Chapter IX: The First Day in the "aphrodite."

A bell rang out sharply in the captain's cabin of the "Aphrodite," and one of the electric indicators oscillated rapidly.

"Accumulators charged," announced Captain Restronguet laconically.

"It is a revelation to me," said Hythe. "And when one comes to consider that at every hour of the day hundreds, nay thousands, of ships are straining idly at their moorings, it is certainly remarkable that no satisfactory attempt has hitherto been made to harness the tides."

"That's only one of the many lessons you will learn," remarked the Captain. "But we are getting under way once more. Perhaps you would like to see the mechanism on Number Three Platform?"

"Most certainly I should," replied the sub.

In the alley-way they encountered a short, broad-shouldered man who had to set his back against the metal wall in order to allow his captain to pass.

"All correct, sir," he said saluting.

"Right, Mr. Devoran. Who's in the conning-tower?"

"Mylor, sir."

"Good. I will take the 'Aphrodite' up the river. You need not turn out till midnight. I shall want you then."

"That is my chief mate, Mr. Devoran," remarked Captain Restronguet, after the man had gone to his cabin. "A truer-hearted comrade one could not possibly desire. He is the only man on board beside myself who thoroughly understands the whole of the complicated mechanism of my masterpiece. There are others who are capable of manoeuvring the 'Aphrodite,' but they do not understand how to handle her for offensive purposes."

Throwing back a watertight sliding-door in the port fore and aft bulkhead Captain Restronguet signed to the sub to enter. Hythe found himself in a small compartment on the walls of which were several articles and gear. No space was wasted on board the "Aphrodite."

In the centre of the floor was an oval-shaped aperture, sealed with a rubber-lined lid, that by means of double levers could be opened from either above or below. As the hatch opened Hythe saw a portion of the well-lighted interior of the lower deck, access to which being gained by means of a vertical steel ladder.

The for'ard compartment, extending the whole length and breadth of the foremost section of the submarine, with the exception of the space taken up by the diving-exit, was as far unlike the forehold of a ship as the sub could possibly imagine. The cement-cased walls were distempered a pale green; thick corticene--a kind of linoleum used in the Navy--covered the floors; alongside the after bulkhead were two arms-racks filled with automatic rifles and pistols, and other modern small-arms. Secured to the deck was an automatic one-pounder field-gun. Towards the bows were two long narrow tubes, the external diameter by less than seven inches, while a seemingly complicated arrangement of double-locking doors, electric wires, trippers and gauges suggested to the sub that these instruments were torpedo tubes.

"Quite right," said Captain Restronguet in reply to Hythe's question. "A pair of six-inch tubes firing electrically directed torpedoes. They will never miss their target, I can assure you, even at five miles range, if controlled from a lofty station. Here we are limited, but so long as we can see our target by means of our flexibly attached periscope, there is a million chances to one on the weapon striking the mark. But listen!"

The hiss of a powerful water jet was just audible through the double plating of the submarine's hull.

"Merely a precautionary measure to clear the holding plates of mud and seaweed," explained Captain Restronguet. "If the spades, as I might term them, do not fold absolutely flush with the vessel's bottom, there's bound to be a tremendous resistance to the water and consequently a serious loss of speed. Now the jet is turned off. Listen again and you will hear the anchor plates come home."

"That they are!" exclaimed the sub, as a distinct thud shook the plates under his feet. "I suppose they are lifted by metal rods working in water-tight glands?"

"Oh, no; merely by the attraction of electromagnets. Every valve and door in this vessel is electrically controlled, although in some cases, such for instance the hatch by which we gained this compartment, manual power can be used. When next an opportunity serves I will show you the engine-room, but we are about to rise now. I must go to the for'ard conning-tower. You may come, too, if you feel inclined, or if you prefer there is a private cabin at your disposal."

"How does the submarine rise, might I ask? By means of horizontal rudders?"

"Yes and no," replied Captain Restronguet. "But before I explain perhaps this might interest you."

Stepping over to where three levers stood in the centre of the compartment the captain thrust one hard down. Instantly a portion of the floor opened. Another lever caused a corresponding part of the outer plating to slide back, revealing an observation plate of about three feet by two through the double skins of the starboard bilge-plates.

"I can see nothing," said Hythe, as he strove to peer through the glass. "It is perfectly dark."

