Middletown transcript., 1918-02-23
CHAPTER XVII.
The Pursuit.

ne PUT80V.
J Within the coming tower Donald
could hear distinctly the chugging OF
the engines of MacBeard's motorboat
Had he risen to the surface both YES
sells would have been invisible in the
hydrogen gloom; but +hen he might
have lost his quarry. Under water he
could hear the sound greatly increased
in volume, and could better determine
its direction.
He surmised correctly that Aac-
Beard, having followed the swarm.
would attempt to lead 1t northward by
means of his tuning-f0rk. And the
swarm, sensing the presence of the
queen, would accompany the F55,
while MacBeard believed that he had
himself mustered them.
With the tip of her periscope just
submerged, Donald steered the F55.
Never had he followed SO shrewdly
upon an enemy's track. Now to port,
now to starboard, he followed the
sound Of the gasoline engines, while
Clouts watched them and Davies, in
the diving station, sent up an occa-
sional CHEEKY message.
Night fell and passed. Dawn came
up, although not a vestige Of light
could have been seen, even alloat. A
sooty column, hydrogen surcharged
with atmospheric dust, was passing up
the Norwegian coast.
At noon Davies, whose duties had
not been constant enough to prevent
him from enjoying q short slumber,
begged to take Donald's place. But
Donald refused.
AS he ran the boat his brain ham,
ne-ed out the clear outlines of his
plan. He would lead the herd into
Skiold ford, leave Davies in charge,
kill MacBeard and rescue Ida. Then
he would send her overland southwark
with Clouts, and remain until a ship
could arrive with materials to block
the passage.
The high, precipitous cliffs Of the
ford would effectively bar in the mon
sters. For a few days or weeks the
worlds menace would writhe there like
wounded snake. Then it would pass.
Donald had no doubt of his plan.
But he did not dare to dream of
Ida; only he set himself resolutely to
the pursuit.
So they drove on up the Norwegian
coast all day, and when night fell they
were still hard on the chase.
Davies called through the engine
room tube.
.'There isn't much power in the bat
teries, SIR" he said. "That salt water
cut our running reserve in half, and
we've been using it pretty freely. The
dynamo coil was injured by the sea
water"
go on, full speed" said Donald.
"MacBeard must have been running
slowly, sir, to save his gasoline. II he
puts on squirt we're DONE"
"Drive till the electrics fail, then
We'll come up and use the petrol mo-
tors"
Donald could see by the chart that
they were within twenty miles Of their
destination when the speed Of the F55
began to fail. She dropped to nine
knots, to eight. The sounds Of the
gasoline engine were growing fainter.
Donald called down the tube.
Bring her up!" he shouted.
AYE, aye, sir!" Clouts called back.
And the F55, climbing out Of the
water like a sea otter, seemed to shake |
the drops from her, and continued IN
der the moon.
Far in the distance Donald could see
the dense column Of fog, as it dis
appeared toward the Norwegian shore.
That smoky devil MacBeard had
himself in obscurity to his
own undoing. He did not dream Of
the Nemesis upon his heels.
"He's squirting for Skiold ford"
said Davies.
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