On came that fin-line.
There was nothing more that Jack could do, save to hold the wheel rigid.
On for the bow of the "Hastings" came the fin-line. Would that moving
torpedo strike, hurling them all to destruction?
It must have been by a hair's breath, but that fin-line crossed the bow
of the submarine. It had gone on, beyond--harmlessly, now!
"What's that you're saying, Eph?" demanded Jack. "Oh, yes; you want to
know why I bowled you over in that fashion. Because there wasn't time
to speak. I was crazy to get the reverse gear at work, and take us out
of the path of that torpedo aimed for us."
"Torpedo?" demanded Eph Somers, thunderstruck.
"Torpedo?" repeated Jacob Farnum, in bewilderment.
"Yes," broke in Lieutenant Danvers, stepping forward. "See, its force
is expended, and now it's floating on the water over there off the
starboard bow."
Jacob Farnum stared at it as though utterly unable to comprehend
anything.
"I saw the thing coming our way," went on the naval officer, hastily,
"though not as soon as Benson did.
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