Part 7 (1/2)

In atower, and Jack, sounding line in hand, was out on the platform deck, where Lieutenant Danvers followed him

Eph knew, by this tiine rooanals pro the submarine craft ahead at very slow speed, Eph steered as close to the bobbingcaptain deemed safe Jack shouted his orders back as he and Lieutenant Danvers crouched over the nose of the boat

In the rough sea that was running their as doubly hard But Eph kept the searchlight all the ti mast stump In a circle they went around it, barely thirty feet fro lead

At last he felt it rest on the deck of the sunken derelict The distance beloas six fathoot the line of the hull,” called Benson to the lieutenant

”Our next job is to find how far back this hull runs under the water”

This knowledge, also, was gained, at last Then Jack Benson, rising, hastened back to the conning tower, followed by Danvers Jack himself closed the h the darkness of the night Stor

”Now, hustle below, Eph, and get that loaded torpedo into the tube,”

commanded Skipper Jack Benson

”My men will help you,” added Lieutenant Danvers

Jack quickly had his figures made He knehere the hull lay, in what direction, and how far below the surface the deck of the sunken derelict lay He planned to land the torpedo twelve feet below the derelict's deck, which, he believed, would strike a full and fair blow

”Torpedo's loaded, sir,” called Eph, while the ”Hastings,” under slow speed astern, was gliding back to get into position for the attack

”Station Biffens by the firing lever, then,” called down Captain Benson

”Tell hiets the order Now, Mr

So apparatus Drop just forty-two feet below the surface, then report instantly to me”

”Aye, aye, sir”

Lieutenant Danvers stood by the sub Benson's plan Yet the naval officer ventured no interference

In another an to disappear under the waves

”Forty-two feet--sir--and--stopped!” shouted up Eph Somers

”Ready to fire!” Jack hailed

”Aye, aye, sir!”

”Fire!”

”Fire it is, sir”

”Have you fired, Mr Somers?” rolled down Jack's next question