Thrice were the engines stopped and started again. But every time the
quivering submarine failed to move an inch!
CHAPTER XV
THE HUMAN TORPEDO
"Looks as though we were up against it," remarked Executive Officer
Cleary to his chief as the _Dewey's_ engines died down into silence.
Lieutenant McClure, his youthful face wrinkled in deep thought, looked
up apprehensively.
"A very serious situation," he mumbled.
He spoke with marked gravity now, and there was no response from the
executive officer, nor from Navigating Officer Binns, as they stood
quietly and rigidly at attention, awaiting orders.
Inquiry in the engine room brought the information that the batteries
had been greatly depleted by the tremendous exertions of the _Dewey_.
The supply of "juice" certainly could not last much longer.
What next? Instinctively every man aboard the doomed ship was asking
himself the question. It was only too manifest that the _Dewey_ had
run hard aground. The best that could be hoped for now was that the
shifting currents of the sea might wash the submarine free before
death overwhelmed her imprisoned crew.
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