Boy Scouts in the North Sea Part 20

"Let us discuss that at another time, if you please," replied Gruenwold.

"Just now we are short of practical electricians. If you will offer your services in that direction we shall be very grateful. You may be sure that we shall not be forgetful when it is possible to reciprocate."

"Thank you," replied Ned in acknowledgment of the indirect promise. "Now, if you will show us what you want done we shall be most happy to proceed.

I believe we have nothing else to do."

"Here are some plans," stated the other, opening a cabinet at one side of the room. "In these compartments are plans of certain vessels. You will observe on these sheets marked 'elek.' complete diagrams of the plan of wiring. Take this one, for instance. Do you think you could understand what is meant by these tracings?"

Ned studied the diagram for a few moments. The other boys leaned over his shoulder. Presently, after conferring with his friends, the lad announced that he understood the drawings perfectly, even though he was unable to read the explanations which were in the German language.

A smile lighted the face of Gruenwold as this statement was made.

Evidently the need for completing the work was urgent.

"In that case, we will ask you to accompany this orderly on board the vessel and proceed with the work. I will write an order directing the ones in charge of the vessel to admit you and render such aid as may be necessary. Later I will send a man who can speak English."

While the general was writing the necessary order to the ones in charge of the vessel to which he had referred the boys were busy communicating with each other by means of the mute language, in which they were quite adept. By supreme efforts they were able to suppress the excitement under which they were laboring.

"What a piece of luck!" rapidly signalled Jimmie to Ned.

"Keep cool!" cautioned Ned in reply. "Don't give it away!"

"Insist that we stay together on the job," returned Jimmie.

"You may be sure I shall do that!" came the answer instantly.

"I hope the storm increases!" was Jack's contribution.

"Now, gentlemen," announced the general, "if you are ready to proceed you may accompany this man. He will direct you to the work."

Ned bowed in acknowledgment and the party turned to accompany the orderly, who appeared in answer to the summons of his superior.

They were led away from the dock at which the Sturmvogel lay. In a short time they had traversed a goodly distance toward the mouth of the harbor.

Their destination proved to be the building adjacent to the group of submarine vessels. By inquiries both direct and indirect Ned and his companions decided that the orderly was unable to comprehend English, but for the sake of absolute safety they continued to use the sign language largely in their conversation as they proceeded.

In a short time they had been admitted to the outermost craft, which lay moored to its fellows. Communication had been established between the vessels by means of a row of planks laid from deck to deck.

Once inside the submarine the boys made a hurried yet thorough examination of every part, taking a complete inventory of the exact state of affairs. Frank and Jimmie managed to overhaul the stores. Harry and Jack looked over the mechanical equipment. Ned, with the plans in his hands, went carefully over every detail of the electric system.

"I say, fellows," announced Ned at length, as all the lads met beneath the hatch, "this wagon is nearly complete. It looks a lot like the 'U-13'!"

"That's what it does!" agreed Jimmie. "What more is needed?"

"A few pieces of wire and about an hour's work for me."

"Frank and I have found enough food to last a couple of months if we can count hardtack, sausage, and the supply of canned goods."

"Jack and I," announced Harry, "have found the engines and pumps apparently ready for duty in a moment. My idea is that they are trying to get this vessel ready for a cruise at the first possible moment."

"It looks as if they are expecting a crew from some place and want the boat ready for duty as soon as the crew arrives!" stated Ned.

Further conversation was cut short by the arrival of the orderly.

"Essen?" he inquired, pointing at his mouth and rubbing his belt.

"Don't say it twice!" cried Jimmie. "We heard you the first time!"

The boys prepared to follow the orderly, who evidently intended to escort them to the mess hall, where they would secure dinner.

As they turned toward the iron ladder leading to the hatch Jimmie, who had followed close upon the orderly's heels, cried out:

"h.e.l.lo, Mackinder, where you from?"

CHAPTER XIII

A THREATENING SITUATION

"Who's there, Jimmie?" asked Ned, pressing forward.

"n.o.body now," answered the other. "I thought I saw our friend Mackinder looking down the hatchway, but possibly I was mistaken. At any rate he's gone now and we'd better hurry on for dinner."

"Mackinder's a prisoner here," stated Ned, positively.

"Maybe he broke loose," suggested Harry.

"All right, I'm going up to the deck and look about," said Ned.

As the boys reached the narrow confines of the small deck at the top of the conning tower they saw a figure hastening along the foot planks that led from vessel to vessel. The fleeing person was now almost at the building on the wharf. In a moment the shelter of this structure had been gained. The figure dodged out of sight.

"Now, that's a funny thing to do!" mused Ned. "I wonder just what the fellow wanted. Are you sure it was Mackinder, Jimmie?"

"No, I'm not," admitted the lad. "Of course, the face was in shadow as he looked down the hatch. I'm not positive, but thought it was he."

"Well, let's not bother about it any more," said Ned, apparently dismissing the subject. "We're too hungry for any more mysteries!"

As only hungry boys can the five attacked the ample dinner provided for them. The dishes were strange but appetizing. Jimmie declared that he intended to remain in that location for some time in order to become acquainted with the chef. He said that he would be the envy of the entire Wolf Patrol if he could cook in German style.

After dinner the boys gathered in the lee of a small building, where they would be protected from the chilling blasts. Puffy squalls, bearing dashes of snow, sleet or rain, came thres.h.i.+ng out of the west. It appeared to the lads that the weather was growing decidedly worse.

In spite of the inclement weather a number of the hardy workmen were indulging in out of door sports during their rest hour.

For some time the lads watched the games as the hardy men relaxed their work-tensed muscles. The sullen booming of surf on the rocky coast constantly sounded in their ears.

"There goes our late rescuer!" announced Jimmie presently.

"Where?" asked Frank. "Whom do you mean?"