Pluck and Luck #139: Jack Wright and His Deep Sea Monitor — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

wrath, as he imagined that he had been knocked down for a ‘joke, and Hopkins rapidly unscrewed Jack’s visor glass. ; ~ \ "Then he took off the boy’s suit. ‘Vieags ~The young inventor, half drowned, was unconscious. - . In such experienced hands as those of the professor and AP Fritz, however, he was soon revived, and in half an hour had entirely recovered from the effects of his adventure. Soon afterwards Fritz gave them their breakfast, and they = all turned in for a much needed rest. It was late in the afternoon before they were up and about again, and Jack returned to the pilot-heuse. S The air gauge indicated that they would soon have to go ae te the top, and the boy then examined the batteries, and found -. that they were in exceilent working order: ' - The machinery needed lubricating, and he sent Tim to at- tend to it, while the professor examined the guns. ; Jack sent the camera to the top, shut off the lights, and the _ board reflected the scene above the sea.. -- Jt was a clear day, : Not a man or ship was anywhere in sight, but he observed that the pirates had marked the spot where the monitor went “ay down with a white painted buoy, < “They evidently intend to come back some time in the near = future to.go fishing for our dead bodies and the golden idol, 4 iy laughed the young inveutor, withdrawing the camera. a “Verily, my Christian friend,” smilingly answered the pro- ee. fessor, accidentally treading on Whiskers’ paw, “but they won't find it.” Jack went back into the storeroom, and opened a box con- taining several hundred small cépper cylinders, pointed at one end with needle-like spikes, and finished at the other end _ with electrical binding-posts. I They were filled with his own patent high explosive, and as _ Tim and Fritz came in, he pointed at them and said: x “Each of these cylinders is capabie of blowing up a hundred I am going to use them in a short time.” e bs Why then I reckon as ye want us ter help yer?” said Tim.. atic _“Bxactly. We are going to the pirates’ lagoon, and get un- a ‘derneath their fleet. Fritz can put on a diving suit.” _ “Yah, I t'ink so, But vot iss? I can do me someding for _ you?” i agg 8: will be your business to jab one of these bombs into the = bottom of each one of the ships. Then attach a running wire ; * from one binding-post to the other, till we have got them all et strung together, after which the line can be brought into the ue ‘pilot-house. I will then send a current of electricity through When they ciaeay there won’t be Sth sets —" at and burst the bombs. 8 ‘ship. left,” 1 Tim and Fritz were delighted with this plan. ‘3 ‘Jack returned to the pilot-house, brought the monitor to the Eeaniice. and when a supply of air was stored on board, he sub- | ie the Sea Serpent again twenty feet. _ Then away she started for the pirates’ lair, the camera on Be the surface showing’ them “the way, and Fritz merrily playing -a tune, on his old accordion. Bers. : In due course of time the ‘Sea Serpent reached the place afore Jack had bombarded the cliffs, and she passed over the - faten rocks into the lagoon. — hg Here they saw the pirates’ squadron of ships calmly lying af gi “anchor, most of the crew being ashore. ; ee From within the lagoon they saw the pirates’ village clus- lee tered on a plateau up among the rocks, and fluttering from ey a tall flag pole, rising from the midst of it, there was a huge st ck flug with a white skull and cross-bones in the middle, — 7 here came sounds) OF music, Matha erid) wevelsy : trom the ar hess Reet tin si , ene the ‘ocean b outlaws: | « ‘ et = cC HC: 4; rao Saale Into ine boat Jack was pulled, the Dutch boy roaring cay 2 Like a shadow the Sea" Serpent glided gent Ae binocular, ie saw that she was the Terror. ‘gerous reef. | them ‘see BelacdS the coral bank ran. ae amon: ships, Fritz standing out on the forward deck clad ina of mail, the box of bombs standing beside him. — as From one handsome ship to the other glided the ayen deep, sea boat, and cylinder atter cylinder was attached to th hulls of the fleet. : ! _ In a short time every one of the ships had a mine amtxed to its flanks, with a wire running from one to the other. | As soon as they were all in readiness the end of the wir €) 2 was secured to a binding-post on the outside front of the ; turret, and the Sea Serpent recoiled out to the sea. . Fritz came inside presently. | “Is everything in readiness?” asked Jack. “Hveryt’ing!” replied the Dutch boy. “Then here goes the whole fleet!” As the boy spoke he teuched an electric press button, nd? electric current flashed to the torpedoes. a“ Sof : Instantly there came a roar that shook land and sea. ae h The camera showed them a cloud of dark debris flying wp to the sky from the lagoon, and when it came down pats ship of the, fleet had been blown to fragments. a A scene of wildest confusion ensued upon the rocks. hes a The terrified pirates fled inland at full speed, and in’ ten i ie minutes not a man was left in the place. ~ oe pate Jack then brought his beat to the surface. ay Sm at Hopkins had loaded the three guns, and as soon as the b ymaneuvered the monitor into a favorable position, he | two shots at the pirates’ village, and left it in ruins, af which he.sent the Sea Serpent away. | ets Viceaen . Then he ran along the coast until he reached the siege b Da bee je tery upon the face of the cliff. Seg BY Shot after shot was fired at it, Gatti at last not a gun was loft, and the pirates’ stronghold was entirely wrecked. fs es y Jack had carried out his purpose. | egieed The pirates of the island of Ruatan were okt bein heey Iz “And now to find the passage out to: the sea!” he - ex claimed. : {oa ead He drove the monitor over the barrier reef, “when Tin ro eried: Mee : a36 3 4 ae ae ae ee a “Sail.ho! Sail ho!” ae ss 3 cae “Where away?” the boy asked. Pape 2 oe “On our starboard quarter, sir.” | Nae “What do you make her out to be?” 5 tits ee “Blackbeard’s schooner, the Terror, an’ she’s abearin’ ¢ wr yas vu us fast, sir,” replied the old sailor. | CHAPTER XXVII. Ba: ae CONCLUSION. The schooner was heading for Ruatan, and her crew ha ving observed the monitor, Blackbeard had changed her « cou she bore away to the southward for Port Royal. ~° “We must find. ‘our way out from behind this reef," “Dere vhas only vun vay,” said Fritz. “Ve vie) got. te os along dot reef, und keep on runnin’ till ve bile ‘ “Then you go out on deck and keep a Jookout, 1 Jack, acting upon this sensible suggestion. wate Sis Ww SCS, 2 ‘The tide had_fallen, but did not expose the ae of the dan- They had only the ruffied eu of J water to le oe was Kept | as Clos at