plates were sprung by the stress in +which she labored in a storm, and she filled and sank gradually.' +There! what do you think of that, dad?" cried Tom as he finished. + +"What do I think of it? Why, I think it's too bad for the +revolutionists, Tom, of course." + +"No; I mean about the treasure being still on board the ship. What +about that?" + +"Well, it's likely to stay there, if the divers can't get at it. Now, +Mr. Sharp, about the propellers--" + +"Wait, dad!" cried Tom earnestly. + +"Why, Tom, what's the matter?" asked Mr. Swift in some surprise. + +"How soon before we can finish our submarine?" went on Tom, not +answering the question. + +"About a month. Why?" + +"Why? Dad, why can't we have a try for that treasure? It ought to be +comparatively easy to find that sunken ship off the coast of Uruguay. +In our submarine we can get close up to it, and in the new diving suits +you invented we can get at that gold bullion. Three hundred thousand +dollars! Think of it, dad! Three hundred thousand dollars! We could +easily claim all of it, since the owners have abandoned it, but we +would be satisfied with half. Let's hurry up, finish the submarine, and +have a try for it." + +"But, Tom, you forget that I am to enter my new ship in the trials for +the prize offered by the United States Government." + +"How much is the prize if you win it?" asked Tom. + +"Fifty thousand dollars." + +"Well, here's a chance to make three times that much at least, and +maybe more. Dad, let the Government prize go, and try for the treasure. +Will you?" + +Tom looked eagerly at his father, his eyes shining with anticipation. +Mr. Swift was not a quick thinker, but the idea his son had proposed +made an impression on him. He reached out his hand for the paper in +which the young inventor had seen the account of the sunken treasure. +Slowly he read it through. Then he passed it to Mr. Sharp. + +"What do you think of it?" he asked of the aeronaut. + +"There's a possibility," remarked the balloonist "We might try for it. +We can easily go three miles down, and it doesn't lie as deeply as +that, if this account is true. Yes, we might try for it. But we'd have +to omit the Government contests." + +"Will you, dad?" asked Tom again. + +Mr. Swift considered a moment longer. + +"Yes, Tom, I will," he finally decided. "Going after the treasure will +be likely to afford us a better test of the submarine than would any +Government tests. We'll try to locate the sunken Boldero." + +"Hurrah!" cried the lad, taking the paper from Mr. Sharp and waving it +in the air. "That's the stuff! Now for a search for the submarine +treasure!" + + + + +Chapter Two + +Finishing the Submarine + + +"What's the matter?" cried Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, hurrying in +from the kitchen, where she was washing the dishes. "Have you seen some +of those scoundrels who robbed you, Mr. Swift? If you have, the police +down here ought to--" + +"No, it's nothing like that," explained Mr. Swift. "Tom has merely +discovered in the paper an account of a sunken treasure ship, and he +wants us to go after it, down under the ocean." + +"Oh, dear! Some more of Captain Kidd's hidden hoard, I suppose?" +ventured the housekeeper. "Don't you bother with it, Mr. Swift. I had a +cousin once, and he got set in the notion that he knew where that +pirate's treasure was. He spent all the money he had and all he could +borrow digging for it, and he never found a penny. Don't waste your +time on such foolishness. It's bad enough to be building airships and +submarines without going after treasure." Mrs. Baggert spoke with the +freedom of an old friend rather than a hired housekeeper, but she had +been in the family ever since Tom's mother died, when he was a baby, +and she had many privileges. + +"Oh, this isn't any of Kidd's treasure," Tom assured her. "If we get +it, Mrs. Baggert, I'll buy you a diamond ring." + +"Humph!" she exclaimed, as Tom began to hug her in boyish fashion. "I +guess I'll have to buy all the diamond rings I want, if I have to +depend on your treasure for them," and she went back to the kitchen. + +"Well," went on Mr. Swift after a pause, "if we are going into the +treasure-hunting business, Tom, we'll have to get right to work. In the +first place, we must find out more about this ship, and just where it +was sunk." + +"I can do that part," said Mr. Sharp. "I know some sea captains, and +they can put me on the track of locating the exact spot. In fact, it +might not be a bad idea to take an expert navigator with us. I can +manage in the air all right, but I confess that working out a location +under water is beyond me." + +"Yes, an old sea captain wouldn't be a bad idea, by any means," +conceded Mr. Swift. "Well, if you'll attend to that detail, Mr. Sharp, +Tom, Mr. Jackson and I will finish the submarine. Most of the work is +done, however, and it only remains to install the engine and motors. +Now, in regard to the negative and positive electric plates, I'd like +your opinion, Tom." + +For Tom Swift was an inventor, second in ability only to his father, +and his advice was often sought by his parent on matters of electrical +construction, for the lad had made a specialty of that branch of +science. + +While father and son were deep in a discussion of the apparatus of the +submarine, there will be an opportunity to make the reader a little +better acquainted with them. Those of you who have read the previous +volumes of this series do not need to be told who Tom Swift is. Others, +however, may be glad to have a proper introduction to him. + +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the village of +Shopton, New York. The Swift home was on the outskirts of the town, and +the large house was surrounded by a number of machine shops, in which +father and son, aided by Garret Jackson, the engineer, did their +experimental and constructive work. Their house was not far from Lake +Carlopa, a fairly large body of water, on which Tom often speeded his +motor-boat. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and His +Motor-Cycle," it was told how he became acquainted with Mr. Wakefield +Damon, who suffered an accident while riding one of the speedy +machines. The accident disgusted Mr. Damon with motor-cycles, and Tom +secured it for a low price. He had many adventures on it, chief among +which was being knocked senseless and robbed of a valuable patent model +belonging to his father, which he was taking to Albany. The attack was +committed by a gang known as the Happy Harry gang, who were acting at +the instigation of a syndicate of rich men, who wanted to secure +control of a certain patent turbine engine which Mr. Swift had invented. + +Tom set out in pursuit of the thieves, after recovering from their +attack, and had a strenuous time before he located them. + +In the second volume, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," there +was related our hero's adventures in a fine craft which was recovered +from the thieves and sold at auction. There was a mystery connected +with the boat, and for a long time Tom could not solve it. He was +aided, however, by his chum, Ned Newton, who worked in the Shopton +Bank, and also by Mr. Damon and Eradicate Sampson, an aged colored +whitewasher, who formed quite an attachment for Tom. + +In his motor-boat Tom had more than one race with Andy Foger, a rich +lad of Shopton, who was a sort of bully. He had red hair and squinty +eyes, and was as mean in character as he was in looks. He and his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, made trouble for Tom, chiefly +because Tom managed to beat Andy twice in boat races. + +It was while in his motor-boat, Arrow, that Tom formed the acquaintance +of John Sharp, a veteran balloonist. While coming down Lake Carlopa on +the way to the Swift home, which had been entered by thieves, Tom, his +father and Ned Newton, saw a balloon on fire over the lake. Hanging +from a trapeze on it was Mr. Sharp, who had made an ascension from a +fair ground. By hard work on the part of Tom and his friends the +aeronaut was saved, and took up his residence with the Swifts. + +His advent was most auspicious, for Tom and his father were then +engaged in perfecting an airship, and Mr. Sharp was able to lend them +his skill, so that the craft was soon constructed. + +In the third volume, called "Tom Swift and His Airship," there was set +down the doings of the young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon on a +trip above the clouds. They undertook it merely for pleasure, but they +encountered considerable danger, before they completed it, for they +nearly fell into a blazing forest once, and were later fired at by a +crowd of excited people. This last act was to effect their capture, for +they were taken for a gang of bank robbers, and this was due directly +to Andy Foger. + +The morning after Tom and his friends started on their trip in the air, +the Shopton Bank was found to have been looted of seventy-five thousand +dollars. Andy Foger at once told the police that Tom Swift had taken +the money, and when asked how he knew this, he said he had seen Tom +hanging around the bank the night before the vault was burst open, and +that the young inventor had some burglar tools in his possession. +Warrants were at once sworn out for Tom and Mr. Damon, who was also +accused of being one of the robbers, and a reward of five thousand +dollars was offered. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp sailed on, all unaware of this, and unable +to account for being fired upon, until they accidentally read in the +paper an account of their supposed misdeeds. They lost no time in +starting back home, and on the way got on the track of the real bank +robbers, who were members of the Happy Harry gang. + +How the robbers were captured in an exciting raid, how Tom recovered +most of the stolen money, and how he gave Andy Foger a deserved +thrashing for giving a false clue was told of, and there was an account +of a race in which the Red Cloud (as the airship was called) took part, +as well as details of how Tom and his friends secured the reward, which +Andy Foger hoped to collect. + +Those of you who care to know how the Red Cloud was constructed, and +how she behaved in the air, even during accidents and when struck by +lightning, may learn by reading the third volume, for the airship was +one of the most successful ever constructed. + +When the craft was finished, and the navigators were ready to start on +their first long trip, Mr. Swift was asked to go with them. He +declined, but would not tell why, until Tom, pressing him for an +answer, learned that his father was planning a submarine boat, which he +hoped to enter in some trials for Government prizes. Mr. Swift remained +at home to work on this submarine, while his son and Mr. Sharp were +sailing above the clouds. + +On their return, however, and after the bank mystery had been cleared +up, Tom and Mr. Sharp, aided Mr. Swift in completing the submarine, +until, when the present story opens, it needed but little additional +work to make the craft ready for the water. + +Of course it had to be built near the sea, as it would have been +impossible to transport it overland from Shopton. So, before the keel +was laid, Mr. Swift rented a large cottage at a seaside place on the +New Jersey coast and there, after erecting a large shed, the work on +the Advance, as the under-water ship was called, was begun. + +It was soon to be launched in a large creek that extended in from the +ocean and had plenty of water at high tide. Tom and Mr. Sharp made +several trips back and forth from Shopton in their airship, to see that +all was safe at home and occasionally to get needed tools and supplies +from the shops, for not all the apparatus could be moved from Shopton +to the coast. + +It was when returning from one of these trips that Tom brought with him +the paper containing an account of the wreck of the Boldero and the +sinking of the treasure she carried. + +Until late that night the three fortune-hunters discussed various +matters. + +"We'll hurry work on the ship," said Mr. Swift at length. "Tom, I +wonder if your friend, Mr. Damon, would care to try how it seems under +water? He stood the air trip fairly well." + +"I'll write and ask him," answered the lad. "I'm sure he'll go." + +Securing, a few days later, the assistance of two mechanics, whom he +knew he could trust, for as yet the construction of the Advance was a +secret, Mr. Swift prepared to rush work on the submarine, and for the +next three weeks there were busy times in the shed next to the seaside +cottage. So busy, in fact, were Tom and Mr. Sharp, that they only found +opportunity for one trip in the airship, and that was to get some +supplies from the shops at home. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift one night, at the close of a hard day's +work, "another week will see our craft completed. Then we will put it +in the water and see how it floats, and whether it submerges as I hope +it does. But come on, Tom. I want to lock up. I'm very tired to-night." + +"All right, dad," answered the young inventor coming from the darkened +rear of the shop. "I just want to--" + +He paused suddenly, and appeared to be listening. Then he moved softly +back to where he had come from. + +"What's the matter?" asked his father in a whisper. "What's up, Tom?" + +The lad did not answer Mr. Swift, with a worried look on his face, +followed his son. Mr. Sharp stood in the door of the shop. + +"I thought I heard some one moving around back here," went on Tom +quietly. + +"Some one in this shop!" exclaimed the aged inventor excitedly. "Some +one trying to steal my ideas again! Mr. Sharp, come here! Bring that +rifle! We'll teach these scoundrels a lesson!" + +Tom quickly darted back to the extreme rear of the building. There was +a scuffle, and the next minute Tom cried out: + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Ha! I beg your pardon," replied a voice. "I am looking for Mr. Barton +Swift." + +"My father," remarked Tom. "But that's a queer place to look for him. +He's up front. Father, here's a man who wishes to see you," he called. + +"Yes, I strolled in, and seeing no one about I went to the rear of the +place," the voice went on. "I hope I haven't transgressed." + +"We were busy on the other side of the shop, I guess," replied Tom, and +he looked suspiciously at the man who emerged from the darkness into +the light from a window. "I beg your pardon for grabbing you the way I +did," went on the lad, "but I thought you were one of a gang of men +we've been having trouble with." + +"Oh, that's all right," continued the man easily. "I know Mr. Swift, +and I think he will remember me. Ah, Mr. Swift, how do you do?" he +added quickly, catching sight of Tom's father, who, with Mr. Sharp, was +coming to meet the lad. + +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed the aged inventor as he saw the man's face +more plainly. "What are you doing here?" + +"I came to see you," replied the man. "May I have a talk with you +privately?" + +"I--I suppose so," assented Mr. Swift nervously. "Come into the house." + +Mr. Berg left Tom's side and advanced to where Mr. Swift was standing. +Together the two emerged from the now fast darkening shop and went +toward the house. + +"Who is he?" asked Mr. Sharp of the young inventor in a whisper. + +"I don't know," replied the lad; "but, whoever he is, dad seems afraid +of him. I'm going to keep my eyes open." + + + + +Chapter Three + +Mr. Berg is Astonished + + +Following his father and the stranger whom the aged inventor had +addressed as Mr. Berg, Tom and Mr. Sharp entered the house, the lad +having first made sure that Garret Jackson was on guard in the shop +that contained the submarine. + +"Now," said Mr. Swift to the newcomer, "I am at your service. What is +it you wish?" + +"In the first place, let me apologize for having startled you and your +friends," began the man. "I had no idea of sneaking into your workshop, +but I had just arrived here, and seeing the doors open I went in. I +heard no one about, and I wandered to the back of the place. There I +happened to stumble over a board--" + +"And I heard you," interrupted Tom. + +"Is this one of your employees?" asked Mr. Berg in rather frigid tones. + +"That is my son," replied Mr. Swift. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon." The man's manner changed quickly. "Well, I +guess you did hear me, young man. I didn't intend to bark my shins the +way I did, either. You must have taken me for a burglar or a sneak +thief." + +"I have been very much bothered by a gang of unscrupulous men," said +Mr. Swift, "and I suppose Tom thought it was some of them sneaking +around again." + +"That's what I did," added the lad. "I wasn't going to have any one +steal the secret of the submarine if I could help it." + +"Quite right! Quite right!" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "But my purpose was an +open one. As you know, Mr. Swift, I represent the firm of Bentley & +Eagert, builders of submarine boats and torpedoes. They heard that you +were constructing a craft to take part in the competitive prize tests +of the United States Government, and they asked me to come and see you +to learn when your ship would be ready. Ours is completed, but we +recognize that it will be for the best interests of all concerned if +there are a number of contestants, and my firm did not want to send in +their entry until they knew that you were about finished with your +ship. How about it? Are you ready to compete?" + +"Yes," said Mr. Swift slowly. "We are about ready. My craft needs a few +finishing touches, and then it will be ready to launch." + +"Then we may expect a good contest on your part," suggested Mr. Berg. + +"Well," began the aged inventor, "I don't know about that." + +"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. + +"I said I wasn't quite sure that we would compete," went on Mr. Swift. +"You see, when I first got this idea for a submarine boat I had it in +mind to try for the Government prize of fifty thousand dollars." + +"That's what we want, too," interrupted Mr. Berg with a smile. + +"But," went on Tom's father, "since then certain matters have come up, +and I think, on the whole, that we'll not compete for the prize after +all." + +"Not compete for the prize?" almost shouted the agent for Bentley & +Eagert. "Why, the idea! You ought to compete. It is good for the trade. +We think we have a very fine craft, and probably we would beat you in +the tests, but--" + +"I wouldn't be too sure of that," put in Tom. "You have only seen the +outside of our boat. The inside is better yet." + +"Ah, I have no doubt of that," spoke Mr. Berg, "but we have been at the +business longer than you have, and have had more experience. Still we +welcome competition. But I am very much surprised that you are not +going to compete for the prize, Mr. Swift. Very much surprised, indeed! +You see, I came down from Philadelphia to arrange so that we could both +enter our ships at the same time. I understand there is another firm of +submarine boat builders who are going to try for the prize, and I want +to arrange a date that will be satisfactory to all. I am greatly +astonished that you are not going to compete." + +"Well, we were going to," said Mr. Swift, "only we have changed our +minds, that's all. My son and I have other plans." + +"May I ask what they are?" questioned Mr. Berg. + +"You may," exclaimed Tom quickly; "but I don't believe we can tell you. +They're a secret," he added more cordially. + +"Oh, I see," retorted Mr. Berg. "Well, of course I don't wish to +penetrate any of your secrets, but I hoped we could contest together +for the Government prize. It is worth trying for I assure you--fifty +thousand dollars. Besides, there is the possibility of selling a number +of submarines to the United States. It's a fine prize." + +"But the one we are after is a bigger one," cried Tom impetuously, and +the moment he had spoken he wished he could recall the words. + +"Eh? What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "You don't mean to say another +government has offered a larger prize? If I had known that I would not +have let my firm enter into the competition for the bonus offered by +the United States. Please tell me." + +"I'm sorry," went on Tom more soberly. "I shouldn't have spoken. Mr. +Berg, the plans of my father and myself are such that we can't reveal +them now. We are going to try for a prize, but not in competition with +you. It's an entirely different matter." + +"Well, I guess you'll find that the firm of Bentley & Eagert are +capable of trying for any prizes that are offered," boasted the agent. +"We may be competitors yet." + +"I don't believe so," replied Mr. Swift. + +"We may," repeated Mr. Berg. "And if we do, please remember that we +will show no mercy. Our boats are the best." + +"And may the best boat win," interjected Mr. Sharp. "That's all we +ask. A fair field and no favors." + +"Of course," spoke the agent coldly. "Is this another son of yours?" he +asked. + +"No but a good friend," replied the aged inventor. "No, Mr. Berg, we +won't compete this time. You may tell your firm so." + +"Very good," was the other's stiff reply. "Then I will bid you good +night. We shall carry off the Government prize, but permit me to add +that I am very much astonished, very much indeed, that you do not try +for the prize. From what I have seen of your submarine you have a very +good one, almost as good, in some respects, as ours. I bid you good +night," and with a bow the man left the room and hurried away from the +house. + + + + +Chapter Four + +Tom is Imprisoned + + +"Well, I must say he's a cool one," remarked Tom, as the echoes of Mr. +Berg's steps died away. "The idea of thinking his boat better than +ours! I don't like that man, dad. I'm suspicious of him. Do you think +he came here to steal some of our ideas?" + +"No, I hardly believe so, my son. But how did you discover him?" + +"Just as you saw, dad. I heard a noise and went back there to +investigate. I found him sneaking around, looking at the electric +propeller plates. I went to grab him just as he stumbled over a board. +At first I thought it was one of the old gang. I'm almost sure he was +trying to discover something." + +"No, Tom. The firm he works for are good business men, and they would +not countenance anything like that. They are heartless competitors, +however, and if they saw a legitimate chance to get ahead of me and +take advantage, they would do it. But they would not sneak in to steal +my ideas. I feel sure of that. Besides, they have a certain type of +submarine which they think is the best ever invented, and they would +hardly change at this late day. They feel sure of winning the +Government prize, and I'm just as glad we're not going to have a +contest." + +"Do you think our boat is better than theirs?" + +"Much better, in many respects." + +"I don't like that man Berg, though," went on Tom. + +"Nor do I," added his father. "There is something strange about him. +He was very anxious that I should compete. Probably he thought his +firm's boat would go so far ahead of ours that they would get an extra +bonus. But I'm glad he didn't see our new method of propulsion. That is +the principal improvement in the Advance over other types of +submarines. Well, another week and we will be ready for the test." + +"Have you known Mr. Berg long, dad?" + +"Not very. I met him in Washington when I was in the patent office. He +was taking out papers on a submarine for his firm at the same time I +got mine for the Advance. It is rather curious that he should come all +the way here from Philadelphia, merely to see if I was going to +compete. There is something strange about it, something that I can't +understand." + +The time was to come when Mr. Swift and his son were to get at the +bottom of Mr. Berg's reasons, and they learned to their sorrow that he +had penetrated some of their secrets. + +Before going to bed that night Tom and Mr. Sharp paid a visit to the +shed where the submarine was resting on the ways, ready for launching. +They found Mr. Jackson on guard and the engineer said that no one had +been around. Nor was anything found disturbed. + +"It certainly is a great machine," remarked the lad as he looked up at +the cigar-shaped bulk towering over his head. "Dad has outdone himself +this trip." + +"It looks all right," commented Mr. Sharp. "Whether it will work is +another question." + +"Yes, we can't tell until it's in the water," conceded Tom. "But I +hope it does. Dad has spent much time and money on it." + +The Advance was, as her name indicated, much in advance of previous +submarines. There was not so much difference in outward construction as +there was in the means of propulsion and in the manner in which the +interior and the machinery were arranged. + +The submarine planned by Mr. Swift and Tom jointly, and constructed by +them, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jackson, was shaped like a +Cigar, over one hundred feet long and twenty feet in diameter at the +thickest part. It was divided into many compartments, all water-tight, +so that if one or even three were flooded the ship would still be +useable. + +Buoyancy was provided for by having several tanks for the introduction +of compressed air, and there was an emergency arrangement so that a +collapsible aluminum container could be distended and filled with a +powerful gas. This was to be used if, by any means, the ship was +disabled on the bottom of the ocean. The container could be expanded +and filled, and would send the Advance to the surface. + +Another peculiar feature was that the engine-room, dynamos and other +apparatus were all contained amidships. This gave stability to the +craft, and also enabled the same engine to operate both shafts and +propellers, as well as both the negative forward electrical plates, and +the positive rear ones. + +These plates were a new idea in submarine construction, and were the +outcome of an idea of Mr. Swift, with some suggestions from his son. + +The aged inventor did not want to depend on the usual screw propellers +for his craft, nor did he want to use a jet of compressed air, shooting +out from a rear tube, nor yet a jet of water, by means of which the +creature called the squid shoots himself along. Mr. Swift planned to +send the Advance along under water by means of electricity. + +Certain peculiar plates were built at the forward and aft blunt noses +of the submarine. Into the forward plate a negative charge of +electricity was sent, and into the one at the rear a positive charge, +just as one end of a horseshoe magnet is positive and will repel the +north end of a compass needle, while the other pole of a magnet is +negative and will attract it. In electricity like repels like, while +negative and positive have a mutual attraction for each other. + +Mr. Swift figured out that if he could send a powerful current of +negative electricity into the forward plate it would pull the boat +along, for water is a good conductor of electricity, while if a +positive charge was sent into the rear plate it would serve to push the +submarine along, and he would thus get a pulling and pushing motion, +just as a forward and aft propeller works on some ferry boats. + +But the inventor did not depend on these plates alone. There were +auxiliary forward and aft propellers of the regular type, so that if +the electrical plates did not work, or got out of order, the screws +would serve to send the Advance along. + +There was much machinery in the submarine. There were gasolene motors, +since space was too cramped to allow the carrying of coal for boilers. +There were dynamos, motors and powerful pumps. Some of these were for +air, and some for water. To sink the submarine below the surface large +tanks were filled with water. To insure a more sudden descent, +deflecting rudders were also used, similar to those on an airship. +There were also special air pumps, and one for the powerful gas, which +was manufactured on board. + +Forward from the engine-room was a cabin, where meals could be served, +and where the travelers could remain in the daytime. There was also a +small cooking galley, or kitchen, there. Back of the engine-room were +the sleeping quarters and the storerooms. The submarine was steered +from the forward compartment, and here were also levers, wheels and +valves that controlled all the machinery, while a number of dials +showed in which direction they were going, how deep they were, and at +what speed they were moving, as well as what the ocean pressure was. + +On top, forward, was a small conning, or observation tower, with +auxiliary and steering and controlling apparatus there. This was to be +used when the ship was moving along on the surface of the ocean, or +merely with the deck awash. There was a small flat deck surrounding +the conning tower and this was available when the craft was on the +surface. + +There was provision made for leaving the ship when it was on the bed of +the ocean. When it was desired to do this the occupants put on diving +suits, which were provided with portable oxygen tanks. Then they +entered a chamber into which water was admitted until it was equal in +pressure to that outside. Then a steel door was opened, and they could +step out. To re-enter the ship the operation was reversed. This was +not a new feature. In fact, many submarines to-day use it. + +At certain places there were thick bull's-eye windows, by means of +which the under-water travelers could look out into the ocean through +which they were moving. As a defense against the attacks of submarine +monsters there was a steel, pointed ram, like a big harpoon. There were +also a bow and a stern electrical gun, of which more will be told later. + +In addition to ample sleeping accommodations, there were many +conveniences aboard the Advance. Plenty of fresh water could be +carried, and there was an apparatus for distilling more from the sea +water that surrounded the travelers. Compressed air was carried in +large tanks, and oxygen could be made as needed. In short, nothing that +could add to the comfort or safety of the travelers had been omitted. +There was a powerful crane and windlass, which had been installed when +Mr. Swift thought his boat might be bought by the Government. This was +to be used for raising wrecks or recovering objects from the bottom of +the ocean. Ample stores and provisions were to be carried and, once the +travelers were shut up in the Advance, they could exist for a month +below the surface, providing no accident occurred. + +All these things Tom and Mr. Sharp thought of as they looked over the +ship before turning in for the night. The craft was made immensely +strong to withstand powerful pressure at the bottom of the ocean. The +submarine could penetrate to a depth of about three miles. Below that +it was dangerous to go, as the awful force would crush the plates, +powerful as they were. + +"Well, we'll rush things to-morrow and the next day," observed Tom as +he prepared to leave the building. "Then we'll soon see if it works." + +For the next week there were busy times in the shop near the ocean. +Great secrecy was maintained, and though curiosity seekers did stroll +along now and then, they received little satisfaction. At first Mr. +Swift thought that the visit of Mr. Berg would have unpleasant results, +for he feared that the agent would talk about the craft, of which he +had so unexpectedly gotten a sight. But nothing seemed to follow from +his chance inspection, and it was forgotten. + +It was one evening, about a week later, that Tom was alone in the shop. +The two mechanics that had been hired to help out in the rush had been +let go, and the ship needed but a few adjustments to make it ready for +the sea. + +"I think I'll just take another look at the water tank valves," said +Tom to himself as he prepared to enter the big compartments which +received the water ballast. "I want to be sure they work properly and +quickly. We've got to depend on them to make us sink when we want to, +and, what's more important, to rise to the surface in a hurry. I've got +time enough to look them over before dad and Mr. Sharp get back." + +Tom entered the starboard tank by means of an emergency sliding door +between the big compartments and the main part of the ship. This was +closed by a worm and screw gear, and once the ship was in the water +would seldom be used. + +The young inventor proceeded with his task, carefully inspecting the +valves by the light of a lantern he carried. The apparatus seemed to +be all right, and Tom was about to leave when a peculiar noise +attracted his attention. It was the sound of metal scraping on metal, +and the lad's quick and well-trained ear told him it was somewhere +about the ship. + +He turned to leave the tank, but as he wheeled around his light flashed +on a solid wall of steel back of him. The emergency outlet had been +closed! He was a prisoner in the water compartment, and he knew, from +past experience, that shout as he would, his voice could not be heard +ten feet away. His father and Mr. Sharp, as he was aware, had gone to a +nearby city for some tools, and Mr. Jackson, the engineer, was +temporarily away. Mrs. Baggert, in the house, could not hear his cries. + +"I'm locked in!" cried Tom aloud. "The worm gear must have shut of +itself. But I don't see how that could be. I've got to get out mighty +soon, though, or I'll smother. This tank is airtight, and it won't take +me long to breath up all the oxygen there is here. I must get that +slide open." + +He sought to grasp the steel plate that closed the emergency opening. +His fingers slipped over the smooth, polished surface. He was +hermetically sealed up--a captive! Blankly he set his lantern down and +leaned hopelessly against the wall of the tank. + +"I've got to get out," he murmured. + +As if in answer to him he heard a voice on the outside, crying: + +"There, Tom Swift! I guess I've gotten even with you now! Maybe next +time you won't take a reward away from me, and lick me into the +bargain. I've got you shut up good and tight, and you'll stay there +until I get ready to let you out." + +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Andy Foger sneaked in here and turned the +gear. But how did he get to this part of the coast? Andy Foger, you let +me out!" shouted the young inventor; and as Andy's mocking laugh came +to him faintly through the steel sides of the submarine, the imprisoned +lad beat desperately with his hands on the smooth sides of the tank, +vainly wondering how his enemy had discovered him. + + + + +Chapter Five + +Mr. Berg is Suspicious + + +Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his way out of +the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy sides of it. Tom realized +that this was worse than useless. He listened intently, but could hear +nothing. Even the retreating footsteps of Andy Foger were inaudible. + +"This certainly is a pickle!" exclaimed Tom aloud. "I can't understand +how he ever got here. He must have traced us after we went to Shopton +in the airship the last time. Then he sneaked in here. Probably he saw +me enter, but how could he know enough to work the worm gear and close +the door? Andy has had some experience with machinery, though, and one +of the vaults in the bank where his father is a director closed just +like this tank. That's very likely how he learned about it. But I've +got to do something else besides thinking of that sneak, Andy. I've got +to get out of here. Let's see if I can work the gear from inside." + +Before he started, almost, Tom knew that it would be impossible. The +tank was made to close from the interior of the submarine, and the +heavy door, built to withstand the pressure of tons of water, could not +be forced except by the proper means. + +"No use trying that," concluded the lad, after a tiring attempt to +force back the sliding door with his hands. "I've got to call for help." + +He shouted until the vibrations in the confined space made his ears +ring, and the mere exertion of raising his voice to the highest pitch +made his heart beat quickly. Yet there came no response. He hardly +expected that there would be any, for with his father and Mr. Sharp +away, the engineer absent on an errand, and Mrs. Baggert in the house +some distance off, there was no one to hear his calls for help, even if +they had been capable of penetrating farther than the extent of the +shed, where the under-water craft had been constructed. + +"I've got to wait until some of them come out here," thought Tom. +"They'll be sure to release me and make a search. Then it will be easy +enough to call to them and tell them where I am, once they are inside +the shed. But--" He paused, for a horrible fear came over him. "Suppose +they should come--too late?" The tank was airtight. There was enough +air in it to last for some time, but, sooner or later, it would no +longer support life. Already, Tom thought, it seemed oppressive, though +probably that was his imagination. + +"I must get out!" he repeated frantically. "I'll die in here soon." + +Again he tried to shove back the steel door. Then he repeated his cries +until he was weary. No one answered him. He fancied once he could hear +footsteps in the shed, and thought, perhaps, it was Andy, come back to +gloat over him. Then Tom knew the red-haired coward would not dare +venture back. We must do Andy the justice to say that he never realized +that he was endangering Tom's life. The bully had no idea the tank was +airtight when he closed it. He had seen Tom enter and a sudden whim +came to him to revenge himself. + +But that did not help the young inventor any. There was no doubt about +it now--the air was becoming close. Tom had been imprisoned nearly two +hours, and as he was a healthy, strong lad, he required plenty of +oxygen. There was certainly less than there had been in the tank. His +head began to buzz, and there was a ringing in his ears. + +Once more he fell upon his knees, and his fingers sought the small +projections of the gear on the inside of the door. He could no more +budge the mechanism than a child could open a burglar-proof vault. + +"It's no use," he moaned, and he sprawled at full length on the floor +of the tank, for there the air was purer. As he did so his fingers +touched something. He started as they closed around the handle of a big +monkey wrench. It was one he had brought into the place with him. +Imbued with new hope he struck a match and lighted his lantern, which +he had allowed to go out as it burned up too much of the oxygen. By the +gleam of it he looked to see if there were any bolts or nuts he could +loosen with the wrench, in order to slide the door back. It needed but +a glance to show him the futility of this. + +"It's no go," he murmured, and he let the wrench fall to the floor. +There was a ringing, clanging sound, and as it smote his ears Tom +sprang up with an exclamation. + +"That's the thing!" he cried. "I wonder I didn't think of it before. I +can signal for help by pounding on the sides of the tank with the +wrench. The blows will carry a good deal farther than my voice would." +Every one knows how far the noise of a boiler shop, with hammers +falling on steel plates, can be heard; much farther than can a human +voice. + +Tom began a lusty tattoo on the metal sides of the tank. At first he +merely rattled out blow after blow, and then, as another thought came +to him, he adopted a certain plan. Some time previous, when he and Mr. +Sharp had planned their trip in the air, the two had adopted a code of +signals. As it was difficult in a high wind to shout from one end of +the airship to the other, the young inventor would sometimes pound on +the pipe which ran from the pilot house of the Red Cloud to the +engine-room. By a combination of numbers, simple messages could be +conveyed. The code included a call for help. Forty-seven was the +number, but there had never been any occasion to use it. + +Tom remembered this now. At once he ceased his indiscriminate +hammering, and began to beat out regularly--one, two, three, four--then +a pause, and seven blows would be given. Over and over again he rang +out this number--forty seven--the call for help. + +"If Mr. Sharp only comes back he will hear that, even in the house," +thought poor Tom "Maybe Garret or Mrs. Baggert will hear it, too, but +they won't know what it means. They'll think I'm just working on the +submarine." + +It seemed several hours to Tom that he pounded out that cry for aid, +but, as he afterward learned, it was only a little over an hour. Signal +after signal he sent vibrating from the steel sides of the tank. When +one arm tired he would use the other. He grew weary, his head was +aching, and there was a ringing in his ears; a ringing that seemed as +if ten thousand bells were jangling out their peals, and he could +barely distinguish his own pounding. + +Signal after signal he sounded. It was becoming like a dream to him, +when suddenly, as he paused for a rest, he heard his name called +faintly, as if far away. + +"Tom! Tom! Where are you?" + +It was the voice of Mr. Sharp. Then followed the tones of the aged +inventor. + +"My poor boy! Tom, are you still alive?" + +"Yes, dad! In the starboard tank!" the lad gasped out, and then he lost +his senses. When he revived he was lying on a pile of bagging in the +submarine shop, and his father and the aeronaut were bending over him. + +"Are you all right, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Yes--I--I guess so," was the hesitating answer. "Yes," the lad added, +as the fresh air cleared his head. "I'll be all right pretty soon. Have +you seen Andy Foger?" + +"Did he shut you in there?" demanded Mr. Swift. + +Tom nodded. + +"I'll have him arrested!" declared Mr. Swift. "I'll go to town as soon +as you're in good shape again and notify the police." + +"No, don't," pleaded Tom. "I'll take care of Andy myself. I don't +really believe he knew how serious it was. I'll settle with him later, +though." + +"Well, it came mighty near being serious," remarked Mr. Sharp grimly. +"Your father and I came back a little sooner than we expected, and as +soon as I got near the house I heard your signal. I knew what it was in +a moment. There were Mrs. Baggert and Garret talking away, and when I +asked them why they didn't answer your call they said they thought you +were merely tinkering with the machinery. But I knew better. It's the +first time we ever had a use for 'forty-seven,' Tom." + +"And I hope it will be the last," replied the young inventor with a +faint smile. "But I'd like to know what Andy Foger is doing in this +neighborhood." + +Tom was soon himself again and able to go to the house, where he found +Mrs. Baggert brewing a big basin of catnip tea, under the impression +that it would in some way be good for him. She could not forgive +herself for not having answered his signal, and as for Mr. Jackson, he +had started for a doctor as soon as he learned that Tom was shut up in +the tank. The services of the medical man were canceled by telephone, +as there was no need for him, and the engineer came back to the house. + +Tom was fully himself the next day, and aided his father and Mr. Sharp +in putting the finishing touches to the Advance. It was found that some +alteration was required in the auxiliary propellers, and this, much to +the regret of the young inventor, would necessitate postponing the +trial a few days. + +"But we'll have her in the water next Friday," promised Mr. Swift. + +"Aren't you superstitious about Friday?" asked the balloonist. + +"Not a bit of it," replied the aged inventor. "Tom," he added, "I wish +you would go in the house and get me the roll of blueprints you'll find +on my desk." + +As the lad neared the cottage he saw, standing in front of the place, a +small automobile. A man had just descended from it, and it needed but a +glance to show that he was Mr. Addison Berg. + +"Ah, good morning, Mr. Swift," greeted Mr. Berg. "I wish to see your +father, but as I don't wish to lay myself open to suspicions by +entering the shop, perhaps you will ask him to step here." + +"Certainly," answered the lad, wondering why the agent had returned. +Getting the blueprints, and asking Mr. Berg to sit down on the porch, +Tom delivered the message. + +"You come back with me, Tom," said his father. "I want you to be a +witness to what he says. I'm not going to get into trouble with these +people." + +Mr. Berg came to the point at once. + +"Mr. Swift," he said, "I wish you would reconsider your determination +not to enter the Government trials. I'd like to see you compete. So +would my firm." + +"There is no use going over that again," replied the aged inventor. "I +have another object in view now than trying for the Government prize. +What it is I can't say, but it may develop in time--if we are +successful," and he looked at his son, smiling the while. + +Mr. Berg tried to argue, but it was of no avail. Then he changed his +manner, and said: + +"Well, since you won't, you won't, I suppose. I'll go back and report +to my firm. Have you anything special to do this morning?" he went on +to Tom. + +"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," replied the lad, +"but as for anything special--" + +"I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my auto," interrupted +Mr. Berg. "I had asked a young man who is stopping at the same hotel +where I am to accompany me, but he has unexpectedly left, and I don't +like to go alone. His name was--let me see. I have a wretched memory +for names, but it was something like Roger or Moger." + +"Foger!" cried Tom. "Was it Andy Foger?" + +"Yes, that was it. Why, do you know him?" asked Mr. Berg in some +surprise. + +"I should say so," replied Tom. "He was the cause of what might have +resulted in something serious for me," and the lad explained about +being imprisoned in the tank. + +"You don't tell me!" cried Mr. Berg. "I had no idea he was that kind of +a lad. You see, his father is one of the directors of the firm by whom +I am employed. Andy came from home to spend a few weeks at the seaside, +and stopped at the same hotel that I did. He went off yesterday +afternoon, and I haven't seen him since, though he promised to go for a +ride with me. He must have come over here and entered your shop +unobserved. I remember now he asked me where the submarine was being +built that was going to compete with our firm's, and I told him. I +didn't think he was that kind of a lad. Well, since he's probably gone +back home, perhaps you will come for a ride with me, Tom." + +"I'm afraid I can't go, thank you," answered the lad. "We are very busy +getting our submarine in shape for a trial. But I can imagine why Andy +left so hurriedly. He probably learned that a doctor had been summoned +for me, though, as it happened, I didn't need one. But Andy probably +got frightened at what he had done, and left. I'll make him more sorry, +when I meet him." + +"Don't blame you a bit," commented Mr. Berg. "Well, I must be getting +back." + +He hastened out to his auto, while Tom and his father watched the agent. + +"Tom, never trust that man," advised the aged inventor solemnly. + +"Just what I was about to remark," said his son. "Well, let's get back +to work. Queer that he should come here again, and it's queer about +Andy Foger." + +Father and son returned to the machine shop, while Mr. Berg puffed away +in his auto. A little later, Tom having occasion to go to a building +near the boundary line of the cottage property which his father had +hired for the season, saw, through the hedge that bordered it, an +automobile standing in the road. A second glance showed him that it was +Mr. Berg's machine. Something had gone wrong with it, and the agent had +alighted to make an adjustment. + +The young inventor was close to the man, though the latter was unaware +of his presence. + +"Hang it all!" Tom heard Mr. Berg exclaim to himself. "I wonder what +they can be up to? They won't enter the Government contests, and they +won't say why. I believe they're up to some game, and I've got to find +out what it is. I wonder if I couldn't use this Foger chap?" + +"He seems to have it in for this Tom Swift," Mr. Berg went on, still +talking to himself, though not so low but that Tom could hear him. "I +think I'll try it. I'll get Andy Foger to sneak around and find out +what the game is. He'll do it, I know." + +By this time the auto was in working order again, and the agent took +his seat and started off. + +"So that's how matters lie, eh?" thought Tom. "Well, Mr. Berg, we'll be +doubly on the lookout for you after this. As for Andy Foger, I think +I'll make him wish he'd never locked me in that tank. So you expect to +find out our 'game,' eh, Mr. Berg? Well, when you do know it, I think +it will astonish you. I only hope you don't learn what it is until we +get at that sunken treasure, though." + +But alas for Tom's hopes. Mr. Berg did learn of the object of the +treasure-seekers, and sought to defeat them, as we shall learn as our +story proceeds. + + + + +Chapter Six + +Turning the Tables + + +When the young inventor informed his father what he had overheard Mr. +Berg saying, the aged inventor was not as much worried as his son +anticipated. + +"All we'll have to do, Tom," he said, "is to keep quiet about where we +are going. Once we have the Advance afloat, and try her out, we can +start on our voyage for the South American Coast and search for the +sunken treasure. When we begin our voyage under water I defy any one to +tell where we are going, or what our plans are. No, I don't believe we +need worry about Mr. Berg, though he probably means mischief." + +"Well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for him and Andy Foger," declared +Tom. + +The days that followed were filled with work. Not only were there many +unexpected things to do about the submarine, but Mr. Sharp was kept +busy making inquiries about the sunken treasure ship. These inquiries +had to be made carefully, as the adventurers did not want their plans +talked of, and nothing circulates more quickly than rumors of an +expedition after treasure of any kind. + +"What about the old sea captain you were going to get to go with us?" +asked Mr. Swift of the balloonist one afternoon. "Have you succeeded +in finding one yet?" + +"Yes; I am in communication with a man I think will be just the person +for us. His name is Captain Alden Weston, and he has sailed all over +the world. He has also taken part in more than one revolution, and, in +fact, is a soldier of fortune. I do not know him personally, but a +friend of mine knows him, and says he will serve us faithfully. I have +written to him, and he will be here in a few days." + +"That's good. Now about the location of the wreck itself. Have you +been able to learn any more details?" + +"Well, not many. You see, the Boldero was abandoned in a storm, and the +captain did not take very careful observations. As nearly as it can be +figured out the treasure ship went to the bottom in latitude forty-five +degrees south, and longitude twenty-seven east from Washington. That's +a pretty indefinite location, but I hope, once we get off the Uruguay +coast, we can better it. We can anchor or lay outside the harbor, and +in the small boat we carry go ashore and possibly gain more details. +For it was at Montevideo that the shipwrecked passengers and sailors +landed." + +"Does Captain Weston know our object?" inquired Tom. + +"No, and I don't propose to tell him until we are ready to start," +replied Mr. Sharp. "I don't know just how he'll consider a submarine +trip after treasure, but if I spring it on him suddenly he's less +likely to back out. Oh, I think he'll go." + +Somewhat unexpectedly the next day it was discovered that certain tools +and appliances were needed for the submarine, and they had been left in +the house at Shopton, where Eradicate Sampson was in charge as +caretaker during the absence of Mr. Swift and his son and the +housekeeper. + +"Well, I suppose we'll have to go back after them," remarked Tom. +"We'll take the airship, dad, and make a two-days' trip of it. Is there +anything else you want?" + +"Well, you might bring a bundle of papers you'll find in the lower +right hand drawer of my desk. They contain some memoranda I need." + +Tom and Mr. Sharp had become so used to traveling in the airship that +it seemed no novelty to them, though they attracted much attention +wherever they went. They soon had the Red Cloud in readiness for a +flight, and rising in the air above the shop that contained the +powerful submarine, a craft utterly different in type from the +aeroplane, the nose of the airship was pointed toward Shopton. + +They made a good flight and landed near the big shed where the bird of +the air was kept. It was early evening when they got to the Swift +homestead, and Eradicate Sampson was glad to see them. + +Eradicate was a good cook, and soon had a meal ready for the travelers. +Then, while Mr. Sharp selected the tools and other things needed, and +put them in the airship ready for the start back the next morning, Tom +concluded he would take a stroll into Shopton, to see if he could see +his friend, Ned Newton. It was early evening, and the close of a +beautiful day, a sharp shower in the morning having cooled the air. + +Tom was greeted by a number of acquaintances as he strolled along, for, +since the episode of the bank robbery, when he had so unexpectedly +returned with the thieves and the cash, the lad was better known than +ever. + +"I guess Ned must be home," thought our hero as he looked in vain for +his chum among the throng on the streets. "I've got time to take a +stroll down to his house." + +Tom was about to cross the street when he was startled by the sound of +an automobile horn loudly blown just at his side. Then a voice called: + +"Hey, there! Git out of the way if you don't want to be run over!" + +He looked up, and saw a car careening along. At the wheel was the +red-haired bully, Andy Foger, and in the tonneau were Sam Snedecker and +Pete Bailey. + +"Git out of the way," added Sam, and he grinned maliciously at Tom. + +The latter stepped back, well out of the path of the car, which was not +moving very fast. Just in front of Tom was a puddle of muddy water. +There was no necessity for Andy steering into it, but he saw his +opportunity, and a moment later one of the big pneumatic tires had +plunged into the dirty fluid, spattering it all over Tom, some even +going as high as his face. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Andy. "Maybe you'll get out of my way next time, Tom +Swift." + +The young inventor was almost speechless from righteous anger. He wiped +the mud from his face, glanced down at his clothes, which were all but +ruined, and called out: + +"Hold on there, Andy Foger! I want to see you!" for he thought of the +time when Andy had shut him in the tank. + +"Ta! ta!" shouted Pete Bailey. + +"See you later," added Sam. + +"Better go home and take a bath, and then sail away in your submarine," +went on Andy. "I'll bet it will sink." + +Before Tom could reply the auto had turned a corner. Disgusted and +angry, he tried to sop up some of the muddy water with his +handkerchief. While thus engaged he heard his name called, and looked +up to see Ned Newton. + +"What's the matter? Fall down?" asked his chum. + +"Andy Foger," replied Tom. + +"That's enough," retorted Ned. "I can guess the rest. We'll have to +tar and feather him some day, and ride him out of town on a rail. I'd +kick him myself, only his father is a director in the bank where I +work, and I'd be fired if I did. Can't afford any such pleasure. But +some day I'll give Andy a good trouncing, and then resign before they +can discharge me. But I'll be looking for another job before I do that. +Come on to my house, Tom, and I'll help you clean up." + +Tom was a little more presentable when he left his chum's residence, +after spending the evening there, but he was still burning for revenge +against Andy and his cronies. He had half a notion to go to Andy's +house and tell Mr. Foger how nearly serious the bully's prank at the +submarine had been, but he concluded that Mr. Foger could only uphold +his son. "No, I'll settle with him myself," decided Tom. + +Bidding Eradicate keep a watchful eye about the house, and leaving word +for Mr. Damon to be sure to come to the coast if he again called at the +Shopton house, Tom and Mr. Sharp prepared to make their return trip +early the next morning. + +The gas tank was filled and the Red Cloud arose in the air. Then, with +the propellers moving at moderate speed, the nose of the craft was +pointed toward the New Jersey coast. + +A few miles out from Shopton, finding there was a contrary wind in the +upper regions where they were traveling, Mr. Sharp descended several +hundred feet. They were moving over a sparsely settled part of the +country, and looking down, Tom saw, speeding along a highway, an +automobile. + +"I wonder who's in it?" he remarked, taking down a telescope and +peering over the window ledge of the cabin. The next moment he uttered +a startled exclamation. + +"Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey!" he cried. "Oh, I wish I +had a bucket of water to empty on them." + +"I know a better way to get even with them than that," said Mr. Sharp. + +"How?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"I'll show you," replied the balloonist. "It's a trick I once played on +a fellow who did me an injury. Here, you steer for a minute until I get +the thing fixed, then I'll take charge." + +Mr. Sharp went to the storeroom and came back with a long, stout rope +and a small anchor of four prongs. It was carried to be used in +emergencies, but so far had never been called into requisition. +Fastening the grapple to the cable, the balloonist said: + +"Now, Tom, they haven't seen you. You stand in the stern and pay out +the rope. I'll steer the airship, and what I want you to do is to catch +the anchor in the rear of their car. Then I'll show you some fun." + +Tom followed instructions. Slowly he lowered the rope with the dangling +grapple. The airship was also sent down, as the cable was not quite +long enough to reach the earth from the height at which they were. The +engine was run at slow speed, so that the noise would not attract the +attention of the three cronies who were speeding along, all unconscious +of the craft in the air over their heads. The Red Cloud was moving in +the same direction as was the automobile. + +The anchor was now close to the rear of Andy's car. Suddenly it caught +on the tonneau and Tom called that fact to Mr. Sharp. + +"Fasten the rope at the cleat," directed the balloonist. + +Tom did so, and a moment later the aeronaut sent the airship up by +turning more gas into the container. At the same time he reversed the +engine and the Red Cloud began pulling the touring car backward, also +lifting the rear wheels clear from the earth. + +A startled cry from the occupants of the machine told Tom and his +friend that Andy and his cronies were aware something was wrong. A +moment later Andy, looking up, saw the airship hovering in the air +above him. Then he saw the rope fast to his auto. The airship was not +rising now, or the auto would have been turned over, but it was slowly +pulling it backward, in spite of the fact that the motor of the car was +still going. + +"Here! You let go of me!" cried Andy. "I'll have you arrested if you +damage my car." + +"Come up here and cut the rope," called Tom leaning over and looking +down. He could enjoy the bully's discomfiture. As for Sam and Pete, +they were much frightened, and cowered down on the floor of the tonneau. + +"Maybe you'll shut me in the tank again and splash mud on me!" shouted +Tom. + +The rear wheels of the auto were lifted still higher from the ground, +as Mr. Sharp turned on a little more gas. Andy was not proof against +this. + +"Oh! oh!" he cried. "Please let me down, Tom. I'm awful sorry for what +I did! I'll never do it again! Please, please let me down! Don't! You'll +tip me over!" + +He had shut off his motor now, and was frantically clinging to the +steering wheel. + +"Do you admit that you're a sneak and a coward?" asked Tom, "rubbing it +in." + +"Yes, yes! Oh, please let me down!" + +"Shall we?" asked Tom of Mr. Sharp. + +"Yes," replied the balloonist. "We can afford to lose the rope and +anchor for the sake of turning the tables. Cut the cable." + +Tom saw what was intended. Using a little hatchet, he severed the rope +with a single blow. With a crash that could be heard up in the air +where the Red Cloud hovered, the rear wheels of the auto dropped to the +ground. Then came two loud reports. + +"Both tires busted!" commented Mr. Sharp dryly, and Tom, looking down, +saw the trio of lads ruefully contemplating the collapsed rubber of the +rear wheels. The tables had been effectually turned on Andy Foger. His +auto was disabled, and the airship, with a graceful sweep, mounted +higher and higher, continuing on its way to the coast. + + + + +Chapter Seven + +Mr. Damon Will Go + + +"Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as he took an +observation through the telescope and saw Andy and his cronies hard at +work trying to repair the ruptured tires. "That certainly was a corking +good trick." + +"Yes," admitted Mr. Sharp modestly. "I once did something similar, only +it was a horse and wagon instead of an auto. But let's try for another +speed record. The conditions are just right." + +They arrived at the coast much sooner than they had dared to hope, the +Red Cloud proving herself a veritable wonder. + +The remainder of that day, and part of the next, was spent in working +on the submarine. + +"We'll launch her day after to-morrow," declared Mr. Swift +enthusiastically. "Then to see whether my calculations are right or +wrong." + +"It won't be your fault if it doesn't work," said his son. "You +certainly have done your best." + +"And so have you and Mr. Sharp and the others, for that matter. Well, I +have no doubt but that everything will be all right, Tom." + +"There!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp the next morning, as he was adjusting a +certain gage. "I knew I'd forget something. That special brand of +lubricating oil. I meant to bring it from Shopton, and I didn't." + +"Maybe I can get it in Atlantis," suggested Tom, naming the coast city +nearest to them. "I'll take a walk over. It isn't far." + +"Will you? I'll be glad to have you," resumed the balloonist. "A gallon +will be all we'll need." + +Tom was soon on his way. He had to walk, as the roads were too poor to +permit him to use the motor-cycle, and the airship attracted too much +attention to use on a short trip. He was strolling along, when from +the other side of a row of sand dunes, that lined the uncertain road to +Atlantis, he heard some one speaking. At first the tones were not +distinct, but as the lad drew nearer to the voice he heard an +exclamation. + +"Bless my gold-headed cane! I believe I'm lost. He said it was out this +way somewhere, but I don't see anything of it. If I had that Eradicate +Sampson here now I'd--bless my shoelaces I don't know what I would do +to him." + +"Mr. Damon! Mr. Damon!" cried Tom. "Is that you?" + +"Me? Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" answered the voice. "But +who are you. Why, bless my liver! If it isn't Tom Swift!" he cried. +"Oh, but I'm glad to see you! I was afraid I was shipwrecked! Bless my +gaiters, how are you, anyhow? How is your father? How is Mr. Sharp, and +all the rest of them?" + +"Pretty well. And you?" + +"Me? Oh, I'm all right; only a trifle nervous. I called at your house +in Shopton yesterday, and Eradicate told me, as well as he could, where +you were located. I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd take a run down +here. But what's this I hear about you? Are you going on a voyage?" + +"Yes." + +"In the air? May I go along again? I certainly enjoyed my other trip in +the Red Cloud. That is, all but the fire and being shot at. May I go?" + +"We're going on a different sort of trip this time," said the youth. + +"Where?" + +"Under water." + +"Under water? Bless my sponge bath! You don't mean it!" + +"Yes. Dad has completed the submarine he was working on when we were +off in the airship, and it will be launched the day after to-morrow." + +"Oh, that's so. I'd forgotten about it. He's going to try for the +Government prize, isn't he? But tell me more about it. Bless my +scarf-pin, but I'm glad I met you! Going into town, I take it. Well, I +just came from there, but I'll walk back with you. Do you think--is +there any possibility--that I could go with you? Of course, I don't +want to crowd you, but--" + +"Oh, there'll be plenty of room," replied the young inventor. "In fact, +more room than we had in the airship. We were talking only the other +day about the possibility of you going with us, but we didn't think +you'd risk it." + +"Risk it? Bless my liver! Of course I'll risk it! It can't be as bad +as sailing in the air. You can't fall, that's certain." + +"No; but maybe you can't rise," remarked Tom grimly. + +"Oh, we won't think of that. Of course, I'd like to go. I fully +expected to be killed in the Red Cloud, but as I wasn't. I'm ready to +take a chance in the water. On the whole, I think I prefer to be buried +at sea, anyhow. Now, then, will you take me?" + +"I think I can safely promise," answered Tom with a smile at his +friend's enthusiasm. + +The two were approaching the city, having walked along as they talked. +There were still some sand dunes near the road, and they kept on the +side of these, nearest the beach, where they could watch the breakers. + +"But you haven't told me where you are going," went on Mr. Damon, after +blessing a few dozen objects. "Where do the Government trials take +place?" + +"Well," replied the lad, "to be frank with you, we have abandoned our +intention of trying for the Government prize." + +"Not going to try for it? Bless my slippers! Why not? Isn't fifty +thousand dollars worth striving for? And, with the kind of a submarine +you say you have, you ought to be able to win." + +"Yes, probably we could win," admitted the young inventor, "but we are +going to try for a better prize." + +"A better one? I don't understand." + +"Sunken treasure," explained Tom. "There's a ship sunk off the coast of +Uruguay, with three hundred thousand dollars in gold bullion aboard. +Dad and I are going to try to recover that in our submarine. We're +going to start day after to-morrow, and, if you like, you may go along." + +"Go along! Of course I'll go along!" cried the eccentric man. "But I +never heard of such a thing. Sunken treasure! Three hundred thousand +dollars in gold! My, what a lot of money! And to go after it in a +submarine! It's as good as a story!" + +"Yes, we hope to recover all the treasure," said the lad. "We ought to +be able to claim at least half of it." + +"Bless my pocketbook!" cried Mr. Damon, but Tom did not hear him. At +that instant his attention was attracted by seeing two men emerge from +behind the sand dune near which he and Mr. Damon had halted +momentarily, when the youth explained about the treasure. The man +looked sharply at Tom. A moment later the first man was joined by +another, and at the sight of him our hero could not repress an +exclamation of alarm. For the second man was none other than Addison +Berg. + +The latter glanced quickly at Tom, and then, with a hasty word to his +companion, the two swung around and made off in the opposite direction +to that in which they had been walking. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Damon, seeing the young inventor was +strangely affected. + +"That--that man," stammered the lad. + +"You don't mean to tell me that was one the Happy Harry gang, do you?" + +"No. But one, or both of those men, may prove to be worse. That second +man was Addison Berg, and he's agent for a firm of submarine boat +builders who are rivals of dad's. Berg has been trying to find out why +we abandoned our intention of competing for the Government prize." + +"I hope you didn't tell him." + +"I didn't intend to," replied Tom, smiling grimly, "but I'm afraid I +have, however. He certainly overheard what I said. I spoke too loud. +Yes, he must have heard me. That's why he hurried off so." + +"Possibly no harm is done. You didn't give the location of the sunken +ship." + +"No; but I guess from what I said it will be easy enough to find. Well, +if we're going to have a fight for the possession of that sunken gold, +I'm ready for it. The Advance is well equipped for a battle. I must +tell dad of this. It's my fault." + +"And partly mine, for asking you such leading questions in a public +place," declared Mr. Damon. "Bless my coat-tails, but I'm sorry! Maybe, +after all, those men were so interested in what they themselves were +saying that they didn't understand what you said." + +But if there had been any doubts on this score they would have been +dissolved had Tom and his friend been able to see the actions of Mr. +Berg and his companion a little later. The plans of the +treasure-hunters had been revealed to their ears. + + + + +Chapter Eight + +Another Treasure Expedition + + +While Tom and Mr. Damon continued on to Atlantis after the oil, the +young inventor lamenting from time to time that his remarks about the +real destination of the Advance had been overheard by Mr. Berg, the +latter and his companion were hastening back along the path that ran on +one side of the sand dunes. + +"What's your hurry?" asked Mr. Maxwell, who was with the submarine +agent. "You turned around as if you were shot when you saw that man and +the lad. There didn't appear to be any cause for such a hurry. From +what I could hear they were talking about a submarine. You're in the +same business. You might be friends." + +"Yes, we might," admitted Mr. Berg with a peculiar smile; "but, unless +I'm very much mistaken, we're going to be rivals." + +"Rivals? What do you mean?" + +"I can't tell you now. Perhaps I may later. But if you don't mind, walk +a little faster, please. I want to get to a long-distance telephone." + +"What for?" + +"I have just overheard something that I wish to communicate to my +employers, Bentley & Eagert." + +"Overheard something? I don't see what it could be, unless that lad--" + +"You'll learn in good time," went on the submarine agent. "But I must +telephone at once." + +A little later the two men had reached a trolley line that ran into +Atlantis, and they arrived at the city before Mr. Damon and Tom got +there, as the latter had to go by a circuitous route. Mr. Berg lost no +time in calling up his firm by telephone. + +"I have had another talk with Mr. Swift," he reported to Mr. Bentley, +who came to the instrument in Philadelphia. + +"Well, what does he say?" was the impatient question. "I can't +understand his not wanting to try for the Government prize. It is +astonishing. You said you were going to discover the reason, Mr Berg, +but you haven't done so." + +"I have." + +"What is it?" + +"Well, the reason Mr. Swift and his son don't care to try for the fifty +thousand dollar prize is that they are after one of three hundred +thousand dollars." + +"Three hundred thousand dollars!" cried Mr. Bentley. "What government +is going to offer such a prize as that for submarines, when they are +getting almost as common as airships? We ought to have a try for that +ourselves. What government is it?" + +"No government at all. But I think we ought to have a try for it, Mr. +Bentley." + +"Explain." + +"Well, I have just learned, most accidentally, that the Swifts are +going after sunken treasure--three hundred thousand dollars in gold +bullion." + +"Sunken treasure? Where? + +"I don't know exactly, but off the coast of Uruguay," and Mr. Berg +rapidly related what he had overheard Tom tell Mr. Damon. Mr. Bentley +was much excited and impatient for more details, but his agent could +not give them to him. + +"Well," concluded the senior member of the firm of submarine boat +builders, "if the Swifts are going after treasure, so can we. Come to +Philadelphia at once, Mr. Berg, and we'll talk this matter over. There +is no time to lose. We can afford to forego the Government prize for +the chance of getting a much larger one. We have as much right to +search for the sunken gold as the Swifts have. Come here at once, and +we will make our plans." + +"All right," agreed the agent with a smile as he hung up the receiver. +"I guess," he murmured to himself, "that you won't be so high and +mighty with me after this, Tom Swift. We'll see who has the best boat, +after all. We'll have a contest and a competition, but not for a +government prize. It will be for the sunken gold." + +It was easy to see that Mr. Berg was much pleased with himself. + +Meanwhile, Tom and Mr. Damon had reached Atlantis, and had purchased +the oil. They started back, but Tom took a street leading toward the +center of the place, instead of striking for the beach path, along +which they had come. + +"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I want to see if that Andy Foger has come back here," replied the lad, +and he told of having been shut in the tank by the bully. + +"I've never properly punished him for that trick," he went on, "though +we did manage to burst his auto tires. I'm curious to know how he knew +enough to turn that gear and shut the tank door. He must have been +loitering near the shop, seen me go in the submarine alone, watched his +chance and sneaked in after me. But I'd like to get a complete +explanation, and if I once got hold of Andy I could make him talk," and +Tom clenched his fist in a manner that augured no good for the +squint-eyed lad. "He was stopping at the same hotel with Mr. Berg, and +he hurried away after the trick he played on me. I next saw him in +Shopton, but I thought perhaps he might have come back here. I'm going +to inquire at the hotel," he added. + +Andy's name was not on the register since his hasty flight, however, +and Tom, after inquiring from the clerk and learning that Mr. Berg was +still a guest at the hostelry, rejoined Mr. Damon. + +"Bless my hat!" exclaimed that eccentric individual as they started +back to the lonely beach where the submarine was awaiting her advent +into the water. "The more I think of the trip I'm going to take, the +more I like it." + +"I hope you will," remarked Tom. "It will be a new experience for all +of us. There's only one thing worrying me, and that is about Mr. Berg +having overheard what I said." + +"Oh, don't worry about that. Can't we slip away and leave no trace in +the water?" + +"I hope so, but I must tell dad and Mr. Sharp about what happened." + +The aged inventor was not a little alarmed at what his son related, but +he agreed with Mr. Damon, whom he heartily welcomed, that little was to +be apprehended from Berg and his employers. + +"They know we're after a sunken wreck, but that's all they do know," +said Tom's father. "We are only waiting for the arrival of Captain +Alden Weston, and then we will go. Even if Bentley & Eagert make a try +for the treasure we'll have the start of them, and this will be a case +of first come, first served. Don't worry, Tom. I'm glad you're going, +Mr Damon. Come, I will show you our submarine." + +As father and son, with their guest, were going to the machine shop, +Mr. Sharp met them. He had a letter in his hand. + +"Good news!" the balloonist cried. "Captain Weston will be with us +to-morrow. He will arrive at the Beach Hotel in Atlantis, and wants one +of us to meet him there. He has considerable information about the +wreck." + +"The Beach Hotel," murmured Tom. "That is where Mr. Berg is stopping. I +hope he doesn't worm any of our secret from Captain Weston," and it was +with a feeling of uneasiness that the young inventor continued after +his father and Mr. Damon to where the submarine was. + + + + +Chapter Nine + +Captain Weston's Advent + + +"Bless my water ballast, but that certainly is a fine boat!" cried Mr. +Damon, when he had been shown over the new craft. "I think I shall +feel even safer in that than in the Red Cloud." + +"Oh, don't go back on the airship!" exclaimed Mr Sharp. "I was counting +on taking you on another trip." + +"Well, maybe after we get back from under the ocean," agreed Mr. Damon. +"I particularly like the cabin arrangements of the Advance. I think I +shall enjoy myself." + +He would be hard to please who could not take pleasure from a trip in +the submarine. The cabin was particularly fine, and the sleeping +arrangements were good. + +More supplies could be carried than was possible on the airship, and +there was more room in which to cook and serve food. Mr. Damon was fond +of good living, and the kitchen pleased him as much as anything else. + +Early the next morning Tom set out for Atlantis, to meet Captain Weston +at the hotel. The young inventor inquired of the clerk whether the +seafaring man had arrived, and was told that he had come the previous +evening. + +"Is he in his room?" asked Tom. + +"No," answered the clerk with a peculiar grin. "He's an odd character. +Wouldn't go to bed last night until we had every window in his room +open, though it was blowing quite hard, and likely to storm. The +captain said he was used to plenty of fresh air. Well, I guess he got +it, all right." + +"Where is he now?" asked the youth, wondering what sort of an +individual he was to meet. + +"Oh, he was up before sunrise, so some of the scrubwomen told me. They +met him coming from his room, and he went right down to the beach with +a big telescope he always carries with him. He hasn't come back yet. +Probably he's down on the sand." + +"Hasn't he had breakfast?" + +"No. He left word he didn't want to eat until about four bells, +whatever time that is." + +"It's ten o'clock," replied Tom, who had been studying up on sea terms +lately. "Eight bells is eight o'clock in the morning, or four in the +afternoon or eight at night, according to the time of day. Then there's +one bell for every half hour, so four bells this morning would be ten +o'clock in this watch, I suppose." + +"Oh, that's the way it goes, eh?" asked the clerk. "I never could get +it through my head. What is twelve o'clock noon?" + +"That's eight bells, too; so is twelve o'clock midnight. Eight bells +is as high as they go on a ship. But I guess I'll go down and see if I +can meet the captain. It will soon be ten o'clock, or four bells, and +he must be hungry for breakfast. By the way, is that Mr. Berg still +here?" + +"No; he went away early this morning. He and Captain Weston seemed to +strike up quite an acquaintance, the night clerk told me. They sat and +smoked together until long after midnight, or eight bells," and the +clerk smiled as he glanced down at the big diamond ring on his little +finger. + +"They did?" fairly exploded Tom, for he had visions of what the wily +Mr. Berg might worm out of the simple captain. + +"Yes. Why, isn't the captain a proper man to make friends with?" and +the clerk looked at Tom curiously. + +"Oh, yes, of course," was the hasty answer. "I guess I'll go and see if +I can find him--the captain, I mean." + +Tom hardly knew what to think. He wished his father, or Mr. Sharp, had +thought to warn Captain Weston against talking of the wreck. It might +be too late now. + +The young inventor hurried to the beach, which was not far from the +hotel. He saw a solitary figure pacing up and down, and from the fact +that the man stopped, every now and then, and gazed seaward through a +large telescope, the lad concluded it was the captain for whom he was +in search. He approached, his footsteps making no sound on the sand. +The man was still gazing through the glass. + +"Captain Weston?" spoke Tom. + +Without a show of haste, though the voice must have startled him, the +captain turned. Slowly he lowered the telescope, and then he replied +softly: + +"That's my name. Who are you, if I may ask?" + +Tom was struck, more than by anything else, by the gentle voice of the +seaman. He had prepared himself, from the description of Mr. Sharp, to +meet a gruff, bewhiskered individual, with a voice like a crosscut saw, +and a rolling gait. Instead he saw a man of medium size, with a smooth +face, merry blue eyes, and the softest voice and gentlest manner +imaginable. Tom was very much disappointed. He had looked for a regular +sea-dog, and he met a landsman, as he said afterward. But it was not +long before our hero changed his mind regarding Captain Weston. + +"I'm Tom Swift," the owner of that name said, "and I have been sent to +show you the way to where our ship is ready to launch." The young +inventor refrained from mentioning submarine, as it was the wish of Mr +Sharp to disclose this feature of the voyage to the sailor himself. + +"Ha, I thought as much," resumed the captain quietly. "It's a fine +day, if I may be permitted to say so," and he seemed to hesitate, as if +there was some doubt whether or not he might make that observation. + +"It certainly is," agreed the lad. Then, with a smile he added: "It is +nearly four bells." + +"Ha!" exclaimed the captain, also smiling, but even his manner of +saying "Ha!" was less demonstrative than that of most persons. "I +believe I am getting hungry, if I may be allowed the remark," and again +he seemed asking Tom's pardon for mentioning the fact. + +"Perhaps you will come back to the cabin and have a little breakfast +with me," he went on. "I don't know what sort of a galley or cook they +have aboard the Beach Hotel, but it can't be much worse than some I've +tackled." + +"No, thank you," answered the youth. "I've had my breakfast. But I'll +wait for you, and then I'd like to get back. Dad and Mr. Sharp are +anxious to meet you." + +"And I am anxious to meet them, if you don't mind me mentioning it," +was the reply, as the captain once more put the spyglass to his eye and +took an observation. "Not many sails in sight this morning," he added. +"But the weather is fine, and we ought to get off in good shape to hunt +for the treasure about which Mr. Sharp wrote me. I believe we are going +after treasure," he said; "that is, if you don't mind talking about it." + +"Not in the least," replied Tom quickly, thinking this a good +opportunity for broaching a subject that was worrying him. "Did you +meet a Mr. Berg here last night, Captain Weston?" he went on. + +"Yes. Mr. Berg and I had quite a talk. He is a well-informed man." + +"Did he mention the sunken treasure?" asked the lad, eager to find out +if his suspicions were true. + +"Yes, he did, if you'll excuse me putting it so plainly," answered the +seaman, as if Tom might be offended at so direct a reply. But the young +inventor was soon to learn that this was only an odd habit with the +seaman. + +"Did he want to know where the wreck of the Boldero was located?" +continued the lad. "That is, did he try to discover if you knew +anything about it?" + +"Yes," said Mr. Weston, "he did. He pumped me, if you are acquainted +with that term, and are not offended by it. You see, when I arrived +here I made inquiries as to where your father's place was located. Mr. +Berg overheard me, and introduced himself as agent for a shipbuilding +concern. He was very friendly, and when he said he knew you and your +parent, I thought he was all right." + +Tom's heart sank. His worst fears were to be realized, he thought. + +"Yes, he and I talked considerable, if I may be permitted to say so," +went on the captain. "He seemed to know about the wreck of the Boldero, +and that she had three hundred thousand dollars in gold aboard. The +only thing he didn't know was where the wreck was located. He knew it +was off Uruguay somewhere, but just where he couldn't say. So he asked +me if I knew, since he must have concluded that I was going with you on +the gold-hunting expedition." + +"And you do know, don't you?