Jack raised his opponent's head in his two hands, then bumped it against the ground. "There," he said, rising, "that'll keep him for a while." He hurried after the others, who had jumped into the boat. "Cut the line there--quick!" commanded Lord Hastings. Frank obeyed just as Jack tumbled aboard. "All right, sir. All here," said the latter. "Good," said Lord Hastings. The boat moved off, slowly at first, then faster and faster. By the time the German pursuers had reached the water's edge, the boat was beyond revolver shot, though still within range of rifles. "Down!" cried Lord Hastings, as a bullet whistled overhead. The others obeyed. "They'll be after us, sir!" shouted Frank. "They'll have to hurry if they want to catch us," declared Lord Hastings. "Say! What time is it?" asked Frank suddenly. "Why?" demanded his chum. "Why," repeated Frank, "because if we get out here before nine o'clock we might just as well stay ashore. Price will not come to the surface until nine sharp." By the flare of a match he struck, Jack gazed at his watch. "No need to worry there, then," he said. "It's three minutes to nine right now." "Pretty lucky," said Frank. "Rather," commented Lord Hastings dryly. "Look back and see if they are following us." "Yes, sir, twenty of them," replied Frank, after a glance over his shoulder. "Well, we'll have time, unless they are armed with cannon," said Lord Hastings. "All we need is to get aboard the D-17. Rifle shots won't hurt us then." Rifle bullets continued to fly over and about the motorboat, one occasionally striking home. But none of the occupants was touched. "We must be about the place," said Frank suddenly. "About a minute more," responded Lord Hastings. The minute up, Lord Hastings shut off the engine. They gazed about. "If Price doesn't come up pretty quick, we'll have to run for it," said the commander quietly. "It's time now." "He'll be up unless something has gone wrong," said Jack positively. "Unless he's gone to sleep," declared Frank. "Well, I wish he'd hurry," said Jack. "We can't remain here many minutes longer. They are getting too close." "So they are," agreed Lord Hastings. "We'll wait thirty seconds, then, if there is not some sign of the D-17, we'll move. We'll make a fight for it, at any rate." The seconds ticked off slowly; and then, just as Lord Hastings was ready to open the engine, the waters of the sea parted and the neat outline of the D-17 appeared upon the surface. A moment later the conning tower opened and Price stepped on deck. The submarine was perhaps fifty yards away, and Lord Hastings ran the motorboat toward it at full speed. "Here we are, Price!" he called. "All right, sir?" "All right, but pursued. Below with you, and be ready to submerge the minute we are below." "Aye, aye, sir!" Price disappeared.