Frank Reade Library: Six Sunken Pirates — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 SIX SUNKEN PIRATES. SS ee It seemed an age before the young inventor returned. When he came in his face was very pale and his manner dejected. It ‘ was hardly necessary for Pentlow to ask: ‘+ Well, Frank, how is it?” ‘©The worst has happened?” said Frank, with a shudder. ‘Ah, what is that?’ ‘The reservoir valve is broken, and the steel doors and tubes are crushed, so that the Sea Mole cannot go to the bottom of the sea again.” ‘¢ Great heavens!” ‘¢Tt ig true.” But Peatlow would not yielc hope. ‘* Repair it,” he said. ‘‘ Impossible! It would have to be taken to Readestown. have to be taken all apart.” For some moments the voyagers were quite stunned with this re- flection. Then after a time Pentlow ventured to say: ‘What is to become of Barney?” Frank shook his bead. ‘‘ His position is a serious one.” ‘¢ But—surely we cannot leave him there, while we go ail the way back to Readestown? He would never be found alive!” ‘‘T do not intend to return to Readestown and leave him there,” said Frank. Ah!” ‘‘| have another plan for his rescue. risk, but it must be taken.” “What is it?” ? ‘‘One of us must go down into the depths after him.” For a moment there was silence. Theo Pomp said: ‘‘Golly, Marse Frank, I’se jes’ de chile to do dat!” . *Do you want to assume the risk?’ asked the young inventor. ‘¢ Yas, sah!” ‘¢Then it is settled. We will go back as nearly as we can judge, to the spot where we came to the surface. Then I shall put a cord about your shoulders and lower you. I do not think it is more than six hundred fathoms deep.” ‘* ge all ready, sah!” It was certainly a plucky thing for the darky to under take, for the risk was most tremendous. There were any number of sharks and surface fish which he must Tun the risk of encountering. An encounter with one of these might mean death. But no time was lost. : The Sea Mole made its way back to the spot where it had emerged from the depths. As it afterward proved it was the exact spot. Pomp was qnickly equipped. He was clad in a diving suit, and armed with ax and knife. also carried an extra coil of rope for Barney’s use, He was to give a signal to be pulled up in case of extreme danger, such as might arise from meeting the dragon and so forth. _ Thus equipped he was lowered over the rail and disappeared from sight. Down he went beneath the waves. It was really a period of sus- pense and awful doubt to Frank and the professor. Down and down went the line, It seemed an interminable length of time before Pentlow drew a deep breath aad said: ‘¢ The line is slack, Frank!” ‘¢ He is on the bottom!” ‘ Yes!” ‘* Now look out for signals!” ‘(We must!” It would It will involve daring and He And thus the two men leaned over the Sea Mole’s rail and walted with intense interest and suspenee. SS Barney, at the bottom of the sea had seen nothing of the dragon. It had got out of the way immediately after its encounter with the Sea Mole. After his little setto with the shark he was not again molested by any of the denizens of the deep. He sat for hours as it seemed to him in the little coner of the porti- co. In reality it was but a short while. He wondered if this was to be his end, if he was to die in this man- ner at the bottom of the sea. While he was pluck itself and not afraid of death, yet a species of cold horror came over him. It was dreadful to think that he was never to emerge from those awful depths. That he was never to see the sunlight of the world again. He thought of Readestown and of his home and frlends there. Would they miss him? Would he never see them agaiu? Then wild fancies came to him , He tried to calculate the nearest way to land. The impulse was upon him to try and walk thither. | Then he remembered that this would be a risky proceeding. After all his best and safest method was to wait for the possible re- turn of the Sea Mole. He could not believe but that his fellow voyagers would return for him. Atleast he knew that they certainly would if it was within their power. Thus reasoning and pondering time passed by quite rapidly. A sort of despondency had settled down upon the Celt when the change came. Suddenly looking up through the dark waters, he espied something which gave him a thrill. It was a star of light. It came wavering and quivering down towards him. He started up and watched it intently. Then down within the radius of his own helmet light there shot a human form. One glance was enough for Barney, and no explana- tions were needed to tell bim all. It was Pomp. And now, dear reader, draws our story near to its end. Of course Barney and Pomp were safely drawn to the surface. The project of further exploration of the depths of the Caribbean Sea was perforce abaudoned, for the submarine boat was crippled beyond repair. There was nothing for it but to return to Readestown, and this was done at once. It was a long journey, but was safely made. The Sea Mole was laid by for repairs. Barney and Pomp resumed their duties about the shops. Frank at once began work upon a new project, for he was not one of the kind to remain idle. The professor returned to Washington. His trip in quest of Katunda and the treasure of the Six Sunken Pirates had netted him quitea snug fortune, and he was well pleased. ‘After all,” he said, ‘‘if that ton of Katunda money had really heen gold, it could not have done me much more real good. I am satisfied.” And this brings to a close our story of Frank Reade, Jr’s, Submarine Boat and the Six Sunken Pirates. [THE END.] re a Useful and Instructive Books. 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