Presently comes a dull explosion. The destroyer arriving over the spot
where the undersea boat was last seen, has dropped a depth-bomb, which
has exploded under the surface at a predetermined depth. The submarine
commander grins. The bomb was too far away to do damage, although the
craft has trembled under the shock. There comes another shock, this time
not so palpable. Eventually all is quiet.
For an hour the submarine proceeds blindly under water, and then
cautiously her periscope is thrust above the surface. Nothing in sight.
Orders sound through the vessel and she rises to the surface. She could
have remained below, running under full headway, for six hours before
coming to the surface. So the day goes on. Toward nightfall smoke again
is seen on the horizon. It proves to be a large freighter ladened,
apparently, with cattle. Two destroyers are frisking about her, crossing
her bow, cutting around her stern. The steamship herself is zigzagging,
rendering accurate calculations as to her course uncertain.
By this time, of course, the submarine has submerged. The watch-officer
and the commander stand by the periscope, watching the approaching
craft. The periscope may not be left up too long; the watchers on the
destroyers and on the deck of the vessel, which is armed, are likely to
spy it at any time. So the periscope is alternately run down and run up.
The submarine has moved so that the steamship will pass her so as to
present a broadside. Up comes the periscope for one last look.
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