Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/312

 rine a column of water shot into the air. The spotter sent his correction of range. The elevating wheel moved slightly. A new shell was thrust in and the breech was closed.

"Ready!"

The target was growing smaller, sinking from sight now!

Again the gun spat and an instant of breathless anxiety followed. Then a cheer, shrill and wild, went up from the Number Four crew. The submarine's conning tower, low-set between slanting wave-breakers, crumpled up as the five-inch shell struck it fairly!

"Got her!" shouted Garey, peering along the gun. "Give her another, boys! Hurry up, with that powder! Ram her! Ready!"

Number Two gun was firing now, but her range was short. Nelson again shot the spark and again the gun barkc'd, but this time the shell passed over the target. The submarine was still awash. Why didn't they submerge? Well, if they wanted more

Number Two landed a shell under the stern and the U-boat plunged and rolled.

"Ready!" cried Garey.

Number Four spoke again and the forward fair-water flattened and the riddled tower disap- 287