I did not leave my place. The man at the bow was close by me. Immovable
at the helm, his eyes burning beneath his contracted brows, the captain
waited. He meant, perhaps, to finish the chase by one last maneuver.
Suddenly, a puff of smoke rose from the destroyer on our left. A
projectile, brushing the surface of the water, passed in front of the
“Terror,” and sped beyond the destroyer on our right.
I glanced around anxiously. Standing by my side, the lookout seemed to
await a sign from the captain. As for him, he did not even turn his
head; and I shall never forget the expression of disdain imprinted on
his visage.
At this moment, I was pushed suddenly toward the hatchway of my cabin,
which was fastened above me. At the same instant the other hatchways
were closed; the deck became watertight. I heard a single throb of the
machinery, and the plunge was made, the submarine disappeared beneath
the waters of the lake.
Cannon shot still boomed above us. Their heavy echo reached my ear;
then everything was peace. Only a faint light penetrated through the
porthole into my cabin. The submarine, without the least rolling or
pitching, sped silently through the deeps.
I had seen with what rapidity, and also with what ease the
transformation of the “Terror” had been made. No less easy and rapid,
perhaps, would be her change to an automobile.
And now what would this Master of the World do? Presumably he would
change his course, unless, indeed, he preferred to speed to land, and
there continue his route along the roads. It still seemed more
probable, however, that he would turn back toward the west, and after
distancing the destroyers, regain the Detroit River. Our submersion
would probably only last long enough to escape out of cannon range, or
until night forbade pursuit.
Fate, however, had decreed a different ending to this exciting chase.
Scarce ten minutes had passed when there seemed some confusion on
board. I heard rapid words exchanged in the engine room. The steadily
moving machinery became noisy and irregular. At once I suspected that
some accident compelled the submarine to reascend.
I was not mistaken. In a moment, the semi-obscurity of my cabin was
pierced by sunshine. The “Terror” had risen above water. I heard steps
on the deck, and the hatchways were re-opened, including mine. I sprang
up the ladder.
The captain had resumed his place at the helm, while the two men were
busy below. I looked to see if the destroyers were still in view. Yes!
Only a quarter of a mile away! The “Terror” had already been seen, and
the powerful vessels which enforced the mandates of our government were
swinging into position to give chase. Once more the “Terror” sped in
the direction of Niagara River.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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