"There ought to be sufficient light at this depth to see fairly well, but since the 'Aphrodite' is still on or nearly on the bottom of The Narrows, the hull intercepts what little light there is to penetrate the water. Now look!"

Touching a switch Captain Restronguet caused a strong search-light to shine vertically downwards. About a fathom of water lay between her keel and the floor of the sea. She was slowly moving under the influence of the young flood tide. The bed was shelving steeply from one hundred and twenty feet to less than ninety. Hythe could see the seaweed waving in the current and the fash, mostly of the flat-fish tribe, darting rapidly towards the dazzling light.

"What's that?" he asked, as two objects, resembling barnacle-covered pipes passed slowly across the field of light.

"Telephone cables between the Victualling Yard and Mount Edgcumbe," replied his companion. "If I felt inclined, what is to prevent me from sending out a man and tapping those wires? All submarine cables are entirely at my mercy. If I wished I could create a greater panic than the Stock Exchange, the Bourse, or Wall Street ever yet experienced. But I must switch off the light and close the panels now. I am wanted in the conning-tower."

As the sub followed his companion he could not help noticing the freshness of the atmosphere. Compared with the nauseating reek of the submarines he had served in the interior of the "Aphrodite" was as wholesome as could be. There was, moreover, a sting in the atmosphere that recalled the health-giving breezes of the Scottish moors.

"All right, Mylor, you carry on," exclaimed the captain to the helmsman in the conning-tower. "Starboard your helm a bit--go!"

Forty feet beneath the surface the submarine swung round the sharp band formed by the high ground of Cremyll and Mount Edgcumbe. Close to the heavy mooring-chains to the south of the Rubble Bank she glided, till her course, almost due north, lay right up the land-locked Hamoaze.

"Why, we're going up the River Tamar!" exclaimed Hythe, glancing at the compass. His knowledge of the intricacies of Plymouth Harbour and the Hamoaze, and the compass course told him that, for nothing was to be seen through the conning-tower scuttles save an expanse of pale green water.

"Yes, that is so. I am just running up to Saltash in order to pick up a man returning from leave," replied Captain Restronguet with a laugh. He spoke as casually as if he were the coxswain of a British battleship's liberty-boat. "We are now passing the South Yard of Devonport Dockyard. But excuse me, I have something to attend to in the after conning-tower. You won't mind remaining here, I trust? Keep her as she is, Mylor; I am going to reduce speed to five knots or even less."

Hythe sat down on a folding seat fixed below the port scuttle, whence he could see either ahead or on his left. The helmsman's head and shoulders obstructed the view to starboard.

It was fascinating work watching the sea swirl past, and noting the changes as the "Aphrodite" passed through patches of various coloured water, for the tide was beginning to stir up the dark brown sediment brought down from the Devonian Hills by the swift-running Tamar, and the result was a constant kaleidoscope. But after a while, finding that nothing else was visible, the sub transferred his attention to the interior of the conning-tower.

Presently a bell gave forth a warning note and the helmsman promptly touched a lever. The depth according to the gauge diminished to less than thirty-five feet.

"Is that an automatic sounding machine?" asked Hythe.

Mylor, still keeping his eyes fixed in front of him, shut his lips tightly, and Hythe, thinking that he had not caught what had been said, repeated the question.

"Cannot say, sir," said the helmsman decidedly. "It's against orders. For any information ask the cap'n."

"That's a staggerer," thought the sub. "One thing about it the fellow's true to his master."

Meanwhile Captain Restronguet had retired to his cabin, where he drafted a communication to the Commander-in Chief of the Devonport Command. This done, he ascended to the after conning-tower where two seamen were on duty.

"Ship the periscope, Carclew. Directly you sight any small Government craft bearing down this way let me know. And Gwennap, get this letter ready for delivery."

The periscope consisted of a double-wedge shaped instrument connected to the top of the after conning-tower by means of a flexible armoured insulated wire. Carclew, by switching off the current from an electro-magnet, allowed the float to rise to the surface, where, owing to the comparatively slow rate of the submarine, it was towed without being dragged under. As soon as this was done another switch was manipulated, and instantly a reproduction of the surrounding objects was faithfully projected by an advanced form of telephotography upon a dull white board fixed to the wall of the conning-tower.