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Well, I have it pretty accurately charted out, if you will allow me +that expression," was the calm answer. "I took pains to look it up at +the request of Mr. Sharp." + +"And he wanted to worm that information out of you?" inquired the youth +excitedly. + +"Yes, I'm afraid he did." + +"Did you give him the location?" + +"Well," remarked the captain, as he took another observation before +closing up the telescope, "you see, while we were talking, I happened +to drop a copy of a map I'd made, showing the location of the wreck. +Mr. Berg picked it up to hand to me, and he looked at it." + +"Oh!" cried Tom. "Then he knows just where the treasure is, and he may +get to it ahead of us. It's too bad." + +"Yes," continued the seaman calmly, "Mr. Berg picked up that map, and +he looked very closely at the latitude and longitude I had marked as +the location of the wreck." + +"Then he won't have any trouble finding it," murmured our hero. + +"Eh? What's that?" asked the captain, "if I may be permitted to request +you to repeat what you said." + +"I say he won't have any trouble locating the sunken Boldero," repeated +Tom. + +"Oh, but I think he will, if he depends on that map," was the +unexpected reply. "You see," explained Mr. Weston, "I'm not so simple +as I look. I sensed what Mr. Berg was after, the minute he began to +talk to me. So I fixed up a little game on him. The map which I dropped +on purpose, not accidentally, where he would see it, did have the +location of the wreck marked. Only it didn't happen to be the right +location. It was about five hundred miles out of the way, and I rather +guess if Mr. Berg and his friends go there for treasure they'll find +considerable depth of water and quite a lonesome spot. Oh, no, I'm not +as easy as I look, if you don't mind me mentioning that fact; and when +a scoundrel sets out to get the best of me, I generally try to turn the +tables on him. I've seen such men as Mr. Berg before. I'm afraid, I'm +very much afraid, the sight he had of the fake map I made won't do him +much good. Well, I declare, it's past four bells. Let's go to +breakfast, if you don't mind me asking you," and with that the captain +started off up the beach, Tom following, his ideas all a whirl at the +unlooked-for outcome of the interview. + + + + +Chapter Ten + +Trial of the Submarine + + +Tom felt such a relief at hearing of Captain Weston's ruse that his +appetite, sharpened by an early breakfast and the sea air, came to him +with a rush, and he had a second morning meal with the odd sea captain, +who chuckled heartily when he thought of how Mr Berg had been deceived. + +"Yes," resumed Captain Weston, over his bacon and eggs, "I sized him up +for a slick article as soon as I laid eyes on him. But he evidently +misjudged me, if I may be permitted that term. Oh, well, we may meet +again, after we secure the treasure, and then I can show him the real +map of the location of the wreck." + +"Then you have it?" inquired the lad eagerly. + +Captain Weston nodded, before hiding his face behind a large cup of +coffee; his third, by the way. + +"Let me see it?" asked Tom quickly. The captain set down his cup. He +looked carefully about the hotel dining-room. There were several +guests, who, like himself, were having a late breakfast. + +"It's a good plan," the sailor said slowly, "when you're going into +unknown waters, and don't want to leave a wake for the other fellow to +follow, to keep your charts locked up. If it's all the same to you," he +added diffidently, "I'd rather wait until we get to where your father +and Mr. Sharp are before displaying the real map. I've no objection to +showing you the one Mr. Berg saw," and again he chuckled. + +The young inventor blushed at his indiscretion. He felt that the news +of the search for the treasure had leaked out through him, though he +was the one to get on the trail of it by seeing the article in the +paper. Now he had nearly been guilty of another break. He realized that +he must be more cautious. The captain saw his confusion, and said: + +"I know how it is. You're eager to get under way. I don't blame you. I +was the same myself when I was your age. But we'll soon be at your +place, and then I'll tell you all I know. Sufficient now, to say that I +believe I have located the wreck within a few miles. I got on the track +of a sailor who had met one of the shipwrecked crew of the Boldero, and +he gave me valuable information. Now tell me about the craft we are +going in. A good deal depends on that." + +Tom hardly knew what to answer. He recalled what Mr. Sharp had said +about not wanting to tell Captain Weston, until the last moment, that +they were going in a submarine, for fear the old seaman (for he was old +in point of service though not in years) might not care to risk an +under-water trip. Therefore Tom hesitated. Seeing it, Captain Weston +remarked quietly: + +"I mean, what type is your submarine? Does it go by compressed air, or +water power?" + +"How do you know it's a submarine?" asked the young inventor quickly, +and in some confusion. + +"Easy enough. When Mr. Berg thought he was pumping me, I was getting a +lot of information from him. He told me about the submarine his firm +was building, and, naturally, he mentioned yours. One thing led to +another until I got a pretty good idea of your craft. What do you call +it?" + +"The Advance." + +"Good name. I like it, if you don't mind speaking of it." + +"We were afraid you wouldn't like it," commented Tom. + +"What, the name?" + +"No, the idea of going in a submarine." + +"Oh," and Captain Weston laughed. "Well, it takes more than that to +frighten me, if you'll excuse the expression. I've always had a +hankering to go under the surface, after so many years spent on top. +Once or twice I came near going under, whether I wanted to or not, in +wrecks, but I think I prefer your way. Now, if you're all done, and +don't mind me speaking of it, I think we'll start for your place. We +must hustle, for Berg may yet get on our trail, even if he has got the +wrong route," and he laughed again. + +It was no small relief to Mr Swift and Mr. Sharp to learn that Captain +Weston had no objections to a submarine, as they feared he might have. +The captain, in his diffident manner, made friends at once with the +treasure-hunters, and he and Mr. Damon struck up quite an acquaintance. +Tom told of his meeting with the seaman, and the latter related, with +much gusto, the story of how he had fooled Mr. Berg. + +"Well, perhaps you'd like to come and take a look at the craft that is +to be our home while we're beneath the water," suggested Mr. Swift and +the sailor assenting, the aged inventor, with much pride, assisted by +Tom, pointed out on the Advance the features of interest. Captain +Weston gave hearty approval, making one or two minor suggestions, which +were carried out. + +"And so you launch her to-morrow," he concluded, when he had completed +the inspection "Well, I hope it's a success, if I may be permitted to +say so." + +There were busy times around the machine shop next day. So much secrecy +had been maintained that none of the residents, or visitors to the +coast resort, were aware that in their midst was such a wonderful craft +as the submarine. The last touches were put on the under-water ship; +the ways, leading from the shop to the creek, were well greased, and +all was in readiness for the launching. The tide would soon be at +flood, and then the boat would slide down the timbers (at least, that +was the hope of all), and would float in the element meant to receive +her. It was decided that no one should be aboard when the launching +took place, as there was an element of risk attached, since it was not +known just how buoyant the craft was. It was expected she would float, +until the filled tanks took her to the bottom, but there was no telling. + +"It will be flood tide now in ten minutes," remarked Captain Weston +quietly, looking at his watch. Then he took an observation through the +telescope. "No hostile ships hanging in the offing," he reported. "All +is favorable, if you don't mind me saying so," and he seemed afraid +lest his remark might give offense. + +"Get ready," ordered Mr. Swift. "Tom, see that the ropes are all +clear," for it had been decided to ease the Advance down into the water +by means of strong cables and windlasses, as the creek was so narrow +that the submarine, if launched in the usual way, would poke her nose +into the opposite mud bank and stick there. + +"All clear," reported the young inventor. + +"High tide!" exclaimed the captain a moment later, snapping shut his +watch. + +"Let go!" ordered Mr. Swift, and the various windlasses manned by the +inventor, Tom and the others began to unwind their ropes. Slowly the +ship slid along the greased ways. Slowly she approached the water. How +anxiously they all watched her! Nearer and nearer her blunt nose, with +the electric propulsion plate and the auxiliary propeller, came to the +creek, the waters of which were quiet now, awaiting the turn of the +tide. + +Now little waves lapped the steel sides. It was the first contact of +the Advance with her native element. + +"Pay out the rope faster!" cried Mr. Swift. + +The windlasses were turned more quickly. Foot by foot the craft slid +along until, with a final rush, the stern left the ways and the +submarine was afloat. Now would come the test. Would she ride on an +even keel, or sink out of sight, or turn turtle? They all ran to the +water's edge, Tom in the lead. + +"Hurrah!" suddenly yelled the lad, trying to stand on his head. "She +floats! She's a success! Come on! Let's get aboard!" + +For, true enough, the Advance was riding like a duck on the water. She +had been proportioned just right, and her lines were perfect. She rode +as majestically as did any ship destined to sail on the surface, and +not intended to do double duty. + +"Come on, we must moor her to the pier," directed Mr. Sharp. "The tide +will turn in a few minutes and take her out to sea." + +He and Tom entered a small boat, and soon the submarine was tied to a +small dock that had been built for the purpose. + +"Now to try the engine," suggested Mr. Swift, who was almost trembling +with eagerness; for the completion of the ship meant much to him. + +"One moment," begged Captain Weston. "If you don't mind, I'll take an +observation," he went on, and he swept the horizon with his telescope. +"All clear," he reported. "I think we may go aboard and make a trial +trip." + +Little time was lost in entering the cabin and engine-room, Garret +Jackson accompanying the party to aid with the machinery. It did not +take long to start the motors, dynamos and the big gasolene engine that +was the vital part of the craft. A little water was admitted to the +tanks for ballast, since the food and other supplies were not yet on +board. The Advance now floated with the deck aft of the conning tower +showing about two feet above the surface of the creek. Mr. Swift and +Tom entered the pilot house. + +"Start the engines," ordered the aged inventor, "and we'll try my new +system of positive and negative electrical propulsion." + +There was a hum and whir in the body of the ship beneath the feet of +Tom and his father. Captain Weston stood on the little deck near the +conning tower. + +"All ready?" asked the youth through the speaking tube to Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Jackson in the engine-room. + +"All ready," came the answer. + +Tom threw over the connecting lever, while his father grasped the +steering wheel. The Advance shot forward, moving swiftly along, about +half submerged. + +"She goes! She goes!" cried Tom. + +"She certainly does, if I may be permitted to say so," was the calm +contribution of Captain Weston. "I congratulate you." + +Faster and faster went the new craft. Mr. Swift headed her toward the +open sea, but stopped just before passing out of the creek, as he was +not yet ready to venture into deep water. + +"I want to test the auxiliary propellers," he said. After a little +longer trial of the electric propulsion plates, which were found to +work satisfactorily, sending the submarine up and down the creek at a +fast rate, the screws, such as are used on most submarines, were put +into gear. They did well, but were not equal to the plates, nor was so +much expected of them. + +"I am perfectly satisfied," announced Mr. Swift as he once more headed +the boat to sea. "I think, Captain Weston, you had better go below now." + +"Why so?" + +"Because I am going to completely submerge the craft. Tom, close the +conning tower door. Perhaps you will come in here with us, Captain +Weston, though it will be rather a tight fit." + +"Thank you, I will. I want to see how it feels to be in a pilot house +under water." + +Tom closed the water-tight door of the conning tower. Word was sent +through the tube to the engine-room that a more severe test of the ship +was about to be made. The craft was now outside the line of breakers +and in the open sea. + +"Is everything ready, Tom?" asked his father in a quiet voice. + +"Everything," replied the lad nervously, for the anticipation of being +about to sink below the surface was telling on them all, even on the +calm, old sea captain. + +"Then open the tanks and admit the water," ordered Mr. Swift. + +His son turned a valve and adjusted some levers. There was a hissing +sound, and the Advance began sinking. She was about to dive beneath the +surface of the ocean, and those aboard her were destined to go through +a terrible experience before she rose again. + + + + +Chapter Eleven + +On the Ocean Bed + + +Lower and lower sank the submarine. There was a swirling and foaming of +the water as she went down, caused by the air bubbles which the craft +carried with her in her descent. Only the top of the conning tower was +out of water now, the ocean having closed over the deck and the rounded +back of the boat. Had any one been watching they would have imagined +that an accident was taking place. + +In the pilot house, with its thick glass windows, Tom, his father and +Captain Weston looked over the surface of the ocean, which every minute +was coming nearer and nearer to them. + +"We'll be all under in a few seconds," spoke Tom in a solemn voice, as +he listened to the water hissing into the tanks. + +"Yes, and then we can see what sort of progress we will make," added +Mr. Swift. "Everything is going fine, though," he went on cheerfully. +"I believe I have a good boat." + +"There is no doubt of it in my mind," remarked Captain Weston, and Tom +felt a little disappointed that the sailor did not shout out some such +expression as "Shiver my timbers!" or "Keel-haul the main braces, +there, you lubber!" But Captain Weston was not that kind of a sailor, +though his usually quiet demeanor could be quickly dropped on +necessity, as Tom learned later. + +A few minutes more and the waters closed over the top of the conning +tower. The Advance was completely submerged. Through the thick glass +windows of the pilot house the occupants looked out into the greenish +water that swirled about them; but it could not enter. Then, as the +boat went lower, the light from above gradually died out, and the +semi-darkness gave place to gloom. + +"Turn on the electrics and the searchlight, Tom," directed his father. + +There was the click of a switch, and the conning tower was flooded with +light. But as this had the effect of preventing the three from peering +out into the water, just as one in a lighted room cannot look out into +the night, Tom shut them off and switched on the great searchlight. +This projected its powerful beams straight ahead and there, under the +ocean, was a pathway of illumination for the treasure-seekers. + +"Fine!" cried Captain Weston, with more enthusiasm than he had yet +manifested. "That's great, if you don't mind me mentioning it. How deep +are we?" + +Tom glanced at a gage on the side of the pilot tower. + +"Only about sixty feet," he answered. + +"Then don't go any deeper!" cried the captain hastily. "I know these +waters around here, and that's about all the depth you've got. You'll +be on the bottom in a minute." + +"I intend to get on the bottom after a while," said Mr. Swift, "but not +here. I want to try for a greater distance under water before I come to +rest on the ocean's bed. But I think we are deep enough for a test. +Tom, close the tank intake pipes and we'll see how the Advance will +progress when fully submerged." + +The hissing stopped, and then, wishing to see how the motors and other +machinery would work, the aged inventor and his son, accompanied by +Captain Weston, descended from the conning tower, by means of an inner +stairway, to the interior of the ship. The submarine could be steered +and managed from below or above. She was now floating about sixty-five +feet below the surface of the bay. + +"Well, how do you like it?" asked Tom of Mr. Damon, as he saw his +friend in an easy chair in the living-room or main cabin of the craft, +looking out of one of the plate-glass windows on the side. + +"Bless my spectacles, it's the most wonderful thing I ever dreamed of!" +cried the queer character, as he peered at the mass of water before +him. "To think that I'm away down under the surface, and yet as dry as +a bone. Bless my necktie, but it's great! What are we going to do now?" + +"Go forward," replied the young inventor. + +"Perhaps I had better make an observation," suggested Captain Weston, +taking his telescope from under his arm, where he had carried it since +entering the craft, and opening it. "We may run afoul of something, if +you don't mind me mentioning such a disagreeable subject." Then, as he +thought of the impossibility of using his glass under water, he closed +it. + +"I shall have little use for this here, I'm afraid," he remarked with a +smile. "Well, there's some consolation. We're not likely to meet many +ships in this part of the ocean. Other vessels are fond enough of +remaining on the surface. I fancy we shall have the depths to +ourselves, unless we meet a Government submarine, and they are hardly +able to go as deep as we can. No, I guess we won't run into anything +and I can put this glass away." + +"Unless we run into Berg and his crowd," suggested Tom in a low voice. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Captain Weston, for he did not want Mr. Swift to +worry over the unscrupulous agent. "No, I don't believe we'll meet +them, Tom. I guess Berg is trying to work out the longitude and +latitude I gave him. I wish I could see his face when he realizes that +he's been deceived by that fake map." + +"Well, I hope he doesn't discover it too soon and trail us," went on +the lad. "But they're going to start the machinery now. I suppose you +and I had better take charge of the steering of the craft. Dad will +want to be in the engine-room." + +"All right," replied the captain, and he moved forward with the lad to +a small compartment, shut off from the living-room, that served as a +pilot house when the conning tower was not used. The same levers, +wheels and valves were there as up above, and the submarine could be +managed as well from there as from the other place. + +"Is everything all right?" asked Mr Swift as he went into the +engine-room, where Garret Jackson and Mr. Sharp were busy with oil cans. + +"Everything," replied the balloonist. "Are you going to start now?" + +"Yes, we're deep enough for a speed trial. We'll go out to sea, +however, and try for a lower depth record, as soon as there's enough +water. Start the engine." + +A moment later the powerful electric currents were flowing into the +forward and aft plates, and the Advance began to gather way, forging +through the water. + +"Straight ahead, out to sea, Tom," called his father to him. + +"Aye, aye, sir," responded the youth. + +"Ha! Quite seaman-like, if you don't mind a reference to it," commented +Captain Weston with a smile. "Mind your helm, boy, for you don't want +to poke her nose into a mud bank, or run up on a shoal." + +"Suppose you steer?" suggested the lad. "I'd rather take lessons for a +while." + +"All right. Perhaps it will be safer. I know these waters from the top, +though I can't say as much for the bottom. However, I know where the +shoals are." + +The powerful searchlight was turned, so as to send its beams along the +path which the submarine was to follow, and then, as she gathered +speed, she shot ahead, gliding through the waters like a fish. + +Mr. Damon divided his time between the forward pilot-room, the +living-apartment, and the place where Mr. Swift, Garret Jackson and Mr. +Sharp were working over the engines. Every few minutes he would bless +some part of himself, his clothing, or the ship. Finally the old man +settled down to look through the plate-glass windows in the main +apartment. + +On and on went the submarine. She behaved perfectly, and was under +excellent control. Some times Tom, at the request of his father, would +send her toward the surface by means of the deflecting rudder. Then she +would dive to the bottom again. Once, as a test, she was sent obliquely +to the surface, her tower just emerging, and then she darted downward +again, like a porpoise that had come up to roll over, and suddenly +concluded to seek the depths. In fact, had any one seen the maneuver +they would have imagined the craft was a big fish disporting itself. + +Captain Weston remained at Tom's side, giving him instructions, and +watching the compass in order to direct the steering so as to avoid +collisions. For an hour or more the craft was sent almost straight +ahead at medium speed. Then Mr. Swift, joining his son and the +captain, remarked: + +"How about depth of water here, Captain Weston?" + +"You've got more than a mile." + +"Good! Then I'm going down to the bottom of the sea! Tom, fill the +tanks still more. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the lad gaily. "Now for a new experience!" + +"And use the deflecting rudder, also," advised his father. "That will +hasten matters." + +Five minutes later there was a slight jar noticeable. + +"Bless my soul! What's that?" cried Mr. Damon. "Have we hit something?" + +"Yes," answered Tom with a smile. + +"What, for gracious sake?" + +"The bottom of the sea. We're on the bed of the ocean." + + + + +Chapter Twelve + +For a Breath of Air + + +They could hardly realize it, yet the depth-gage told the story. It +registered a distance below the surface of the ocean of five thousand +seven hundred feet--a little over a mile. The Advance had actually come +to rest on the bottom of the Atlantic. + +"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Let's get on the diving suits, dad, and walk +about on land under water for a change." + +"No," said Mr. Swift soberly. "We will hardly have time for that now. +Besides, the suits are not yet fitted with the automatic air-tanks, and +we can't use them. There are still some things to do before we start on +our treasure cruise. But I want to see how the plates are standing +this pressure." + +The Advance was made with a triple hull, the spaces between the layers +of plates being filled with a secret material, capable of withstanding +enormous pressure, as were also the plates themselves. Mr. Swift, aided +by Mr. Jackson and Captain Weston, made a thorough examination, and +found that not a drop of water had leaked in, nor was there the least +sign that any of the plates had given way under the terrific strain. + +"She's as tight as a drum, if you will allow me to make that +comparison," remarked Captain Weston modestly. "I couldn't ask for a +dryer ship." + +"Well, let's take a look around by means the searchlight and the +observation windows, and then we'll go back," suggested Mr. Swift. "It +will take about two days to get the stores and provisions aboard and +rig up the diving suits; then we will start for the sunken treasure." + +There were several powerful searchlights on the Advance, so arranged +that the bow, stern or either side could be illuminated independently. +There were also observation windows near each light. + +In turn the powerful rays were cast first at the bow and then aft. In +the gleams could be seen the sandy bed of the ocean, covered with +shells of various kinds. Great crabs walked around on their long, +jointed legs, and Tom saw some lobsters that would have brought joy to +the heart of a fisherman. + +"Look at the big fish!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly, and he pointed to +some dark, shadowy forms that swam up to the glass windows, evidently +puzzled by the light. + +"Porpoises," declared Captain Weston briefly, "a whole school of them." + +The fish seemed suddenly to multiply, and soon those in the submarine +felt curious tremors running through the whole craft. + +"The fish are rubbing up against it," cried Tom. "They must think we +came down here to allow them to scratch their backs on the steel +plates." + +For some time they remained on the bottom, watching the wonderful sight +of the fishes that swam all about them. + +"Well, I think we may as well rise," announced Mr. Swift, after they +had been on the bottom about an hour, moving here and there. "We didn't +bring any provisions, and I'm getting hungry, though I don't know how +the others of you feel about it." + +"Bless my dinner-plate, I could eat, too!" cried Mr. Damon. "Go up, by +all means. We'll get enough of under-water travel once we start for the +treasure." + +"Send her up, Tom," called his father. "I want to make a few notes on +some needed changes and improvements." + +Tom entered the lower pilot house, and turned the valve that opened the +tanks. He also pulled the lever that started the pumps, so that the +water ballast would be more quickly emptied, as that would render the +submarine buoyant, and she would quickly shoot to the surface. To the +surprise of the lad, however, there followed no outrushing of the +water. The Advance remained stationary on the ocean bed. Mr. Swift +looked up from his notes. + +"Didn't you hear me ask you to send her up, Tom?" he inquired mildly. + +"I did, dad, but something seems to be the matter," was the reply. + +"Matter? What do you mean?" and the aged inventor hastened to where his +son and Captain Weston were at the wheels, valves and levers. + +"Why, the tanks won't empty, and the pumps don't seem to work." + +"Let me try," suggested Mr. Swift, and he pulled the various handles. +There was no corresponding action of the machinery. + +"That's odd," he remarked in a curious voice "Perhaps something has +gone wrong with the connections. Go look in the engine-room, and ask +Mr. Sharp if everything is all right there." + +Tom made a quick trip, returning to report that the dynamos, motors and +gas engine were running perfectly. + +"Try to work the tank levers and pumps from the conning tower," +suggested Captain Weston. "Sometimes I've known the steam steering gear +to play tricks like that." + +Tom hurried up the circular stairway into the tower. He pulled the +levers and shifted the valves and wheels there. But there was no +emptying of the water tanks. The weight and pressure of water in them +still held the submarine on the bottom of the sea, more than a mile +from the surface. The pumps in the engine-room were working at top +speed, but there was evidently something wrong in the connections. Mr. +Swift quickly came to this conclusion. + +"We must repair it at once," he said. "Tom, come to the engine-room. +You and I, with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharp, will soon have it in shape +again." + +"Is there any danger?" asked Mr. Damon in a perturbed voice. "Bless my +soul, it's unlucky to have an accident on our trial trip." + +"Oh, we must expect accidents," declared Mr. Swift with a smile. "This +is nothing." + +But it proved to be more difficult than he had imagined to re-establish +the connection between the pumps and the tanks. The valves, too, had +clogged or jammed, and as the pressure outside the ship was so great, +the water would not run out of itself. It must be forced. + +For an hour or more the inventor, his son and the others, worked away. +They could accomplish nothing. Tom looked anxiously at his parent when +the latter paused in his efforts. + +"Don't worry," advised the aged inventor. "It's got to come right +sooner or later." + +Just then Mr. Damon, who had been wandering about the ship, entered the +engine-room. + +"Do you know," he said, "you ought to open a window, or something." + +"Why, what's the matter?" asked Tom quickly, looking to see if the odd +man was joking. + +"Well, of course I don't exactly mean a window," explained Mr. Damon, +"but we need fresh air." + +"Fresh air!" There was a startled note in Mr. Swift's voice as he +repeated the words. + +"Yes, I can hardly breathe in the living-room, and it's not much better +here." + +"Why, there ought to be plenty of fresh air," went on the inventor. "It +is renewed automatically." + +Tom jumped up and looked at an indicator. He uttered a startled cry. + +"The air hasn't been changed in the last hour!" he exclaimed. "It is +bad. There's not enough oxygen in it. I notice it, now that I've +stopped working. The gage indicates it, too. The automatic air-changer +must have stopped working. I'll fix it." + +He hurried to the machine which was depended on to supply fresh air to +the submarine. + +"Why, the air tanks are empty!" the young inventor cried. "We haven't +any more air except what is in the ship now!" + +"And we're rapidly breathing that up," added Captain Weston solemnly. + +"Can't you make more?" cried Mr. Damon. "I thought you said you could +make oxygen aboard the ship." + +"We can," answered Mr. Swift, "but I did not bring along a supply of +the necessary chemicals. I did not think we would be submerged long +enough for that. But there should have been enough in the reserve tank +to last several days. How about it, Tom?" + +"It's all leaked out, or else it wasn't filled," was the despairing +answer. "All the air we have is what's in the ship, and we can't make +more." + +The treasure-seekers looked at each other. It was an awful situation. + +"Then the only thing to do is to fix the machinery and rise to the +surface," said Mr. Sharp simply. "We can have all the air we want, +then." + +"Yes, but the machinery doesn't seem possible of being fixed," spoke +Tom in a low voice. + +"We must do it!" cried his father. + +They set to work again with fierce energy, laboring for their very +lives. They all knew that they could not long remain in the ship +without oxygen. Nor could they desert it to go to the surface, for the +moment they left the protection of the thick steel sides the terrible +pressure of the water would kill them. Nor were the diving suits +available. They must stay in the craft and die a miserable death--unless +the machinery could be repaired and the Advance sent to the surface. +The emergency expanding lifting tank was not yet in working order. + +More frantically they toiled, trying every device that was suggested to +the mechanical minds of Tom, his father, Mr. Sharp or Mr. Jackson, to +make the pumps work. But something was wrong. More and more foul grew +the air. They were fairly gasping now. It was difficult to breathe, to +say nothing of working, in that atmosphere. The thought of their +terrible position was in the minds of all. + +"Oh, for one breath of fresh air!" cried Mr. Damon, who seemed to +suffer more than any of the others. Grim death was hovering around +them, imprisoned as they were on the ocean's bed, over a mile from the +surface. + + + + +Chapter Thirteen + +Off for the Treasure + + +Suddenly Tom, after a moment's pause, seized a wrench and began +loosening some nuts. + +"What are you doing?" asked his father faintly, for he was being +weakened by the vitiated atmosphere. + +"I'm going to take this valve apart," replied his son. "We haven't +looked there for the trouble. Maybe it's out of order." + +He attacked the valve with energy, but his hands soon lagged. The lack +of oxygen was telling on him. He could no longer work quickly. + +"I'll help," murmured Mr. Sharp thickly. He took a wrench, but no +sooner had he loosened one nut than he toppled over. "I'm all in," he +murmured feebly. + +"Is he dead?" cried Mr. Damon, himself gasping. + +"No, only fainted. But he soon will be dead, and so will all of us, if +we don't get fresh air," remarked Captain Weston. "Lie down on the +floor, every one. There is a little fairly good air there. It's heavier +than the air we've breathed, and we can exist on it for a little +longer. Poor Sharp was so used to breathing the rarified air of high +altitudes that he can't stand this heavy atmosphere." + +Mr. Damon was gasping worse than ever, and so was Mr. Swift. The +balloonist lay an inert heap on the floor, with Captain Weston trying +to force a few drops of stimulant down his throat. + +With a fierce determination in his heart, but with fingers that almost +refused to do his bidding, Tom once more sought to open the big valve. +He felt sure the trouble was located there, as they had tried to locate +it in every other place without avail. + +"I'll help," said Mr. Jackson in a whisper. He, too, was hardly able to +move. + +More and more devoid of oxygen grew the air. It gave Tom a sense as if +his head was filled, and ready to burst with every breath he drew. +Still he struggled to loosen the nuts. There were but four more now, +and he took off three while Mr. Jackson removed one. The young inventor +lifted off the valve cover, though it felt like a ton weight to him. He +gave a glance inside. + +"Here's the trouble!" he murmured. "The valve's clogged. No wonder it +wouldn't work. The pumps couldn't force the water out." + +It was the work of only a minute to adjust the valve. Then Tom and the +engineer managed to get the cover back on. + +How they inserted the bolts and screwed the nuts in place they never +could remember clearly afterward, but they managed it somehow, with +shaking, trembling hands and eyes that grew more and more dim. + +"Now start the pumps!" cried Tom faintly. "The tanks will be emptied, +and we can get to the surface." + +Mr. Sharp was still unconscious, nor was Mr. Swift able to help. He lay +with his eyes closed. Garret Jackson, however, managed to crawl to the +engine-room, and soon the clank of machinery told Tom that the pumps +were in motion. The lad staggered to the pilot house and threw the +levers over. An instant later there was the hissing of water as it +rushed from the ballast tanks. The submarine shivered, as though +disliking to leave the bottom of the sea, and then slowly rose. As the +pumps worked more rapidly, and the sea was sent from the tank in great +volumes, the boat fairly shot to the surface. Tom was ready to open the +conning tower and let in fresh air as soon as the top was above the +surface. + +With a bound the Advance reached the top. Tom frantically worked the +worm gear that opened the tower. In rushed the fresh, life-giving air, +and the treasure-hunters filled their lungs with it. + +And it was only just in time, for Mr. Sharp was almost gone. He quickly +revived, as did the others, when they could breathe as much as they +wished of the glorious oxygen. + +"That was a close call," commented Mr. Swift. "We'll not go below again +until I have provided for all emergencies. I should have seen to the +air tanks and the expanding one before going below. We'll sail home on +the surface now." + +The submarine was put about and headed for her dock. On the way she +passed a small steamer, and the passengers looked down in wonder at the +strange craft. + +When the Advance reached the secluded creek where she had been +launched, her passengers had fully recovered from their terrible +experience, though the nerves of Mr. Swift and Mr. Damon were not at +ease for some days thereafter. + +"I should never have made a submerged test without making sure that we +had a reserve supply of air," remarked the aged inventor. "I will not +be caught that way again. But I can't understand how the pump valve got +out of order." + +"Maybe some one tampered with it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Could Andy +Foger, any of the Happy Harry gang, or the rival gold-seekers have done +it?" + +"I hardly think so," answered Tom. "The place has been too carefully +guarded since Berg and Andy once sneaked in. I think it was just an +accident, but I have thought of a plan whereby such accidents can be +avoided in the future. It needs a simple device." + +"Better patent it," suggested Mr. Sharp with a smile. + +"Maybe I will," replied the young inventor. "But not now. We haven't +time, if we intend to get fitted out for our trip." + +"No; I should say the sooner we started the better," remarked Captain +Weston. "That is, if you don't mind me speaking about it," he added +gently, and the others smiled, for his diffident comments were only a +matter of habit. + +The first act of the adventurers, after tying the submarine at the +dock, was to proceed with the loading of the food and supplies. Tom and +Mr. Damon looked to this, while Mr. Swift and Mr. Sharp made some +necessary changes to the machinery. The next day the young inventor +attached his device to the pump valve, and the loading of the craft was +continued. + +All was in readiness for the gold-seeking expedition a week later. +Captain Weston had carefully charted the route they were to follow, and +it was decided to move along on the surface for the first day, so as to +get well out to sea before submerging the craft. Then it would sink +below the surface, and run along under the water until the wreck was +reached, rising at times, as needed, to renew the air supply. + +With sufficient stores and provisions aboard to last several months, if +necessary, though they did not expect to be gone more than sixty days +at most, the adventurers arose early one morning and went down to the +dock. Mr. Jackson was not to accompany them. He did not care about a +submarine trip, he said, and Mr. Swift desired him to remain at the +seaside cottage and guard the shops, which contained much valuable +machinery. The airship was also left there. + +"Well, are we all ready?" asked Mr. Swift of the little party of +gold-seekers, as they were about to enter the conning tower hatchway of +the submarine. + +"All ready, dad," responded his son. + +"Then let's get aboard," proposed Captain Weston. "But first let me +take an observation." + +He swept the horizon with his telescope, and Tom noticed that the +sailor kept it fixed on one particular spot for some time. + +"Did you see anything?" asked the lad. + +"Well, there is a boat lying off there," was the answer. "And some one +is observing us through a glass. But I don't believe it matters. +Probably they're only trying to see what sort of an odd fish we are." + +"All aboard, then," ordered Mr. Swift, and they went into the +submarine. Tom and his father, with Captain Weston, remained in the +conning tower. The signal was given, the electricity flowed into the +forward and aft plates, and the Advance shot ahead on the surface. + +The sailor raised his telescope once more and peered through a window +in the tower. He uttered an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"That other ship--a small steamer--is weighing anchor and seems to be +heading this way," was the reply. + +"Maybe it's some one hired by Berg to follow us and trace our +movements," suggested Tom. + +"If it is we'll fool them," added his father. "Just keep an eye on +them, captain, and I think we can show them a trick or two in a few +minutes." + +Faster shot the Advance through the water. She had started on her way +to get the gold from the sunken wreck, but already enemies were on the +trail of the adventurers, for the ship the sailor had noticed was +steaming after them. + + + + +Chapter Fourteen + +In the Diving Suits + + +There was no doubt that the steamer was coming after the submarine. +Several observations Captain Weston made confirmed this, and he +reported the fact to Mr. Swift. + +"Well, we'll change our plans, then," said the inventor. "Instead of +sailing on the surface we'll go below. But first let them get near so +they may have the benefit of seeing what we do. Tom, go below, please, +and tell Mr. Sharp to get every thing in readiness for a quick descent. +We'll slow up a bit now, and let them get nearer to us." + +The speed of the submarine was reduced, and in a short time the strange +steamer had overhauled her, coming to within hailing distance. + +Mr. Swift signaled for the machinery to stop and the submarine came to +a halt on the surface, bobbing about like a half-submerged bottle. The +inventor opened a bull's-eye in the tower, and called to a man on the +bridge of the steamer: + +"What are you following us for?" + +"Following you?" repeated the man, for the strange vessel had also come +to a stop. "We're not following you." + +"It looks like it," replied Mr. Swift. "You'd better give it up." + +"I guess the waters are free," was the quick retort. "We'll follow you +if we like." + +"Will you? Then come on!" cried the inventor as he quickly closed the +heavy glass window and pulled a lever. An instant later the submarine +began to sink, and Mr. Swift could not help laughing as, just before +the tower went under water, he had a glimpse of the astonished face of +the man on the bridge. The latter had evidently not expected such a +move as that. + +Lower and lower in the water went the craft, until it was about two +hundred feet below the surface. Then Mr. Swift left the conning tower, +descended to the main part of the ship, and asked Tom and Captain +Weston to take charge of the pilot house. + +"Send her ahead, Tom," his father said. "That fellow up above is +rubbing his eyes yet, wondering where we are, I suppose." + +Forward shot the Advance under water, the powerful electrical plates +pulling and pushing her on the way to secure the sunken gold. + +All that morning a fairly moderate rate of speed was maintained, as it +was thought best not to run the new machinery too fast. + +Dinner was eaten about a quarter of a mile below the surface, but no +one inside the submarine would ever have known it. Electric lights made +the place as brilliant as could be desired, and the food, which Tom and +Mr. Damon prepared, was equal to any that could have been served on +land. After the meal they opened the shutters over the windows in the +sides of the craft, and looked at the myriads of fishes swimming past, +as the creatures were disclosed in the glare of the searchlight. + +That night they were several hundred miles on their journey, for the +craft was speedy, and leaving Tom and Captain Weston to take the first +watch, the others went to bed. + +"Bless my soul, but it does seem odd, though, to go to bed under water, +like a fish," remarked Mr. Damon. "If my wife knew this she would worry +to death. She thinks I'm off automobiling. But this isn't half as +dangerous as riding in a car that's always getting out of order. A +submarine for mine, every time." + +"Wait until we get to the end of this trip," advised Tom. "I guess +you'll find almost as many things can happen in a submarine as can in +an auto," and future events were to prove the young inventor to be +right. + +Everything worked well that night, and the ship made good progress. +They rose to the surface the next morning to make sure of their +position, and to get fresh air, though they did not really need the +latter, as the reserve supply had not been drawn on, and was sufficient +for several days, now that the oxygen machine had been put in running +order. + +On the second day the ship was sent to the bottom and halted there, as +Mr. Swift wished to try the new diving suits. These were made of a new, +light, but very strong metal to withstand the pressure of a great depth. + +Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the others agreeing +to wait until they saw how the first trial resulted. Then, too, it was +necessary for some one acquainted with the machinery to remain in the +ship to operate the door and water chamber through which the divers had +to pass to get out. + +The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting the three +out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea. They entered a +chamber in the side of the submarine, water was gradually admitted +until it equaled in pressure that outside, then an outer door was +opened by means of levers, and they could step out. + +It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel that they were +actually walking along the bed of the ocean. All around them was the +water, and as they turned on the small electric lights in their +helmets, which lights were fed by storage batteries fastened to the +diving suits, they saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them, +doubtless astonished at the odd creatures which had entered their +domain. On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the shells and +rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and other odd creatures +seldom seen on the surface of the water. The three divers found no +difficulty in breathing, as there were air tanks fastened to their +shoulders, and a constant supply of oxygen was fed through pipes into +the helmets. The pressure of water did not bother them, and after the +first sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it. At first the +inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he soon got so he +could make signs and motions, and be understood. + +They walked about for some time, and once the lad came upon a part of a +wrecked vessel buried deep in the sand. There was no telling what ship +it was, nor how long it had been there, and after silently viewing it, +they continued on. + +"It was great!" were the first words Tom uttered when he and the others +were once more inside the submarine and had removed the suits. "If we +can only walk around the wreck of the Boldero that way, we'll have all +the gold out of her in no time. There are no life-lines nor air-hose to +bother with in these diving suits." + +"They certainly are a success," conceded Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my topknot!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'll try it next time. I've +always wanted to be a diver, and now I have the chance." + +The trip was resumed after the diving chamber had been closed, and on +the third day Captain Weston announced, after a look at his chart, that +they were nearing the Bahama Islands. + +"We'll have to be careful not to run into any of the small keys," he +said, that being the name for the many little points of land, hardly +large enough to be dignified by the name of island. "We must keep a +constant lookout." + +Fortune favored them, though once, when Tom was steering, he narrowly +avoided ramming a coral reef with the submarine. The searchlight +showed it to him just in time, and he sheered off with a thumping in +his heart. + +The course was changed from south to east, so as to get ready to swing +out of the way of the big shoulder of South America where Brazil takes +up so much room, and as they went farther and farther toward the +equator, they noticed that the waters teemed more and more with fish, +some beautiful, some ugly and fear-inspiring, and some such monsters +that it made one shudder to look at them, even through the thick glass +of the bulls-eye windows. + + + + +Chapter Fifteen + +At the Tropical Island + + +It was on the evening of the fourth day later that Captain Weston, who +was steering the craft, suddenly called out: + +"Land ho!" + +"Where away?" inquired Tom quickly, for he had read that this was the +proper response to make. + +"Dead ahead," answered the sailor with a smile. "Shall we make for it, +if I may be allowed the question?" + +"What land is it likely to be?" Mr. Swift wanted to know. + +"Oh, some small tropical island," replied the seafaring man. "It isn't +down on the charts. Probably it's too small to note. I should say it +was a coral island, but we may be able to find a spring of fresh water +there, and some fruit." + +"Then we'll land there," decided the inventor. "We can use some fresh +water, though our distilling and ice apparatus does very well." + +They made the island just at dusk, and anchored in a little lagoon, +where there was a good depth of water. + +"Now for shore!" cried Tom, as the submarine swung around on the chain. +"It looks like a fine place. I hope there are cocoanuts and oranges +here. Shall I get out the electric launch, dad?" + +"Yes, you may, and we'll all go ashore. It will do us good to stretch +our legs a bit." + +Carried in a sort of pocket on the deck of the submarine was a small +electric boat, capable of holding six. It could be slid from the +pocket, or depression, into the water without the use of davits, and, +with Mr. Sharp to aid him, Tom soon had the little craft afloat. The +batteries were already charged, and just as the sun was going down the +gold-seekers entered the launch and were soon on shore. + +They found a good spring of water close at hand, and Tom's wish +regarding the cocoanuts was realized, though there were no oranges. The +lad took several of the delicious nuts, and breaking them open poured +the milk into a collapsible cup he carried, drinking it eagerly. The +others followed his example, and pronounced it the best beverage they +had tasted in a long time. + +The island was a typical tropical one, not very large, and it did not +appear to have been often visited by man. There were no animals to be +seen, but myriads of birds flew here and there amid the trees, the +trailing vines and streamers of moss. + +"Let's spend a day here to-morrow and explore it," proposed Tom, and +his father nodded an assent. They went back to the submarine as night +was beginning to gather, and in the cabin, after supper, talked over +the happenings of their trip so far. + +"Do you think we'll have any trouble getting the gold out of the +wrecked vessel?" asked Tom of Captain Weston, after a pause. + +"Well, it's hard to say. I couldn't learn just how the wreck lays, +whether it's on a sandy or a rocky bottom. If the latter, it won't be +so hard, but if the sand has worked in and partly covered it, we'll +have some difficulties, if I may be permitted to say so. However, don't +borrow trouble. We're not there yet, though at the rate we're +traveling it won't be long before we arrive." + +No watch was set that night, as it was not considered necessary. Tom +was the first to arise in the morning, and he went out on the deck for +a breath of fresh air before breakfast. + +He looked off at the beautiful little island, and as his eye took in +all of the little lagoon where the submarine was anchored he uttered a +startled cry. + +And well he might, for, not a hundred yards away, and nearer to the +island than was the Advance, floated another craft--another craft, +almost similar in shape and size to the one built by the Swifts. Tom +rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing double. No, there could +be no mistake about it. There was another submarine at the tropical +island. + +As he looked, some one emerged from the conning tower of the second +craft. The figure seemed strangely familiar. Tom knew in a moment who +it was--Addison Berg. The agent saw the lad, too, and taking off his +cap and making a mocking bow, he called out: + +"Good morning! Have you got the gold yet?" + +Tom did not know what to answer. Seeing the other submarine, at an +island where he had supposed they would not be disturbed, was +disconcerting enough, but to be greeted by Berg was altogether too +much, Tom thought. His fears that the rival boat builders would follow +had not been without foundation. + +"Rather surprised to see us, aren't you?" went on Mr. Berg, smiling. + +"Rather," admitted Tom, choking over the word. + +"Thought you'd be," continued Berg. "We didn't expect to meet you so +soon, but we're glad we did. I don't altogether like hunting for sunken +treasure, with such indefinite directions as I have." + +"You--are going to--" stammered Tom, and then he concluded it would be +best not to say anything. But his talk had been heard inside the +submarine. His father came to the foot of the conning tower stairway. + +"To whom are you speaking, Tom?" he asked. + +"They're here, dad," was the youth's answer. + +"Here? Who are here?" + +"Berg and his employers. They've followed us, dad." + + + + +Chapter Sixteen + +"We'll Race You For It" + + +Mr. Swift hurried up on deck. He was accompanied by Captain Weston. At +the sight of Tom's father, Mr. Berg, who had been joined by two other +men, called out: + +"You see we also concluded to give up the trial for the Government +prize, Mr. Swift. We decided there was more money in something else. +But we still will have a good chance to try the merits of our +respective boats. We hurried and got ours fitted up almost as soon as +you did yours, and I think we have the better craft." + +"I don't care to enter into any competition with you," said Mr. Swift +coldly. + +"Ah, but I'm afraid you'll have to, whether you want to or not," was +the insolent reply. + +"What's that? Do you mean to force this matter upon me?" + +"I'm afraid I'll have to--my employers and I, that is. You see, we +managed to pick up your trail after you left the Jersey coast, having +an idea where you were bound, and we don't intend to lose you now." + +"Do you mean to follow us?" asked Captain Weston softly. + +"Well, you can put it that way if you like," answered one of the two +men with Mr. Berg. + +"I forbid it!" cried Mr. Swift hotly. "You have no right to sneak after +us." + +"I guess the ocean is free," continued the rascally agent. + +"Why do you persist in keeping after us?" inquired the aged inventor, +thinking it well to ascertain, if possible, just how much the men knew. + +"Because we're after that treasure as well as you," was the bold reply. +"You have no exclusive right to it. The sunken ship is awaiting the +first comer, and whoever gets there first can take the gold from the +wreck. We intend to be there first, but we'll be fair with you." + +"Fair? What do you mean?" demanded Tom. + +"This: We'll race you for it. The first one to arrive will have the +right to search the wreck for the gold bullion. Is that fair? Do you +agree to it?" + +"We agree to nothing with you," interrupted Captain Weston, his usual +diffident manner all gone. "I happen to be in partial command of this +craft, and I warn you that if I find you interfering with us it won't +be healthy for you. I'm not fond of fighting, but when I begin I don't +like to stop," and he smiled grimly. "You'd better not follow us." + +"We'll do as we please," shouted the third member of the trio on the +deck of the other boat, which, as Tom could see, was named the Wonder. +"We intend to get that gold if we can." + +"All right. I've warned you," went on the sailor, and then, motioning +to Tom and his father to follow, he went below. + +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Mr. Swift when they were seated in the +living-room, and had informed the others of the presence of the rival +submarine. + +"The only thing I see to do is to sneak away unobserved, go as deep as +possible, and make all haste for the wreck," advised the captain. "They +will depend on us, for they have evidently no chart of the wreck, +though of course the general location of it may be known to them from +reading the papers. I hoped I had thrown them off the track by the +false chart I dropped, but it seems they were too smart for us." + +"Have they a right to follow us?" asked Tom. + +"Legally, but not morally. We can't prevent them, I'm afraid. The only +thing to do is to get there ahead of them. It will be a race for the +sunken treasure, and we must get there first." + +"What do you propose doing, captain?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my +shirt-studs, but can't we pull their ship up on the island and leave it +there?" + +"I'm afraid such high-handed proceedings would hardly answer," replied +Mr. Swift. "No, as Captain Weston says, we must get there ahead of +them. What do you think will be the best scheme, captain?" + +"Well, there's no need for us to forego our plan to get fresh water. +Suppose we go to the island, that is, some of us, leaving a guard on +board here. We'll fill our tanks with fresh water, and at night we'll +quietly sink below the surface and speed away." + +They all voted that an excellent idea, and little time was lost putting +it into operation. + +All the remainder of that day not a sign of life was visible about the +Wonder. She lay inert on the surface of the lagoon, not far away from +the Advance; but, though no one showed himself on the deck, Tom and his +friends had no doubt but that their enemies were closely watching them. + +As dusk settled down over the tropical sea, and as the shadows of the +trees on the little island lengthened, those on board the Advance +closed the Conning tower. No lights were turned on, as they did not +want their movements to be seen, but Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp took +their positions near the various machines and apparatus, ready to open +the tanks and let the submarine sink to the bottom, as soon as it was +possible to do this unobserved. + +"Luckily there's no moon," remarked Captain Weston, as he took his +place beside Tom. "Once below the surface and we can defy them to find +us. It is odd how they traced us, but I suppose that steamer gave them +the clue." + +It rapidly grew dark, as it always does in the tropics, and when a +cautious observation from the conning tower did not disclose the +outlines of the other boat, those aboard the Advance rightly concluded +that their rivals were unable to see them. + +"Send her down, Tom," called his father, and with a hiss the water +entered the tanks. The submarine quickly sank below the surface, aided +by the deflecting rudder. + +But alas for the hopes of the gold-seekers. No sooner was she +completely submerged, with the engine started so as to send her out of +the lagoon and to the open sea, than the waters all about were made +brilliant by the phosphorescent phenomenon. In southern waters this +frequently occurs. Millions of tiny creatures, which, it is said, +swarm in the warm currents, give an appearance of fire to the ocean, +and any object moving through it can plainly be seen. It was so with +the Advance. The motion she made in shooting forward, and the +undulations caused by her submersion, seemed to start into activity the +dormant phosphorus, and the submarine was afloat in a sea of fire. + +"Quick!" cried Tom. "Speed her up! Maybe we can get out of this patch +of water before they see us." + +But it was too late. Above them they could hear the electric siren of +the Wonder as it was blown to let them know that their escape had been +noticed. A moment later the water, which acted as a sort of +sounding-board, or telephone, brought to the ears of Tom Swift and his +friends the noise of the engines of the other craft in operation. She +was coming after them. The race for the possession of three hundred +thousand dollars in gold was already under way. Fate seemed against +those on board the Advance. + + + + +Chapter Seventeen + +The Race + + +Directed by Captain Weston, who glanced at the compass and told him +which way to steer to clear the outer coral reef, Tom sent the +submarine ahead, signaling for full speed to the engine-room, where his +father and Mr. Sharp were. The big dynamos purred like great cats, as +they sent the electrical energy into the forward and aft plates, +pulling and pushing the Advance forward. On and on she rushed under +water, but ever as she shot ahead the disturbance in the phosphorescent +water showed her position plainly. She would be easy to follow. + +"Can't you get any more speed out of her?" asked the captain of the lad. + +"Yes," was the quick reply; "by using the auxiliary screws I think we +can. I'll try it." + +He signaled for the propellers, forward and aft, to be put in +operation, and the motor moving the twin screws was turned on. At once +there was a perceptible increase to the speed of the Advance. + +"Are we leaving them behind?" asked Tom anxiously, as he glanced at the +speed gage, and noted that the submarine was now about five hundred +feet below the surface. + +"Hard to tell," replied the Captain. "You'd have to take an observation +to make sure." + +"I'll do it," cried the youth. "You steer, please, and I'll go in the +conning tower. I can look forward and aft there, as well as straight +up. Maybe I can see the Wonder." + +Springing up the circular ladder leading into the tower, Tom glanced +through the windows all about the small pilot house. He saw a curious +sight. It was as if the submarine was in a sea of yellowish liquid +fire. She was immersed in water which glowed with the flames that +contained no heat. So light was it, in fact, that there was no need of +the incandescents in the tower. The young inventor could have seen to +read a paper by the illumination of the phosphorus. But he had +something else to do than observe this phenomenon. He wanted to see if +he could catch sight of the rival submarine. + +At first he could make out nothing save the swirl and boiling of the +sea, caused by the progress of the Advance through it. But suddenly, as +he looked up, he was aware of some great, black body a little to the +rear and about ten feet above his craft. + +"A shark!" he exclaimed aloud. "An immense one, too." + +But the closer he looked the less it seemed like a shark. The position +of the black object changed. It appeared to settle down, to be +approaching the top of the conning tower. Then, with a suddenness that +unnerved him for the time being, Tom recognized what it was; it was the +underside of a ship. He could see the plates riveted together, and +then, as he noted the rounded, cylindrical shape, he knew that it was a +submarine. It was the Wonder. She was close at hand and was creeping up +on the Advance. But, what was more dangerous, she seemed to be slowly +settling in the water. Another moment and her great screws might crash +into the Conning tower of the Swifts' boat and shave it off. Then the +water would rush in, drowning the treasure-seekers like rats in a trap. + +With a quick motion Tom yanked over the lever that allowed more water +to flow into the ballast tanks. The effect was at once apparent. The +Advance shot down toward the bottom of the sea. At the same time the +young inventor signaled to Captain Weston to notify those in the +engine-room to put on a little more speed. The Advance fairly leaped +ahead, and the lad, looking up through the bull's-eye in the roof of +the conning tower, had the satisfaction of seeing the rival submarine +left behind. + +The youth hurried down into the interior of the ship to tell what he +had seen, and explain the reason for opening the ballast tanks. He +found his father and Mr. Sharp somewhat excited over the unexpected +maneuver of the craft. + +"So they're still following us," murmured Mr. Swift. "I don't see why +we can't shake them off." + +"It's on account of this luminous water," explained Captain Weston. +"Once we are clear of that it will be easy, I think, to give them the +slip. That is, if we can get out of their sight long enough. Of course, +if they keep close after us, they can pick us up with their +searchlight, for I suppose they carry one." + +"Yes," admitted the aged inventor, "they have as strong a one as we +have. In fact, their ship is second only to this one in speed and +power. I know, for Bentley & Eagert showed me some of the plans before +they started it, and asked my opinion. This was before I had the notion +of building a submarine. Yes, I am afraid we'll have trouble getting +away from them." + +"I can't understand this phosphorescent glow keeping up so long," +remarked Captain Weston. "I've seen it in this locality several times, +but it never covered such an extent of the ocean in my time. There +must be changed conditions here now." + +For an hour or more the race was kept up, and the two submarines forged +ahead through the glowing sea. The Wonder remained slightly above and +to the rear of the other, the better to keep sight of her, and though +the Advance was run to her limit of speed, her rival could not be +shaken off. Clearly the Wonder was a speedy craft. + +"It's too bad that we've got to fight them, as well as run the risk of +lots of other troubles which are always present when sailing under +water," observed Mr Damon, who wandered about the submarine like the +nervous person he was. "Bless my shirt-studs! Can't we blow them up, or +cripple them in some way? They have no right to go after our treasure." + +"Well, I guess they've got as much right as we have," declared Tom. "It +goes to whoever reaches the wreck first. But what I don't like is +their mean, sneaking way of doing it. If they went off on their own +hook and looked for it I wouldn't say a word. But they expect us to +lead them to the wreck, and then they'll rob us if they can. That's not +fair." + +"Indeed, it isn't," agreed Captain Weston, "if I may be allowed the +expression. We ought to find some way of stopping them. But, if I'm not +mistaken," he added quickly, looking from one of the port bull's-eyes, +"the phosphorescent glow is lessening. I believe we are running beyond +that part of the ocean." + +There was no doubt of it, the glow was growing less and less, and ten +minutes later the Advance was speeding along through a sea as black as +night. Then, to avoid running into some wreck, it was necessary to turn +on the searchlight. + +"Are they still after us?" asked Mr. Swift of his son, as he emerged +from the engine-room, where he had gone to make some adjustments to the +machinery, with the hope of increasing the speed. + +"I'll go look," volunteered the lad. He climbed up into the conning +tower again, and for a moment, as he gazed back into the black waters +swirling all about, he hoped that they had lost the Wonder. But a +moment later his heart sank as he caught sight, through the liquid +element, of the flickering gleams of another searchlight, the rays +undulating through the sea. + +"Still following," murmured the young inventor. "They're not going to +give up. But we must make 'em--that's all." + +He went down to report what he had seen, and a consultation was held. +Captain Weston carefully studied the charts of that part of the ocean, +and finding that there was a great depth of water at hand, proposed a +series of evolutions. + +"We can go up and down, shoot first to one side and then to the other," +he explained. "We can even drop down to the bottom and rest there for a +while. Perhaps, in that way, we can shake them off." + +They tried it. The Advance was sent up until her conning tower was out +of the water, and then she was suddenly forced down until she was but a +few feet from the bottom. She darted to the left, to the right, and +even doubled and went back over the course she had taken. But all to no +purpose. The Wonder proved fully as speedy, and those in her seemed to +know just how to handle the submarine, so that every evolution of the +Advance was duplicated. Her rival could not be shaken off. + +All night this was kept up, and when morning came, though only the +clocks told it, for eternal night was below the surface, the rival +gold-seekers were still on the trail. + +"They won't give up," declared Mr. Swift hopelessly. + +"No, we've got to race them for it, just as Berg proposed," admitted +Tom. "But if they want a straightaway race we'll give it to 'em. Let's +run her to the limit, dad." + +"That's what we've been doing, Tom." + +"No, not exactly, for we've been submerged a little too much to get the +best speed out of our craft. Let's go a little nearer the surface, and +give them the best race they'll ever have." + +Then the race began; and such a contest of speed as it was! With her +propellers working to the limit, and every volt of electricity that was +available forced into the forward and aft plates, the Advance surged +through the water, about ten feet below the surface. But the Wonder +kept after her, giving her knot for knot. The course of the leading +submarine was easy to trace now, in the morning light which penetrated +ten feet down. + +"No use," remarked Tom again, when, after two hours, the Wonder was +still close behind them. "Our only chance is that they may have a +breakdown." + +"Or run out of air, or something like that," added Captain Weston. +"They are crowding us pretty close. I had no idea they could keep up +this speed. If they don't look out," he went on as he looked from one +of the aft observation windows, "they'll foul us, and--" + +His remarks were interrupted by a jar to the Advance. She seemed to +shiver and careened to one side. Then came another bump. + +"Slow down!" cried the captain, rushing toward the pilot house. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, as he threw the engines and electrical +machines out of gear. "Have we hit anything?" + +"No. Something has hit us," cried the captain. "Their submarine has +rammed us." + +"Rammed us!" repeated Mr. Swift. "Tom, run out the electric cannon! +They're trying to sink us! We'll have to fight them. Run out the stern +electric gun and we'll make them wish they'd not followed us." + + + + +Chapter Eighteen + +The Electric Gun + + +There was much excitement aboard the Advance. The submarine came to a +stop in the water, while the treasure-seekers waited anxiously for what +was to follow. Would they be rammed again? This time, stationary as +they were, and with the other boat coming swiftly on, a hole might be +stove through the Advance, in spite of her powerful sides. + +They had not long to wait. Again there came a jar, and once more the +Swifts' boat careened. But the blow was a glancing one and, +fortunately, did little damage. + +"They certainly must be trying to sink us," agreed Captain Weston. +"Come, Tom, we'll take a look from the stern and see what they're up +to." + +"And get the stern electric gun ready to fire," repeated Mr. Swift. "We +must protect ourselves. Mr. Sharp and I will go to the bow. There is no +telling what they may do. They're desperate, and may ram us from in +front." + +Tom and the captain hurried aft. Through the thick plate-glass windows +they could see the blunt nose of the Wonder not far away, the rival +submarine having come to a halt. There she lay, black and silent, like +some monster fish waiting to devour its victim. + +"There doesn't appear to be much damage done back here," observed Tom. +"No leaks. Guess they didn't puncture us." + +"Perhaps it was due to an accident that they rammed us," suggested the +captain. + +"Well, they wouldn't have done it if they hadn't followed us so close," +was the opinion of the young inventor. "They're taking too many +chances. We've got to stop 'em." + +"What is this electric gun your father speaks of?" + +"Why, it's a regular electric cannon. It fires a solid ball, weighing +about twenty-five pounds, but instead of powder, which would hardly do +under water, and instead of compressed air, which is used in the +torpedo tubes of the Government submarines, we use a current of +electricity. It forces the cannon ball out with great energy." + +"I wonder what they will do next?" observed the captain, peering +through a bull's eye. + +"We can soon tell," replied the youth. "We'll go ahead, and if they try +to follow I'm going to fire on them." + +"Suppose you sink them?" + +"I won't fire to do that; only to disable them. They brought it on +themselves. We can't risk having them damage us. Help me with the +cannon, will you please, captain?" + +The electric cannon was a long, steel tube in the after part of the +submarine. It projected a slight distance from the sides of the ship, +and by an ingenious arrangement could be swung around in a ball and +socket joint, thus enabling it to shoot in almost any direction. + +It was the work of but a few minutes to get it ready and, with the +muzzle pointing toward the Wonder, Tom adjusted the electric wires and +inserted the solid shot. + +"Now we're prepared for them!" he cried. "I think a good plan will be +to start ahead, and if they try to follow to fire on them. They've +brought it on themselves." + +"Correct," spoke Captain Weston. + +Tom hurried forward to tell his father of this plan. + +"We'll do it!" cried Mr. Swift. "Go ahead, Mr. Sharp, and we'll see if +those scoundrels will follow." + +The young inventor returned on the run to the electric cannon. There +was a whir of machinery, and the Advance moved forward. She increased +her speed, and the two watchers in the stern looked anxiously out of +the windows to see what their rivals would do. + +For a moment no movement was noticeable on the part of the Wonder. +Then, as those aboard her appeared to realize that the craft on which +they depended to pilot them to the sunken treasure was slipping away, +word was given to follow. The ship of Berg and his employers shot after +the Advance. + +"Here they come!" cried Captain Weston. "They're going to ram us again!" + +"Then I'm going to fire on them!" declared Tom savagely. + +On came the Wonder, nearer and nearer. Her speed was rapidly +increasing. Suddenly she bumped the Advance, and then, as if it was an +unavoidable accident, the rear submarine sheered off to one side. + +"They're certainly at it again!" cried Tom, and peering from the +bull's-eye he saw the Wonder shoot past the mouth of the electric +cannon. "Here it goes!" he added. + +He shoved over the lever, making the proper connection. There was no +corresponding report, for the cannon was noiseless, but there was a +slight jar as the projectile left the muzzle. The Wonder could be seen +to heel over. + +"You hit her! You hit her!" cried Captain Weston. "A good shot!" + +"I was afraid she was past me when I pulled the lever," explained Tom. +"She went like a flash." + +"No, you caught her on the rudder," declared the captain. "I think +you've put her out of business. Yes, they're rising to the surface." + +The lad rapidly inserted another ball, and recharged the cannon. Then +he peered out into the water, illuminated by the light of day overhead, +as they were not far down. He could see the Wonder rising to the +surface. Clearly something had happened. + +"Maybe they're going to drop down on us from above, and try to sink +us," suggested the youth, while he stood ready to fire again. "If they +do--" + +His words were interrupted by a slight jar throughout the submarine. + +"What was that?" cried the captain. + +"Dad fired the bow gun at them, but I don't believe he hit them," +answered the young inventor. + +"I wonder what damage I did? Guess we'll go to the surface to find out." + +Clearly the Wonder had given up the fight for the time being. In fact, +she had no weapon with which to respond to a fusillade from her rival. +Tom hastened forward and informed his father of what had happened. + +"If her steering gear is out of order, we may have a chance to slip +away," said Mr. Swift "We'll go up and see what we can learn." + +A few minutes later Tom, his father and Captain Weston stepped from the +conning tower, which was out of water, on to the little flat deck a +short distance away lay the Wonder, and on her deck was Berg and a +number of men, evidently members of the crew. + +"Why did you fire on us?" shouted the agent angrily. + +"Why did you follow us?" retorted Tom. + +"Well, you've broken our rudder and disabled us," went on Berg, not +answering the question. "You'll suffer for this! I'll have you +arrested." + +"You only got what you deserved," added Mr. Swift. "You were acting +illegally, following us, and you tried to sink us by ramming my craft +before we retaliated by firing on you." + +"It was an accident, ramming you," said Berg. "We couldn't help it. I +now demand that you help us make repairs." + +"Well, you've got nerve!" cried Captain Weston, his eyes flashing. "I'd +like to have a personal interview with you for about ten minutes. Maybe +something besides your ship would need repairs then." + +Berg turned away, scowling, but did not reply. He began directing the +crew what to do about the broken rudder. + +"Come on," proposed Tom in a low voice, for sounds carry very easily +over water. "Let's go below and skip out while we have a chance. They +can't follow now, and we can get to the sunken treasure ahead of them." + +"Good advice," commented his father. "Come, Captain Weston, we'll go +below and close the conning tower." + +Five minutes later the Advance sank from sight, the last glimpse Tom +had of Berg and his men being a sight of them standing on the deck of +their floating boat, gazing in the direction of their successful rival. +The Wonder was left behind, while Tom and his friends were soon once +more speeding toward the treasure wreck. + + + + +Chapter Nineteen + +Captured + + +"Down deep," advised Captain Weston, as he stood beside Tom and Mr. +Swift in the pilot house. "As far as you can manage her, and then +forward. We'll take no more chances with these fellows." + +"The only trouble is," replied the young inventor, "that the deeper we +go the slower we have to travel. The water is so dense that it holds us +back." + +"Well, there is no special need of hurrying now," went on the sailor. +"No one is following you, and two or three days difference in reaching +the wreck will not amount to anything." + +"Unless they repair their rudder, and take after us again," suggested +Mr. Swift. + +"They're not very likely to do that," was the captain's opinion. "It +was more by luck than good management that they picked us up before. +Now, having to delay, as they will, to repair their steering gear, +while we can go as deep as we please and speed ahead, it is practically +impossible for them to catch up to us. No, I think we have nothing to +fear from them." + +But though danger from Berg and his crowd was somewhat remote, perils +of another sort were hovering around the treasure-seekers, and they +were soon to experience them. + +It was much different from sailing along in the airship, Tom thought, +for there was no blue sky and fleecy clouds to see, and they could not +look down and observe, far below them, cities and villages. Nor could +they breathe the bracing atmosphere of the upper regions. + +But if there was lack of the rarefied air of the clouds, there was no +lack of fresh atmosphere. The big tanks carried a large supply, and +whenever more was needed the oxygen machine would supply it. + +As there was no need, however, of remaining under water for any great +stretch of time, it was their practice to rise every day and renew the +air supply, also to float along on the surface for a while, or speed +along, with only the conning tower out, in order to afford a view, and +to enable Captain Weston to take observations. But care was always +exercised to make sure no ships were in sight when emerging on the +surface, for the gold-seekers did not want to be hailed and questioned +by inquisitive persons. + +It was about four days after the disabling of the rival submarine, and +the Advance was speeding along about a mile and a half under water. Tom +was in the pilot house with Captain Weston, Mr. Damon was at his +favorite pastime of looking out of the glass side windows into the +ocean and its wonders, and Mr. Swift and the balloonist were, as +usual, in the engine-room. + +"How near do you calculate we are to the sunken wreck?" asked Tom of +his companion. + +"Well, at the calculation we made yesterday, we are within about a +thousand miles of it now. We ought to reach it in about four more days, +if we don't have any accidents." + +"And how deep do you think it is?" went on the lad. + +"Well, I'm afraid it's pretty close to two miles, if not more. It's +quite a depth, and of course impossible for ordinary divers to reach. +But it will be possible in this submarine and in the strong diving +suits your father has invented for us to get to it. Yes, I don't +anticipate much trouble in getting out the gold, once we reach the +wreck of course--" + +The captain's remark was not finished. From the engine-room there came +a startled shout: + +"Tom! Tom! Your father is hurt! Come here, quick!" + +"Take the wheel!" cried the lad to the captain. "I must go to my +father." It was Mr. Sharp's voice he had heard. + +Racing to the engine-room, Tom saw his parent doubled up over a dynamo, +while to one side, his hand on a copper switch, stood Mr. Sharp. + +"What's the matter?" shouted the lad. + +"He's held there by a current of electricity," replied the balloonist. +"The wires are crossed." + +"Why don't you shut off the current?" demanded the youth, as he +prepared to pull his parent from the whirring machine. Then he +hesitated, for he feared he, too, would be glued fast by the terrible +current, and so be unable to help Mr. Swift. + +"I'm held fast here, too," replied the balloonist. "I started to cut +out the current at this switch, but there's a short circuit somewhere, +and I can't let go, either. Quick, shut off all power at the main +switchboard forward." + +Tom realized that this was the only thing to do. He ran forward and +with a yank cut out all the electric wires. With a sigh of relief Mr. +Sharp pulled his hands from the copper where he had been held fast as +if by some powerful magnet, his muscles cramped by the current. +Fortunately the electricity was of low voltage, and he was not burned. +The body of Mr. Swift toppled backward from the dynamo, as Tom sprang +to reach his father. + +"He's dead!" he cried, as he saw the pale face and the closed eyes. + +"No, only badly shocked, I hope," spoke Mr. Sharp. "But we must get him +to the fresh air at once. Start the tank pumps. We'll rise to the +surface." + +The youth needed no second bidding. Once more turning on the electric +current, he set the powerful pumps in motion and the submarine began to +rise. Then, aided by Captain Weston and Mr. Damon, the young inventor +carried his father to a couch in the main cabin. Mr. Sharp took charge +of the machinery. + +Restoratives were applied, and there was a flutter of the eyelids of +the aged inventor. + +"I think he'll come around all right," said the sailor kindly, as he +saw Tom's grief. "Fresh air will be the thing for him. We'll be on the +surface in a minute." + +Up shot the Advance, while Mr. Sharp stood ready to open the conning +tower as soon as it should be out of water. Mr. Swift seemed to be +rapidly reviving. With a bound the submarine, forced upward from the +great depth, fairly shot out of the water. There was a clanking sound +as the aeronaut opened the airtight door of the tower, and a breath of +fresh air came in. + +"Can you walk, dad, or shall we carry you?" asked Tom solicitously. + +"Oh, I--I'm feeling better now," was the inventor's reply. "I'll soon +be all right when I get out on deck. My foot slipped as I was adjusting +a wire that had gotten out of order, and I fell so that I received a +large part of the current. I'm glad I was not burned. Was Mr. Sharp +hurt? I saw him run to the switch, just before I lost consciousness." + +"No, I'm all right," answered the balloonist. "But allow us to get you +out to the fresh air. You'll feel much better then." + +Mr. Swift managed to walk slowly to the ladder leading to the conning +tower, and thence to the deck. The others followed him. As all emerged +from the submarine they uttered a cry of astonishment. + +There, not one hundred yards away, was a great warship, flying a flag +which, in a moment, Tom recognized as that of Brazil. The cruiser was +lying off a small island, and all about were small boats, filled with +natives, who seemed to be bringing supplies from land to the ship. At +the unexpected sight of the submarine, bobbing up from the bottom of +the ocean, the natives uttered cries of fright. The attention of those +on the warship was attracted, and the bridge and rails were lined with +curious officers and men. + +"It's a good thing we didn't come up under that ship," observed Tom. +"They would have thought we were trying to torpedo her. Do you feel +better, dad?" he asked, his wonder over the sight of the big vessel +temporarily eclipsed in his anxiety for his parent. + +"Oh, yes, much better. I'm all right now. But I wish we hadn't +disclosed ourselves to these people. They may demand to know where we +are going, and Brazil is too near Uruguay to make it safe to tell our +errand. They may guess it, however, from having read of the wreck, and +our departure." + +"Oh, I guess it will be all right," replied Captain Weston. "We can +tell them we are on a pleasure trip. That's true enough. It would give +us great pleasure to find that gold." + +"There's a boat, with some officers in it, to judge by the amount of +gold lace on them, putting off from the ship," remarked Mr. Sharp. + +"Ha! Yes! Evidently they intend to pay us a formal visit," observed Mr. +Damon. "Bless my gaiters, though. I'm not dressed to receive company. I +think I'll put on my dress suit." + +"It's too late," advised Tom. "They'll be here in a minute." + +Urged on by the lusty arms of the Brazilian sailors, the boat, +containing several officers, neared the floating submarine rapidly. + +"Ahoy there!" called an officer in the bow, his accent betraying his +unfamiliarity with the English language. "What craft are you?" + +"Submarine, Advance, from New Jersey," replied Tom. "Who are you?" + +"Brazilian cruiser San Paulo," was the reply. "Where are you bound?" +went on the officer. + +"On pleasure," answered Captain Weston quickly. "But why do you ask? We +are an American ship, sailing under American colors. Is this Brazilian +territory?" + +"This island is--yes," came back the answer, and by this time the small +boat was at the side of the submarine. Before the adventurers could +have protested, had they a desire to do so, there were a number of +officers and the crew of the San Paulo on the small deck. + +With a flourish, the officer who had done the questioning drew his +sword. Waving it in the air with a dramatic gesture, he exclaimed: + +"You're our prisoners! Resist and my men shall cut you down like dogs! +Seize them, men!" + +The sailors sprang forward, each one stationing himself at the side of +one of our friends, and grasping an arm. + +"What does this mean?" cried Captain Weston indignantly. "If this is a +joke, you're carrying it too far. If you're in earnest, let me warn you +against interfering with Americans!" + +"We know what we are doing," was the answer from the officer. + +The sailor who had hold of Captain Weston endeavored to secure a +tighter grip. The captain turned suddenly, and seizing the man about +the waist, with an exercise of tremendous strength hurled him over his +head and into the sea, the man making a great splash. + +"That's the way I'll treat any one else who dares lay a hand on me!" +shouted the captain, who was transformed from a mild-mannered +individual into an angry, modern giant. There was a gasp of +astonishment at his feat, as the ducked sailor crawled back into the +small boat. And he did not again venture on the deck of the submarine. + +"Seize them, men!" cried the gold-laced officer again, and this time he +and his fellows, including the crew, crowded so closely around Tom and +his friends that they could do nothing. Even Captain Weston found it +impossible to offer any resistance, for three men grabbed hold of him +but his spirit was still a fighting one, and he struggled desperately +but uselessly. + +"How dare you do this?" he cried. + +"Yes," added Tom, "what right have you to interfere with us?" + +"Every right," declared the gold-laced officer. + +"You are in Brazilian territory, and I arrest you." + +"What for?" demanded Mr. Sharp. + +"Because your ship is an American submarine, and we have received word +that you intend to damage our shipping, and may try to torpedo our +warships. I believe you tried to disable us a little while ago, but +failed. We consider that an act of war and you will be treated +accordingly. Take them on board the San Paulo," the officer went on, +turning to his aides. "We'll try them by court-marital here. Some of +you remain and guard this submarine. We will teach these filibustering +Americans a lesson." + + + + +Chapter Twenty + +Doomed to Death + + +There was no room on the small deck of the submarine to make a stand +against the officers and crew of the Brazilian warship. In fact, the +capture of the gold-seekers had been effected so suddenly that their +astonishment almost deprived them of the power to think clearly. + +At another command from the officer, who was addressed as Admiral +Fanchetti, several of the sailors began to lead Tom and his friends +toward the small boat. + +"Do you feel all right, father?" inquired the lad anxiously, as he +looked at his parent. "These scoundrels have no right to treat us so." + +"Yes, Tom, I'm all right as far as the electric shock is concerned, but +I don't like to be handled in this fashion." + +"We ought not to submit!" burst out Mr. Damon. "Bless the stars and +stripes! We ought to fight." + +"There's no chance," said Mr. Sharp. "We are right under the guns of +the ship. They could sink us with one shot. I guess we'll have to give +in for the time being." + +"It is most unpleasant, if I may be allowed the expression," commented +Captain Weston mildly. He seemed to have lost his sudden anger, but +there was a steely glint in his eyes, and a grim, set look around his +month that showed his temper was kept under control only by an effort. +It boded no good to the sailors who had hold of the doughty captain if +he should once get loose, and it was noticed that they were on their +guard. + +As for Tom, he submitted quietly to the two Brazilians who had hold of +either arm, and Mr. Swift was held by only one, for it was seen that he +was feeble. + +"Into the boat with them!" cried Admiral Fanchetti. "And guard them +well, Lieutenant Drascalo, for I heard them plotting to escape," and +the admiral signaled to a younger officer, who was in charge of the men +guarding the prisoners. + +"Lieutenant Drascalo, eh?" murmured Mr. Damon. "I think they made a +mistake naming him. It ought to be Rascalo. He looks like a rascal." + +"Silenceo!" exclaimed the lieutenant, scowling at the odd character. + +"Bless my spark plug! He's a regular fire-eater!" went on Mr. Damon, +who appeared to have fully recovered his spirits. + +"Silenceo!" cried the lieutenant, scowling again, but Mr. Damon did not +appear to mind. + +Admiral Fanchetti and several others of the gold-laced officers +remained aboard the submarine, while Tom and his friends were hustled +into the small boat and rowed toward the warship. + +"I hope they don't damage our craft," murmured the young inventor, as +he saw the admiral enter the conning tower. + +"If they do, we'll complain to the United States consul and demand +damages," said Mr. Swift. + +"I'm afraid we won't have a chance to communicate with the consul," +remarked Captain Weston. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but will +these scoundrels--" + +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo quickly. "Dogs of Americans, do +you wish to insult us?" + +"Impossible; you wouldn't appreciate a good, genuine United States +insult," murmured Tom under his breath. + +"What I mean," went on the captain, "is that these people may carry the +proceedings off with a high hand. You heard the admiral speak of a +court-martial." + +"Would they dare do that?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"They would dare anything in this part of the world, I'm afraid," +resumed Captain Weston. "I think I see their plan, though. This admiral +is newly in command; his uniform shows that. He wants to make a name for +himself, and he seizes on our submarine as an excuse. He can send word +to his government that he destroyed a torpedo craft that sought to +wreck his ship. Thus he will acquire a reputation." + +"But would his government support him in such a hostile act against the +United States, a friendly nation?" asked Tom. + +"Oh, he would not claim to have acted against the United States as a +power. He would say that it was a private submarine, and, as a matter +of fact, it is. While we are under the protection of the stars and +stripes, our vessel is not a Government one," and Captain Weston spoke +the last in a low voice, so the scowling lieutenant could not hear. + +"What will they do with us?" inquired Mr. Swift. + +"Have some sort of a court-martial, perhaps," went on the captain, "and +confiscate our craft. Then they will send us back home, I expect for +they would not dare harm us." + +"But take our submarine!" cried Tom. "The villains--" + +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo and he drew his sword. + +By this time the small boat was under the big guns of the San Paulo, +and the prisoners were ordered, in broken English, to mount a companion +ladder that hung over the side. In a short time they were on deck, amid +a crowd of sailors, and they could see the boat going back to bring off +the admiral, who signaled from the submarine. Tom and his friends were +taken below to a room that looked like a prison, and there, a little +later, they were visited by Admiral Fanchetti and several officers. + +"You will be tried at once," said the admiral. "I have examined your +submarine and I find she carries two torpedo tubes. It is a wonder you +did not sink me at once." + +"Those are not torpedo tubes!" cried Tom, unable to keep silent, though +Captain Weston motioned him to do so. + +"I know torpedo tubes when I see them," declared the admiral. "I +consider I had a very narrow escape. Your country is fortunate that +mine does not declare war against it for this act. But I take it you +are acting privately, for you fly no flag, though you claim to be from +the United States." + +"There's no place for a flag on the submarine," went on Tom. "What good +would it be under water?" + +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo, the admonition to silence +seeming to be the only command of which he was capable. + +"I shall confiscate your craft for my government," went on the admiral, +"and shall punish you as the court-martial may direct. You will be +tried at once." + +It was in vain for the prisoners to protest. Matters were carried with +a high hand. They were allowed a spokesman, and Captain Weston, who +understood Spanish, was selected, that language being used. But the +defense was a farce, for he was scarcely listened to. Several officers +testified before the admiral, who was judge, that they had seen the +submarine rise out of the water, almost under the prow of the San +Paulo. It was assumed that the Advance had tried to wreck the warship, +but had failed. It was in vain that Captain Weston and the others told +of the reason for their rapid ascent from the ocean depths--that Mr. +Swift had been shocked, and needed fresh air. Their story was not +believed. + +"We have heard enough!" suddenly exclaimed the admiral. "The evidence +against you is over-whelming--er--what you Americans call conclusive," +and he was speaking then in broken English. "I find you guilty, and the +sentence of this court-martial is that you be shot at sunrise, three +days hence!" + +"Shot!" cried Captain Weston, staggering back at this unexpected +sentence. His companions turned white, and Mr. Swift leaned against his +son for support. + +"Bless my stars! Of all the scoundrelly!" began Mr. Damon. + +"Silenceo!" shouted the lieutenant, waving his sword. + +"You will be shot," proceeded the admiral. "Is not that the verdict of +the honorable court?" he asked, looking at his fellow officers. They +all nodded gravely. + +"But look here!" objected Captain Weston. "You don't dare do that! We +are citizens of the United States, and--" + +"I consider you no better than pirates," interrupted the admiral. "You +have an armed submarine--a submarine with torpedo tubes. You invade our +harbor with it, and come up almost under my ship. You have forfeited +your right to the protection of your country, and I have no fear on +that score. You will be shot within three days. That is all. Remove +the prisoners." + +Protests were in vain, and it was equally useless to struggle. The +prisoners were taken out on deck, for which they were thankful, for the +interior of the ship was close and hot, the weather being intensely +disagreeable. They were told to keep within a certain space on deck, +and a guard of sailors, all armed, was placed near them. From where +they were they could see their submarine floating on the surface of the +little bay, with several Brazilians on the small deck. The Advance had +been anchored, and was surrounded by a flotilla of the native boats, +the brown-skinned paddlers gazing curiously at the odd craft. + +"Well, this is tough luck!" murmured Tom. "How do you feel, dad?" + +"As well as can be expected under the circumstances," was the reply. +"What do you think about this, Captain Weston?" + +"Not very much, if I may be allowed the expression," was the answer. + +"Do you think they will dare carry out that threat?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +The captain shrugged his shoulders. "I hope it is only a bluff," he +replied, "made to scare us so we will consent to giving up the +submarine, which they have no right to confiscate. But these fellows +look ugly enough for anything," he went on. + +"Then if there's any chance of them attempting to carry it out," spoke +Tom, "we've got to do something." + +"Bless my gizzard, of course!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "But what? That's +the question. To be shot! Why, that's a terrible threat! The villains--" + +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up at that moment. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-One + +The Escape + + +Events had happened so quickly that day that the gold-hunters could +scarcely comprehend them. It seemed only a short time since Mr. Swift +had been discovered lying disabled on the dynamo, and what had +transpired since seemed to have taken place in a few minutes, though it +was, in reality, several hours. This was made manifest by the feeling +of hunger on the part of Tom and his friends. + +"I wonder if they're going to starve us, the scoundrels?" asked Mr. +Sharp, when the irate lieutenant was beyond hearing. "It's not fair to +make us go hungry and shoot us in the bargain." + +"That's so, they ought to feed us," put in Tom. As yet neither he nor +the others fully realized the meaning of the sentence passed on them. + +From where they were on deck they could look off to the little island. +From it boats manned by natives were constantly putting off, bringing +supplies to the ship. The place appeared to be a sort of calling +station for Brazilian warships, where they could get fresh water and +fruit and other food. + +From the island the gaze of the adventurers wandered to the submarine, +which lay not far away. They were chagrined to see several of the +bolder natives clambering over the deck. + +"I hope they keep out of the interior," commented Tom. "If they get to +pulling or hauling on the levers and wheels they may open the tanks and +sink her, with the Conning tower open." + +"Better that, perhaps, than to have her fall into the hands of a +foreign power," commented Captain Weston. "Besides, I don't see that +it's going to matter much to us what becomes of her after we're--" + +He did not finish, but every one knew what he meant, and a grim silence +fell upon the little group. + +There came a welcome diversion, however, in the shape of three sailors, +bearing trays of food, which were placed on the deck in front of the +prisoners, who were sitting or lying in the shade of an awning, for the +sun was very hot. + +"Ha! Bless my napkin-ring!" cried Mr. Damon with something of his +former gaiety. "Here's a meal, at all events. They don't intend to +starve us. Eat hearty, every one." + +"Yes, we need to keep up our strength," observed Captain Weston. + +"Why?