Frank Reade Library: Six Sunken Pirates — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

S.-i SUNKEN PIRATES. 13 His head ached violently, his ideas were confused, his senses be- pumbed, and a stupor came over him. He was intensely sleepy, and tried in vain to throw it off. Finally he succumbed to it. And right there upon the stone steps he slept. How long he slept he never knew, But he came to with a peculiar shock. He experienced a sudden keen thrill, as ifa hundred needles were pricking him, He opened his eyes to see that a snake like form was wound about his leg. It required only a glance for Barney to see that it waa an eel. It was also one of the electric variety, and this explained the sting- ing sensation he had experienced. With asnort of anger he essayed to kick the creature off. Bat it clang to him tenaciously, and be was finally obliged to grip the creature with voth hands and pull it from its grip. This gave him a double shock. Having disposed of the eel, Barney was now wide awake. Be recalled his predicament, and strained his gaze in all directions for a glimpse of the Sea Mole. ‘‘ Begorra, that bates the Dutch!” he muttered. ‘' Phwere iver cud that boat have gone? Sbure it was foine work laving me here loike this!” His helmet light was all that kept him from being shrduded in the deepest gloom. The eternal loneliness and possible hopelessness of his position was appalling to Barney. He did not fear suffocation. He knew that the chemical generator would last for many weeks; but he even now felt the pangs of hunger. And of course it would be impossible for him to feed himself with the helmet on. This was out of the question. - $tarvation, then, would be his ultimate fate, unless his friends should return to hia rescue. That they would, if in their power, Barney well knew. ‘‘ Shure,” he muttered with something like resignatlon, ‘‘I can only make the best av it an’ wait fer thim. They’ ll be comin’ some time I’m shure!” So the courageous fellow settled himself down in a corner of a por- tico of one of the buildings and waited. Curious little happenings came up to claim his attention and thus while away the time. Numberless little fish hovered in schools over him. A carious looking crab tried to fasten upon his leaden diving shoes. But Barney repelled it with a vigorous kick. Then a sizable dog-fish thrust ita snout up against his helmet glass and gave him a start. Once a number of slimy eels came wriggling like snakes about him and it was with extreme difficulty that he fought them of. ‘¢ Begorra, this is the divil’s wn place,” muttered the Celt. ** Shure, it’s not a bit av peace they give yez, but they’re detarmined to ate me up. Bad cess to the little divils!” ‘‘ Wowever, those tormentors were as flies to a new foe which sud- denly appeared on the scene. This was in the shape of a huge shark, whose greedy eyes spied the Celt. The monater made a shoveling attempt to turn on its back and pick the Celt out of bis corner. But its nose was too broad and Barney gave it a terrilic blow with his ax. The water wag instantly colored with blood, an the shark churned it madly in his fury. Again he made a rush at the Celt and its sharp teet th actually grazed Barney’s ley. But the Irishman this time dealt it a blow with the keen ax which literally Cisemboweled it. This ended the conflict. With a breath of relief Barney drew back in his corner, while the shark’s body drifted away in the undertow. No more monsters of the deep ventured to disturb the Celt, and for a while he was left to his own devices. CHAPTER XII. BARNEY'S RESCUE—THE END, But what had become of the submarine boat and its crew? Where had the professor gone, and what was his reason for so un- ceremoniously absconding? This was a problem. _ After Barney’s separation from him the scientist had spent some time in examining the statues. Then be was about to turn his attention to the inner courtyard when a thrilling thing occurred. Down over the greal portico there came an immenge long slity coil. It looked like the folds of a mighty serpent, and Pentlow thought at that moment instinctively of the fabled sea serpent. ‘* Great Cicero!” he muttered, ‘* it is not safetc meet that monster, Where is Barney?” He looked about and saw that the Celt had vanished. It was perhaps not 80 Very strange at that moment that the pro- fessor should accept it as a fact that the Celt had also seen the sea monster and had fled to the Sea Mole to escape it. At any rate, this was Pentlow’s conclusion, and naturally he began to plan for his own 6nfety. The body of the sea serpent or eel, whatever it was, partly blocked the portico, and it was, Fe tA eausae non eaTuacis iis cai Racal! chosdied aut ttacmnsitacindl ean oroanampeenaasdin enn not safe to attempt to escape in that direction. There was a window near, and Pentlow rushed through this, He was conscious of a vision of fearful jaws and a frightful head, and then swam rather than leaped over the Sea Mole’s rail. In an instant he was in the vestible, and pressing the electric key, had expelled the water from it. ” Saved!” he muttered. ‘ By the shades of Plato, that was o close call!’ He threw off his helmet and sprung into the cabin. he met Frank Reade, Jr. The young inventor’s face was pale, as he cried: ‘“‘ You are safe, Pentiow?” ‘¢ Yes, but it was a close shave!” ‘‘ Where is Barney?” ‘* Borney?” Pentlow gasred the name. Then he turned deadly pale. ‘‘Great Jupiter!” he exclaimed, ‘‘is he not aboard?” ‘¢ We have not seen him!” ‘¢ Why—he disappeared—1I saw nothing more of him—I supposed, of course, that he was safe aboard before me.” ‘*He is not!” ‘*Then he must be in the palace.” ‘Tt ig likely. But if we can distract the monster’s attention he may he safe. We will at least try ir.” ‘¢ Good!” A warning cry came from Pomp in the pilot-house. It was very evidently not at all necessary to attempt to attract the sea monster's attention. It had already spotted the submarine boat. ous, For a moment it reared its powerful head and glared at the boat. Then it was seen that its form was not altogether that of a sea serpent. Its tail was serpentine, but its body was more like that of an alli- gator, save that it had many claws and short arms, surely a score in all. This gave it the appearance of a strange sort of dragon, and this was terrifying enough. ‘* Mercy on us!” cried Frank. ‘Who ever gaw the equal of that chap? Is he not a terrible beast?” ‘‘ Indeed, that is true,” agreed the professor. means to attack the boat?” ‘‘ Beyond a doubt. Look oat! or it will hit us!” But the command waa by far too late. As he did so, The result was curi- ‘*Do you suppose it Throw the lever our, Pomp—quick, \ The sea dragon, if such it might be called, made a lightning-like dart forward and struck the Sea Mole with terrific force. The boat quivered and careened upon its side. Then up it shot like a rocket, Up and up through the water it rashed with furious speed, and tore its way quickly to the surface. As it leaped up into daylight all were for a moment blinded by the. light of the suo. Then it was seen that naught was about them but the rolling waves of the Caribbean. ‘‘By Jove!” cried the professor, ‘‘do you think we are safe? Will not the creature come to the surface after us?’ ‘‘] think not,” cried Frank; ‘‘at apy rate we will take a little run away from the vicinity.” So the Sea Mole was given headway and ran some miles on the surface before it wags deemed a sure thing that they were not pur- sued by the dragon. And all this while they knew that Barney was somewhere at the bottom of the sea and consequently in awful peril. It was Frank’s purpose to at once return and effect the Celt’s rescue. But first he realized that 1t was best to see what particu- lar damage the boat had suffered. He rushed to that side of it which had been struck by the dragon and went out on deck. There was tke spot beyond a doubt where the monster had struck the vessel. He noted with something like a chill that the plates were started. Bu: there was no leakage. all was well, He returned to the cabin, and Pomp cried: ** Wha’ am we gwine to do about dat Vislhman, Marse Frank?” ‘“We are going back after bim at once!” replied Frank, ‘there shall be no time lost!” With which the young inventor stepped ap to the keyboard and pressed the reservoir valve. It was opened wide. Frank gave a start and looked about him. The boat did not sink. Again and again he called upon the valve to perform ite duty. Bach time it refuaed. Astounded as well as horrified, Frank started for the hold. Pentlow grasped his arm. ‘‘ What is wrong, Frank?” he asked, with pallid face. If the damage was no worse than this ‘¢ The reservoir valve is canght somewhere,” said Frank, evasively. - ‘Tam going down to fix it.” ‘* Can it be fixed?” For a moment the eyes of the two men met. Then Frank said: ‘Oh, yes, I think so. We shall very soon know.” Pomp aod the professor remained in the pilot house in the direst suspense. (C(O) an) (C JOO CS (C(O)