"There's a black pinnace with a yellow awning coming down stream, sir," announced Carclew. "She's got the letters M.P. on her bows."

"Police launch evidently," said Captain Restronguet. "Now Gwennap, stand by. Are we right under her course, Carclew?"

The man Gwennap had meanwhile placed the document in an oiled covering which in turn he lashed to a globular white and green buoy. This he placed in an ejector, made on the principle of a submerged torpedo tube.

"All ready, sir," he announced.

Captain Restronguet held up his hand, and receiving an affirmative gesture from the seaman at the periscope-board, nodded his head. There was a slight, almost inaudible hiss and the buoy with the message attached, was ejected out of the conning-tower, rising to the surface within fifty yards of the on-coming launch.

"They've picked it up, sir," declared Carclew, after half a minute had elapsed.

"That's well," murmured the captain, as he descended the conning-tower ladder. "I wonder if the reply will be in a similar strain to the one I received five years ago. Ah! I wonder."

And with a grave smile on his resolute features Captain Restronguet returned to his cabin.

"Send Mr. Hythe to me," he ordered, when a seaman appeared in answer to his summons. "And tell the diving-party detailed for duty to have the boat ready for launching; warn Polglaze and Lancarrow to stand by at eleven to-night."

"Now, Mr. Hythe," said Captain Restronguet, when the sub was shown into the cabin, "I may as well tell you that I have reported your presence and that of the able seaman to the Commander-in-Chief, and doubtless I shall have a reply before noon to-morrow. If you would like to see our periscope in working order now is a good opportunity. We are travelling dead slow, and there is plenty to be seen here--more so than at sea."

"It is a picture," exclaimed the sub enthusiastically, as he gazed upon the electrically-depicted panorama. "The whole horizon is included; but how do you know in what direction an object is lying?"

"Simply by the position of this board. It revolves by the same magnetic influence that causes the compass card always to point to the magnetic-north, only here we have made corrections for the variation of the compass. The only drawback is that objects to the south are shown inverted on the board, but with a little practice one soon gets accustomed to this. It is like the inverted image on the ground glass of a camera, and to an experienced photographer that state of affairs presents no difficulty. Here we are: right abeam on the starboard hand you can see Bull Point, the ordnance depot. When were you last up the river Tamar, might I ask?"

"Quite two years ago."

"And it is more than seven since last I saw Saltash Bridge. There have been vast changes, and I suppose had you been at the periscope all the way up the Hamoaze you would have noticed a difference in the aspect of the place."

"I see that they've covered in the magazines with earth," said Hythe. "That's for protection against attack from aerial craft."

"And it is the same in Devonport and Keyham Yards. There's no doubt the British nation has developed an air-invasion panic. For instance: years ago all the building slips in the Royal Dockyards were roofed in. I can remember the huge sloping roofs with their skylights arranged after the manner of the ports of an old three-decker man-of-war. Early in the present century these roofs were removed, and the slips were left entirely open and uncovered. Now what do I see? Every dock, every slip, every Government workshop of importance is housed in with a bomb-proof steel roof. And with one touch of my little finger I could do more damage, and without being seen, to that place yonder than the combined aerial fleets of Germany and Austria. But see, we are in sight of Saltash Bridge. Just below that structure I mean to bring up for the night. I regret, Mr. Hythe, I cannot give you an opportunity to stretch your legs upon Devon or Cornish soil, but I trust that you will realize that circumstances prevent my so doing."

The "Aphrodite" sank to the bed of the river between the lofty bridge and the chains of the floating-bridge plying between the village of Saltash and the left bank of the Tamar. Here in fifty-six feet of water she was in absolute safety, and since there was no occasion to recharge her accumulators, she had chosen a berth where she was partially protected from the full force of the tide by water-pipes that are laid across the bed of the river by the side of the Albert Bridge.

Just before dinner Hythe asked if he could see his man, O'Shaunessey, and to this request Captain Restronguet made no objection. The sub could, of course, have had the Irishman sent to the cabin allotted to his personal use, but somehow he preferred to see the man in the crew's quarters. With so many mechanical and electrical contrivances about her Hythe fought shy of conversing with O'Shaunessey in his cabin; there might, he thought, be some device whereby the captain could overhear every word.

