Under the Ocean to the South Pole | Page 9

ahead in the dimness caused by being under
water. But we'll soon get used to it. Luckily, the Porpoise was not
damaged by the shock."
For several hours the Porpoise was kept on her course. She behaved
handsomely, and nothing excepting slight and easily remedied defects
were found. The professor steered well out to sea, increasing both the
forward speed and the depth to which the vessel sank. Presently the
craft came to a stop with a little jolt.
"What's the trouble?" asked Mark, somewhat alarmed.
"Nothing at all," replied the professor with a smile, as he stepped out of
the conning tower and entered the engine-room. "I thought it was time
for dinner so I stopped the ship. We are now resting on the ocean bed,
about half a mile below the surface. Look!"
As he spoke he slid back the slides covering the plate glass windows.
The boys saw that the ship rested in the midst of an immense forest of
sea weed. Some of the stalks were as large around as trees. In and out
among the snake-like, waving branches swam big fishes. It was a weird,
but beautiful sight.
"Come, Washington, serve dinner," ordered Mr. Henderson, and the
colored man soon had a good meal prepared. Few repasts have been
eaten under such strange circumstances.
Desiring to be back at his secluded dock by nightfall, Captain
Henderson soon started the Porpoise up again. Without any accidents
the return trip was made and by nine o'clock the Porpoise rode safely at
the dock where she had been launched.
The night was spent in the cabin on shore. Early the next morning Mr.

Henderson paid a visit to the ship, to make a thorough examination by
daylight, and see if the craft had suffered any damage.
"I think you and Mark will have to make a trip to town," he said to Jack
at the breakfast table. "I need a new monkey wrench and some other
tools and some small pieces of machinery. I'll give you a list of them,
and you can bring them back in a valise, for they will be quite
numerous."
After the meal the inventor made a record of what he needed and the
boys started off.
"In case the machine shop does not have everything and you have to
wait for something, you had better stay in the town all night," the
captain of the Porpoise said. "It is quite a long trip and I don't want you
traveling after dark. Put up at the hotel if you are delayed."
Provided with money for their purchase, and a large valise in which to
carry them, the boys started off. They had to walk two miles to where a
trolley line was built that ran to the town of Easton, where they were to
get the tools and parts of machinery.
They made the trip safely and without incident. When they gave the
machinist, to whom they had been directed by Mr. Henderson, the list
of the things needed, the man looked puzzled.
"I'll have to make one piece," he said. "You'll have to wait for it. Can't
promise it before to-morrow morning about eight o'clock."
"That will be all right," remarked Mark. "We'll call for it then."
So, bearing in mind Mr. Henderson's instructions, the boys engaged a
room at the hotel, which was quite a large one, for Easton was a
favorite summer resort and the town was filled with visitors. The lads
strolled about the town, had their dinner, and then went for a bath in the
surf. They retired early, for they were tired.
In the middle of the night Mark began to dream that he was on board

the Porpoise and that the submarine blew up. There was a loud noise,
he saw a bright flash of flame, and saw rolling clouds of smoke. So
vivid was the vision that he thought he tried to leap out of the boat, and
awoke with a jump, to find Jack shaking him.
"What's the matter?" inquired Mark.
"The hotel's on fire!" shouted Jack.
Mark sprang out of bed and with Jack rushed to the window, for their
room was filled with thick smoke. They could see the dull glare of
flames, which every moment were becoming brighter.
The next instant a loud explosion shook the building. It swayed and
seemed likely to topple over. Outside the boys could hear excited
shouts and the puffing and whistling of fire engines.
"Quick! Run!" yelled Mark. He opened the door leading into the
corridor, but was driven back by a rush of flames and smoke that
almost stifled him.
"We must try the fire escape!" shouted Mark.
"Don't forget the valise with the tools;" exclaimed Jack, and Mark
hastened to where he had placed it