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Im going to do my bragging after we land, interjected an old sergeant dryly. I always enjoy my bragging best after I get over my scare.
But the long quiet proved too good to last. The almost simultaneous barking of guns from three troopships and from two destroyers called swift attention to the fact that the fusillade was aimed at a periscope off starboard. Nearly a dozen shells struck the water all around the spot where the periscope had vanished. From about the same point a light streak appeared on the water.
Signalling back instructions to the transports as to their course, a destroyer darted out of line to go after the submarine after the fashion that Darrin had employed. Ere long the destroyer swerved in a sharp curve and headed back for her place in the escort line, signalling at the same time:
Nothing left for
us to do. A shell from one of the guns engaged hit the pest under water and poured oil on the troubled waters.
In the meantime, the endangered transport, which had promptly and intelligently obeyed the steering order, had barely escaped the torpedo fired at her.
Spirits now ran high in the troopship fleet. Uncle Sams soldiers had seen the threatened ships saved, and had also seen Uncle Sams sailors show how easily a submarine may be fought sometimes.
After that the fleet proceeded on its uninterrupted way for so long a time that the noon meal had been eaten calmly by the voyaging soldiers. Few of them thought it worth while to cut that meal short in order to go on deck again.
Especially did Pete and his friends feel indifferent to the best that the Huns could do out here on the water. Just then there came a terrific shock. It was an explosion, followed by a crash that caused the ship to stagger over to starboard, though she quickly righted herself.
Theyve got us! yelled Pete, jumping up from the table, overturning his coffee and starting for the upper deck on a run.
Then, ashamed of his nervousness, Pete stopped running and tuned down to a slow walk toward the companionway stairs from the mess deck. Others were running, with a resulting jam on the stairs.
What are we going to do? one soldier asked Pete.
Do the same thing that weve been doing ever since we came into the Service, I guess, drawled Pete. And that is, were going to listen and obey orders. Stop shoving, you fellows. We wont get up any faster for crowding.
Soon staff and line officers appeared at the head of the stairs, issuing sharp, steady commands that stopped all signs of a possible panic.
Keep your wits, men, and the last of you will reach shore all right, called an officer who was forcing his way down the stairs. Some of you men turn aside and give me a chance to get to the deck below.
His coolness, and his willingness to be on the mess deck calmed the excitement of many a young soldier who was eager to get up to the spar deck. From a deck rail in front of the chart-house a major with a lusty voice shouted down:
No excitement, men! This ship, if she sinks, will be a long time doing it. There will be time to get every man off, and it will be done if you listen to orders and obey them.
That torpedo had struck deep into the ships vitals, stopping the engines instantly.
Only here and there was there a soldier who did not have his life belt on. These now scrambled for their belts.
From the flagship of the destroyers at the head of the line swift signals were wigwagged and repeated down the lines. One of them read:
Logan stand by Castle City for rescue work.
Instantly Dave ordered the full-speed signal telegraphed to the engine room, then added, as the destroyer raced down the line:
Keep all gunners and lookouts at their stations, Mr. Dalzell. Mr. Briggs will take charge of manning and lowering our two launches and the cutters, and will stand by to lower away.
The destroyer Adams had already caught a hawse-line from the Castle City by the time Daves craft reached the scene. With the hawser made fast the destroyer was towing the stricken transport out of the fleet line.
Lower away, Dave commanded, after he had dashed past the Castle City and had lain to. Overboard went the launches and cutters, and Lieutenant Briggs was soon alongside the transport, which was also lowering well-filled lifeboats.
His own boats and the ships boats Briggs had towed in strings. On orders from the commander of the destroyer flotilla, other troopships halted long enough to take on the rescued ones.
Still another destroyer had to hasten to the assistance of the Logan, for the Castle City was rapidly settling lower in the water.
Never had naval small craft worked at greater speed, yet necessity moved faster. The transport had by now heeled well over to port. She could not keep afloat much longer.
Those who cannot get into the boats now will have to jump, shouted Dave Darrin.
So excellent was the control by the regimental officers on the Castle City that even now there was no panic. Soldiers gathered at the points indicated, and sprang overboard when ordered to do so. The ships crew, too, were now jumping.