s weigh we are undone," said Rix despondently. "We are
swinging round our anchor. For all we know, our cable has taken a turn
round hers. As soon as they heave up their anchor, our anchor and
cable will be brought up with it, and then the game is up. Either the
strain will overcome our dead weight and we will be hauled to the
surface, or else they'll lower one of their brutal explosive charges."

"The situation is serious," admitted Schwalbe in a low tone, for his
Leutnant's words had produced a demoralizing effect upon the men. "How
much cable have we inboard?"

Rix repeated the question. A petty officer doubled forward to consult
the cable indicator. U75's anchor, when under way, was housed in a
trough on the under side of the submarine's forefoot. The cable was
automatically ranged in a compartment between the inner and outer
skins, the space being always filled with water. The inboard end of
the cable was not shackled; but to prevent its being able to take
charge and run out, an indicator was placed on the bulkhead nearest to
the cable tier. The amount of chain let go was regulated by a
compressor, which was actuated from within the hull by means of levers
and cranks, watertight glands being provided to prevent any leakage
into the interior of the submarine.

"Seventy-five fathoms," reported the petty officer. "When we commenced
to swing we paid out the length we had taken on board when we hove
short."

"We must sacrifice the lot, Herr Rix," decided Kapitan Schwalbe.
"There is no time to lose. Storm or no storm, we must slip and run for
it."

It was U75's only chance, but it left her with only a small stockless
kedge-anchor and chain, insufficient to withstand a heavy strain.

The compressor was released. With a loud rumble, for every sound was
magnified within the confined space, the rest of the cable was allowed
to take charge. It did so promptly, the end of the chain giving the
hull a defiant smack as it did so. U75, no longer held by her anchor,
began to drift with the tide, scraping dismally over the bed of Helwich
Channel.

Schwalbe was now back at his post in the conning-tower. He dare not
take the submarine to the surface until he had put a safe distance
between him and the anchored British warship. Nor did he care to order
the ballast tanks to be blown. Rather than allow the "pumping" of the
seas to hammer the submerged craft upon the hard sand, he preferred to
take the risk of le