overhead.

Jack descended into the control chamber and, at Officer Cleary's
direction, called Lieutenant McClure, who had turned in for several
hours' rest, leaving instructions that he be aroused in case any
ships were reported overhead.

CHAPTER XIV

ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

Listening for a few moments at the microphones, McClure turned abruptly
and rang the crew to quarters.

The engine room was signaled to tune up the motors.

"From the way that fellow is hugging the coast I wouldn't be surprised
if he is a Hun raider poking along on a little reconnaissance,"
observed McClure to his executive officer.

Aroused from his slumber, Sammy Smith took charge of the electrical
receiving room and after listening for awhile gave his opinion that
the approaching ship was moving south along the Belgian coast and
distant from the _Dewey_ about a mile and a half. From the faint
registrations in the microphones he judged it to be a vessel of light
draft---probably a small cruiser or a destroyer.

"Well, we never lose an opportunity to do our duty, be the enemy large
or small fry," observed McClure.

After waiting for a few moments longer, and being advised of the
continued steady approach of the ship, the young lieutenant decided
to move in closer to get within better range, and then rise to the
surface and "look her over." It was well on toward four o'clock and
soon would be daylight.

Creeping along at half speed, the _Dewey_ veered slightly to starboard
and steered a course N.N.W. toward the oncoming craft. After cruising
thus for a quarter of an hour the submarine was stopped altogether
again and her captain conferred again with his wireless chief.

"She seems to have changed her course," announced Smith after listening
intently at both port and starboard microphones. "As near as I can
calculate she has turned off abruptly to port and is running due east
toward the coast."

"Fine!" exclaimed McClure. "A German for sure. And now perhaps we
can track her to her lair."

In a few moments the _Dewey_ thrust her periscopes up out of the sea
and set out in pursuit of the unknown ship. It was yet too dark to
make her out, except for a dim blur that showed faintly against the
background of the Belgian coast. By striking the _Dewey's_ latitude
and longitude they figured they were at a point five or six miles off
Blankenberghe.

"Where do you suppose she is heading for?" asked Cleary. He was
plainly