The men's living-room presented quite an animated scene when Hythe entered. Tea had just been finished, and the crew who were on "watch below" were playing cards, dominoes, and billiards, or else reading or talking. A large electric gramophone was reproducing the latest songs, interspersed with the old-time seamen's chanties that seemed utterly out of place within a submarine. Captain Restronguet, recognizing the demoralizing effect of ennui, had taken every safeguard to maintain a cheerful demeanour amongst his men.

Although nearly every one was smoking there was hardly any sign of fumes. Overhead three electric fans were expelling the smoke, but how the vapour was ejected from the vessel Hythe could not imagine.

O'Shaunessey was sitting at a table, eagerly conversing with two of the crew. The Irishman's sense of humour appealed to his new comrades, and with an adaptability that contrasted forcibly with his belligerent attitude earlier in the day, O'Shaunessey was cracking jokes right and left.

As the young officer entered, the crew stood up--not with the alacrity of naval men, but all the same with a sense of respect towards their superiors in rank.

"Carry on, men," exclaimed Hythe, and crossing over to where O'Shaunessey stood he asked him how he fared.

"Sure, an' I've fallen on me fate this time, sorr," replied the Irishman with a grin. "They are feeding me up like O'Leary's pig, an' it's a drap o' the old cratur they serve out at eight bells, which is more to me loikin' than navy rum--after the steward's wathered it."

The men to whom O'Shaunessey had been talking smiled broadly at this, and considerately moved away so that the sub and the seaman could converse in private. Hythe was beginning to be afraid that the Irishman was too contented to make an effort to obtain his liberty should occasion arise; but lowering his voice O'Shaunessey continued,

"All the same, sorr, it's to be back aboard the 'Investigator' that I'm wanting. 'Ave you any idea wan they'll let us out o' this?"

"Not in the least, O'Shaunessey. Nevertheless we must try to get clear as soon as possible, unless I receive definite orders to the contrary."

"Definite orders to the contrary, sorr? From where, may Oi make so bold as to ask?"

In a few words the sub imparted the information that news of their presence within the submarine had been sent to the Admiralty.

"St. Pathrick and the rest of the Saints be prised, sorr!" exclaimed O'Shaunessey fervently. "Sure, 'tis a load off me mind, for 'tis me ould mother in Ballydonfin, County Wexford, that might be lamentin' for her only son."

"They haven't asked you to join the crew?"

"Bad luck be on their heads if they did, by Jabers!" ejaculated the Irishman. "Sure, I'm thrue to me salt."

"Ssh," muttered Hythe warningly, then in a louder tone he added, "Well, I am pleased to learn that you are being well looked after, O'Shaunessey. I'll look in again soon, and see how you are getting on."

On returning to the captain's cabin Hythe found that dinner was about to be served, and Captain Restronguet and Devoran, the chief officer, were in evening dress.

"I am sorry I had no opportunity of bringing my mess-jacket," said the sub, half-humorously, half-apologetically. "But you see I came on short notice."

"Don't let that trouble you, Mr. Hythe," replied Captain Restronguet. "As a matter of fact, we invariably make it a practice of dressing for dinner. It recalls old times, doesn't it, Devoran?"

"Rather," replied the chief officer. Hythe noticed that for the time being all traces of differences in rank were set aside. Captain Restronguet and Mr. Devoran were more like staunch friends than superior and subordinate officers; but on all other occasions the latter's attitude was strictly conformable to etiquette afloat.

The dinner passed pleasantly. The three men, by an unspoken yet mutual consent, studiously avoided "shop," their conversation dwelling on ordinary every-day topics. All the same Hythe could not help noticing how conversant they both were with the latest plays, books, and the events that afford interest to the Man-about-Town.

After dinner Devoran left the cabin. The captain busied himself with writing, while Hythe, selecting a book from a small library, and lighting a cigar, sought the comfort of an easy chair.

For an hour Captain Restronguet wrote steadily. He seemed quite indifferent to his guest's presence. Presently the sub found himself nodding over the book. He had been up early, and had had a trying and exciting day.

"What, nearly asleep!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet, as he set aside his papers and writing material. "But I forgot; you must be tired. Your bed is quite ready, so you can retire as soon as you wish."

Nothing loth Hythe bade his host good-night, and ten minutes later he was sound asleep in a comfortable bunk, ten fathoms beneath the surface of the River Tamar.