The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-11-17
CHAPTER vi.
The sieoe of the Submarine

The Siege of the Submarine
'Tm positive it's the water, SIR
said Davies. "We've tried running
submerged, and the electric engines
won't drive her any faster than the
petrol ones. It's like running loco
motive on greasy rails.
Its planktOn," answered Donald
Marine organisms, you know.
He was standing beside Davies in
the coming tower. Ida had been
taken below and placed in Donald's
cabin. She had been hardly conscious
since her rescue; she was too numDed
from exposure to realize what had
occurred, and she had fallen asleep
Immediately.
At Fair island, which was an unin-
terrupted, cavernOus rock, Donald eX-
pected to find the Oii-ship, from which
his stores were to be replenished.
Then he was to patrol the northern
area of the North sea with the aid of
the airplane. A stock of supplies in
the shape of food was also expected
at the island.
But now Donald was wondering
whether it was not his duty to return
to the mainland to report the destruc-
ton of the enemy cruiser. OF course
the officers of the Flying corps who
would be with the airplane could I'M
dertake this duty. But then there was
Ida. And there was the swarm of
devil men that had appeared.
How could he tell the navy depart
ment of this without being relieved of
his command? But how could he fail
to tell them?
Donald looked keenly at Davies.
He was a nice little chap, disciplined,
clean, alert, the beau-ideal of n naval
officer in embryo What he liked best
about the little MILDLY was his resolu-
ton; he knew that Davies would
never hesitate to take responsibility
whenever he thought his duty required
a prompt decision.
Donald could have no better conf
dant. And he needed one as sorely as
Masterman had done.
Davies" he said, I'm going to tell
you something. It's not the engines,
but it isn't altogether the water Ell
Their. The plankton wouldn't stop us.
And it's too fine to clog the machin-
cry. Something is trying to push US
back, Davies"
81 beg your pardon, sir?''
81 was warned about it before
left New York. continued Donald.
''What I'm going to tell you will
sound Incredible, but it happens to
be true. You know, Davies, our an
cestOrs were marine creatures?"
81 thought they were monkeys. sir.
Ar least n long time ago
Long before they were monkeys,
Davies. AT least. they first lived in
the sea. And we became monkeys
afterward. and then men,"
Yes. sir. was going to say that
the electric engines show signs of de-
velOping-"
zone moment, please. Davies.
There's another swarm of deep-Sea
men coming to Overrun the earth.
Masterman told me-yOu've heard of
AIasterman, the marine explorer? He
told me he'd seen them-no, felt
them-befOre he died. felt them to-
day. They attacked and upset u.s."
Excuse me. sir" said Davies. but
wouldn't you like to lie down? l can
take the T55 to the island. sir, and
we'll call you when we are at anchor
"PleaSe listen to me, Davies. They
are invisible, these monsters, all ex
cept the eyes, which look like cur
rants. When they die the albuminouS
parts of the body harden. producing
a milky opacity. They look then some
thing like hairless monsters. AND
they're trying to stop the submarine
from making Fair island, just as they
tried to draw the boat there. They
He broke off. nonplused by the
middy's polite. respectful stare Don
aid had not imagined that the stor,
would sound SO grOteSque. He hardI!
believed now chat he could make Da
vieS realize its truth.
I'm sorry TO hear about them, sir,
said Davies. What do you wish M
TO do?''
Keep the matches closed" said Don
aid. 1--WE are taking a risk not sub
merging. but We h. re got to max
Fair island. If they get aboard, it vii
be a fight to the death. Happily,
isn't hard to kill them, only we can
see them. They are quite invisible, re
member. killed two OF them. Bette
serve out cutlasses-''
I'VE won't stand for any nonsens
tfrom thenn.s SIR" answered the mfdd,
Excuse me. sir, while call Clout
ito take the lookout He move
toward the entrance.
In few moments Sam Clouts cam
In. He saluted, but instead OF tasin
his post or the observation port,
remained stand.ag in front of Donai'