Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN THE S-12 WENT DOWN. matey, captain and that blasted swab. Rippin’ beggar, captain. “Ready, Bolton?” ‘« Aye, aye, sir.” I thinks to take Sandy’s hand when the captain turns away, but he gives me a ‘“Garn!” and has a shake all round with the men. They give him advice, too, one of ‘em sayin’ to look lively for Bella accusin’ him o’ stoppin’ on the way for a yap with a mermaid. Other ones dubious about him swimmin’ at all, if he does get to top, account o’ one 0’ his legs bein’ bound to shove starboard while t’other will be pushin’ port. It’s the lieutenant that stops the business. “ Cut the skylarking with him, men. He’ll need all the wind he’s got. Draw him a double ration of rum, first cox’un.” Sandy holds his cup to the captain. “ Like to say here’s luck, sir.” “ Thanks, Bolton. Luck yourself. When you get to surface strike hard-all for the shore. We're about two miles off. Hunt nearest telephone or telegraph and notify base. I'll write down our position for you. Get the wreck raisers here on the double. I'll send up more oil patches. If shore radio can pick up any vessels near, have ‘em stand by for emergency. Tell them our sound signals are growing weaker fast, and can’t be heard far. Remember my compliments to the missus. Bet she’s a fine girl.” “ Ave, aye, sir.” “ Go ahead, lieutenant. Starboard beam tube.” ss “Stand by starboard beam tube, Bol- ton,” the lieutenant orders. ‘‘ When you're loaded shipshape, I’ll give two knocks for warning, then one knock for letting in water. I'll give you the air on the five second count after that. Is this all clear?” “Two knocks,” says Sandy, “ and I start prayin’. One knock for amen. Count five and r m gone for a bit of a swim. All clear, sir.’ With the men crowdin’ behind, the lieu- tenant and Sandy go up to the starboard tube. I’m wonderin’ if that beggar has nothin’ to say to me, when he gets hold o’ 563 my hand, s’reptitious like, and he says, sort 6’ mumblin’: ‘“ Chum,” “Chum,” I says. Then we starts shovin’ him in, head first. I’d a sworn we’d never do it, account o’ his knees, but on the third heave there he is, we lookin’ at the soles o’ his feet. The lieutenant asks him: “ All right in there?” His voice comes out, muffled: “ All right, sir.” ‘* Close tube!” There’s a bang, with the tube bein’ closed, and it’s loud, and it’s the cheerio bang for Sandy, one way or t’other. Made a fellow think about Bella kind o’ different * from any time yet. “Stand by,” the lieutenant warns tor- pedoes. “ Aye, aye, sir,”” Watts replies from aft. “Twenty pounds pressure, Watts. Be careful. No more.” “Twenty pounds. Aye, aye, sir.” The lieutenant lifts his torch and throws his light beam up. We’re quiet. Could 0’ heard most anything drop. With somethin’ metal he’d picked up, the lieutenant gives twe knocks on the tube. “ Stand by the sluice door,’ he calls, and I jumps to the sluice door wheel, my station at firin’. “When I give one knock,” says the lieutenant, “ run it back hard-all. Put your soul behind it, second.” “ Back hard-all, full soul, on the knock. Aye, aye, sir.” There’s a warnin’ swing from the lieuten- ant’s torch. One knock. I gives the sluice door wheel hard-all, full soul. The water gurgles as the door swings hard. J hear the lieutenant countin’ out loud: * __two—three—four—”’ ‘‘ Sluice door’s full open, sir,” I tells him. “« __five—Fire!” There’s a click and, damme! if I don’t dodge it as if it was somethin’ hittin’ me instead o’ just torpedoes lettin’ go. There’s a hiss, and a sort o’ bumpin’ sound, empty like. ‘“ Fire it is, sir,” calls Watts from aft. ‘““He’s gone, men,” the licutenant says, - soundin’ farther off than Watts does aft. Gomichooks (FE)