The Boy Allies Under the Sea Part 15

"If you like," replied Lord Hastings. "It can do no harm. In the meantime we'll have after her."

He gave the signal, "Full speed ahead," and _The Hawk_ leaped forward.

Again Frank took careful aim at a moving figure upon the deck of the enemy and again his finger pressed the trigger. Not for nothing had he been called a crack shot. The figure, as Frank could see in the glare of _The Hawk's_ searchlight, threw up its arms and pitched into the sea.

And now suddenly misfortune befell _The Hawk_. The enemy had stolen an idea from Frank, and one of the men aboard, taking aim at the powerful searchlight of _The Hawk_, fired. His aim was as true as had been Frank's; and the ray of light disappeared from the surface of the water.

_The Hawk_ also was blind now.

Lord Hastings gave an exclamation of dismay.

"Pretty tough," he muttered.

"But we should have guarded against it, sir," declared Jack. "We should have figured that what we could do the other fellow could do also."

"True," replied his commander; "but it's too late now. We'll keep after her. Maybe we can pick her up in the darkness."

"Not much chance," muttered Frank to himself.

But again fortune was to smile on them, although it came near being misfortune.

An hour later, _The Hawk_ having been slowed to a bare five knots, Frank thought he caught the sound of another moving object. He called Lord Hastings' attention, and _The Hawk's_ engine was shut off. Again came the sound, as of a choked automobile engine.

"She's off there, and pretty close," whispered Lord Hastings, with a gesture to port.

"Shall we try a shot in the darkness, sir?" asked Frank.

"No; that would be folly," said Lord Hastings. "There is not one chance in a thousand that the first shot would go home; and then she would be on the move again. Now, from the fact that the sound has come twice from the same place, I judge she is standing still--hoping that we shall run past her."

"If you please, sir, I have a plan," said Jack.

"Let's have it," said Lord Hastings briefly.

"Well, why can't Frank and I take to the boats again. Not one boat this time, but two. We can approach from different directions. One of us can open fire, and if a light is shown aboard, the other can do likewise.

Caught between two fires, I believe a light will be shown, that the enemy may try to pick us up. That will betray the enemy's presence to you and you can sink her."

"That's not a half bad idea," decided Lord Hastings after a moment's reflection. "You shall each have a man. Here, Edwards! Williams!"

The two men came forward quickly.

"Williams, you lower a boat and go with Mr. Templeton. Edwards, you accompany Mr. Chadwick. Get your rifles first, men."

The men hurried aft to obey, Frank and Jack in the meantime giving their attention to lowering the boats. This done, all leaped in and rowed in the general direction of the foe.

Upon Jack's suggestion, Frank and Edwards rowed some distance ahead before pointing the nose of their little craft toward where they believed the enemy to be, and then rowed a considerable distance.

"We should be beyond her now," declared Frank, after some further rowing. "We'll double back a bit."

They did so; and five minutes later a dark shape loomed up beside them, so close almost, that Frank could have thrown a rock aboard.

"Cease rowing!" Frank commanded, laying down his own oars.

Edwards did likewise.

"Get your rifle ready," Frank instructed.

Edwards obeyed.

"Now," said Frank, "the first man you see show himself aboard that craft, pick him off. I'll wait for the second one."

"Very well, sir," replied Edwards quietly.

He brought his rifle to bear upon the deck of the enemy and sat quietly, waiting, as the little boat bobbed gently up and down with the swell of the sea.

And he had not long to wait.

A dark shadow appeared aboard the enemy and Edwards and Frank caught the faint glow of a cigar or cigarette as the man puffed upon it. The light from this made his face plainly visible.

"A very indiscreet sort of a gentleman," remarked Edwards. "Here goes, sir."

He pressed the trigger.

A howl of pain rewarded this effort and Edwards smiled grimly to himself.

"Got him," he said cheerfully.

The sound of the rifle brought another figure to the deck. Now it was Frank's turn and he acted instantly. Again there was a faint report and the second man toppled over.

"Two," said Frank quietly.

"Right, sir!" replied Edwards. "All ready for another, sir."

"I guess the next will be along in a minute," said Frank dryly.

"Besides, it's about time for Jack and Williams to take a hand in the game."

"Wouldn't want to leave them out all together, would we, sir," grinned Edwards.

"I should say not," replied Frank.

"No, sir; they wouldn't like that."

They waited patiently, but ten minutes pa.s.sed and no other form appeared aboard the enemy.

"Guess Jack is playing a waiting game on the other side," muttered Frank. "Now, I wonder----"

There came an abrupt interruption to his thoughts.

"Throw up your hands!" came a sharp voice from behind, a trifle to the right. "Surrender or you are dead men!"