There was a bright, burning sun and throughout the morning hours the boat crews toiled, dragging hooks on the uneven bottom. After a hasty lunch, they returned to the gruelling task. Tim, confident that the seaplane could be made ready for flight in a minimum time, squatted on the deck and watched the operations. It was late afternoon when a joyful shout from Pat rang across the water. "We've snagged something!" he cried. Commander Ford in the other boat hastened toward the spot and more grapnels were dropped. Fifteen minutes later the men waiting on the deck of the submarine knew that the Southern Queen had been found. Commander Ford dropped a line with a buoy and the two boats headed back for the _S-18_. Fatigue was miraculously wiped from the faces of the boatmen as they pulled alongside, and Commander Ford gave them the information they all sought. "Diving operations will start in the morning," he said. There was a joyous whoop from the crew of the _S-18_. This was what they had been watching for, a chance to get the treasure of the Southern Queen. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE The Battle with the _Iron Mate_ Plans for the recovery of the treasure of the Southern Queen were talked over fully at mess that night. "The wreck is in about 185 feet of water," said Charlie Gill. "That's not a bad depth in itself but the currents down there are tough. They might sweep a diver into a hole in the hull and he'd never get out." "Then you think we'd better take the _S-18_ right down beside the old ship so you can work out of our own hull?" asked Commander Ford. "From the standpoint of the diver, that's going to be the safest way," said Charlie, "and it will be a whole lot faster. Once we get our hands on the gold we'll be able to transfer it directly aboard the _S-18_" Commander Ford nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. The currents you speak of can cause trouble even for a submarine the size of the _S-18_, but I guess that's the only solution. We'll make our first dive in the morning." Turning to Tim, he added: "You'd better get your seaplane off the deck tonight. Make it fast to the beach. I don't want to lose any time when daylight comes." Members of the crew aided Tim in getting the Sea King off the deck and into the water. It was night before the task was completed, and he taxied the trim little craft up to the beach under the guiding rays of a searchlight on the conning tower. While Tim was making the plane fast for the night, Pat rowed in from the _S-18_ to take him back.