"
Herr Schmidt blinked for a full minute at the electric bulb over the
compass. Then he looked from McClure to Jack and then at Ted, the
trio of American officers gazing intently at their prisoner, grim
determination written on their faces. He must have read in their
eyes their willingness to die rather than submit tamely to surrender,
for he turned in a moment to McClure and said:
"I vill do as you command."
McClure at once directed Jack and Ted to get down into the hold and
change into the uniform of petty German officers, several such
costumes having been found in the _Monitor_ at the time of her capture.
At the same time McClure ordered the German prisoners brought into
the control chamber where he had Bonte, the wireless man, explain
the situation to them in detail. Jack and Ted returned shortly and
all was in readiness for the daring ruse.
"Remember, now, the first man who betrays us dies instantly," said
McClure as he gave orders to throw out ballast.
As the water was expelled from the tanks the _Monitor_ began slowly
to float upward.
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