The coils of a rope hurtling through the air fell within his reach. He grasped the means of safety, yet was too exhausted to do more. Another shot, and yet another, rang out; then O’Shaunessey, leaping overboard with a bowline, passed the loop over his officer’s shoulders. "All right, sorr," exclaimed the Irishman cheerily. "Do you let go. I’ll see to the cap’n, sure I will." Pale and breathless Hythe was hauled upon the deck of the "Aphrodite." Captain Restronguet was also drawn into safety, and O’Shaunessey, without any attempt at haste, swarmed up the rope hand over hand. Devoran and Kenwyn, handing their still smoking rifles to a seaman, hastened to where Captain Restronguet was lying. "Is he dead?" asked the second officer. "I am afraid so," replied Devoran gravely, then as the first blast of the approaching storm thrashed the hitherto placid water into sheets of foam he added:-- "Take them below. Secure the hatches. All ready, Mr. Kenwyn." Gliding serenely deep beneath the surface the "Aphrodite" pursued her way, regardless of the storm that was now raging fiercely overhead. Flash after flash of vivid lightning played upon the angry water, the glare being plainly visible through the glass scuttles of the conning-towers, while the deep roar of the thunder literally shook the heavy metal structure of the submarine. Gathered around the still unconscious form of the captain were Hythe, Devoran, Polglaze, and Mylor the second quartermaster, while without the cabin, anxiously awaiting the latest news of their leader, were all the crew who were not actually on duty. Kenwyn was at his post in the after conning-tower, Lancarrow in the fore conning-tower was entrusted with keeping the "Aphrodite" on her course, while Carclew was stationed at the electric detector in order to catch the first intimation of the return of the "Vorwartz" to within the range of that instrument’s action. As soon as Captain Restronguet had been undressed the effect of the lightning stroke was apparent. From the nape of his neck to the lower rib was tattooed the image of part of the chain rails and the head of the stanchion. Whether the damage was merely superficial or whether the spine had been affected was still a matter of conjecture. His face was pale and pinched, his wide-open eyes dull, his pulse almost imperceptible. Only by holding a glass close to his mouth was Devoran able to pronounce that his chief was still alive, for there was absolutely no signs of respiration and circulation. By careful treatment, and by giving the patient small doses of stimulants, the anxious men succeeded in bringing back the colour to Captain Restronguet’s wan cheeks. The pupils of his eyes began to dilate, but although he looked at those who stood around him he gave no signs of recognition. "You did not rescue a dead man, Hythe," remarked Devoran in a low tone. "But I’m afraid his brain is affected."