Boy Scouts in the North Sea; Or, The Mystery of a Sub

e deck that told of confusion amongst the crew. Von Kluck's hoarse voice was ba

sed. Judging from the sounds they thought the men had gathered in

d Jimmie, attempting

he tried to peer out of the little sk

truck something!

nother vessel,"

surely struck something solid. I hope we

"The motion of this ship is much less

reed Jack. "Is the

" guessed Harry. "Probably von Kluck has n

Ned. "See the water coming into this

rapidly. They found little difficulty now in keeping their footing without suppo

ad to the wind. The mainsail had been set with a double reef, to help keep the vessel i

ce in perspective, owing to the fact tha

ack smoke. A disagreeable odor pervaded t

ted Harry, pointing to leeward. "They're

o boats that had been carried by the schooner. In it were the

oment. However, skillful hands were at the oars. Rising and falling, now on top of a w

ed Jimmie in disgust. "What do you know

d Ned, in alarm. "We'd better get bus

" asked Harry. "

ggested Jimmie. "Maybe we could keep the

and his crew would have done that i

with using the smal

oo badly. Let's have a look at it anyway,

d be more seaworthy than the hull upon which they were stand

sted Jimmie, "don't they take water

stle about and see what you can get. Try to

d the pantry. There he found the water g

read with which the vessel was provisioned. These he wrapped in an oilskin coat from the captain's room. He

Another trip to the cabin failed to locate any vessel in which fres

er from the barrel on deck. The cover of the kettle was provided with a clever device for f

ng the small boat. It now hung bobbing about to a short length of p

to secure the kits, returning just as Jimmie

le wagon is just about to say 'Goodby'! We

ed Ned, tossing his

ys then watched for an opportune moment when the small boat swung c

d Ned. "I was going

ss now, Ned!" cried J

e are at anyhow, and the compass wouldn't

e a moment later as he pulled manful

etonation marked the blowing off of the hatches by the compressed ai

verwhelmed the craft, leaving only the masts projecting above water. In another instant these, too, had disappeared, le

ed. "No more flying in that little airshi

all, but they knew that their stu

uble them again in that airship!" declare

lads. At length, however, Ned roused himself and tried to cheer his comrades. He

and his crew seemed to be heading the same way we are. They eviden

on after them, the

straining at his oar. "But this is h

cautioned Ned. "That kettle holds only about

lunteered Harry. "I guess you've worked a

se the little boat was carrying all that could be conveniently stowed. They were glad that

his wind blow us along. We'll just keep the boat straightened int

ray over there," the lad continued, pointing toward the east.

k us up," ventured Harry, hopefully. "The

think!" declared Frank. "It seems t

clinging to Jimmie's shoulder. "Yes, I can see it, too! It seems to

e boys handled the oars only enough to keep

ke a tug!" stated

smashing along at tha

in the water for a battleship and no freight steamer ever made s

tearing along through the waves at a great rate. The bow was lost in a smother of foam and spray. But a tiny speck of deck house

near enough so that the boys could dis

mmie, directly. "That's what they call a

Ned. "They certainly have got the speed!"

'em!" cried Frank

scorned Jimmie. "What do you think thi

our shirt and wa

ed Jimmie, proceeding

ps Jimmie waved the improvised distress

tly. "There's a man on the bridge looking at

e bridge!" announced Ned. "They are examin

a churning of foam at the stern told the lads that the engines were reversed in an effort to stop. Presently the

plight to an officer. They were invited aboard the steamer.

and narrow vessel. Guns were mounted forward and aft. Only a cursor

d them aboard, "I shall ask you to step to t

t they saw a familiar face. Beside the commander seated at the