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"Because we're going to try to escape!" exclaimed Tom in a low voice, +when the sailors who had brought the food had gone. "Isn't that what +you mean, captain?" + +"Exactly. We'll try to give these villains the slip, and we'll need all +our strength and wits to do it. We'll wait until night, and see what we +can do." + +"But where will we escape to?" asked Mr. Swift. "The island will afford +no shelter, and--" + +"No, but our submarine will," went on the sailor. + +"It's in the possession of the Brazilians," objected Tom. + +"Once I get aboard the Advance twenty of those brown-skinned villains +won't keep me prisoner," declared Captain Weston fiercely. "If we can +only slip away from here, get into the small boat, or even swim to the +submarine, I'll make those chaps on board her think a hurricane has +broken loose." + +"Yes, and I'll help," said Mr. Damon. + +"And I," added Tom and the balloonist. + +"That's the way to talk," commented the captain. "Now let's eat, for I +see that rascally lieutenant coming this way, and we mustn't appear to +be plotting, or he'll be suspicious." + +The day passed slowly, and though the prisoners seemed to be allowed +considerable liberty, they soon found that it was only apparent. Once +Tom walked some distance from that portion of the deck where he and the +others had been told to remain. A sailor with a gun at once ordered him +back. Nor could they approach the rails without being directed, harshly +enough at times, to move back amidships. + +As night approached the gold-seekers were on the alert for any chance +that might offer to slip away, or even attack their guard, but the +number of Brazilians around them was doubled in the evening, and after +supper, which was served to them on deck by the light of swinging +lanterns, they were taken below and locked in a stuffy cabin. They +looked helplessly at each other. + +"Don't give up," advised Captain Weston. "It's a long night. We may be +able to get out of here." + +But this hope was in vain. Several times he and Tom, thinking the +guards outside the cabin were asleep, tried to force the lock of the +door with their pocket-knives, which had not been taken from them. But +one of the sailors was aroused each time by the noise, and looked in +through a barred window, so they had to give it up. Slowly the night +passed, and morning found the prisoners pale, tired and discouraged. +They were brought up on deck again, for which they were thankful, as in +that tropical climate it was stifling below. + +During the day they saw Admiral Fanchetti and several of his officers +pay a visit to the submarine. They went below through the opened +conning tower, and were gone some time. + +"I hope they don't disturb any of the machinery," remarked Mr. Swift. +"That could easily do great damage." + +Admiral Fanchetti seemed much pleased with himself when he returned +from his visit to the submarine. + +"You have a fine craft," he said to the prisoners. "Or, rather, you had +one. My government now owns it. It seems a pity to shoot such good boat +builders, but you are too dangerous to be allowed to go." + +If there had been any doubt in the minds of Tom and his friends that +the sentence of the court-martial was only for effect, it was dispelled +that day. A firing squad was told off in plain view of them, and the +men were put through their evolutions by Lieutenant Drascalo, who had +them load, aim and fire blank cartridges at an imaginary line of +prisoners. Tom could not repress a shudder as he noted the leveled +rifles, and saw the fire and smoke spurt from the muzzles. + +"Thus we shall do to you at sunrise to-morrow," said the lieutenant, +grinning, as he once more had his men practice their grim work. + +It seemed hotter than ever that day. The sun was fairly broiling, and +there was a curious haziness and stillness to the air. It was noticed +that the sailors on the San Paulo were busy making fast all loose +articles on deck with extra lashings, and hatch coverings were doubly +secured. + +"What do you suppose they are up to?" asked Tom of Captain Weston. + +"I think it is coming on to blow," he replied, "and they don't want to +be caught napping. They have fearful storms down in this region at this +season of the year, and I think one is about due." + +"I hope it doesn't wreck the submarine," spoke Mr. Swift. "They ought +to close the hatch of the conning tower, for it won't take much of a +sea to make her ship considerable water." + +Admiral Fanchetti had thought of this, however, and as the afternoon +wore away and the storm signs multiplied, he sent word to close the +submarine. He left a few sailors aboard inside on guard. + +"It's too hot to eat," observed Tom, when their supper had been brought +to them, and the others felt the same way about it. They managed to +drink some cocoanut milk, prepared in a palatable fashion by the +natives of the island, and then, much to their disgust, they were taken +below again and locked in the cabin. + +"Whew! But it certainly is hot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon as he sat down on +a couch and fanned himself. "This is awful!" + +"Yes, something is going to happen pretty soon," observed Captain +Weston. "The storm will break shortly, I think." + +They sat languidly about the cabin. It was so oppressive that even the +thought of the doom that awaited them in the morning could hardly seem +worse than the terrible heat. They could hear movements going on about +the ship, movements which indicated that preparations were being made +for something unusual. There was a rattling of a chain through a hawse +hole, and Captain Weston remarked: + +"They're putting down another anchor. Admiral Fanchetti had better get +away from the island, though, unless he wants to be wrecked. He'll be +blown ashore in less than no time. No cable or chain will hold in such +storms as they have here." + +There came a period of silence, which was suddenly broken by a howl as +of some wild beast. + +"What's that?" cried Tom, springing up from where he was stretched out +on the cabin floor. + +"Only the wind," replied the captain. "The storm has arrived." + +The howling kept up, and soon the ship began to rock. The wind +increased, and a little later there could be heard, through an opened +port in the prisoners' cabin, the dash of rain. + +"It's a regular hurricane!" exclaimed the captain. "I wonder if the +cables will hold?" + +"What about the submarine?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. + +"I haven't much fear for her. She lies so low in the water that the +wind can't get much hold on her. I don't believe she'll drag her +anchor." + +Once more came a fierce burst of wind, and a dash of rain, and then, +suddenly above the outburst of the elements, there sounded a crash on +deck. It was followed by excited cries. + +"Something's happened!" yelled Tom. The prisoners gathered in a +frightened group in the middle of the cabin. The cries were repeated, +and then came a rush of feet just outside the cabin door. + +"Our guards! They're leaving!" shouted Tom. + +"Right!" exclaimed Captain Weston. "Now's our chance! Come on! If we're +going to escape we must do it while the storm is at its height, and all +is in confusion. Come on!" + +Tom tried the door. It was locked. + +"One side!" shouted the captain, and this time he did not pause to say +"by your leave." He came at the portal on the run, and his shoulder +struck it squarely. There was a splintering and crashing of wood, and +the door was burst open. + +"Follow me!" cried the valiant sailor, and Tom and the others rushed +after him. They could hear the wind howling more loudly than ever, and +as they reached the deck the rain dashed into their faces with such +violence that they could hardly see. But they were aware that something +had occurred. By the light of several lanterns swaying in the terrific +blast they saw that one of the auxiliary masts had broken off near the +deck. + +It had fallen against the chart house, smashing it, and a number of +sailors were laboring to clear away the wreckage. + +"Fortune favors us!" cried Captain Weston. "Come on! Make for the small +boat. It's near the side ladder. We'll lower the boat and pull to the +submarine." + +There came a flash of lightning, and in its glare Tom saw something +that caused him to cry out. + +"Look!" he shouted. "The submarine. She's dragged her anchors!" + +The Advance was much closer to the warship than she had been that +afternoon. Captain Weston looked over the side. + +"It's the San Paulo that's dragging her anchors, not the submarine!" he +shouted. "We're bearing down on her! We must act quickly. Come on, +we'll lower the boat!" + +In the rush of wind and the dash of rain the prisoners crowded to the +accommodation companion ladder, which was still over the side of the +big ship. No one seemed to be noticing them, for Admiral Fanchetti was +on the bridge, yelling orders for the clearing away of the wreckage. +But Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up from below at that moment, caught +sight of the fleeing ones. Drawing his sword, he rushed at them, +shouting: + +"The prisoners! The prisoners! They are escaping!" + +Captain Weston leaped toward the lieutenant. + +"Look out for his sword!" cried Tom. But the doughty sailor did not +fear the weapon. Catching up a coil of rope, he cast it at the +lieutenant. It struck him in the chest, and he staggered back, lowering +his sword. + +Captain Weston leaped forward, and with a terrific blow sent Lieutenant +Drascalo to the deck. + +"There!" cried the sailor. "I guess you won't yell 'Silenceo!' for a +while now." + +There was a rush of Brazilians toward the group of prisoners. Tom +caught one with a blow on the chin, and felled him, while Captain +Weston disposed of two more, and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon one each. The +savage fighting of the Americans was too much for the foreigners, and +they drew back. + +"Come on!" cried Captain Weston again. "The storm is getting worse. The +warship will crash into the submarine in a few minutes. Her anchors +aren't holding. I didn't think they would." + +He made a dash for the ladder, and a glance showed him that the small +boat was in the water at the foot of it. The craft had not been hoisted +on the davits. + +"Luck's with us at last!" cried Tom, seeing it also. "Shall I help +you, dad?" + +"No; I think I'm all right. Go ahead." + +There came such a gust of wind that the San Paulo was heeled over, and +the wreck of the mast, rolling about, crashed into the side of a deck +house, splintering it. A crowd of sailors, led by Admiral Fanchetti, +who were again rushing on the escaping prisoners, had to leap back out +of the way of the rolling mast. + +"Catch them! Don't let them get away!" begged the commander, but the +sailors evidently had no desire to close in with the Americans. + +Through the rush of wind and rain Tom and his friends staggered down +the ladder. It was hard work to maintain one's footing, but they +managed it. On account of the high side of the ship the water was +comparatively calm under her lee, and, though the small boat was +bobbing about, they got aboard. The oars were in place, and in another +moment they had shoved off from the landing stage which formed the foot +of the accommodation ladder. + +"Now for the Advance!" murmured Captain Weston. + +"Come back! Come back, dogs of Americans!" cried a voice at the rail +over their heads, and looking up, Tom saw Lieutenant Drascalo. He had +snatched a carbine from a marine, and was pointing it at the recent +prisoners. He fired, the flash of the gun and a dazzling chain of +lightning coming together. The thunder swallowed up the report of the +carbine, but the bullet whistled uncomfortable close to Tom's head. The +blackness that followed the lightning shut out the view of everything +for a few seconds, and when the next flash came the adventurers saw +that they were close to their submarine. + +A fusillade of shots sounded from the deck of the warship, but as the +marines were poor marksmen at best, and as the swaying of the ship +disconcerted them, our friends were in little danger. + +There was quite a sea once they were beyond the protection of the side +of the warship, but Captain Weston, who was rowing, knew how to manage +a boat skillfully, and he soon had the craft alongside the bobbing +submarine. + +"Get aboard, now, quick!" he cried. + +They leaped to the small deck, casting the rowboat adrift. It was the +work of but a moment to open the conning tower. As they started to +descend they were met by several Brazilians coming up. + +"Overboard with 'em!" yelled the captain. "Let them swim ashore or to +their ship!" + +With almost superhuman strength he tossed one big sailor from the small +deck. Another showed fight, but he went to join his companion in the +swirling water. A man rushed at Tom, seeking the while to draw his +sword, but the young inventor, with a neat left-hander, sent him to +join the other two, and the remainder did not wait to try conclusions. +They leaped for their lives, and soon all could be seen, in the +frequent lightning flashes, swimming toward the warship which was now +closer than ever to the submarine. + +"Get inside and we'll sink below the surface!" called Tom. "Then we +don't care what happens." + +They closed the steel door of the conning tower. As they did so they +heard the patter of bullets from carbines fired from the San Paulo. +Then came a violent tossing of the Advance; the waves were becoming +higher as they caught the full force of the hurricane. It took but an +instant to sever, from within, the cable attached to the anchor, which +was one belonging to the warship. The Advance began drifting. + +"Open the tanks, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom. "Captain Weston and I will +steer. Once below we'll start the engines." + +Amid a crash of thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning, the +submarine began to sink. Tom, in the conning tower had a sight of the +San Paulo as it drifted nearer and nearer under the influence of the +mighty wind. As one bright flash came he saw Admiral Fanchetti and +Lieutenant Drascalo leaning over the rail and gazing at the Advance. + +A moment later the view faded from sight as the submarine sank below +the surface of the troubled sea. She was tossed about for some time +until deep enough to escape the surface motion. Waiting until she was +far enough down so that her lights would not offer a mark for the guns +of the warship, the electrics were switched on. + +"We're safe now!" cried Tom, helping his father to his cabin. "They've +got too much to attend to themselves to follow us now, even if they +could. Shall we go ahead, Captain Weston?" + +"I think so, yes, if I may be allowed to express my opinion," was the +mild reply, in strange contrast to the strenuous work in which the +captain had just been engaged. + +Tom signaled to Mr. Sharp in the engine-room, and in a few seconds the +Advance was speeding away from the island and the hostile vessel. Nor, +deep as she was now, was there any sign of the hurricane. In the +peaceful depths she was once more speeding toward the sunken treasure. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Two + +At the Wreck + + +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon, as the submarine hurled herself forward +through the ocean, "I guess that firing party will have something else +to do to-morrow morning besides aiming those rifles at us." + +"Yes, indeed," agreed Tom. "They'll be lucky if they save their ship. +My, how that wind did blow!" + +"You're right," put in Captain Weston. "When they get a hurricane down +in this region it's no cat's paw. But they were a mighty careless lot +of sailors. The idea of leaving the ladder over the side, and the boat +in the water." + +"It was a good thing for us, though," was Tom's opinion. + +"Indeed it was," came from the captain. "But as long as we are safe now +I think we'd better take a look about the craft to see if those chaps +did any damage. They can't have done much, though, or she wouldn't be +running so smoothly. Suppose you go take a look, Tom, and ask your +father and Mr. Sharp what they think. I'll steer for a while, until we +get well away from the island." + +The young inventor found his father and the balloonist busy in the +engine-room. Mr. Swift had already begun an inspection of the +machinery, and so far found that it had not been injured. A further +inspection showed that no damage had been done by the foreign guard +that had been in temporary possession of the Advance, though the +sailors had made free in the cabins, and had broken into the food +lockers, helping themselves plentifully. But there was still enough for +the gold-seekers. + +"You'd never know there was a storm raging up above," observed Tom as +he rejoined Captain Weston in the lower pilot house, where he was +managing the craft. "It's as still and peaceful here as one could wish." + +"Yes, the extreme depths are seldom disturbed by a surface storm. But +we are over a mile deep now. I sent her down a little while you were +gone, as I think she rides a little more steadily." + +All that night they speeded forward, and the next day, rising to the +surface to take an observation, they found no traces of the storm, +which had blown itself out. They were several hundred miles away from +the hostile warship, and there was not a vessel in sight on the broad +expanse of blue ocean. + +The air tanks were refilled, and after sailing along on the surface for +an hour or two, the submarine was again sent below, as Captain Weston +sighted through his telescope the smoke of a distant steamer. + +"As long as it isn't the Wonder, we're all right," said Tom. "Still, we +don't want to answer a lot of questions about ourselves and our object." + +"No. I fancy the Wonder will give up the search," remarked the captain, +as the Advance was sinking to the depths. + +"We must be getting pretty near to the end of our search ourselves," +ventured the young inventor. + +"We are within five hundred miles of the intersection of the +forty-fifth parallel and the twenty-seventh meridian, east from +Washington," said the captain. "That's as near as I could locate the +wreck. Once we reach that point we will have to search about under +water, for I don't fancy the other divers left any buoys to mark the +spot." + +It was two days later, after uneventful sailing, partly on the surface, +and partly submerged, that Captain Weston, taking a noon observation, +announced: + +"Well, we're here!" + +"Do you mean at the wreck?" asked Mr. Swift eagerly. + +"We're at the place where she is supposed to lie, in about two miles of +water," replied the captain. "We are quite a distance off the coast of +Uruguay, about opposite the harbor of Rio de La Plata. From now on we +shall have to nose about under water, and trust to luck." + +With her air tanks filled to their capacity, and Tom having seen that +the oxygen machine and other apparatus was in perfect working order, +the submarine was sent below on her search. Though they were in the +neighborhood of the wreck, the adventurers might still have to do +considerable searching before locating it. Lower and lower they sank +into the depths of the sea, down and down, until they were deeper than +they had ever gone before. The pressure was tremendous, but the steel +sides of the Advance withstood it. + +Then began a search that lasted nearly a week. Back and forth they +cruised, around in great circles, with the powerful searchlight focused +to disclose the sunken treasure ship. Once Tom, who was observing the +path of light in the depths from the conning tower, thought he had seen +the remains of the Boldero, for a misty shape loomed up in front of the +submarine, and he signaled for a quick stop. It was a wreck, but it had +been on the ocean bed for a score of years, and only a few timbers +remained of what had been a great ship. Much disappointed, Tom rang for +full speed ahead again, and the current was sent into the great +electric plates that pulled and pushed the submarine forward. + +For two days more nothing happened. They searched around under the +green waters, on the alert for the first sign, but they saw nothing. +Great fish swam about them, sometimes racing with the Advance. The +adventurers beheld great ocean caverns, and skirted immense rocks, +where dwelt monsters of the deep. Once a great octopus tried to do +battle with the submarine and crush it in its snaky arms, but Tom saw +the great white body, with saucer-shaped eyes, in the path of light and +rammed him with the steel point. The creature died after a struggle. + +They were beginning to despair when a full week had passed and they +were seemingly as far from the wreck as ever. They went to the surface +to enable Captain Weston to take another observation. It only confirmed +the other, and showed that they were in the right vicinity. But it was +like looking for a needle in a haystack, almost, to find the sunken ship +in that depth of water. + +"Well, we'll try again," said Mr. Swift, as they sank once more beneath +the surface. + +It was toward evening, on the second day after this, that Tom, who was +on duty in the conning tower, saw a black shape looming up in front of +the submarine, the searchlight revealing it to him far enough away so +that he could steer to avoid it. He thought at first that it was a +great rock, for they were moving along near the bottom, but the +peculiar shape of it soon convinced him that this could not be. It came +more plainly into view as the submarine approached it more slowly, then +suddenly, out of the depths in the illumination from the searchlight, +the young inventor saw the steel sides of a steamer. His heart gave a +great thump, but he would not call out yet, fearing that it might be +some other vessel than the one containing the treasure. + +He steered the Advance so as to circle it. As he swept past the bows he +saw in big letters near the sharp prow the word, Boldero. + +"The wreck! The wreck!" he cried, his voice ringing through the craft +from end to end. "We've found the wreck at last!" + +"Are you sure?" cried his father, hurrying to his son, Captain Weston +following. + +"Positive," answered the lad. The submarine was slowing up now, and Tom +sent her around on the other side. They had a good view of the sunken +ship. It seemed to be intact, no gaping holes in her sides, for only +her plates had started, allowing her to sink gradually. + +"At last," murmured Mr. Swift. "Can it be possible we are about to get +the treasure?" + +"That's the Boldero, all right," affirmed Captain Weston. "I recognize +her, even if the name wasn't on her bow. Go right down on the bottom, +Tom, and we'll get out the diving suits and make an examination." + +The submarine settled to the ocean bed. Tom glanced at the depth gage. +It showed over two miles and a half. Would they be able to venture out +into water of such enormous pressure in the comparatively frail diving +suits, and wrest the gold from the wreck? It was a serious question. + +The Advance came to a stop. In front of her loomed the great bulk of +the Boldero, vague and shadowy in the flickering gleam of the +searchlight. As the gold-seekers looked at her through the bull's-eyes +of the conning tower, several great forms emerged from beneath the +wreck's bows. + +"Deep-water sharks!" exclaimed Captain Weston, "and monsters, too. But +they can't bother us. Now to get out the gold!" + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Three + +Attacked by Sharks + + +For a few minutes after reaching the wreck, which had so occupied their +thoughts for the past weeks, the adventurers did nothing but gaze at it +from the ports of the submarine. The appearance of the deep-water +sharks gave them no concern, for they did not imagine the ugly +creatures would attack them. The treasure-seekers were more engrossed +with the problem of getting out the gold. + +"How are we going to get at it?" asked Tom, as he looked at the high +sides of the sunken ship, which towered well above the comparatively +small Advance. + +"Why, just go in and get it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Where is gold in a +cargo usually kept, Captain Weston? You ought to know, I should think. +Bless my pocketbook!" + +"Well, I should say that in this case the bullion would be kept in a +safe in the captain's cabin," replied the sailor. "Or, if not there, +in some after part of the vessel, away from where the crew is +quartered. But it is going to be quite a problem to get at it. We can't +climb the sides of the wreck, and it will be impossible to lower her +ladder over the side. However, I think we had better get into the +diving suits and take a closer look. We can walk around her." + +"That's my idea," put in Mr. Sharp. "But who will go, and who will stay +with the ship?" + +"I think Tom and Captain Weston had better go," suggested Mr. Swift. +"Then, in case anything happens, Mr. Sharp, you and I will be on board +to manage matters." + +"You don't think anything will happen, do you, dad?" asked his son with +a laugh, but it was not an easy one, for the lad was thinking of the +shadowy forms of the ugly sharks. + +"Oh, no, but it's best to be prepared," answered his father. + +The captain and the young inventor lost no time in donning the diving +suits. They each took a heavy metal bar, pointed at one end, to use in +assisting them to walk on the bed of the ocean, and as a protection in +case the sharks might attack them. Entering the diving chamber, they +were shut in, and then water was admitted until the pressure was seen, +by gauges, to be the same as that outside the submarine. Then the +sliding steel door was opened. At first Tom and the captain could +barely move, so great was the pressure of water on their bodies. They +would have been crushed but for the protection afforded by the strong +diving suits. + +In a few minutes they became used to it, and stepped out on the floor +of the ocean. They could not, of course, speak to each other, but Tom +looked through the glass eyes of his helmet at the captain, and the +latter motioned for the lad to follow. The two divers could breathe +perfectly, and by means of small, but powerful lights on the helmets, +the way was lighted for them as they advanced. + +Slowly they approached the wreck, and began a circuit of her. They +could see several places where the pressure of the water, and the +strain of the storm in which she had foundered, had opened the plates +of the ship, but in no case were the openings large enough to admit a +person. Captain Weston put his steel bar in one crack, and tried to +pry it farther open, but his strength was not equal to the task. He +made some peculiar motions, but Tom could not understand them. + +They looked for some means by which they could mount to the decks of +the Boldero, but none was visible. It was like trying to scale a +fifty-foot smooth steel wall. There was no place for a foothold. Again +the sailor made some peculiar motions, and the lad puzzled over them. +They had gone nearly around the wreck now, and as yet had seen no way +in which to get at the gold. As they passed around the bow, which was +in a deep shadow from a great rock, they caught sight of the submarine +lying a short distance away. Light streamed from many bull's-eyes, and +Tom felt a sense of security as he looked at her, for it was lonesome +enough in that great depth of water, unable to speak to his companion, +who was a few feet in advance. + +Suddenly there was a swirling of the water, and Tom was nearly thrown +off his feet by the rush of some great body. A long, black shadow +passed over his head, and an instant later he saw the form of a great +shark launched at Captain Weston. The lad involuntarily cried in alarm, +but the result was surprising. He was nearly deafened by his own voice, +confined as the sound was in the helmet he wore. But the sailor, too, +had felt the movement of the water, and turned just in time. He thrust +upward with his pointed bar. But he missed the stroke, and Tom, a +moment later, saw the great fish turn over so that its mouth, which is +far underneath its snout, could take in the queer shape which the shark +evidently thought was a choice morsel. The big fish did actually get +the helmet of Captain Weston inside its jaws, but probably it would +have found it impossible to crush the strong steel. Still it might have +sprung the joints, and water would have entered, which would have been +as fatal as though the sailor had been swallowed by the shark. Tom +realized this and, moving as fast as he could through the water, he +came up behind the monster and drove his steel bar deep into it. + +The sea was crimsoned with blood, and the savage creature, opening its +mouth, let go of the captain. It turned on Tom, who again harpooned it. +Then the fish darted off and began a wild flurry, for it was dying. The +rush of water nearly threw Tom off his feet, but he managed to make his +way over to his friend, and assist him to rise. A confident look from +the sailor showed the lad that Captain Weston was uninjured, though he +must have been frightened. As the two turned to make their way back to +the submarine, the waters about them seemed alive with the horrible +monsters. + +It needed but a glance to show what they were, Sharks! Scores of them, +long, black ones, with their ugly, undershot mouths. They had been +attracted by the blood of the one Tom had killed, but there was not a +meal for all of them off the dying creature, and the great fish might +turn on the young inventor and his companion. + +The two shrank closer toward the wreck. They might get under the prow +of that and be safe. But even as they started to move, several of the +sea wolves darted quickly at them. Tom glanced at the captain. What +could they do? Strong as were the diving suits, a combined attack by +the sharks, with their powerful jaws, would do untold damage. + +At that moment there seemed some movement on board the submarine. Tom +could see his father looking from the conning tower, and the aged +inventor seemed to be making some motions. Then Tom understood. Mr. +Swift was directing his son and Captain Weston to crouch down. The lad +did so, pulling the sailor after him. Then Tom saw the bow electric gun +run out, and aimed at the mass of sharks, most of whom were congregated +about the dead one. Into the midst of the monsters was fired a number +of small projectiles, which could be used in the electric cannon in +place of the solid shot. Once more the waters were red with blood, and +those sharks which were not killed swirled off. Tom and Captain Weston +were saved. They were soon inside the submarine again, telling their +thrilling story. + +"It's lucky you saw us, dad," remarked the lad, blushing at the praise +Mr. Damon bestowed on him for killing the monster which had attacked +the captain. + +"Oh, I was on the lookout," said the inventor. "But what about getting +into the wreck?" + +"I think the only way we can do it will be to ram a hole in her side," +said Captain Weston. "That was what I tried to tell Tom by motions, but +he didn't seem to understand me." + +"No," replied the lad, who was still a little nervous from his recent +experience. "I thought you meant for us to turn it over, bottom side +up," and he laughed. + +"Bless my gizzard! Just like a shark," commented Mr. Damon. + +"Please don't mention them," begged Tom. "I hope we don't see any more +of them." + +"Oh, I fancy they have been driven far enough away from this +neighborhood now," commented the captain. "But now about the wreck. We +may be able to approach it from above. Suppose we try to lower the +submarine on it? That will save ripping it open." + +This was tried a little later, but would not work. There were strong +currents sweeping over the top of the Boldero, caused by a submerged +reef near which she had settled. It was a delicate task to sink the +submarine on her decks, and with the deep waters swirling about was +found to be impossible, even with the use of the electric plates and +the auxiliary screws. Once more the Advance settled to the ocean bed, +near the wreck. + +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Tom, as he looked at the high steel +sides. + +"Ram her, tear a hole, and then use dynamite," decided Captain Weston +promptly. "You have some explosive, haven't you, Mr. Swift?" + +"Oh, yes. I came prepared for emergencies." + +"Then we'll blow up the wreck and get at the gold." + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Four + +Ramming the Wreck + + +Fitted with a long, sharp steel ram in front, the Advance was +peculiarly adapted for this sort of work. In designing the ship this +ram was calculated to be used against hostile vessels in war time, for +the 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 the +craft 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 the +surface, it was decided to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nor +did the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they might +encounter a storm. + +"We had trouble enough locating the wreck," said Captain Weston, "and +if we go up we may be blown off our course. We have air enough to stay +below, haven't we, Tom?" + +"Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages. + +After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the submarine crew got ready +for 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 was +terrific, and at first it was feared some damage had been done to the +Advance, 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 tower +bull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off again. "Let's give her +another." + +Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the Boldero, and +again the submarine shivered from the shock. But there was a bigger +hole in the wreck now, and after Captain Weston had viewed it he +decided it was large enough to allow a person to enter and place a +charge of dynamite so that the treasure ship would be broken up. + +Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance was +withdrawn to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble, a great swirling +of the water, which was made murky; but when it cleared, and the +submarine went back, it was seen that the wreck was effectively broken +up. 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 my +watch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you think the +sharks are all gone, Captain Weston?" + +"I think so." + +In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were attired +in the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to venture into such a great +depth of water. Besides, it was necessary for at least one person to +remain in the submarine to operate the diving chamber. + +Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold-seekers +approached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a sight of the +sharks, but the monster fish seemed to have deserted that part of the +ocean. Tom was the first to reach the now disrupted steamer. He found +he could easily climb up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo holds +were scattered all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon joined +the lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and being more familiar +with ocean craft the captain was permitted to take the lead. He headed +aft, seeking to locate the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in finding +it. He motioned for the others to enter, that the combined illumination +of the lamps in their helmets would make the place bright enough so a +search could be made for the gold. Tom suddenly seized the arm of the +captain, and pointed to one corner of the cabin. There stood a small +safe, and at the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The door +was not locked, probably having been left open when the ship was +deserted. 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 others +shared his feelings, but though they all felt like voicing their +disappointment, not a word could be spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorous +motions, indicated to his companions to seek further. + +They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the wreck, save for a +short interval for dinner. But no gold rewarded their search. + +Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, and found +himself in the captain's cabin again, with the empty safe showing dimly +in 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 back +of the safe. To his astonishment the partition seemed to fall inward, +revealing a secret compartment. The lad leaned forward to bring the +light 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 spring +and opened a secret receptacle. But what did it contain? + +Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He found it beyond +his strength. Trembling from excitement, he went in search of the +others. He found them delving in the after part of the wreck, but by +motions our hero caused them to follow him. Captain Weston showed the +excitement 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 off +the top with their bars. + +There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, gleaming, yellow +bars! It needed but a glance to show that they were gold bullion. Tom +had found the treasure. The lad tried to dance around there in the +cabin 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 been +successful. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Five + +Home With the Gold + + +There was no time to be lost. They were in a treacherous part of the +ocean, and strong currents might at any time further break up the +wreck, so that they could not come at the gold. It was decided, by +means of motions, to at once transfer the treasure to the submarine. As +the boxes were too heavy to carry easily, especially as two men, who +were required to lift one, could not walk together in the uncertain +footing afforded by the wreck, another plan was adopted. The boxes were +opened and the bars, a few at a time, were dropped on a firm, sandy +place at the side of the wreck. Tom and Captain Weston did this work, +while Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon carried the bullion to the diving chamber +of the Advance. They put the yellow bars inside, and when quite a +number had been thus shifted, Mr. Swift, closing the chamber, pumped +the water out and removed the gold. Then he opened the chamber to the +divers again, and the process was repeated, until all the bullion had +been secured. + +Tom would have been glad to make a further examination of the wreck, +for he thought he could get some of the rifles the ship carried, but +Captain Weston signed to him not to attempt this. + +The lad went to the pilot house, while his father and Mr. Sharp took +their places in the engine-room. The gold had been safely stowed in Mr. +Swift's cabin. + +Tom took a last look at the wreck before he gave the starting signal. +As he gazed at the bent and twisted mass of steel that had once been a +great ship, he saw something long, black and shadowy moving around from +the other side, coming across the bows. + +"There's another big shark," he observed to Captain Weston. "They're +coming back after us." + +The captain did not speak. He was staring at the dark form. Suddenly, +from what seemed the pointed nose of it, there gleamed a light, as from +some great eye. + +"Look at that!" cried Tom. "That's no shark!" + +"If you want my opinion," remarked the sailor, "I should say it was the +other submarine--that of Berg and his friends--the Wonder. They've +managed to fix up their craft and are after the gold." + +"But they're too late!" cried Tom excitedly. "Let's tell them so." + +"No," advised the captain. "We don't want any trouble with them." + +Mr. Swift came forward to see why his son had not given the signal to +start. He was shown the other submarine, for now that the Wonder had +turned on several searchlights, there was no doubt as to the identity +of the craft. + +"Let's get away unobserved if we can," he suggested. "We have had +trouble enough." + +It was easy to do this, as the Advance was hidden behind the wreck, and +her lights were glowing but dimly. Then, too, those in the other +submarine were so excited over the finding of what they supposed was +the wreck containing the treasure, that they paid little attention to +anything else. + +"I wonder how they'll feel when they find the gold gone?" asked Tom as +he pulled the lever starting the pumps. + +"Well, we may have a chance to learn, when we get back to +civilization," remarked the captain. + +The surface was soon reached, and then, under fair skies, and on a calm +sea, the voyage home was begun. Part of the time the Advance sailed on +the top, and part of the time submerged. + +They met with but a single accident, and that was when the forward +electrical plate broke. But with the aft one still in commission, and +the auxiliary screws, they made good time. Just before reaching home +they settled down to the bottom and donned the diving suits again, even +Mr. Swift taking his turn. Mr. Damon caught some large lobsters, of +which he was very fond, or, rather, to be more correct, the lobsters +caught him. When he entered the diving chamber there were four fine +ones clinging to different parts of his diving suit. Some of them were +served for dinner. + +The adventurers safely reached the New Jersey coast, and the submarine +was docked. Mr. Swift at once communicated with the proper authorities +concerning the recovery of the gold. He offered to divide with the +actual owners, after he and his friends had been paid for their +services, but as the revolutionary party to whom the bullion was +intended had gone out of existence, there was no one to officially +claim the treasure, so it all went to Tom and his friends, who made an +equitable distribution of it. The young inventor did not forget to buy +Mrs. Baggert a fine diamond ring, as he had promised. + +As for Berg and his employers, they were, it was learned later, greatly +chagrined at finding the wreck valueless. They tried to make trouble +for Tom and his father, but were not successful. + +A few days after arriving at the seacoast cottage, Tom, his father and +Mr. Damon went to Shopton in the airship. Captain Weston, Garret +Jackson and Mr Sharp remained behind in charge of the submarine. It was +decided that the Swifts would keep the craft and not sell it to the +Government, as Tom said they might want to go after more treasure some +day. + +"I must first deposit this gold," said Mr. Swift as the airship landed +in front of the shed at his home. "It won't do to keep it in the house +over night, even if the Happy Harry gang is in jail." + +Tom helped him take it to the bank. As they were making perhaps the +largest single deposit ever put in the institution, Ned Newton came out. + +"Well, Tom," he cried to his chum, "it seems that you are never going +to stop doing things. You've conquered the air, the earth and the +water." + +"What have you been doing while I've been under water, Ned?" asked the +young inventor. + +"Oh, the same old thing. Running errands and doing all sorts of work in +the bank." + +Tom had a sudden idea. He whispered to his father and Mr. Swift nodded. +A little later he was closeted with Mr. Prendergast, the bank +president. It was not long before Ned and Tom were called in. + +"I have some good news for you, Ned," said Mr. Prendergast, while Tom +smiled. "Mr. Swift er--ahem--one of our largest depositors, has spoken +to me about you, Ned. I find that you have been very faithful. You are +hereby appointed assistant cashier, and of course you will get a much +larger salary." + +Ned could hardly believe it, but he knew then what Tom had whispered to +Mr. Swift. The wishes of a depositor who brings much gold bullion to a +bank can hardly be ignored. + +"Come on out and have some soda," invited Tom, and when Ned looked +inquiringly at the president, the latter nodded an assent. + +As the two lads were crossing the street to a drug store, something +whizzed past them, nearly running them down. + +"What sort of an auto was that?" cried Tom. + +"That? Oh, that was Andy Foger's new car," answered Ned. "He's been +breaking the speed laws every day lately, but no one seems to bother +him. It's because his father is rich, I suppose. Andy says he has the +fastest car ever built." + +"He has, eh?" remarked Tom, while a curious look came into his eyes. +"Well, maybe I can build one that will beat his." + +And whether the young inventor did or not you can learn by reading the +fifth volume of this series, to be called "Tom Swift and His Electric +Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on the Road." + +"Well, Tom, I certainly appreciate what you did for me in getting me a +better position," remarked Ned as they left the drug store. "I was +beginning to think I'd never get promoted. Say, have you anything to do +this evening? If you haven't, I wish you'd come over to my house. I've +got a lot of pictures I took while you were away." + +"Sorry, but I can't," replied Tom. + +"Why, are you going to build another airship or submarine?" + +"No, but I'm going to see-- Oh, what do you want to know for, anyhow?" +demanded the young inventor with a blush. "Can't a fellow go see a +girl without being cross-questioned?" + +"Oh, of course," replied Ned with a laugh. "Give Miss Nestor my +regards," and at this Tom blushed still more. But, as he said, that was +his own affair. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT *** + +***** This file should be named 949.txt or 949.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/949/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +or +Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + +by +VICTOR APPLETON + + + +CONTENTS + I News of a Treasure Wreck + II Finishing the Submarine + III Mr. Berg Is Astonished + IV Tom Is Imprisoned + V Mr. Berg Is Suspicious + VI Turning the Tables + VII Mr. Damon Will Go + VIII Another Treasure Expedition + IX Captain Weston's Advent + X Trial of the Submarine + XI On the Ocean Bed + XII For a Breath of Air + XIII Off for the Treasure + XIV In the Diving Suits + XV At the Tropical Island + XVI "We'll Race You For It!" + XVII The Race +XVIII The Electric Gun + XIX Captured + XX Doomed to Death + XXI The Escape + XXII At the Wreck +XXIII Attacked by Sharks + XXIV Ramming the Wreck + XXV Home with the Gold + + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + + + + +Chapter One + +News of a Treasure Wreck + + +There was a rushing, whizzing, throbbing noise in the air. +A great body, like that of some immense bird, sailed along, +casting a grotesque shadow on the ground below. An elderly +man, who Was seated on the porch of a large house, started +to his feet in alarm. + +"Gracious goodness! What was that, Mrs. Baggert?" he +called to a motherly-looking woman who stood in the doorway. +"What happened?" + +"Nothing much, Mr. Swift," was the calm reply "I think +that was Tom and Mr. Sharp in their airship, that's all. I +didn't see it, but the noise sounded like that of the Red Cloud." + +"Of course! To be sure!" exclaimed Mr. Barton Swift, the +well-known inventor, as he started down the path in order to +get a good view of the air, unobstructed by the trees. "Yes, +there they are," he added. "That's the airship, but I didn't +expect them back so soon. They must have made good time from +Shopton. I wonder if anything can be the matter that they +hurried so?" + +He gazed aloft toward where a queerly-shaped machine was +circling about nearly five hundred feet in the air, for the +craft, after Swooping down close to the house, had ascended +and was now hovering just above the line of breakers that +marked the New Jersey seacoast, where Mr. Swift had taken up +a temporary residence. + +"Don't begin worrying, Mr. Swift," advised Mrs. Baggert, +the housekeeper. "You've got too much to do, if you get that +new boat done, to worry." + +"That's so. I must not worry. But I wish Tom and Mr. Sharp +would land, for I want to talk to them." + +As if the occupants of the airship had heard the words of +the aged inventor, they headed their craft toward earth. The +combined aeroplane and dirigible balloon, a most wonderful +traveler of the air, swung around, and then, with the +deflection rudders slanted downward, came on with a rush. +When near the landing place, just at the side of the house, +the motor was stopped, and the gas, with a hissing noise, +rushed into the red aluminum container. This immediately +made the ship more buoyant and it landed almost as gently as +a feather. + +No sooner had the wheels which formed the lower part of +the craft touched the ground than there leaped from the +cabin of the Red Cloud a young man. + +"Well, dad!" he exclaimed. "Here we are again, safe and +sound. Made a record, too. Touched ninety miles an hour at +times--didn't we, Mr. Sharp?" + +"That's what," agreed a tall, thin, dark-complexioned man, +who followed Tom Swift more leisurely in his exit from the +cabin. Mr. Sharp, a veteran aeronaut, stopped to fasten guy +ropes from the airship to strong stakes driven into the +ground. + +"And we'd have done better, only we struck a hard wind +against us about two miles up in the air, which delayed us," +went on Tom. "Did you hear us coming, dad?" + +"Yes, and it startled him," put in Mrs. Baggert. "I guess +he wasn't expecting you." + +"Oh, well, I shouldn't have been so alarmed, only I was +thinking deeply about a certain change I am going to make in +the submarine, Tom. I was day-dreaming, I think, when your +ship whizzed through the air. But tell me, did you find +everything all right at Shopton? No signs of any of those +scoundrels of the Happy Harry gang having been around?" and +Mr. Swift looked anxiously at his son. + +"Not a sign, dad," replied Tom quickly. "Everything was +all right. We brought the things you wanted. They're in the +airship. Oh, but it was a fine trip. I'd like to take +another right out to sea." + +"Not now, Tom," said his father. "I want you to help me. +And I need Mr. Sharp's help, too. Get the things out of the +car, and we'll go to the shop." + +"First I think we'd better put the airship away," advised +Mr. Sharp. "I don't just like the looks of the weather, and, +besides, if we leave the ship exposed we'll be sure to have +a crowd around sooner or later, and we don't want that." + +"No, indeed," remarked the aged inventor hastily. "I don't +want people prying around the submarine shed. By all means +put the airship away, and then come into the shop." + +In spite of its great size the aeroplane was easily +wheeled along by Tom and Mr. Sharp, for the gas in the +container made it so buoyant that it barely touched the +earth. A little more of the powerful vapor and the Red +Cloud would have risen by itself. In a few minutes the +wonderful craft, of which my readers have been told in +detail in a previous volume, was safely housed in a large +tent, which was securely fastened. + +Mr. Sharp and Tom, carrying some bundles which they had +taken from the car, or cabin, of the craft, went toward a +large shed, which adjoined the house that Mr. Swift had +hired for the season at the seashore. They found the lad's +father standing before a great shape, which loomed up dimly +in the semi-darkness of the building. It was like an immense +cylinder, pointed at either end, and here and there were +openings, covered with thick glass, like immense, bulging +eyes. From the number of tools and machinery all about the +place, and from the appearance of the great cylinder itself, +it was easy to see that it was only partly completed. + +"Well, how goes it, dad?" asked the youth, as he deposited +his bundle on a bench. "Do you think you can make it work?" + +"I think so, Tom. The positive and negative plates are +giving me considerable trouble, though. But I guess we can +solve the problem. Did you bring me the galvanometer?" + +"Yes, and all the other things," and the young inventor +proceeded to take the articles from the bundles he carried. + +Mr. Swift looked them over carefully, while Tom walked +about examining the submarine, for such was the queer craft +that was contained in the shed. He noted that some progress +had been made on it since he had left the seacoast several +days before to make a trip to Shopton, in New York State, +where the Swift home was located, after some tools and +apparatus that his father wanted to obtain from his workshop +there. + +"You and Mr. Jackson have put on several new plates," +observed the lad after a pause. + +"Yes," admitted his father. "Garret and I weren't idle, +were we, Garret?" and he nodded to the aged engineer, who +had been in his employ for many years. + +"No; and I guess we'll soon have her in the water, Tom, +now that you and Mr. Sharp are here to help us," replied +Garret Jackson. + +"We ought to have Mr. Damon here to bless the submarine +and his liver and collar buttons a few times," put in Mr. +Sharp, who brought in another bundle. He referred to an +eccentric individual Who had recently made an airship voyage +with himself and Tom, Mr. Damon's peculiarity being to use +continually such expressions as: "Bless my soul! Bless my +liver!" + +"Well, I'll be glad when we can make a trial trip," went +on Tom. "I've traveled pretty fast on land with my motor- +cycle, and we certainly have hummed through the air. Now I +want to see how it feels to scoot along under water." + +"Well, if everything goes well we'll be in position to +make a trial trip inside of a month," remarked the aged +inventor. "Look here, Mr. Sharp, I made a change in the +steering gear, which I'd like you and Tom to consider." + +The three walked around to the rear of the odd-looking +structure, if an object shaped like a cigar can be said to +have a front and rear, and the inventor, his son, and the +aeronaut were soon deep in a discussion of the +technicalities connected with under-water navigation. + +A little later they went into the house, in response to a +summons from the supper bell, vigorously rung by Mrs. +Baggert. She was not fond of waiting with meals, and even +the most serious problem of mechanics was, in her +estimation, as nothing compared with having the soup get +cold, or the possibility of not having the meat done to a +turn. + +The meal was interspersed with remarks about the recent +airship flight of Tom and Mr. Sharp, and discussions about +the new submarine. This talk went on even after the table +was cleared off and the three had adjourned to the sitting- +room. There Mr. Swift brought out pencil and paper, and soon +he and Mr. Sharp were engrossed in calculating the pressure +per square inch of sea water at a depth of three miles. + +"Do you intend to go as deep as that?" asked Tom, looking +up from a paper he was reading. + +"Possibly," replied his father; and his son resumed his +perusal of the sheet. + +"Now," went on the inventor to the aeronaut, "I have +another plan. In addition to the positive and negative +plates which will form our motive power, I am going to +install forward and aft propellers, to use in case of +accident." + +"I say, dad! Did you see this?" suddenly exclaimed Tom, +getting up from his chair, and holding his finger on a +certain place in the page of the paper. + +"Did I see what?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Why, this account of the sinking of the treasure ship." + +"Treasure ship? No. Where?" + +"Listen," went on Tom. "I'll read it: 'Further advices +from Montevideo, Uruguay, South America, state that all hope +has been given up of recovering the steamship Boldero, which +foundered and went down off that coast in the recent gale. +Not only has all hope been abandoned of raising the vessel, +but it is feared that no part of the three hundred thousand +dollars in gold bullion which she carried will ever be +recovered. Expert divers who were taken to the scene of the +wreck state that the depth of water, and the many currents +existing there, due to a submerged shoal, preclude any +possibility of getting at the hull. The bullion, it is +believed, was to have been used to further the interests of +a certain revolutionary faction, but it seems likely that +they will have to look elsewhere for the sinews of war. +Besides the bullion the ship also carried several cases of +rifles, it is stated, and other valuable cargo. The crew and +what few passengers the Boldero carried were, contrary to +the first reports, all saved by taking to the boats. It +appears that some of the ship's plates were sprung by the +stress in which she labored in a storm, and she filled and +sank gradually.' There! what do you think of that, dad?" +cried Tom as he finished. + +"What do I think of it? Why, I think it's too bad for the +revolutionists, Tom, of course." + +"No; I mean about the treasure being still on board the +ship. What about that?" + +"Well, it's likely to stay there, if the divers can't get +at it. Now, Mr. Sharp, about the propellers--" + +"Wait, dad!" cried Tom earnestly. + +"Why, Tom, what's the matter?" asked Mr. Swift in some +surprise. + +"How soon before we can finish our submarine?" went on +Tom, not answering the question. + +"About a month. Why?" + +"Why? Dad, why can't we have a try for that treasure? It +ought to be comparatively easy to find that sunken ship off +the coast of Uruguay. In our submarine we can get close up +to it, and in the new diving suits you invented we can get +at that gold bullion. Three hundred thousand dollars! Think +of it, dad! Three hundred thousand dollars! We could easily +claim all of it, since the owners have abandoned it, but we +would be satisfied with half. Let's hurry up, finish the +submarine, and have a try for it." + +"But, Tom, you forget that I am to enter my new ship in +the trials for the prize offered by the United States +Government." + +"How much is the prize if you win it?" asked Tom. + +"Fifty thousand dollars." + +"Well, here's a chance to make three times that much at +least, and maybe more. Dad, let the Government prize go, and +try for the treasure. Will you?" + +Tom looked eagerly at his father, his eyes shining with +anticipation. Mr. Swift was not a quick thinker, but the +idea his son had proposed made an impression on him. He +reached out his hand for the paper in which the young +inventor had seen the account of the sunken treasure. +Slowly he read it through. Then he passed it to Mr. Sharp. + +"What do you think of it?" he asked of the aeronaut + +"There's a possibility," remarked the balloonist "We might +try for it. We can easily go three miles down, and it +doesn't lie as deeply as that, if this account is true. Yes, +we might try for it. But we'd have to omit the Government +contests." + +"Will you, dad?" asked Tom again. + +Mr. Swift considered a moment longer. + +"Yes, Tom, I will," he finally decided. "Going after the +treasure will be likely to afford us a better test of the +submarine than would any Government tests. We'll try to +locate the sunken Boldero." + +"Hurrah!" cried the lad, taking the paper from Mr. Sharp +and waving it in the air. "That's the stuff! Now for a +search for the submarine treasure!" + + + + +Chapter Two + +Finishing the Submarine + + +"What's the matter?" cried Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, +hurrying in from the kitchen, where she was washing the +dishes. "Have you seen some of those scoundrels who robbed +you, Mr. Swift? If you have, the police down here ought to--" + +"No, it's nothing like that," explained Mr. Swift. "Tom +has merely discovered in the paper an account of a sunken +treasure ship, and he wants us to go after it, down under +the ocean." + +"Oh, dear! Some more of Captain Kidd's hidden hoard, I +suppose?" ventured the housekeeper. "Don't you bother with +it, Mr. Swift. I had a cousin once, and he got set in the +notion that he knew where that pirate's treasure was. He +spent all the money he had and all he could borrow digging +for it, and he never found a penny. Don't waste your time on +such foolishness. It's bad enough to be building airships +and submarines without going after treasure." Mrs. Baggert +spoke with the freedom of an old friend rather than a hired +housekeeper, but she had been in the family ever since Tom's +mother died, when he was a baby, and she had many +privileges. + +"Oh, this isn't any of Kidd's treasure," Tom assured her. +"If we get it, Mrs. Baggert, I'll buy you a diamond ring." + +"Humph!" she exclaimed, as Tom began to hug her in boyish +fashion. "I guess I'll have to buy all the diamond rings I +want, if I have to depend on your treasure for them," and +she went back to the kitchen. + +"Well," went on Mr. Swift after a pause, "if we are going +into the treasure-hunting business, Tom, we'll have to get +right to work. In the first place, we must find out more +about this ship, and just where it was sunk." + +"I can do that part," said Mr. Sharp. "I know some sea +captains, and they can put me on the track of locating the +exact spot. In fact, it might not be a bad idea to take an +expert navigator with us. I can manage in the air all right, +but I confess that working out a location under water is +beyond me." + +"Yes, an old sea captain wouldn't be a bad idea, by any +means," conceded Mr. Swift. "Well, if you'll attend to that +detail, Mr. Sharp, Tom, Mr. Jackson and I will finish the +submarine. Most of the work is done, however, and it only +remains to install the engine and motors. Now, in regard to +the negative and positive electric plates, I'd like your +opinion, Tom." + +For Tom Swift was an inventor, second in ability only to +his father, and his advice was often sought by his parent on +matters of electrical construction, for the lad had made a +specialty of that branch of science. + +While father and son were deep in a discussion of the +apparatus of the submarine, there will be an opportunity to +make the reader a little better acquainted with them. Those +of you who have read the previous volumes of this series do +not need to be told who Tom Swift is. Others, however, may +be glad to have a proper introduction to him. + +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the +village of Shopton, New York. The Swift home was on the +outskirts of the town, and the large house was surrounded by +a number of machine shops, in which father and son, aided by +Garret Jackson, the engineer, did their experimental and +constructive work. Their house was not far from Lake +Carlopa, a fairly large body of water, on which Tom often +speeded his motor-boat. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift +and His Motor-Cycle," it was told how be became acquainted +with Mr. Wakefield Damon, who suffered an accident while +riding one of the speedy machines. The accident disgusted +Mr. Damon with motor-cycles, and Tom secured it for a low +price. He had many adventures on it, chief among which was +being knocked senseless and robbed of a valuable patent +model belonging to his father, which he was taking to +Albany. The attack was committed by a gang known as the +Happy Harry gang, who were acting at the instigation of a +syndicate of rich men, who wanted to secure control of a +certain patent turbine engine which Mr. Swift had invented. + +Tom set out in pursuit of the thieves, after recovering +from their attack, and had a strenuous time before he +located them. + +In the second volume, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor- +Boat," there was related our hero's adventures in a fine +craft which was recovered from the thieves and sold at +auction. There was a mystery connected with the boat, and +for a long time Tom could not solve it. He was aided, +however, by his chum, Ned Newton, who worked in the Shopton +Bank, and also by Mr. Damon and Eradicate Sampson, an aged +colored whitewasher, who formed quite an attachment for Tom. + +In his motor-boat Tom had more than one race with Andy +Foger, a rich lad of Shopton, who was a sort of bully. He +had red hair and squinty eyes, and was as mean in character +as he was in looks. He and his cronies, Sam Snedecker and +Pete Bailey, made trouble for Tom, chiefly because Tom +managed to beat Andy twice in boat races. + +It was while in his motor-boat, Arrow, that Tom formed the +acquaintance of John Sharp, a veteran balloonist. While +coming down Lake Carlopa on the way to the Swift home, which +had been entered by thieves, Tom, his father and Ned Newton, +saw a balloon on fire over the lake. Hanging from a trapeze +on it was Mr. Sharp, who had made an ascension from a fair +ground. By hard work on the part of Tom and his friends the +aeronaut was saved, and took up his residence with the +Swifts. + +His advent was most auspicious, for Tom and his father +were then engaged in perfecting an airship, and Mr. Sharp +was able to lend them his skill, so that the craft was soon +constructed. + +In the third volume, called "Tom Swift and His Airship," +there was set down the doings of the young inventor, Mr. +Sharp and Mr. Damon on a trip above the clouds. They +undertook it merely for pleasure, but they encountered +considerable danger, before they completed it, for they +nearly fell into a blazing forest once, and were later fired +at by a crowd of excited people. This last act was to effect +their capture, for they were taken for a gang of bank +robbers, and this was due directly to Andy Foger. + +The morning after Tom and his friends started on their +trip in the air, the Shopton Bank was found to have been +looted of seventy-five thousand dollars. Andy Foger at once +told the police that Tom Swift had taken the money, and when +asked how he knew this, he said he had seen Tom hanging +around the bank the night before the vault was burst open, +and that the young inventor had some burglar tools in his +possession. Warrants were at once sworn out for Tom and Mr. +Damon, who was also accused of being one of the robbers, and +a reward of five thousand dollars was offered. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp sailed on, all unaware of +this, and unable to account for being fired upon, until they +accidentally read in the paper an account of their supposed +misdeeds. They lost no time in starting back home, and on, +the way got on the track of the real bank robbers, who were +members of the Happy Harry gang. + +How the robbers were captured in an exciting raid, how Tom +recovered most of the stolen money, and how he gave Andy +Foger a deserved thrashing for giving a false clue was told +of, and there was an account of a race in which the Red +Cloud (as the airship was called) took part, as well as +details of how Tom and his friends secured the reward, which +Andy Foger hoped to collect. + +Those of you who care to know how the Red Cloud was +constructed, and how she behaved in the air, even during +accidents and when struck by lightning, may learn by reading +the third volume, for the airship was one of the most +successful ever constructed. + +When the craft was finished, and the navigators were ready +to start on their first long trip, Mr. Swift was asked to go +with them. He declined, but would not tell why, until Tom, +pressing him for an answer, learned that his father was +planning a submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in some +trials for Government prizes. Mr. Swift remained at home to +work on this submarine, while his son and Mr. Sharp were +sailing above the clouds. + +On their return, however, and after the bank mystery had +been cleared up, Tom and Mr. Sharp, aided Mr. Swift in +completing the submarine, until, when the present story +opens, it needed but little additional work to make the +craft ready for the water. + +Of course it had to be built near the sea, as it would +have been impossible to transport it overland from Shopton. +So, before the keel was laid, Mr. Swift rented a large +cottage at a seaside place on the New Jersey coast and +there, after, erecting a large shed, the work on the +Advance, as the under-water ship was called, was begun. + +It was soon to be launched in a large creek that extended +in from the ocean and had plenty of water at high tide. Tom +and Mr. Sharp made several trips back and forth from Shopton +in their airship, to see that all was safe at home and +occasionally to get needed tools and supplies from the +shops, for not all the apparatus could be moved from Shopton +to the coast. + +It was when returning from one of these trips that Tom +brought with him the paper containing an account of the +wreck of the Boldero and the sinking of the treasure she +carried. + +Until late that night the three fortune-hunters discussed +various matters. + +"We'll hurry work on the ship," said Mr. Swift it length. +"Tom, I wonder if your friend, Mr. Damon, would care to try +how it seems under Water? He stood the air trip fairly +well." + +"I'll write and ask him," answered the lad. "I'm sure +he'll go." + +Securing, a few days later, the assistance of two +mechanics, whom he knew he could trust, for as yet the +construction of the Advance was a secret, Mr. Swift prepared +to rush work on the submarine, and for the next three weeks +there were busy times in the shed next to the seaside +cottage. So busy, in fact, were Tom and Mr. Sharp, that +they only found opportunity for one trip in the airship, and +that was to get some supplies from the shops at home. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift one night, at the close of a +hard day's work, "another week will see our craft completed. +Then we will put it in the water and see how it floats, and +whether it submerges as I hope it does. But come on, Tom. I +want to lock up. I'm very tired to-night." + +"All right, dad," answered the young inventor coming from +the darkened rear of the shop. "I just want to--" + +Ne paused suddenly, and appeared to be listening. Then he +moved softly back to where he had come from. + +"What's the matter?" asked his father in a whisper. +"What's up, Tom?" + +The lad did not answer Mr. Swift, with a worried look on +his face, followed his son. Mr. Sharp stood in the door of +the shop. + +"I thought I heard some one moving around back here," went +on Tom quietly. + +"Some one in this shop!" exclaimed the aged inventor +excitedly. "Some one trying to steal my ideas again! Mr. +Sharp, come here! Bring that rifle! We'll teach these +scoundrels a lesson!" + +Tom quickly darted hack to the extreme rear of the +building. There was a scuffle, and the next minute Tom cried +out: + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Ha! I beg your pardon," replied a voice. "I am looking +for Mr. Barton Swift." + +"My father," remarked Tom. "But that's a queer place to +look for him. He's up front. Father, here's a man who wishes +to see you," he called. + +"Yes, I strolled in, and seeing no one about I went to the +rear of the place," the voice went on. "I hope I haven't +transgressed." + +"We were busy on the other side of the shop, I guess," +replied Tom, and he looked suspiciously at the man who +emerged from the darkness into the light from a window. "I +beg your pardon for grabbing you the way I did," went on the +lad, "but I thought you were one of a gang of men we've been +having trouble with." + +"Oh, that's all right," continued the man easily. "I know +Mr. Swift, and I think he will remember me. Ah, Mr. Swift, +how do you do?" he added quickly, catching sight of Tom's +father, who, with Mr. Sharp, was coming to meet the lad. + +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed the aged inventor as he saw the +man's face more plainly. "What are you doing here?" + +"I came to see you," replied the man. "May I have a talk +with you privately?" + +"I--I suppose so," assented Mr. Swift nervously. "Come +into the house." + +Mr. Berg left Tom's side and advanced to where Mr. Swift +was standing. Together the two emerged from the now fast +darkening shop and went toward the house. + +"Who is he?" asked Mr. Sharp of the young inventor in a +whisper. + +"I don't know," replied the lad; "but, whoever he is, dad +seems afraid of him. I'm going to keep my eyes open." + + + + +Chapter Three + +Mr. Berg is Astonished + + +Following his father and the stranger whom the aged +inventor had addressed as Mr. Berg, Tom and Mr. Sharp +entered the house, the lad having first made sure that +Garret Jackson was on guard in the shop that contained the +sub marine. + +"Now," said Mr. Swift to the newcomer, "I am at your +service. What is it you wish?" + +"In the first place, let me apologize for having startled +you and your friends," began the man. "I had no idea of +sneaking into your workshop, but I had just arrived here, +and seeing the doors open I went in. I heard no one about, +and I wandered to the back of the place. There I happened to +stumble over a board--" + +"And I heard you," interrupted Tom. + +"Is this one of your employees?" asked Mr. Berg in rather +frigid tones. + +"That is my son," replied Mr. Swift. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon." The man's manner changed quickly. +"Well, I guess you did hear me, young man. I didn't intend +to hark my shins the way I did, either. You must have taken +me for a burglar or a sneak thief." + +"I have been very much bothered by a gang of unscrupulous +men," said Mr. Swift, "and I suppose Tom thought it was some +of them sneaking around again." + +"That's what I did," added the lad. "I wasn't going to +have any one steal the secret of the submarine if I could +help it." + +"Quite right! Quite right!" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "But my +purpose was an open one. As you know, Mr. Swift, I represent +the firm of Bentley & Eagert, builders of submarine boats +and torpedoes. They heard that you were constructing a craft +to take part in the competitive prize tests of the United +States Government, and they asked me to come and see you to +learn when your ship would be ready. Ours is completed, but +we recognize that it will be for the best interests of all +concerned if there are a number of contestants, and my firm +did not want to send in their entry until they knew that you +were about finished with your ship. How about it? Are you +ready to compete?" + +"Yes," said Mr. Swift slowly. "We are about ready. My +craft needs a few finishing touches, and then it will be +ready to launch." + +"Then we may expect a good contest on your part," +suggested Mr. Berg. + +"Well," began the aged inventor, "I don't know about +that." + +"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. + +"I said I wasn't quite sure that we would compete," went +on Mr. Swift. "You see, when I first got this idea for a +submarine boat I had it in mind to try for the Government +prize of fifty thousand dollars." + +"That's what we want, too," interrupted Mr. Berg with a +smile. + +"But," went on Tom's father, "since then certain matters +have come up, and I think, on the whole, that we'll not +compete for the prize after all." + +"Not compete for the prize?" almost shouted the agent for +Bentley & Eagert. "Why, the idea! You ought to compete. It +is good for the trade. We think we have a very fine craft, +and probably we would beat you in the tests, but--" + +"I wouldn't be too sure of that," put in Tom. "You have +only seen the outside of our boat. The inside is better +yet." + +"Ah, I have no doubt of that," spoke Mr. Berg, "but we +have been at the business longer than you have, and have had +more experience. Still we welcome competition. But I am very +much surprised that you are not going to compete for the +prize, Mr. Swift. Very much surprised, indeed! You see, I +came down from Philadelphia to arrange so that we could both +enter our ships at the same time. I understand there is +another firm of submarine boat builders who are going to try +for the prize, and I want to arrange a date that will he +satisfactory to all. I am greatly astonished that you are +not going to compete." + +"Well, we were going to," said Mr. Swift, "only we have +changed our minds, that's all. My son and I have other +plans." + +"May I ask what they are?" questioned Mr. Berg. + +"You may," exclaimed Tom quickly; "but I don't believe we +can tell you. They're a secret," he added more cordially. + +"Oh, I see," retorted Mr. Berg. "Well, of course I don't +wish to penetrate any of your secrets, but I hoped we could +contest together for the Government prize. It is worth +trying for I assure you--fifty thousand dollars. Besides, +there is the possibility of selling a number of submarines +to the United States. It's a fine prize." + +"But the one we are after is a bigger one," Cried Tom +impetuously, and the moment he had spoken the wished he +could recall the words. + +"Eh? What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "You don't mean to +say another government has offered a larger prize? If I had +known that I would not have let my firm enter into the +competition for the bonus offered by the United States. +Please tell me." + +"I'm sorry," went on Tom more soberly. "I shouldn't have +spoken. Mr. Berg, the plans of my father and myself are such +that we can't reveal them now. We are going to try for a +prize, but not in competition with you. It's an entirely +different matter." + +"Well, I guess you'll find that the firm of Bentley & +Eagert are capable of trying for any prizes that are +offered," boasted the agent. "We may be competitors yet." + +"I don't believe so," replied Mr. Swift + +"We may," repeated Mr. Berg. "And if we do, please +remember that we will show no mercy. Our boats are the +best." + +"And may the best boat win," interjected Mr. Sharp. +"That's all we ask. A fair field and no favors." + +"Of course," spoke the agent coldly. "Is this another son +of yours?" he asked. + +"No but a good friend," replied the aged inventor. "No, +Mr. Berg, we won't compete this time. You may tell your firm +so." + +"Very good," was the other's stiff reply. "Then +I will bid you good night. We shall carry off the +Government prize, but permit me to add that I +am very much astonished, very much indeed, that +you do not try for the prize. From what I have +seen of your submarine you have a very good +one, almost as good, in some respects, as ours. +I bid you good night," and with a bow the man +left the room and hurried away from the house. + + + + +Chapter Four + +Tom is Imprisoned + + +"Well, I must say he's a cool one," remarked Tom, as the +echoes of Mr. Berg's steps died away. "The idea of thinking +his boat better than ours! I don't like that man, dad. I'm +suspicious of him. Do you think he came here to steal some +of our ideas?" + +"No, I hardly believe so, my son. But how did you discover +him?" + +"Just as you saw, dad. I heard a noise and went back there +to investigate. I found him sneaking around, looking at the +electric propeller plates. I went to grab him just as he +stumbled over a hoard. At first I thought it was one of the +old gang. I'm almost sure he was trying to discover +something." + +"No, Tom. The firm he works for are good business men, and +they would not countenance anything like that. They are +heartless competitors, however, and if they saw a legitimate +chance to get ahead of me and take advantage, they would do +it. But they would not sneak in to steal my ideas. I feel +sure of that. Besides, they have a certain type of submarine +which they think is the best ever invented, and they would +hardly change at this late day. They feel sure of winning +the Government prize, and I'm just as glad we're not going +to have a contest." + +"Do you think our boat is better than theirs?" + +"Much better, in many respects." + +"I don't like that man Berg, though," went on Tom. + +"Nor do I," added his father. "There is something strange +about him. He was very anxious that I should compete. +Probably he thought his firm's boat would go so far ahead of +ours that they would get an extra bonus. But I'm glad he +didn't see our new method of propulsion. That is the +principal improvement in the Advance over other types of +submarines. Well, another week and we will be ready for the +test." + +"Have you known Mr. Berg long, dad?" + +"Not very. I met him in Washington when I was in the +patent office. He was taking out papers on a submarine for +his firm at the same time I got mine for the Advance. It is +rather curious that he should come all the way here from +Philadelphia, merely to see if I was going to compete. There +is something strange about it, something that I can't +understand." + +The time was to come when Mr. Swift and his son were to +get at the bottom of Mr. Berg's reasons, and they learned to +their sorrow that he had penetrated some of their secrets. + +Before going to bed that night Tom and Mr. Sharp paid a +visit to the shed where the submarine was resting on the +ways, ready for launching. They found Mr. Jackson on guard +and the engineer said that no one had been around. Nor was +anything found disturbed. + +"It certainly is a great machine," remarked the lad as he +looked up at the cigar-shaped bulk towering over his head. +"Dad has outdone himself this trip." + +"It looks all right," commented Mr. Sharp. "Whether it +will work is another question." + +"Yes, we can't tell until it's in the water," con ceded +Tom. "But I hope it does. Dad has spent much time and money +on it." + +The Advance was, as her name indicated, much in advance of +previous submarines. There was not so much difference in +outward construction as there was in the means of propulsion +and in the manner in which the interior and the machinery +were arranged. + +The submarine planned by Mr. Swift and Tom jointly, and +constructed by them, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and Mr. +Jackson, was shaped like a Cigar, over one hundred feet long +and twenty feet in diameter at the thickest part. It was +divided into many compartments, all water-tight, so that if +one or even three were flooded the ship would still be +useable. + +Buoyancy was provided for by having several tanks for the +introduction of compressed air, and there was an emergency +arrangement so that a collapsible aluminum container could +be distended and filled with a powerful gas. This was to be +used if, by any means, the ship was disabled on the bottom +of the ocean. The container could be expanded and filled, +and would send the Advance to the surface. + +Another peculiar feature was that the engine-room, dynamos +and other apparatus were all contained amidships. This gave +stability to the craft, and also enabled the same engine to +operate both shafts and propellers, as well as both the +negative forward electrical plates, and the positive rear +ones. + +These plates were a new idea in submarine construction, +and were the outcome of an idea of Mr. Swift, with some +suggestions from his son. + +The aged inventor did not want to depend on the usual +screw propellers for his craft, nor did he want to use a jet +of compressed air, shooting out from a rear tube, nor yet a +jet of water, by means of which the creature called the +squid shoots himself along. Mr. Swift planned to send the +Advance along under water by means of electricity. + +Certain peculiar plates were built at the forward and aft +blunt noses of the submarine. Into the forward plate a +negative charge of electricity was sent, and into the one at +the rear a positive charge, just as one end of a horseshoe +magnet is positive and will repel the north end of a compass +needle, while the other pole of a magnet is negative and +will attract it. In electricity like repels like, while +negative and positive have a mutual attraction for each +other. + +Mr. Swift figured out that if he could send a powerful +current of negative electricity into the forward plate it +would pull the boat along, for water is a good conductor of +electricity, while if a positive charge was sent into the +rear plate it would serve to push the submarine along, and +he would thus get a pulling and pushing motion, just as a +forward and aft propeller works on some ferry boats. + +But the inventor did not depend on these plates alone. +There were auxiliary forward and aft propellers of the +regular type, so that if the electrical plates did not work, +or got out of order, the screws would serve to send the +Advance along. + +There was much machinery in the submarine There were +gasolene motors, since space was too cramped to allow the +carrying of coal for boilers. There were dynamos, motors and +powerful pumps. Some of these were for air, and some for +water. To sink the submarine below the surface large tanks +were filled with water. To insure a more sudden descent, +deflecting rudders were also used, similar to those on an +airship. There were also special air pumps, and one for the +powerful gas, which was manufactured on board. + +Forward from the engine-room was a cabin, where meals +could be served, and where the travelers could remain in the +daytime. There was also a small cooking galley, or kitchen, +there. Back of the engine-room were the sleeping quarters +and the storerooms. The submarine was steered from the +forward compartment, and here were also levers, wheels and +valves that controlled all the machinery, while a number of +dials showed in which direction they were going, how deep +they were, and at what speed they were moving, as well as +what the ocean pressure was. + +On top, forward, was a small conning, or observation +tower, with auxiliary and steering and controlling apparatus +there. This was to be used when the ship was moving along +on the surface of the ocean, or merely with the deck awash. +There was a small flat deck surrounding the conning tower +and this was available when the craft was on the surface. + +There was provision made for leaving the ship when it was +on the bed of the ocean. When it was desired to do this the +occupants put on diving suits, which were provided with +portable oxygen tanks. Then they entered a chamber into +which water was admitted until it was equal in pressure to +that outside. Then a steel door was opened, and they could +step out. To re-enter the ship the operation was reversed. +This was not a new feature. In fact, many submarines to-day +use it, + +At certain places there were thick bull's-eye windows, by +means of which the under-water travelers could look out into +the ocean through which they were moving. As a defense +against the attacks of submarine monsters there was a steel, +pointed ram, like a big harpoon. There were also a bow and a +stern electrical gun, of which more will be told later. + +In addition to ample sleeping accommodations, there were +many conveniences aboard the Advance. Plenty of fresh water +could be carried, and there was an apparatus for distilling +more from the sea water that surrounded the travelers. +Compressed air was carried in large tanks, and oxygen could +be made as needed. In short, nothing that could add to the +comfort or safety of the travelers had been omitted. There +was a powerful crane and windlass, which had been installed +when Mr. Swift thought his boat might be bought by the +Government. This was to be used for raising wrecks or +recovering objects from the bottom of the ocean. Ample +stores and provisions were to be carried and, once the +travelers were shut up in the Advance, they could exist for +a month below the surface, providing no accident occurred. + +All these things Tom and Mr. Sharp thought of as they +looked over the ship before turning in for the night. The +craft was made immensely strong to withstand powerful +pressure at the bottom of the ocean. The submarine could +penetrate to a depth of about three miles. Below that it was +dangerous to go, as the awful force would crush the plates, +powerful as they were. + +"Well, we'll rush things to-morrow and the next day," +observed Tom as he prepared to leave the building. "Then +we'll soon see if it works." + +For the next week there were busy times in the shop near +the ocean. Great secrecy was maintained, and though +curiosity seekers did stroll along now and then, they +received little satisfaction. At first Mr. Swift thought +that the visit of Mr. Berg would have unpleasant results, +for he feared that the agent would talk about the craft, of +which he had so unexpectedly gotten a sight. But nothing +seemed to follow from his chance inspection, and it was +forgotten. + +It was one evening, about a week later, that Tom was alone +in the shop. The two mechanics that had been hired to help +out in the rush had been let go, and the ship needed but a +few adjustments to make it ready for the sea. + +"I think I'll just take another look at the water tank +valves," said Tom to himself as he prepared to enter the big +compartments which received the water ballast. "I want to be +sure they work properly and quickly. We've got to depend on +them to make us sink when we want to, and, what's more +important, to rise to the surface in a hurry. I've got time +enough to look them over before dad and Mr. Sharp get back." + +Tom entered the starboard tank by means of an emergency +sliding door between the big compartments and the main part +of the ship. This was closed by a worm and screw gear, and +once the ship was in the water would seldom be used. + +The young inventor proceeded with his task, carefully +inspecting the valves by the light of a lantern he carried. +The apparatus seemed to be all right, and Tom was about to +leave when a peculiar noise attracted his attention. It was +the sound of metal scraping on metal, and the lad's quick +and well-trained ear told him it was somewhere about the +ship. + +He turned to leave the tank, but as he wheeled around his +light flashed on a solid wall of steel back of him. The +emergency outlet had been closed! He was a prisoner in the +water compartment, and he knew, from past experience, that +shout as he would, his voice could not be heard ten feet +away. His father and Mr. Sharp, as he was aware, had gone to +a nearby city for some tools, and Mr. Jackson, the engineer, +was temporarily away. Mrs. Baggert, in the house, could not +hear his cries. + +"I'm locked in!" cried Tom aloud. "The worm gear must have +shut of itself. But I don't see how that could be. I've got +to get out mighty soon, though, or I'll smother. This tank +is airtight, and it won't take me long to breath up all the +oxygen there is here. I must get that slide open." + +He sought to grasp the steel plate that closed the +emergency opening. His fingers slipped over the smooth, +polished surface. He was hermetically sealed up--a captive! +Blankly he set his lantern down and leaned hopelessly +against the wall of the tank. + +"I've got to get out," he murmured. + +As if in answer to him he heard a voice on the outside, +crying: + +"There, Tom Swift! I guess I've gotten even with you now! +Maybe next time you won't take a reward away from me, and +lick me into the bargain. I've got you shut up good and +tight, and you'll stay there until I get ready to let you +out." + +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Andy Foger sneaked in here and +turned the gear. But how did he get to this