his was going on Mr. Damon, the gold-seeker, and some of the
crew and officers went into the forward chamber to observe the undersea
fight against the monster that had attacked Ned.

Suddenly the waters glowed with a greatly increased light, and in this
illumination it was seen that the monster, whatever it was, had almost
completely enveloped Tom's chum with its five arms.

"What makes it possible to see better?" asked Mr. Damon.

"I've turned on the big searchlight," was the answer. "Mr. Swift had it
installed at the last moment. It's the same kind he invented and gave
to the government, but he retained the right to use it himself."

"It's a good thing he did!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "Now he can
see what he's doing! Poor Ned! I'm afraid he's done for!"

"Look!" exclaimed one of the crew. "Norton, the sailor who went out
with Mr. Newton, is trying to kill the monster with his spear!"

This was so. Ned's companion, armed with a lone pole to which he had
lashed a knife, was stabbing and jabbing at the black form which almost
completely hid Ned from sight. But the efforts of the sailor seemed to
produce little effect.

"What in the world can it be?" asked Mr. Damon. "Tom says it isn't an
octopus, and it can't be, unless it has lost three of its arms. But
what sort of monster is it?"

No one answered him. The powerful searchlight continued to glow, and in
the gleam Ned could be seen trying to break away from the grip of the
Atlantic beast. But his efforts were unavailing. It was as if he was
enveloped in a sort of sack, made in segments, so that they opened and
closed over his head. About all that could be seen of him was his feet,
encased in the heavy lead-laden boots. The form of the other sailor,
who had gone out of the submarine with him, could be seen moving here
and there, stabbing at the huge creature.

"Here comes Tom!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon, and the young inventor,
followed by the giant Koku, came into view. They had emerged from the
diving chamber, walked around the submarine as it rested on the ocean
floor, and were now advancing to the rescue. Tom carried his electric
rifle, and Koku an axe.

So desperately was Norton engaged in trying to kill the sea beast that
had attacked Ned, that for the moment he was unaware of the approach of
Tom and Koku. Then, as a swirl of the water apprised him of this, he
turned and, seeing them, hastened toward them.

"What is it?" Tom asked through the tel