ow we can move!" said Tom, as they started back toward the diving
chamber. "I hope we don't run into another patch of that serpent grass."
"Nor see any more devil fish," added Ned.
"Same here!" echoed the young inventor.
Luck seemed to be with the gold-seekers after that, for as the
submarine was sent ahead, no more of the long, entangling grass was
encountered.
The search for the sunken Pandora was now begun in earnest, since they
were positive that they were at the right spot.
No immediate sign of her was found. But Tom and his friends hardly
expected to be as lucky as that. They were willing to make a search.
For, as Tom had said, a current might have shifted the position of the
wreck.
They followed the plan of moving about in ever-widening circles. Only
in this way could they successfully cover the ground. It was the third
day after the encounter with the devil fish that Tom, Ned and Mr. Damon
were in the forward observation cabin. The eccentric man suddenly
pointed to something visible from the starboard window.
"There's a wreck, Tom!" he cried. "Maybe it's the Pandora!"
Tom and the others hurried to Mr. Damon's side and peered out into the
sea, illuminated by the great searchlight.
"That isn't the Pandora!" said the young inventor.
"But it's a wreck, isn't it?" asked Ned.
"Yes, it's a sunken vessel, all right," Tom assented. "But it's a
reminder of the Great War. Look! She has been blown up by a torpedo!"
CHAPTER XXII
STUDYING CURRENTS
There was no question about Tom's statement. They had approached close
to the side of a small, sunken and wrecked steamer, and in her side was
torn a great hole. In the light from the submarine it could be seen
that the plates bent inward, indicating that the explosion was from
outside.
"What are you going to do, Tom?" asked Ned, as he saw his chum move the
engine room telegraph signal to the stop position.
"Going to investigate," was the answer. "We might as well take the
time. We may learn something of value."
"Do you think there is any treasure in her?" asked Mr. Damon.
"There might be," answered Tom. "We'll put on the diving suits and go
outside."
"I hope there aren't any devil fish," remarked Ned.
"Same here," Tom agreed. "But I don't believe we'll meet with any. Will
you take a chance, Ned?"
"I surely will! I'd like to find out what sort of ship that is--or
rather, was, for there isn't much left of her."
He spoke truly
|