CHAPTER XIV.
BATTLE BETWEEN THE "SWORD" AND THE TUG.
Through all this sleepless night I have followed the keg in fancy. Howmany times I seem to see it swept against the rocks in the tunnel intoa creek, or some excavation. I am in a cold perspiration from head tofoot. Then I imagine that it has been carried out to sea. Heavens!if the returning tide should sweep it back to the entrance and thenthrough the tunnel into the lagoon! I must be on the lookout for it.
I rise before the sun and saunter down to the lagoon. Not a singleobject is floating on its calm surface.
The work on the tunnel through the side of the cavern goes on, and atfour o'clock in the afternoon on September 23, Engineer Serko blowsaway the last rock obstructing the issue, and communication with theouter world is established. It is only a very narrow hole, and onehas to stoop to go through it. The exterior orifice is lost among thecrannies of the rocky coast, and it would be easy to obstruct it, ifsuch a measure became necessary.
It goes without saying that the passage will be strictly guarded. Noone without special authorization will be able either to go out orcome in, therefore there is little hope of escape in that direction.
_September 25._--This morning the tug rose from the depth of thelagoon to the surface, and has now run alongside the jetty. The Countd'Artigas and Captain Spade disembark, and the crew set to work toland the provisions--boxes of canned meat, preserves, barrels of wineand spirits, and other things brought by the _Ebba,_ among which areseveral packages destined for Thomas Roch. The men also land thevarious sections of Roch's engines which are discoid in shape.
The inventor watches their operations, and his eyes glisten witheagerness. He seizes one of the sections, examines it, and nodsapproval. I notice that his joy no longer finds expression inincoherent utterances, that he is completely transformed from what hewas while a patient at Healthful House. So much is this the case thatI begin to ask myself whether his madness which was asserted to beincurable, has not been radically cured.
At last Thomas Roch embarks in the boat used for crossing the lake andis rowed over to his laboratory. Engineer Serko accompanies him. In anhour's time the tug's cargo has all been taken out and transported tothe storehouses.
Ker Karraje exchanges a word or two with Engineer Serko and thenenters his mansion. Later, in the afternoon, I see them walking up anddown in front of the Beehive and talking earnestly together.
Then they enter the new tunnel, followed by Captain Spade. If I couldbut follow them! If I could but breathe for awhile the bracing airof the Atlantic, of which the interior of Back Cup only receivesattenuated puffs, so to speak.
_From September 26 to October 10_.--Fifteen days have elapsed. Underthe directions of Engineer Serko and Thomas Roch the sections of theengines have been fitted together. Then the construction of theirsupports is begun. These supports are simple trestles, fitted withtransverse troughs or grooves of various degrees of inclination, andwhich could be easily installed on the deck of the _Ebba_, or evenon the platform of the tug, which can be kept on a level with thesurface.
Thus Ker Karraje, will be ruler of the seas, with his yacht. Nowarship, however big, however powerful, will be able to cross the zoneof danger, whereas the _Ebba_ will be out of range of its guns. Ifonly my notice were found! If only the existence of this lair of BackCup were known! Means would soon be found, if not of destroying theplace, at least of starving the band into submission!
_October 20_.--To my extreme surprise I find this morning that the tughas gone away again. I recall that yesterday the elements of the pileswere renewed, but I thought it was only to keep them in order. Inview of the fact that the outside can now be reached through the newtunnel, and that Thomas Roch has everything he requires, I can onlyconclude that the tug has gone off on another marauding expedition.
Yet this is the season of the equinoctial gales, and the Bermudanwaters are swept by frequent tempests. This is evident from theviolent gusts that drive back the smoke through the crater and theheavy rain that accompanies it, as well as by the water in the lagoon,which swells and washes over the brown rocks on its shores.
But it is by no means sure that the _Ebba_ has quitted her cove.However staunch she may be, she is, it seems to me, of too light abuild to face such tempests as now rage, even with the help of thetug.
On the other hand, although the tug has nothing to fear from the heavyseas, as it would be in calm water a few yards below the surface, itis hardly likely that it has gone on a trip unless to accompany theschooner.
I do not know to what its departure can be attributed, but its absenceis likely to be prolonged, for it has not yet returned.
Engineer Serko has remained behind, but Ker Karraje, Captain Spade,and the crew of the schooner, I find, have left.
Life in the cavern goes on with its usual dispiriting monotony. I passhour after hour in my cell, meditating, hoping, despairing, followingin fancy the voyage of my little barrel, tossed about at the mercyof the currents and whose chances of being picked up, I fear, arebecoming fainter each day, and killing time by writing my diary, whichwill probably not survive me.
