in touch with the United States fleet. Jack crept
into the wireless room that he might better understand what was going
on. Lately he had been learning the wireless code and familiarizing
himself with the operation of the radio under the kindly instruction
of Sammy Smith.

"You never know when knowledge of these things is going to stand you
in good stead," remarked Jack when he had applied to Sammy for "a bit
in electricity."

Once more the hatches were opened and the crew swarmed out to stretch
their limbs and get a breath of fresh air again. Lieutenant McClure
hastened to examine the deck of the _Dewey_ to ascertain whether any
damage had been done in the collision with the destroyer.

Yes, there was a slight dent---a broad scar---running obliquely across
the deck plates just aft the conning tower within a few inches of the
engine room hatch. The damage, however, appeared to be slight.

"Narrow escape," the lieutenant pondered.

"Zip! zip!" the wireless was sputtering as Sammy Smith flung a code
message into space in quest of other members of the allied navies.
Several times he shot out the call and then closed his key to await
a reply.

Finally it came---a radio from an American warship far out of sight
over the horizon.

"Take this radio to Lieutenant McClure," said Sammy, as he typed it
with the wireless receiver still to his ears, and wheeled to hand it
to Jack. The latter took the flimsy sheet and bounded up the aft hatch
to where his commander stood examining the hull.

"American and English cruisers and destroyers in running fight with
German raiding squadron. Give us your position. U.S.S. _Salem_,"
the message ran.

At once the _Dewey's_ latitude and longitude were rattled off to the
Salem. In reply came another radio from the scout cruiser, giving the
position of the raiding fleet and the pursuers, with this direction:

"Close in from your position. German fleet in full retreat headed
E.N.E. across North Sea. You may be able to intercept them!"

CHAPTER VII

IN A MINE FIELD

Without any further ado the _Dewey_ got under way. While the inspection
of the hull had been going on the submarine's batteries had been
recharged and she was ready again for further diving upon a moment's
notice. Lieutenant McClure climbed into the deck steering station---the
bridge of a submarine---and assumed charge of the electric rudder
control, the wheel of a submersible.

Jack and Ted were or