part of the +coast? Andy Foger, you let me out!" shouted the young +inventor; and as Andy's mocking laugh came to him faintly +through the steel sides of the submarine, the imprisoned lad +beat desperately with his hands on the smooth sides of the +tank, vainly wondering how his enemy had discovered him. + + + + +Chapter Five + +Mr. Berg is Suspicious + + +Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his +way out of the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy +sides of it. Tom realized that this was worse than useless. +He listened intently, but could hear nothing. Even the +retreating footsteps of Andy Foger were inaudible. + +"This certainly is a pickle!" exclaimed Tom aloud. "I +can't understand how he ever got here. He must have traced +us after we went to Shopton in the airship the last time. +Then he sneaked in here. Probably he saw me enter, but how +could he knew enough to work the worm gear and close the +door? Andy has had some experience with machinery, though, +and one of the vaults in the bank where his father is a +director closed just like this tank. That's very likely how +he learned about it. But I've got to do something else +besides thinking of that sneak, Andy. I've got to get out of +here. Let's see if I can work the gear from inside." + +Before he started, almost, Tom knew that it would be +impossible. The tank was made to close from the interior of +the submarine, and the heavy door, built to withstand the +pressure of tons of water, could not be forced except by the +proper means. + +"No use trying that," concluded the lad, after a tiring +attempt to force back the sliding door with his hands. "I've +got to call for help." + +He shouted until the vibrations in the confined space made +his ears ring, and the mere exertion of raising his voice to +the highest pitch made his heart beat quickly. Yet there +came no response. He hardly expected that there would be +any, for with his father and Mr. Sharp away, the engineer +absent on an errand, and Mrs. Baggert in the house some +distance off, there was no one to hear his calls for help, +even if they had been capable of penetrating farther than +the extent of the shed, where the under-water craft had been +constructed. + +"I've got to wait until some of them come out here," +thought Tom. "They'll be sure to release me and make a +search. Then it will be easy enough to call to them and tell +them where I am, once they are inside the shed. But--" He +paused, for a horrible fear came over him. "Suppose they +should come--too late?" The tank was airtight. There was +enough air in it to last for some time, but, sooner or +later, it would no longer support life. Already, Tom +thought, it seemed oppressive, though probably that was his +imagination. + +"I must get out!" he repeated frantically. "I'll die in +here soon." + +Again he tried to shove back the steel door. Then he +repeated his cries until be was weary. No one answered him. +He fancied once he could hear footsteps in the shed, and +thought, perhaps, it was Andy, come back to gloat over him. +Then Tom knew the red-haired coward would not dare venture +back. We must do Andy the justice to say that he never +realized that he was endangering Tom's life. The bully had +no idea the tank was airtight when he closed it. He had seen +Tom enter and a sudden whim came to him to revenge himself. + +But that did not help the young inventor any. There was no +doubt about it now--the air was becoming close. Tom had been +imprisoned nearly two hours, and as he was a healthy, strong +lad, he required plenty of oxygen. There was certainly less +than there had been in the tank. His head began to buzz, and +there was a ringing in his ears. + +Once more he fell upon his knees, and his fingers sought +the small projections of the gear on the inside of the door +He could no more budge the mechanism than a child could open +a burglar-proof vault. + +"It's no use," he moaned, and he sprawled at full length +on the floor of the tank, for there the air was purer. As he +did so his fingers touched something. He started as they +closed around the handle of a big monkey wrench. It was one +he had brought into the place with him. Imbued with new hope +be struck a match and lighted his lantern, which he had +allowed to go out as it burned up too much of the oxygen. By +the gleam of it he looked to see if there were any bolts or +nuts he could loosen with the wrench, in order to slide the +door back. It needed but a glance to show him the futility +of this. + +"It's no go," he murmured, and he let the wrench fall to +the floor. There was a ringing, clanging sound, and as it +smote his ears Tom sprang up with an exclamation. + +"That's the thing!" he cried. "I wonder I didn't think of +it before. I can signal for help by pounding on the sides of +the tank with the wrench. The blows will carry a good deal +farther than my voice would." Every one knows how far the +noise of a boiler shop, with hammers falling on steel +plates, can be heard; much farther than can a human voice. + +Tom began a lusty tattoo on the metal sides of the tank. +At first he merely rattled out blow after blow, and then, as +another thought came to him, he adopted a certain plan. Some +time previous, when he and Mr. Sharp had planned their trip +in the air, the two had adopted a code of signals. As it was +difficult in a high wind to shout from one end of the +airship to the other, the young inventor would sometimes +pound on the pipe which ran from the pilot house of the Red +Cloud to the engine-room. By a combination of numbers, +simple messages could be conveyed. The code included a call +for help. Forty-seven was the number, but there had never +been any occasion to use it. + +Tom remembered this now. At once he ceased his +indiscriminate hammering, and began to beat out regularly-- +one, two, three, four--then a pause, and seven blows would +be given. Over and over again he rang out this number--forty +seven--the call for help. + +"If Mr. Sharp only comes back he will hear that, even in +the house," thought poor Tom "Maybe Garret or Mrs. Baggert +will hear it, too, but they won't know what it means. +They'll think I'm just working on the submarine." + +It seemed several hours to Tom that he pounded out that +cry for aid, but, as he afterward learned, it was only a +little over an hour. Signal after signal he sent vibrating +from the steel sides of the tank. When one arm tired he +would use the other. He grew weary, his head was aching, and +there was a ringing in his ears; a ringing that seemed as if +ten thousand bells were jangling out their peals, and he +could barely distinguish his own pounding. + +Signal after signal he sounded. It was becoming like a +dream to him, when suddenly, as he paused for a rest, he +heard his name called faintly, as if far away. + +"Tom! Tom! Where are you?" + +It was the voice of Mr. Sharp. Then followed the tones of +the aged inventor. + +"My poor boy! Tom, are you still alive?" + +"Yes, dad! In the starboard tank!" the lad gasped out, and +then he lost his senses. When he revived he was lying on a +pile of bagging in the submarine shop, and his father and +the aeronaut were bending over him. + +"Are you all right, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Yes--I--I guess so," was the hesitating answer. "Yes," +the lad added, as the fresh air cleared his head. "I'll be +all right pretty soon. Have you seen Andy Foger?" + +"Did he shut you in there?" demanded Mr. Swift. + +Tom nodded. + +"I'll have him arrested!" declared Mr. Swift "I'll go to +town as soon as you're in good shape again and notify the +police." + +"No, don't," pleaded Tom. "I'll take care of Andy myself. +I don't really believe he knew how serious it was. I'll +settle with him later, though." + +"Well, it came mighty near being serious," remarked Mr. +Sharp grimly. "Your father and I came back a little sooner +than we expected, and as soon as I got near the house I +heard your signal. I knew what it was in a moment. There +were Mrs. Baggert and Garret talking away, and when I asked +them why they didn't answer your call they said they thought +you were merely tinkering with the machinery. But I knew +better. It's the first time we ever had a use for 'forty- +seven,' Tom." + +"And I hope it will be the last," replied the young +inventor with a faint smile. "But I'd like to know what Andy +Foger is doing in this neighborhood." + +Tom was soon himself again and able to go to the house, +where he found Mrs. Baggert brewing a big basin of catnip +tea, under the impression that it would in some way be good +for his. She could not forgive herself for not having +answered his signal, and as for Mr. Jackson, he had started +for a doctor as soon as he learned that Tom was shut up in +the tank. The services of the medical man were canceled by +telephone, as there was no need for him, and the engineer +came back to the house. + +Tom was fully himself the next day, and aided his father +and Mr. Sharp in putting the finishing touches to the +Advance. It was found that some alteration was required in +the auxiliary propellers, and this, much to the regret of +the young inventor, would necessitate postponing the trial a +few days. + +"But we'll have her in the water next Friday." promised +Mr. Swift. + +"Aren't you superstitious about Friday?" asked the +balloonist. + +"Not a bit of it," replied the aged inventor. "Tom," he +added, "I wish you would go in the house and get me the roll +of blueprints you'll find on my desk." + +As the lad neared the cottage he saw, standing in front of +the place, a small automobile. A man had just descended +from it, and it needed but a glance to show that he was Mr. +Addison Berg. + +"Ah, good morning, Mr. Swift," greeted Mr. Berg. "I wish +to see your father, but as I don't wish to lay myself open +to suspicions by entering the shop, perhaps you will ask him +to step here." + +"Certainly," answered the lad, wondering why the agent had +returned. Getting the blueprints, and asking Mr. Berg to sit +down on the porch, Tom delivered the message. + +"You come back with me, Tom," said his father. "I want you +to be a witness to what he says. I'm not going to get into +trouble with these people." + +Mr. Berg came to the point at once. + +"Mr. Swift," he said, "I wish you would reconsider your +determination not to enter the Government trials. I'd like +to see you compete. So would my firm." + +"There is no use going over that again," replied the aged +inventor. "I have another object in view now than trying for +the Government prize. What it is I can't say, but it may +develop in time--if we are successful," and he looked at +his son, smiling the while. + +Mr. Berg tried to argue, but it was of no avail Then he +changed his manner, and said: + +"Well, since you won't, you won't, I suppose. I'll go back +and report to my firm. Have you anything special to do this +morning?" he went on to Tom. + +"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," +replied the lad, "but as for anything special--" + +"I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my +auto," interrupted Mr. Berg. "I had asked a young man who is +stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but +he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone. His +name was--let me see. I have a wretched memory for names, +but it was something like Roger or Moger." + +"Foger!" cried Tom. "Was it Andy Foger?" + +"Yes, that was it. Why, do you know him?" asked Mr. Berg +in some surprise. + +"I should say so," replied Tom. "He was the cause of what +might have resulted in something serious for me," and the +lad explained about being imprisoned in the tank. + +"You don't tell me!" cried Mr. Berg. "I had no idea he was +that kind of a lad. You see, his father is one of the +directors of the firm by whom I am employed. Andy came from +home to spend a few weeks at the seaside, and stopped at the +same hotel that I did. He went off yesterday afternoon, and +I haven't seen him since, though he promised to go for a +ride with me. He must have come over here and entered your +shop unobserved. I remember now he asked me where the +submarine was being built that was going to compete with our +firm's, and I told him. I didn't think he was that kind of +a lad. Well, since he's probably gone back home, perhaps you +will come for a ride with me, Tom." + +"I'm afraid I can't go, thank you," answered the lad. "We +are very busy getting our submarine in shape for a trial. +But I can imagine why Andy left so hurriedly. He probably +learned that a doctor had been summoned for me, though, as +it happened, I didn't need one. But Andy probably got +frightened at what he had done, and left. I'll make him +more sorry, when I meet him." + +"Don't blame you a bit," commented Mr. Berg. "Well, I must +be getting back." + +He hastened out to his auto, while Tom and his father +watched the agent. + +"Tom, never trust that man," advised the aged inventor +solemnly. + +"Just what I was about to remark," said his son. "Well, +let's get back to work. Queer that he should come here +again, and it's queer about Andy Foger." + +Father and son returned to the machine shop, while Mr. +Berg puffed away in his auto. A little later, Tom having +occasion to go to a building near the boundary line of the +cottage property which his father had hired for the season, +saw, through the hedge that bordered it, an automobile +standing in the road. A second glance showed him that it was +Mr. Berg's machine. Something had gone wrong with it, and +the agent had alighted to make an adjustment. + +The young inventor was close to the man, though the latter +was unaware of his presence. + +"Hang it all!" Tom heard Mr. Berg exclaim to himself. "I +wonder what they can be up to? They won't enter the +Government contests, and they won't say why. I believe +they're up to some game, and I've got to find out what it +is. I wonder if I couldn't use this Foger chap?" + +"He seems to have it in for this Tom Swift," Mr. Berg went +on, still talking to himself, though not so low but that Tom +could hear him. "I think I'll try it. I'll get Andy Foger to +sneak around and find out what the game is. He'll do it, I +know." + +By this time the auto was in working order again, and the +agent took his seat and started off. + +"So that's how matters lie, eh?" thought Tom. "Well, Mr. +Berg, we'll be doubly on the lookout for you after this. As +for Andy Foger, I think I'll make him wish he'd never locked +me in that tank. So you expect to find out our 'game,' eh, +Mr. Berg? Well, when you do know it, I think it will +astonish you. I only hope you don't learn what it is until +we get at that sunken treasure, though." + +But alas for Tom's hopes. Mr. Berg did learn of the object +of the treasure-seekers, and sought to defeat them, as we +shall learn as our story proceeds. + + + + +Chapter Six + +Turning the Tables + + +When the young inventor informed his father what he had +overheard Mr. Berg saying, the aged inventor was not as much +worried as his son anticipated. + +"All we'll have to do, Tom," he said, "is to keep quiet +about where we are going. Once we have the Advance afloat, +and try her out, we can start on our voyage for the South +American Coast and search for the sunken treasure. When we +begin our voyage under water I defy any one to tell where we +are going, or what our plans are. No, I don't believe we +need worry about Mr. Berg, though he probably means +mischief." + +"Well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for him and Andy +Foger," declared Tom. + +The days that followed were filled with work. Not only +were there many unexpected things to do about the submarine, +but Mr. Sharp was kept busy making inquiries about the +sunken treasure ship. These inquiries had to be made +carefully, as the adventurers did not want their plans +talked of, and nothing circulates more quickly than rumors +of an expedition after treasure of any kind. + +"What about the old sea captain you were going to get to +go with us?" asked Mr. Swift of the balloonist one afternoon. +"Have you succeeded in finding one yet?" + +"Yes; I am in communication with a man think will be just +the person for us. His name is Captain Alden Weston, and he +has sailed all over the world. He has also taken part in +more than one revolution, and, in fact, is a soldier of +fortune. I do not know him personally, but a friend of mine +knows him, and says he will serve us faithfully. I have +written to him, and he will he here in a few days." + +"That's good. Now about the location of the wreck itself. +Have you been able to learn any more details?" + +"Well, not many. You see, the Boldero was abandoned in a +storm, and the captain did not take very careful +observations. As nearly as it can be figured out the +treasure ship went to the bottom in latitude forty-five +degrees south, and longitude twenty-seven east from +Washington. That's a pretty indefinite location, but I hope, +once we get off the Uruguay coast, we can better it. We can +anchor or lay outside the harbor, and in the small boat we +carry go ashore and possibly gain more details. For it was +at Montevideo that the shipwrecked passengers and sailors +landed." + +"Does Captain Weston know our object?" inquired Tom. + +"No, and I don't propose to tell him until we are ready to +start," replied Mr. Sharp. "I don't know just how he'll +consider a submarine trip after treasure, but if I spring it +on him suddenly he's less likely to back out. Oh, I think +he'll go." + +Somewhat unexpectedly the next day it was discovered that +certain tools and appliances were needed for the submarine, +and they had been left in the house at Shopton, where +Eradicate Sampson was in charge as caretaker during the +absence of Mr. Swift and his son and the housekeeper. + +"Well, I suppose we'll have to go back after them," +remarked Tom. "We'll take the airship, dad, and make a two- +days' trip of it. Is there anything else you want?" + +"Well, you might bring a bundle of papers you'll find in +the lower right hand drawer of my desk. They contain some +memoranda I need." + +Tom and Mr. Sharp had become so used to traveling in the +airship that it seemed no novelty to them, though they +attracted much attention wherever they went. They soon had +the Red Cloud in readiness for a flight, and rising in the +air above the shop that contained the powerful submarine, a +craft utterly different in type from the aeroplane, the nose +of the airship was pointed toward Shopton. + +They made a good flight and landed near the big shed where +the bird of the air was kept. It was early evening when they +got to the Swift homestead, and Eradicate Sampson was glad +to see them. + +Eradicate was a good cook, and soon had a meal ready for +the travelers. Then, while Mr. Sharp selected the tools and +other things needed, and put them in the airship ready for +the start back the next morning, Tom concluded he would take +a stroll into Shopton, to see if he could see his friend, +Ned Newton. It was early evening, and the close of a +beautiful day, a sharp shower in the morning having cooled +the air. + +Tom was greeted by a number of acquaintances as he +strolled along, for, since the episode of the bank robbery, +when he had so unexpectedly returned with the thieves and +the cash, the lad was better known than ever. + +"I guess Ned must be home," thought our hero as he looked +in vain for his chum among the throng on the streets. "I've +got time to take a stroll down to his house." + +Tom was about to cross the street when he was startled by +the sound of an automobile horn loudly blown just at his +side. Then a voice called: + +"Hey, there! Git out of the way if you don't want to be +run over!" + +He looked up, and saw a car careening along. At the wheel +was the red-haired bully, Andy Foger, and in the tonneau +were Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey. + +"Git out of the way," added Sam, and he grinned +maliciously at Tom. + +The latter stepped back, well out of the path of the car, +which was not moving very fast. Just in front of Tom was a +puddle of muddy water. There was no necessity for Andy +steering into it, but he saw his opportunity, and a moment +later one of the big pneumatic tires had plunged into the +dirty fluid, spattering it all over Tom, some even going as +high as his face. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Andy. "Maybe you'll get out of my way +next time, Tom Swift." + +The young inventor was almost speechless from righteous +anger. He wiped the mud from his face, glanced down at his +clothes, which were all but ruined, and called out: + +"Hold on there, Andy Foger! I want to see you!" for he +thought of the time when Andy had shut him in the tank. + +"Ta! ta!" shouted Pete Bailey. + +"See you later," added Sam. + +"Better go home and take a bath, and then sail away in +your submarine," went on Andy. "I'll bet it will sink." + +Before Tom could reply the auto had turned a corner. +Disgusted and angry, he tried to sop up some of the muddy +water with his handkerchief. While thus engaged he heard his +name called, and looked up to see Ned Newton. + +"What's the matter? Fall down?" asked his chum. + +"Andy Foger," replied Tom. + +"That's enough," retorted Ned. "I can guess the rest. +We'll have to tar and feather him some day, and ride him out +of town on a rail. I'd kick him myself, only his father is a +director in the bank where I work, and I'd be fired if I +did. Can't afford any such pleasure. But some day I'll give +Andy a good trouncing, and then resign before they can +discharge me. But I'll be looking for another job before I +do that. Come on to my house, Tom, and I'll help you clean +up." + +Tom was a little more presentable when he left his chum's +residence, after spending the evening there, but he was +still burning for revenge against Andy and his cronies. He +had half a notion to go to Andy's house and tell Mr. Foger +how nearly serious the bully's prank at the sub marine had +been, but be concluded that Mr. Foger could only uphold his +son. "No, I'll settle with him myself," decided Tom. + +Bidding Eradicate keep a watchful eye about the house, and +leaving word for Mr. Damon to be sure to come to the coast +if he again called at the Shopton house, Tom and Mr. Sharp +prepared to make their return trip early the next morning. + +The gas tank was filled and the Red Cloud arose in the +air. Then, with the propellers moving at moderate speed, the +nose of the craft was pointed toward the New Jersey coast. + +A few miles out from Shopton, finding there was a contrary +wind in the upper regions where they were traveling, Mr. +Sharp descended several hundred feet. They were moving over +a sparsely settled part of the country, and looking down, +Tom saw, speeding along a highway, an automobile. + +"I wonder who's in it?" he remarked, taking down a +telescope and peering over the window ledge of the cabin. +The next moment he uttered a startled exclamation. + +"Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey!" he cried. +"Oh, I wish I had a bucket of water to empty on them." + +"I know a better way to get even with them than that," +said Mr. Sharp. + +"How?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"I'll show you," replied the balloonist. "It's a trick I +once played on a fellow who did me an injury. Here, you +steer for a minute until I get the thing fixed, then I'll +take charge." + +Mr. Sharp went to the storeroom and came back with a long, +stout rope and a small anchor of four prongs. It was carried +to be used in emergencies, but so far had never been called +into requisition. Fastening the grapple to the cable, the +balloonist said: + +"Now, Tom, they haven't seen you. You stand in the stern +and pay out the rope. I'll steer the airship, and what I +want you to do is to catch the anchor in the rear of their +car. Then I'll show you some fun." + +Tom followed instructions. Slowly he lowered the rope with +the dangling grapple. The airship was also sent down, as the +cable was not quite long enough to reach the earth from the +height at which they were. The engine was run at slow speed, +so that the noise would not attract the attention of the +three cronies who were speeding along, all unconscious of +the craft in the air over their heads. The Red Cloud was +moving in the same direction as was the automobile. + +The anchor was now close to the rear of Andy's car. +Suddenly it caught on the tonneau and Tom called that fact +to Mr. Sharp. + +"Fasten the rope at the cleat," directed the balloonist. + +Tom did so, and a moment later the aeronaut sent the +airship up by turning more gas into the container. At the +same time he reversed the engine and the Red Cloud began +pulling the touring car backward, also lifting the rear +wheels clear from the earth. + +A startled cry from the occupants of the machine told Tom +and his friend that Andy and his cronies were aware +something was wrong. A moment later Andy, looking up, saw +the airship hovering in the air above him. Then he saw the +rope fast to his auto. The airship was not rising now, or +the auto would have been turned over, but it was slowly +pulling it backward, in spite of the fact that the motor of +the car was still going. + +"Here! You let go of me!" cried Andy. "I'll have you +arrested if you damage my car." + +"Come up here and cut the rope." called Tom leaning over +and looking down. He could enjoy the bully's discomfiture. +As for Sam and Pete, they were much frightened, and cowered +down on the floor of the tonneau. + +"Maybe you'll shut me in the tank again and splash mud on +me!" shouted Tom. + +The rear wheels of the auto were lifted still higher from +the ground, as Mr. Sharp turned on a little more gas. Andy +was not proof against this. + +"Oh! oh!" he cried. "Please let me down, Tom. I'm awful +sorry for what I did! I'll never do it again! Please, please +let me down! Don't You'll tip me over!" + +He had shut off his motor now, and was frantically +clinging to the steering wheel. + +"Do you admit that you're a sneak and a coward?" asked +Tom, "rubbing it in." + +"Yes, yes! Oh, please let me down!" + +"Shall we?" asked Tom of Mr. Sharp. + +"Yes," replied the balloonist. "We can afford to lose the +rope and anchor for the sake of turning the tables. Cut the +cable." + +Tom saw what was intended. Using a little hatchet, he +severed the rope with a single blow. With a crash that could +be heard up in the air where the Red Cloud hovered, the rear +wheels of the auto dropped to the ground. Then came two loud +reports. + +"Both tires busted!" commented Mr. Sharp dryly, and Tom, +looking down, saw the trio of lads ruefully contemplating +the collapsed rubber of the rear wheels. The tables had been +effectually turned on Andy Foger. His auto was disabled, and +the airship, with a graceful sweep, mounted higher and +higher, continuing on its way to the coast. + + + + +Chapter Seven + +Mr. Damon Will Go + + +"Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as +he took an observation through the telescope and saw Andy +and his cronies hard at work trying to repair the ruptured +tires. "That certainly was a corking good trick." + +"Yes," admitted Mr. Sharp modestly. "I once did something +similar, only it was a horse and wagon instead of an auto. +But let's try for another speed record. The conditions are +just right." + +They arrived at the coast much sooner than they had dared +to hope, the Red Cloud proving herself a veritable wonder. + +The remainder of that day, and part of the next, was spent +in working on the submarine. + +"We'll launch her day after to-morrow," declared Mr. Swift +enthusiastically. "Then to see whether my calculations are +right or wrong." + +"It won't be your fault if it doesn't work," said his son. +"You certainly have done your best." + +"And so have you and Mr. Sharp and the others, for that +matter. Well, I have no doubt but that everything will be +all right, Tom." + +"There!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp the next morning, as he was +adjusting a certain gage. "I knew I'd forget something. That +special brand of lubricating oil. I meant to bring it from +Shopton, and I didn't." + +"Maybe I can get it in Atlantis," suggested Tom, naming +the coast city nearest to them. "I'll take a walk over. It +isn't far." + +"Will you? I'll be glad to have you," resumed the +balloonist. "A gallon will be all we'll need." + +Tom was soon on his way. He had to walk, as the roads were +too poor to permit him to use the motor-cycle, and the +airship attracted too much attention to use on a short trip. +He was strolling along, when from the other side of a row of +sand dunes, that lined the uncertain road to Atlantis, he +heard some one speaking. At first the tones were not +distinct, but as the lad drew nearer to the voice he heard +an exclamation. + +"Bless my gold-headed cane! I believe I'm lost. He said it +was out this way somewhere, bet I don't see anything of it. +If I had that Eradicate Sampson here now I'd--bless my +shoelaces I don't know what I would do to him." + +"Mr. Damon! Mr. Damon!" cried Tom. "Is that you?" + +"Me? Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" answered +the voice. "But who are you. Why, bless my liver! If it +isn't Tom Swift!" he cried. "Oh, but I'm glad to see you! I +was afraid I was shipwrecked! Bless my gaiters, how are you, +anyhow? How is your father? How is Mr. Sharp, and all the +rest of them?" + +"Pretty well. And you?" + +"Me? Oh, I'm all right; only a trifle nervous. I called at +your house in Shopton yesterday, and Eradicate told me, as +well as he could, where you were located. I had nothing to +do, so I thought I'd take a run down here. But what's this I +hear about you? Are you going on a voyage?" + +"Yes." + +"In the air? May I go along again? I certainly enjoyed my +other trip in the Red Cloud. What is, all but the fire and +being shot at. May I go?" + +"We're going on a different sort of trip this time," said +the youth. + +"Where?" + +"Under water." + +"Under water? Bless my sponge bath! You don't mean it!" + +"Yes. Dad has completed the submarine he was working on +when we were off in the airship, and it will be launched the +day after to-morrow." + +"Oh, that's so. I'd forgotten about it. He's going to try +for the Government prize, isn't he? But tell me more about +it. Bless my scarf-pin, but I'm glad I met you! Going into +town, I take it. Well, I just came from there, but I'll walk +back with you. Do you think--is there any possibility--that +I could go with you? Of course, I don't want to crowd you, +but--" + +"Oh, there'll be plenty of room," replied the young +inventor. "In fact, more room than we had in the airship. We +were talking only the other day about the possibility of you +going with us, but we didn't think you'd risk it." + +"Risk it? Bless my liver! Of course I'll risk' it! It +can't be as bad as sailing in the air. You can't fall, +that's certain." + +"No; but maybe you can't rise," remarked Tom grimly. + +"Oh, we won't think of that. Of course, I'd like to go. I +fully expected to be killed in the Red Cloud, but as I +wasn't I'm ready to take a chance in the water. On the +whole, I think I prefer to be buried at sea, anyhow. Now, +then, will you take me?" + +"I think I can safely promise," answered Tom with a smile +at his friend's enthusiasm. + +The two were approaching the city, having walked along as +they talked. There were still some sand dunes near the road, +and they kept on the side of these, nearest the beach, where +they could watch the breakers. + +"But you haven't told me where you are going," went on Mr. +Damon, after blessing a few dozen objects. "Where do the +Government trials take place?" + +"Well," replied the lad, "to be frank with you, we have +abandoned our intention of trying for the Government prize." + +"Not going to try for it? Bless my slippers! Why not? +Isn't fifty thousand dollars worth striving for? And, with +the kind of a submarine you say you have, you ought to be +able to win." + +"Yes, probably we could win," admitted the young inventor, +"but we are going to try for a better prize." + +"A better one? I don't understand." + +"Sunken treasure," explained Tom. "There's a ship sunk off +the coast of Uruguay, with three hundred thousand dollars in +gold bullion aboard. Dad and I are going to try to recover +that in our submarine. We're going to start day after +to-morrow, and, if you like, you may go along." + +"Go along! Of course I'll go along!" cried the eccentric +man. "But I never heard of such a thing. Sunken treasure! +Three hundred thousand dollars in gold! My, what a lot of +money! And to go after it in a submarine! It's as good as a +story!" + +"Yes, we hope to recover all the treasure," said the lad. +"We ought to be able to claim at least half of it." + +"Bless my pocketbook!" cried Mr. Damon, but Tom did not +hear him. At that instant his attention was attracted by +seeing two men emerge from behind the sand dune near which +he and Mr. Damon had halted momentarily, when the youth +explained about the treasure. The man looked sharply at Tom. +A moment later the first man was joined by another, and at +the sight of him our hero could not repress an exclamation +of alarm. For the second man was none other than Addison +Berg. + +The latter glanced quickly at Tom, and then, with a hasty +word to his companion, the two swung around and made off in +the opposite direction to that in which they had been +walking. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Damon, seeing the young +inventor was strangely affected. + +"That--that man," stammered the lad. + +"You don't mean to tell me that was one the Happy Harry +gang, do you?" + +"No. But one, or both of those men, may prove to be worse. +That second man was Addison Berg, and he's agent for a firm +of submarine boat builders who are rivals of dad's. Berg has +been trying to find out why we abandoned our intention of +competing for the Government prize." + +"I hope you didn't tell him." + +"I didn't intend to," replied Tom, smiling grimly, "but +I'm afraid I have, however He certainly overheard what I +said. I spoke too loud. Yes, he must have heard me. That's +why he hurried off so." + +"Possibly no harm is done. You didn't give the location of +the sunken ship." + +"No; but I guess from what I said it will be easy enough +to find. Well, if we're going to have a fight for the +possession of that sunken gold, I'm ready for it. The +Advance is well equipped for a battle. I must tell dad of +this. It's my fault." + +"And partly mine, for asking you such leading questions in +a public place," declared Mr. Damon. "Bless my coat-tails, +but I'm sorry! Maybe, after all, those men were so +interested in what they themselves were saying that they +didn't understand what you said." + +But if there had been any doubts on this score they would +have been dissolved had Tom and his friend been able to see +the actions of Mr. Berg and his companion a little later. +The plans of the treasure-hunters had been revealed to their +ears. + + + + +Chapter Eight + +Another Treasure Expedition + + +While Tom and Mr. Damon continued on to Atlantis after the +oil, the young inventor lamenting from time to time that his +remarks about the real destination of the Advance had been +overheard by Mr. Berg, the latter and his companion were +hastening back along the path that ran on one side of the +sand dunes. + +"What's your hurry?" asked Mr. Maxwell, who was with the +submarine agent. "You turned around as if you were shot when +you saw that man and the lad. There didn't appear to be any +cause for such a hurry. From what I could hear they were +talking about a submarine. You're in the same business. You +might be friends." + +"Yes, we might," admitted Mr. Berg with a peculiar smile; +"but, unless I'm very much mistaken, we're going to be +rivals." + +"Rivals? What do you mean?" + +"I can't tell you now. Perhaps I may later. But if you +don't mind, walk a little faster, please. I want to get to a +long-distance telephone." + +"What for?" + +"I have just overheard something that I wish to +communicate to my employers, Bentley & Eagert." + +"Overheard something? I don't see what it could be, unless +that lad--" + +"You'll learn in good time," went on the submarine agent. +"But I must telephone at once." + +A little later the two men had reached a trolley line that +ran into Atlantis, and they arrived at the city before Mr. +Damon and Tom got there, as the latter had to go by a +circuitous route. Mr. Berg lost no time in calling up his +firm by telephone. + +"I have had another talk with Mr. Swift," he reported to +Mr. Bentley, who came to the instrument in Philadelphia. + +"Well, what does he say?" was the impatient question. "I +can't understand his not wanting to try for the Government +prize. It is astonishing. You said you were going to +discover the reason, Mr Berg, but you haven't done so." + +"I have." + +"What is it?" + +"Well, the reason Mr. Swift and his son don't care to try +for the fifty thousand dollar prize is that they are after +one of three hundred thousand dollars." + +"Three hundred thousand dollars!" cried Mr. Bentley. "What +government is going to offer such a prize as that for +submarines, when they are getting almost as common as +airships? We ought to have a try for that ourselves. What +government is it?" + +"No government at all. But I think we ought to have a try +for it, Mr. Bentley." + +"Explain." + +"Well, I have just learned, most accidentally, that the +Swifts are going after sunken treasure--three hundred +thousand dollars in gold bullion." + +"Sunken treasure? Where? + +"I don't know exactly, but off the coast of Uruguay," and +Mr. Berg rapidly related what he had overheard Tom tell Mr. +Damon. Mr. Bentley was much excited and impatient for more +details, but his agent could not give them to him. + +"Well," concluded the senior member of the firm of +submarine boat builders, "if the Swifts are going after +treasure, so can we. Come to Philadelphia at once, Mr. Berg, +and we'll talk this matter over. There is no time to lose. +We can afford to forego the Government prize for the chance +of getting a much larger one. We have as much right to +search for the sunken gold as the Swifts have. Come here at +once, and we will make our plans." + +"All right," agreed the agent with a smile as he hung up +the receiver. "I guess," he murmured to himself, "that you +won't be so high and mighty with me after this, Tom Swift. +We'll see who has the best boat, after all. We'll have a +contest and a competition, but not for a government prize. +It will be for the sunken gold." + +It was easy to see that Mr. Berg was much pleased with +himself. + +Meanwhile, Tom and Mr. Damon had reached Atlantis, and had +purchased the oil. They started back, but Tom took a street +leading toward the center of the place, instead of striking +for the beach path, along which they had come. + +"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I want to see if that Andy Foger has come back here," +replied the lad, and he told of having been shut in the tank +by the bully. + +"I've never properly punished him for that trick," he went +on, "though we did manage to burst his auto tires. I'm +curious to know how he knew enough to turn that gear and +shut the tank door. He must have been loitering near the +shop, seen me go in the submarine alone, watched his chance +and sneaked in after me. But I'd like to get a complete +explanation, and if I once got hold of Andy I could make him +talk," and Tom clenched his fist in a manner that augured no +good for the squint-eyed lad. "He was stopping at the same +hotel with Mr. Berg, and be hurried away after the trick he +played on me. I next saw him in Shopton, but I thought +perhaps he might have come back here. I'm going to inquire +at the hotel," he added. + +Andy's name was not on the register since his hasty +flight, however, and Tom, after inquiring from the clerk and +learning that Mr. Berg was still a guest at the hostelry, +rejoined Mr. Damon. + +"Bless my hat!" exclaimed that eccentric individual as +they started back to the lonely beach where the submarine +was awaiting her advent into the water. "The more I think +of the trip I'm going to take, the more I like it." + +"I hope you will," remarked Tom. "It will be a new +experience for all of us. There's only one thing worrying +me, and that is about Mr. Berg having overheard what I +said." + +"Oh, don't worry about that. Can't we slip away and leave +no trace in the water?" + +"I hope so, but I must tell dad and Mr. Sharp about what +happened." + +The aged inventor was not a little alarmed at what his son +related, but he agreed with Mr. Damon, whom he heartily +welcomed, that little was to be apprehended from Berg and +his employers. + +"They know we're after a sunken wreck, but that's all they +do know," said Tom's father. "We are only waiting for the +arrival of Captain Alden Weston, and then we will go. Even +if Bentley & Eagert make a try for the treasure we'll have +the start of them, and this will be a case of first come, +first served. Don't worry, Tom. I'm glad you're going, Mr +Damon. Come, I will show you our submarine." + +As father and son, with their guest, were going to the +machine shop, Mr. Sharp met them. He had a letter in his +hand. + +"Good news!" the balloonist cried. "Captain Weston will be +with us to-morrow. He will arrive at the Beach Hotel in +Atlantis, and wants one of us to meet him there. He has +considerable information about the wreck." + +"The Beach Hotel," murmured Tom. "That is where Mr. Berg +is stopping. I hope he doesn't worm any of our secret from +Captain Weston," and it was with a feeling of uneasiness +that the young inventor continued after his father and Mr. +Damon to where the submarine was. + + + + +Chapter Nine + +Captain Weston's Advent + + +"Bless my water ballast, but that certainly is a fine boat!" +cried Mr. Damon, when he had been shown over the new craft. +"I think I shall feel even safer in that than in the Red Cloud." + +"Oh, don't go back on the airship!" exclaimed Mr Sharp. "I +was counting on taking you on another trip." + +"Well, maybe after we get back from under the ocean," +agreed Mr. Damon. "I particularly like the cabin +arrangements of the Advance. I think I shall enjoy myself." + +He would be hard to please who could not take pleasure +from a trip in the submarine. The cabin was particularly +fine, and the sleeping arrangements were good. + +More supplies could be carried than was possible on the +airship, and there was more room in which to cook and serve +food. Mr. Damon was fond of good living, and the kitchen +pleased him as much as anything else. + +Early the next morning Tom set out for Atlantis, to meet +Captain Weston at the hotel. The young inventor inquired of +the clerk whether the seafaring man had arrived, and was +told that he had come the previous evening. + +"Is he in his room?" asked Tom. + +"No," answered the clerk with a peculiar grin. "He's an +odd character. Wouldn't go to bed last night until we had +every window in his room open, though it was blowing quite +hard, and likely to storm. The captain said he was used to +plenty of fresh air. Well, I guess he got it, all right." + +"Where is he now?" asked the youth, wondering what sort of +an individual he was to meet. + +"Oh, he was up before sunrise, so some of the scrubwomen +told me. They met him coming from his room, and he went +right down to the beach with a big telescope he always +carries with him. He hasn't come back yet. Probably he's +down on the sand." + +"Hasn't he had breakfast?" + +"No. He left word he didn't want to eat until about four +bells, whatever time that is." + +"It's ten o'clock," replied Tom, who had been studying up +on sea terms lately. "Eight bells is eight o'clock in the +morning, or four in the afternoon or eight at night, +according to the time of day. Then there's one bell for +every half hour, so four bells this morning would be ten +o'clock in this watch, I suppose." + +"Oh, that's the way it goes, eh?" asked the clerk. "I +never could get it through my head. What is twelve o'clock +noon?" + +"That's eight bells, too; so is twelve o'clock midnight. +Eight bells is as high as they go on a ship. But I guess +I'll go down and see if I can meet the captain. It will soon +be ten o'clock, or four bells, and he must be hungry for +breakfast. By the way, is that Mr. Berg still here?" + +"No; he went away early this morning. He and Captain +Weston seemed to strike up quite an acquaintance, the night +clerk told me. They sat and smoked together until long after +midnight, or eight bells," and the clerk smiled as he +glanced down at the big diamond ring on his little finger. + +"They did?" fairly exploded Tom, for he had visions of +what the wily Mr. Berg might worm out of the simple captain. + +"Yes. Why, isn't the captain a proper man to make friends +with?" and the clerk looked at Tom curiously. + +"Oh, yes, of course," was the hasty answer. "I guess I'll +go and see if I can find him--the captain, I mean." + +Tom hardly knew what to think. He wished his father, or +Mr. Sharp, had thought to warn Captain Weston against +talking of the wreck. It might be too late now. + +The young inventor hurried to the beach, which was not far +from the hotel. He saw a solitary figure pacing up and down, +and from the fact that the man stopped, every now and then, +and gazed seaward through a large telescope, the lad +concluded it was the captain for whom he was in search. He +approached, his footsteps making no sound on the sand. The +man was still gazing through the glass. + +"Captain Weston?" spoke Tom. + +Without a show of haste, though the voice must have +startled him, the captain turned. Slowly he lowered the +telescope, and then he replied softly: + +"That's my name. Who are you, if I may ask?" + +Tom was struck, more than by anything else, by the gentle +voice of the seaman. He had prepared himself, from the +description of Mr. Sharp, to meet a gruff, bewhiskered +individual, with a voice like a crosscut saw, and a rolling +gait. Instead he saw a man of medium size, with a smooth +face, merry blue eyes, and the softest voice and gentlest +manner imaginable. Tom was very much disappointed. He had +looked for a regular sea-dog, and he met a landsman, as he +said afterward. But it was not long before our hero changed +his mind regarding Captain Weston. + +"I'm Tom Swift," the owner of that name said, "and I have +been sent to show you the way to where our ship is ready to +launch." The young inventor refrained from mentioning +submarine, as it was the wish of Mr Sharp to disclose this +feature of the voyage to the sailor himself. + +"Ha, I thought as much," resumed the captain quietly. +"It's a fine day, if I may be permitted to say so," and he +seemed to hesitate, as if there was some doubt whether or +not he might make that observation. + +"It certainly is," agreed the lad. Then, with a smile he +added: "It is nearly eight bells." + +"Ha!" exclaimed the captain, also smiling, but even his +manner of saying "Ha!" was less demonstrative than that of +most persons. "I believe I am getting hungry, if I may be +allowed the remark," and again he seemed asking Tom's pardon +for mentioning the fact. + +"Perhaps you will come back to the cabin and have a little +breakfast with me," he went on. "I don't know what sort of a +galley or cook they have aboard the Beach Hotel, but it +can't be much worse than some I've tackled." + +"No, thank you," answered the youth. "I've had my +breakfast. But I'll wait for you, and then I'd like to get +back. Dad and Mr. Sharp are anxious to meet you." + +"And I am anxious to meet them, if you don't mind me +mentioning it," was the reply, as the captain once more put +the spyglass to his eye and took an observation. "Not many +sails in sight this morning," he added. "But the weather is +fine, and we ought to get off in good shape to hunt for the +treasure about which Mr. Sharp wrote me. I believe we are +going after treasure," he said; "that is, if you don't mind +talking about it." + +"Not in the least," replied Tom quickly, thinking this a +good opportunity for broaching a subject that was worrying +him. "Did you meet a Mr. Berg here last night, Captain +Weston?" he went on. + +"Yes. Mr. Berg and I had quite a talk. He is a well- +informed man." + +"Did he mention the sunken treasure?" asked the lad, eager +to find out if his suspicions were true. + +"Yes, he did, if you'll excuse me putting it so plainly," +answered the seaman, as if Tom might be offended at so +direct a reply. But the young inventor was soon to learn +that this was only an odd habit with the seaman. + +"Did he want to know where the wreck of the Boldero was +located?" continued the lad. "That is, did he try to +discover if you knew anything about it?" + +"Yes," said Mr. Weston, "he did. He pumped me, if you are +acquainted with that term, and are not offended by it. You +see, when I arrived here I made inquiries as to where your +father's place was located. Mr. Berg overheard me, and +introduced himself as agent for a shipbuilding concern. He +was very friendly, and when he said he knew you and your +parent, I thought he was all right." + +Tom's heart sank. His worst fears were to be realized, he +thought. + +"Yes, he and I talked considerable, if I may be permitted +to say so," went on the captain. "He seemed to know about +the wreck of the Boldero, and that she had three hundred +thousand dollars in gold aboard. The only thing he didn't +know was where the wreck was located. He knew it was off +Uruguay somewhere, but just where he couldn't say. So he +asked me if I knew, since he must have concluded that I was +going with you on the gold-hunting expedition." + +"And you do know, don't you?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Well, I have it pretty accurately charted out, if you +will allow me that expression," was the calm answer. "I took +pains to look it up at the request of Mr. Sharp." + +"And he wanted to worm that information out of you?" +inquired the youth excitedly. + +"Yes, I'm afraid he did." + +"Did you give him the location?" + +"Well," remarked the captain, as he took another +observation before closing up the telescope, "you see, while +we were talking, I happened to drop a copy of a map I'd +made, showing the location of the wreck. Mr. Berg picked it +up to hand to me, and he looked at it." + +"Oh!" cried Tom. "Then he knows just where the treasure +is, and he may get to it ahead of us. It's too bad." + +"Yes," continued the seaman calmly, "Mr. Berg picked up +that map, and he looked very closely at the latitude and +longitude I had marked as the location of the wreck." + +"Then he won't have any trouble finding it," murmured our +hero. + +"Eh? What's that?" asked the captain, "if I may be +permitted to request you to repeat what you said." + +"I say he won't have any trouble locating the sunken +Boldero," repeated Tom. + +"Oh, but I think he will, if he depends on that map," was +the unexpected reply. "You see," explained Mr. Weston, "I'm +not so simple as I look. I sensed what Mr. Berg was after, +the minute he began to talk to me. So I fixed up a little +game on him. The map which I dropped on purpose, not +accidentally, where he would see it, did have the location +of the wreck marked. Only it didn't happen to be the right +location. It was about five hundred miles out of the way, +and I rather guess if Mr. Berg and his friends go there for +treasure they'll find considerable depth of water and quite +a lonesome spot. Oh, no, I'm not as easy as I look, if you +don't mind me mentioning that fact; and when a scoundrel +sets out to get the best of me, I generally try to turn the +tables on him. I've seen such men as Mr. Berg before. I'm +afraid, I'm very much afraid, the sight he had of the fake +map I made won't do him much good. Well, I declare, it's +past four bells. Let's go to breakfast, if you don't mind me +asking you," and with that the captain started off up the +beach, Tom following, his ideas all a whirl at the unlooked- +for outcome of the interview. + + + + +Chapter Ten + +Trial of the Submarine + + +Tom felt such a relief at hearing of Captain Weston's ruse +that his appetite, sharpened by an early breakfast and the +sea air, came to him with a rush, and he had a second +morning meal with the odd sea captain, who chuckled heartily +when he thought of how Mr Berg had been deceived. + +"Yes," resumed Captain Weston, over his bacon and eggs, "I +sized him up for a slick article as soon as I laid eyes on +him. But he evidently misjudged me, if I may be permitted +that term. Oh, well, we may meet again, after we secure the +treasure, and then I can show him the real map of the +location of the wreck." + +"Then you have it?" inquired the lad eagerly. + +Captain Weston nodded, before hiding his face behind a +large cup of coffee; his third, by the way. + +"Let me see it?" asked Tom quickly. The captain set down +his cup. He looked carefully about the hotel dining-room. +There were several guests, who, like himself, were having a +late breakfast. + +"It's a good plan," the sailor said slowly, "when you're +going into unknown waters, and don't want to leave a wake +for the other fellow to follow, to keep your charts locked +up. If it's all the same to you," he added diffidently, "I'd +rather wait until we get to where your father and Mr. Sharp +are before displaying the real map. I've no objection to +showing you the one Mr. Berg saw," and again he chuckled. + +The young inventor blushed at his indiscretion. He felt +that the news of the search for the treasure had leaked out +through him, though he was the one to get on the trail of it +by seeing the article in the paper. Now he had nearly been +guilty of another break. He realized that he must be more +cautious. The captain saw his confusion, and said: + +"I know how it is. You're eager to get under way. I don't +blame you. I was the same myself when I was your age. But +we'll soon be at your place, and then I'll tell you all I +know. Sufficient now, to say that I believe I have located +the wreck within a few miles. I got on the track of a sailor +who had met one of the shipwrecked crew of the Boldero, and +he gave me valuable information. Now tell me about the +craft we are going in. A good deal depends on that." + +Tom hardly knew what to answer. He recalled what Mr. Sharp +had said about not wanting to tell Captain Weston, until +the last moment, that they were going in a submarine, for +fear the old seaman (for he was old in point of service +though not in years) might not care to risk an under-water +trip. Therefore Tom hesitated. Seeing it, Captain Weston +remarked quietly: + +"I mean, what type is your submarine? Does it go by +compressed air, or water power?" + +"How do you know it's a submarine?" asked the young +inventor quickly, and in some confusion. + +"Easy enough. When Mr. Berg thought he was pumping me, I +was getting a lot of information from him. He told me about +the submarine his firm was building, and, naturally, he +mentioned yours. One thing led to another until I got a +pretty good idea of your craft. What do you call it?" + +"The Advance." + +"Good name. I like it, if you don't mind speaking of it." + +"We were afraid you wouldn't like it," commented Tom. + +"What, the name?" + +"No, the idea of going in a submarine." + +"Oh," and Captain Weston laughed. "Well, it takes more +than that to frighten me, if you'll excuse the expression. +I've always had a hankering to go under the surface, after +so many years spent on top. Once or twice I came near going +under, whether I wanted to or not, in wrecks, but I think I +prefer your way. Now, if you're all done, and don't mind me +speaking of it, I think we'll start for your place. We must +hustle, for Berg may yet get on our trail, even if he has +got the wrong route," and he laughed again. + +It was no small relief to Mr Swift and Mr. Sharp to learn +that Captain Weston had no objections to a submarine, as +they feared he might have. The captain, in his diffident +manner, made friends at once with the treasure-hunters, and +he and Mr. Damon struck up quite an acquaintance. Tom told +of his meeting with the seaman, and the latter related, with +much gusto, the story of how he had fooled Mr. Berg. + +"Well, perhaps you'd like to come and take a look at the +craft that is to be our home while we're beneath the water," +suggested Mr. Swift and the sailor assenting, the aged +inventor, with much pride, assisted by Tom, pointed out on +the Advance the features of interest. Captain Weston gave +hearty approval, making one or two minor suggestions, which +were carried out. + +"And so you launch her to-morrow," he concluded, when he +had completed the inspection "Well, I hope it's a success, +if I may be permitted to say so." + +There were busy times around the machine shop next day. So +much secrecy had been maintained that none of the residents, +or visitors to the coast resort, were aware that in their +midst was such a wonderful craft as the submarine. The last +touches were put on the under-water ship; the ways, leading +from the shop to the creek, were well greased, and all was +in readiness for the launching. The tide would soon be at +flood, and then the boat would slide down the timbers (at +least, that was the hope of all), and would float in the +element meant to receive her. It was decided that no one +should be aboard when the launching took place, as there was +an element of risk attached, since it was not known just how +buoyant the craft was. It was expected she would float, +until the filled tanks took her to the bottom, but there was +no telling. + +"It will be flood tide now in ten minutes," remarked +Captain Weston quietly, looking at his watch. Then he took +an observation through the telescope. "No hostile ships +hanging in the offing," he reported. "All is favorable, if +you don't mind me saying so," and he seemed afraid lest his +remark might give offense. + +"Get ready," ordered Mr. Swift. "Tom, see that the ropes +are all clear," for it had been decided to ease the Advance +down into the water by means of strong cables and +windlasses, as the creek was so narrow that the submarine, +if launched in the usual way, would poke her nose into the +opposite mud bank and stick there. + +"All clear," reported the young inventor. + +"High tide!" exclaimed the captain a moment later, +snapping shut his watch. + +"Let go!" ordered Mr. Swift, and the various windlasses +manned by the inventor, Tom and the others began to unwind +their ropes. Slowly the ship slid along the greased ways. +Slowly she approached the water. How anxiously they all +watched her! Nearer and nearer her blunt nose, with the +electric propulsion plate and the auxiliary propeller, came +to the creek, the waters of which were quiet now, awaiting +the turn of the tide. + +Now little waves lapped the steel sides. It was the first +contact of the Advance with her native element. + +"Pay out the rope faster!" cried Mr. Swift. + +The windlasses were turned more quickly Foot by foot the +craft slid along until, with a final rush, the stern left +the ways and the submarine was afloat. Now would come the +test. Would she ride on an even keel, or sink out of sight, +or turn turtle? They all ran to the water's edge, Tom in the +lead. + +"Hurrah!" suddenly yelled the lad, trying to stand on his +head. "She floats! She's a success! Come on! Let's get +aboard!" + +For, true enough, the Advance was riding like a duck on +the water. She had been proportioned just right, and her +lines were perfect. She rode as majestically as did any ship +destined to sail on the surface, and not intended to do +double duty. + +"Come on, we must moor her to the pier," directed Mr. +Sharp. "The tide will turn in a few minutes and take her out +to sea." + +He and Tom entered a small boat, and soon the submarine +was tied to a small dock that had been built for the +purpose. + +"Now to try the engine," suggested Mr. Swift, who was +almost trembling with eagerness; for the completion of the +ship meant much to him. + +"One moment," begged Captain Weston. "If you don't mind, +I'll take an observation," he went on, and he swept the +horizon with his telescope. "All clear," he reported. "I +think we may go aboard and make a trial trip." + +Little time was lost in entering the cabin and engine- +room, Garret Jackson accompanying the party to aid with the +machinery. It did not take long to start the motors, dynamos +and the big gasolene engine that was the vital part of the +craft. A little water was admitted to the tanks for ballast, +since the food and other supplies were not yet on board. The +Advance now floated with the deck aft of the conning tower +showing about two feet above the surface of the creek. Mr. +Swift and Tom entered the pilot house. + +"Start the engines," ordered the aged inventor, "and we'll +try my new system of positive and negative electrical +propulsion." + +There was a hum and whir in the body of the ship beneath +the feet of Tom and his father. Captain Weston stood on the +little deck near the conning tower. + +"All ready?" asked the youth through the +speaking tube to Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jackson in +the engine-room. + +"All ready," came the answer. + +Tom threw over the connecting lever, while his father +grasped the steering wheel. The Advance shot forward, moving +swiftly along, about half submerged. + +"She goes! She goes!" cried Tom + +"She certainly does, if I may be permitted to say so," was +the calm contribution of Captain Weston. "I congratulate +you." + +Faster and faster went the new craft. Mr. Swift headed her +toward the open sea, but stopped just before passing out of +the creek, as he was not yet ready to venture into deep +water. + +"I want to test the auxiliary propellers," he said. After +a little longer trial of the electric propulsion plates, +which were found to work satisfactorily, sending the +submarine up and down the creek at a fast rate, the screws, +such as are used on most submarines, were put into gear. +They did well, but were not equal to the plates, nor was so +much expected of them. + +"I am perfectly satisfied," announced Mr. Swift as he once +more headed the boat to sea. "I think, Captain Weston, you +had better go below now." + +"Why so?" + +"Because I am going to completely submerge the craft. Tom, +close the conning tower door. Perhaps you will come in here +with us, Captain Weston, though it will be rather a tight +fit." + +"Thank you, I will. I want to see how it feels to be in a +pilot house under water." + +Tom closed the water-tight door of the conning tower. Word +was sent through the tube to the engine-room that a more +severe test of the ship was about to be made. The craft was +now outside the line of breakers and in the open sea. + +"Is everything ready, Tom?" asked his father in a quiet +voice. + +"Everything," replied the lad nervously, for the +anticipation of being about to sink below the surface was +telling on them all, even on the calm, old sea captain. + +"Then open the tanks and admit the water," ordered Mr. +Swift. + +His son turned a valve and adjusted some levers. There was +a hissing sound, and the Advance began sinking. She was +about to dive beneath the surface of the ocean, and those +aboard her were destined to go through a terrible experience +before she rose again. + + + + +Chapter Eleven + +On the Ocean Bed + + +Lower and lower sank the submarine. There was a swirling +and foaming of the water as she went down, caused by the air +bubbles which the craft carried with her in her descent. +Only the top of the conning tower was out of water now, the +ocean having closed over the deck and the rounded back of +the boat. Had any one been watching they would have imagined +that an accident was taking place. + +In the pilot house, with its thick glass windows, Tom, his +father and Captain Weston looked over the surface of the +ocean, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer to +them. + +"We'll be all under in a few seconds," spoke Tom in a +solemn voice, as he listened to the water hissing into the +tanks. + +"Yes, and then we can see what sort of progress we will +make," added Mr. Swift. "Everything is going fine, though," +he went on cheerfully. "I believe I have a good boat." + +"There is no doubt of it in my mind," remarked Captain +Weston, and Tom felt a little disappointed that the sailor +did not shout out some such expression as "Shiver my +timbers!" or "Keel-haul the main braces, there, you lubber!" +But Captain Weston was not that kind of a sailor, though his +usually quiet demeanor could be quickly dropped on +necessity, as Tom learned later. + +A few minutes more and the waters closed over the top of +the conning tower. The Advance was completely submerged. +Through the thick glass windows of the pilot house the +occupants looked out into the greenish water that swirled +about them; but it could not enter. Then, as the boat went +lower, the light from above gradually died out, and the +semi-darkness gave place to gloom. + +"Turn on the electrics and the searchlight, Tom," directed +his father. + +There was the click of a switch, and the conning tower was +flooded with light. But as this had the effect of +preventing the three from peering out into the water, just +as one in a lighted room cannot look out into the night, Tom +shut them off and switched on the great searchlight. This +projected its powerful beams straight ahead and there, under +the ocean, was a pathway of illumination for the treasure- +seekers. + +"Fine!" cried Captain Weston, with more enthusiasm than he +had yet manifested. "That's great, if you don't mind me +mentioning it. How deep are we?" + +Tom glanced at a gage on the side of the pilot tower. + +"Only about sixty feet," he answered. + +"Then don't go any deeper!" cried the captain hastily. "I +know these waters around here, and that's about all the +depth you've got. You'll be on the bottom in a minute." + +"I intend to get on the bottom after a while," said Mr. +Swift, "but not here. I want to try for a greater distance +under water before I come to rest on the ocean's bed. But I +think we are deep enough for a test. Tom, close the tank +intake pipes and we'll see how the Advance will progress +when fully submerged." + +The hissing stopped, and then, wishing to see how the +motors and other machinery would work, the aged inventor and +his son, accompanied by Captain Weston, descended from the +conning tower, by means of an inner stairway, to the +interior of the ship. The submarine could be steered and +managed from below or above. She was now floating about +sixty-five feet below the surface of the bay. + +"Well, how do you like it?" asked Tom of Mr. Damon, as he +saw his friend in an easy chair in the living-room or main +cabin of the craft, looking out of one of the plate-glass +windows on the side. + +"Bless my spectacles, it's the most wonderful thing I ever +dreamed of!" cried the queer character, as he peered at the +mass of water before him. "To think that I'm away down under +the surface, and yet as dry as a bone. Bless my necktie, but +it's great! What are we going to do now?" + +"Go forward," replied the young inventor. + +"Perhaps I had better make an observation," suggested +Captain Weston, taking his telescope from under his arm, +where he had carried it since entering the craft, and +opening it. "We may run afoul of something, if you don't +mind me mentioning such a disagreeable subject." Then, as he +thought of the impossibility of using his glass under water, +he closed it. + +"I shall have little use for this here, I'm afraid," he +remarked with a smile. "Well, there's some consolation. +We're not likely to meet many ships in this part of the +ocean. Other vessels are fond enough of remaining on the +surface. I fancy we shall have the depths to ourselves, +unless we meet a Government submarine, and they are hardly +able to go as deep as we can. No, I guess we won't run into +anything and I can put this glass away." + +"Unless we run into Berg and his crowd," suggested Tom in +a low voice. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Captain Weston, for he did not want Mr. +Swift to worry over the unscrupulous agent. "No, I don't +believe we'll meet them, Tom. I guess Berg is trying to work +out the longitude and latitude I gave him. I wish I could +see his face when he realizes that he's been deceived by +that fake map." + +"Well, I hope he doesn't discover it too soon and trail +us," went on the lad. "But they're going to start the +machinery now. I suppose you and I had better take charge of +the steering of the craft. Dad will want to be in the +engine-room." + +"All right," replied the captain, and he moved forward +with the lad to a small compartment, shut off from the +living-room, that served as a pilot house when the conning +tower was not used. The same levers, wheels and valves were +there as up above, and the submarine could be managed as +well from there as from the other place. + +"Is everything all right?" asked Mr Swift as he went into +the engine-room, where Garret Jackson and Mr. Sharp were +busy with oil cans. + +"Everything," replied the balloonist. "Are you going to +start now?" + +"Yes, we're deep enough for a speed trial. We'll go out to +sea, however, and try for a lower depth record, as soon as +there's enough water. Start the engine." + +A moment later the powerful electric currents were flowing +into the forward and aft plates, and the Advance began to +gather way, forging through the water. + +"Straight ahead, out to sea, Tom," called his father to +him. + +"Aye, aye, sir," responded the youth. + +"Ha! Quite seaman-like, if you don't mind a reference to +it," commented Captain Weston with a smile. "Mind your helm, +boy, for you don't want to poke her nose into a mud bank, or +run up on a shoal." + +"Suppose you steer?" suggested the lad. "I'd rather take +lessons for a while." + +"All right. Perhaps it will be safer. I know these waters +from the top, though I can't say as much for the bottom. +However, I know where the shoals are." + +The powerful searchlight was turned, so as to send its +beams along the path which the submarine was to follow, and +then, as she gathered speed, she shot ahead, gliding through +the waters like a fish. + +Mr. Damon divided his time between the forward pilot-room, +the living-apartment, and the place where Mr. Swift, Garret +Jackson and Mr. Sharp were working over the engines. Every +few minutes he would bless some part of himself, his +clothing, or the ship. Finally the old man settled down to +look through the plate-glass windows in the main apartment. + +On and on went the submarine. She behaved perfectly, and +was under excellent control. Some times Tom, at the request +of his father, would send her toward the surface by means of +the deflecting rudder. Then she would dive to the bottom +again. Once, as a test, she was sent obliquely to the +surface, her tower just emerging, and then she darted +downward again, like a porpoise that had come up to roll +over, and suddenly concluded to seek the depths. In fact, +had any one seen the maneuver they would have imagined the +craft was a big fish disporting itself. + +Captain Weston remained at Tom's side, giving him +instructions, and watching the compass in order to direct +the steering so as to avoid collisions. For an hour or more +the craft was sent almost straight ahead at medium speed. +Then Mr. Swift, joining his son and the captain, remarked: + +"How about depth of water here, Captain Weston?" + +"You've got more than a mile." + +"Good! Then I'm going down to the bottom of the sea! Tom, +fill the tanks still more. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the lad gaily. "Now for a new +experience!" + +"And use the deflecting rudder, also," advised his father. +"That will hasten matters." + +Five minutes later there was a slight jar noticeable. + +"Bless my soul! What's that?" cried Mr. Damon. "Have we +hit something?" + +"Yes," answered Tom with a smile. + +"What, for gracious sake?" + +"The bottom of the sea. We're on the bed of the ocean." + + + + +Chapter Twelve + +For a Breath of Air + + +They could hardly realize it, yet the depth-gage told the +story. It registered a distance below the surface of the +ocean of five thousand seven hundred feet--a little over a +mile. The Advance had actually come to rest on the bottom of +the Atlantic. + +"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Let's get on the diving suits, dad, +and walk about on land under water for a change." + +"No," said Mr. Swift soberly. "We will hardly have time +for that now. Besides, the suits are not yet fitted with the +automatic air-tanks, and we can't use them. There are still +some things to do before we start on our treasure cruise. +But I want to see how the plates are standing this +pressure." + +The Advance was made with a triple hull, the spaces +between the layers of plates being filled with a secret +material, capable of withstanding enormous pressure, as were +also the plates themselves. Mr. Swift, aided by Mr. Jackson +and Captain Weston, made a thorough examination, and found +that not a drop of water had leaked in, nor was there the +least sign that any of the plates had given way under the +terrific strain. + +"She's as tight as a drum, if you will allow me to make +that comparison," remarked Captain Weston modestly. "I +couldn't ask for a dryer ship." + +"Well, let's take a look around by means the searchlight +and the observation windows, and then we'll go back," +suggested Mr. Swift. "It will take about two days to get the +stores and provisions aboard and rig up the diving suits; +then we will start for the sunken treasure." + +There were several powerful searchlights on the Advance, +so arranged that the bow, stern or either side could be +illuminated independently. There were also observation +windows near each light. + +In turn the powerful rays were cast first at the bow and +then aft. In the gleams could be seen the sandy bed of the +ocean, covered with shells of various kinds. Great crabs +walked around on their long, jointed legs, and Tom saw some +lobsters that would have brought joy to the heart of a +fisherman. + +"Look at the big fish!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly, and he +pointed to some dark, shadowy forms that swam up to the +glass windows, evidently puzzled by the light. + +"Porpoises," declared Captain Weston briefly, "a whole +school of them." + +The fish seemed suddenly to multiply, and soon those in +the submarine felt curious tremors running through the whole +craft. + +"The fish are rubbing up against it," cried Tom. "They +must think we came down here to allow them to scratch their +backs on the steel plates." + +For some time they remained on the bottom, watching the +wonderful sight of the fishes that swam all about them. + +"Well, I think we may as well rise," announced Mr. Swift, +after they had been on the bottom about an hour, moving here +and there. "We didn't bring any provisions, and I'm getting +hungry, though I don't know how the others of you feel about +it." + +"Bless my dinner-plate, I could eat, too!" cried Mr. +Damon. "Go up, by all means. We'll get enough of under-water +travel once we start for the treasure." + +"Send her up, Tom," called his father. "I Want to make a +few notes on some needed changes and improvements." + +Tom entered the lower pilot house, and turned the valve +that opened the tanks. He also pulled the lever that started +the pumps, so that the water ballast would be more quickly +emptied, as that would render the submarine buoyant, and she +would quickly shoot to the surface. To the surprise of the +lad, however, there followed no outrushing of the water. The +Advance remained stationary on the ocean bed. Mr. Swift +looked up from his notes. + +"Didn't you hear me ask you to send her up, Tom?" he +inquired mildly. + +"I did, dad, but something seems to be the matter," was +the reply. + +"Matter? What do you mean?" and the aged inventor hastened +to where his son and Captain Weston were at the wheels, +valves and levers. + +"Why, the tanks won't empty, and the pumps don't seem to +work." + +"Let me try," suggested Mr. Swift, and he pulled the +various handles. There was no corresponding action of the +machinery. + +"That's odd," he remarked in a curious voice "Perhaps +something has gone wrong with the connections. Go look in +the engine-room, and ask Mr. Sharp if everything is all +right there." + +Tom made a quick trip, returning to report that the +dynamos, motors and gas engine were running perfectly. + +"Try to work the tank levers and pumps from the conning +tower," suggested Captain Weston. "Sometimes I've known the +steam steering gear to play tricks like that." + +Tom hurried up the circular stairway into the tower. He +pulled the levers and shifted the valves and wheels there. +But there was no emptying of the water tanks. The weight and +pressure of water in them still held the submarine on the +bottom of the sea, more than a mile from the surface. The +pumps in the engine-room were working at top speed, but +there was evidently something wrong in the connections. +Mr. Swift quickly came to this conclusion. + +"We must repair it at once," he said. "Tom, come to the +engine-room. You and I, with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharp, will +soon have it in shape again." + +"Is there any danger?" asked Mr. Damon in a perturbed +voice. "Bless my soul, it's unlucky to have an accident on +our trial trip." + +"Oh, we must expect accidents," declared Mr. Swift with a +smile. "This is nothing." + +But it proved to be more difficult than he had imagined +to re-establish the connection between the pumps and the +tanks. The valves, too, had clogged or jammed, and as the +pressure outside the ship was so great, the water would not +run out of itself. It must be forced. + +For an hour or more the inventor, his son and the others, +worked away. They could accomplish nothing. Tom looked +anxiously at his parent when the latter paused in his +efforts. + +"Don't worry," advised the aged inventor. "It's got to +come right sooner or later." + +Just then Mr. Damon, who had been wandering about the +ship, entered the engine-room. + +"Do you know," he said, "you ought to open a window, or +something." + +"Why, what's the matter?" asked Tom quickly, looking to +see if the odd man was joking. + +"Well, of course I don't exactly mean a window," explained +Mr. Damon, "but we need fresh air." + +"Fresh air!" There was a startled note in Mr. Swift's +voice as he repeated the words. + +"Yes, I can hardly breathe in the living-room, and it's +not much better here." + +"Why, there ought to be plenty of fresh air," went on the +inventor. "It is renewed automatically." + +Tom jumped up and looked at an indicator. He uttered a +startled cry. + +"The air hasn't been changed in the last hour!" he +exclaimed. "It is bad. There's not enough oxygen in it. I +notice it, now that I've stopped working. The gage indicates +it, too. The automatic air-changer must have stopped +working. I'll fix it." + +He hurried to the machine which was depended on to supply +fresh air to the submarine. + +"Why, the air tanks are empty!" the young inventor cried. +"We haven't any more air except what is in the ship now!" + +"And we're rapidly breathing that up," added Captain +Weston solemnly. + +"Can't you make more?" cried Mr. Damon. "I thought you +said you could make oxygen aboard the ship." + +"We can," answered Mr. Swift, "but I did not bring along a +supply of the necessary chemicals. I did not think we would +be submerged long enough for that. But there should have +been enough in the reserve tank to last several days. How +about it, Tom?" + +"It's all leaked out, or else it wasn't filled," was the +despairing answer. "All the air we have is what's in the +ship, and we can't make more." + +The treasure-seekers looked at each other. It was an awful +situation. + +"Then the only thing to do is to fix the machinery and +rise to the surface," said Mr. Sharp simply. "We can have +all the air we want, then." + +"Yes, but the machinery doesn't seem possible of being +fixed," spoke Tom in a low voice. + +"We must do it!" cried his father. + +They set to work again with fierce energy, laboring for +their very lives. They all knew that they could not long +remain in the ship without oxygen. Nor could they desert it +to go to the surface, for the moment they left the +protection of the thick steel sides the terrible pressure of +the water would kill them. Nor were the diving suits +available. They must stay in the craft and die a miserable +death-unless the machinery could be repaired and the Advance +sent to the surface. The emergency expanding lifting tank +was not yet in working order. + +More frantically they toiled, trying every device that was +suggested to the mechanical minds of Tom, his father, Mr. +Sharp or Mr. Jackson, to make the pumps work. But something +was wrong. More and more foul grew the air. They were +fairly gasping now. It was difficult to breathe, to say +nothing of working, in that atmosphere. The thought of their +terrible position was in the minds of all. + +"Oh, for one breath of fresh air!" cried Mr. Damon, who +seemed to suffer more than any of the others. Grim death was +hovering around them, imprisoned as they were on the ocean's +bed, over a mile from the surface. + + + + +Chapter Thirteen + +Off for the Treasure + + +Suddenly Tom, after a moment's pause, seized a wrench and +began loosening some nuts. + +"What are you doing?" asked his father faintly, for he was +being weakened by the vitiated atmosphere. + +"I'm going to take this valve apart," replied his son. "We +haven't looked there for the trouble. Maybe it's out of +order." + +He attacked the valve with energy, but his hands soon +lagged. The lack of oxygen was telling on him. He could no +longer work quickly. + +"I'll help," murmured Mr. Sharp thickly. He took a wrench, +but no sooner had he loosened one nut than he toppled over. +"I'm all in," he murmured feebly. + +"Is he dead?" cried Mr. Damon, himself gasping. + +"No, only fainted. But he soon will be dead, and so will +all of us, if we don't get fresh air," remarked Captain +Weston. "Lie down on the floor, every one. There is a little +fairly good air there. It's heavier than the air we've +breathed, and we can exist on it for a little longer. Poor +Sharp was so used to breathing the rarified air of high +altitudes that he can't stand this heavy atmosphere." + +Mr. Damon was gasping worse than ever, and so was Mr. +Swift. The balloonist lay an inert heap on the floor, with +Captain Weston trying to force a few drops of stimulant down +his throat. + +With a fierce determination in his heart, but with fingers +that almost refused to do his bidding, Tom once more sought +to open the big valve. He felt sure the trouble was located +there, as they had tried to locate it in every other place +without avail. + +"I'll help," said Mr. Jackson in a whisper. He, too, was +hardly able to move. + +More and more devoid of oxygen grew the air. It gave Tom a +sense as if his head was filled, and ready to burst with +every breath he drew. Still he struggled to loosen the nuts. +There were but four more now, and he took off three while +Mr. Jackson removed one. The young inventor lifted off the +valve cover, though it felt like a ton weight to him. He +gave a glance inside. + +"Here's the trouble!" he murmured. "The valve's clogged. +No wonder it wouldn't work. The pumps couldn't force the +water out." + +It was the work of only a minute to adjust the valve. Then +Tom and the engineer managed to get the cover back on. + +How they inserted the bolts and screwed the nuts in place +they never could remember clearly afterward, but they +managed it somehow, with shaking, trembling hands and eyes +that grew more and more dim. + +"Now start the pumps!" cried Tom faintly. "The tanks will +be emptied, and we can get to the surface." + +Mr. Sharp was still unconscious, nor was Mr. Swift able to +help. He lay with his eyes closed. Garret Jackson, however, +managed to crawl to the engine-room, and soon the clank of +machinery told Tom that the pumps were in motion. The lad +staggered to the pilot house and threw the levers over. An +instant later there was the hissing of water as it rushed +from the ballast tanks. The submarine shivered, as though +disliking to leave the bottom of the sea, and then slowly +rose. As the pumps worked more rapidly, and the sea was sent +from the tank in great volumes, the boat fairly shot to the +surface. Tom was ready to open the conning tower and let in +fresh air as soon as the top was above the surface. + +With a bound the Advance reached the top. Tom frantically +worked the worm gear that opened the tower. In rushed the +fresh, life-giving air, and the treasure-hunters filled +their lungs with it. + +And it was only just in time, for Mr. Sharp was almost +gone. He quickly revived, as did the others, when they could +breathe as much as they wished of the glorious oxygen. + +"That was a close call," commented Mr. Swift. "We'll not +go below again until I have provided for all emergencies. I +should have seen to the air tanks and the expanding one +before going below. We'll sail home on the surface now." + +The submarine was put about and headed for her dock. On +the way she passed a small steamer, and the passengers +looked down in wonder at the strange craft. + +When the Advance reached the secluded creek where she had +been launched, her passengers had fully recovered from their +terrible experience, though the nerves of Mr. Swift and Mr. +Damon were not at ease for some days thereafter. + +"I should never have made a submerged test without making +sure that we had a reserve supply of air," remarked the aged +inventor. "I will not be caught that way again. But I can't +understand how the pump valve got out of order." + +"Maybe some one tampered with it," suggested Mr. Damon. +"Could Andy Foger, any of the Happy Harry gang, or the rival +gold-seekers have done it?" + +"I hardly think so," answered Tom. "The place has been too +carefully guarded since Berg and Andy once sneaked in. I +think it was just an accident, but I have thought of a plan +whereby such accidents can be avoided in the future. It +needs a simple device." + +"Better patent it," suggested Mr. Sharp with a smile. + +"Maybe I will," replied the young inventor. "But not now. +We haven't time, if we intend to get fitted out for our +trip." + +"No; I should say the sooner we started the better," +remarked Captain Weston. "That is, if you don't mind me +speaking about it," he added gently, and the others smiled, +for his diffident comments were only a matter of habit. + +The first act of the adventurers, after tying the +submarine at the dock, was to proceed with the loading of +the food and supplies. Tom and Mr. Damon looked to this, +while Mr. Swift and Mr. Sharp made some necessary changes to +the machinery. The next day the young inventor attached his +device to the pump valve, and the loading of the craft was +continued. + +All was in readiness for the gold-seeking expedition a +week later. Captain Weston had carefully charted the route +they were to follow, and it was decided to move along on the +surface for the first day, so as to get well out to sea +before submerging the craft. Then it would sink below the +surface, and run along under the water until the wreck was +reached, rising at times, as needed, to renew the air +supply. + +With sufficient stores and provisions aboard to last +several months, if necessary, though they did not expect to +be gone more than sixty days at most, the adventurers arose +early one morning and went down to the dock. Mr. Jackson was +not to accompany them. He did not care about a submarine +trip, he said, and Mr. Swift desired him to remain at the +seaside cottage and guard the shops, which contained much +valuable machinery. The airship was also left there. + +"Well, are we all ready?" asked Mr. Swift of the little +party of gold-seekers, as they were about to enter the +conning tower hatchway of the submarine. + +"All ready, dad," responded his son. + +"Then let's get aboard," proposed Captain Weston. "But +first let me take an observation." + +He swept the horizon with his telescope, and Tom noticed +that the sailor kept it fixed on one particular spot for +some time. + +"Did you see anything?" asked the lad. + +"Well, there is a boat lying off there," was the answer. +"And some one is observing us through a glass. But I don't +believe it matters. Probably they're only trying to see what +sort of an odd fish we are." + +"All aboard, then," ordered Mr. Swift, and they went into +the submarine. Tom and his father, with Captain Weston, +remained in the conning tower. The signal was given, the +electricity flowed into the forward and aft plates, and the +Advance shot ahead on the surface. + +The sailor raised his telescope once more and peered +through a window in the tower. He uttered an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"That other ship--a small steamer--is weighing anchor and +seems to be heading this way," was the reply. + +"Maybe it's some one hired by Berg to follow us and trace +our movements," suggested Tom. + +"If it is we'll fool them," added his father. "Just keep +an eye on them, captain, and I think we can show them a +trick or two in a few minutes." + +Faster shot the Advance through the water. She had started +on her way to get the gold from the sunken wreck, but +already enemies were on the trail of the adventurers, for +the ship the sailor had noticed was steaming after them. + + + + +Chapter Fourteen + +In the Diving Suits + + +There was no doubt that the steamer was coming after the +submarine. Several observations Captain Weston made +confirmed this, and he reported the fact to Mr. Swift. + +"Well, we'll change our plans, then," said the inventor. +"Instead of sailing on the surface we'll go below. But first +let them get near so they may have the benefit of seeing +what we do. Tom, go below, please, and tell Mr. Sharp to get +every thing in readiness for a quick descent. We'll slow up +a bit now, and let them get nearer to us." + +The speed of the submarine was reduced, and in a short +time the strange steamer had overhauled her, coming to +within hailing distance. + +Mr. Swift signaled for the machinery to stop and the +submarine came to a halt on the surface, bobbing about like +a half-submerged bottle. The inventor opened a bull's-eye in +the tower, and called to a man on the bridge of the steamer: + +"What are you following us for?" + +"Following you?" repeated the man, for the strange vessel +had also come to a stop. "We're not following you." + +"It looks like it," replied Mr. Swift. "You'd better give +it up." + +"I guess the waters are free," was the quick retort. +"We'll follow you if we like." + +"Will you? Then come on!" cried the inventor as he quickly +closed the heavy glass window and pulled a lever. An instant +later the submarine began to sink, and Mr. Swift could not +help laughing as, just before the tower went under water, he +had a glimpse of the astonished face of the man on the +bridge. The latter had evidently not expected such a move as +that. + +Lower and lower in the water went the craft, until it was +about two hundred feet below the surface. Then Mr. Swift +left the conning tower, descended to the main part of the +ship, and asked Tom and Captain Weston to take charge of the +pilot house. + +"Send her ahead, Tom," his father said. "That fellow up +above is rubbing his eyes yet, wondering where we are, I +suppose." + +Forward shot the Advance under water, the powerful +electrical plates pulling and pushing her on the way to +secure the sunken gold. + +All that morning a fairly moderate rate of speed was +maintained, as it was thought best not to run the new +machinery too fast. + +Dinner was eaten about a quarter of a mile below the +surface, but no one inside the submarine would ever have +known it. Electric lights made the place as brilliant as +could be desired, and the food, which Tom and Mr. Damon +prepared, was equal to any that could have been served on +land. After the meal they opened the shutters over the +windows in the sides of the craft, and looked at the myriads +of fishes swimming past, as the creatures were disclosed in +the glare of the searchlight. + +That night they were several hundred miles on their +journey, for the craft was speedy, and leaving Tom and +Captain Weston to take the first watch, the others went to +bed. + +"Bless my soul, but it does seem odd, though, to go to bed +under water, like a fish," remarked Mr. Damon. "If my wife +knew this she would worry to death. She thinks I'm off +automobiling. But this isn't half as dangerous as riding in +a car that's always getting out of order. A submarine for +mine, every time." + +"Wait until we get to the end of this trip," advised Tom. +"I guess you'll find almost as many things can happen in a +submarine as can in an auto," and future events were to +prove the young inventor to be right. + +Everything worked well that night, and the ship made good +progress. They rose to the surface the next morning to make +sure of their position, and to get fresh air, though they +did not really need the latter, as the reserve supply had +not been drawn on, and was sufficient for several days, now +that the oxygen machine had been put in running order. + +On the second day the ship was sent to the bottom and +halted there, as Mr. Swift wished to try the new diving +suits. These were made of a new, light, but very strong +metal to withstand the pressure of a great depth. + +Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the +others agreeing to wait until they saw how the first trial +resulted. Then, too, it was necessary for some one +acquainted with the machinery to remain in the ship to +operate the door and water chamber through which the divers +had to pass to get out. + +The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting +the three out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea. +They entered a chamber in the side of the submarine, water +was gradually admitted until it equaled in pressure that +outside, then an outer door was opened by means of levers, +and they could step out. + +It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel +that they were actually walking along the bed of the ocean. +All around them was the water, and as they turned on the +small electric lights in their helmets, which lights were +fed by storage batteries fastened to the diving suits, they +saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them, doubtless +astonished at the odd creatures which had entered their +domain. On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the +shells and rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and +other odd creatures seldom seen on the surface of the water. +The three divers found no difficulty in breathing, as there +were air tanks fastened to their shoulders, and a constant +supply of oxygen was fed through pipes into the helmets. The +pressure of water did not bother them, and after the first +sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it. At first the +inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he +soon got so he could make signs and motions, and be +understood. + +They walked about for some time, and once the lad came +upon a part of a wrecked vessel buried deep in the sand. +There was no telling what ship it was, nor how long it had +been there, and after silently viewing it, they continued on. + +"It was great!" were the first words Tom uttered when he +and the others were once more inside the submarine and had +removed the suits. "If we can only walk around the wreck of +the Boldero that way, we'll have all the gold out of her in +no time. There are no life-lines nor air-hose to bother with +in these diving suits." + +"They certainly are a success," conceded Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my topknot!