Thomas Roch is constantly occupied in his laboratory manufacturing hisdeflagrator. I still entertain the conviction that nothing will everinduce him to give up the secret of the liquid's composition; but I amperfectly aware that he will not hesitate to place his invention atKer Karraje's service.
I often meet Engineer Serko when my strolls take me in the directionof the Beehive. He always shows himself disposed to chat with me,though, it is true, he does so in a tone of impertinent frivolity.We converse upon all sorts of subjects, but rarely of my position.Recrimination thereanent is useless and only subjects me to renewedbantering.
_October 22_.--To-day I asked Engineer Serko whether the _Ebba_ hadput to sea again with the tug.
"Yes, Mr. Simon Hart," he replied, "and though the clouds gather andloud the tempest roars, be in no uneasiness in regard to our dear_Ebba_."
"Will she be gone long?"
"We expect her back within forty-eight hours. It is the last voyageCount d'Artigas proposes to make before the winter gales rendernavigation in these parts impracticable."
"Is her voyage one of business or pleasure?"
"Of business, Mr. Hart, of business," answered Engineer Serko witha smile. "Our engines are now completed, and when the fine weatherreturns we shall resume offensive operations."
"Against unfortunate merchantmen."
"As unfortunate as they are richly laden."
"Acts of piracy, whose impunity will, I trust, not always be assured,"I cried..
"Calm yourself, dear colleague, be calm! Be calm! No one, you know,can ever discover our retreat, and none can ever disclose the secret!Besides, with these engines, which are so easily handled and are ofsuch terrible power, it would be easy for us to blow to pieces anyship that attempted to get within a certain radius of the island."
"Providing," I said, "that Thomas Roch has sold you the composition ofhis deflagrator as he has sold you that of his fulgurator."
"That he has done, Mr. Hart, and it behooves me to set your mind atrest upon that point."
From this categorical response I ought to have concluded that themisfortune had been consummated, but a certain hesitation in theintonation of his voice warned me that implicit reliance was not to beplaced upon Engineer Serko's assertions.
_October 25_.--What a frightful adventure I have just been mixed upin, and what a wonder I did not lose my life! It is only by a miraclethat I am able to resume these notes, which have been interrupted forforty-eight hours. With a little luck, I should have been delivered!I should now be in one of the Bermudan ports--St. George or Hamilton.The mysteries of Back Cup would have been cleared up. The descriptionof the schooner would have been wired all over the world, and shewould not dare to put into any port. The provisioning of Back Cupwould be impossible, and Ker Karraje's bandits would be condemned tostarve to death!
This is what occurred:
r /> At eight o'clock in the evening on October 23, I quitted my cell inan indefinable state of nervousness, and with a presentiment that aserious event was imminent. In vain I had tried to seek calmness insleep. It was impossible to do so, and I rose and went out.
Outside Back Cup the weather must have been very rough. Violent gustsof wind swept in through the crater and agitated the water of thelagoon.
I walked along the shore on the Beehive side. No one was about. Itwas rather cold, and the air was damp. The pirates were all snuglyensconced in their cells, with the exception of one man, who stoodguard over the new passage, notwithstanding that the outer entrancehad been blocked. From where he was this man could not see the lagoon,moreover there were only two lamps alight, one on each side ofthe lake, and the forest of pillars was wrapt in the profoundestobscurity.
I was walking about in the shadow, when some one passed me.
I saw that he was Thomas Roch.
He was walking slowly, absorbed by his thoughts, his brain at work, asusual.
Was this not a favorable opportunity to talk to him, to enlighten himabout what he was probably ignorant, namely, the character of thepeople into whose hands he had fallen?
"He cannot," I argued, "know that the Count d'Artigas is none otherthan Ker Karraje, the pirate. He cannot be aware that he has given upa part of his invention to such a bandit. I must open his eyes to thefact that he will never be able to enjoy his millions, that he is aprisoner in Back Cup, and will never be allowed to leave it, anymore than I shall. Yes, I will make an appeal to his sentiments ofhumanity, and point out to him what frightful misfortunes he will beresponsible for if he does not keep the secret of his deflagrator."
All this I had said to myself, and was preparing to carry out myresolution, when I suddenly felt myself seized from behind.
Two men held me by the arms, and another appeared in front of me.
Before I had time to cry out the man exclaimed in English:
"Hush! not a word! Are you not Simon Hart?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I saw you come out of your cell."
"Who are you, then?"
"Lieutenant Davon, of the British Navy, of H.M.S. _Standard_, which isstationed at the Bermudas."
Emotion choked me so that it was impossible for me to utter a word.
"We have come to rescue you from Ker Karraje, and also propose tocarry off Thomas Roch," he added.
"Thomas Roch?" I stammered.
"Yes, the document signed by you was found on the beach at St.George----"
"In a keg, Lieutenant Davon, which I committed to the waters of thelagoon."
