dicating the presence of land, the lads were joined by
Mackinder. He glanced at the group without speaking.

Speedily the vessel approached the object that had been sighted.

An officer drew near. He conducted Mackinder toward the stern.

As the craft slowed slightly to enter a harbor Jimmie grasped Ned's arm.
He pointed eagerly toward several large objects on land.

"There is a whole flock of Zeppelins," he declared. "And as I live," he
continued, "I see a bunch of submarines at that dock over there!"

"There must be a dozen or more!" gasped Frank, in amazement.

CHAPTER XII

A NEW "U-13" APPEARS

Eagerly the lads gazed at the strange sights before them. On their right
rose several huge buildings; evidently workshops. On the left they could
see a field devoted to the erection and testing of several gigantic
dirigibles. Everywhere they saw bustling activity on the part of the
numerous workmen. Sentries paced about with arms in readiness.

"That fleet of submarines looks to me as if Germany were preparing to
destroy every ship in the world!" stated Jack presently, as the destroyer
on which they stood passed the undersea craft.

"The workmen seem to be fitting out some of the divers, too!" ventured
Jimmie. "See them carrying packages aboard that outside one!"

"Maybe the grocer is coming to deliver the goods in the rear!" laughed
Ned. "Those packages look like groceries in disguise!"

"I'll bet Mackinder would like to see those submarines!" Harry said.
"He'd give his eyes almost for one good long look at them!"

"Mackinder won't see enough to carry any news back home from this place!"
declared Frank. "Didn't you see the officer take him below?"

"Yes, I did! I also saw the black look he gave us as he was being taken
away from this deck house. He likes us a lot--nit!"

"I believe the commander of this craft is favorably disposed toward us,"
put in Ned. "He probably realizes that we want to be neutral and that our
presence in this neighborhood is due to our misfortune and not to our
fault. I do wish, though," the lad added, "that we could leave!"

"How much would you give to get away?" questioned Jimmie.

"I'd give a good deal!" replied Ned. "I don't like the idea of remaining
on this island a prisoner for any length of time!"

"Well, if you'll make it worth while," Jimmie offered, "I'll take you
along as a passenger. You must behave, though!"

"Ah!" smiled Ned, thinking Jimmie was indulging in a