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'll try it next +time. I've always wanted to be a diver, and now I have the +chance." + +The trip was resumed after the diving chamber had been +closed, and on the third day Captain Weston announced, after +a look at his chart, that they were nearing the Bahama +Islands. + +"We'll have to be careful not to run into any of the small +keys," he said, that being the name for the many little +points of land, hardly large enough to be dignified by the +name of island. "We must keep a constant lookout." + +Fortune favored them, though once, when Tom was steering, +he narrowly avoided ramming a coral reef with the submarine. +The searchlight showed it to him just in time, and he +sheered off with a thumping in his heart. + +The course was changed from south to east, so as to get +ready to swing out of the way of the big shoulder of South +America where Brazil takes up so much room, and as they went +farther and farther toward the equator, they noticed that +the waters teemed more and more with fish, some beautiful, +some ugly and fear-inspiring, and some such monsters that it +made one shudder to look at them, even through the thick +glass of the bulls-eye windows. + + + + +Chapter Fifteen + +At the Tropical Island + + +It was on the evening of the fourth day later that Captain +Weston, who was steering the craft, suddenly called out: + +"Land ho!" + +"Where away?" inquired Tom quickly, for he had read that +this was the proper response to make. + +"Dead ahead," answered the sailor with a smile. "Shall we +make for it, if I may be allowed the question?" + +"What land is it likely to be?" Mr. Swift wanted to know. + +"Oh, some small tropical island," replied the seafaring +man. "It isn't down on the charts. Probably it's too small +to note. I should say it was a coral island, but we may be +able to find a Spring of fresh water there, and some fruit." + +"Then we'll land there," decided the inventor. "We can use +some fresh water, though our distilling and ice apparatus +does very well." + +They made the island just at dusk, and anchored in a +little lagoon, where there was a good depth of water. + +"Now for shore!" cried Tom, as the submarine swung around +on the chain. "It looks like a fine place. I hope there are +cocoanuts and oranges here. Shall I get out the electric +launch, dad?" + +"Yes, you may, and we'll all go ashore. It will do us good +to stretch our legs a bit." + +Carried in a sort of pocket on the deck of the submarine +was a small electric boat, capable of holding six. It could +be slid from the pocket, or depression, into the water +without the use of davits, and, with Mr. Sharp to aid him, +Tom soon had the little craft afloat. The batteries were +already charged, and just as the sun was going down the +gold-seekers entered the launch and were soon on shore. + +They found a good spring of water close at hand, and Tom's +wish regarding the cocoanuts was realized, though there were +no oranges. The lad took several of the delicious nuts, and +breaking them open poured the milk into a collapsible cup he +carried, drinking it eagerly. The others followed his +example, and pronounced it the best beverage they had tasted +in a long time. + +The island was a typical tropical one, not very large, and +it did not appear to have been often visited by man. There +were no animals to be seen, but myriads of birds flew here +and there amid the trees, the trailing vines and streamers +of moss. + +"Let's spend a day here to-morrow and explore it," +proposed Tom, and his father nodded an assent. They went +back to the submarine as night was beginning to gather, and +in the cabin, after supper, talked over the happenings of +their trip so far. + +"Do you think we'll have any trouble getting +the gold out of the wrecked vessel?" asked Tom of Captain +Weston, after a pause. + +"Well, it's hard to say. I couldn't learn just how the +wreck lays, whether it's on a sandy or a rocky bottom. If +the latter, it won't be so hard, but if the sand has worked +in and partly covered it, we'll have some difficulties, if I +may be permitted to say so. However, don't borrow trouble. +We're not there yet, though at the rate we're traveling it +won't be long before we arrive." + +No watch was set that night, as it was not considered +necessary. Tom was the first to arise in the morning, and he +went out on the deck for a breath of fresh air before +breakfast. + +He looked off at the beautiful little island, and as his +eye took in all of the little lagoon where the submarine was +anchored he uttered a startled cry. + +And well he might, for, not a hundred yards away, and +nearer to the island than was the Advance, floated another +craft--another craft, almost similar in shape and size to +the one built by the Swifts. Tom rubbed his eyes to make +sure he was not seeing double. No, there could be no mistake +about it. There was another submarine at the tropical +island. + +As he looked, some one emerged from the conning tower of +the second craft. The figure seemed strangely familiar. Tom +knew in a moment who it was--Addison Berg. The agent saw the +lad, too, and taking off his cap and making a mocking bow, +he called out: + +"Good morning! Have you got the gold yet?" + +Tom did not know what to answer. Seeing the other +submarine, at an island where he had supposed they would not +be disturbed, was disconcerting enough, but to be greeted by +Berg was altogether too much, Tom thought. His fears that +the rival boat builders would follow had not been without +foundation. + +"Rather surprised to see us, aren't you?" went on Mr. +Berg, smiling. + +"Rather," admitted Tom, choking over the word. + +"Thought you'd be," continued Berg. "We didn't expect to +meet you so soon, but we're glad we did. I don't altogether +like hunting for sunken treasure, with such indefinite +directions as I have." + +"You--are going to--" stammered Tom, and then he concluded +it would be best not to say anything. But his talk had been +heard inside the submarine. His father came to the foot of +the conning tower stairway. + +"To whom are you speaking, Tom?" he asked. + +"They're here, dad," was the youth's answer. + +"Here? Who are here?" + +"Berg and his employers. They've followed us, dad." + + + + +Chapter Sixteen + +"We'll Race You For It" + + +Mr. Swift hurried up on deck. He was accompanied by +Captain Weston. At the sight of Tom's father, Mr. Berg, who +had been joined by' two other men, called out: + +"You see we also concluded to give up the trial for the +Government prize, Mr. Swift. We decided there was more money +in something else. But we still will have a good chance to +try the merits of our respective boats. We hurried and got +ours fitted up almost as soon as you did yours, and I think +we have the better craft." + +"I don't care to enter into any competition with you," +said Mr. Swift coldly. + +"Ah, but I'm afraid you'll have to, whether you want to or +not," was the insolent reply. + +"What's that? Do you mean to force this matter upon me?" + +"I'm afraid I'll have to--my employers and I, that is. You +see, we managed to pick up your trail after you left the +Jersey coast, having an idea where you were bound, and we +don't intend to lose you now." + +"Do you mean to follow us?" asked Captain Weston softly. + +"Well, you can put it that way if you like," answered one +of the two men with Mr. Berg. + +"I forbid it!" cried Mr. Swift hotly. "You have no right +to sneak after us." + +"I guess the ocean is free," continued the rascally agent. + +"Why do you persist in keeping after us?" inquired the +aged inventor, thinking it well to ascertain, if possible, +just how much the men knew. + +"Because we're after that treasure as well as you," was +the bold reply. "You have no exclusive right to it. The +sunken ship is awaiting the first comer, and whoever gets +there first can take the gold from the wreck. We intend to +be there first, but we'll be fair with you." + +"Fair? What do you mean?" demanded Tom. + +"This: We'll race you for it. The first one to arrive will +have the right to search the wreck for the gold bullion. Is +that fair? Do you agree to it?" + +"We agree to nothing with you," interrupted Captain +Weston, his usual diffident manner all gone. "I happen to be +in partial command of this craft, and I warn you that if I +find you interfering with us it won't be healthy for you. +I'm not fond of fighting, but when I begin I don't like to +stop," and he smiled grimly. "You'd better not follow us." + +"We'll do as we please," shouted the third member of the +trio on the deck of the other boat, which, as Tom could see, +was named the Wonder. "We intend to get that gold if we +can." + +"All right. I've warned you," went on the sailor, and +then, motioning to Tom and his father to follow, he went +below. + +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Mr. Swift when they were +seated in the living-room, and had informed the others of +the presence of the rival submarine. + +"The only thing I see to do is to sneak away unobserved, +go as deep as possible, and make all haste for the wreck," +advised the captain. "They will depend on us, for they have +evidently no chart of the wreck, though of course the +general location of it may be known to them from reading the +papers. I hoped I had thrown them off the track by the false +chart I dropped, but it seems they were too smart for us." + +"Have they a right to follow us?" asked Tom. + +"Legally, but not morally. We can't prevent them, I'm +afraid. The only thing to do is to get there ahead of them. +It will be a race for the sunken treasure, and we must get +there first." + +"What do you propose doing, captain?" asked Mr. Damon. +"Bless my shirt-studs, but can't we pull their ship up on +the island and leave it there?" + +"I'm afraid such high-handed proceedings would hardly +answer," replied Mr. Swift. "No, as Captain Weston says, we +must get there ahead of them. What do you think will be the +best scheme, captain?" + +"Well, there's no need for us to forego our plan to get +fresh water. Suppose we go to the island, that is, some of +us, leaving a guard on board here. We'll fill our tanks with +fresh water, and at night we'll quietly sink below the +surface and speed away." + +They all voted that an excellent idea, and little time was +lost putting it into operation. + +All the remainder of that day not a sign of life was +visible about the Wonder. She lay inert on the surface of +the lagoon, not far away from the Advance; but, though no +one showed himself on the deck, Tom and his friends had no +doubt but that their enemies were closely watching them. + +As dusk settled down over The tropical sea, and as the +shadows of the trees on the little island lengthened, those +on board the Advance closed the Conning tower. No lights +were turned on, as they did not want their movements to be +seen, but Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp took their positions +near the various machines and apparatus, ready to open the +tanks and let the submarine sink to the bottom, as soon as +it was possible to do this unobserved. + +"Luckily there's no moon," remarked Captain Weston, as he +took his place beside Tom. "Once below the surface and we +can defy them to find us. It is odd how they traced us, but +I suppose that steamer gave them the clue." + +It rapidly grew dark, as it always does in the tropics, +and when a cautious observation from the conning tower did +not disclose the outlines of the other boat, those aboard +the Advance rightly concluded that their rivals were unable +to see them. + +"Send her down, Tom," called his father, and with a hiss +the water entered the tanks. The submarine quickly sank +below the surface, aided by the deflecting rudder. + +But alas for the hopes of the gold-seekers. No sooner was +she completely submerged, with the engine started so as to +send her out of the lagoon and to the open sea, than the +waters all about were made brilliant by the phosphorescent +phenomenon. In southern waters this frequently occurs. +Millions of tiny creatures, which, it is said, swarm in the +warm currents, give an appearance of fire to the ocean, and +any object moving through it can plainly be seen. It was so +with the Advance. The motion she made in shooting forward, +and the undulations caused by her submersion, seemed to +start into activity the dormant phosphorus, and the +submarine was afloat in a sea of fire. + +"Quick!" cried Tom. "Speed her up! Maybe we can get out of +this patch of water before they see us." + +But it was too late. Above them they could hear the +electric siren of the Wonder as it was blown to let them +know that their escape had been noticed. A moment later the +water, which acted as a sort of sounding-board, or +telephone, brought to the ears of Tom Swift and his friends +the noise of the engines of the other craft in operation. +She was coming after them. The race for the possession of +three hundred thousand dollars in gold was already under +way. Fate seemed against those on board the Advance. + + + + +Chapter Seventeen + +The Race + + +Directed by Captain Weston, who glanced at the compass and +told him which way to steer to clear the outer coral reef, +Tom sent the submarine ahead, signaling for full speed to +the engine-room, where his father and Mr. Sharp were. The +big dynamos purred like great cats, as they sent the +electrical energy into the forward and aft plates, pulling +and pushing the Advance forward. On and on she rushed under +water, but ever as she shot ahead the disturbance in the +phosphorescent water showed her position plainly. She would +be easy to follow. + +"Can't you get any more speed out of her?" asked the +captain of the lad. + +"Yes," was the quick reply; "by using the auxiliary screws +I think we can. I'll try it." + +He signaled for the propellers, forward and aft, to be put +in operation, and the motor moving the twin screws was +turned on. At once there was a perceptible increase to the +speed of the Advance. + +"Are we leaving them behind?" asked Tom anxiously, as he +glanced at the speed gage, and noted that the submarine was +now about five hundred feet below the surface. + +"Hard to tell," replied the Captain. "You'd have to take +an observation to make sure." + +"I'll do it," cried the youth. "You steer, please, and +I'll go in the conning tower. I can look forward and aft +there, as well as straight up. Maybe I can see the Wonder." + +Springing up the circular ladder leading into the tower, +Tom glanced through the windows all about the small pilot +house. He saw a curious sight. It was as if the submarine +was in a sea of yellowish liquid fire. She was immersed in +water which glowed with the flames that contained no heat. +So light was it, in fact, that there was no need of the +incandescents in the tower. The young inventor could have +seen to read a paper by the illumination of the phosphorus. +But he had something else to do than observe this +phenomenon. He wanted to see if he could catch sight of the +rival submarine. + +At first he could make out nothing save the swirl and +boiling of the sea, caused by the progress of the Advance +through it. But suddenly, as he looked up, he was aware of +some great, black body a little to the rear and about ten +feet above his craft. + +"A shark!" he exclaimed aloud. "An immense one, too." + +But the closer he looked the less it seemed like a shark. +The position of the black object changed. It appeared to +settle down, to be approaching the top of the conning tower. +Then, with a suddenness that unnerved him for the time +being, Tom recognized what it was; it was the underside of a +ship. He could see the plates riveted together, and then, as +be noted the rounded, cylindrical shape, he knew that it was +a submarine. It was the Wonder. She was close at hand and +was creeping up on the Advance. But, what was more +dangerous, she seemed to be slowly settling in the water. +Another moment and her great screws might crash into the +Conning tower of the Swifts' boat and shave it off. Then the +water would rush in, drowning the treasure-seekers like rats +in a trap. + +With a quick motion Tom yanked over the lever that allowed +more water to flow into the ballast tanks. The effect was at +once apparent. The Advance shot down toward the bottom of +the sea. At the same time the young inventor signaled to +Captain Weston to notify those in the engine-room to put on +a little more speed. The Advance fairly leaped ahead, and +the lad, looking up through the bull's-eye in the roof of +the conning tower, had the satisfaction of seeing the rival +submarine left behind. + +The youth hurried down into the interior of the ship to +tell what he had seen, and explain the reason for opening +the ballast tanks. He found his father and Mr. Sharp +somewhat excited over the unexpected maneuver of the craft. + +"So they're still following us," murmured Mr. Swift. "I +don't see why we can't shake them off." + +"It's on account of this luminous water," explained +Captain Weston. "Once we are clear of that it will be easy, +I think, to give them the slip. That is, if we can get out +of their sight long enough. Of course, if they keep close +after us, they can pick us up with their searchlight, for I +suppose they carry one." + +"Yes," admitted the aged inventor, "they have as strong a +one as we have. In fact, their ship is second only to this +one in speed and power. I know, for Bentley & Eagert showed +me some of the plans before they started it, and asked my +opinion. This was before I had the notion of building a +submarine. Yes, I am afraid we'll have trouble getting away +from them." + +"I can't understand this phosphorescent glow keeping up so +long," remarked Captain Weston. "I've seen it in this +locality several times, but it never covered such an extent +of the ocean in my time. There must be changed conditions +here now." + +For an hour or more the race was kept up, and the two +submarines forged ahead through the glowing sea. The Wonder +remained slightly above and to the rear of the other, the +better to keep sight of her, and though the Advance was run +to her limit of speed, her rival could not be shaken off. +Clearly the Wonder was a speedy craft. + +"It's too bad that we've got to fight them, as well as run +the risk of lots of other troubles which are always present +when sailing under water," observed Mr Damon, who wandered +about the submarine like the nervous person he was. "Bless +my shirt-studs! Can't we blow them up, or cripple them in +some way? They have no right to go after our treasure." + +"Well, I guess they've got as much right as we have," +declared Tom. "It goes to whoever reaches the wreck first. +But what I don't like is their mean, sneaking way of doing +it. If they went off on their own hook and looked for it I +wouldn't say a word. But they expect us to lead them to the +wreck, and then they'll rob us if they can. That's not +fair." + +"Indeed, it isn't," agreed Captain Weston, "if I may be +allowed the expression. We ought to find some way of +stopping them. But, if I'm not mistaken," he added quickly, +looking from one of the port bull's-eyes, "the +phosphorescent glow is lessening. I believe we are running +beyond that part of the ocean." + +There was no doubt of it, the glow was growing less and +less, and ten minutes later the Advance was speeding along +through a sea as black as night. Then, to avoid running into +some wreck, it was necessary to turn on the searchlight. + +"Are they still after us?" asked Mr. Swift of his son, as +he emerged from the engine-room, where he had gone to make +some adjustments to the machinery, with the hope of +increasing the speed. + +"I'll go look," volunteered the lad. He climbed up into +the conning tower again, and for a moment, as he gazed back +into the black waters swirling all about, he hoped that they +had lost the Wonder. But a moment later his heart sank as he +caught sight, through the liquid element, of the flickering +gleams of another searchlight, the rays undulating through +the sea. + +"Still following," murmured the young inventor. "They're +not going to give up. But we must make 'em--that's all." + +He went down to report what he had seen, and a +consultation was held. Captain Weston carefully studied the +charts of that part of the ocean, and finding that there was +a great depth of water at hand, proposed a series of +evolutions. + +"We can go up and down, shoot first to one side and then +to the other," he explained. "We can even drop down to the +bottom and rest there for a while. Perhaps, in that way, we +can shake them off." + +They tried it. The Advance was sent up until her conning +tower was out of the water, and then she was suddenly forced +down until she was but a few feet from the bottom. She +darted to the left, to the right, and even doubled and went +back over the course she had taken. But all to no purpose. +The Wonder proved fully as speedy, and those in her seemed +to know just how to handle the submarine, so that every +evolution of the Advance was duplicated. Her rival could not +be shaken off. + +All night this was kept up, and when morning came, though +only the clocks told it, for eternal night was below the +surface, the rival gold-seekers were still on the trail. + +"They won't give up," declared Mr. Swift hopelessly. + +"No, we've got to race them for it, just as Berg +proposed," admitted Tom. "But if they want a straightaway +race we'll give it to 'em Let's run her to the limit, dad." + +"That's what we've been doing, Tom." + +"No, not exactly, for we've been submerged a little too +much to get the best speed out of our craft. Let's go a +little nearer the surface, and give them the best race +they'll ever have." + +Then the race began; and such a contest of speed as it +was! With her propellers working to the limit, and every +volt of electricity that was available forced into the +forward and aft plates, the Advance surged through the +water, about ten feet below the surface. But the Wonder kept +after her, giving her knot for knot. The course of the +leading submarine was easy to trace now, in the morning +light which penetrated ten feet down. + +"No use," remarked Tom again, when, after two hours, the +Wonder was still close behind them. "Our only chance is that +they may have a breakdown." + +"Or run out of air, or something like that," added Captain +Weston. "They are crowding us pretty close. I had no idea +they could keep up this speed. If they don't look out," he +went on as he looked from one of the aft observation +windows, "they'll foul us, and--" + +His remarks were interrupted by a jar to the Advance. She +seemed to shiver and careened to one side. Then came another +bump. + +"Slow down!" cried the captain, rushing toward the pilot +house. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, as he threw the engines +and electrical machines out of gear. "Have we hit anything?" + +"No. Something has hit us," cried the captain. "Their +submarine has rammed us." + +"Rammed us!" repeated Mr. Swift. "Tom, run out the +electric cannon! They're trying to sink us! We'll have to +fight them. Run out the stern electric gun and we'll make +them wish they'd not followed us." + + + + +Chapter Eighteen + +The Electric Gun + + +There was much excitement aboard the Advance. The +submarine came to a stop in the water, while the treasure- +seekers waited anxiously for what was to follow. Would they +be rammed again? This time, stationary as they were, and +with the other boat coming swiftly on, a hole might be stove +through the Advance, in spite of her powerful sides. + +They had not long to wait. Again there came a jar, and +once more the Swifts' boat careened. But the blow was a +glancing one and, fortunately, did little damage. + +"They certainly must be trying to sink us," agreed Captain +Weston. "Come, Tom, we'll take a look from the stern and see +what they're up to." + +"And get the stern electric gun ready to fire," repeated +Mr. Swift. "We must protect ourselves. Mr. Sharp and I will +go to the bow. There is no telling what they may do. They're +desperate, and may ram us from in front." + +Tom and the captain hurried aft. Through the thick plate- +glass windows they could see the blunt nose of the Wonder +not far away, the rival submarine having come to a halt. +There she lay, black and silent, like some monster fish +waiting to devour its victim. + +"There doesn't appear to be much damage done back here," +observed Tom. "No leaks. Guess they didn't puncture us." + +"Perhaps it was due to an accident that they rammed us," +suggested the captain. + +"Well, they wouldn't have done it if they hadn't followed +us so close," was the opinion of the young inventor. +"They're taking too many chances. We've got to stop 'em." + +"What is this electric gun your father speaks of?" + +"Why, it's a regular electric cannon. It fires a solid +ball, weighing about twenty-five pounds, but instead of +powder, which would hardly do under water, and instead of +compressed air, which is used in the torpedo tubes of the +Government submarines, we use a current of electricity. It +forces the cannon ball out with great energy." + +"I wonder what they will do next?" observed the captain, +peering through a bull'seye. + +"We can soon tell," replied the youth. "We'll go ahead, +and if they try to follow I'm going to fire on them." + +"Suppose you sink them?" + +"I won't fire to do that; only to disable them. They +brought it on themselves. We can't risk having them damage +us. Help me with the cannon, will you please, captain?" + +The electric cannon was a long, steel tube in the after +part of the submarine. It projected a slight distance from +the sides of the ship, and by an ingenious arrangement could +he swung around in a ball and socket joint, thus enabling it +to shoot in almost any direction. + +It was the work of but a few minutes to get it ready and, +with the muzzle pointing toward the Wonder, Tom adjusted the +electric wires and inserted the solid shot. + +"Now we're prepared for them!" he cried. "I think a good +plan will be to start ahead, and if they try to follow to +fire on them. They've brought it on themselves." + +"Correct," spoke Captain Weston. + +Tom hurried forward to tell his father of this plan. + +"We'll do it!" cried Mr. Swift. "Go ahead, Mr. Sharp, and +we'll see if those scoundrels will follow." + +The young inventor returned on the run to the electric +cannon. There was a whir of machinery, and the Advance +moved forward. She increased her speed, and the two watchers +in the stern looked anxiously out of the windows to see what +their rivals would do. + +For a moment no movement was noticeable on the part of the +Wonder. Then, as those aboard her appeared to realize that +the craft on which they depended to pilot them to the sunken +treasure was slipping away, word was given to follow. The +ship of Berg and his employers shot after the Advance. + +"Here they come!" cried Captain Weston. "They're going to +ram us again!" + +"Then I'm going to fire on them!" declared Tom savagely. + +On came the Wonder, nearer and nearer. Her speed was +rapidly increasing. Suddenly she bumped the Advance, and +then, as if it was an unavoidable accident, the rear +submarine sheered off to one side. + +"They're certainly at it again!" cried Tom, and peering +from the bull's-eye he saw the Wonder shoot past the mouth +of the electric cannon. "Here it goes!" he added. + +He shoved over the lever, making the proper connection. +There was no corresponding report, for the cannon was +noiseless, but there was a slight jar as the projectile left +the muzzle. The Wonder could be seen to heel over. + +"You hit her! You hit her!" cried Captain Weston. "A good +shot!" + +"I was afraid she was past me when I pulled the lever," +explained Tom. "She went like a flash." + +"No, you caught her on the rudder," declared the captain. +"I think you've put her out of business. Yes, they're rising +to the surface." + +The lad rapidly inserted another ball, and recharged the +cannon. Then he peered out into the water, illuminated by +the light of day overhead, as they were not far down. He +could see the Wonder rising to the surface. Clearly +something had happened. + +"Maybe they're going to drop down on us from above, and +try to sink us," suggested the youth, while he stood ready +to fire again. "If they do--" + +His words were interrupted by a slight jar throughout the +submarine. + +"What was that?" cried the captain. + +"Dad fired the bow gun at them, but I don't believe he hit +them," answered the young inventor. + +"I wonder what damage I did? Guess we'll go to the surface +to find out." + +Clearly the Wonder had given up the fight for the time +being. In fact, she had no weapon with which to respond to a +fusillade from her rival. Tom hastened forward and informed +his father of what had happened. + +"If her steering gear is out of order, we may have a +chance to slip away," said Mr. Swift "We'll go up and see +what we can learn." + +A few minutes later Tom, his father and Captain Weston +stepped from the conning tower, which was out of water, on +to the little flat deck a short distance away lay the +Wonder, and on her deck was Berg and a number of men, +evidently members of the crew. + +"Why did you fire on us?" shouted the agent angrily. + +"Why did you follow us?" retorted Torn. + +"Well, you've broken our rudder and disabled us," went on +Berg, not answering the question. "You'll suffer for this! +I'll have you arrested." + +"You only got what you deserved," added Mr. Swift. "You +were acting illegally, following us, and you tried to sink +us by ramming my craft before we retaliated by firing on +you." + +"It was an accident, ramming you," said Berg. "We couldn't +help it. I now demand that you help us make repairs." + +"Well, you've got nerve!" cried Captain Weston, his eyes +flashing. "I'd like to have a personal interview with you +for about ten minutes. Maybe something besides your ship +would need repairs then." + +Berg turned away, scowling, but did not reply. He began +directing the crew what to do about the broken rudder. + +"Come on," proposed Tom in a low voice, for sounds carry +very easily over water. "Let's go below and skip out while +we have a chance. They can't follow now, and we can get to +the sunken treasure ahead of them." + +"Good advice," commented his father. "Come, Captain +Weston, we'll go below and close the conning tower." + +Five minutes later the Advance sank from sight, the last +glimpse Tom had of Berg and his men being a sight of them +standing on the deck of their floating boat, gazing in the +direction of their successful rival. The Wonder was left +behind, while Tom and his friends were soon once more +speeding toward the treasure wreck. + + + + +Chapter Nineteen + +Captured + + +"Down deep," advised Captain Weston, as he stood beside +Tom and Mr. Swift in the pilot house. "As far as you can +manage her, and then forward. We'll take no more chances +with these fellows." + +"The only trouble is," replied the young inventor, "that +the deeper we go the slower we have to travel. The water is +so dense that it holds us back." + +"Well, there is no special need of hurrying now," went on +the sailor. "No one is following you, and two or three days +difference in reaching the wreck will not amount to +anything." + +"Unless they repair their rudder, and take after us +again," suggested Mr. Swift. + +"They're not very likely to do that," was the captain's +opinion. "It was more by luck than good management that they +picked us up before. Now, having to delay, as they will, to +repair their steering gear, while we can go as deep as we +please and speed ahead, it is practically impossible for +them to catch up to us. No, I think we have nothing to fear +from them." + +But though danger from Berg and his crowd was somewhat +remote, perils of another sort were hovering around the +treasure-seekers, and they were soon to experience them. + +It was much different from sailing along in the airship, +Tom thought, for there was no blue sky and fleecy clouds to +see, and they could not look down and observe, far below +them, cities and villages. Nor could they breathe the +bracing atmosphere of the upper regions. + +But if there was lack of the rarefied air of the clouds, +there was no lack of fresh atmosphere. The big tanks carried +a large supply, and whenever more was needed the oxygen +machine would supply it. + +As there was no need, however, of remaining under water +for any great stretch of time, it was their practice to rise +every day and renew the air supply, also to float along on +the surface for a while, or speed along, with only the +conning tower out, in order to afford a view, and to enable +Captain Weston to take observations. But care was always +exercised to make sure no ships were in sight when emerging +on the surface, for the gold-seekers did not want to be +hailed and questioned by inquisitive persons. + +It was about four days after the disabling of the rival +submarine, and the Advance was speeding along about a mile +and a half under water. Tom was in the pilot house with +Captain Weston, Mr. Damon was at his favorite pastime of +looking out of the glass side windows into the ocean and its +wonders, and Mr. Swift and the balloonists were, as usual, +in the engine-room. + +"How near do you calculate we are to the sunken wreck?" +asked Tom of his companion. + +"Well, at the calculation we made yesterday, we are within +about a thousand miles of it now. We ought to reach it in +about four more days, if we don't have any accidents." + +"And how deep do you think it is?" went on the lad. + +"Well, I'm afraid it's pretty close to two miles, if not +more. It's quite a depth, and of course impossible for +ordinary divers to reach. But it will be possible in this +submarine and in the strong diving suits your father has +invented for us to get to it. Yes, I don't anticipate much +trouble in getting out the gold, once we reach the wreck of +course--" + +The captain's remark was not finished. From the engine- +room there came a startled shout: + +"Tom! Tom! Your father is hurt! Come here, quick!" + +"Take the wheel!" cried the lad to the captain. "I must go +to my father." It was Mr. Sharp's voice he had heard. + +Racing to the engine-room, Tom saw his parent doubled up +over a dynamo, while to one side, his hand on a copper +switch, stood Mr. Sharp. + +"What's the matter?" shouted the lad. + +"He's held there by a current of electricity," replied the +balloonist. "The wires are crossed." + +"Why don't you shut off the current?" demanded the youth, +as he prepared to pull his parent from the whirring machine. +Then he hesitated, for he feared he, too, would be glued +fast by the terrible current, and so be unable to help Mr. +Swift. + +"I'm held fast here, too," replied the balloonist. "I +started to cut out the current at this switch, but there's a +short circuit somewhere, and I can't let go, either. Quick, +shut off all power at the main switchboard forward." + +Tom realized that this was the only thing to do. He ran +forward and with a yank cut out all the electric wires. With +a sigh of relief Mr. Sharp pulled his hands from the copper +where he had been held fast as if by some powerful magnet, +his muscles cramped by the current. Fortunately the +electricity was of low voltage, and he was not burned. The +body of Mr. Swift toppled backward from the dynamo, as Tom +sprang to reach his father. + +"He's dead!" he cried, as he saw the pale face and the +closed eyes. + +"No, only badly shocked, I hope," spoke Mr. Sharp. "But we +must get him to the fresh air at once. Start the tank pumps. +We'll rise to the surface." + +The youth needed no second bidding. Once more turning on +the electric current, he set the powerful pumps in motion +and the submarine began to rise. Then, aided by Captain +Weston and Mr. Damon, the young inventor carried his father +to a couch in the main cabin. Mr. Sharp took charge of the +machinery. + +Restoratives were applied, and there was a flutter of the +eyelids of the aged inventor. + +"I think he'll come around all right," said the sailor +kindly, as he saw Tom's grief. "Fresh air will be the thing +for him. We'll be on the surface in a minute." + +Up shot the Advance, while Mr. Sharp stood ready to open +the conning tower as soon as it should be out of water. Mr. +Swift seemed to be rapidly reviving. With a bound the +submarine, forced upward from the great depth, fairly shot +out of the water. There was a clanking sound as the aeronaut +opened the airtight door of the tower, and a breath of fresh +air came in. + +"Can you walk, dad, or shall we carry you?" asked Tom +solitiously. + +"Oh, I--I'm feeling better now," was the inventor's reply. +"I'll soon be all right when I get out on deck. My foot +slipped as I was adjusting a wire that had gotten out of +order, and I fell so that I received a large part of the +current. I'm glad I was not burned. Was Mr. Sharp hurt? I +saw him run to the switch, just before I lost +consciousness." + +"No, I'm all right," answered the balloonist. "But allow +us to get you out to the fresh air. You'll feel much better +then." + +Mr. Swift managed to walk slowly to the ladder leading to +the conning tower, and thence to the deck. The others +followed him. As all emerged from the submarine they uttered +a cry of astonishment. + +There, not one hundred yards away, was a great warship, +flying a flag which, in a moment. Tom recognized as that of +Brazil. The cruiser was lying off a small island, and all +about were small boats, filled with natives, who seemed to +be bringing supplies from land to the ship. At the +unexpected sight of the submarine, bobbing up from the +bottom of the ocean, the natives uttered cries of fright. +The attention of those on the warship was attracted, and the +bridge and rails were lined with curious officers and men. + +"It's a good thing we didn't come up under that ship," +observed Tom. "They would have thought we were trying to +torpedo her. Do you feel better, dad?" he asked, his wonder +over the sight of the big vessel temporarily eclipsed in his +anxiety for his parent. + +"Oh, yes, much better. I'm all right now. But I wish we +hadn't disclosed ourselves to these people. They may demand +to know where we are going, and Brazil is too near Uruguay +to make it safe to tell our errand. They may guess it, +however, from having read of the wreck, and our departure." + +"Oh, I guess it will be all right," replied Captain +Weston. "We can tell them we are on a pleasure trip. That's +true enough. It would give us great pleasure to find that +gold." + +"There's a boat, with some officers in it, to judge by the +amount of gold lace on them, putting off from the ship," +remarked Mr. Sharp. + +"Ha! Yes! Evidently they intend to pay us a formal visit," +observed Mr. Damon. "Bless my gaiters, though. I'm not +dressed to receive company. I think I'll put on my dress +suit." + +"It's too late," advised Tom. "They'll be here in a +minute." + +Urged on by the lusty arms of the Brazilian sailors, the +boat, containing several officers, neared the floating +submarine rapidly. + +"Ahoy there!" called an officer in the bow, his accent +betraying his unfamiliarity with the English language. "What +craft are you?" + +"Submarine, Advance, from New Jersey," replied Tom. "Who +are you?" + +"Brazilian cruiser San Paulo," was the reply. "Where are +you bound?" went on the officer. + +"On pleasure," answered Captain Weston quickly. "But why +do you ask? We are an American ship, sailing under American +colors. Is this Brazilian territory?" + +"This island is--yes," came back the answer, and by this +time the small boat was at the side of the submarine. Before +the adventurers could have protested, had they a desire to +do so, there were a number of officers and the crew of the +San Paulo on the small deck. + +With a flourish, the officer who had done the questioning +drew his sword. Waving it in the air with a dramatic +gesture, he exclaimed: + +"You're our prisoners! Resist and my men shall cut you +down like dogs! Seize them, men!" + +The sailors sprang forward, each one stationing himself at +the side of one of our friends, and grasping an arm. + +"What does this mean?" cried Captain Weston indignantly. +"If this is a joke, you're carrying it too far. If you're in +earnest, let me warn you against interfering with +Americans!" + +"We know what we are doing," was the answer from the +officer. + +The sailor who had hold of Captain Weston endeavored to +secure a tighter grip. The captain turned suddenly, and +seizing the man about the waist, with an exercise of +tremendous strength hurled him over his head and into the +sea, the man making a great splash. + +"That's the way I'll treat any one else who dares lay a +hand on me!" shouted the captain, who was transformed from a +mild-mannered individual into an angry, modern giant. There +was a gasp of astonishment at his feat, as the ducked sailor +crawled back into the small boat. And he did not again +venture on the deck of the submarine. + +"Seize them, men!" cried the gold-laced officer again, and +this time he and his fellows, including the crew, crowded so +closely around Tom and his friends that they could do +nothing. Even Captain Weston found it impossible to offer +any resistance, for three men grabbed hold of him but his +spirit was still a fighting one, and he struggled +desperately but uselessly. + +"How dare you do this?" he cried. + +"Yes," added Tom, "what right have you to interfere with +us?" + +"Every right," declared the gold-laced officer. + +"You are in Brazilian territory, and I arrest you." + +"What for?" demanded Mr. Sharp. + +"Because your ship is an American submarine, and we have +received word that you intend to damage our shipping, and +may try to torpedo our warships. I believe you tried to +disable us a little while ago, but failed. We consider that +an act of war and you will be treated accordingly. Take them +on board the San Paulo," the officer Went on, turning to his +aides. "We'll try them by court-marital here. Some of you +remain and guard this submarine. We will teach these +filibustering Americans a lesson." + + + + +Chapter Twenty + +Doomed to Death + + +There was no room on the small deck of the submarine to +make a stand against the officers and crew of the Brazilian +warship. In fact, the capture of the gold-seekers had been +effected so suddenly that their astonishment almost deprived +them of the power to think clearly. + +At another command from the officer, who was addressed as +Admiral Fanchetti, several of the sailors began to lead Tom +and his friends toward the small boat. + +"Do you feel all right, father?" inquired the lad +anxiously, as he looked at his parent. "These scoundrels +have no right to treat us so." + +"Yes, Tom, I'm all right as far as the electric shock is +concerned, but I don't like to be handled in this fashion." + +"We ought not to submit!" burst out Mr. Damon. "Bless the +stars and stripes! We ought to fight." + +"There's no chance," said Mr. Sharp. "We are right under +the guns of the ship. They could sink us with one shot. I +guess we'll have to give in for the time being." + +"It is most unpleasant, if I may be allowed the +expression," commented Captain Weston mildly. He seemed to +have lost his sudden anger, but there was a steely glint in +his eyes, and a grim, set look around his month that showed +his temper was kept under control only by an effort. It +boded no good to the sailors who had hold of the doughty +captain if he should once get loose, and it was noticed that +they were on their guard. + +As for Tom, he submitted quietly to the two Brazilians who +had hold of either arm, and Mr. Swift was held by only one, +for it was seen that he was feeble. + +"Into the boat with them!" cried Admiral Fanchetti. "And +guard them well, Lieutenant Drascalo, for I heard them +plotting to escape," and the admiral signaled to a younger +officer, who was in charge of the men guarding the +prisoners. + +"Lieutenant Drascalo, eh?" murmured Mr. Damon. "I think +they made a mistake naming him. It ought to be Rascalo. He +looks like a rascal." + +"Silenceo!" exclaimed the lieutenant, scowling at the odd +character'. + +"Bless my spark plug! He's a regular fire-eater!" went on +Mr. Damon, who appeared to have fully recovered his spirits. + +"Silenceo!" cried the lieutenant, scowling again, but Mr. +Damon did not appear to mind. + +Admiral Fanchetti and several others of the gold-laced +officers remained aboard the submarine, while Tom and his +friends were hustled into the small boat and rowed toward +the warship. + +"I hope they don't damage our craft," murmured the young +inventor, as he saw the admiral enter the conning tower. + +"If they do, we'll complain to the United States consul +and demand damages," said Mr. Swift. + +"I'm afraid we won't have a chance to communicate with the +consul," remarked Captain Weston. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, +but will these scoundrels--" + +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo quickly. "Dogs of +Americans, do you wish to insult us?" + +"Impossible; you wouldn't appreciate a good, genuine +United States insult," murmured Tom under his breath. + +"What I mean," went on the captain, "is that these people +may carry the proceedings off with a high hand. You heard +the admiral speak of a court-martial." + +"Would they dare do that?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"They would dare anything in this part of the world, I'm +afraid," resumed Captain Weston. "I think I see their plan, +though. This admiral is newly in command; his uniform shows +that He wants to make a name for himself, and he seizes on +our submarine as an excuse. He can send word to his +government that he destroyed a torpedo craft that sought to +wreck his ship. Thus he will acquire a reputation." + +"But would his government support him in such a hostile +act against the United States, a friendly nation?" asked +Tom. + +"Oh, he would not claim to have acted against the United +States as a power. He would say that it was a private +submarine, and, as a matter of fact, it is. While we are +under the protection of the stars and stripes, our vessel is +not a Government one," and Captain Weston spoke the last in +a low voice, so the scowling lieutenant could not hear. + +"What will they do with us?" inquired Mr. Swift. + +"Have some sort of a court-martial, perhaps," went on the +captain, "and confiscate our craft Then they will send us +back home, I expect for they would not dare harm us." + +"But take our submarine!" cried Tom. "The villains--" + +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo and he drew his +sword. + +By this time the small boat was under the big guns of the +San Paulo, and the prisoners were ordered, in broken +English, to mount a companion ladder that hung over the +side. In a short time they were on deck, amid a crowd of +sailors, and they could see the boat going back to bring off +the admiral, who signaled from the submarine. Tom and his +friends were taken below to a room that looked like a +prison, and there, a little later, they were visited by +Admiral Fanchetti and several officers. + +"You will be tried at once," said the admiral. "I have +examined your submarine and I find she carries two torpedo +tubes. It is a wonder you did not sink me at once." + +"Those are not torpedo tubes!" cried Tom, unable to keep +silent, though Captain Weston motioned him to do so. + +"I know torpedo tubes when I see them," declared the +admiral. "I consider I had a very narrow escape. Your +country is fortunate that mine does not declare war against +it for this act. But I take it you are acting privately, for +you fly no flag, though you claim to be from the United +States." + +"There's no place for a flag on the submarine," went on +Tom. "What good would it be under water?" + +"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo, the admonition to +silence seeming to be the only command of which he was +capable. + +"I shall confiscate your craft for my government," went on +the admiral, "and shall punish you as the court-martial may +direct. You will be tried at once." + +It was in vain for the prisoners to protest. Matters were +carried with a high hand. They were allowed a spokesman, and +Captain Weston, who understood Spanish, was selected, that +language being used. But the defense was a farce, for he was +scarcely listened to. Several officers testified before the +admiral, who was judge, that they had seen the submarine +rise out of the water, almost under the prow of the San +Paulo. It was assumed that the Advance had tried to wreck +the warship, but had failed. It was in vain that Captain +Weston and the others told of the reason for their rapid +ascent from the ocean depths--that Mr. Swift had been +shocked, and needed fresh air. Their story was not believed. + +"We have heard enough!" suddenly exclaimed the admiral. +"The evidence against you is over-whelming--er--what you +Americans call conclusive," and be was speaking then in +broken English. "I find you guilty, and the sentence of this +court-martial is that you be shot at sunrise, three days +hence!" + +"Shot!" cried Captain Weston, staggering back at this +unexpected sentence. His companions turned white, and Mr. +Swift leaned against his son for support. + +"Bless my stars! Of all the scoundrelly!" began Mr. Damon. + +"Silenceo!" shouted the lieutenant, waving his sword. + +"You will be shot," proceeded the admiral. "Is not that +the verdict of the honorable court?" he asked, looking at +his fellow officers. They all nodded gravely. + +"But look here!" objected Captain Weston. "You don't dare +do that! We are citizens of the United States, and--" + +"I consider you no better than pirates," interrupted the +admiral. "You have an armed submarine--a submarine with +torpedo tubes. You invade our harbor with it, and come up +almost under my ship. You have forfeited your right to the +protection of your country, and I have no fear on that +score. You will be shot within three days. That is all. +Remove the prisoners." + +Protests were in vain, and it was equally useless to +struggle. The prisoners were taken out on deck, for which +they were thankful, for the interior of the ship was close +and hot, the weather being intensely disagreeable. They were +told to keep within a certain space on deck, and a guard of +sailors, all armed, was placed near them. From where they +were they could see their submarine floating on the surface +of the little bay, with several Brazilians on the small +deck. The Advance had been anchored, and was surrounded by a +flotilla of the native boats, the brown-skinned paddlers +gazing curiously at the odd craft. + +"Well, this is tough luck!" murmured Tom. "How do you +feel, dad?" + +"As well as can be expected under the circumstances," was +the reply. "What do you think about this, Captain Weston?" + +"Not very much, if I may be allowed the expression," was +the answer. + +"Do you think they will dare carry out that threat?" asked +Mr. Sharp. + +The captain shrugged his shoulders. "I hope it is only a +bluff," he replied, "made to scare us so we will consent to +giving up the submarine, which they have no right to +confiscate. But these fellows look ugly enough for +anything," he went on. + +"Then if there's any chance of them attempting to carry it +out," spoke Tom, "we've got to do something." + +"Bless my gizzard, of course!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "But +what? That's the question. To be shot! Why, that's a +terrible threat! The villains--" + +"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up at that +moment. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-One + +The Escape + + +Events had happened so quickly that day that the gold- +hunters could scarcely comprehend them. It seemed only a +short time since Mr. Swift had been discovered lying +disabled on the dynamo, and what had transpired since seemed +to have taken place in a few minutes, though it was, in +reality, several hours. This was made manifest by the +feeling of hunger on the part of Tom and his friends. + +"I wonder if they're going to starve us, the scoundrels?" +asked Mr. Sharp, when the irate lieutenant was beyond +hearing. "It's not fair to make us go hungry and shoot us in +the bargain." + +"That's so, they ought to feed us," put in Tom. As yet +neither he nor the others fully realized the meaning of the +sentence passed on them. + +From where they were on deck they could look off to the +little island. From it boats manned by natives were +constantly putting off, bringing supplies to the ship. The +place appeared to be a sort of calling station for Brazilian +warships, where they could get fresh water and fruit and +other food. + +From the island the gaze of the adventurers wandered to +the submarine, which lay not far away. They were chagrined +to see several of the bolder natives clambering over the +deck. + +"I hope they keep out of the interior," commented Tom. "If +they get to pulling or hauling on the levers and wheels they +may open the tanks and sink her, with the Conning tower +open." + +"Better that, perhaps, than to have her fall into the +hands of a foreign power," commented Captain Weston. +"Besides, I don't see that it's going to matter much to us +what becomes of her after we're--" + +He did not finish, but every one knew what he meant, and a +grim silence fell upon the little group. + +There came a welcome diversion, however, in the shape of +three sailors, bearing trays of food, which were placed on +the deck in front of the prisoners, who were sitting or +lying in the shade of an awning, for the sun was very hot. + +"Ha! Bless my napkin-ring!" cried Mr. Damon with something +of his former gaiety. "Here's a meal, at all events. They +don't intend to starve us. Eat hearty, every one." + +"Yes, we need to keep up our strength," observed Captain +Weston. + +"Why?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"Because we're going to try to escape!" exclaimed Tom in a +low voice, when the sailors who had brought the food had +gone. "Isn't that what you mean, captain?" + +"Exactly. We'll try to give these villains the slip, and +we'll need all our strength and wits to do it. We'll wait +until night, and see what we can do." + +"But where will we escape to?" asked Mr. Swift. "The +island will afford no shelter, and--" + +"No, but our submarine will," went on the sailor. + +"It's in the possession of the Brazilians," objected Tom. + +"Once I get aboard the Advance twenty of those brown- +skinned villains won't keep me prisoner," declared Captain +Weston fiercely. "If we can only slip away from here, get +into the small boat, or even swim to the submarine, I'll +make those chaps on board her think a hurricane has broken +loose." + +"Yes, and I'll help," said Mr. Damon. + +"And I," added Tom and the balloonist. + +"That's the way to talk," commented the captain. "Now +let's eat, for I see that rascally lieutenant coming this +way, and we mustn't appear to be plotting, or he'll be +suspicious." + +The day passed slowly, and though the prisoners seemed to +be allowed considerable liberty, they soon found that it was +only apparent. Once Tom walked some distance from that +portion of the deck where he and the others had been told to +remain. A sailor with a gun at once ordered him back. Nor +could they approach the rails without being directed, +harshly enough at times, to move back amidships. + +As night approached the gold-seekers were on the alert for +any chance that might offer to slip away, or even attack +their guard, but the number of Brazilians around them was +doubled in the evening, and after supper, which was served +to them on deck by the light of swinging lanterns, they were +taken below and locked in a stuffy cabin. They looked +helplessly at each other. + +"Don't give up," advised Captain Weston. "It's a long +night. We may be able to get out of here." + +But this hope was in vain. Several times he and Tom, +thinking the guards outside the cabin were asleep, tried to +force the lock of the door with their pocket-knives, which +had not been taken from them. But one of the sailors was +aroused each time by the noise, and looked in through a +barred window, so they had to give it up. Slowly the night +passed, and morning found the prisoners pale, tired and +discouraged. They were brought up on deck again, for which +they were thankful, as in that tropical climate it was +stifling below. + +During the day they saw Admiral Fanchetti and several of +his officers pay a visit to the submarine. They went below +through the opened conning tower, and were gone some time. + +"I hope they don't disturb any of the machinery," remarked +Mr. Swift. "That could easily do great damage." + +Admiral Fanchetti seemed much pleased with himself when he +returned from his visit to the submarine. + +"You have a fine craft," he said to the prisoners. "Or, +rather, you had one. My government now owns it. It seems a +pity to shoot such good boat builders, but you are too +dangerous to be allowed to go." + +If there had been any doubt in the minds of Tom and his +friends that the sentence of the court-martial was only for +effect, it was dispelled that day. A firing squad was told +off in plain view of them, and the men were put through +their evolutions by Lieutenant Drascalo, who had them load, +aim and fire blank cartridges at an imaginary line of +prisoners. Tom could not repress a shudder as he noted the +leveled rifles, and saw the fire and smoke spurt from the +muzzles. + +"Thus we shall do to you at sunrise to-morrow," said the +lieutenant, grinning, as he once more had his men practice +their grim work. + +It seemed hotter than ever that day. The sun was fairly +broiling, and there was a curious haziness and stillness to +the air. It was noticed that the sailors on the San Paulo +were busy making fast all loose articles on deck with extra +lashings, and hatch coverings were doubly secured. + +"What do you suppose they are up to?" asked Tom of Captain +Weston. + +"I think it is coming on to blow," he replied, "and they +don't want to be caught napping. They have fearful storms +down in this region at this season of the year, and I think +one is about due." + +"I hope it doesn't wreck the submarine," spoke Mr. Swift. +"They ought to close the hatch of the conning tower, for it +won't take much of a sea to make her ship considerable +water." + +Admiral Fanchetti had thought of this, however, and as the +afternoon wore away and the storm signs multiplied, he sent +word to close the submarine. He left a few sailors aboard +inside on guard. + +"It's too hot to eat," observed Tom, when their supper had +been brought to them, and the others felt the same way about +it. They managed to drink some cocoanut milk, prepared in a +palatable fashion by the natives of the island, and then, +much to their disgust, they were taken below again and +locked in the cabin. + +"Whew! But it certainly is hot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon as he +sat down on a couch and fanned himself. "This is awful!" + +"Yes, something is going to happen pretty soon," observed +Captain Weston. "The storm will break shortly, I think." + +They sat languidly about the cabin. It was so oppressive +that even the thought of the doom that awaited them in the +morning could hardly seem worse than the terrible heat. They +could hear movements going on about the ship, movements +which indicated that preparations were being made for +something unusual. There was a rattling of a chain through a +hawse hole, and Captain Weston remarked: + +"They're putting down another anchor. Admiral Fanchetti +had better get away from the island, though, unless he wants +to be wrecked. He'll be blown ashore in less than no time. No +cable or chain will hold in such storms as they have here." + +There came a period of silence, which was suddenly broken +by a howl as of some wild beast. + +"What's that?" cried Tom, springing up from where he was +stretched out on the cabin floor. + +"Only the wind," replied the captain. "The storm has +arrived." + +The howling kept up, and soon the ship began to rock. The +wind increased, and a little later there could be heard, +through an opened port in the prisoners' cabin, the dash of +rain. + +"It's a regular hurricane!" exclaimed the captain. "I +wonder if the cables will hold?" + +"What about the submarine?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. + +"I haven't much fear for her. She lies so low in the water +that the wind can't get much hold on her. I don't believe +she'll drag her anchor." + +Once more came a fierce burst of wind, and a +dash of rain, and then, suddenly above the outburst of the +elements, there sounded a crash on deck. It was followed by +excited cries. + +"Something's happened!" yelled Tom. The prisoners gathered +in a frightened group in the middle of the cabin. The cries +were repeated, and then came a rush of feet just outside the +cabin door. + +"Our guards! They're leaving!" shouted Tom. + +"Right!" exclaimed Captain Weston. "Now's our chance! Come +on! If we're going to escape we must do it while the storm +is at its height, and all is in confusion. Come on!" + +Tom tried the door. It was locked. + +"One side!" shouted the captain, and this time he did not +pause to say "by your leave." He came at the portal on the +run, and his shoulder struck it squarely. There was a +splintering and crashing of wood, and the door was burst +open. + +"Follow me!" cried the valiant sailor, and Tom and the +others rushed after him. They could hear the wind howling +more loudly than ever, and as they reached the deck the rain +dashed into their faces with such violence that they could +hardly see. But they were aware that something had occurred. +By the light of several lanterns swaying in the terrific +blast they saw that one of the auxiliary masts had broken +off near the deck. + +It had fallen against the chart house, smashing it, and a +number of sailors were laboring to clear away the wreckage. + +"Fortune favors us!" cried Captain Weston. "Come on! Make +for the small boat. It's near the side ladder. We'll lower +the boat and pull to the submarine." + +There came a flash of lightning, and in its glare Tom saw +something that caused him to cry out. + +"Look!" he shouted. "The submarine. She's dragged her +anchors!" + +The Advance was much closer to the warship than she had +been that afternoon. Captain Weston looked over the side. + +"It's the San Paulo that's dragging her anchors, not the +submarine!" he shouted. "We're bearing down on her! We must +act quickly. Come on, we'll lower the boat!" + +In the rush of wind and the dash of rain the prisoners +crowded to the accommodation companion ladder, which was +still over the side of the big ship. No one seemed to be +noticing them, for Admiral Fanchetti was on the bridge, +yelling orders for the clearing away of the wreckage. But +Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up from below at that moment, +caught sight of the fleeing ones. Drawing his sword, he +rushed at them, shouting: + +"The prisoners! The prisoners! They are escaping!" + +Captain Weston leaped toward the lieutenant + +"Look out for his sword!" cried Tom. But the doughty +sailor did not fear the weapon. Catching up a coil of rope, +he cast it at the lieutenant. It struck him in the chest, +and he staggered back, lowering his sword. + +Captain Weston leaped forward, and with a terrific blow +sent Lieutenant Drascalo to the deck. + +"There!" cried the sailor. "I guess you won't yell +'Silenceo!' for a while now." + +There was a rush of Brazilians toward the group of +prisoners. Tom caught one with a blow on the chin, and +felled him, while Captain Weston disposed of two more, and +Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon one each. The savage fighting of the +Americans was too much for the foreigners, and they drew +back. + +"Come on!" cried Captain Weston again. "The storm is +getting worse. The warship will crash into the submarine in +a few minutes. Her anchors aren't holding. I didn't think +they would." + +He made a dash for the ladder, and a glance showed him +that the small boat was in the water at the foot of it. The +craft had not been hoisted on the davits. + +"Luck's with us at last!" cried Tom, Seeing it also. +"Shall I help you, dad?" + +"No; I think I'm all right. Go ahead." + +There came such a gust of wind that the San Paulo was +heeled over, and the wreck of the mast, rolling about, +crashed into the side of a deck house, splintering it. A +crowd of sailors, led by Admiral Fanchetti, who were again +rushing on the escaping prisoners, had to leap back out of +the way of the rolling mast. + +"Catch them! Don't let them get away!" begged the +commander, but the sailors evidently had no desire to close +in with the Americans. + +Through the rush of wind and rain Tom and his friends +staggered down the ladder. It was hard work to maintain +one's footing, but they managed it. On account of the high +side of the ship the water was comparatively calm under her +lee, and, though the small boat was bobbing about, they got +aboard. The oars were in place, and in another moment they +had shoved off from the landing stage which formed the foot +of the accommodation ladder. + +"Now for the Advance!" murmured Captain Weston. + +"Come back! Come back, dogs of Americans!" cried a voice +at the rail over their heads, and looking up, Tom saw +Lieutenant Drascalo. He had snatched a carbine from a +marine, and was pointing it at the recent prisoners. He +fired, the flash of the gun and a dazzling chain of +lightning coming together. The thunder swallowed up the +report of the carbine, but the bullet whistled uncomfortable +close to Tom's head. The blackness that followed the +lightning shut out the view of everything for a few seconds, +and when the next flash came the adventurers saw that they +were close to their submarine. + +A fusillade of shots sounded from the deck of the warship, +but as the marines were poor marksmen at best, and as the +swaying of the ship disconcerted them, our friends were in +little danger. + +There was quite a sea once they were beyond the protection +of the side of the warship, but Captain Weston, who was +rowing, knew how to manage a boat skillfully, and he soon had +the craft alongside the bobbing submarine. + +"Get aboard, now, quick!" he cried. + +They leaped to the small deck, casting the rowboat adrift. +It was the work of but a moment to open the conning tower. +As they started to descend they were met by several +Brazilians coming up. + +"Overboard with 'em!" yelled the captain. "Let them swim +ashore or to their ship!" + +With almost superhuman strength he tossed one big sailor +from the small deck. Another showed fight, but he went to +join his companion in the swirling water. A man rushed at +Tom, seeking the while to draw his sword, but the young +inventor, with a neat left-hander, sent him to join the +other two, and the remainder did not wait to try +conclusions. They leaped for their lives, and soon all could +be seen, in the frequent lightning flashes, swimming toward +the warship which was now closer than ever to the submarine. + +"Get inside and we'll sink below the surface!" called Tom. +"Then we don't care what happens." + +They closed the steel door of the conning tower. As they +did so they heard the patter of bullets from carbines fired +from the San Paulo. Then came a violent tossing of the +Advance; the waves were becoming higher as they caught the +full force of the hurricane. It took but an instant to +sever, from within, the cable attached to the anchor, which +was one belonging to the warship. The Advance began +drifting. + +"Open the tanks, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom. "Captain Weston +and I will steer. Once below we'll start the engines." + +Amid a crash of thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning, +the submarine began to sink. Tom, in the conning tower had a +sight of the San Paulo as it drifted nearer and nearer under +the influence of the mighty wind. As one bright flash came +he saw Admiral Fanchetti and Lieutenant Drascalo leaning +over the rail and gazing at the Advance. + +A moment later the view faded from sight as the submarine +sank below the surface of the troubled sea. She was tossed +about for some time until deep enough to escape the surface +motion. Waiting until she was far enough down so that her +lights would not offer a mark for the guns of the warship, +the electrics were switched on. + +"We're safe now!" cried Tom, helping his father to his +cabin. "They've got too much to attend to themselves to +follow us now, even if they could. Shall we go ahead, +Captain Weston?" + +"I think so, yes, if I may be allowed to express my +opinion," was the mild reply, in strange contrast to the +strenuous work in which the captain had just been engaged. + +Tom signaled to Mr. Sharp in the engine-room, and in a few +seconds the Advance was speeding away from the island and +the hostile vessel. Nor, deep as she was now, was there any +sign of the hurricane. In the peaceful depths she was once +more speeding toward the sunken treasure. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Two + +At the Wreck + + +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon, as the submarine hurled +herself forward through the ocean, "I guess that firing +party will have something else to do to-morrow morning +besides aiming those rifles at us." + +"Yes, indeed," agreed Tom. "They'll be lucky if they save +their ship. My, how that wind did blow!" + +"You're right," put in Captain Weston. "When they get a +hurricane down in this region it's no cat's paw. But they +were a mighty careless lot of sailors. The idea of leaving +the ladder over the side, and the boat in the water." + +"It was a good thing for us, though," was Tom's opinion. + +"Indeed it was," came from the captain. "But as long as we +are safe now I think we'd better take a look about the craft +to see if those chaps did any damage. They can't have done +much, though, or she wouldn't be running so smoothly. +Suppose you go take a look, Tom, and ask your father and Mr. +Sharp what they think. I'll steer for a while, until we get +well away from the island." + +The young inventor found his father and the balloonist +busy in the engine-room. Mr. Swift had already begun an +inspection of the machinery, and so far found that it had +not been injured. A further inspection showed that no damage +had been done by the foreign guard that had been in +temporary possession of the Advance, though the sailors had +made free in the cabins, and had broken into the food +lockers, helping themselves plentifully. But there was still +enough for the gold-seekers. + +"You'd never know there was a storm raging up above," +observed Tom as he rejoined Captain Weston in the lower +pilot house, where he was managing the craft. "It's as +still and peaceful here as one could wish." + +"Yes, the extreme depths are seldom disturbed by a surface +storm. But we are over a mile deep now. I sent her down a +little while you were gone, as I think she rides a little +more steadily." + +All that night they speeded forward, and the next day, +rising to the surface to take an observation, they found no +traces of the storm, which had blown itself out. They were +several hundred miles away from the hostile warship, and +there was not a vessel in sight on the broad expanse of blue +ocean. + +The air tanks were refilled, and after sailing along on +the surface for an hour or two, the submarine was again sent +below, as Captain Weston sighted through his telescope the +smoke of a distant steamer. + +"As long as it isn't the Wonder, we're all right," said +Tom. "Still, we don't want to answer a lot of questions +about ourselves and our object." + +"No. I fancy the Wonder will give up the search," remarked +the captain, as the Advance was sinking to the depths. + +"We must be getting pretty near to the end of our search +ourselves," ventured the young inventor. + +"We are within five hundred miles of the intersection of +the forty-fifth parallel and the twenty-seventh meridian, +east from Washington," said the captain. "That's as near as +I could locate the wreck. Once we reach that point we will +have to search about under water, for I don't fancy the +other divers left any buoys to mark the spot." + +It was two days later, after uneventful sailing, partly on +the surface, and partly submerged, that Captain Weston, +taking a noon observation, announced: + +"Well, we're here!" + +"Do you mean at the wreck?" asked Mr. Swift eagerly. + +"We're at the place where she is supposed to lie, in about +two miles of water," replied the captain. "We are quite a +distance off the coast of Uruguay, about opposite the harbor +of Rio de La Plata. From now on we shall have to nose about +under water, and trust to luck." + +With her air tanks filled to their capacity, and Tom +having seen that the oxygen machine and other apparatus was +in perfect working order, the submarine was sent below on +her search. Though they were in the neighborhood of the +wreck, the adventurers might still have to do considerable +searching before locating it. Lower and lower they sank into +the depths of the sea, down and down, until they were deeper +than they had ever gone before. The pressure was tremendous, +but the steel sides of the Advance withstood it. + +Then began a search that lasted nearly a week. Back and +forth they cruised, around in great circles, with the +powerful searchlight focused to disclose the sunken treasure +ship. Once Tom, who was observing the path of light in the +depths from the conning tower, thought he had seen the +remains of the Boldero, for a misty shape loomed up in front +of the submarine, and he signaled for a quick stop. It was a +wreck, but it had been on the ocean bed for a score of +years, and only a few timbers remained of what had been a +great ship. Much disappointed, Tom rang for full speed ahead +again, and the current was sent into the great electric +plates that pulled and pushed the submarine forward. + +For two days more nothing happened. They searched around +under the green waters, on the alert for the first sign, but +they saw nothing. Great fish swam about them, sometimes +racing with the Advance. The adventurers beheld great ocean +caverns, and skirted immense rocks, where dwelt monsters of +the deep. Once a great octopus tried to do battle with the +submarine and crush it in its snaky arms, but Tom saw the +great white body, with saucer-shaped eyes, in the path of +light and rammed him with the steel point. The creature died +after a struggle. + +They were beginning to despair when a full week had passed +and they were seemingly as far from the wreck as ever. They +went to the surface to enable Captain Weston to take another +observation. It only confirmed the other, and showed that +they were in the right vicinity. But it was like looking for +a needle in a haystack, almost, to and the sunken ship in +that depth of water. + +"Well, we'll try again," said Mr. Swift, as they sank once +more beneath the surface. + +It was toward evening, on the second day after this, that +Tom, who was on duty in the conning tower, saw a black shape +looming up in front of the submarine, the searchlight +revealing it to him far enough away so that he could steer +to avoid it. He thought at first that it was a great rock, +for they were moving along near the bottom, but the peculiar +shape of it soon convinced him that this could not be. It +came more plainly into view as the submarine approached it +more slowly, then suddenly, out of the depths in the +illumination from the searchlight, the young inventor saw +the steel sides of a steamer. His heart gave a great thump, +but he would not call out yet, fearing that it might be some +other vessel than the one containing the treasure. + +He steered the Advance so as to circle it. As he swept +past the bows he saw in big letters near the sharp prow the +word, Boldero. + +"The wreck! The wreck!" he cried, his voice ringing +through the craft from end to end. "We've found the wreck at +last!" + +"Are you sure?" cried his father, hurrying to his son, +Captain Weston following. + +"Positive," answered the lad. The submarine was slowing up +now, and Tom sent her around on the other side. They had a +good view of the sunken ship. It seemed to be intact, no +gaping holes in her sides, for only her plates had started, +allowing her to sink gradually. + +"At last," murmured Mr. Swift. "Can it be possible we are +about to get the treasure?" + +"That's the Boldero, all right," affirmed Captain Weston. +"I recognize her, even if the name wasn't on her bow. Go +right down on the bottom, Tom, and we'll get out the diving +suits and make an examination." + +The submarine settled to the ocean bed. Tom glanced at the +depth gage. It showed over two miles and a half. Would they +be able to venture out into water of such enormous pressure +in the comparatively frail diving suits, and wrest the gold +from the wreck? It was a serious question. + +The Advance came to a stop. In front of her loomed the +great bulk of the Boldero, vague and shadowy in the +flickering gleam of the searchlight As the gold-seekers +looked at her through the bull's-eyes of the conning tower, +several great forms emerged from beneath the wreck's bows. + +"Deep-water sharks!" exclaimed Captain Weston, "and +monsters, too. But they can't bother us. Now to get out the +gold!" + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Three + +Attacked by Sharks + + +For a few minutes after reaching the wreck, which had so +occupied their thoughts for the past weeks, the adventurers +did nothing but gaze at it from the ports of the submarine. +The appearance of the deep-water sharks gave them no +concern, for they did not imagine the ugly creatures would +attack them. The treasure-seekers were more engrossed with +the problem of getting out the gold. + +"How are we going to get at it?" asked Tom, as he looked +at the high sides of the sunken ship, which towered well +above the comparatively small Advance. + +"Why, just go in and get it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Where +is gold in a cargo usually kept, Captain Weston? You ought +to know, I should think. Bless my pocketbook!" + +"Well, I should say that in this case the bullion would be +kept in a safe in the captain's cabin," replied the sailor. +"Or, if not there, in some after part of the vessel, away +from where the crew is quartered. But it is going to be +quite a problem to get at it. We can't climb the sides of +the wreck, and it will be impossible to lower her ladder +over the side. However, I think we had better get into the +diving suits and take a closer look. We can walk around +her." + +"That's my idea," put in Mr. Sharp. "But who will go, and +who will stay with the ship?" + +"I think Tom and Captain Weston had better go," suggested +Mr. Swift. "Then, in case anything happens, Mr. Sharp, you +and I will be on board to manage matters." + +"You don't think anything will happen, do you, dad?" asked +his son with a laugh, but it was not an easy one, for the +lad was thinking of the shadowy forms of the ugly sharks. + +"Oh, no, but it's best to be prepared," answered his +father. + +The captain and the young inventor lost no time in donning +the diving suits. They each took a heavy metal bar, pointed +at one end, to use in assisting them to walk on the bed of +the ocean, and as a protection in case the sharks might +attack them. Entering the diving chamber, they were shut in, +and then water was admitted until the pressure was seen, by +gauges, to be the same as that outside the submarine. Then +the sliding steel door was opened. At first Tom and the +captain could barely move, so great was the pressure of +water on their bodies. They would have been crushed but for +the protection afforded by the strong diving suits. + +In a few minutes they became used to it, and stepped out +on the floor of the ocean. They could not, of course, speak +to each other, but Tom looked through the glass eyes of his +helmet at the captain, and the latter motioned for the lad +to follow. The two divers could breathe perfectly, and by +means of small, but powerful lights on the helmets, the way +was lighted for them as they advanced. + +Slowly they approached the wreck, and began a circuit of +her. They could see several places where the pressure of the +water, and the strain of the storm in which she had +foundered, had 'opened the plates of the ship, but in no +case were the openings large enough to admit a person. +Captain Weston put his steel bar in one crack, and tried to +pry it farther open, but his strength was not equal to the +task. He made some peculiar motions, but Tom could not +understand them. + +They looked for some means by which they could mount to +the decks of the Boldero, but none was visible. It was like +trying to scale a fifty-foot smooth steel wall. There was no +place for a foothold. Again the sailor made some peculiar +motions, and the lad puzzled over them. They had gone nearly +around the wreck now, and as yet had seen no way in which to +get at the gold. As they passed around the bow, which was in +a deep shadow from a great rock, they caught sight of the +submarine lying a short distance away. Light streamed from +many hull's-eyes, and Tom felt a sense of security as he +looked at her, for it was lonesome enough in that great +depth of water, unable to speak to his companion, who was a +few feet in advance. + +Suddenly there was a swirling of the water, and Tom was +nearly thrown off his feet by the rush of some great body. A +long, black shadow passed over his head, and an instant +later he saw the form of a great shark launched at Captain +Weston. The lad involuntarily cried in alarm, but the result +was surprising. He was nearly deafened by his own voice, +confined as the sound was in the helmet he wore. But the +sailor, too, had felt the movement of the water, and turned +just in time. He thrust upward with his pointed bar. But he +missed the stroke, and Tom, a moment later, saw the great +fish turn over so that its mouth, which is far underneath +its snout, could take in the queer shape which the shark +evidently thought was a choice morsel. The big fish did +actually get the helmet of Captain Weston inside its jaws, +but probably it would have found it impossible to crush the +strong steel. Still it might have sprung the joints, and +water would have entered, which would have been as fatal as +though the sailor had been swallowed by the shark. Tom +realized this and, moving as fast as he could through the +water, he came up behind the monster and drove his steel bar +deep into it. + +The sea was crimsoned with blood, and the savage creature, +opening its mouth, let go of the captain. It turned on Tom, +who again harpooned it. Then the fish darted off and began a +wild flurry, for it was dying. The rush of water nearly +threw Tom off his feet, but he managed to make his way over +to his friend, and assist him to rise. A confident look from +the sailor showed the lad that Captain Weston was uninjured, +though he must have been frightened. As the two turned to +make their way back to the submarine, the waters about them +seemed alive with the horrible monsters. + +It needed but a glance to show what they were, Sharks! +Scores of them, long, black ones, with their ugly, undershot +mouths. They had been attracted by the blood of the one Tom +had killed, but there was not a meal for all of them off the +dying creature, and the great fish might turn on the young +inventor and his companion. + +The two shrank closer toward the wreck. They might get +under the prow of that and be safe. But even as they started +to move, several of the sea wolves darted quickly at them. +Tom glanced at the captain. What could they do? Strong as +were the diving suits, a combined attack by the sharks, with +their powerful jaws, would do untold damage. + +At that moment there seemed some movement on board the +submarine. Tom could see his father looking from the conning +tower, and the aged inventor seemed to be making some +motions. Then Tom understood. Mr. Swift was directing his +son and Captain Weston to crouch down. The lad did so, +pulling the sailor after him. Then Tom saw the bow electric +gun run out, and aimed at the mass of sharks, most of whom +were congregated about the dead one. Into the midst of the +monsters was fired a number of small projectiles, which +could be used in the electric cannon in place of the solid +shot. Once more the waters were red with blood, and those +sharks which were not killed swirled off. Tom and Captain +Weston were saved. They were soon inside the submarine +again, telling their thrilling story. + +"It's lucky you saw us, dad," remarked the lad, blushing +at the praise Mr. Damon bestowed on him for killing the +monster which had attacked the captain. + +"Oh, I was on the lookout," said the inventor. "But what +about getting into the wreck?" + +"I think the only way we can do it will be to ram a hole +in her side," said Captain Weston. "That was what I tried to +tell Tom by motions, but he didn't seem to understand me." + +"No," replied the lad, who was still a little nervous from +his recent experience. "I thought you meant for us to turn +it over, bottom side up," and he laughed. + +"Bless my gizzard! Just like a shark," commented Mr. +Damon. + +"Please don't mention them," begged Tom. "I hope we don't +see any more of them." + +"Oh, I fancy they have been driven far enough away from +this neighborhood now," commented the captain. "But now +about the wreck. We may be able to approach it from above. +Suppose we try to lower the submarine on it? That will save +ripping it open." + +This was tried a little later, but would not work. There +were strong currents sweeping over the top of the Boldero, +caused by a submerged reef near which she had settled. It +was a delicate task to sink the submarine on her decks, and +with the deep waters swirling about was found to be +impossible, even with the use of the electric plates and the +auxiliary screws. Once more the Advance settled to the ocean +bed, near the wreck. + +"Well, what's to be done?" asked Tom, as he looked at the +high steel sides. + +"Ram her, tear a hole, and then use dynamite," decided +Captain Weston promptly. "You have some explosive, haven't +you, Mr. Swift?" + +"Oh, yes. I came prepared for emergencies." + +"Then we'll blow up the wreck and get at the gold." + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Four + +Ramming the Wreck + + +Fitted with a long, sharp steel ram in front, the Advance +was peculiarly adapted for this sort of work. In designing +the ship this ram was calculated to be used against hostile +vessels in war time, for the 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 the craft 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 the surface, it +was decided to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nor +did the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they +might encounter a storm. + +"We had trouble enough locating the wreck," said Captain +Weston, "and if we go up we may be blown off our course. We +have air enough to stay below, haven't we, Tom?" + +"Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages. + +After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the submarine +crew got ready for 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 was terrific, and at +first it was feared some damage had been done to the +Advance, 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 tower bull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off +again. "Let's give her another." + +Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the +Boldero, and again the submarine shivered from the shock. +But there was a bigger hole in the wreck now, and after +Captain Weston had viewed it he decided it was large enough +to allow a person to enter and place a charge of dynamite so +that the treasure ship would be broken up. + +Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance +was withdrawn to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble, a +great swirling of the water, which was made murky; but when +it cleared, and the submarine went back, it was seen that +the wreck was effectively broken up. 