"And which contained," went on the officer, "the notice by which wewere apprised that the island of Back Cup served as a refuge for KerKarraje and his band--Ker Karraje, this false Count d'Artigas, theauthor of the double abduction from Healthful House."
"Ah! Lieutenant Davon----"
"Now we have not a moment to spare, we must profit by the obscurity."
"One word, Lieutenant Davon, how did you penetrate to the interior ofBack Cup?"
"By means of the submarine boat _Sword_, with which we have beenmaking experiments at St. George for six months past."
"A submarine boat!"
"Yes, it awaits us at the foot of the rocks. And now, Mr. Hart, whereis Ker Karraje's tug?"
"It has been away for three weeks."
"Ker Karraje is not here, then?"
"No, but we expect him back every day--every hour, I might say."
"It matters little," replied Lieutenant Davon. "It is not after KerKarraje, but Thomas Roch, we have come--and you also, Mr. Hart. The_Sword_ will not leave the lagoon till you are both on board. If shedoes not turn up at St. George again, they will know that I havefailed--and they will try again."
"Where is the _Sword_, Lieutenant?"
"On this side, in the shadow of the bank, where it cannot be seen.Thanks to your directions, I and my crew were able to locate thetunnel. We came through all right, and ten minutes ago rose to thesurface of the lake. Two men landed with me. I saw you issue from thecell marked on your plan. Do you know where Thomas Roch is?"
"A few paces off. He has just passed me, on his way to hislaboratory."
"God be praised, Mr. Hart!"
"Amen, Lieutenant Davon."
The lieutenant, the two men and I took the path around the lagoon.We had not gone far when we perceived Thomas Roch in front of us. Tothrow ourselves upon him, gag him before he could utter a cry, bindhim before he could offer any resistance, and bear him off to theplace where the _Sword_ was moored was the work of a minute.
The _Sword_ was a submersible boat of only twelve tons, andconsequently much inferior to the tug, both in respect of dimensionsand power. Her screw was worked by a couple of dynamos fitted withaccumulators that had been charged twelve hours previously in the portof St. George. However, the _Sword_ would suffice to take us out ofthis prison, to restore us to liberty--that liberty of which I hadgiven up all hope. Thomas Roch was at last to be rescued from theclutches of Ker Karraje and Engineer Serko. The rascals would not beable to utilize his invention, and nothing could prevent the warshipsfrom landing a storming party on the island, who would force thetunnel in the wall and secure the pirates!
We saw no one while the two men were conveying Thomas Roch to the_Sword_, and all got on board without incident. The lid was shut andsecured, the water compartments filled, and the _Sword_ sank out ofsight. We were saved!
The _Sword_ was divided into three water-tight compartments. The afterone contained the accumulators and machinery. The middle one, occupiedby the pilot, was surmounted by a periscope fitted with lenticularportholes, through which an electric search-lamp lighted the waythrough the water. Forward, in the other compartment, Thomas Roch andI were shut in.
My companion, though the gag which was choking him had been removed,was still bound, and, I thought, knew what was going on.
But we were in a hurry to be off, and hoped to reach St. George thatvery night if no obstacle was encountered.
I pushed open the door of the compartment and rejoined LieutenantDavon, who was standing by the man at the wheel. In the aftercompartment three other men, including the engineer, awaited thelieutenant's orders to set the machinery in motion.
"Lieutenant Davon," I said, "I do not think there is any particularreason why I should stay in there with Roch. If I can help you to getthrough the tunnel, pray command me."
"Yes, I shall be glad to have you by me, Mr. Hart."
It was then exactly thirty-seven minutes past eight.
The search-lamp threw a vague light through the water ahead of the_Sword_. From where we were, we had to cross the lagoon through itsentire length to get to the tunnel. It would be pretty difficult tofetch it, we knew, but, if necessary, we could hug the sides of thelake until we located it. Once outside the tunnel the _Sword_ wouldrise to the surface and make for St. George at full speed.
"At what depth are we now?" I asked the lieutenant.
"About a fathom."
"It is not necessary to go any lower," I said. "From what I was ableto observe during the equinoctial tides, I should think that we are inthe axis of the tunnel."
"All right," he replied.
Yes, it was all right, and I felt that Providence was speaking by themouth of the officer. Certainly Providence could not have chosen abetter agent to work its will.
In the light of the lamp I examined him. He was about thirty years ofage, cool, phlegmatic, with resolute physiognomy--the English officerin all his native impassibility--no more disturbed than if he had beenon board the _Standard_, operating with extraordinary _sang-froid,_ Imight even say, with the precision of a machine.
"On coming through the tunnel I estimated its length at about fiftyyards," he remarked.
"Yes, Lieutenant, about fifty yards from one extremity to the other."
