rvived that, I guess I can hear what's troubling you," was his
reply.

"Well, it's bad news, boys---mighty bad," went on Bill. "Chief
Engineer Blaine reports a leak in the main oil reservoir to starboard.
That mine explosion loosened up the seams and the fuel stuff is slowly
but steadily streaming into the deep blue sea!"

CHAPTER IX

VIVE LA FRANCE!

Ted ran aft to the engine room to get a fuller report on the new
danger that confronted the _Dewey_. There he found that what Bill
Witt had said was only too true. Either portions of the flying steel
from the exploded mine had punctured the skin of the submarine, or
else the plates had been loosened by the detonation. The oil was
leaking away at an alarming rate and there was no way here in the
open sea to get at the leak. The _Dewey_ would have to go into
drydock before the repairs could be made.

"But we can navigate with our batteries, can't we?" Ted inquired of
Sammy Smith, who had come out of the wireless room to better acquaint
himself with the _Dewey's_ newest tale of woe.

Sammy was not at all comforting.

"I understand the batteries, are pretty well exhausted," he said.
"They were just going to recharge when we ran into that mine. Blaine
says we have only enough juice to last us two hours, moderate running."

He paused for a moment as Ted grasped the significance of the situation.

"Furthermore," Sammy continued, "we cannot dive to any considerable
depth."

"With that leak in the reservoir plates Cleary and Blame say it would
be foolhardy to go down very far for fear the _Dewey_ would spread
wide open and we would be flooded."

It was disquieting news, and Ted hurried forward to talk it over with
Jack. As he passed the control station he saw Cleary and Binns in
animated conference with the chief engineer. He surmised they were
debating the best course under the circumstances.

In the bunk room Ted found Jack had revived considerably under the
influence of hot bouillon and strong coffee provided by Jean Cartier,
and a change of clothing with a stiff rub-down that had done wonders
for him.

"Monsieur is a brave man; he wins the American Croix de Guerre for
saving the life of his commander so bravely," Jean was saying as Ted
reappeared upon the scene.

Jack was trying hard to be modest.

"I'm feeling fine again, chum," was his rejoinder in response to Ted's
query. "Come along. I'm going to look in on 'Little Mack.'" And
grabbin