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 +my watch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you +think the sharks are all gone, Captain Weston?" + +"I think so." + +In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon +were attired in the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to +venture into such a great depth of water. Besides, it was +necessary for at least one person to remain in the submarine +to operate the diving chamber. + +Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold- +seekers approached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a +sight of the sharks, but the monster fish seemed to have +deserted that part of the ocean. Tom was the first to reach +the now disrupted steamer. He found he could easily climb +up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo holds were +scattered all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon +joined the lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and +being more familiar with ocean craft the captain was +permitted to take the lead. He headed aft, seeking to locate +the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in finding it. He +motioned for the others to enter, that the combined +illumination of the lamps in their helmets would make the +place bright enough so a search could be made for the gold. +Tom suddenly seized the arm of the captain, and pointed to +one corner of the cabin. There stood a small safe, and at +the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The door was +not locked, probably having been left open when the ship was +deserted. 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 others shared his feelings, but though they all felt +like voicing their disappointment, not a word could be +spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorous motions, indicated to his +companions to seek further. + +They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the +wreck, save for a short interval for dinner. But no gold +rewarded their search. + +Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, +and found himself in the captain's cabin again, with the +empty safe showing dimly in 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 back of the safe. To his astonishment the +partition seemed to fall inward, revealing a secret +compartment. The lad leaned forward to bring the light 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 spring and opened a secret receptacle. But what did +it contain? + +Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He +found it beyond his strength. Trembling from excitement, he +went in search of the others. He found them delving in the +after part of the wreck, but by motions our hero caused them +to follow him. Captain Weston showed the excitement 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 +off the top with their bars. + +There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, +gleaming, yellow bars! It needed but a glance to show that +they were gold bullion. Tom had found the treasure. The lad +tried to dance around there in the cabin 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 been +successful. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Five + +Home With the Gold + + +There was no time to be lost. They were in a treacherous +part of the ocean, and strong currents might at any time +further break up the wreck, so that they could not come at +the gold. It was decided, by means of motions, to at once +transfer the treasure to the submarine. As the boxes were +too heavy to carry easily, especially as two men, who were +required to lift one, could not walk together in the +uncertain footing afforded by the wreck, another plan was +adopted. The boxes were opened and the bars, a few at a +time, were dropped on a firm, sandy place at the side of the +wreck. Tom and Captain Weston did this work, while Mr. Sharp +and Mr. Damon carried the bullion to the diving chamber of +the Advance. They put the yellow bars inside, and when quite +a number had been thus shifted, Mr. Swift, closing the +chamber, pumped the water out and removed the gold. Then he +opened the chamber to the divers again, and the process was +repeated, until all the bullion had been secured. + +Tom would have been glad to make a further examination of +the wreck, for he thought he could get some of the rifles +the ship carried, but Captain Weston signed to him not to +attempt this. + +The lad went to the pilot house, while his father and Mr. +Sharp took their places in the engine-room. The gold had +been safely stowed in Mr. Swift's cabin. + +Tom took a last look at the wreck before he gave the +starting signal. As he gazed at the bent and twisted mass of +steel that had once been a great ship, he saw something +long, black and shadowy moving around from the other side, +coming across the bows. + +"There's another big shark," he observed to Captain +Weston. "They're coming back after us." + +The captain did not speak. He was staring at the dark +form. Suddenly, from what seemed the pointed nose of it, +there gleamed a light, as from some great eye. + +"Look at that!" cried Tom. "That's no shark!" + +"If you want my opinion," remarked the sailor, "I should +say it was the other submarine--that of Berg and his +friends--the Wonder. They've managed to fix up their craft +and are after the gold." + +"But they're too late!" cried Tom excitedly. "Let's tell +them so." + +"No," advised the captain. "We don't want any trouble with +them." + +Mr. Swift came forward to see why his son had not given +the signal to start. He was shown the other submarine, for +now that the Wonder had turned on several searchlights, +there was no doubt as to the identity of the craft. + +"Let's get away unobserved if we can," he suggested. "We +have had trouble enough." + +It was easy to do this, as the Advance was hidden behind +the wreck, and her lights were glowing but dimly. Then, too, +those in the other submarine were so excited over the +finding of what they supposed was the wreck containing the +treasure, that they paid little attention to anything else. + +"I wonder how they'll feel when they find the gold gone?" +asked Tom as he pulled the lever starting the pumps. + +"Well, we may have a chance to learn, when we get back to +civilization," remarked the captain. + +The surface was soon reached, and then, under fair skies, +and on a calm sea, the voyage home was begun. Part of the +time the Advance sailed on the top, and part of the time +submerged. + +They met with but a single accident, and that was when the +forward electrical plate broke. But with the aft one still +in commission, and the auxiliary screws, they made good +time. Just before reaching home they settled down to the +bottom and donned the diving suits again, even Mr. Swift +taking his turn. Mr. Damon caught some large lobsters, of +which he was very fond, or, rather, to be more correct, the +lobsters caught him. When he entered the diving chamber +there were four fine ones clinging to different parts of his +diving suit. Some of them were served for dinner. + +The adventurers safely reached the New Jersey coast, and +the submarine was docked. Mr. Swift at once communicated +with the proper authorities concerning the recovery of the +gold. He offered to divide with the actual owners, after he +and his friends had been paid for their services, but as the +revolutionary party to whom the bullion was intended had +gone out of existence, there was no one to officially claim +the treasure, so it all went to Tom and his friends, who +made an equitable distribution of it. The young inventor did +not forget to buy Mrs. Baggert a fine diamond ring, as he +had promised. + +As for Berg and his employers, they were, it was learned +later, greatly chagrined at finding the wreck valueless. +They tried to make trouble for Tom and his father, but were +not successful. + +A few days after arriving at the seacoast cottage, Tom, +his father and Mr. Damon went to Shopton in the airship. +Captain Weston, Garret Jackson and Mr Sharp remained behind +in charge of the submarine. It was decided that the Swifts +would keep the craft and not sell it to the Government, as +Tom said they might want to go after more treasure some day. + +"I must first deposit this gold," said Mr. Swift as the +airship landed in front of the shed at his home. "It won't +do to keep it in the house over night, even if the Happy +Harry gang is in jail." + +Tom helped him take it to the bank. As they were making +perhaps the largest single deposit ever put in the +institution, Ned Newton came out. + +"Well, Tom," he cried to his chum, "it seems that you are +never going to stop doing things. You've conquered the air, +the earth and the water." + +"What have you been doing while I've been under water, +Ned?" asked the young inventor. + +"Oh, the same old thing. Running errands and doing all +sorts of work in the bank." + +Tom had a sudden idea. He whispered to his father and Mr. +Swift nodded. A little later he was closeted with Mr. +Prendergast, the bank president. It was not long before Ned +and Tom were called in. + +"I have some good news for you, Ned," said Mr. +Prendergast, while Tom smiled. "Mr. Swift er--ahem--one of +our largest depositors, has spoken to me about you, Ned. I +find that you have been very faithful. You are hereby +appointed assistant cashier, and of course you will get a +much larger salary." + +Ned could hardly believe it, but he knew then what Tom had +whispered to Mr. Swift. The wishes of a depositor who brings +much gold bullion to a bank can hardly be ignored. + +"Come on out and have some soda," invited Tom, and when +Ned looked inquiringly at the president, the latter nodded +an assent. + +As the two lads were crossing the street to a drug store, +something whizzed past them, nearly running them down. + +"What sort of an auto was that?" cried Tom. + +"That? Oh, that was Andy Foger's new car," answered Ned. +"He's been breaking the speed laws every day lately, but no +one seems to bother him. It's because his father is rich, I +suppose. Andy says he has the fastest car ever built." + +"He has, eh?" remarked Tom, while a curious look came into +his eyes. "Well, maybe I can build one that will beat his." + +And whether the young inventor did or not you can learn by +reading the fifth volume of this series, to be called "Tom +Swift and His Electric Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on +the Road." + +"Well, Tom, I certainly appreciate what you did for me in +getting me a better position," remarked Ned as they left the +drug store. "I was beginning to think I'd never get +promoted. Say, have you anything to do this evening? If you +haven't, I wish you'd come over to my house. I've got a lot +of pictures I took while you were away." + +"Sorry, but I can't," replied Tom. + +"Why, are you going to build another airship or submarine?" + +"No, but I'm going to see-- Oh, what do you want to know +for, anyhow?" demanded the young inventor with a blush. +"Can't a fellow go see a girl without being cross-questioned?" + +"Oh, of course," replied Ned with a laugh. "Give Miss +Nestor my regards," and at this Tom blushed still more. But, +as he said, that was his own affair. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Submarine Boat + diff --git a/old/04tom10.zip b/old/04tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f71b9a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/04tom10.zip diff --git a/old/04tom10h.htm b/old/04tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba8ee6a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/04tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6503 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<title>Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Submarine Boat</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 1em; + line-height: 115%; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + td {font-size: 120%; + } + body{margin-left: 8%; + margin-right: 8%; + } + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift And His Submarine Boat, by Victor Appleton +#4 in our series by Victor Appleton + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. 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An elderly + man, who was seated on the porch of a large house, started + to his feet in alarm.</p> + +<p> "Gracious goodness! What was that, Mrs. Baggert?" he + called to a motherly-looking woman who stood in the doorway. + "What happened?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing much, Mr. Swift," was the calm reply "I think + that was Tom and Mr. Sharp in their airship, that's all. I + didn't see it, but the noise sounded like that of the Red +Cloud."</p> + +<p>"Of course! To be sure!" exclaimed Mr. Barton Swift, the + well-known inventor, as he started down the path in order to + get a good view of the air, unobstructed by the trees. "Yes, + there they are," he added. "That's the airship, but I didn't + expect them back so soon. They must have made good time from + Shopton. I wonder if anything can be the matter that they + hurried so?"</p> + +<p>He gazed aloft toward where a queerly-shaped machine was + circling about nearly five hundred feet in the air, for the + craft, after Swooping down close to the house, had ascended + and was now hovering just above the line of breakers that + marked the New Jersey seacoast, where Mr. Swift had taken up + a temporary residence.</p> + +<p>"Don't begin worrying, Mr. Swift," advised Mrs. Baggert, + the housekeeper. "You've got too much to do, if you get that + new boat done, to worry."</p> + +<p>"That's so. I must not worry. But I wish Tom and Mr. Sharp + would land, for I want to talk to them."</p> + +<p>As if the occupants of the airship had heard the words of + the aged inventor, they headed their craft toward earth. The + combined aeroplane and dirigible balloon, a most wonderful + traveler of the air, swung around, and then, with the + deflection rudders slanted downward, came on with a rush. + When near the landing place, just at the side of the house, + the motor was stopped, and the gas, with a hissing noise, + rushed into the red aluminum container. This immediately + made the ship more buoyant and it landed almost as gently as + a feather.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the wheels which formed the lower part of + the craft touched the ground than there leaped from the + cabin of the Red Cloud a young man.</p> + +<p>"Well, dad!" he exclaimed. "Here we are again, safe and + sound. Made a record, too. Touched ninety miles an hour at + times--didn't we, Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"That's what," agreed a tall, thin, dark-complexioned man, + who followed Tom Swift more leisurely in his exit from the + cabin. Mr. Sharp, a veteran aeronaut, stopped to fasten guy + ropes from the airship to strong stakes driven into the + ground.</p> + +<p>"And we'd have done better, only we struck a hard wind + against us about two miles up in the air, which delayed us," + went on Tom. "Did you hear us coming, dad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it startled him," put in Mrs. Baggert. "I guess + he wasn't expecting you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I shouldn't have been so alarmed, only I was + thinking deeply about a certain change I am going to make in + the submarine, Tom. I was day-dreaming, I think, when your + ship whizzed through the air. But tell me, did you find + everything all right at Shopton? No signs of any of those + scoundrels of the Happy Harry gang having been around?" and + Mr. Swift looked anxiously at his son.</p> + +<p>"Not a sign, dad," replied Tom quickly. "Everything was + all right. We brought the things you wanted. They're in the + airship. Oh, but it was a fine trip. I'd like to take + another right out to sea."</p> + +<p> + "Not now, Tom," said his father. "I want you to help me. + And I need Mr. Sharp's help, too. Get the things out of the + car, and we'll go to the shop."</p> + +<p>"First I think we'd better put the airship away," advised + Mr. Sharp. "I don't just like the looks of the weather, and, + besides, if we leave the ship exposed we'll be sure to have + a crowd around sooner or later, and we don't want that."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," remarked the aged inventor hastily. "I don't + want people prying around the submarine shed. By all means + put the airship away, and then come into the shop."</p> + +<p>In spite of its great size the aeroplane was easily + wheeled along by Tom and Mr. Sharp, for the gas in the + container made it so buoyant that it barely touched the + earth. A little more of the powerful vapor and the Red + Cloud would have risen by itself. In a few minutes the + wonderful craft, of which my readers have been told in + detail in a previous volume, was safely housed in a large + tent, which was securely fastened.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp and Tom, carrying some bundles which they had + taken from the car, or cabin, of the craft, went toward a + large shed, which adjoined the house that Mr. Swift had + hired for the season at the seashore. They found the lad's + father standing before a great shape, which loomed up dimly + in the semi-darkness of the building. It was like an immense + cylinder, pointed at either end, and here and there were + openings, covered with thick glass, like immense, bulging + eyes. From the number of tools and machinery all about the + place, and from the appearance of the great cylinder itself, + it was easy to see that it was only partly completed.</p> + +<p>"Well, how goes it, dad?" asked the youth, as he deposited + his bundle on a bench. "Do you think you can make it work?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, Tom. The positive and negative plates are + giving me considerable trouble, though. But I guess we can + solve the problem. Did you bring me the galvanometer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and all the other things," and the young inventor + proceeded to take the articles from the bundles he carried.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift looked them over carefully, while Tom walked + about examining the submarine, for such was the queer craft + that was contained in the shed. He noted that some progress + had been made on it since he had left the seacoast several + days before to make a trip to Shopton, in New York State, + where the Swift home was located, after some tools and + apparatus that his father wanted to obtain from his workshop + there.</p> + +<p>"You and Mr. Jackson have put on several new plates," + observed the lad after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted his father. "Garret and I weren't idle, + were we, Garret?" and he nodded to the aged engineer, who + had been in his employ for many years.</p> + +<p>"No; and I guess we'll soon have her in the water, Tom, + now that you and Mr. Sharp are here to help us," replied + Garret Jackson.</p> + +<p>"We ought to have Mr. Damon here to bless the submarine + and his liver and collar buttons a few times," put in Mr. + Sharp, who brought in another bundle. He referred to an + eccentric individual Who had recently made an airship voyage + with himself and Tom, Mr. Damon's peculiarity being to use + continually such expressions as: "Bless my soul! Bless my + liver!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be glad when we can make a trial trip," went + on Tom. "I've traveled pretty fast on land with my motor- + cycle, and we certainly have hummed through the air. Now I + want to see how it feels to scoot along under water."</p> + +<p>"Well, if everything goes well we'll be in position to + make a trial trip inside of a month," remarked the aged + inventor. "Look here, Mr. Sharp, I made a change in the + steering gear, which I'd like you and Tom to consider."</p> + +<p>The three walked around to the rear of the odd-looking + structure, if an object shaped like a cigar can be said to + have a front and rear, and the inventor, his son, and the + aeronaut were soon deep in a discussion of the + technicalities connected with under-water navigation.</p> + +<p>A little later they went into the house, in response to a + summons from the supper bell, vigorously rung by Mrs. + Baggert. She was not fond of waiting with meals, and even + the most serious problem of mechanics was, in her + estimation, as nothing compared with having the soup get + cold, or the possibility of not having the meat done to a + turn.</p> + +<p>The meal was interspersed with remarks about the recent + airship flight of Tom and Mr. Sharp, and discussions about + the new submarine. This talk went on even after the table + was cleared off and the three had adjourned to the sitting- + room. There Mr. Swift brought out pencil and paper, and soon + he and Mr. Sharp were engrossed in calculating the pressure + per square inch of sea water at a depth of three miles.</p> + +<p>"Do you intend to go as deep as that?" asked Tom, looking + up from a paper he was reading.</p> + +<p>"Possibly," replied his father; and his son resumed his + perusal of the sheet.</p> + +<p>"Now," went on the inventor to the aeronaut, "I have + another plan. In addition to the positive and negative + plates which will form our motive power, I am going to + install forward and aft propellers, to use in case of + accident."</p> + +<p>"I say, dad! Did you see this?" suddenly exclaimed Tom, + getting up from his chair, and holding his finger on a + certain place in the page of the paper.</p> + +<p>"Did I see what?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Why, this account of the sinking of the treasure ship."</p> + +<p>"Treasure ship? No. Where?"</p> + +<p>"Listen," went on Tom. "I'll read it: 'Further advices + from Montevideo, Uruguay, South America, state that all hope + has been given up of recovering the steamship Boldero, which + foundered and went down off that coast in the recent gale. + Not only has all hope been abandoned of raising the vessel, + but it is feared that no part of the three hundred thousand + dollars in gold bullion which she carried will ever be + recovered. Expert divers who were taken to the scene of the + wreck state that the depth of water, and the many currents + existing there, due to a submerged shoal, preclude any + possibility of getting at the hull. The bullion, it is + believed, was to have been used to further the interests of + a certain revolutionary faction, but it seems likely that + they will have to look elsewhere for the sinews of war. + Besides the bullion the ship also carried several cases of + rifles, it is stated, and other valuable cargo. The crew and + what few passengers the Boldero carried were, contrary to + the first reports, all saved by taking to the boats. It + appears that some of the ship's plates were sprung by the + stress in which she labored in a storm, and she filled and + sank gradually.' There! what do you think of that, dad?" + cried Tom as he finished.</p> + +<p>"What do I think of it? Why, I think it's too bad for the + revolutionists, Tom, of course."</p> + +<p>"No; I mean about the treasure being still on board the + ship. What about that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's likely to stay there, if the divers can't get + at it. Now, Mr. Sharp, about the propellers--"</p> + +<p>"Wait, dad!" cried Tom earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tom, what's the matter?" asked Mr. Swift in some + surprise.</p> + +<p>"How soon before we can finish our submarine?" went on + Tom, not answering the question.</p> + +<p>"About a month. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Why? Dad, why can't we have a try for that treasure? It + ought to be comparatively easy to find that sunken ship off + the coast of Uruguay. In our submarine we can get close up + to it, and in the new diving suits you invented we can get + at that gold bullion. Three hundred thousand dollars! Think + of it, dad! Three hundred thousand dollars! We could easily + claim all of it, since the owners have abandoned it, but we + would be satisfied with half. Let's hurry up, finish the + submarine, and have a try for it."</p> + +<p>"But, Tom, you forget that I am to enter my new ship in + the trials for the prize offered by the United States + Government."</p> + +<p>"How much is the prize if you win it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Fifty thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Well, here's a chance to make three times that much at + least, and maybe more. Dad, let the Government prize go, and + try for the treasure. Will you?"</p> + +<p>Tom looked eagerly at his father, his eyes shining with + anticipation. Mr. Swift was not a quick thinker, but the + idea his son had proposed made an impression on him. He + reached out his hand for the paper in which the young + inventor had seen the account of the sunken treasure. + Slowly he read it through. Then he passed it to Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of it?" he asked of the aeronaut</p> + +<p>"There's a possibility," remarked the balloonist "We might + try for it. We can easily go three miles down, and it + doesn't lie as deeply as that, if this account is true. Yes, + we might try for it. But we'd have to omit the Government + contests."</p> + +<p>"Will you, dad?" asked Tom again.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift considered a moment longer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, I will," he finally decided. "Going after the + treasure will be likely to afford us a better test of the + submarine than would any Government tests. We'll try to + locate the sunken Boldero."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried the lad, taking the paper from Mr. Sharp + and waving it in the air. "That's the stuff! Now for a + search for the submarine treasure!"</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH2" id="CH2">Chapter Two</a></h2> + +<h3>Finishing the Submarine</h3> + +<p> + "What's the matter?" cried Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, + hurrying in from the kitchen, where she was washing the + dishes. "Have you seen some of those scoundrels who robbed + you, Mr. Swift? If you have, the police down here ought +to--"</p> + +<p>"No, it's nothing like that," explained Mr. Swift. "Tom + has merely discovered in the paper an account of a sunken + treasure ship, and he wants us to go after it, down under + the ocean."</p> + +<p> + "Oh, dear! Some more of Captain Kidd's hidden hoard, I + suppose?" ventured the housekeeper. "Don't you bother with + it, Mr. Swift. I had a cousin once, and he got set in the + notion that he knew where that pirate's treasure was. He + spent all the money he had and all he could borrow digging + for it, and he never found a penny. Don't waste your time on + such foolishness. It's bad enough to be building airships + and submarines without going after treasure." Mrs. Baggert + spoke with the freedom of an old friend rather than a hired + housekeeper, but she had been in the family ever since Tom's + mother died, when he was a baby, and she had many + privileges.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this isn't any of Kidd's treasure," Tom assured her. + "If we get it, Mrs. Baggert, I'll buy you a diamond ring."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" she exclaimed, as Tom began to hug her in boyish + fashion. "I guess I'll have to buy all the diamond rings I + want, if I have to depend on your treasure for them," and + she went back to the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Well," went on Mr. Swift after a pause, "if we are going + into the treasure-hunting business, Tom, we'll have to get + right to work. In the first place, we must find out more + about this ship, and just where it was sunk."</p> + +<p>"I can do that part," said Mr. Sharp. "I know some sea + captains, and they can put me on the track of locating the + exact spot. In fact, it might not be a bad idea to take an + expert navigator with us. I can manage in the air all right, + but I confess that working out a location under water is + beyond me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, an old sea captain wouldn't be a bad idea, by any + means," conceded Mr. Swift. "Well, if you'll attend to that + detail, Mr. Sharp, Tom, Mr. Jackson and I will finish the + submarine. Most of the work is done, however, and it only + remains to install the engine and motors. Now, in regard to + the negative and positive electric plates, I'd like your + opinion, Tom."</p> + +<p>For Tom Swift was an inventor, second in ability only to + his father, and his advice was often sought by his parent on + matters of electrical construction, for the lad had made a + specialty of that branch of science.</p> + +<p>While father and son were deep in a discussion of the + apparatus of the submarine, there will be an opportunity to + make the reader a little better acquainted with them. Those + of you who have read the previous volumes of this series do + not need to be told who Tom Swift is. Others, however, may + be glad to have a proper introduction to him.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the + village of Shopton, New York. The Swift home was on the + outskirts of the town, and the large house was surrounded by + a number of machine shops, in which father and son, aided by + Garret Jackson, the engineer, did their experimental and + constructive work. Their house was not far from Lake + Carlopa, a fairly large body of water, on which Tom often + speeded his motor-boat.</p> + +<p>In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift + and His Motor-Cycle," it was told how be became acquainted + with Mr. Wakefield Damon, who suffered an accident while + riding one of the speedy machines. The accident disgusted + Mr. Damon with motor-cycles, and Tom secured it for a low + price. He had many adventures on it, chief among which was + being knocked senseless and robbed of a valuable patent + model belonging to his father, which he was taking to + Albany. The attack was committed by a gang known as the + Happy Harry gang, who were acting at the instigation of a + syndicate of rich men, who wanted to secure control of a + certain patent turbine engine which Mr. Swift had invented.</p> + +<p>Tom set out in pursuit of the thieves, after recovering + from their attack, and had a strenuous time before he + located them.</p> + +<p>In the second volume, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor- + Boat," there was related our hero's adventures in a fine + craft which was recovered from the thieves and sold at + auction. There was a mystery connected with the boat, and + for a long time Tom could not solve it. He was aided, + however, by his chum, Ned Newton, who worked in the Shopton + Bank, and also by Mr. Damon and Eradicate Sampson, an aged + colored whitewasher, who formed quite an attachment for Tom.</p> + +<p>In his motor-boat Tom had more than one race with Andy + Foger, a rich lad of Shopton, who was a sort of bully. He + had red hair and squinty eyes, and was as mean in character + as he was in looks. He and his cronies, Sam Snedecker and + Pete Bailey, made trouble for Tom, chiefly because Tom + managed to beat Andy twice in boat races.</p> + +<p>It was while in his motor-boat, Arrow, that Tom formed the + acquaintance of John Sharp, a veteran balloonist. While + coming down Lake Carlopa on the way to the Swift home, which + had been entered by thieves, Tom, his father and Ned Newton, + saw a balloon on fire over the lake. Hanging from a trapeze + on it was Mr. Sharp, who had made an ascension from a fair + ground. By hard work on the part of Tom and his friends the + aeronaut was saved, and took up his residence with the + Swifts.</p> + +<p>His advent was most auspicious, for Tom and his father + were then engaged in perfecting an airship, and Mr. Sharp + was able to lend them his skill, so that the craft was soon + constructed.</p> + +<p>In the third volume, called "Tom Swift and His Airship," + there was set down the doings of the young inventor, Mr. + Sharp and Mr. Damon on a trip above the clouds. They + undertook it merely for pleasure, but they encountered + considerable danger, before they completed it, for they + nearly fell into a blazing forest once, and were later fired + at by a crowd of excited people. This last act was to effect + their capture, for they were taken for a gang of bank + robbers, and this was due directly to Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>The morning after Tom and his friends started on their + trip in the air, the Shopton Bank was found to have been + looted of seventy-five thousand dollars. Andy Foger at once + told the police that Tom Swift had taken the money, and when + asked how he knew this, he said he had seen Tom hanging + around the bank the night before the vault was burst open, + and that the young inventor had some burglar tools in his + possession. Warrants were at once sworn out for Tom and Mr. + Damon, who was also accused of being one of the robbers, and + a reward of five thousand dollars was offered.</p> + +<p>Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp sailed on, all unaware of + this, and unable to account for being fired upon, until they + accidentally read in the paper an account of their supposed + misdeeds. They lost no time in starting back home, and on, + the way got on the track of the real bank robbers, who were + members of the Happy Harry gang.</p> + +<p>How the robbers were captured in an exciting raid, how Tom + recovered most of the stolen money, and how he gave Andy + Foger a deserved thrashing for giving a false clue was told + of, and there was an account of a race in which the Red + Cloud (as the airship was called) took part, as well as + details of how Tom and his friends secured the reward, which + Andy Foger hoped to collect.</p> + +<p>Those of you who care to know how the Red Cloud was + constructed, and how she behaved in the air, even during + accidents and when struck by lightning, may learn by reading + the third volume, for the airship was one of the most + successful ever constructed.</p> + +<p>When the craft was finished, and the navigators were ready + to start on their first long trip, Mr. Swift was asked to go + with them. He declined, but would not tell why, until Tom, + pressing him for an answer, learned that his father was + planning a submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in some + trials for Government prizes. Mr. Swift remained at home to + work on this submarine, while his son and Mr. Sharp were + sailing above the clouds.</p> + +<p>On their return, however, and after the bank mystery had + been cleared up, Tom and Mr. Sharp, aided Mr. Swift in + completing the submarine, until, when the present story + opens, it needed but little additional work to make the + craft ready for the water.</p> + +<p>Of course it had to be built near the sea, as it would + have been impossible to transport it overland from Shopton. + So, before the keel was laid, Mr. Swift rented a large + cottage at a seaside place on the New Jersey coast and + there, after, erecting a large shed, the work on the + Advance, as the under-water ship was called, was begun.</p> + +<p>It was soon to be launched in a large creek that extended + in from the ocean and had plenty of water at high tide. Tom + and Mr. Sharp made several trips back and forth from Shopton + in their airship, to see that all was safe at home and + occasionally to get needed tools and supplies from the + shops, for not all the apparatus could be moved from Shopton + to the coast.</p> + +<p>It was when returning from one of these trips that Tom + brought with him the paper containing an account of the + wreck of the Boldero and the sinking of the treasure she + carried.</p> + +<p>Until late that night the three fortune-hunters discussed + various matters.</p> + +<p>"We'll hurry work on the ship," said Mr. Swift it length. + "Tom, I wonder if your friend, Mr. Damon, would care to try + how it seems under Water? He stood the air trip fairly + well."</p> + +<p> + "I'll write and ask him," answered the lad. "I'm sure + he'll go."</p> + +<p>Securing, a few days later, the assistance of two + mechanics, whom he knew he could trust, for as yet the + construction of the Advance was a secret, Mr. Swift prepared + to rush work on the submarine, and for the next three weeks + there were busy times in the shed next to the seaside + cottage. So busy, in fact, were Tom and Mr. Sharp, that + they only found opportunity for one trip in the airship, and + that was to get some supplies from the shops at home.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Swift one night, at the close of a + hard day's work, "another week will see our craft completed. + Then we will put it in the water and see how it floats, and + whether it submerges as I hope it does. But come on, Tom. I + want to lock up. I'm very tired to-night."</p> + +<p>"All right, dad," answered the young inventor coming from + the darkened rear of the shop. "I just want to--"</p> + +<p>Ne paused suddenly, and appeared to be listening. Then he + moved softly back to where he had come from.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked his father in a whisper. + "What's up, Tom?"</p> + +<p>The lad did not answer Mr. Swift, with a worried look on + his face, followed his son. Mr. Sharp stood in the door of + the shop.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard some one moving around back here," went + on Tom quietly.</p> + +<p>"Some one in this shop!" exclaimed the aged inventor + excitedly. "Some one trying to steal my ideas again! Mr. + Sharp, come here! Bring that rifle! We'll teach these + scoundrels a lesson!"</p> + +<p>Tom quickly darted hack to the extreme rear of the + building. There was a scuffle, and the next minute Tom cried + out:</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! I beg your pardon," replied a voice. "I am looking + for Mr. Barton Swift."</p> + +<p>"My father," remarked Tom. "But that's a queer place to + look for him. He's up front. Father, here's a man who wishes + to see you," he called.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I strolled in, and seeing no one about I went to the + rear of the place," the voice went on. "I hope I haven't + transgressed."</p> + +<p>"We were busy on the other side of the shop, I guess," + replied Tom, and he looked suspiciously at the man who + emerged from the darkness into the light from a window. "I + beg your pardon for grabbing you the way I did," went on the + lad, "but I thought you were one of a gang of men we've been + having trouble with."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," continued the man easily. "I know + Mr. Swift, and I think he will remember me. Ah, Mr. Swift, + how do you do?" he added quickly, catching sight of Tom's + father, who, with Mr. Sharp, was coming to meet the lad.</p> + +<p>"Addison Berg!" exclaimed the aged inventor as he saw the + man's face more plainly. "What are you doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I came to see you," replied the man. "May I have a talk + with you privately?"</p> + +<p>"I--I suppose so," assented Mr. Swift nervously. "Come + into the house."</p> + +<p>Mr. Berg left Tom's side and advanced to where Mr. Swift + was standing. Together the two emerged from the now fast + darkening shop and went toward the house.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" asked Mr. Sharp of the young inventor in a + whisper.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied the lad; "but, whoever he is, dad + seems afraid of him. I'm going to keep my eyes open."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH3" id="CH3">Chapter Three</a></h2> + +<h3>Mr. Berg is Astonished</h3> + +<p> + Following his father and the stranger whom the aged + inventor had addressed as Mr. Berg, Tom and Mr. Sharp + entered the house, the lad having first made sure that + Garret Jackson was on guard in the shop that contained the + sub marine.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Mr. Swift to the newcomer, "I am at your + service. What is it you wish?"</p> + +<p>"In the first place, let me apologize for having startled + you and your friends," began the man. "I had no idea of + sneaking into your workshop, but I had just arrived here, + and seeing the doors open I went in. I heard no one about, + and I wandered to the back of the place. There I happened to + stumble over a board--"</p> + +<p> + "And I heard you," interrupted Tom.</p> + +<p>"Is this one of your employees?" asked Mr. Berg in rather + frigid tones.</p> + +<p>"That is my son," replied Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon." The man's manner changed quickly. + "Well, I guess you did hear me, young man. I didn't intend + to hark my shins the way I did, either. You must have taken + me for a burglar or a sneak thief."</p> + +<p>"I have been very much bothered by a gang of unscrupulous + men," said Mr. Swift, "and I suppose Tom thought it was some + of them sneaking around again."</p> + +<p>"That's what I did," added the lad. "I wasn't going to + have any one steal the secret of the submarine if I could + help it."</p> + +<p>"Quite right! Quite right!" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "But my + purpose was an open one. As you know, Mr. Swift, I represent + the firm of Bentley & Eagert, builders of submarine boats + and torpedoes. They heard that you were constructing a craft + to take part in the competitive prize tests of the United + States Government, and they asked me to come and see you to + learn when your ship would be ready. Ours is completed, but + we recognize that it will be for the best interests of all + concerned if there are a number of contestants, and my firm + did not want to send in their entry until they knew that you + were about finished with your ship. How about it? Are you + ready to compete?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Swift slowly. "We are about ready. My + craft needs a few finishing touches, and then it will be + ready to launch."</p> + +<p>"Then we may expect a good contest on your part," + suggested Mr. Berg.</p> + +<p>"Well," began the aged inventor, "I don't know about + that."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg.</p> + +<p>"I said I wasn't quite sure that we would compete," went + on Mr. Swift. "You see, when I first got this idea for a + submarine boat I had it in mind to try for the Government + prize of fifty thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"That's what we want, too," interrupted Mr. Berg with a + smile.</p> + +<p>"But," went on Tom's father, "since then certain matters + have come up, and I think, on the whole, that we'll not + compete for the prize after all."</p> + +<p>"Not compete for the prize?" almost shouted the agent for + Bentley & Eagert. "Why, the idea! You ought to compete. It + is good for the trade. We think we have a very fine craft, + and probably we would beat you in the tests, but--"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be too sure of that," put in Tom. "You have + only seen the outside of our boat. The inside is better + yet."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I have no doubt of that," spoke Mr. Berg, "but we + have been at the business longer than you have, and have had + more experience. Still we welcome competition. But I am very + much surprised that you are not going to compete for the + prize, Mr. Swift. Very much surprised, indeed! You see, I + came down from Philadelphia to arrange so that we could both + enter our ships at the same time. I understand there is + another firm of submarine boat builders who are going to try + for the prize, and I want to arrange a date that will he + satisfactory to all. I am greatly astonished that you are + not going to compete."</p> + +<p>"Well, we were going to," said Mr. Swift, "only we have + changed our minds, that's all. My son and I have other + plans."</p> + +<p>"May I ask what they are?" questioned Mr. Berg.</p> + +<p>"You may," exclaimed Tom quickly; "but I don't believe we + can tell you. They're a secret," he added more cordially.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see," retorted Mr. Berg. "Well, of course I don't + wish to penetrate any of your secrets, but I hoped we could + contest together for the Government prize. It is worth + trying for I assure you--fifty thousand dollars. Besides, + there is the possibility of selling a number of submarines + to the United States. It's a fine prize."</p> + +<p>"But the one we are after is a bigger one," Cried Tom + impetuously, and the moment he had spoken the wished he + could recall the words.</p> + +<p>"Eh? What's that?" exclaimed Mr. Berg. "You don't mean to + say another government has offered a larger prize? If I had + known that I would not have let my firm enter into the + competition for the bonus offered by the United States. + Please tell me."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," went on Tom more soberly. "I shouldn't have + spoken. Mr. Berg, the plans of my father and myself are such + that we can't reveal them now. We are going to try for a + prize, but not in competition with you. It's an entirely + different matter."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you'll find that the firm of Bentley & + Eagert are capable of trying for any prizes that are + offered," boasted the agent. "We may be competitors yet."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe so," replied Mr. Swift</p> + +<p>"We may," repeated Mr. Berg. "And if we do, please + remember that we will show no mercy. Our boats are the + best."</p> + +<p>"And may the best boat win," interjected Mr. Sharp. + "That's all we ask. A fair field and no favors."</p> + +<p>"Of course," spoke the agent coldly. "Is this another son + of yours?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No but a good friend," replied the aged inventor. "No, + Mr. Berg, we won't compete this time. You may tell your firm + so."</p> + +<p>"Very good," was the other's stiff reply. "Then + I will bid you good night. We shall carry off the + Government prize, but permit me to add that I + am very much astonished, very much indeed, that + you do not try for the prize. From what I have + seen of your submarine you have a very good + one, almost as good, in some respects, as ours. + I bid you good night," and with a bow the man + left the room and hurried away from the house.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH4" id="CH4">Chapter Four</a></h2> + +<h3>Tom is Imprisoned</h3> + +<p> "Well, I must say he's a cool one," remarked Tom, as the + echoes of Mr. Berg's steps died away. "The idea of thinking + his boat better than ours! I don't like that man, dad. I'm + suspicious of him. Do you think he came here to steal some + of our ideas?"</p> + +<p>"No, I hardly believe so, my son. But how did you discover + him?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you saw, dad. I heard a noise and went back there + to investigate. I found him sneaking around, looking at the + electric propeller plates. I went to grab him just as he + stumbled over a hoard. At first I thought it was one of the + old gang. I'm almost sure he was trying to discover + something."</p> + +<p> + "No, Tom. The firm he works for are good business men, and + they would not countenance anything like that. They are + heartless competitors, however, and if they saw a legitimate + chance to get ahead of me and take advantage, they would do + it. But they would not sneak in to steal my ideas. I feel + sure of that. Besides, they have a certain type of submarine + which they think is the best ever invented, and they would + hardly change at this late day. They feel sure of winning + the Government prize, and I'm just as glad we're not going + to have a contest."</p> + +<p>"Do you think our boat is better than theirs?"</p> + +<p>"Much better, in many respects."</p> + +<p>"I don't like that man Berg, though," went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I," added his father. "There is something strange + about him. He was very anxious that I should compete. + Probably he thought his firm's boat would go so far ahead of + ours that they would get an extra bonus. But I'm glad he + didn't see our new method of propulsion. That is the + principal improvement in the Advance over other types of + submarines. Well, another week and we will be ready for the + test."</p> + +<p>"Have you known Mr. Berg long, dad?"</p> + +<p>"Not very. I met him in Washington when I was in the + patent office. He was taking out papers on a submarine for + his firm at the same time I got mine for the Advance. It is + rather curious that he should come all the way here from + Philadelphia, merely to see if I was going to compete. There + is something strange about it, something that I can't + understand."</p> + +<p>The time was to come when Mr. Swift and his son were to + get at the bottom of Mr. Berg's reasons, and they learned to + their sorrow that he had penetrated some of their secrets.</p> + +<p>Before going to bed that night Tom and Mr. Sharp paid a + visit to the shed where the submarine was resting on the + ways, ready for launching. They found Mr. Jackson on guard + and the engineer said that no one had been around. Nor was + anything found disturbed.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is a great machine," remarked the lad as he + looked up at the cigar-shaped bulk towering over his head. + "Dad has outdone himself this trip."</p> + +<p>"It looks all right," commented Mr. Sharp. "Whether it + will work is another question."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we can't tell until it's in the water," con ceded + Tom. "But I hope it does. Dad has spent much time and money + on it."</p> + +<p>The Advance was, as her name indicated, much in advance of + previous submarines. There was not so much difference in + outward construction as there was in the means of propulsion + and in the manner in which the interior and the machinery + were arranged.</p> + +<p>The submarine planned by Mr. Swift and Tom jointly, and + constructed by them, with the aid of Mr. Sharp and Mr. + Jackson, was shaped like a Cigar, over one hundred feet long + and twenty feet in diameter at the thickest part. It was + divided into many compartments, all water-tight, so that if + one or even three were flooded the ship would still be + useable.</p> + +<p>Buoyancy was provided for by having several tanks for the + introduction of compressed air, and there was an emergency + arrangement so that a collapsible aluminum container could + be distended and filled with a powerful gas. This was to be + used if, by any means, the ship was disabled on the bottom + of the ocean. The container could be expanded and filled, + and would send the Advance to the surface.</p> + +<p>Another peculiar feature was that the engine-room, dynamos + and other apparatus were all contained amidships. This gave + stability to the craft, and also enabled the same engine to + operate both shafts and propellers, as well as both the + negative forward electrical plates, and the positive rear + ones.</p> + +<p>These plates were a new idea in submarine construction, + and were the outcome of an idea of Mr. Swift, with some + suggestions from his son.</p> + +<p>The aged inventor did not want to depend on the usual + screw propellers for his craft, nor did he want to use a jet + of compressed air, shooting out from a rear tube, nor yet a + jet of water, by means of which the creature called the + squid shoots himself along. Mr. Swift planned to send the + Advance along under water by means of electricity.</p> + +<p>Certain peculiar plates were built at the forward and aft + blunt noses of the submarine. Into the forward plate a + negative charge of electricity was sent, and into the one at + the rear a positive charge, just as one end of a horseshoe + magnet is positive and will repel the north end of a compass + needle, while the other pole of a magnet is negative and + will attract it. In electricity like repels like, while + negative and positive have a mutual attraction for each + other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift figured out that if he could send a powerful + current of negative electricity into the forward plate it + would pull the boat along, for water is a good conductor of + electricity, while if a positive charge was sent into the + rear plate it would serve to push the submarine along, and + he would thus get a pulling and pushing motion, just as a + forward and aft propeller works on some ferry boats.</p> + +<p>But the inventor did not depend on these plates alone. + There were auxiliary forward and aft propellers of the + regular type, so that if the electrical plates did not work, + or got out of order, the screws would serve to send the + Advance along.</p> + +<p>There was much machinery in the submarine There were + gasolene motors, since space was too cramped to allow the + carrying of coal for boilers. There were dynamos, motors and + powerful pumps. Some of these were for air, and some for + water. To sink the submarine below the surface large tanks + were filled with water. To insure a more sudden descent, + deflecting rudders were also used, similar to those on an + airship. There were also special air pumps, and one for the + powerful gas, which was manufactured on board.</p> + +<p>Forward from the engine-room was a cabin, where meals + could be served, and where the travelers could remain in the + daytime. There was also a small cooking galley, or kitchen, + there. Back of the engine-room were the sleeping quarters + and the storerooms. The submarine was steered from the + forward compartment, and here were also levers, wheels and + valves that controlled all the machinery, while a number of + dials showed in which direction they were going, how deep + they were, and at what speed they were moving, as well as + what the ocean pressure was.</p> + +<p>On top, forward, was a small conning, or observation + tower, with auxiliary and steering and controlling apparatus + there. This was to be used when the ship was moving along + on the surface of the ocean, or merely with the deck awash. + There was a small flat deck surrounding the conning tower + and this was available when the craft was on the surface.</p> + +<p>There was provision made for leaving the ship when it was + on the bed of the ocean. When it was desired to do this the + occupants put on diving suits, which were provided with + portable oxygen tanks. Then they entered a chamber into + which water was admitted until it was equal in pressure to + that outside. Then a steel door was opened, and they could + step out. To re-enter the ship the operation was reversed. + This was not a new feature. In fact, many submarines to-day + use it.</p> + +<p>At certain places there were thick bull's-eye windows, by + means of which the under-water travelers could look out into + the ocean through which they were moving. As a defense + against the attacks of submarine monsters there was a steel, + pointed ram, like a big harpoon. There were also a bow and a + stern electrical gun, of which more will be told later.</p> + +<p>In addition to ample sleeping accommodations, there were + many conveniences aboard the Advance. Plenty of fresh water + could be carried, and there was an apparatus for distilling + more from the sea water that surrounded the travelers. + Compressed air was carried in large tanks, and oxygen could + be made as needed. In short, nothing that could add to the + comfort or safety of the travelers had been omitted. There + was a powerful crane and windlass, which had been installed + when Mr. Swift thought his boat might be bought by the + Government. This was to be used for raising wrecks or + recovering objects from the bottom of the ocean. Ample + stores and provisions were to be carried and, once the + travelers were shut up in the Advance, they could exist for + a month below the surface, providing no accident occurred.</p> + +<p>All these things Tom and Mr. Sharp thought of as they + looked over the ship before turning in for the night. The + craft was made immensely strong to withstand powerful + pressure at the bottom of the ocean. The submarine could + penetrate to a depth of about three miles. Below that it was + dangerous to go, as the awful force would crush the plates, + powerful as they were.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll rush things to-morrow and the next day," + observed Tom as he prepared to leave the building. "Then + we'll soon see if it works."</p> + +<p>For the next week there were busy times in the shop near + the ocean. Great secrecy was maintained, and though + curiosity seekers did stroll along now and then, they + received little satisfaction. At first Mr. Swift thought + that the visit of Mr. Berg would have unpleasant results, + for he feared that the agent would talk about the craft, of + which he had so unexpectedly gotten a sight. But nothing + seemed to follow from his chance inspection, and it was + forgotten.</p> + +<p> + It was one evening, about a week later, that Tom was alone + in the shop. The two mechanics that had been hired to help + out in the rush had been let go, and the ship needed but a + few adjustments to make it ready for the sea.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll just take another look at the water tank + valves," said Tom to himself as he prepared to enter the big + compartments which received the water ballast. "I want to be + sure they work properly and quickly. We've got to depend on + them to make us sink when we want to, and, what's more + important, to rise to the surface in a hurry. I've got time + enough to look them over before dad and Mr. Sharp get back."</p> + +<p>Tom entered the starboard tank by means of an emergency + sliding door between the big compartments and the main part + of the ship. This was closed by a worm and screw gear, and + once the ship was in the water would seldom be used.</p> + +<p>The young inventor proceeded with his task, carefully + inspecting the valves by the light of a lantern he carried. + The apparatus seemed to be all right, and Tom was about to + leave when a peculiar noise attracted his attention. It was + the sound of metal scraping on metal, and the lad's quick + and well-trained ear told him it was somewhere about the + ship.</p> + +<p>He turned to leave the tank, but as he wheeled around his + light flashed on a solid wall of steel back of him. The + emergency outlet had been closed! He was a prisoner in the + water compartment, and he knew, from past experience, that + shout as he would, his voice could not be heard ten feet + away. His father and Mr. Sharp, as he was aware, had gone to + a nearby city for some tools, and Mr. Jackson, the engineer, + was temporarily away. Mrs. Baggert, in the house, could not + hear his cries.</p> + +<p>"I'm locked in!" cried Tom aloud. "The worm gear must have + shut of itself. But I don't see how that could be. I've got + to get out mighty soon, though, or I'll smother. This tank + is airtight, and it won't take me long to breath up all the + oxygen there is here. I must get that slide open."</p> + +<p>He sought to grasp the steel plate that closed the + emergency opening. His fingers slipped over the smooth, + polished surface. He was hermetically sealed up--a captive! + Blankly he set his lantern down and leaned hopelessly + against the wall of the tank.</p> + +<p>"I've got to get out," he murmured.</p> + +<p>As if in answer to him he heard a voice on the outside, + crying:</p> + +<p>"There, Tom Swift! I guess I've gotten even with you now! + Maybe next time you won't take a reward away from me, and + lick me into the bargain. I've got you shut up good and + tight, and you'll stay there until I get ready to let you + out."</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Andy Foger sneaked in here and + turned the gear. But how did he get to this part of the + coast? Andy Foger, you let me out!" shouted the young + inventor; and as Andy's mocking laugh came to him faintly + through the steel sides of the submarine, the imprisoned lad + beat desperately with his hands on the smooth sides of the + tank, vainly wondering how his enemy had discovered him.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH5" id="CH5">Chapter Five</a></h2> + +<h3>Mr. Berg is Suspicious</h3> + +<p> Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his + way out of the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy + sides of it. Tom realized that this was worse than useless. + He listened intently, but could hear nothing. Even the + retreating footsteps of Andy Foger were inaudible.</p> + +<p>"This certainly is a pickle!" exclaimed Tom aloud. "I + can't understand how he ever got here. He must have traced + us after we went to Shopton in the airship the last time. + Then he sneaked in here. Probably he saw me enter, but how + could he knew enough to work the worm gear and close the + door? Andy has had some experience with machinery, though, + and one of the vaults in the bank where his father is a + director closed just like this tank. That's very likely how + he learned about it. But I've got to do something else + besides thinking of that sneak, Andy. I've got to get out of + here. Let's see if I can work the gear from inside."</p> + +<p> + Before he started, almost, Tom knew that it would be + impossible. The tank was made to close from the interior of + the submarine, and the heavy door, built to withstand the + pressure of tons of water, could not be forced except by the + proper means.</p> + +<p>"No use trying that," concluded the lad, after a tiring + attempt to force back the sliding door with his hands. "I've + got to call for help."</p> + +<p>He shouted until the vibrations in the confined space made + his ears ring, and the mere exertion of raising his voice to + the highest pitch made his heart beat quickly. Yet there + came no response. He hardly expected that there would be + any, for with his father and Mr. Sharp away, the engineer + absent on an errand, and Mrs. Baggert in the house some + distance off, there was no one to hear his calls for help, + even if they had been capable of penetrating farther than + the extent of the shed, where the under-water craft had been + constructed.</p> + +<p>"I've got to wait until some of them come out here," + thought Tom. "They'll be sure to release me and make a + search. Then it will be easy enough to call to them and tell + them where I am, once they are inside the shed. But--" He + paused, for a horrible fear came over him. "Suppose they + should come--too late?" The tank was airtight. There was + enough air in it to last for some time, but, sooner or + later, it would no longer support life. Already, Tom + thought, it seemed oppressive, though probably that was his + imagination.</p> + +<p>"I must get out!" he repeated frantically. "I'll die in + here soon."</p> + +<p>Again he tried to shove back the steel door. Then he + repeated his cries until be was weary. No one answered him. + He fancied once he could hear footsteps in the shed, and + thought, perhaps, it was Andy, come back to gloat over him. + Then Tom knew the red-haired coward would not dare venture + back. We must do Andy the justice to say that he never + realized that he was endangering Tom's life. The bully had + no idea the tank was airtight when he closed it. He had seen + Tom enter and a sudden whim came to him to revenge himself.</p> + +<p>But that did not help the young inventor any. There was no + doubt about it now--the air was becoming close. Tom had been + imprisoned nearly two hours, and as he was a healthy, strong + lad, he required plenty of oxygen. There was certainly less + than there had been in the tank. His head began to buzz, and + there was a ringing in his ears.</p> + +<p>Once more he fell upon his knees, and his fingers sought + the small projections of the gear on the inside of the door + He could no more budge the mechanism than a child could open + a burglar-proof vault.</p> + +<p>"It's no use," he moaned, and he sprawled at full length + on the floor of the tank, for there the air was purer. As he + did so his fingers touched something. He started as they + closed around the handle of a big monkey wrench. It was one + he had brought into the place with him. Imbued with new hope + be struck a match and lighted his lantern, which he had + allowed to go out as it burned up too much of the oxygen. By + the gleam of it he looked to see if there were any bolts or + nuts he could loosen with the wrench, in order to slide the + door back. It needed but a glance to show him the futility + of this.</p> + +<p>"It's no go," he murmured, and he let the wrench fall to + the floor. There was a ringing, clanging sound, and as it + smote his ears Tom sprang up with an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"That's the thing!" he cried. "I wonder I didn't think of + it before. I can signal for help by pounding on the sides of + the tank with the wrench. The blows will carry a good deal + farther than my voice would." Every one knows how far the + noise of a boiler shop, with hammers falling on steel + plates, can be heard; much farther than can a human voice.</p> + +<p>Tom began a lusty tattoo on the metal sides of the tank. + At first he merely rattled out blow after blow, and then, as + another thought came to him, he adopted a certain plan. Some + time previous, when he and Mr. Sharp had planned their trip + in the air, the two had adopted a code of signals. As it was + difficult in a high wind to shout from one end of the + airship to the other, the young inventor would sometimes + pound on the pipe which ran from the pilot house of the Red + Cloud to the engine-room. By a combination of numbers, + simple messages could be conveyed. The code included a call + for help. Forty-seven was the number, but there had never + been any occasion to use it.</p> + +<p>Tom remembered this now. At once he ceased his + indiscriminate hammering, and began to beat out regularly-- + one, two, three, four--then a pause, and seven blows would + be given. Over and over again he rang out this number--forty + seven--the call for help.</p> + +<p>"If Mr. Sharp only comes back he will hear that, even in + the house," thought poor Tom "Maybe Garret or Mrs. Baggert + will hear it, too, but they won't know what it means. + They'll think I'm just working on the submarine."</p> + +<p>It seemed several hours to Tom that he pounded out that + cry for aid, but, as he afterward learned, it was only a + little over an hour. Signal after signal he sent vibrating + from the steel sides of the tank. When one arm tired he + would use the other. He grew weary, his head was aching, and + there was a ringing in his ears; a ringing that seemed as if + ten thousand bells were jangling out their peals, and he + could barely distinguish his own pounding.</p> + +<p>Signal after signal he sounded. It was becoming like a + dream to him, when suddenly, as he paused for a rest, he + heard his name called faintly, as if far away.</p> + +<p>"Tom! Tom! Where are you?"</p> + +<p>It was the voice of Mr. Sharp. Then followed the tones of + the aged inventor.</p> + +<p>"My poor boy! Tom, are you still alive?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad! In the starboard tank!" the lad gasped out, and + then he lost his senses. When he revived he was lying on a + pile of bagging in the submarine shop, and his father and + the aeronaut were bending over him.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Yes--I--I guess so," was the hesitating answer. "Yes," + the lad added, as the fresh air cleared his head. "I'll be + all right pretty soon. Have you seen Andy Foger?"</p> + +<p>"Did he shut you in there?" demanded Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded.</p> + +<p>"I'll have him arrested!" declared Mr. Swift "I'll go to + town as soon as you're in good shape again and notify the + police."</p> + +<p>"No, don't," pleaded Tom. "I'll take care of Andy myself. + I don't really believe he knew how serious it was. I'll + settle with him later, though."</p> + +<p>"Well, it came mighty near being serious," remarked Mr. + Sharp grimly. "Your father and I came back a little sooner + than we expected, and as soon as I got near the house I + heard your signal. I knew what it was in a moment. There + were Mrs. Baggert and Garret talking away, and when I asked + them why they didn't answer your call they said they thought + you were merely tinkering with the machinery. But I knew + better. It's the first time we ever had a use for 'forty- + seven,' Tom."</p> + +<p>"And I hope it will be the last," replied the young + inventor with a faint smile. "But I'd like to know what Andy + Foger is doing in this neighborhood."</p> + +<p>Tom was soon himself again and able to go to the house, + where he found Mrs. Baggert brewing a big basin of catnip + tea, under the impression that it would in some way be good + for his. She could not forgive herself for not having + answered his signal, and as for Mr. Jackson, he had started + for a doctor as soon as he learned that Tom was shut up in + the tank. The services of the medical man were canceled by + telephone, as there was no need for him, and the engineer + came back to the house.</p> + +<p>Tom was fully himself the next day, and aided his father + and Mr. Sharp in putting the finishing touches to the + Advance. It was found that some alteration was required in + the auxiliary propellers, and this, much to the regret of + the young inventor, would necessitate postponing the trial a + few days.</p> + +<p>"But we'll have her in the water next Friday." promised + Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you superstitious about Friday?" asked the + balloonist.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," replied the aged inventor. "Tom," he + added, "I wish you would go in the house and get me the roll + of blueprints you'll find on my desk."</p> + +<p>As the lad neared the cottage he saw, standing in front of + the place, a small automobile. A man had just descended + from it, and it needed but a glance to show that he was Mr. + Addison Berg.</p> + +<p>"Ah, good morning, Mr. Swift," greeted Mr. Berg. "I wish + to see your father, but as I don't wish to lay myself open + to suspicions by entering the shop, perhaps you will ask him + to step here."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," answered the lad, wondering why the agent had + returned. Getting the blueprints, and asking Mr. Berg to sit + down on the porch, Tom delivered the message.</p> + +<p>"You come back with me, Tom," said his father. "I want you + to be a witness to what he says. I'm not going to get into + trouble with these people."</p> + +<p>Mr. Berg came to the point at once.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swift," he said, "I wish you would reconsider your + determination not to enter the Government trials. I'd like + to see you compete. So would my firm."</p> + +<p>"There is no use going over that again," replied the aged + inventor. "I have another object in view now than trying for + the Government prize. What it is I can't say, but it may + develop in time--if we are successful," and he looked at + his son, smiling the while.</p> + +<p>Mr. Berg tried to argue, but it was of no avail Then he + changed his manner, and said:</p> + +<p>"Well, since you won't, you won't, I suppose. I'll go back + and report to my firm. Have you anything special to do this + morning?" he went on to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy," + replied the lad, "but as for anything special--"</p> + +<p>"I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my + auto," interrupted Mr. Berg. "I had asked a young man who is + stopping at the same hotel where I am to accompany me, but + he has unexpectedly left, and I don't like to go alone. His + name was--let me see. I have a wretched memory for names, + but it was something like Roger or Moger."</p> + +<p>"Foger!" cried Tom. "Was it Andy Foger?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was it. Why, do you know him?" asked Mr. Berg + in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"I should say so," replied Tom. "He was the cause of what + might have resulted in something serious for me," and the + lad explained about being imprisoned in the tank.</p> + +<p>"You don't tell me!" cried Mr. Berg. "I had no idea he was + that kind of a lad. You see, his father is one of the + directors of the firm by whom I am employed. Andy came from + home to spend a few weeks at the seaside, and stopped at the + same hotel that I did. He went off yesterday afternoon, and + I haven't seen him since, though he promised to go for a + ride with me. He must have come over here and entered your + shop unobserved. I remember now he asked me where the + submarine was being built that was going to compete with our + firm's, and I told him. I didn't think he was that kind of + a lad. Well, since he's probably gone back home, perhaps you + will come for a ride with me, Tom."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I can't go, thank you," answered the lad. "We + are very busy getting our submarine in shape for a trial. + But I can imagine why Andy left so hurriedly. He probably + learned that a doctor had been summoned for me, though, as + it happened, I didn't need one. But Andy probably got + frightened at what he had done, and left. I'll make him + more sorry, when I meet him."</p> + +<p>"Don't blame you a bit," commented Mr. Berg. "Well, I must + be getting back."</p> + +<p>He hastened out to his auto, while Tom and his father + watched the agent.</p> + +<p>"Tom, never trust that man," advised the aged inventor + solemnly.</p> + +<p>"Just what I was about to remark," said his son. "Well, + let's get back to work. Queer that he should come here + again, and it's queer about Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>Father and son returned to the machine shop, while Mr. + Berg puffed away in his auto. A little later, Tom having + occasion to go to a building near the boundary line of the + cottage property which his father had hired for the season, + saw, through the hedge that bordered it, an automobile + standing in the road. A second glance showed him that it was + Mr. Berg's machine. Something had gone wrong with it, and + the agent had alighted to make an adjustment.</p> + +<p>The young inventor was close to the man, though the latter + was unaware of his presence.</p> + +<p>"Hang it all!" Tom heard Mr. Berg exclaim to himself. "I + wonder what they can be up to? They won't enter the + Government contests, and they won't say why. I believe + they're up to some game, and I've got to find out what it + is. I wonder if I couldn't use this Foger chap?"</p> + +<p>"He seems to have it in for this Tom Swift," Mr. Berg went + on, still talking to himself, though not so low but that Tom + could hear him. "I think I'll try it. I'll get Andy Foger to + sneak around and find out what the game is. He'll do it, I + know."</p> + +<p>By this time the auto was in working order again, and the + agent took his seat and started off.</p> + +<p>"So that's how matters lie, eh?" thought Tom. "Well, Mr. + Berg, we'll be doubly on the lookout for you after this. As + for Andy Foger, I think I'll make him wish he'd never locked + me in that tank. So you expect to find out our 'game,' eh, + Mr. Berg? Well, when you do know it, I think it will + astonish you. I only hope you don't learn what it is until + we get at that sunken treasure, though."</p> + +<p>But alas for Tom's hopes. Mr. Berg did learn of the object + of the treasure-seekers, and sought to defeat them, as we + shall learn as our story proceeds.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH6" id="CH6">Chapter Six</a></h2> + +<h3>Turning the Tables</h3> + +<p> When the young inventor informed his father what he had + overheard Mr. Berg saying, the aged inventor was not as much + worried as his son anticipated.</p> + +<p>"All we'll have to do, Tom," he said, "is to keep quiet + about where we are going. Once we have the Advance afloat, + and try her out, we can start on our voyage for the South + American Coast and search for the sunken treasure. When we + begin our voyage under water I defy any one to tell where we + are going, or what our plans are. No, I don't believe we + need worry about Mr. Berg, though he probably means + mischief."</p> + +<p> + "Well, I'm going to keep my eyes open for him and Andy + Foger," declared Tom.</p> + +<p>The days that followed were filled with work. Not only + were there many unexpected things to do about the submarine, + but Mr. Sharp was kept busy making inquiries about the + sunken treasure ship. These inquiries had to be made + carefully, as the adventurers did not want their plans + talked of, and nothing circulates more quickly than rumors + of an expedition after treasure of any kind.</p> + +<p>"What about the old sea captain you were going to get to + go with us?" asked Mr. Swift of the balloonist one +afternoon. + "Have you succeeded in finding one yet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am in communication with a man think will be just + the person for us. His name is Captain Alden Weston, and he + has sailed all over the world. He has also taken part in + more than one revolution, and, in fact, is a soldier of + fortune. I do not know him personally, but a friend of mine + knows him, and says he will serve us faithfully. I have + written to him, and he will he here in a few days."</p> + +<p>"That's good. Now about the location of the wreck itself. + Have you been able to learn any more details?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not many. You see, the Boldero was abandoned in a + storm, and the captain did not take very careful + observations. As nearly as it can be figured out the + treasure ship went to the bottom in latitude forty-five + degrees south, and longitude twenty-seven east from + Washington. That's a pretty indefinite location, but I hope, + once we get off the Uruguay coast, we can better it. We can + anchor or lay outside the harbor, and in the small boat we + carry go ashore and possibly gain more details. For it was + at Montevideo that the shipwrecked passengers and sailors + landed."</p> + +<p>"Does Captain Weston know our object?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, and I don't propose to tell him until we are ready to + start," replied Mr. Sharp. "I don't know just how he'll + consider a submarine trip after treasure, but if I spring it + on him suddenly he's less likely to back out. Oh, I think + he'll go."</p> + +<p>Somewhat unexpectedly the next day it was discovered that + certain tools and appliances were needed for the submarine, + and they had been left in the house at Shopton, where + Eradicate Sampson was in charge as caretaker during the + absence of Mr. Swift and his son and the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we'll have to go back after them," + remarked Tom. "We'll take the airship, dad, and make a two- + days' trip of it. Is there anything else you want?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you might bring a bundle of papers you'll find in + the lower right hand drawer of my desk. They contain some + memoranda I need."</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Sharp had become so used to traveling in the + airship that it seemed no novelty to them, though they + attracted much attention wherever they went. They soon had + the Red Cloud in readiness for a flight, and rising in the + air above the shop that contained the powerful submarine, a + craft utterly different in type from the aeroplane, the nose + of the airship was pointed toward Shopton.</p> + +<p>They made a good flight and landed near the big shed where + the bird of the air was kept. It was early evening when they + got to the Swift homestead, and Eradicate Sampson was glad + to see them.</p> + +<p>Eradicate was a good cook, and soon had a meal ready for + the travelers. Then, while Mr. Sharp selected the tools and + other things needed, and put them in the airship ready for + the start back the next morning, Tom concluded he would take + a stroll into Shopton, to see if he could see his friend, + Ned Newton. It was early evening, and the close of a + beautiful day, a sharp shower in the morning having cooled + the air.</p> + +<p>Tom was greeted by a number of acquaintances as he + strolled along, for, since the episode of the bank robbery, + when he had so unexpectedly returned with the thieves and + the cash, the lad was better known than ever.</p> + +<p>"I guess Ned must be home" thought our hero as he looked + in vain for his chum among the throng on the streets. "I've + got time to take a stroll down to his house."</p> + +<p>Tom was about to cross the street when he was startled by + the sound of an automobile horn loudly blown just at his + side. Then a voice called:</p> + +<p>"Hey, there! Git out of the way if you don't want to be + run over!"</p> + +<p>He looked up, and saw a car careening along. At the wheel + was the red-haired bully, Andy Foger, and in the tonneau + were Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey.</p> + +<p>"Git out of the way," added Sam, and he grinned + maliciously at Tom.</p> + +<p>The latter stepped back, well out of the path of the car, + which was not moving very fast. Just in front of Tom was a + puddle of muddy water. There was no necessity for Andy + steering into it, but he saw his opportunity, and a moment + later one of the big pneumatic tires had plunged into the + dirty fluid, spattering it all over Tom, some even going as + high as his face.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Andy. "Maybe you'll get out of my way + next time, Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>The young inventor was almost speechless from righteous + anger. He wiped the mud from his face, glanced down at his + clothes, which were all but ruined, and called out:</p> + +<p>"Hold on there, Andy Foger! I want to see you!" for he + thought of the time when Andy had shut him in the tank.</p> + +<p>"Ta! ta!" shouted Pete Bailey.</p> + +<p>"See you later," added Sam.</p> + +<p>"Better go home and take a bath, and then sail away in + your submarine," went on Andy. "I'll bet it will sink."</p> + +<p>Before Tom could reply the auto had turned a corner. + Disgusted and angry, he tried to sop up some of the muddy + water with his handkerchief. While thus engaged he heard his + name called, and looked up to see Ned Newton.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Fall down?" asked his chum.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's enough," retorted Ned. "I can guess the rest. + We'll have to tar and feather him some day, and ride him out + of town on a rail. I'd kick him myself, only his father is a + director in the bank where I work, and I'd be fired if I + did. Can't afford any such pleasure. But some day I'll give + Andy a good trouncing, and then resign before they can + discharge me. But I'll be looking for another job before I + do that. Come on to my house, Tom, and I'll help you clean + up."</p> + +<p>Tom was a little more presentable when he left his chum's + residence, after spending the evening there, but he was + still burning for revenge against Andy and his cronies. He + had half a notion to go to Andy's house and tell Mr. Foger + how nearly serious the bully's prank at the sub marine had + been, but be concluded that Mr. Foger could only uphold his + son. "No, I'll settle with him myself," decided Tom.</p> + +<p>Bidding Eradicate keep a watchful eye about the house, and + leaving word for Mr. Damon to be sure to come to the coast + if he again called at the Shopton house, Tom and Mr. Sharp + prepared to make their return trip early the next morning.</p> + +<p>The gas tank was filled and the Red Cloud arose in the + air. Then, with the propellers moving at moderate speed, the + nose of the craft was pointed toward the New Jersey coast.</p> + +<p>A few miles out from Shopton, finding there was a contrary + wind in the upper regions where they were traveling, Mr. + Sharp descended several hundred feet. They were moving over + a sparsely settled part of the country, and looking down, + Tom saw, speeding along a highway, an automobile.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who's in it?" he remarked, taking down a + telescope and peering over the window ledge of the cabin. + The next moment he uttered a startled exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey!" he cried. + "Oh, I wish I had a bucket of water to empty on them."</p> + +<p>"I know a better way to get even with them than that," + said Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," replied the balloonist. "It's a trick I + once played on a fellow who did me an injury. Here, you + steer for a minute until I get the thing fixed, then I'll + take charge."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp went to the storeroom and came back with a long, + stout rope and a small anchor of four prongs. It was carried + to be used in emergencies, but so far had never been called + into requisition. Fastening the grapple to the cable, the + balloonist said:</p> + +<p>"Now, Tom, they haven't seen you. You stand in the stern + and pay out the rope. I'll steer the airship, and what I + want you to do is to catch the anchor in the rear of their + car. Then I'll show you some fun."</p> + +<p>Tom followed instructions. Slowly he lowered the rope with + the dangling grapple. The airship was also sent down, as the + cable was not quite long enough to reach the earth from the + height at which they were. The engine was run at slow speed, + so that the noise would not attract the attention of the + three cronies who were speeding along, all unconscious of + the craft in the air over their heads. The Red Cloud was + moving in the same direction as was the automobile.</p> + +<p>The anchor was now close to the rear of Andy's car. + Suddenly it caught on the tonneau and Tom called that fact + to Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Fasten the rope at the cleat," directed the balloonist.</p> + +<p>Tom did so, and a moment later the aeronaut sent the + airship up by turning more gas into the container. At the + same time he reversed the engine and the Red Cloud began + pulling the touring car backward, also lifting the rear + wheels clear from the earth.</p> + +<p>A startled cry from the occupants of the machine told Tom + and his friend that Andy and his cronies were aware + something was wrong. A moment later Andy, looking up, saw + the airship hovering in the air above him. Then he saw the + rope fast to his auto. The airship was not rising now, or + the auto would have been turned over, but it was slowly + pulling it backward, in spite of the fact that the motor of + the car was still going.</p> + +<p>"Here! You let go of me!" cried Andy. "I'll have you + arrested if you damage my car."</p> + +<p>"Come up here and cut the rope." called Tom leaning over + and looking down. He could enjoy the bully's discomfiture. + As for Sam and Pete, they were much frightened, and cowered + down on the floor of the tonneau.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'll shut me in the tank again and splash mud on + me!" shouted Tom.</p> + +<p>The rear wheels of the auto were lifted still higher from + the ground, as Mr. Sharp turned on a little more gas. Andy + was not proof against this.</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh!" he cried. "Please let me down, Tom. I'm awful + sorry for what I did! I'll never do it again! Please, please + let me down! Don't You'll tip me over!"</p> + +<p>He had shut off his motor now, and was frantically + clinging to the steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"Do you admit that you're a sneak and a coward?" asked + Tom, "rubbing it in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! Oh, please let me down!"</p> + +<p>"Shall we?" asked Tom of Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the balloonist. "We can afford to lose the + rope and anchor for the sake of turning the tables. Cut the + cable."</p> + +<p>Tom saw what was intended. Using a little hatchet, he + severed the rope with a single blow. With a crash that could + be heard up in the air where the Red Cloud hovered, the rear + wheels of the auto dropped to the ground. Then came two loud + reports.</p> + +<p>"Both tires busted!" commented Mr. Sharp dryly, and Tom, + looking down, saw the trio of lads ruefully contemplating + the collapsed rubber of the rear wheels. The tables had been + effectually turned on Andy Foger. His auto was disabled, and + the airship, with a graceful sweep, mounted higher and + higher, continuing on its way to the coast.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH7" id="CH7">Chapter Seven</a></h2> + +<h3>Mr. Damon Will Go</h3> + +<p> "Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as + he took an observation through the telescope and saw Andy + and his cronies hard at work trying to repair the ruptured + tires. "That certainly was a corking good trick."</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Mr. Sharp modestly. "I once did something + similar, only it was a horse and wagon instead of an auto. + But let's try for another speed record. The conditions are + just right."</p> + +<p> + They arrived at the coast much sooner than they had dared + to hope, the Red Cloud proving herself a veritable wonder.</p> + +<p>The remainder of that day, and part of the next, was spent + in working on the submarine.</p> + +<p>"We'll launch her day after to-morrow," declared Mr. Swift + enthusiastically. "Then to see whether my calculations are + right or wrong."</p> + +<p>"It won't be your fault if it doesn't work," said his son. + "You certainly have done your best."</p> + +<p>"And so have you and Mr. Sharp and the others, for that + matter. Well, I have no doubt but that everything will be + all right, Tom."</p> + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp the next morning, as he was + adjusting a certain gage. "I knew I'd forget something. That + special brand of lubricating oil. I meant to bring it from + Shopton, and I didn't."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I can get it in Atlantis," suggested Tom, naming + the coast city nearest to them. "I'll take a walk over. It + isn't far."</p> + +<p>"Will you? I'll be glad to have you," resumed the + balloonist. "A gallon will be all we'll need."