this weather shows that he intends to be
square and land us in an English port as he agreed!"

"I guess von Kluck is a pretty good sort of a chap, after all!" ventured
Harry. "He has tried to treat us as right as he could!"

"I think you're right. We can't blame him for feeling somewhat worried
under the circumstances. We'd be grouchy, too!"

Under a port helm the Lena Knobloch swung to starboard leaping forward
into the waves as if glad to again be battling with the sea.

Ned and his companions felt that they could be of no service in handling
the schooner. They, therefore, retired to the shelter of the cabin, where
they were protected from the stinging blasts of sleet and snow that came
screaming out of the northwest.

Scarcely had the schooner won clear of the jagged ledges when the full
force of the tumbling waves was felt. It seemed to the boys that the
stern of the little vessel was hurled to an unbelievable height only to
drop so far they feared nothing could save them.

But Captain von Kluck and his mate were expert navigators. They had
sailed the ocean since large enough to handle a line. They knew the Lena
Knobloch's ability to withstand the buffeting of the elements.

As night drew on the boys expected to witness a cessation of the storm.
Their prediction was fulfilled. Gradually the gale blew itself out,
leaving but a strong sailing breeze, although the water still continued
rough. Captain von Kluck took advantage of this change to shake out the
reefs in his canvas and to spread more sail.

Just as the moon showed in the east between masses of cloud the lookout
reported a ship in sight off the port bow. In a short time the two
vessels had approached within about two miles of each other.

"They're apparently heaving to!" cried Ned who had been using the
binoculars. "It looks as if they're getting the boats over!"

From the waist of the other vessel the boys saw a great cloud of dark
smoke appear. The small boats had scarcely gone a ship's length away from
the scene. The crew were rowing with the greatest haste.

"I see the conning tower of a submarine!" cried Ned.

CHAPTER IX

A STRANGE VISIT

Clearly visible to the members of the crew on the Lena Knobloch the great
cloud of smoke slowly spread over the vessel.

Directly a sullen "Boom" reached their ears. As the smoke spread away the
lads could see a great rent in the side through which water was rushing.
Already the ship was listin