This calculation must have been pretty exact, since the new tunnel cuton a level with the coast is thi
rty-five feet in length.
The order was given to go ahead, and the _Sword_ moved forward veryslowly for fear of colliding against the rocky side.
Sometimes we came near enough to it to distinguish a black mass aheadof it, but a turn of the wheel put us in the right direction again.Navigating a submarine boat in the open sea is difficult enough. Howmuch more so in the confines of a lagoon!
After five minutes' manoeuvring, the _Sword_, which was kept at abouta fathom below the surface, had not succeeded in sighting the orifice.
"Perhaps it would be better to return to the surface, Lieutenant," Isaid. "We should then be able to see where we are."
"I think you are right, Mr. Hart, if you can point out just aboutwhere the tunnel is located."
"I think I can."
"Very well, then."
As a precaution the light was turned off. The engineer set the pumpsin motion, and, lightened of its water ballast, the boat slowly rosein the darkness to the surface.
I remained at my post so that I could peer through the lookouts.
At last the ascensional movement of the _Sword_ stopped, and theperiscope emerged about a foot.
On one side of me, lighted by the lamp by the shore, I could see theBeehive.
"What is your opinion?" demanded the lieutenant.
"We are too far north. The orifice is in the west side of the cavern."
"Is anybody about?"
"Not a soul."
"Capital, Mr. Hart. Then we will keep on a level with the surface, andwhen we are in front of the tunnel, and you give the signal, we willsink."
It was the best thing to be done. We moved off again and the pilotkept her head towards the tunnel.
When we were about twelve yards off I gave the signal to stop. As soonas the current was turned off the _Sword_ stopped, opened her watertanks and slowly sank again.
Then the light in the lookout was turned on again, and there in frontof us was a black circle that did not reflect the lamp's rays.
"There it is, there is the tunnel!" I cried.
Was it not the door by which I was going to escape from my prison? Wasnot liberty awaiting me on the other side?
Gently the _Sword_ moved towards the orifice.
Oh! the horrible mischance! How have I survived it? How is it that myheart is not broken?
A dim light appeared in the depth of the tunnel, about twenty-fiveyards in front of us. The advancing light could be none other thanthat, projected through the lookout of Ker Karraje's submarine boat.
"The tug! The tug!" I exclaimed. "Lieutenant, here is the tugreturning to Back Cup!"
"Full speed astern," ordered the officer, and the _Sword_ drew backjust as she was about to enter the tunnel.
One chance remained. The lieutenant had swiftly turned off the light,and it was just possible that we had not been seen by the people inthe tug. Perhaps, in the dark waters of the lagoon, we should escapenotice, and when the oncoming boat had risen and moored to the jetty,we should be able to slip out unperceived.
We had backed close in to the south side and the _Sword_ was about tostop, but alas, for our hopes! Captain Spade had seen that anothersubmarine boat was about to issue through the tunnel, and he wasmaking preparations to chase us. How could a frail craft like the_Sword_ defend itself against the attacks of Ker Karraje's powerfulmachine?
Lieutenant Davon turned to me and said: "Go back to the compartmentwhere Thomas Roch is and shut yourself in. I will close theafter-door. There is just a chance that if the tug rams us thewater-tight compartments will keep us up."
After shaking hands with the lieutenant, who was as cool as though wewere in no danger, I went forward and rejoined Thomas Roch. I closedthe door and awaited the issue in profound darkness.
Then I could feel the desperate efforts made by the _Sword_ toescape from or ram her enemy. I could feel her rushing, gyrating andplunging. Now she would twist to avoid a collision. Now she would riseto the surface, then sink to the bottom of the lagoon. Can any oneconceive such a struggle as that in which, like two marine monsters,these machines were engaged in beneath the troubled waters of thisinland lake?
A few minutes elapsed, and I began to think that the _Sword_ hadeluded the tug and was rushing through the tunnel.
Suddenly there was a collision. The shock was not, it seemed to me,very violent, but I could be under no illusion: the _Sword_ had beenstruck on her starboard quarter. Perhaps her plates had resisted,and if not, the water would only invade one of her compartments, Ithought.
Almost immediately after, however, there was another shock that pushedthe _Sword_ with extreme violence. She was raised by the ram of thetug which sawed and ripped its way into her side. Then I could feelher heel over and sink straight down, stern foremost.
Thomas Roch and I were tumbled over violently by. this movement. Therewas another bump, another ripping sound, and the _Sword_ lay still.
Just what happened after that I am unable to say, for I lostconsciousness.
I have since learned that all this occurred many hours ago.
I however distinctly remember that my last thought was:
"If I am to die, at any rate Thomas Roch and his secret perish withme--and the pirates of Back Cup will not escape punishment for theircrimes."