</p> + +<p>Tom was soon on his way. He had to walk, as the roads were + too poor to permit him to use the motor-cycle, and the + airship attracted too much attention to use on a short trip. + He was strolling along, when from the other side of a row of + sand dunes, that lined the uncertain road to Atlantis, he + heard some one speaking. At first the tones were not + distinct, but as the lad drew nearer to the voice he heard + an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Bless my gold-headed cane! I believe I'm lost. He said it + was out this way somewhere, bet I don't see anything of it. + If I had that Eradicate Sampson here now I'd--bless my + shoelaces I don't know what I would do to him."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon! Mr. Damon!" cried Tom. "Is that you?"</p> + +<p>"Me? Of course it's me! Who else would it be?" answered + the voice. "But who are you. Why, bless my liver! If it + isn't Tom Swift!" he cried. "Oh, but I'm glad to see you! I + was afraid I was shipwrecked! Bless my gaiters, how are you, + anyhow? How is your father? How is Mr. Sharp, and all the + rest of them?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty well. And you?"</p> + +<p>"Me? Oh, I'm all right; only a trifle nervous. I called at + your house in Shopton yesterday, and Eradicate told me, as + well as he could, where you were located. I had nothing to + do, so I thought I'd take a run down here. But what's this I + hear about you? Are you going on a voyage?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"In the air? May I go along again? I certainly enjoyed my + other trip in the Red Cloud. What is, all but the fire and + being shot at. May I go?"</p> + +<p>"We're going on a different sort of trip this time," said + the youth.</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Under water."</p> + +<p>"Under water? Bless my sponge bath! You don't mean it!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Dad has completed the submarine he was working on + when we were off in the airship, and it will be launched the + day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's so. I'd forgotten about it. He's going to try + for the Government prize, isn't he? But tell me more about + it. Bless my scarf-pin, but I'm glad I met you! Going into + town, I take it. Well, I just came from there, but I'll walk + back with you. Do you think--is there any possibility--that + I could go with you? Of course, I don't want to crowd you, + but--"</p> + +<p>"Oh, there'll be plenty of room," replied the young + inventor. "In fact, more room than we had in the airship. We + were talking only the other day about the possibility of you + going with us, but we didn't think you'd risk it."</p> + +<p>"Risk it? Bless my liver! Of course I'll risk' it! It + can't be as bad as sailing in the air. You can't fall, + that's certain."</p> + +<p>"No; but maybe you can't rise," remarked Tom grimly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we won't think of that. Of course, I'd like to go. I + fully expected to be killed in the Red Cloud, but as I + wasn't I'm ready to take a chance in the water. On the + whole, I think I prefer to be buried at sea, anyhow. Now, + then, will you take me?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can safely promise," answered Tom with a smile + at his friend's enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The two were approaching the city, having walked along as + they talked. There were still some sand dunes near the road, + and they kept on the side of these, nearest the beach, where + they could watch the breakers.</p> + +<p>"But you haven't told me where you are going," went on Mr. + Damon, after blessing a few dozen objects. "Where do the + Government trials take place?"</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the lad, "to be frank with you, we have + abandoned our intention of trying for the Government prize."</p> + +<p>"Not going to try for it? Bless my slippers! Why not? + Isn't fifty thousand dollars worth striving for? And, with + the kind of a submarine you say you have, you ought to be + able to win."</p> + +<p>"Yes, probably we could win," admitted the young inventor, + "but we are going to try for a better prize."</p> + +<p>"A better one? I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"Sunken treasure," explained Tom. "There's a ship sunk off + the coast of Uruguay, with three hundred thousand dollars in + gold bullion aboard. Dad and I are going to try to recover + that in our submarine. We're going to start day after + to-morrow, and, if you like, you may go along."</p> + +<p>"Go along! Of course I'll go along!" cried the eccentric + man. "But I never heard of such a thing. Sunken treasure! + Three hundred thousand dollars in gold! My, what a lot of + money! And to go after it in a submarine! It's as good as a + story!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we hope to recover all the treasure," said the lad. + "We ought to be able to claim at least half of it."</p> + +<p>"Bless my pocketbook!" cried Mr. Damon, but Tom did not + hear him. At that instant his attention was attracted by + seeing two men emerge from behind the sand dune near which + he and Mr. Damon had halted momentarily, when the youth + explained about the treasure. The man looked sharply at Tom. + A moment later the first man was joined by another, and at + the sight of him our hero could not repress an exclamation + of alarm. For the second man was none other than Addison + Berg.</p> + +<p>The latter glanced quickly at Tom, and then, with a hasty + word to his companion, the two swung around and made off in + the opposite direction to that in which they had been + walking.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Damon, seeing the young + inventor was strangely affected.</p> + +<p>"That--that man," stammered the lad.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to tell me that was one the Happy Harry + gang, do you?"</p> + +<p>"No. But one, or both of those men, may prove to be worse. + That second man was Addison Berg, and he's agent for a firm + of submarine boat builders who are rivals of dad's. Berg has + been trying to find out why we abandoned our intention of + competing for the Government prize."</p> + +<p>"I hope you didn't tell him."</p> + +<p>"I didn't intend to," replied Tom, smiling grimly, "but + I'm afraid I have, however He certainly overheard what I + said. I spoke too loud. Yes, he must have heard me. That's + why he hurried off so."</p> + +<p>"Possibly no harm is done. You didn't give the location of + the sunken ship."</p> + +<p>"No; but I guess from what I said it will be easy enough + to find. Well, if we're going to have a fight for the + possession of that sunken gold, I'm ready for it. The + Advance is well equipped for a battle. I must tell dad of + this. It's my fault."</p> + +<p>"And partly mine, for asking you such leading questions in + a public place," declared Mr. Damon. "Bless my coat-tails, + but I'm sorry! Maybe, after all, those men were so + interested in what they themselves were saying that they + didn't understand what you said."</p> + +<p>But if there had been any doubts on this score they would + have been dissolved had Tom and his friend been able to see + the actions of Mr. Berg and his companion a little later. + The plans of the treasure-hunters had been revealed to their + ears.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH8" id="CH8">Chapter Eight</a></h2> + +<h3>Another Treasure Expedition</h3> + +<p> While Tom and Mr. Damon continued on to Atlantis after the + oil, the young inventor lamenting from time to time that his + remarks about the real destination of the Advance had been + overheard by Mr. Berg, the latter and his companion were + hastening back along the path that ran on one side of the + sand dunes.</p> + +<p>"What's your hurry?" asked Mr. Maxwell, who was with the + submarine agent. "You turned around as if you were shot when + you saw that man and the lad. There didn't appear to be any + cause for such a hurry. From what I could hear they were + talking about a submarine. You're in the same business. You + might be friends."</p> + +<p> + "Yes, we might," admitted Mr. Berg with a peculiar smile; + "but, unless I'm very much mistaken, we're going to be + rivals."</p> + +<p>"Rivals? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you now. Perhaps I may later. But if you + don't mind, walk a little faster, please. I want to get to a + long-distance telephone."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"I have just overheard something that I wish to + communicate to my employers, Bentley & Eagert."</p> + +<p>"Overheard something? I don't see what it could be, unless + that lad--"</p> + +<p>"You'll learn in good time," went on the submarine agent. + "But I must telephone at once."</p> + +<p>A little later the two men had reached a trolley line that + ran into Atlantis, and they arrived at the city before Mr. + Damon and Tom got there, as the latter had to go by a + circuitous route. Mr. Berg lost no time in calling up his + firm by telephone.</p> + +<p>"I have had another talk with Mr. Swift," he reported to + Mr. Bentley, who came to the instrument in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>"Well, what does he say?" was the impatient question. "I + can't understand his not wanting to try for the Government + prize. It is astonishing. You said you were going to + discover the reason, Mr Berg, but you haven't done so."</p> + +<p>"I have."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the reason Mr. Swift and his son don't care to try + for the fifty thousand dollar prize is that they are after + one of three hundred thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Three hundred thousand dollars!" cried Mr. Bentley. "What + government is going to offer such a prize as that for + submarines, when they are getting almost as common as + airships? We ought to have a try for that ourselves. What + government is it?"</p> + +<p>"No government at all. But I think we ought to have a try + for it, Mr. Bentley."</p> + +<p>"Explain."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have just learned, most accidentally, that the + Swifts are going after sunken treasure--three hundred + thousand dollars in gold bullion."</p> + +<p>"Sunken treasure? Where?</p> + +<p>"I don't know exactly, but off the coast of Uruguay," and + Mr. Berg rapidly related what he had overheard Tom tell Mr. + Damon. Mr. Bentley was much excited and impatient for more + details, but his agent could not give them to him.</p> + +<p>"Well," concluded the senior member of the firm of + submarine boat builders, "if the Swifts are going after + treasure, so can we. Come to Philadelphia at once, Mr. Berg, + and we'll talk this matter over. There is no time to lose. + We can afford to forego the Government prize for the chance + of getting a much larger one. We have as much right to + search for the sunken gold as the Swifts have. Come here at + once, and we will make our plans."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed the agent with a smile as he hung up + the receiver. "I guess," he murmured to himself, "that you + won't be so high and mighty with me after this, Tom Swift. + We'll see who has the best boat, after all. We'll have a + contest and a competition, but not for a government prize. + It will be for the sunken gold."</p> + +<p>It was easy to see that Mr. Berg was much pleased with + himself.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Tom and Mr. Damon had reached Atlantis, and had + purchased the oil. They started back, but Tom took a street + leading toward the center of the place, instead of striking + for the beach path, along which they had come.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I want to see if that Andy Foger has come back here," + replied the lad, and he told of having been shut in the tank + by the bully.</p> + +<p>"I've never properly punished him for that trick," he went + on, "though we did manage to burst his auto tires. I'm + curious to know how he knew enough to turn that gear and + shut the tank door. He must have been loitering near the + shop, seen me go in the submarine alone, watched his chance + and sneaked in after me. But I'd like to get a complete + explanation, and if I once got hold of Andy I could make him + talk," and Tom clenched his fist in a manner that augured no + good for the squint-eyed lad. "He was stopping at the same + hotel with Mr. Berg, and be hurried away after the trick he + played on me. I next saw him in Shopton, but I thought + perhaps he might have come back here. I'm going to inquire + at the hotel," he added.</p> + +<p>Andy's name was not on the register since his hasty + flight, however, and Tom, after inquiring from the clerk and + learning that Mr. Berg was still a guest at the hostelry, + rejoined Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Bless my hat!" exclaimed that eccentric individual as + they started back to the lonely beach where the submarine + was awaiting her advent into the water. "The more I think + of the trip I'm going to take, the more I like it."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will," remarked Tom. "It will be a new + experience for all of us. There's only one thing worrying + me, and that is about Mr. Berg having overheard what I + said."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't worry about that. Can't we slip away and leave + no trace in the water?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so, but I must tell dad and Mr. Sharp about what + happened."</p> + +<p>The aged inventor was not a little alarmed at what his son + related, but he agreed with Mr. Damon, whom he heartily + welcomed, that little was to be apprehended from Berg and + his employers.</p> + +<p>"They know we're after a sunken wreck, but that's all they + do know," said Tom's father. "We are only waiting for the + arrival of Captain Alden Weston, and then we will go. Even + if Bentley & Eagert make a try for the treasure we'll +have + the start of them, and this will be a case of first come, + first served. Don't worry, Tom. I'm glad you're going, Mr + Damon. Come, I will show you our submarine."</p> + +<p>As father and son, with their guest, were going to the + machine shop, Mr. Sharp met them. He had a letter in his + hand.</p> + +<p>"Good news!" the balloonist cried. "Captain Weston will be + with us to-morrow. He will arrive at the Beach Hotel in + Atlantis, and wants one of us to meet him there. He has + considerable information about the wreck."</p> + +<p>"The Beach Hotel," murmured Tom. "That is where Mr. Berg + is stopping. I hope he doesn't worm any of our secret from + Captain Weston," and it was with a feeling of uneasiness + that the young inventor continued after his father and Mr. + Damon to where the submarine was.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH9" id="CH9">Chapter Nine</a></h2> + +<h3>Captain Weston's Advent</h3> + +<p> "Bless my water ballast, but that certainly is a fine boat!" + cried Mr. Damon, when he had been shown over the new craft. + "I think I shall feel even safer in that than in the Red +Cloud."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't go back on the airship!" exclaimed Mr Sharp. "I + was counting on taking you on another trip."</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe after we get back from under the ocean," + agreed Mr. Damon. "I particularly like the cabin + arrangements of the Advance. I think I shall enjoy myself."</p> + +<p> + He would be hard to please who could not take pleasure + from a trip in the submarine. The cabin was particularly + fine, and the sleeping arrangements were good.</p> + +<p>More supplies could be carried than was possible on the + airship, and there was more room in which to cook and serve + food. Mr. Damon was fond of good living, and the kitchen + pleased him as much as anything else.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning Tom set out for Atlantis, to meet + Captain Weston at the hotel. The young inventor inquired of + the clerk whether the seafaring man had arrived, and was + told that he had come the previous evening.</p> + +<p>"Is he in his room?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No," answered the clerk with a peculiar grin. "He's an + odd character. Wouldn't go to bed last night until we had + every window in his room open, though it was blowing quite + hard, and likely to storm. The captain said he was used to + plenty of fresh air. Well, I guess he got it, all right."</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?" asked the youth, wondering what sort of + an individual he was to meet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he was up before sunrise, so some of the scrubwomen + told me. They met him coming from his room, and he went + right down to the beach with a big telescope he always + carries with him. He hasn't come back yet. Probably he's + down on the sand."</p> + +<p>"Hasn't he had breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"No. He left word he didn't want to eat until about four + bells, whatever time that is."</p> + +<p>"It's ten o'clock," replied Tom, who had been studying up + on sea terms lately. "Eight bells is eight o'clock in the + morning, or four in the afternoon or eight at night, + according to the time of day. Then there's one bell for + every half hour, so four bells this morning would be ten + o'clock in this watch, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's the way it goes, eh?" asked the clerk. "I + never could get it through my head. What is twelve o'clock + noon?"</p> + +<p>"That's eight bells, too; so is twelve o'clock midnight. + Eight bells is as high as they go on a ship. But I guess + I'll go down and see if I can meet the captain. It will soon + be ten o'clock, or four bells, and he must be hungry for + breakfast. By the way, is that Mr. Berg still here?"</p> + +<p>"No; he went away early this morning. He and Captain + Weston seemed to strike up quite an acquaintance, the night + clerk told me. They sat and smoked together until long after + midnight, or eight bells," and the clerk smiled as he + glanced down at the big diamond ring on his little finger.</p> + +<p>"They did?" fairly exploded Tom, for he had visions of + what the wily Mr. Berg might worm out of the simple captain.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why, isn't the captain a proper man to make friends + with?" and the clerk looked at Tom curiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course," was the hasty answer. "I guess I'll + go and see if I can find him--the captain, I mean."</p> + +<p>Tom hardly knew what to think. He wished his father, or + Mr. Sharp, had thought to warn Captain Weston against + talking of the wreck. It might be too late now.</p> + +<p>The young inventor hurried to the beach, which was not far + from the hotel. He saw a solitary figure pacing up and down, + and from the fact that the man stopped, every now and then, + and gazed seaward through a large telescope, the lad + concluded it was the captain for whom he was in search. He + approached, his footsteps making no sound on the sand. The + man was still gazing through the glass.</p> + +<p>"Captain Weston?" spoke Tom.</p> + +<p>Without a show of haste, though the voice must have + startled him, the captain turned. Slowly he lowered the + telescope, and then he replied softly:</p> + +<p>"That's my name. Who are you, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>Tom was struck, more than by anything else, by the gentle + voice of the seaman. He had prepared himself, from the + description of Mr. Sharp, to meet a gruff, bewhiskered + individual, with a voice like a crosscut saw, and a rolling + gait. Instead he saw a man of medium size, with a smooth + face, merry blue eyes, and the softest voice and gentlest + manner imaginable. Tom was very much disappointed. He had + looked for a regular sea-dog, and he met a landsman, as he + said afterward. But it was not long before our hero changed + his mind regarding Captain Weston.</p> + +<p>"I'm Tom Swift," the owner of that name said, "and I have + been sent to show you the way to where our ship is ready to + launch." The young inventor refrained from mentioning + submarine, as it was the wish of Mr Sharp to disclose this + feature of the voyage to the sailor himself.</p> + +<p>"Ha, I thought as much," resumed the captain quietly. + "It's a fine day, if I may be permitted to say so," and he + seemed to hesitate, as if there was some doubt whether or + not he might make that observation.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," agreed the lad. Then, with a smile he + added: "It is nearly eight bells."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed the captain, also smiling, but even his + manner of saying "Ha!" was less demonstrative than that of + most persons. "I believe I am getting hungry, if I may be + allowed the remark," and again he seemed asking Tom's pardon + for mentioning the fact.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will come back to the cabin and have a little + breakfast with me," he went on. "I don't know what sort of a + galley or cook they have aboard the Beach Hotel, but it + can't be much worse than some I've tackled."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," answered the youth. "I've had my + breakfast. But I'll wait for you, and then I'd like to get + back. Dad and Mr. Sharp are anxious to meet you."</p> + +<p>"And I am anxious to meet them, if you don't mind me + mentioning it," was the reply, as the captain once more put + the spyglass to his eye and took an observation. "Not many + sails in sight this morning," he added. "But the weather is + fine, and we ought to get off in good shape to hunt for the + treasure about which Mr. Sharp wrote me. I believe we are + going after treasure," he said; "that is, if you don't mind + talking about it."</p> + +<p>"Not in the least," replied Tom quickly, thinking this a + good opportunity for broaching a subject that was worrying + him. "Did you meet a Mr. Berg here last night, Captain + Weston?" he went on.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Mr. Berg and I had quite a talk. He is a well- + informed man."</p> + +<p>"Did he mention the sunken treasure?" asked the lad, eager + to find out if his suspicions were true.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he did, if you'll excuse me putting it so plainly," + answered the seaman, as if Tom might be offended at so + direct a reply. But the young inventor was soon to learn + that this was only an odd habit with the seaman.</p> + +<p>"Did he want to know where the wreck of the Boldero was + located?" continued the lad. "That is, did he try to + discover if you knew anything about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Weston, "he did. He pumped me, if you are + acquainted with that term, and are not offended by it. You + see, when I arrived here I made inquiries as to where your + father's place was located. Mr. Berg overheard me, and + introduced himself as agent for a shipbuilding concern. He + was very friendly, and when he said he knew you and your + parent, I thought he was all right."</p> + +<p>Tom's heart sank. His worst fears were to be realized, he + thought.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he and I talked considerable, if I may be permitted + to say so," went on the captain. "He seemed to know about + the wreck of the Boldero, and that she had three hundred + thousand dollars in gold aboard. The only thing he didn't + know was where the wreck was located. He knew it was off + Uruguay somewhere, but just where he couldn't say. So he + asked me if I knew, since he must have concluded that I was + going with you on the gold-hunting expedition."</p> + +<p>"And you do know, don't you?" asked Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have it pretty accurately charted out, if you + will allow me that expression," was the calm answer. "I took + pains to look it up at the request of Mr. Sharp."</p> + +<p>"And he wanted to worm that information out of you?" + inquired the youth excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm afraid he did."</p> + +<p>"Did you give him the location?"</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the captain, as he took another + observation before closing up the telescope, "you see, while + we were talking, I happened to drop a copy of a map I'd + made, showing the location of the wreck. Mr. Berg picked it + up to hand to me, and he looked at it."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Tom. "Then he knows just where the treasure + is, and he may get to it ahead of us. It's too bad."</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued the seaman calmly, "Mr. Berg picked up + that map, and he looked very closely at the latitude and + longitude I had marked as the location of the wreck."</p> + +<p>"Then he won't have any trouble finding it," murmured our + hero.</p> + +<p>"Eh? What's that?" asked the captain, "if I may be + permitted to request you to repeat what you said."</p> + +<p>"I say he won't have any trouble locating the sunken + Boldero," repeated Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I think he will, if he depends on that map," was + the unexpected reply. "You see," explained Mr. Weston, "I'm + not so simple as I look. I sensed what Mr. Berg was after, + the minute he began to talk to me. So I fixed up a little + game on him. The map which I dropped on purpose, not + accidentally, where he would see it, did have the location + of the wreck marked. Only it didn't happen to be the right + location. It was about five hundred miles out of the way, + and I rather guess if Mr. Berg and his friends go there for + treasure they'll find considerable depth of water and quite + a lonesome spot. Oh, no, I'm not as easy as I look, if you + don't mind me mentioning that fact; and when a scoundrel + sets out to get the best of me, I generally try to turn the + tables on him. I've seen such men as Mr. Berg before. I'm + afraid, I'm very much afraid, the sight he had of the fake + map I made won't do him much good. Well, I declare, it's + past four bells. Let's go to breakfast, if you don't mind me + asking you," and with that the captain started off up the + beach, Tom following, his ideas all a whirl at the unlooked-for + outcome of the interview.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH10" id="CH10">Chapter Ten</a></h2> + +<h3>Trial of the Submarine</h3> + +<p> Tom felt such a relief at hearing of Captain Weston's ruse + that his appetite, sharpened by an early breakfast and the + sea air, came to him with a rush, and he had a second + morning meal with the odd sea captain, who chuckled heartily + when he thought of how Mr Berg had been deceived.</p> + +<p>"Yes," resumed Captain Weston, over his bacon and eggs, "I + sized him up for a slick article as soon as I laid eyes on + him. But he evidently misjudged me, if I may be permitted + that term. Oh, well, we may meet again, after we secure the + treasure, and then I can show him the real map of the + location of the wreck."</p> + +<p> + "Then you have it?" inquired the lad eagerly.</p> + +<p>Captain Weston nodded, before hiding his face behind a + large cup of coffee; his third, by the way.</p> + +<p>"Let me see it?" asked Tom quickly. The captain set down + his cup. He looked carefully about the hotel dining-room. + There were several guests, who, like himself, were having a + late breakfast.</p> + +<p>"It's a good plan," the sailor said slowly, "when you're + going into unknown waters, and don't want to leave a wake + for the other fellow to follow, to keep your charts locked + up. If it's all the same to you," he added diffidently, "I'd + rather wait until we get to where your father and Mr. Sharp + are before displaying the real map. I've no objection to + showing you the one Mr. Berg saw," and again he chuckled.</p> + +<p>The young inventor blushed at his indiscretion. He felt + that the news of the search for the treasure had leaked out + through him, though he was the one to get on the trail of it + by seeing the article in the paper. Now he had nearly been + guilty of another break. He realized that he must be more + cautious. The captain saw his confusion, and said:</p> + +<p>"I know how it is. You're eager to get under way. I don't + blame you. I was the same myself when I was your age. But + we'll soon be at your place, and then I'll tell you all I + know. Sufficient now, to say that I believe I have located + the wreck within a few miles. I got on the track of a sailor + who had met one of the shipwrecked crew of the Boldero, and + he gave me valuable information. Now tell me about the + craft we are going in. A good deal depends on that."</p> + +<p>Tom hardly knew what to answer. He recalled what Mr. Sharp + had said about not wanting to tell Captain Weston, until + the last moment, that they were going in a submarine, for + fear the old seaman (for he was old in point of service + though not in years) might not care to risk an under-water + trip. Therefore Tom hesitated. Seeing it, Captain Weston + remarked quietly:</p> + +<p>"I mean, what type is your submarine? Does it go by + compressed air, or water power?"</p> + +<p>"How do you know it's a submarine?" asked the young + inventor quickly, and in some confusion.</p> + +<p>"Easy enough. When Mr. Berg thought he was pumping me, I + was getting a lot of information from him. He told me about + the submarine his firm was building, and, naturally, he + mentioned yours. One thing led to another until I got a + pretty good idea of your craft. What do you call it?"</p> + +<p>"The Advance."</p> + +<p>"Good name. I like it, if you don't mind speaking of it."</p> + +<p>"We were afraid you wouldn't like it," commented Tom.</p> + +<p>"What, the name?"</p> + +<p>"No, the idea of going in a submarine."</p> + +<p>"Oh," and Captain Weston laughed. "Well, it takes more + than that to frighten me, if you'll excuse the expression. + I've always had a hankering to go under the surface, after + so many years spent on top. Once or twice I came near going + under, whether I wanted to or not, in wrecks, but I think I + prefer your way. Now, if you're all done, and don't mind me + speaking of it, I think we'll start for your place. We must + hustle, for Berg may yet get on our trail, even if he has + got the wrong route," and he laughed again.</p> + +<p>It was no small relief to Mr Swift and Mr. Sharp to learn + that Captain Weston had no objections to a submarine, as + they feared he might have. The captain, in his diffident + manner, made friends at once with the treasure-hunters, and + he and Mr. Damon struck up quite an acquaintance. Tom told + of his meeting with the seaman, and the latter related, with + much gusto, the story of how he had fooled Mr. Berg.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you'd like to come and take a look at the + craft that is to be our home while we're beneath the water," + suggested Mr. Swift and the sailor assenting, the aged + inventor, with much pride, assisted by Tom, pointed out on + the Advance the features of interest. Captain Weston gave + hearty approval, making one or two minor suggestions, which + were carried out.</p> + +<p>"And so you launch her to-morrow," he concluded, when he + had completed the inspection "Well, I hope it's a success, + if I may be permitted to say so."</p> + +<p>There were busy times around the machine shop next day. So + much secrecy had been maintained that none of the residents, + or visitors to the coast resort, were aware that in their + midst was such a wonderful craft as the submarine. The last + touches were put on the under-water ship; the ways, leading + from the shop to the creek, were well greased, and all was + in readiness for the launching. The tide would soon be at + flood, and then the boat would slide down the timbers (at + least, that was the hope of all), and would float in the + element meant to receive her. It was decided that no one + should be aboard when the launching took place, as there was + an element of risk attached, since it was not known just how + buoyant the craft was. It was expected she would float, + until the filled tanks took her to the bottom, but there was + no telling.</p> + +<p>"It will be flood tide now in ten minutes," remarked + Captain Weston quietly, looking at his watch. Then he took + an observation through the telescope. "No hostile ships + hanging in the offing," he reported. "All is favorable, if + you don't mind me saying so," and he seemed afraid lest his + remark might give offense.</p> + +<p>"Get ready," ordered Mr. Swift. "Tom, see that the ropes + are all clear," for it had been decided to ease the Advance + down into the water by means of strong cables and + windlasses, as the creek was so narrow that the submarine, + if launched in the usual way, would poke her nose into the + opposite mud bank and stick there.</p> + +<p>"All clear," reported the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"High tide!" exclaimed the captain a moment later, + snapping shut his watch.</p> + +<p>"Let go!" ordered Mr. Swift, and the various windlasses + manned by the inventor, Tom and the others began to unwind + their ropes. Slowly the ship slid along the greased ways. + Slowly she approached the water. How anxiously they all + watched her! Nearer and nearer her blunt nose, with the + electric propulsion plate and the auxiliary propeller, came + to the creek, the waters of which were quiet now, awaiting + the turn of the tide.</p> + +<p>Now little waves lapped the steel sides. It was the first + contact of the Advance with her native element.</p> + +<p>"Pay out the rope faster!" cried Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>The windlasses were turned more quickly Foot by foot the + craft slid along until, with a final rush, the stern left + the ways and the submarine was afloat. Now would come the + test. Would she ride on an even keel, or sink out of sight, + or turn turtle? They all ran to the water's edge, Tom in the + lead.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" suddenly yelled the lad, trying to stand on his + head. "She floats! She's a success! Come on! Let's get + aboard!"</p> + +<p>For, true enough, the Advance was riding like a duck on + the water. She had been proportioned just right, and her + lines were perfect. She rode as majestically as did any ship + destined to sail on the surface, and not intended to do + double duty.</p> + +<p>"Come on, we must moor her to the pier," directed Mr. + Sharp. "The tide will turn in a few minutes and take her out + to sea."</p> + +<p>He and Tom entered a small boat, and soon the submarine + was tied to a small dock that had been built for the + purpose.</p> + +<p>"Now to try the engine," suggested Mr. Swift, who was + almost trembling with eagerness; for the completion of the + ship meant much to him.</p> + +<p>"One moment," begged Captain Weston. "If you don't mind, + I'll take an observation," he went on, and he swept the + horizon with his telescope. "All clear," he reported. "I + think we may go aboard and make a trial trip."</p> + +<p>Little time was lost in entering the cabin and engine-room, + Garret Jackson accompanying the party to aid with the + machinery. It did not take long to start the motors, dynamos + and the big gasolene engine that was the vital part of the + craft. A little water was admitted to the tanks for ballast, + since the food and other supplies were not yet on board. The + Advance now floated with the deck aft of the conning tower + showing about two feet above the surface of the creek. Mr. + Swift and Tom entered the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Start the engines," ordered the aged inventor, "and we'll + try my new system of positive and negative electrical + propulsion."</p> + +<p>There was a hum and whir in the body of the ship beneath + the feet of Tom and his father. Captain Weston stood on the + little deck near the conning tower.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" asked the youth through the + speaking tube to Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jackson in + the engine-room.</p> + +<p>"All ready," came the answer.</p> + +<p>Tom threw over the connecting lever, while his father + grasped the steering wheel. The Advance shot forward, moving + swiftly along, about half submerged.</p> + +<p>"She goes! She goes!" cried Tom</p> + +<p>"She certainly does, if I may be permitted to say so," was + the calm contribution of Captain Weston. "I congratulate + you."</p> + +<p>Faster and faster went the new craft. Mr. Swift headed her + toward the open sea, but stopped just before passing out of + the creek, as he was not yet ready to venture into deep + water.</p> + +<p>"I want to test the auxiliary propellers," he said. After + a little longer trial of the electric propulsion plates, + which were found to work satisfactorily, sending the + submarine up and down the creek at a fast rate, the screws, + such as are used on most submarines, were put into gear. + They did well, but were not equal to the plates, nor was so + much expected of them.</p> + +<p>"I am perfectly satisfied," announced Mr. Swift as he once + more headed the boat to sea. "I think, Captain Weston, you + had better go below now."</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"Because I am going to completely submerge the craft. Tom, + close the conning tower door. Perhaps you will come in here + with us, Captain Weston, though it will be rather a tight + fit."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I will. I want to see how it feels to be in a + pilot house under water."</p> + +<p>Tom closed the water-tight door of the conning tower. Word + was sent through the tube to the engine-room that a more + severe test of the ship was about to be made. The craft was + now outside the line of breakers and in the open sea.</p> + +<p>"Is everything ready, Tom?" asked his father in a quiet + voice.</p> + +<p>"Everything," replied the lad nervously, for the + anticipation of being about to sink below the surface was + telling on them all, even on the calm, old sea captain.</p> + +<p>"Then open the tanks and admit the water," ordered Mr. + Swift.</p> + +<p>His son turned a valve and adjusted some levers. There was + a hissing sound, and the Advance began sinking. She was + about to dive beneath the surface of the ocean, and those + aboard her were destined to go through a terrible experience + before she rose again.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH11" id="CH11">Chapter Eleven</a></h2> + +<h3>On the Ocean Bed</h3> + +<p> Lower and lower sank the submarine. There was a swirling + and foaming of the water as she went down, caused by the air + bubbles which the craft carried with her in her descent. + Only the top of the conning tower was out of water now, the + ocean having closed over the deck and the rounded back of + the boat. Had any one been watching they would have imagined + that an accident was taking place.</p> + +<p> + In the pilot house, with its thick glass windows, Tom, his + father and Captain Weston looked over the surface of the + ocean, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer to + them.</p> + +<p>"We'll be all under in a few seconds," spoke Tom in a + solemn voice, as he listened to the water hissing into the + tanks.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then we can see what sort of progress we will + make," added Mr. Swift. "Everything is going fine, though," + he went on cheerfully. "I believe I have a good boat."</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt of it in my mind," remarked Captain + Weston, and Tom felt a little disappointed that the sailor + did not shout out some such expression as "Shiver my + timbers!" or "Keel-haul the main braces, there, you lubber!" + But Captain Weston was not that kind of a sailor, though his + usually quiet demeanor could be quickly dropped on + necessity, as Tom learned later.</p> + +<p>A few minutes more and the waters closed over the top of + the conning tower. The Advance was completely submerged. + Through the thick glass windows of the pilot house the + occupants looked out into the greenish water that swirled + about them; but it could not enter. Then, as the boat went + lower, the light from above gradually died out, and the + semi-darkness gave place to gloom.</p> + +<p>"Turn on the electrics and the searchlight, Tom," directed + his father.</p> + +<p>There was the click of a switch, and the conning tower was + flooded with light. But as this had the effect of + preventing the three from peering out into the water, just + as one in a lighted room cannot look out into the night, Tom + shut them off and switched on the great searchlight. This + projected its powerful beams straight ahead and there, under + the ocean, was a pathway of illumination for the treasure- + seekers.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Captain Weston, with more enthusiasm than he + had yet manifested. "That's great, if you don't mind me + mentioning it. How deep are we?"</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at a gage on the side of the pilot tower.</p> + +<p>"Only about sixty feet," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Then don't go any deeper!" cried the captain hastily. "I + know these waters around here, and that's about all the + depth you've got. You'll be on the bottom in a minute."</p> + +<p>"I intend to get on the bottom after a while," said Mr. + Swift, "but not here. I want to try for a greater distance + under water before I come to rest on the ocean's bed. But I + think we are deep enough for a test. Tom, close the tank + intake pipes and we'll see how the Advance will progress + when fully submerged."</p> + +<p>The hissing stopped, and then, wishing to see how the + motors and other machinery would work, the aged inventor and + his son, accompanied by Captain Weston, descended from the + conning tower, by means of an inner stairway, to the + interior of the ship. The submarine could be steered and + managed from below or above. She was now floating about + sixty-five feet below the surface of the bay.</p> + +<p>"Well, how do you like it?" asked Tom of Mr. Damon, as he + saw his friend in an easy chair in the living-room or main + cabin of the craft, looking out of one of the plate-glass + windows on the side.</p> + +<p>"Bless my spectacles, it's the most wonderful thing I ever + dreamed of!" cried the queer character, as he peered at the + mass of water before him. "To think that I'm away down under + the surface, and yet as dry as a bone. Bless my necktie, but + it's great! What are we going to do now?"</p> + +<p>"Go forward," replied the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I had better make an observation," suggested + Captain Weston, taking his telescope from under his arm, + where he had carried it since entering the craft, and + opening it. "We may run afoul of something, if you don't + mind me mentioning such a disagreeable subject." Then, as he + thought of the impossibility of using his glass under water, + he closed it.</p> + +<p>"I shall have little use for this here, I'm afraid," he + remarked with a smile. "Well, there's some consolation. + We're not likely to meet many ships in this part of the + ocean. Other vessels are fond enough of remaining on the + surface. I fancy we shall have the depths to ourselves, + unless we meet a Government submarine, and they are hardly + able to go as deep as we can. No, I guess we won't run into + anything and I can put this glass away."</p> + +<p>"Unless we run into Berg and his crowd," suggested Tom in + a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Captain Weston, for he did not want Mr. + Swift to worry over the unscrupulous agent. "No, I don't + believe we'll meet them, Tom. I guess Berg is trying to work + out the longitude and latitude I gave him. I wish I could + see his face when he realizes that he's been deceived by + that fake map."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope he doesn't discover it too soon and trail + us," went on the lad. "But they're going to start the + machinery now. I suppose you and I had better take charge of + the steering of the craft. Dad will want to be in the + engine-room."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied the captain, and he moved forward + with the lad to a small compartment, shut off from the + living-room, that served as a pilot house when the conning + tower was not used. The same levers, wheels and valves were + there as up above, and the submarine could be managed as + well from there as from the other place.</p> + +<p>"Is everything all right?" asked Mr Swift as he went into + the engine-room, where Garret Jackson and Mr. Sharp were + busy with oil cans.</p> + +<p>"Everything," replied the balloonist. "Are you going to + start now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're deep enough for a speed trial. We'll go out to + sea, however, and try for a lower depth record, as soon as + there's enough water. Start the engine."</p> + +<p>A moment later the powerful electric currents were flowing + into the forward and aft plates, and the Advance began to + gather way, forging through the water.</p> + +<p>"Straight ahead, out to sea, Tom," called his father to + him.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," responded the youth.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Quite seaman-like, if you don't mind a reference to + it," commented Captain Weston with a smile. "Mind your helm, + boy, for you don't want to poke her nose into a mud bank, or + run up on a shoal."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you steer?" suggested the lad. "I'd rather take + lessons for a while."</p> + +<p>"All right. Perhaps it will be safer. I know these waters + from the top, though I can't say as much for the bottom. + However, I know where the shoals are."</p> + +<p>The powerful searchlight was turned, so as to send its + beams along the path which the submarine was to follow, and + then, as she gathered speed, she shot ahead, gliding through + the waters like a fish.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon divided his time between the forward pilot-room, + the living-apartment, and the place where Mr. Swift, Garret + Jackson and Mr. Sharp were working over the engines. Every + few minutes he would bless some part of himself, his + clothing, or the ship. Finally the old man settled down to + look through the plate-glass windows in the main apartment.</p> + +<p>On and on went the submarine. She behaved perfectly, and + was under excellent control. Some times Tom, at the request + of his father, would send her toward the surface by means of + the deflecting rudder. Then she would dive to the bottom + again. Once, as a test, she was sent obliquely to the + surface, her tower just emerging, and then she darted + downward again, like a porpoise that had come up to roll + over, and suddenly concluded to seek the depths. In fact, + had any one seen the maneuver they would have imagined the + craft was a big fish disporting itself.</p> + +<p>Captain Weston remained at Tom's side, giving him + instructions, and watching the compass in order to direct + the steering so as to avoid collisions. For an hour or more + the craft was sent almost straight ahead at medium speed. + Then Mr. Swift, joining his son and the captain, remarked:</p> + +<p>"How about depth of water here, Captain Weston?"</p> + +<p>"You've got more than a mile."</p> + +<p>"Good! Then I'm going down to the bottom of the sea! Tom, + fill the tanks still more.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," answered the lad gaily. "Now for a new + experience!"</p> + +<p>"And use the deflecting rudder, also," advised his father. + "That will hasten matters."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later there was a slight jar noticeable.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! What's that?" cried Mr. Damon. "Have we + hit something?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom with a smile.</p> + +<p>"What, for gracious sake?"</p> + +<p>"The bottom of the sea. We're on the bed of the ocean."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH12" id="CH12">Chapter Twelve</a></h2> + +<h3>For a Breath of Air</h3> + +<p> + They could hardly realize it, yet the depth-gage told the + story. It registered a distance below the surface of the + ocean of five thousand seven hundred feet--a little over a + mile. The Advance had actually come to rest on the bottom of + the Atlantic.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "Let's get on the diving suits, dad, + and walk about on land under water for a change."</p> + +<p> + "No," said Mr. Swift soberly. "We will hardly have time + for that now. Besides, the suits are not yet fitted with the + automatic air-tanks, and we can't use them. There are still + some things to do before we start on our treasure cruise. + But I want to see how the plates are standing this + pressure."</p> + +<p>The Advance was made with a triple hull, the spaces + between the layers of plates being filled with a secret + material, capable of withstanding enormous pressure, as were + also the plates themselves. Mr. Swift, aided by Mr. Jackson + and Captain Weston, made a thorough examination, and found + that not a drop of water had leaked in, nor was there the + least sign that any of the plates had given way under the + terrific strain.</p> + +<p>"She's as tight as a drum, if you will allow me to make + that comparison," remarked Captain Weston modestly. "I + couldn't ask for a dryer ship."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's take a look around by means the searchlight + and the observation windows, and then we'll go back," + suggested Mr. Swift. "It will take about two days to get the + stores and provisions aboard and rig up the diving suits; + then we will start for the sunken treasure."</p> + +<p>There were several powerful searchlights on the Advance, + so arranged that the bow, stern or either side could be + illuminated independently. There were also observation + windows near each light.</p> + +<p>In turn the powerful rays were cast first at the bow and + then aft. In the gleams could be seen the sandy bed of the + ocean, covered with shells of various kinds. Great crabs + walked around on their long, jointed legs, and Tom saw some + lobsters that would have brought joy to the heart of a + fisherman.</p> + +<p>"Look at the big fish!" cried Mr. Damon suddenly, and he + pointed to some dark, shadowy forms that swam up to the + glass windows, evidently puzzled by the light.</p> + +<p>"Porpoises," declared Captain Weston briefly, "a whole + school of them."</p> + +<p>The fish seemed suddenly to multiply, and soon those in + the submarine felt curious tremors running through the whole + craft.</p> + +<p>"The fish are rubbing up against it," cried Tom. "They + must think we came down here to allow them to scratch their + backs on the steel plates."</p> + +<p>For some time they remained on the bottom, watching the + wonderful sight of the fishes that swam all about them.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think we may as well rise," announced Mr. Swift, + after they had been on the bottom about an hour, moving here + and there. "We didn't bring any provisions, and I'm getting + hungry, though I don't know how the others of you feel about + it."</p> + +<p>"Bless my dinner-plate, I could eat, too!" cried Mr. + Damon. "Go up, by all means. We'll get enough of under-water + travel once we start for the treasure."</p> + +<p>"Send her up, Tom," called his father. "I Want to make a + few notes on some needed changes and improvements."</p> + +<p>Tom entered the lower pilot house, and turned the valve + that opened the tanks. He also pulled the lever that started + the pumps, so that the water ballast would be more quickly + emptied, as that would render the submarine buoyant, and she + would quickly shoot to the surface. To the surprise of the + lad, however, there followed no outrushing of the water. The + Advance remained stationary on the ocean bed. Mr. Swift + looked up from his notes.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you hear me ask you to send her up, Tom?" he + inquired mildly.</p> + +<p>"I did, dad, but something seems to be the matter," was + the reply.</p> + +<p>"Matter? What do you mean?" and the aged inventor hastened + to where his son and Captain Weston were at the wheels, + valves and levers.</p> + +<p>"Why, the tanks won't empty, and the pumps don't seem to + work."</p> + +<p>"Let me try," suggested Mr. Swift, and he pulled the + various handles. There was no corresponding action of the + machinery.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," he remarked in a curious voice "Perhaps + something has gone wrong with the connections. Go look in + the engine-room, and ask Mr. Sharp if everything is all + right there."</p> + +<p>Tom made a quick trip, returning to report that the + dynamos, motors and gas engine were running perfectly.</p> + +<p>"Try to work the tank levers and pumps from the conning + tower," suggested Captain Weston. "Sometimes I've known the + steam steering gear to play tricks like that."</p> + +<p>Tom hurried up the circular stairway into the tower. He + pulled the levers and shifted the valves and wheels there. + But there was no emptying of the water tanks. The weight and + pressure of water in them still held the submarine on the + bottom of the sea, more than a mile from the surface. The + pumps in the engine-room were working at top speed, but + there was evidently something wrong in the connections. + Mr. Swift quickly came to this conclusion.</p> + +<p>"We must repair it at once," he said. "Tom, come to the + engine-room. You and I, with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharp, will + soon have it in shape again."</p> + +<p>"Is there any danger?" asked Mr. Damon in a perturbed + voice. "Bless my soul, it's unlucky to have an accident on + our trial trip."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we must expect accidents," declared Mr. Swift with a + smile. "This is nothing."</p> + +<p>But it proved to be more difficult than he had imagined + to re-establish the connection between the pumps and the + tanks. The valves, too, had clogged or jammed, and as the + pressure outside the ship was so great, the water would not + run out of itself. It must be forced.</p> + +<p>For an hour or more the inventor, his son and the others, + worked away. They could accomplish nothing. Tom looked + anxiously at his parent when the latter paused in his + efforts.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," advised the aged inventor. "It's got to + come right sooner or later."</p> + +<p>Just then Mr. Damon, who had been wandering about the + ship, entered the engine-room.</p> + +<p>"Do you know," he said, "you ought to open a window, or + something."</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the matter?" asked Tom quickly, looking to + see if the odd man was joking.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course I don't exactly mean a window," explained + Mr. Damon, "but we need fresh air."</p> + +<p>"Fresh air!" There was a startled note in Mr. Swift's + voice as he repeated the words.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can hardly breathe in the living-room, and it's + not much better here."</p> + +<p>"Why, there ought to be plenty of fresh air," went on the + inventor. "It is renewed automatically."</p> + +<p>Tom jumped up and looked at an indicator. He uttered a + startled cry.</p> + +<p>"The air hasn't been changed in the last hour!" he + exclaimed. "It is bad. There's not enough oxygen in it. I + notice it, now that I've stopped working. The gage indicates + it, too. The automatic air-changer must have stopped + working. I'll fix it."</p> + +<p>He hurried to the machine which was depended on to supply + fresh air to the submarine.</p> + +<p>"Why, the air tanks are empty!" the young inventor cried. + "We haven't any more air except what is in the ship now!"</p> + +<p>"And we're rapidly breathing that up," added Captain + Weston solemnly.</p> + +<p>"Can't you make more?" cried Mr. Damon. "I thought you + said you could make oxygen aboard the ship."</p> + +<p>"We can," answered Mr. Swift, "but I did not bring along a + supply of the necessary chemicals. I did not think we would + be submerged long enough for that. But there should have + been enough in the reserve tank to last several days. How + about it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"It's all leaked out, or else it wasn't filled," was the + despairing answer. "All the air we have is what's in the + ship, and we can't make more."</p> + +<p>The treasure-seekers looked at each other. It was an awful + situation.</p> + +<p>"Then the only thing to do is to fix the machinery and + rise to the surface," said Mr. Sharp simply. "We can have + all the air we want, then."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but the machinery doesn't seem possible of being + fixed," spoke Tom in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"We must do it!" cried his father.</p> + +<p>They set to work again with fierce energy, laboring for + their very lives. They all knew that they could not long + remain in the ship without oxygen. Nor could they desert it + to go to the surface, for the moment they left the + protection of the thick steel sides the terrible pressure of + the water would kill them. Nor were the diving suits + available. They must stay in the craft and die a miserable + death-unless the machinery could be repaired and the Advance + sent to the surface. The emergency expanding lifting tank + was not yet in working order.</p> + +<p>More frantically they toiled, trying every device that was +suggested to the mechanical minds of Tom, his father, Mr. +Sharp or Mr. Jackson, to make the pumps work. But something +was wrong. More and more foul grew the air. They were +fairly gasping now. It was difficult to breathe, to say +nothing of working, in that atmosphere. The thought of their +terrible position was in the minds of all.</p> + +<p>"Oh, for one breath of fresh air!" cried Mr. Damon, who + seemed to suffer more than any of the others. Grim death was + hovering around them, imprisoned as they were on the ocean's + bed, over a mile from the surface.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH13" id="CH13">Chapter Thirteen</a></h2> + +<h3>Off for the Treasure</h3> + +<p> Suddenly Tom, after a moment's pause, seized a wrench and + began loosening some nuts.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" asked his father faintly, for he was + being weakened by the vitiated atmosphere.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take this valve apart," replied his son. "We + haven't looked there for the trouble. Maybe it's out of + order."</p> + +<p> + He attacked the valve with energy, but his hands soon + lagged. The lack of oxygen was telling on him. He could no + longer work quickly.</p> + +<p>"I'll help," murmured Mr. Sharp thickly. He took a wrench, + but no sooner had he loosened one nut than he toppled over. + "I'm all in," he murmured feebly.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?" cried Mr. Damon, himself gasping.</p> + +<p>"No, only fainted. But he soon will be dead, and so will + all of us, if we don't get fresh air," remarked Captain + Weston. "Lie down on the floor, every one. There is a little + fairly good air there. It's heavier than the air we've + breathed, and we can exist on it for a little longer. Poor + Sharp was so used to breathing the rarified air of high + altitudes that he can't stand this heavy atmosphere."</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon was gasping worse than ever, and so was Mr. + Swift. The balloonist lay an inert heap on the floor, with + Captain Weston trying to force a few drops of stimulant down + his throat.</p> + +<p>With a fierce determination in his heart, but with fingers + that almost refused to do his bidding, Tom once more sought + to open the big valve. He felt sure the trouble was located + there, as they had tried to locate it in every other place + without avail.</p> + +<p>"I'll help," said Mr. Jackson in a whisper. He, too, was + hardly able to move.</p> + +<p>More and more devoid of oxygen grew the air. It gave Tom a + sense as if his head was filled, and ready to burst with + every breath he drew. Still he struggled to loosen the nuts. + There were but four more now, and he took off three while + Mr. Jackson removed one. The young inventor lifted off the + valve cover, though it felt like a ton weight to him. He + gave a glance inside.</p> + +<p>"Here's the trouble!" he murmured. "The valve's clogged. + No wonder it wouldn't work. The pumps couldn't force the + water out."</p> + +<p>It was the work of only a minute to adjust the valve. Then + Tom and the engineer managed to get the cover back on.</p> + +<p>How they inserted the bolts and screwed the nuts in place + they never could remember clearly afterward, but they + managed it somehow, with shaking, trembling hands and eyes + that grew more and more dim.</p> + +<p>"Now start the pumps!" cried Tom faintly. "The tanks will + be emptied, and we can get to the surface."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sharp was still unconscious, nor was Mr. Swift able to + help. He lay with his eyes closed. Garret Jackson, however, + managed to crawl to the engine-room, and soon the clank of + machinery told Tom that the pumps were in motion. The lad + staggered to the pilot house and threw the levers over. An + instant later there was the hissing of water as it rushed + from the ballast tanks. The submarine shivered, as though + disliking to leave the bottom of the sea, and then slowly + rose. As the pumps worked more rapidly, and the sea was sent + from the tank in great volumes, the boat fairly shot to the + surface. Tom was ready to open the conning tower and let in + fresh air as soon as the top was above the surface.</p> + +<p>With a bound the Advance reached the top. Tom frantically + worked the worm gear that opened the tower. In rushed the + fresh, life-giving air, and the treasure-hunters filled + their lungs with it.</p> + +<p>And it was only just in time, for Mr. Sharp was almost + gone. He quickly revived, as did the others, when they could + breathe as much as they wished of the glorious oxygen.</p> + +<p>"That was a close call," commented Mr. Swift. "We'll not + go below again until I have provided for all emergencies. I + should have seen to the air tanks and the expanding one + before going below. We'll sail home on the surface now."</p> + +<p>The submarine was put about and headed for her dock. On + the way she passed a small steamer, and the passengers + looked down in wonder at the strange craft.</p> + +<p>When the Advance reached the secluded creek where she had + been launched, her passengers had fully recovered from their + terrible experience, though the nerves of Mr. Swift and Mr. + Damon were not at ease for some days thereafter.</p> + +<p>"I should never have made a submerged test without making + sure that we had a reserve supply of air," remarked the aged + inventor. "I will not be caught that way again. But I can't + understand how the pump valve got out of order."</p> + +<p>"Maybe some one tampered with it," suggested Mr. Damon. + "Could Andy Foger, any of the Happy Harry gang, or the rival + gold-seekers have done it?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so," answered Tom. "The place has been too + carefully guarded since Berg and Andy once sneaked in. I + think it was just an accident, but I have thought of a plan + whereby such accidents can be avoided in the future. It + needs a simple device."</p> + +<p>"Better patent it," suggested Mr. Sharp with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Maybe I will," replied the young inventor. "But not now. + We haven't time, if we intend to get fitted out for our + trip."</p> + +<p>"No; I should say the sooner we started the better," + remarked Captain Weston. "That is, if you don't mind me + speaking about it," he added gently, and the others smiled, + for his diffident comments were only a matter of habit.</p> + +<p>The first act of the adventurers, after tying the + submarine at the dock, was to proceed with the loading of + the food and supplies. Tom and Mr. Damon looked to this, + while Mr. Swift and Mr. Sharp made some necessary changes to + the machinery. The next day the young inventor attached his + device to the pump valve, and the loading of the craft was + continued.</p> + +<p>All was in readiness for the gold-seeking expedition a + week later. Captain Weston had carefully charted the route + they were to follow, and it was decided to move along on the + surface for the first day, so as to get well out to sea + before submerging the craft. Then it would sink below the + surface, and run along under the water until the wreck was + reached, rising at times, as needed, to renew the air + supply.</p> + +<p>With sufficient stores and provisions aboard to last + several months, if necessary, though they did not expect to + be gone more than sixty days at most, the adventurers arose + early one morning and went down to the dock. Mr. Jackson was + not to accompany them. He did not care about a submarine + trip, he said, and Mr. Swift desired him to remain at the + seaside cottage and guard the shops, which contained much + valuable machinery. The airship was also left there.</p> + +<p>"Well, are we all ready?" asked Mr. Swift of the little + party of gold-seekers, as they were about to enter the + conning tower hatchway of the submarine.</p> + +<p>"All ready, dad," responded his son.</p> + +<p>"Then let's get aboard," proposed Captain Weston. "But + first let me take an observation."</p> + +<p>He swept the horizon with his telescope, and Tom noticed + that the sailor kept it fixed on one particular spot for + some time.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything?" asked the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is a boat lying off there," was the answer. + "And some one is observing us through a glass. But I don't + believe it matters. Probably they're only trying to see what + sort of an odd fish we are."</p> + +<p>"All aboard, then," ordered Mr. Swift, and they went into + the submarine. Tom and his father, with Captain Weston, + remained in the conning tower. The signal was given, the + electricity flowed into the forward and aft plates, and the + Advance shot ahead on the surface.</p> + +<p>The sailor raised his telescope once more and peered + through a window in the tower. He uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"That other ship--a small steamer--is weighing anchor and + seems to be heading this way," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it's some one hired by Berg to follow us and trace + our movements," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"If it is we'll fool them," added his father. "Just keep + an eye on them, captain, and I think we can show them a + trick or two in a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Faster shot the Advance through the water. She had started + on her way to get the gold from the sunken wreck, but + already enemies were on the trail of the adventurers, for + the ship the sailor had noticed was steaming after them.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH14" id="CH14">Chapter Fourteen</a></h2> + +<h3>In the Diving Suits</h3> + +<p> + There was no doubt that the steamer was coming after the + submarine. Several observations Captain Weston made + confirmed this, and he reported the fact to Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll change our plans, then," said the inventor. + "Instead of sailing on the surface we'll go below. But first + let them get near so they may have the benefit of seeing + what we do. Tom, go below, please, and tell Mr. Sharp to get + every thing in readiness for a quick descent. We'll slow up + a bit now, and let them get nearer to us."</p> + +<p> + The speed of the submarine was reduced, and in a short + time the strange steamer had overhauled her, coming to + within hailing distance.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift signaled for the machinery to stop and the + submarine came to a halt on the surface, bobbing about like + a half-submerged bottle. The inventor opened a bull's-eye in + the tower, and called to a man on the bridge of the steamer:</p> + +<p>"What are you following us for?"</p> + +<p>"Following you?" repeated the man, for the strange vessel + had also come to a stop. "We're not following you."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it," replied Mr. Swift. "You'd better give + it up."</p> + +<p>"I guess the waters are free," was the quick retort. + "We'll follow you if we like."</p> + +<p>"Will you? Then come on!" cried the inventor as he quickly + closed the heavy glass window and pulled a lever. An instant + later the submarine began to sink, and Mr. Swift could not + help laughing as, just before the tower went under water, he + had a glimpse of the astonished face of the man on the + bridge. The latter had evidently not expected such a move as + that.</p> + +<p>Lower and lower in the water went the craft, until it was + about two hundred feet below the surface. Then Mr. Swift + left the conning tower, descended to the main part of the + ship, and asked Tom and Captain Weston to take charge of the + pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Send her ahead, Tom," his father said. "That fellow up + above is rubbing his eyes yet, wondering where we are, I + suppose."</p> + +<p>Forward shot the Advance under water, the powerful + electrical plates pulling and pushing her on the way to + secure the sunken gold.</p> + +<p>All that morning a fairly moderate rate of speed was + maintained, as it was thought best not to run the new + machinery too fast.</p> + +<p>Dinner was eaten about a quarter of a mile below the + surface, but no one inside the submarine would ever have + known it. Electric lights made the place as brilliant as + could be desired, and the food, which Tom and Mr. Damon + prepared, was equal to any that could have been served on + land. After the meal they opened the shutters over the + windows in the sides of the craft, and looked at the myriads + of fishes swimming past, as the creatures were disclosed in + the glare of the searchlight.</p> + +<p>That night they were several hundred miles on their + journey, for the craft was speedy, and leaving Tom and + Captain Weston to take the first watch, the others went to + bed.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, but it does seem odd, though, to go to bed + under water, like a fish," remarked Mr. Damon. "If my wife + knew this she would worry to death. She thinks I'm off + automobiling. But this isn't half as dangerous as riding in + a car that's always getting out of order. A submarine for + mine, every time."</p> + +<p>"Wait until we get to the end of this trip," advised Tom. + "I guess you'll find almost as many things can happen in a + submarine as can in an auto," and future events were to + prove the young inventor to be right.</p> + +<p>Everything worked well that night, and the ship made good + progress. They rose to the surface the next morning to make + sure of their position, and to get fresh air, though they + did not really need the latter, as the reserve supply had + not been drawn on, and was sufficient for several days, now + that the oxygen machine had been put in running order.</p> + +<p>On the second day the ship was sent to the bottom and + halted there, as Mr. Swift wished to try the new diving + suits. These were made of a new, light, but very strong + metal to withstand the pressure of a great depth.</p> + +<p>Tom, Mr. Sharp and Captain Weston donned the suits, the + others agreeing to wait until they saw how the first trial + resulted. Then, too, it was necessary for some one + acquainted with the machinery to remain in the ship to + operate the door and water chamber through which the divers + had to pass to get out.</p> + +<p>The usual plan, with some changes, was followed in letting + the three out of the boat, and on to the bottom of the sea. + They entered a chamber in the side of the submarine, water + was gradually admitted until it equaled in pressure that + outside, then an outer door was opened by means of levers, + and they could step out</p> + +<p>It was a curious sensation to Tom and the others to feel + that they were actually walking along the bed of the ocean. + All around them was the water, and as they turned on the + small electric lights in their helmets, which lights were + fed by storage batteries fastened to the diving suits, they + saw the fish, big and little, swarm up to them, doubtless + astonished at the odd creatures which had entered their + domain. On the sand of the bottom, and in and out among the + shells and rocks, crawled great spider crabs, big eels and + other odd creatures seldom seen on the surface of the water. + The three divers found no difficulty in breathing, as there + were air tanks fastened to their shoulders, and a constant + supply of oxygen was fed through pipes into the helmets. The + pressure of water did not bother them, and after the first + sensation Tom began to enjoy the novelty of it. At first the + inability to speak to his companions seemed odd, but he + soon got so he could make signs and motions, and be + understood.</p> + +<p>They walked about for some time, and once the lad came + upon a part of a wrecked vessel buried deep in the sand. + There was no telling what ship it was, nor how long it had + been there, and after silently viewing it, they continued on</p> + +<p>"It was great!" were the first words Tom uttered when he + and the others were once more inside the submarine and had + removed the suits. "If we can only walk around the wreck of + the Boldero that way, we'll have all the gold out of her in + no time. There are no life-lines nor air-hose to bother with + in these diving suits."</p> + +<p>"They certainly are a success," conceded Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Bless my topknot!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'll try it next + time. I've always wanted to be a diver, and now I have the + chance."</p> + +<p>The trip was resumed after the diving chamber had been + closed, and on the third day Captain Weston announced, after + a look at his chart, that they were nearing the Bahama + Islands.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to be careful not to run into any of the small + keys," he said, that being the name for the many little + points of land, hardly large enough to be dignified by the + name of island. "We must keep a constant lookout."</p> + +<p>Fortune favored them, though once, when Tom was steering, + he narrowly avoided ramming a coral reef with the submarine. + The searchlight showed it to him just in time, and he + sheered off with a thumping in his heart.</p> + +<p>The course was changed from south to east, so as to get + ready to swing out of the way of the big shoulder of South + America where Brazil takes up so much room, and as they went + farther and farther toward the equator, they noticed that + the waters teemed more and more with fish, some beautiful, + some ugly and fear-inspiring, and some such monsters that it + made one shudder to look at them, even through the thick + glass of the bulls-eye windows.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH15" id="CH15">Chapter Fifteen</a></h2> + +<h3>At the Tropical Island</h3> + +<p> + It was on the evening of the fourth day later that Captain + Weston, who was steering the craft, suddenly called out:</p> + +<p>"Land ho!"</p> + +<p>"Where away?" inquired Tom quickly, for he had read that + this was the proper response to make.</p> + +<p>"Dead ahead," answered the sailor with a smile. "Shall we + make for it, if I may be allowed the question?"</p> + +<p>"What land is it likely to be?" Mr. Swift wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some small tropical island," replied the seafaring + man. "It isn't down on the charts. Probably it's too small + to note. I should say it was a coral island, but we may be + able to find a Spring of fresh water there, and some fruit."</p> + +<p> + "Then we'll land there," decided the inventor. "We can use + some fresh water, though our distilling and ice apparatus + does very well."</p> + +<p>They made the island just at dusk, and anchored in a + little lagoon, where there was a good depth of water.</p> + +<p>"Now for shore!" cried Tom, as the submarine swung around + on the chain. "It looks like a fine place. I hope there are + cocoanuts and oranges here. Shall I get out the electric + launch, dad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may, and we'll all go ashore. It will do us good + to stretch our legs a bit."</p> + +<p>Carried in a sort of pocket on the deck of the submarine + was a small electric boat, capable of holding six. It could + be slid from the pocket, or depression, into the water + without the use of davits, and, with Mr. Sharp to aid him, + Tom soon had the little craft afloat. The batteries were + already charged, and just as the sun was going down the + gold-seekers entered the launch and were soon on shore.</p> + +<p>They found a good spring of water close at hand, and Tom's + wish regarding the cocoanuts was realized, though there were + no oranges. The lad took several of the delicious nuts, and + breaking them open poured the milk into a collapsible cup he + carried, drinking it eagerly. The others followed his + example, and pronounced it the best beverage they had tasted + in a long time.</p> + +<p>The island was a typical tropical one, not very large, and + it did not appear to have been often visited by man. There + were no animals to be seen, but myriads of birds flew here + and there amid the trees, the trailing vines and streamers + of moss.</p> + +<p>"Let's spend a day here to-morrow and explore it," + proposed Tom, and his father nodded an assent. They went + back to the submarine as night was beginning to gather, and + in the cabin, after supper, talked over the happenings of + their trip so far.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we'll have any trouble getting + the gold out of the wrecked vessel?" asked Tom of Captain + Weston, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's hard to say. I couldn't learn just how the + wreck lays, whether it's on a sandy or a rocky bottom. If + the latter, it won't be so hard, but if the sand has worked + in and partly covered it, we'll have some difficulties, if I + may be permitted to say so. However, don't borrow trouble. + We're not there yet, though at the rate we're traveling it + won't be long before we arrive."</p> + +<p>No watch was set that night, as it was not considered + necessary. Tom was the first to arise in the morning, and he + went out on the deck for a breath of fresh air before + breakfast.</p> + +<p>He looked off at the beautiful little island, and as his + eye took in all of the little lagoon where the submarine was + anchored he uttered a startled cry.</p> + +<p>And well he might, for, not a hundred yards away, and + nearer to the island than was the Advance, floated another + craft--another craft, almost similar in shape and size to + the one built by the Swifts. Tom rubbed his eyes to make + sure he was not seeing double. No, there could be no mistake + about it. There was another submarine at the tropical + island.</p> + +<p>As he looked, some one emerged from the conning tower of + the second craft. The figure seemed strangely familiar. Tom + knew in a moment who it was--Addison Berg. The agent saw the + lad, too, and taking off his cap and making a mocking bow, + he called out:</p> + +<p>"Good morning! Have you got the gold yet?"</p> + +<p>Tom did not know what to answer. Seeing the other + submarine, at an island where he had supposed they would not + be disturbed, was disconcerting enough, but to be greeted by + Berg was altogether too much, Tom thought. His fears that + the rival boat builders would follow had not been without + foundation.</p> + +<p>"Rather surprised to see us, aren't you?" went on Mr. + Berg, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Rather," admitted Tom, choking over the word.</p> + +<p>"Thought you'd be," continued Berg. "We didn't expect to + meet you so soon, but we're glad we did. I don't altogether + like hunting for sunken treasure, with such indefinite + directions as I have."</p> + +<p>"You--are going to--" stammered Tom, and then he concluded + it would be best not to say anything. But his talk had been + heard inside the submarine. His father came to the foot of + the conning tower stairway.</p> + +<p>"To whom are you speaking, Tom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"They're here, dad," was the youth's answer.</p> + +<p>"Here? Who are here?"</p> + +<p>"Berg and his employers. They've followed us, dad."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH16" id="CH16">Chapter Sixteen</a></h2> + +<h3>"We'll Race You For It"</h3> + +<p> Mr. Swift hurried up on deck. He was accompanied by + Captain Weston. At the sight of Tom's father, Mr. Berg, who + had been joined by' two other men, called out:</p> + +<p>"You see we also concluded to give up the trial for the + Government prize, Mr. Swift. We decided there was more money + in something else. But we still will have a good chance to + try the merits of our respective boats. We hurried and got + ours fitted up almost as soon as you did yours, and I think + we have the better craft."</p> + +<p>"I don't care to enter into any competition with you," + said Mr. Swift coldly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but I'm afraid you'll have to, whether you want to or + not," was the insolent reply.</p> + +<p> + "What's that? Do you mean to force this matter upon me?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I'll have to--my employers and I, that is. You + see, we managed to pick up your trail after you left the + Jersey coast, having an idea where you were bound, and we + don't intend to lose you now."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to follow us?" asked Captain Weston softly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can put it that way if you like," answered one + of the two men with Mr. Berg.</p> + +<p>"I forbid it!" cried Mr. Swift hotly. "You have no right + to sneak after us."</p> + +<p>"I guess the ocean is free," continued the rascally agent.</p> + +<p>"Why do you persist in keeping after us?" inquired the + aged inventor, thinking it well to ascertain, if possible, + just how much the men knew.</p> + +<p>"Because we're after that treasure as well as you," was + the bold reply. "You have no exclusive right to it. The + sunken ship is awaiting the first comer, and whoever gets + there first can take the gold from the wreck. We intend to + be there first, but we'll be fair with you."</p> + +<p>"Fair? What do you mean?" demanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"This: We'll race you for it. The first one to arrive will + have the right to search the wreck for the gold bullion. Is + that fair? Do you agree to it?"</p> + +<p>"We agree to nothing with you," interrupted Captain + Weston, his usual diffident manner all gone. "I happen to be + in partial command of this craft, and I warn you that if I + find you interfering with us it won't be healthy for you. + I'm not fond of fighting, but when I begin I don't like to + stop," and he smiled grimly. "You'd better not follow us."</p> + +<p>"We'll do as we please," shouted the third member of the + trio on the deck of the other boat, which, as Tom could see, + was named the Wonder. "We intend to get that gold if we + can,"</p> + +<p>"All right. I've warned you," went on the sailor, and + then, motioning to Tom and his father to follow, he went + below.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's to be done?" asked Mr. Swift when they were + seated in the living-room, and had informed the others of + the presence of the rival submarine.</p> + +<p>"The only thing I see to do is to sneak away unobserved, + go as deep as possible, and make all haste for the wreck," + advised the captain. "They will depend on us, for they have + evidently no chart of the wreck, though of course the + general location of it may be known to them from reading the + papers. I hoped I had thrown them off the track by the false + chart I dropped, but it seems they were too smart for us."</p> + +<p>"Have they a right to follow us?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Legally, but not morally. We can't prevent them, I'm + afraid. The only thing to do is to get there ahead of them. + It will be a race for the sunken treasure, and we must get + there first."</p> + +<p>"What do you propose doing, captain?" asked Mr. Damon. + "Bless my shirt-studs, but can't we pull their ship up on + the island and leave it there?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid such high-handed proceedings would hardly + answer," replied Mr. Swift. "No, as Captain Weston says, we + must get there ahead of them. What do you think will be the + best scheme, captain?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no need for us to forego our plan to get + fresh water. Suppose we go to the island, that is, some of + us, leaving a guard on board here. We'll fill our tanks with + fresh water, and at night we'll quietly sink below the + surface and speed away."</p> + +<p>They all voted that an excellent idea, and little time was + lost putting it into operation.</p> + +<p>All the remainder of that day not a sign of life was + visible about the Wonder. She lay inert on the surface of + the lagoon, not far away from the Advance; but, though no + one showed himself on the deck, Tom and his friends had no + doubt but that their enemies were closely watching them.</p> + +<p>As dusk settled down over The tropical sea, and as the + shadows of the trees on the little island lengthened, those + on board the Advance closed the Conning tower. No lights + were turned on, as they did not want their movements to be + seen, but Tom, his father and Mr. Sharp took their positions + near the various machines and apparatus, ready to open the + tanks and let the submarine sink to the bottom, as soon as + it was possible to do this unobserved.</p> + +<p>"Luckily there's no moon," remarked Captain Weston, as he + took his place beside Tom. "Once below the surface and we + can defy them to find us. It is odd how they traced us, but + I suppose that steamer gave them the clue."</p> + +<p>It rapidly grew dark, as it always does in the tropics, + and when a cautious observation from the conning tower did + not disclose the outlines of the other boat, those aboard + the Advance rightly concluded that their rivals were unable + to see them.</p> + +<p>"Send her down, Tom," called his father, and with a hiss + the water entered the tanks. The submarine quickly sank + below the surface, aided by the deflecting rudder.</p> + +<p>But alas for the hopes of the gold-seekers. No sooner was + she completely submerged, with the engine started so as to + send her out of the lagoon and to the open sea, than the + waters all about were made brilliant by the phosphorescent + phenomenon. In southern waters this frequently occurs. + Millions of tiny creatures, which, it is said, swarm in the + warm currents, give an appearance of fire to the ocean, and + any object moving through it can plainly be seen. It was so + with the Advance. The motion she made in shooting forward, + and the undulations caused by her submersion, seemed to + start into activity the dormant phosphorus, and the + submarine was afloat in a sea of fire.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" cried Tom. "Speed her up! Maybe we can get out of + this patch of water before they see us."</p> + +<p>But it was too late. Above them they could hear the + electric siren of the Wonder as it was blown to let them + know that their escape had been noticed. A moment later the + water, which acted as a sort of sounding-board, or + telephone, brought to the ears of Tom Swift and his friends + the noise of the engines of the other craft in operation. + She was coming after them. The race for the possession of + three hundred thousand dollars in gold was already under + way. Fate seemed against those on board the Advance.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH17" id="CH17">Chapter Seventeen</a></h2> + +<h3>The Race</h3> + +<p> Directed by Captain Weston, who glanced at the compass and + told him which way to steer to clear the outer coral reef, + Tom sent the submarine ahead, signaling for full speed to + the engine-room, where his father and Mr. Sharp were. The + big dynamos purred like great cats, as they sent the + electrical energy into the forward and aft plates, pulling + and pushing the Advance forward. On and on she rushed under + water, but ever as she shot ahead the disturbance in the + phosphorescent water showed her position plainly. She would + be easy to follow.</p> + +<p> + "Can't you get any more speed out of her?" asked the + captain of the lad.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the quick reply; "by using the auxiliary screws + I think we can. I'll try it."</p> + +<p>He signaled for the propellers, forward and aft, to be put + in operation, and the motor moving the twin screws was + turned on. At once there was a perceptible increase to the + speed of the Advance.</p> + +<p>"Are we leaving them behind?" asked Tom anxiously, as he + glanced at the speed gage, and noted that the submarine was + now about five hundred feet below the surface.</p> + +<p>"Hard to tell," replied the Captain. "You'd have to take + an observation to make sure."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it," cried the youth. "You steer, please, and + I'll go in the conning tower. I can look forward and aft + there, as well as straight up. Maybe I can see the Wonder."</p> + +<p>Springing up the circular ladder leading into the tower, + Tom glanced through the windows all about the small pilot + house. He saw a curious sight. It was as if the submarine + was in a sea of yellowish liquid fire. She was immersed in + water which glowed with the flames that contained no heat. + So light was it, in fact, that there was no need of the + incandescents in the tower. The young inventor could have + seen to read a paper by the illumination of the phosphorus. + But he had something else to do than observe this + phenomenon. He wanted to see if he could catch sight of the + rival submarine.</p> + +<p>At first he could make out nothing save the swirl and + boiling of the sea, caused by the progress of the Advance + through it. But suddenly, as he looked up, he was aware of + some great, black body a little to the rear and about ten + feet above his craft.</p> + +<p>"A shark!" he exclaimed aloud. "An immense one, too."</p> + +<p>But the closer he looked the less it seemed like a shark. + The position of the black object changed. It appeared to + settle down, to be approaching the top of the conning tower. + Then, with a suddenness that unnerved him for the time + being, Tom recognized what it was; it was the underside of a + ship. He could see the plates riveted together, and then, as + be noted the rounded, cylindrical shape, he knew that it was + a submarine. It was the Wonder. She was close at hand and + was creeping up on the Advance. But, what was more + dangerous, she seemed to be slowly settling in the water. + Another moment and her great screws might crash into the + Conning tower of the Swifts' boat and shave it off. Then the + water would rush in, drowning the treasure-seekers like rats + in a trap.