Hancock Harrie Irving - Dave Darrin and the German Submarines. Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea Monsters стр 2.

Amen to that! agreed the young ensign.

Wind is shifting, sir, said Mr. Phelps, fifteen minutes later, when darkness had settled down.

So I observed, answered the youthful commanding officer. From norwest to noreast. That cloud over to noreast looks as if it carried a lot of wind.

Dave took a quick glance at the barometer, but it had not fallen much.

No storm in sight yet, said Dave, thoughtfully. But cloudy.

Aye, nodded Ensign Phelps. And a black night may aid either us or an enemy.

More likely the enemy, replied Darrin, reflectively. An observer on a submarine, with the aid of the microphonic or adapted telephonic device, that is now credited with having been perfected, can hear us coming when were some distance away.

And the same observer can discover our direction as compared with his own position, and can even judge the extent of the distance fairly well, remarked the ensign.

True, Darrin nodded. Then, suddenly, he spoke energetically, as one gripped by a new idea.

Mr. Phelps, have the word passed to all men on watch to keep a doubly sharp lookout for approaching craft and thus avoid danger of collision. No one carries running lights in these waters. The watch will also be extremely vigilant for submarines.

Again and again the watch, startled by shadows, of which the sea is ever full at night, called out low-spoken warnings. The officers on the bridge were kept busy investigating these alarms with their night glasses. In fact they frequently were deceived too. Every mans nerves were on edge; gunners swallowed hard, and with frequency moistened their lips with their tongues. Every man up topside on the Logan felt that peril was hovering near. It was not fear; it was perhaps that sixth sense that gives the alarm in moments of unseen danger. So intense was the nervous strain that the creaking of a brace or the sound of a straining plate, as the destroyer rolled, made every man on deck jump.

It was a trying situation and such as brought gray hairs to many a ships master in these days of deeds and daring. Better far the rush of a torpedo in their direction than this nerve-racking waiting for something that every man on the destroyer felt was coming.

Lieutenant-Commander Darrin, sensing all this, for the very air was charged with expectancy, frequently steadied the watch with an encouraging word or a sharp, low-spoken command. Dave sympathized with them, for he was in very much the same nervous condition. Of course he could not show it.

Curtin, were in for some work to-night, or else I have an attack of nerves. I feel it, said Dave without taking his eyes from observation of the sea.

So do I. Queer how a fellow can sense danger when he neither can hear, see, feel nor smell it, said Mr. Curtin.

Submarine hunting is hard on the nerves, but its worth while, returned Dave. I think that must be what makes life on a destroyer so attractive to us. It is the real sporting game. I Whats that?

Yes, its

Sh-h-h! Dave suddenly stiffened, bringing his glasses quickly to his eyes. Bow watch there, did you hail? he demanded in a low, sharp voice.

Aye, aye, sir, came the prompt reply, also pitched in a low tone, though full of repressed excitement.

Whatever wind there had been in the cloud Dave had observed to the northeast, had passed. Only the gentlest of breezes blew, though the sky remained overcast, giving an almost ink-black night a night for dark deeds.

So long did the Logan drift that probably every wakeful soul on board felt irritated by the monotony. Suddenly Dave stiffened, bringing his glass quickly to his eyes.

Sounds and looks like a craft two points off starboard and about half a mile away, sir, reported the bow watch.

Aye, Dave responded. I see it. Mr. Curtin, pass the word for all hands to quarters.

Silently officers and men were soon streaming over the decks, on their way to their various

stations. Curtin stood with one hand on the engine-room telegraph, awaiting the order for headway.

The three-inch guns were loaded, and also the one-pounders and the machine guns. Two men stood by the darkened searchlight.

Searchlight men! Dave called, in a low voice. You know where were looking?

Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by to put a beam squarely across its conning tower if it proves to be a submarine.

Again Dave took a long, careful, steady look through his night glass. Secretly he was a-quiver with excitement; outwardly he was wholly calm.

Throw the beam! called Dave sharply, a few seconds later. Gun-crews in line with the enemy, stand by!

A broad band of light from the searchlight played into the sky, then descended. As the beam reached the water it revealed the tower and deck of a large submarine rolling awash a little more than half a mile away. A muffled cheer rose from some of the members of the watch. The men at the guns were too much occupied to open their mouths.

Silence in the watch! Dave commanded, sternly. Mr. Curtin, half-speed ahead. Bear straight down on the enemy! Ram him if possible! Ram him at all hazards if he is submerging when we reach him, commanded Lieutenant Commander Darrin.