</p> + +<p>With a quick motion Tom yanked over the lever that allowed + more water to flow into the ballast tanks. The effect was at + once apparent. The Advance shot down toward the bottom of + the sea. At the same time the young inventor signaled to + Captain Weston to notify those in the engine-room to put on + a little more speed. The Advance fairly leaped ahead, and + the lad, looking up through the bull's-eye in the roof of + the conning tower, had the satisfaction of seeing the rival + submarine left behind.</p> + +<p>The youth hurried down into the interior of the ship to + tell what he had seen, and explain the reason for opening + the ballast tanks. He found his father and Mr. Sharp + somewhat excited over the unexpected maneuver of the craft.</p> + +<p>"So they're still following us," murmured Mr. Swift. "I + don't see why we can't shake them off."</p> + +<p>"It's on account of this luminous water," explained + Captain Weston. "Once we are clear of that it will be easy, + I think, to give them the slip. That is, if we can get out + of their sight long enough. Of course, if they keep close + after us, they can pick us up with their searchlight, for I + suppose they carry one."</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted the aged inventor, "they have as strong a + one as we have. In fact, their ship is second only to this + one in speed and power. I know, for Bentley & Eagert +showed + me some of the plans before they started it, and asked my + opinion. This was before I had the notion of building a + submarine. Yes, I am afraid we'll have trouble getting away + from them."</p> + +<p>"I can't understand this phosphorescent glow keeping up so + long," remarked Captain Weston. "I've seen it in this + locality several times, but it never covered such an extent + of the ocean in my time. There must be changed conditions + here now."</p> + +<p>For an hour or more the race was kept up, and the two + submarines forged ahead through the glowing sea. The Wonder + remained slightly above and to the rear of the other, the + better to keep sight of her, and though the Advance was run + to her limit of speed, her rival could not be shaken off. + Clearly the Wonder was a speedy craft.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad that we've got to fight them, as well as run + the risk of lots of other troubles which are always present + when sailing under water," observed Mr Damon, who wandered + about the submarine like the nervous person he was. "Bless + my shirt-studs! Can't we blow them up, or cripple them in + some way? They have no right to go after our treasure."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess they've got as much right as we have," + declared Tom. "It goes to whoever reaches the wreck first. + But what I don't like is their mean, sneaking way of doing + it. If they went off on their own hook and looked for it I + wouldn't say a word. But they expect us to lead them to the + wreck, and then they'll rob us if they can. That's not + fair."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, it isn't," agreed Captain Weston, "if I may be + allowed the expression. We ought to find some way of + stopping them. But, if I'm not mistaken," he added quickly, + looking from one of the port bull's-eyes, "the + phosphorescent glow is lessening. I believe we are running + beyond that part of the ocean."</p> + +<p>There was no doubt of it, the glow was growing less and + less, and ten minutes later the Advance was speeding along + through a sea as black as night. Then, to avoid running into + some wreck, it was necessary to turn on the searchlight.</p> + +<p>"Are they still after us?" asked Mr. Swift of his son, as + he emerged from the engine-room, where he had gone to make + some adjustments to the machinery, with the hope of + increasing the speed.</p> + +<p>"I'll go look," volunteered the lad. He climbed up into + the conning tower again, and for a moment, as he gazed back + into the black waters swirling all about, he hoped that they + had lost the Wonder. But a moment later his heart sank as he + caught sight, through the liquid element, of the flickering + gleams of another searchlight, the rays undulating through + the sea.</p> + +<p>"Still following," murmured the young inventor. "They're + not going to give up. But we must make 'em--that's all."</p> + +<p>He went down to report what he had seen, and a + consultation was held. Captain Weston carefully studied the + charts of that part of the ocean, and finding that there was + a great depth of water at hand, proposed a series of + evolutions.</p> + +<p>"We can go up and down, shoot first to one side and then + to the other," he explained. "We can even drop down to the + bottom and rest there for a while. Perhaps, in that way, we + can shake them off."</p> + +<p>They tried it. The Advance was sent up until her conning + tower was out of the water, and then she was suddenly forced + down until she was but a few feet from the bottom. She + darted to the left, to the right, and even doubled and went + back over the course she had taken. But all to no purpose. + The Wonder proved fully as speedy, and those in her seemed + to know just how to handle the submarine, so that every + evolution of the Advance was duplicated. Her rival could not + be shaken off.</p> + +<p>All night this was kept up, and when morning came, though + only the clocks told it, for eternal night was below the + surface, the rival gold-seekers were still on the trail.</p> + +<p>"They won't give up," declared Mr. Swift hopelessly.</p> + +<p>"No, we've got to race them for it, just as Berg + proposed," admitted Tom. "But if they want a straightaway + race we'll give it to 'em Let's run her to the limit, dad."</p> + +<p>"That's what we've been doing, Tom."</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly, for we've been submerged a little too + much to get the best speed out of our craft. Let's go a + little nearer the surface, and give them the best race + they'll ever have."</p> + +<p>Then the race began; and such a contest of speed as it + was! With her propellers working to the limit, and every + volt of electricity that was available forced into the + forward and aft plates, the Advance surged through the + water, about ten feet below the surface. But the Wonder kept + after her, giving her knot for knot. The course of the + leading submarine was easy to trace now, in the morning + light which penetrated ten feet down.</p> + +<p>"No use," remarked Tom again, when, after two hours, the + Wonder was still close behind them. "Our only chance is that + they may have a breakdown."</p> + +<p>"Or run out of air, or something like that," added Captain + Weston. "They are crowding us pretty close. I had no idea + they could keep up this speed. If they don't look out," he + went on as he looked from one of the aft observation + windows, "they'll foul us, and--"</p> + +<p>His remarks were interrupted by a jar to the Advance. She + seemed to shiver and careened to one side. Then came another + bump.</p> + +<p>"Slow down!" cried the captain, rushing toward the pilot + house.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom, as he threw the engines + and electrical machines out of gear. "Have we hit anything?"</p> + +<p>"No. Something has hit us," cried the captain. "Their + submarine has rammed us."</p> + +<p>"Rammed us!" repeated Mr. Swift. "Tom, run out the + electric cannon! They're trying to sink us! We'll have to + fight them. Run out the stern electric gun and we'll make + them wish they'd not followed us."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH18" id="CH18">Chapter Eighteen</a></h2> + +<h3>The Electric Gun</h3> + +<p> There was much excitement aboard the Advance. The + submarine came to a stop in the water, while the treasure-seekers + waited anxiously for what was to follow. Would they + be rammed again? This time, stationary as they were, and + with the other boat coming swiftly on, a hole might be stove + through the Advance, in spite of her powerful sides.</p> + +<p>They had not long to wait. Again there came a jar, and + once more the Swifts' boat careened. But the blow was a + glancing one and, fortunately, did little damage.</p> + +<p>"They certainly must be trying to sink us," agreed Captain + Weston. "Come, Tom, we'll take a look from the stern and see + what they're up to."</p> + +<p> + "And get the stern electric gun ready to fire," repeated + Mr. Swift. "We must protect ourselves. Mr. Sharp and I will + go to the bow. There is no telling what they may do. They're + desperate, and may ram us from in front."</p> + +<p>Tom and the captain hurried aft. Through the thick plate-glass + windows they could see the blunt nose of the Wonder + not far away, the rival submarine having come to a halt. + There she lay, black and silent, like some monster fish + waiting to devour its victim.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't appear to be much damage done back here," + observed Tom. "No leaks. Guess they didn't puncture us."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was due to an accident that they rammed us," + suggested the captain.</p> + +<p>"Well, they wouldn't have done it if they hadn't followed + us so close," was the opinion of the young inventor. + "They're taking too many chances. We've got to stop 'em."</p> + +<p>"What is this electric gun your father speaks of?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a regular electric cannon. It fires a solid + ball, weighing about twenty-five pounds, but instead of + powder, which would hardly do under water, and instead of + compressed air, which is used in the torpedo tubes of the + Government submarines, we use a current of electricity. It + forces the cannon ball out with great energy."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what they will do next?" observed the captain, + peering through a bull'seye.</p> + +<p>"We can soon tell," replied the youth. "We'll go ahead, + and if they try to follow I'm going to fire on them."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you sink them?"</p> + +<p>"I won't fire to do that; only to disable them. They + brought it on themselves. We can't risk having them damage + us. Help me with the cannon, will you please, captain?"</p> + +<p>The electric cannon was a long, steel tube in the after + part of the submarine. It projected a slight distance from + the sides of the ship, and by an ingenious arrangement could + he swung around in a ball and socket joint, thus enabling it + to shoot in almost any direction.</p> + +<p>It was the work of but a few minutes to get it ready and, + with the muzzle pointing toward the Wonder, Tom adjusted the + electric wires and inserted the solid shot.</p> + +<p>"Now we're prepared for them!" he cried. "I think a good + plan will be to start ahead, and if they try to follow to + fire on them. They've brought it on themselves."</p> + +<p>"Correct," spoke Captain Weston.</p> + +<p>Tom hurried forward to tell his father of this plan.</p> + +<p>"We'll do it!" cried Mr. Swift. "Go ahead, Mr. Sharp, and + we'll see if those scoundrels will follow."</p> + +<p>The young inventor returned on the run to the electric + cannon. There was a whir of machinery, and the Advance + moved forward. She increased her speed, and the two watchers + in the stern looked anxiously out of the windows to see what + their rivals would do.</p> + +<p>For a moment no movement was noticeable on the part of the + Wonder. Then, as those aboard her appeared to realize that + the craft on which they depended to pilot them to the sunken + treasure was slipping away, word was given to follow. The + ship of Berg and his employers shot after the Advance.</p> + +<p>"Here they come!" cried Captain Weston. "They're going to + ram us again!"</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to fire on them!" declared Tom savagely.</p> + +<p>On came the Wonder, nearer and nearer. Her speed was + rapidly increasing. Suddenly she bumped the Advance, and + then, as if it was an unavoidable accident, the rear + submarine sheered off to one side.</p> + +<p>"They're certainly at it again!" cried Tom, and peering + from the bull's-eye he saw the Wonder shoot past the mouth + of the electric cannon. "Here it goes!" he added.</p> + +<p>He shoved over the lever, making the proper connection. + There was no corresponding report, for the cannon was + noiseless, but there was a slight jar as the projectile left + the muzzle. The Wonder could be seen to heel over.</p> + +<p>"You hit her! You hit her!" cried Captain Weston. "A good + shot!"</p> + +<p>"I was afraid she was past me when I pulled the lever," + explained Tom. "She went like a flash."</p> + +<p>"No, you caught her on the rudder," declared the captain. + "I think you've put her out of business. Yes, they're rising + to the surface."</p> + +<p>The lad rapidly inserted another ball, and recharged the + cannon. Then he peered out into the water, illuminated by + the light of day overhead, as they were not far down. He + could see the Wonder rising to the surface. Clearly + something had happened.</p> + +<p>"Maybe they're going to drop down on us from above, and + try to sink us," suggested the youth, while he stood ready + to fire again. "If they do--"</p> + +<p>His words were interrupted by a slight jar throughout the + submarine.</p> + +<p>"What was that?" cried the captain.</p> + +<p>"Dad fired the bow gun at them, but I don't believe he hit + them," answered the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what damage I did? Guess we'll go to the surface + to find out."</p> + +<p>Clearly the Wonder had given up the fight for the time + being. In fact, she had no weapon with which to respond to a + fusillade from her rival. Tom hastened forward and informed + his father of what had happened.</p> + +<p>"If her steering gear is out of order, we may have a + chance to slip away," said Mr. Swift "We'll go up and see + what we can learn."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Tom, his father and Captain Weston + stepped from the conning tower, which was out of water, on + to the little flat deck a short distance away lay the + Wonder, and on her deck was Berg and a number of men, + evidently members of the crew.</p> + +<p>"Why did you fire on us?" shouted the agent angrily.</p> + +<p>"Why did you follow us?" retorted Torn.</p> + +<p>"Well, you've broken our rudder and disabled us," went on + Berg, not answering the question. "You'll suffer for this! + I'll have you arrested."</p> + +<p>"You only got what you deserved," added Mr. Swift. "You + were acting illegally, following us, and you tried to sink + us by ramming my craft before we retaliated by firing on + you."</p> + +<p>"It was an accident, ramming you," said Berg. "We couldn't + help it. I now demand that you help us make repairs."</p> + +<p>"Well, you've got nerve!" cried Captain Weston, his eyes + flashing. "I'd like to have a personal interview with you + for about ten minutes. Maybe something besides your ship + would need repairs then."</p> + +<p>Berg turned away, scowling, but did not reply. He began + directing the crew what to do about the broken rudder.</p> + +<p>"Come on," proposed Tom in a low voice, for sounds carry + very easily over water. "Let's go below and skip out while + we have a chance. They can't follow now, and we can get to + the sunken treasure ahead of them."</p> + +<p>"Good advice," commented his father. "Come, Captain + Weston, we'll go below and close the conning tower."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later the Advance sank from sight, the last + glimpse Tom had of Berg and his men being a sight of them + standing on the deck of their floating boat, gazing in the + direction of their successful rival. The Wonder was left + behind, while Tom and his friends were soon once more + speeding toward the treasure wreck.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH19" id="CH19">Chapter Nineteen</a></h2> + +<h3>Captured</h3> + +<p>"Down deep," advised Captain Weston, as he stood beside + Tom and Mr. Swift in the pilot house. "As far as you can + manage her, and then forward. We'll take no more chances + with these fellows."</p> + +<p>"The only trouble is," replied the young inventor, "that + the deeper we go the slower we have to travel. The water is + so dense that it holds us back."</p> + +<p>"Well, there is no special need of hurrying now," went on + the sailor. "No one is following you, and two or three days + difference in reaching the wreck will not amount to + anything."</p> + +<p> + "Unless they repair their rudder, and take after us + again," suggested Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"They're not very likely to do that," was the captain's + opinion. "It was more by luck than good management that they + picked us up before. Now, having to delay, as they will, to + repair their steering gear, while we can go as deep as we + please and speed ahead, it is practically impossible for + them to catch up to us. No, I think we have nothing to fear + from them."</p> + +<p>But though danger from Berg and his crowd was somewhat + remote, perils of another sort were hovering around the + treasure-seekers, and they were soon to experience them.</p> + +<p>It was much different from sailing along in the airship, + Tom thought, for there was no blue sky and fleecy clouds to + see, and they could not look down and observe, far below + them, cities and villages. Nor could they breathe the + bracing atmosphere of the upper regions.</p> + +<p>But if there was lack of the rarefied air of the clouds, + there was no lack of fresh atmosphere. The big tanks carried + a large supply, and whenever more was needed the oxygen + machine would supply it.</p> + +<p>As there was no need, however, of remaining under water + for any great stretch of time, it was their practice to rise + every day and renew the air supply, also to float along on + the surface for a while, or speed along, with only the + conning tower out, in order to afford a view, and to enable + Captain Weston to take observations. But care was always + exercised to make sure no ships were in sight when emerging + on the surface, for the gold-seekers did not want to be + hailed and questioned by inquisitive persons.</p> + +<p>It was about four days after the disabling of the rival + submarine, and the Advance was speeding along about a mile + and a half under water. Tom was in the pilot house with + Captain Weston, Mr. Damon was at his favorite pastime of + looking out of the glass side windows into the ocean and its + wonders, and Mr. Swift and the balloonists were, as usual, + in the engine-room.</p> + +<p>"How near do you calculate we are to the sunken wreck?" + asked Tom of his companion.</p> + +<p>"Well, at the calculation we made yesterday, we are within + about a thousand miles of it now. We ought to reach it in + about four more days, if we don't have any accidents."</p> + +<p>"And how deep do you think it is?" went on the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid it's pretty close to two miles, if not + more. It's quite a depth, and of course impossible for + ordinary divers to reach. But it will be possible in this + submarine and in the strong diving suits your father has + invented for us to get to it. Yes, I don't anticipate much + trouble in getting out the gold, once we reach the wreck of + course--"</p> + +<p>The captain's remark was not finished. From the engine-room + there came a startled shout:</p> + +<p>"Tom! Tom! Your father is hurt! Come here, quick!"</p> + +<p>"Take the wheel!" cried the lad to the captain. "I must go + to my father." It was Mr. Sharp's voice he had heard.</p> + +<p>Racing to the engine-room, Tom saw his parent doubled up + over a dynamo, while to one side, his hand on a copper + switch, stood Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" shouted the lad.</p> + +<p>"He's held there by a current of electricity," replied the + balloonist. "The wires are crossed."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you shut off the current?" demanded the youth, + as he prepared to pull his parent from the whirring machine. + Then he hesitated, for he feared he, too, would be glued + fast by the terrible current, and so be unable to help Mr. + Swift.</p> + +<p>"I'm held fast here, too," replied the balloonist. "I + started to cut out the current at this switch, but there's a + short circuit somewhere, and I can't let go, either. Quick, + shut off all power at the main switchboard forward."</p> + +<p>Tom realized that this was the only thing to do. He ran + forward and with a yank cut out all the electric wires. With + a sigh of relief Mr. Sharp pulled his hands from the copper + where he had been held fast as if by some powerful magnet, + his muscles cramped by the current. Fortunately the + electricity was of low voltage, and he was not burned. The + body of Mr. Swift toppled backward from the dynamo, as Tom + sprang to reach his father.</p> + +<p>"He's dead!" he cried, as he saw the pale face and the + closed eyes.</p> + +<p>"No, only badly shocked, I hope," spoke Mr. Sharp. "But we + must get him to the fresh air at once. Start the tank pumps. + We'll rise to the surface."</p> + +<p>The youth needed no second bidding. Once more turning on + the electric current, he set the powerful pumps in motion + and the submarine began to rise. Then, aided by Captain + Weston and Mr. Damon, the young inventor carried his father + to a couch in the main cabin. Mr. Sharp took charge of the + machinery.</p> + +<p>Restoratives were applied, and there was a flutter of the + eyelids of the aged inventor.</p> + +<p>"I think he'll come around all right," said the sailor + kindly, as he saw Tom's grief. "Fresh air will be the thing + for him. We'll be on the surface in a minute."</p> + +<p>Up shot the Advance, while Mr. Sharp stood ready to open + the conning tower as soon as it should be out of water. Mr. + Swift seemed to be rapidly reviving. With a bound the + submarine, forced upward from the great depth, fairly shot + out of the water. There was a clanking sound as the aeronaut + opened the airtight door of the tower, and a breath of fresh + air came in.</p> + +<p>"Can you walk, dad, or shall we carry you?" asked Tom + solitiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I--I'm feeling better now," was the inventor's reply. + "I'll soon be all right when I get out on deck. My foot + slipped as I was adjusting a wire that had gotten out of + order, and I fell so that I received a large part of the + current. I'm glad I was not burned. Was Mr. Sharp hurt? I + saw him run to the switch, just before I lost + consciousness."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm all right," answered the balloonist. "But allow + us to get you out to the fresh air. You'll feel much better + then."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift managed to walk slowly to the ladder leading to + the conning tower, and thence to the deck. The others + followed him. As all emerged from the submarine they uttered + a cry of astonishment.</p> + +<p>There, not one hundred yards away, was a great warship, + flying a flag which, in a moment. Tom recognized as that of + Brazil. The cruiser was lying off a small island, and all + about were small boats, filled with natives, who seemed to + be bringing supplies from land to the ship. At the + unexpected sight of the submarine, bobbing up from the + bottom of the ocean, the natives uttered cries of fright. + The attention of those on the warship was attracted, and the + bridge and rails were lined with curious officers and men.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing we didn't come up under that ship," + observed Tom. "They would have thought we were trying to + torpedo her. Do you feel better, dad?" he asked, his wonder + over the sight of the big vessel temporarily eclipsed in his + anxiety for his parent.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, much better. I'm all right now. But I wish we + hadn't disclosed ourselves to these people. They may demand + to know where we are going, and Brazil is too near Uruguay + to make it safe to tell our errand. They may guess it, + however, from having read of the wreck, and our departure."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess it will be all right," replied Captain + Weston. "We can tell them we are on a pleasure trip. That's + true enough. It would give us great pleasure to find that + gold."</p> + +<p>"There's a boat, with some officers in it, to judge by the + amount of gold lace on them, putting off from the ship," + remarked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Yes! Evidently they intend to pay us a formal visit," + observed Mr. Damon. "Bless my gaiters, though. I'm not + dressed to receive company. I think I'll put on my dress + suit."</p> + +<p>"It's too late," advised Tom. "They'll be here in a + minute."</p> + +<p>Urged on by the lusty arms of the Brazilian sailors, the + boat, containing several officers, neared the floating + submarine rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy there!" called an officer in the bow, his accent + betraying his unfamiliarity with the English language. "What + craft are you?"</p> + +<p>"Submarine, Advance, from New Jersey," replied Tom. "Who + are you?"</p> + +<p>"Brazilian cruiser San Paulo," was the reply. "Where are + you bound?" went on the officer.</p> + +<p>"On pleasure," answered Captain Weston quickly. "But why + do you ask? We are an American ship, sailing under American + colors. Is this Brazilian territory?"</p> + +<p>"This island is--yes," came back the answer, and by this + time the small boat was at the side of the submarine. Before + the adventurers could have protested, had they a desire to + do so, there were a number of officers and the crew of the + San Paulo on the small deck.</p> + +<p>With a flourish, the officer who had done the questioning + drew his sword. Waving it in the air with a dramatic + gesture, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"You're our prisoners! Resist and my men shall cut you + down like dogs! Seize them, men!"</p> + +<p>The sailors sprang forward, each one stationing himself at + the side of one of our friends, and grasping an arm.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" cried Captain Weston indignantly. + "If this is a joke, you're carrying it too far. If you're in + earnest, let me warn you against interfering with + Americans!"</p> + +<p>"We know what we are doing," was the answer from the + officer.</p> + +<p>The sailor who had hold of Captain Weston endeavored to + secure a tighter grip. The captain turned suddenly, and + seizing the man about the waist, with an exercise of + tremendous strength hurled him over his head and into the + sea, the man making a great splash.</p> + +<p>"That's the way I'll treat any one else who dares lay a + hand on me!" shouted the captain, who was transformed from a + mild-mannered individual into an angry, modern giant. There + was a gasp of astonishment at his feat, as the ducked sailor + crawled back into the small boat. And he did not again + venture on the deck of the submarine.</p> + +<p>"Seize them, men!" cried the gold-laced officer again, and + this time he and his fellows, including the crew, crowded so + closely around Tom and his friends that they could do + nothing. Even Captain Weston found it impossible to offer + any resistance, for three men grabbed hold of him but his + spirit was still a fighting one, and he struggled + desperately but uselessly.</p> + +<p>"How dare you do this?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Tom, "what right have you to interfere with + us?"</p> + +<p>"Every right," declared the gold-laced officer.</p> + +<p>"You are in Brazilian territory, and I arrest you."</p> + +<p>"What for?" demanded Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Because your ship is an American submarine, and we have + received word that you intend to damage our shipping, and + may try to torpedo our warships. I believe you tried to + disable us a little while ago, but failed. We consider that + an act of war and you will be treated accordingly. Take them + on board the San Paulo," the officer Went on, turning to his + aides. "We'll try them by court-marital here. Some of you + remain and guard this submarine. We will teach these + filibustering Americans a lesson."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH20" id="CH20">Chapter Twenty</a></h2> + +<h3>Doomed to Death</h3> + +<p> There was no room on the small deck of the submarine to + make a stand against the officers and crew of the Brazilian + warship. In fact, the capture of the gold-seekers had been + effected so suddenly that their astonishment almost deprived + them of the power to think clearly.</p> + +<p>At another command from the officer, who was addressed as + Admiral Fanchetti, several of the sailors began to lead Tom + and his friends toward the small boat.</p> + +<p> + "Do you feel all right, father?" inquired the lad + anxiously, as he looked at his parent. "These scoundrels + have no right to treat us so."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, I'm all right as far as the electric shock is + concerned, but I don't like to be handled in this fashion."</p> + +<p>"We ought not to submit!" burst out Mr. Damon. "Bless the + stars and stripes! We ought to fight."</p> + +<p>"There's no chance," said Mr. Sharp. "We are right under + the guns of the ship. They could sink us with one shot. I + guess we'll have to give in for the time being."</p> + +<p>"It is most unpleasant, if I may be allowed the + expression," commented Captain Weston mildly. He seemed to + have lost his sudden anger, but there was a steely glint in + his eyes, and a grim, set look around his month that showed + his temper was kept under control only by an effort. It + boded no good to the sailors who had hold of the doughty + captain if he should once get loose, and it was noticed that + they were on their guard.</p> + +<p>As for Tom, he submitted quietly to the two Brazilians who + had hold of either arm, and Mr. Swift was held by only one, + for it was seen that he was feeble.</p> + +<p>"Into the boat with them!" cried Admiral Fanchetti. "And + guard them well, Lieutenant Drascalo, for I heard them + plotting to escape," and the admiral signaled to a younger + officer, who was in charge of the men guarding the + prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Drascalo, eh?" murmured Mr. Damon. "I think + they made a mistake naming him. It ought to be Rascalo. He + looks like a rascal."</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" exclaimed the lieutenant, scowling at the odd + character'.</p> + +<p>"Bless my spark plug! He's a regular fire-eater!" went on + Mr. Damon, who appeared to have fully recovered his spirits.</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" cried the lieutenant, scowling again, but Mr. + Damon did not appear to mind.</p> + +<p>Admiral Fanchetti and several others of the gold-laced + officers remained aboard the submarine, while Tom and his + friends were hustled into the small boat and rowed toward + the warship.</p> + +<p>"I hope they don't damage our craft," murmured the young + inventor, as he saw the admiral enter the conning tower.</p> + +<p>"If they do, we'll complain to the United States consul + and demand damages," said Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we won't have a chance to communicate with the + consul," remarked Captain Weston.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, + but will these scoundrels--"</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo quickly. "Dogs of + Americans, do you wish to insult us?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible; you wouldn't appreciate a good, genuine + United States insult," murmured Tom under his breath.</p> + +<p>"What I mean," went on the captain, "is that these people + may carry the proceedings off with a high hand. You heard + the admiral speak of a court-martial."</p> + +<p>"Would they dare do that?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"They would dare anything in this part of the world, I'm + afraid," resumed Captain Weston. "I think I see their plan, + though. This admiral is newly in command; his uniform shows + that He wants to make a name for himself, and he seizes on + our submarine as an excuse. He can send word to his + government that he destroyed a torpedo craft that sought to + wreck his ship. Thus he will acquire a reputation."</p> + +<p>"But would his government support him in such a hostile + act against the United States, a friendly nation?" asked + Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he would not claim to have acted against the United + States as a power. He would say that it was a private + submarine, and, as a matter of fact, it is. While we are + under the protection of the stars and stripes, our vessel is + not a Government one," and Captain Weston spoke the last in + a low voice, so the scowling lieutenant could not hear.</p> + +<p>"What will they do with us?" inquired Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Have some sort of a court-martial, perhaps," went on the + captain, "and confiscate our craft Then they will send us + back home, I expect for they would not dare harm us."</p> + +<p>"But take our submarine!" cried Tom. "The villains--"</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo and he drew his + sword.</p> + +<p>By this time the small boat was under the big guns of the + San Paulo, and the prisoners were ordered, in broken + English, to mount a companion ladder that hung over the + side. In a short time they were on deck, amid a crowd of + sailors, and they could see the boat going back to bring off + the admiral, who signaled from the submarine. Tom and his + friends were taken below to a room that looked like a + prison, and there, a little later, they were visited by + Admiral Fanchetti and several officers.</p> + +<p>"You will be tried at once," said the admiral. "I have + examined your submarine and I find she carries two torpedo + tubes. It is a wonder you did not sink me at once."</p> + +<p>"Those are not torpedo tubes!" cried Tom, unable to keep + silent, though Captain Weston motioned him to do so.</p> + +<p>"I know torpedo tubes when I see them," declared the + admiral. "I consider I had a very narrow escape. Your + country is fortunate that mine does not declare war against + it for this act. But I take it you are acting privately, for + you fly no flag, though you claim to be from the United + States."</p> + +<p>"There's no place for a flag on the submarine," went on + Tom. "What good would it be under water?"</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo, the admonition to + silence seeming to be the only command of which he was + capable.</p> + +<p>"I shall confiscate your craft for my government," went on + the admiral, "and shall punish you as the court-martial may + direct. You will be tried at once."</p> + +<p>It was in vain for the prisoners to protest. Matters were + carried with a high hand. They were allowed a spokesman, and + Captain Weston, who understood Spanish, was selected, that + language being used. But the defense was a farce, for he was + scarcely listened to. Several officers testified before the + admiral, who was judge, that they had seen the submarine + rise out of the water, almost under the prow of the San + Paulo. It was assumed that the Advance had tried to wreck + the warship, but had failed. It was in vain that Captain + Weston and the others told of the reason for their rapid + ascent from the ocean depths--that Mr. Swift had been + shocked, and needed fresh air. Their story was not believed.</p> + +<p>"We have heard enough!" suddenly exclaimed the admiral. + "The evidence against you is over-whelming--er--what you + Americans call conclusive," and be was speaking then in + broken English. "I find you guilty, and the sentence of this + court-martial is that you be shot at sunrise, three days + hence!"</p> + +<p>"Shot!" cried Captain Weston, staggering back at this + unexpected sentence. His companions turned white, and Mr. + Swift leaned against his son for support.</p> + +<p>"Bless my stars! Of all the scoundrelly!" began Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" shouted the lieutenant, waving his sword.</p> + +<p>"You will be shot," proceeded the admiral. "Is not that + the verdict of the honorable court?" he asked, looking at + his fellow officers. They all nodded gravely.</p> + +<p>"But look here!" objected Captain Weston. "You don't dare + do that! We are citizens of the United States, and--"</p> + +<p>"I consider you no better than pirates," interrupted the + admiral. "You have an armed submarine--a submarine with + torpedo tubes. You invade our harbor with it, and come up + almost under my ship. You have forfeited your right to the + protection of your country, and I have no fear on that + score. You will be shot within three days. That is all. + Remove the prisoners."</p> + +<p>Protests were in vain, and it was equally useless to + struggle. The prisoners were taken out on deck, for which + they were thankful, for the interior of the ship was close + and hot, the weather being intensely disagreeable. They were + told to keep within a certain space on deck, and a guard of + sailors, all armed, was placed near them. From where they + were they could see their submarine floating on the surface + of the little bay, with several Brazilians on the small + deck. The Advance had been anchored, and was surrounded by a + flotilla of the native boats, the brown-skinned paddlers + gazing curiously at the odd craft.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is tough luck!" murmured Tom. "How do you + feel, dad?"</p> + +<p>"As well as can be expected under the circumstances," was + the reply. "What do you think about this, Captain Weston?"</p> + +<p>"Not very much, if I may be allowed the expression," was + the answer.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they will dare carry out that threat?" asked + Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>The captain shrugged his shoulders. "I hope it is only a + bluff," he replied, "made to scare us so we will consent to + giving up the submarine, which they have no right to + confiscate. But these fellows look ugly enough for + anything," he went on.</p> + +<p>"Then if there's any chance of them attempting to carry it + out," spoke Tom, "we've got to do something."</p> + +<p>"Bless my gizzard, of course!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "But + what? That's the question. To be shot! Why, that's a + terrible threat! The villains--"</p> + +<p>"Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up at that moment.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH21" id="CH21">Chapter Twenty-One</a></h2> + +<h3>The Escape</h3> + +<p> Events had happened so quickly that day that the gold-hunters +could scarcely comprehend them. It seemed only a + short time since Mr. Swift had been discovered lying + disabled on the dynamo, and what had transpired since seemed + to have taken place in a few minutes, though it was, in + reality, several hours. This was made manifest by the + feeling of hunger on the part of Tom and his friends.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they're going to starve us, the scoundrels?" + asked Mr. Sharp, when the irate lieutenant was beyond + hearing. "It's not fair to make us go hungry and shoot us in + the bargain."</p> + +<p> + "That's so, they ought to feed us," put in Tom. As yet + neither he nor the others fully realized the meaning of the + sentence passed on them.</p> + +<p>From where they were on deck they could look off to the + little island. From it boats manned by natives were + constantly putting off, bringing supplies to the ship. The + place appeared to be a sort of calling station for Brazilian + warships, where they could get fresh water and fruit and + other food.</p> + +<p>From the island the gaze of the adventurers wandered to + the submarine, which lay not far away. They were chagrined + to see several of the bolder natives clambering over the + deck.</p> + +<p>"I hope they keep out of the interior," commented Tom. "If + they get to pulling or hauling on the levers and wheels they + may open the tanks and sink her, with the Conning tower + open."</p> + +<p>"Better that, perhaps, than to have her fall into the + hands of a foreign power," commented Captain Weston. + "Besides, I don't see that it's going to matter much to us + what becomes of her after we're--"</p> + +<p>He did not finish, but every one knew what he meant, and a + grim silence fell upon the little group.</p> + +<p>There came a welcome diversion, however, in the shape of + three sailors, bearing trays of food, which were placed on + the deck in front of the prisoners, who were sitting or + lying in the shade of an awning, for the sun was very hot.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Bless my napkin-ring!" cried Mr. Damon with something + of his former gaiety. "Here's a meal, at all events. They + don't intend to starve us. Eat hearty, every one."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we need to keep up our strength," observed Captain + Weston.</p> + +<p>"Why?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Because we're going to try to escape!" exclaimed Tom in a + low voice, when the sailors who had brought the food had + gone. "Isn't that what you mean, captain?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly. We'll try to give these villains the slip, and + we'll need all our strength and wits to do it. We'll wait + until night, and see what we can do."</p> + +<p>"But where will we escape to?" asked Mr. Swift. "The + island will afford no shelter, and--"</p> + +<p>"No, but our submarine will," went on the sailor.</p> + +<p>"It's in the possession of the Brazilians," objected Tom.</p> + +<p>"Once I get aboard the Advance twenty of those brown-skinned + villains won't keep me prisoner," declared Captain + Weston fiercely. "If we can only slip away from here, get + into the small boat, or even swim to the submarine, I'll + make those chaps on board her think a hurricane has broken + loose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll help," said Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"And I," added Tom and the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk," commented the captain. "Now + let's eat, for I see that rascally lieutenant coming this + way, and we mustn't appear to be plotting, or he'll be + suspicious."</p> + +<p>The day passed slowly, and though the prisoners seemed to + be allowed considerable liberty, they soon found that it was + only apparent. Once Tom walked some distance from that + portion of the deck where he and the others had been told to + remain. A sailor with a gun at once ordered him back. Nor + could they approach the rails without being directed, + harshly enough at times, to move back amidships.</p> + +<p>As night approached the gold-seekers were on the alert for + any chance that might offer to slip away, or even attack + their guard, but the number of Brazilians around them was + doubled in the evening, and after supper, which was served + to them on deck by the light of swinging lanterns, they were + taken below and locked in a stuffy cabin. They looked + helplessly at each other.</p> + +<p>"Don't give up," advised Captain Weston. "It's a long + night. We may be able to get out of here."</p> + +<p>But this hope was in vain. Several times he and Tom, + thinking the guards outside the cabin were asleep, tried to + force the lock of the door with their pocket-knives, which + had not been taken from them. But one of the sailors was + aroused each time by the noise, and looked in through a + barred window, so they had to give it up. Slowly the night + passed, and morning found the prisoners pale, tired and + discouraged. They were brought up on deck again, for which + they were thankful, as in that tropical climate it was + stifling below.</p> + +<p>During the day they saw Admiral Fanchetti and several of + his officers pay a visit to the submarine. They went below + through the opened conning tower, and were gone some time.</p> + +<p>"I hope they don't disturb any of the machinery," remarked + Mr. Swift. "That could easily do great damage."</p> + +<p>Admiral Fanchetti seemed much pleased with himself when he + returned from his visit to the submarine.</p> + +<p>"You have a fine craft," he said to the prisoners. "Or, + rather, you had one. My government now owns it. It seems a + pity to shoot such good boat builders, but you are too + dangerous to be allowed to go."</p> + +<p>If there had been any doubt in the minds of Tom and his + friends that the sentence of the court-martial was only for + effect, it was dispelled that day. A firing squad was told + off in plain view of them, and the men were put through + their evolutions by Lieutenant Drascalo, who had them load, + aim and fire blank cartridges at an imaginary line of + prisoners. Tom could not repress a shudder as he noted the + leveled rifles, and saw the fire and smoke spurt from the + muzzles.</p> + +<p>"Thus we shall do to you at sunrise to-morrow," said the + lieutenant, grinning, as he once more had his men practice + their grim work.</p> + +<p>It seemed hotter than ever that day. The sun was fairly + broiling, and there was a curious haziness and stillness to + the air. It was noticed that the sailors on the San Paulo + were busy making fast all loose articles on deck with extra + lashings, and hatch coverings were doubly secured.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose they are up to?" asked Tom of Captain + Weston.</p> + +<p>"I think it is coming on to blow," he replied, "and they + don't want to be caught napping. They have fearful storms + down in this region at this season of the year, and I think + one is about due."</p> + +<p>"I hope it doesn't wreck the submarine," spoke Mr. Swift. + "They ought to close the hatch of the conning tower, for it + won't take much of a sea to make her ship considerable + water."</p> + +<p>Admiral Fanchetti had thought of this, however, and as the + afternoon wore away and the storm signs multiplied, he sent + word to close the submarine. He left a few sailors aboard + inside on guard.</p> + +<p>"It's too hot to eat," observed Tom, when their supper had + been brought to them, and the others felt the same way about + it. They managed to drink some cocoanut milk, prepared in a + palatable fashion by the natives of the island, and then, + much to their disgust, they were taken below again and + locked in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Whew! But it certainly is hot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon as he + sat down on a couch and fanned himself. "This is awful!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, something is going to happen pretty soon," observed + Captain Weston. "The storm will break shortly, I think."</p> + +<p>They sat languidly about the cabin. It was so oppressive + that even the thought of the doom that awaited them in the + morning could hardly seem worse than the terrible heat. They + could hear movements going on about the ship, movements + which indicated that preparations were being made for + something unusual. There was a rattling of a chain through a + hawse hole, and Captain Weston remarked:</p> + +<p>"They're putting down another anchor. Admiral Fanchetti + had better get away from the island, though, unless he wants + to be wrecked. He'll be blown ashore in less than no time. No + cable or chain will hold in such storms as they have here."</p> + +<p>There came a period of silence, which was suddenly broken + by a howl as of some wild beast.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Tom, springing up from where he was + stretched out on the cabin floor.</p> + +<p>"Only the wind," replied the captain. "The storm has + arrived."</p> + +<p>The howling kept up, and soon the ship began to rock. The + wind increased, and a little later there could be heard, + through an opened port in the prisoners' cabin, the dash of + rain.</p> + +<p>"It's a regular hurricane!" exclaimed the captain. "I + wonder if the cables will hold?"</p> + +<p>"What about the submarine?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I haven't much fear for her. She lies so low in the water + that the wind can't get much hold on her. I don't believe + she'll drag her anchor."</p> + +<p>Once more came a fierce burst of wind, and a + dash of rain, and then, suddenly above the outburst of the + elements, there sounded a crash on deck. It was followed by + excited cries.</p> + +<p>"Something's happened!" yelled Tom. The prisoners gathered + in a frightened group in the middle of the cabin. The cries + were repeated, and then came a rush of feet just outside the + cabin door.</p> + +<p>"Our guards! They're leaving!" shouted Tom.</p> + +<p>"Right!" exclaimed Captain Weston. "Now's our chance! Come + on! If we're going to escape we must do it while the storm + is at its height, and all is in confusion. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Tom tried the door. It was locked.</p> + +<p>"One side!" shouted the captain, and this time he did not + pause to say "by your leave." He came at the portal on the + run, and his shoulder struck it squarely. There was a + splintering and crashing of wood, and the door was burst + open.</p> + +<p>"Follow me!" cried the valiant sailor, and Tom and the + others rushed after him. They could hear the wind howling + more loudly than ever, and as they reached the deck the rain + dashed into their faces with such violence that they could + hardly see. But they were aware that something had occurred. + By the light of several lanterns swaying in the terrific + blast they saw that one of the auxiliary masts had broken + off near the deck.</p> + +<p>It had fallen against the chart house, smashing it, and a + number of sailors were laboring to clear away the wreckage.</p> + +<p>"Fortune favors us!" cried Captain Weston. "Come on! Make + for the small boat. It's near the side ladder. We'll lower + the boat and pull to the submarine."</p> + +<p>There came a flash of lightning, and in its glare Tom saw + something that caused him to cry out.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he shouted. "The submarine. She's dragged her + anchors!"</p> + +<p>The Advance was much closer to the warship than she had + been that afternoon. Captain Weston looked over the side.</p> + +<p>"It's the San Paulo that's dragging her anchors, not the + submarine!" he shouted. "We're bearing down on her! We must + act quickly. Come on, we'll lower the boat!"</p> + +<p>In the rush of wind and the dash of rain the prisoners + crowded to the accommodation companion ladder, which was + still over the side of the big ship. No one seemed to be + noticing them, for Admiral Fanchetti was on the bridge, + yelling orders for the clearing away of the wreckage. But + Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up from below at that moment, + caught sight of the fleeing ones. Drawing his sword, he + rushed at them, shouting:</p> + +<p>"The prisoners! The prisoners! They are escaping!"</p> + +<p>Captain Weston leaped toward the lieutenant</p> + +<p>"Look out for his sword!" cried Tom. But the doughty + sailor did not fear the weapon. Catching up a coil of rope, + he cast it at the lieutenant. It struck him in the chest, + and he staggered back, lowering his sword.</p> + +<p>Captain Weston leaped forward, and with a terrific blow + sent Lieutenant Drascalo to the deck.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried the sailor. "I guess you won't yell + 'Silenceo!' for a while now."</p> + +<p>There was a rush of Brazilians toward the group of + prisoners. Tom caught one with a blow on the chin, and + felled him, while Captain Weston disposed of two more, and + Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon one each. The savage fighting of the + Americans was too much for the foreigners, and they drew + back.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Captain Weston again. "The storm is + getting worse. The warship will crash into the submarine in + a few minutes. Her anchors aren't holding. I didn't think + they would."</p> + +<p>He made a dash for the ladder, and a glance showed him + that the small boat was in the water at the foot of it. The + craft had not been hoisted on the davits.</p> + +<p>"Luck's with us at last!" cried Tom, Seeing it also. + "Shall I help you, dad?"</p> + +<p>"No; I think I'm all right. Go ahead."</p> + +<p>There came such a gust of wind that the San Paulo was + heeled over, and the wreck of the mast, rolling about, + crashed into the side of a deck house, splintering it. A + crowd of sailors, led by Admiral Fanchetti, who were again + rushing on the escaping prisoners, had to leap back out of + the way of the rolling mast.</p> + +<p>"Catch them! Don't let them get away!" begged the + commander, but the sailors evidently had no desire to close + in with the Americans.</p> + +<p>Through the rush of wind and rain Tom and his friends + staggered down the ladder. It was hard work to maintain + one's footing, but they managed it. On account of the high + side of the ship the water was comparatively calm under her + lee, and, though the small boat was bobbing about, they got + aboard. The oars were in place, and in another moment they + had shoved off from the landing stage which formed the foot + of the accommodation ladder.</p> + +<p>"Now for the Advance!" murmured Captain Weston.</p> + +<p>"Come back! Come back, dogs of Americans!" cried a voice + at the rail over their heads, and looking up, Tom saw + Lieutenant Drascalo. He had snatched a carbine from a + marine, and was pointing it at the recent prisoners. He + fired, the flash of the gun and a dazzling chain of + lightning coming together. The thunder swallowed up the + report of the carbine, but the bullet whistled uncomfortable + close to Tom's head. The blackness that followed the + lightning shut out the view of everything for a few seconds, + and when the next flash came the adventurers saw that they + were close to their submarine.</p> + +<p>A fusillade of shots sounded from the deck of the warship, + but as the marines were poor marksmen at best, and as the + swaying of the ship disconcerted them, our friends were in + little danger.</p> + +<p>There was quite a sea once they were beyond the protection + of the side of the warship, but Captain Weston, who was + rowing, knew how to manage a boat skillfully, and he soon had + the craft alongside the bobbing submarine.</p> + +<p>"Get aboard, now, quick!" he cried.</p> + +<p>They leaped to the small deck, casting the rowboat adrift. + It was the work of but a moment to open the conning tower. + As they started to descend they were met by several + Brazilians coming up.</p> + +<p>"Overboard with 'em!" yelled the captain. "Let them swim + ashore or to their ship!"</p> + +<p>With almost superhuman strength he tossed one big sailor + from the small deck. Another showed fight, but he went to + join his companion in the swirling water. A man rushed at + Tom, seeking the while to draw his sword, but the young + inventor, with a neat left-hander, sent him to join the + other two, and the remainder did not wait to try + conclusions. They leaped for their lives, and soon all could + be seen, in the frequent lightning flashes, swimming toward + the warship which was now closer than ever to the submarine.</p> + +<p>"Get inside and we'll sink below the surface!" called Tom. + "Then we don't care what happens."</p> + +<p>They closed the steel door of the conning tower. As they + did so they heard the patter of bullets from carbines fired + from the San Paulo. Then came a violent tossing of the + Advance; the waves were becoming higher as they caught the + full force of the hurricane. It took but an instant to + sever, from within, the cable attached to the anchor, which + was one belonging to the warship. The Advance began + drifting.</p> + +<p>"Open the tanks, Mr. Sharp!" cried Tom. "Captain Weston + and I will steer. Once below we'll start the engines."</p> + +<p>Amid a crash of thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning, + the submarine began to sink. Tom, in the conning tower had a + sight of the San Paulo as it drifted nearer and nearer under + the influence of the mighty wind. As one bright flash came + he saw Admiral Fanchetti and Lieutenant Drascalo leaning + over the rail and gazing at the Advance.</p> + +<p>A moment later the view faded from sight as the submarine + sank below the surface of the troubled sea. She was tossed + about for some time until deep enough to escape the surface + motion. Waiting until she was far enough down so that her + lights would not offer a mark for the guns of the warship, + the electrics were switched on.</p> + +<p>"We're safe now!" cried Tom, helping his father to his + cabin. "They've got too much to attend to themselves to + follow us now, even if they could. Shall we go ahead, + Captain Weston?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, yes, if I may be allowed to express my + opinion," was the mild reply, in strange contrast to the + strenuous work in which the captain had just been engaged.</p> + +<p>Tom signaled to Mr. Sharp in the engine-room, and in a few + seconds the Advance was speeding away from the island and + the hostile vessel. Nor, deep as she was now, was there any + sign of the hurricane. In the peaceful depths she was once + more speeding toward the sunken treasure.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH22" id="CH22">Chapter Twenty-Two</a></h2> + +<h3>At the Wreck</h3> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Damon, as the submarine hurled + herself forward through the ocean, "I guess that firing + party will have something else to do to-morrow morning + besides aiming those rifles at us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," agreed Tom. "They'll be lucky if they save + their ship. My, how that wind did blow!"</p> + +<p>"You're right," put in Captain Weston. "When they get a + hurricane down in this region it's no cat's paw. But they + were a mighty careless lot of sailors. The idea of leaving + the ladder over the side, and the boat in the water."</p> + +<p> + "It was a good thing for us, though," was Tom's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it was," came from the captain. "But as long as we + are safe now I think we'd better take a look about the craft + to see if those chaps did any damage. They can't have done + much, though, or she wouldn't be running so smoothly. + Suppose you go take a look, Tom, and ask your father and Mr. + Sharp what they think. I'll steer for a while, until we get + well away from the island."</p> + +<p>The young inventor found his father and the balloonist + busy in the engine-room. Mr. Swift had already begun an + inspection of the machinery, and so far found that it had + not been injured. A further inspection showed that no damage + had been done by the foreign guard that had been in + temporary possession of the Advance, though the sailors had + made free in the cabins, and had broken into the food + lockers, helping themselves plentifully. But there was still + enough for the gold-seekers.</p> + +<p>"You'd never know there was a storm raging up above," + observed Tom as he rejoined Captain Weston in the lower + pilot house, where he was managing the craft. "It's as + still and peaceful here as one could wish."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the extreme depths are seldom disturbed by a surface + storm. But we are over a mile deep now. I sent her down a + little while you were gone, as I think she rides a little + more steadily."</p> + +<p>All that night they speeded forward, and the next day, + rising to the surface to take an observation, they found no + traces of the storm, which had blown itself out. They were + several hundred miles away from the hostile warship, and + there was not a vessel in sight on the broad expanse of blue + ocean.</p> + +<p>The air tanks were refilled, and after sailing along on + the surface for an hour or two, the submarine was again sent + below, as Captain Weston sighted through his telescope the + smoke of a distant steamer.</p> + +<p>"As long as it isn't the Wonder, we're all right," said + Tom. "Still, we don't want to answer a lot of questions + about ourselves and our object."</p> + +<p>"No. I fancy the Wonder will give up the search," remarked + the captain, as the Advance was sinking to the depths.</p> + +<p>"We must be getting pretty near to the end of our search + ourselves," ventured the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"We are within five hundred miles of the intersection of + the forty-fifth parallel and the twenty-seventh meridian, + east from Washington," said the captain. "That's as near as + I could locate the wreck. Once we reach that point we will + have to search about under water, for I don't fancy the + other divers left any buoys to mark the spot."</p> + +<p>It was two days later, after uneventful sailing, partly on + the surface, and partly submerged, that Captain Weston, + taking a noon observation, announced:</p> + +<p>"Well, we're here!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean at the wreck?" asked Mr. Swift eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We're at the place where she is supposed to lie, in about + two miles of water," replied the captain. "We are quite a + distance off the coast of Uruguay, about opposite the harbor + of Rio de La Plata. From now on we shall have to nose about + under water, and trust to luck."</p> + +<p>With her air tanks filled to their capacity, and Tom + having seen that the oxygen machine and other apparatus was + in perfect working order, the submarine was sent below on + her search. Though they were in the neighborhood of the + wreck, the adventurers might still have to do considerable + searching before locating it. Lower and lower they sank into + the depths of the sea, down and down, until they were deeper + than they had ever gone before. The pressure was tremendous, + but the steel sides of the Advance withstood it</p> + +<p>Then began a search that lasted nearly a week. Back and + forth they cruised, around in great circles, with the + powerful searchlight focused to disclose the sunken treasure + ship. Once Tom, who was observing the path of light in the + depths from the conning tower, thought he had seen the + remains of the Boldero, for a misty shape loomed up in front + of the submarine, and he signaled for a quick stop. It was a + wreck, but it had been on the ocean bed for a score of + years, and only a few timbers remained of what had been a + great ship. Much disappointed, Tom rang for full speed ahead + again, and the current was sent into the great electric + plates that pulled and pushed the submarine forward.</p> + +<p>For two days more nothing happened. They searched around + under the green waters, on the alert for the first sign, but + they saw nothing. Great fish swam about them, sometimes + racing with the Advance. The adventurers beheld great ocean + caverns, and skirted immense rocks, where dwelt monsters of + the deep. Once a great octopus tried to do battle with the + submarine and crush it in its snaky arms, but Tom saw the + great white body, with saucer-shaped eyes, in the path of + light and rammed him with the steel point. The creature died + after a struggle.</p> + +<p>They were beginning to despair when a full week had passed + and they were seemingly as far from the wreck as ever. They + went to the surface to enable Captain Weston to take another + observation. It only confirmed the other, and showed that + they were in the right vicinity. But it was like looking for + a needle in a haystack, almost, to and the sunken ship in + that depth of water.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll try again," said Mr. Swift, as they sank once + more beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>It was toward evening, on the second day after this, that + Tom, who was on duty in the conning tower, saw a black shape + looming up in front of the submarine, the searchlight + revealing it to him far enough away so that he could steer + to avoid it. He thought at first that it was a great rock, + for they were moving along near the bottom, but the peculiar + shape of it soon convinced him that this could not be. It + came more plainly into view as the submarine approached it + more slowly, then suddenly, out of the depths in the + illumination from the searchlight, the young inventor saw + the steel sides of a steamer. His heart gave a great thump, + but he would not call out yet, fearing that it might be some + other vessel than the one containing the treasure.</p> + +<p>He steered the Advance so as to circle it. As he swept + past the bows he saw in big letters near the sharp prow the + word, Boldero.</p> + +<p>"The wreck! The wreck!" he cried, his voice ringing + through the craft from end to end. "We've found the wreck at + last!"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" cried his father, hurrying to his son, + Captain Weston following.</p> + +<p>"Positive," answered the lad. The submarine was slowing up + now, and Tom sent her around on the other side. They had a + good view of the sunken ship. It seemed to be intact, no + gaping holes in her sides, for only her plates had started, + allowing her to sink gradually.</p> + +<p>"At last," murmured Mr. Swift. "Can it be possible we are + about to get the treasure?"</p> + +<p>"That's the Boldero, all right," affirmed Captain Weston. + "I recognize her, even if the name wasn't on her bow. Go + right down on the bottom, Tom, and we'll get out the diving + suits and make an examination."</p> + +<p>The submarine settled to the ocean bed. Tom glanced at the + depth gage. It showed over two miles and a half. Would they + be able to venture out into water of such enormous pressure + in the comparatively frail diving suits, and wrest the gold + from the wreck? It was a serious question.</p> + +<p>The Advance came to a stop. In front of her loomed the + great bulk of the Boldero, vague and shadowy in the + flickering gleam of the searchlight As the gold-seekers + looked at her through the bull's-eyes of the conning tower, + several great forms emerged from beneath the wreck's bows.</p> + +<p>"Deep-water sharks!" exclaimed Captain Weston, "and + monsters, too. But they can't bother us. Now to get out the + gold!"</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH23" id="CH23">Chapter Twenty-Three</a></h2> + +<h3>Attacked by Sharks</h3> + +<p> For a few minutes after reaching the wreck, which had so + occupied their thoughts for the past weeks, the adventurers + did nothing but gaze at it from the ports of the submarine. + The appearance of the deep-water sharks gave them no + concern, for they did not imagine the ugly creatures would + attack them. The treasure-seekers were more engrossed with + the problem of getting out the gold.</p> + +<p> + "How are we going to get at it?" asked Tom, as he looked + at the high sides of the sunken ship, which towered well + above the comparatively small Advance.</p> + +<p>"Why, just go in and get it," suggested Mr. Damon. "Where + is gold in a cargo usually kept, Captain Weston? You ought + to know, I should think. Bless my pocketbook!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say that in this case the bullion would be + kept in a safe in the captain's cabin," replied the sailor. + "Or, if not there, in some after part of the vessel, away + from where the crew is quartered. But it is going to be + quite a problem to get at it. We can't climb the sides of + the wreck, and it will be impossible to lower her ladder + over the side. However, I think we had better get into the + diving suits and take a closer look. We can walk around + her."</p> + +<p>"That's my idea," put in Mr. Sharp. "But who will go, and + who will stay with the ship?"</p> + +<p>"I think Tom and Captain Weston had better go," suggested + Mr. Swift. "Then, in case anything happens, Mr. Sharp, you + and I will be on board to manage matters."</p> + +<p>"You don't think anything will happen, do you, dad?" asked + his son with a laugh, but it was not an easy one, for the + lad was thinking of the shadowy forms of the ugly sharks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, but it's best to be prepared," answered his + father.</p> + +<p>The captain and the young inventor lost no time in donning + the diving suits. They each took a heavy metal bar, pointed + at one end, to use in assisting them to walk on the bed of + the ocean, and as a protection in case the sharks might + attack them. Entering the diving chamber, they were shut in, + and then water was admitted until the pressure was seen, by + gauges, to be the same as that outside the submarine. Then + the sliding steel door was opened. At first Tom and the + captain could barely move, so great was the pressure of + water on their bodies. They would have been crushed but for + the protection afforded by the strong diving suits.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they became used to it, and stepped out + on the floor of the ocean. They could not, of course, speak + to each other, but Tom looked through the glass eyes of his + helmet at the captain, and the latter motioned for the lad + to follow. The two divers could breathe perfectly, and by + means of small, but powerful lights on the helmets, the way + was lighted for them as they advanced.</p> + +<p>Slowly they approached the wreck, and began a circuit of + her. They could see several places where the pressure of the + water, and the strain of the storm in which she had + foundered, had 'opened the plates of the ship, but in no + case were the openings large enough to admit a person. + Captain Weston put his steel bar in one crack, and tried to + pry it farther open, but his strength was not equal to the + task. He made some peculiar motions, but Tom could not + understand them.</p> + +<p>They looked for some means by which they could mount to + the decks of the Boldero, but none was visible. It was like + trying to scale a fifty-foot smooth steel wall. There was no + place for a foothold. Again the sailor made some peculiar + motions, and the lad puzzled over them. They had gone nearly + around the wreck now, and as yet had seen no way in which to + get at the gold. As they passed around the bow, which was in + a deep shadow from a great rock, they caught sight of the + submarine lying a short distance away. Light streamed from + many hull's-eyes, and Tom felt a sense of security as he + looked at her, for it was lonesome enough in that great + depth of water, unable to speak to his companion, who was a + few feet in advance.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a swirling of the water, and Tom was + nearly thrown off his feet by the rush of some great body. A + long, black shadow passed over his head, and an instant + later he saw the form of a great shark launched at Captain + Weston. The lad involuntarily cried in alarm, but the result + was surprising. He was nearly deafened by his own voice, + confined as the sound was in the helmet he wore. But the + sailor, too, had felt the movement of the water, and turned + just in time. He thrust upward with his pointed bar. But he + missed the stroke, and Tom, a moment later, saw the great + fish turn over so that its mouth, which is far underneath + its snout, could take in the queer shape which the shark + evidently thought was a choice morsel. The big fish did + actually get the helmet of Captain Weston inside its jaws, + but probably it would have found it impossible to crush the + strong steel. Still it might have sprung the joints, and + water would have entered, which would have been as fatal as + though the sailor had been swallowed by the shark. Tom + realized this and, moving as fast as he could through the + water, he came up behind the monster and drove his steel bar + deep into it.</p> + +<p>The sea was crimsoned with blood, and the savage creature, + opening its mouth, let go of the captain. It turned on Tom, + who again harpooned it. Then the fish darted off and began a + wild flurry, for it was dying. The rush of water nearly + threw Tom off his feet, but he managed to make his way over + to his friend, and assist him to rise. A confident look from + the sailor showed the lad that Captain Weston was uninjured, + though he must have been frightened. As the two turned to + make their way back to the submarine, the waters about them + seemed alive with the horrible monsters.</p> + +<p>It needed but a glance to show what they were, Sharks! + Scores of them, long, black ones, with their ugly, undershot + mouths. They had been attracted by the blood of the one Tom + had killed, but there was not a meal for all of them off the + dying creature, and the great fish might turn on the young + inventor and his companion.</p> + +<p>The two shrank closer toward the wreck. They might get + under the prow of that and be safe. But even as they started + to move, several of the sea wolves darted quickly at them. + Tom glanced at the captain. What could they do? Strong as + were the diving suits, a combined attack by the sharks, with + their powerful jaws, would do untold damage.</p> + +<p>At that moment there seemed some movement on board the + submarine. Tom could see his father looking from the conning + tower, and the aged inventor seemed to be making some + motions. Then Tom understood. Mr. Swift was directing his + son and Captain Weston to crouch down. The lad did so, + pulling the sailor after him. Then Tom saw the bow electric + gun run out, and aimed at the mass of sharks, most of whom + were congregated about the dead one. Into the midst of the + monsters was fired a number of small projectiles, which + could be used in the electric cannon in place of the solid + shot. Once more the waters were red with blood, and those + sharks which were not killed swirled off. Tom and Captain + Weston were saved. They were soon inside the submarine + again, telling their thrilling story.</p> + +<p>"It's lucky you saw us, dad," remarked the lad, blushing + at the praise Mr. Damon bestowed on him for killing the + monster which had attacked the captain.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I was on the lookout," said the inventor. "But what + about getting into the wreck?"</p> + +<p>"I think the only way we can do it will be to ram a hole + in her side," said Captain Weston. "That was what I tried to + tell Tom by motions, but he didn't seem to understand me."</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad, who was still a little nervous from + his recent experience. "I thought you meant for us to turn + it over, bottom side up," and he laughed.</p> + +<p>"Bless my gizzard! Just like a shark," commented Mr. + Damon.</p> + +<p>"Please don't mention them," begged Tom. "I hope we don't + see any more of them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I fancy they have been driven far enough away from + this neighborhood now," commented the captain. "But now + about the wreck. We may be able to approach it from above. + Suppose we try to lower the submarine on it? That will save + ripping it open."</p> + +<p>This was tried a little later, but would not work. There + were strong currents sweeping over the top of the Boldero, + caused by a submerged reef near which she had settled. It + was a delicate task to sink the submarine on her decks, and + with the deep waters swirling about was found to be + impossible, even with the use of the electric plates and the + auxiliary screws. Once more the Advance settled to the ocean + bed, near the wreck.</p> + +<p> + "Well, what's to be done?" asked Tom, as he looked at the + high steel sides.</p> + +<p>"Ram her, tear a hole, and then use dynamite," decided + Captain Weston promptly. "You have some explosive, haven't + you, Mr. Swift?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I came prepared for emergencies."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll blow up the wreck and get at the gold."</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH24" id="CH24">Chapter Twenty-Four</a></h2> + +<h3>Ramming the Wreck</h3> + +<p> Fitted with a long, sharp steel ram in front, the Advance + was peculiarly adapted for this sort of work. In designing + the ship this ram was calculated to be used against hostile + vessels in war time, for the submarine was at first, as we + know, destined for a Government boat. Now the ram was to + serve a good turn.</p> + +<p>To make sure that the attempt would be a success, the + machinery of the craft 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 the surface, it + was decided to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nor + did the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they + might encounter a storm.</p> + +<p> + "We had trouble enough locating the wreck," said Captain + Weston, "and if we go up we may be blown off our course. We + have air enough to stay below, haven't we, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages.</p> + +<p>After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the submarine + crew got ready for 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 was terrific, and at + first it was feared some damage had been done to the + Advance, but she stood the strain.</p> + +<p>"Did we open up much of a hole?" anxiously asked Mr. + Swift.</p> + +<p>"Pretty good," replied Tom, observing it through the + conning tower bull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off + again. "Let's give her another."</p> + +<p>Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the + Boldero, and again the submarine shivered from the shock. + But there was a bigger hole in the wreck now, and after + Captain Weston had viewed it he decided it was large enough + to allow a person to enter and place a charge of dynamite so + that the treasure ship would be broken up.</p> + +<p>Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance + was withdrawn to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble, a + great swirling of the water, which was made murky; but when + it cleared, and the submarine went back, it was seen that + the wreck was effectively broken up. It was in two parts, + each one easy of access.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Now to get at the gold!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, get out the diving suits," added Mr. Damon. "Bless + my watch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you + think the sharks are all gone, Captain Weston?"</p> + +<p>"I think so."</p> + +<p>In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon + were attired in the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to + venture into such a great depth of water. Besides, it was + necessary for at least one person to remain in the submarine + to operate the diving chamber.</p> + +<p>Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold- + seekers approached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a + sight of the sharks, but the monster fish seemed to have + deserted that part of the ocean. Tom was the first to reach + the now disrupted steamer. He found he could easily climb + up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo holds were + scattered all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon + joined the lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and + being more familiar with ocean craft the captain was + permitted to take the lead. He headed aft, seeking to locate + the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in finding it. He + motioned for the others to enter, that the combined + illumination of the lamps in their helmets would make the + place bright enough so a search could be made for the gold. + Tom suddenly seized the arm of the captain, and pointed to + one corner of the cabin. There stood a small safe, and at + the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The door was + not locked, probably having been left open when the ship was + deserted. Swinging it back the interior was revealed.</p> + +<p>It was empty. There was no gold bullion in it.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the dejected air of Captain Weston. + The others shared his feelings, but though they all felt + like voicing their disappointment, not a word could be + spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorous motions, indicated to his + companions to seek further.</p> + +<p>They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the + wreck, save for a short interval for dinner. But no gold + rewarded their search.</p> + +<p>Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, + and found himself in the captain's cabin again, with the + empty safe showing dimly in the water that was all about.</p> + +<p>"Hang it all!" thought the lad, "we've had all our trouble + for nothing! They must have taken the gold with them."</p> + +<p>Idly he raised his steel bar, and struck it against the + partition back of the safe. To his astonishment the + partition seemed to fall inward, revealing a secret + compartment. The lad leaned forward to bring the light 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 spring and opened a secret receptacle. But what did + it contain?</p> + +<p>Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He + found it beyond his strength. Trembling from excitement, he + went in search of the others. He found them delving in the + after part of the wreck, but by motions our hero caused them + to follow him. Captain Weston showed the excitement 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 + off the top with their bars.</p> + +<p>There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, + gleaming, yellow bars! It needed but a glance to show that + they were gold bullion. Tom had found the treasure. The lad + tried to dance around there in the cabin 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 been + successful.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2><a name="CH25" id="CH25">Chapter Twenty-Five</a></h2> + +<h3>Home With the Gold</h3> + +<p>There was no time to be lost. They were in a treacherous + part of the ocean, and strong currents might at any time + further break up the wreck, so that they could not come at + the gold. It was decided, by means of motions, to at once + transfer the treasure to the submarine. As the boxes were + too heavy to carry easily, especially as two men, who were + required to lift one, could not walk together in the + uncertain footing afforded by the wreck, another plan was + adopted. The boxes were opened and the bars, a few at a + time, were dropped on a firm, sandy place at the side of the + wreck. Tom and Captain Weston did this work, while Mr. Sharp + and Mr. Damon carried the bullion to the diving chamber of + the Advance. They put the yellow bars inside, and when quite + a number had been thus shifted, Mr. Swift, closing the + chamber, pumped the water out and removed the gold. Then he + opened the chamber to the divers again, and the process was + repeated, until all the bullion had been secured.</p> + +<p> + Tom would have been glad to make a further examination of + the wreck, for he thought he could get some of the rifles + the ship carried, but Captain Weston signed to him not to + attempt this.</p> + +<p>The lad went to the pilot house, while his father and Mr. + Sharp took their places in the engine-room. The gold had + been safely stowed in Mr. Swift's cabin.</p> + +<p>Tom took a last look at the wreck before he gave the + starting signal. As he gazed at the bent and twisted mass of + steel that had once been a great ship, he saw something + long, black and shadowy moving around from the other side, + coming across the bows.</p> + +<p>"There's another big shark," he observed to Captain + Weston. "They're coming back after us."</p> + +<p>The captain did not speak. He was staring at the dark + form. Suddenly, from what seemed the pointed nose of it, + there gleamed a light, as from some great eye.</p> + +<p>"Look at that!" cried Tom. "That's no shark!"</p> + +<p>"If you want my opinion," remarked the sailor, "I should + say it was the other submarine--that of Berg and his + friends--the Wonder. They've managed to fix up their craft + and are after the gold."</p> + +<p>"But they're too late!" cried Tom excitedly. "Let's tell + them so."</p> + +<p>"No," advised the captain. "We don't want any trouble with + them."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift came forward to see why his son had not given + the signal to start. He was shown the other submarine, for + now that the Wonder had turned on several searchlights, + there was no doubt as to the identity of the craft.</p> + +<p>"Let's get away unobserved if we can," he suggested. "We + have had trouble enough."</p> + +<p>It was easy to do this, as the Advance was hidden behind + the wreck, and her lights were glowing but dimly. Then, too, + those in the other submarine were so excited over the + finding of what they supposed was the wreck containing the + treasure, that they paid little attention to anything else.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how they'll feel when they find the gold gone?" + asked Tom as he pulled the lever starting the pumps.</p> + +<p>"Well, we may have a chance to learn, when we get back to + civilization," remarked the captain.</p> + +<p>The surface was soon reached, and then, under fair skies, + and on a calm sea, the voyage home was begun. Part of the + time the Advance sailed on the top, and part of the time + submerged.</p> + +<p>They met with but a single accident, and that was when the + forward electrical plate broke. But with the aft one still + in commission, and the auxiliary screws, they made good + time. Just before reaching home they settled down to the + bottom and donned the diving suits again, even Mr. Swift + taking his turn. Mr. Damon caught some large lobsters, of + which he was very fond, or, rather, to be more correct, the + lobsters caught him. When he entered the diving chamber + there were four fine ones clinging to different parts of his + diving suit. Some of them were served for dinner.</p> + +<p>The adventurers safely reached the New Jersey coast, and + the submarine was docked. Mr. Swift at once communicated + with the proper authorities concerning the recovery of the + gold. He offered to divide with the actual owners, after he + and his friends had been paid for their services, but as the + revolutionary party to whom the bullion was intended had + gone out of existence, there was no one to officially claim + the treasure, so it all went to Tom and his friends, who + made an equitable distribution of it. The young inventor did + not forget to buy Mrs. Baggert a fine diamond ring, as he + had promised.</p> + +<p>As for Berg and his employers, they were, it was learned + later, greatly chagrined at finding the wreck valueless. + They tried to make trouble for Tom and his father, but were + not successful.</p> + +<p>A few days after arriving at the seacoast cottage, Tom, + his father and Mr. Damon went to Shopton in the airship. + Captain Weston, Garret Jackson and Mr Sharp remained behind + in charge of the submarine. It was decided that the Swifts + would keep the craft and not sell it to the Government, as + Tom said they might want to go after more treasure some day.</p> + +<p>"I must first deposit this gold," said Mr. Swift as the + airship landed in front of the shed at his home. "It won't + do to keep it in the house over night, even if the Happy + Harry gang is in jail."</p> + +<p>Tom helped him take it to the bank. As they were making + perhaps the largest single deposit ever put in the + institution, Ned Newton came out.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom," he cried to his chum, "it seems that you are + never going to stop doing things. You've conquered the air, + the earth and the water."</p> + +<p>"What have you been doing while I've been under water, + Ned?" asked the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the same old thing. Running errands and doing all + sorts of work in the bank."</p> + +<p>Tom had a sudden idea. He whispered to his father and Mr. + Swift nodded. A little later he was closeted with Mr. + Prendergast, the bank president. It was not long before Ned + and Tom were called in.</p> + +<p>"I have some good news for you, Ned," said Mr. + Prendergast, while Tom smiled. "Mr. Swift er--ahem--one of + our largest depositors, has spoken to me about you, Ned. I + find that you have been very faithful. You are hereby + appointed assistant cashier, and of course you will get a + much larger salary."</p> + +<p>Ned could hardly believe it, but he knew then what Tom had + whispered to Mr. Swift. The wishes of a depositor who brings + much gold bullion to a bank can hardly be ignored.</p> + +<p>"Come on out and have some soda," invited Tom, and when + Ned looked inquiringly at the president, the latter nodded + an assent.</p> + +<p>As the two lads were crossing the street to a drug store, + something whizzed past them, nearly running them down.</p> + +<p>"What sort of an auto was that?" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"That? Oh, that was Andy Foger's new car," answered Ned. + "He's been breaking the speed laws every day lately, but no + one seems to bother him. It's because his father is rich, I + suppose. Andy says he has the fastest car ever built."</p> + +<p>"He has, eh?" remarked Tom, while a curious look came into + his eyes. "Well, maybe I can build one that will beat his."</p> + +<p>And whether the young inventor did or not you can learn by + reading the fifth volume of this series, to be called "Tom + Swift and His Electric Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on + the Road."</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, I certainly appreciate what you did for me in + getting me a better position," remarked Ned as they left the + drug store. "I was beginning to think I'd never get + promoted. Say, have you anything to do this evening? If you + haven't, I wish you'd come over to my house. I've got a lot + of pictures I took while you were away."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, but I can't," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why, are you going to build another airship or +submarine?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I'm going to see-- Oh, what do you want to know + for, anyhow?" demanded the young inventor with a blush. + "Can't a fellow go see a girl without being +cross-questioned?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," replied Ned with a laugh. "Give Miss + Nestor my regards," and at this Tom blushed still more. But, + as he said, that was his own affair.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift And His Submarine Boat +by Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT *** + +This file should be named 04tom10h.htm or 04tom10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 04tom11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 04tom10a.txt + +This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Anthony Matonac. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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