Jack strove to raise himself on one elbow but fell back limply, weak
from the terrible struggle through which he had passed.

"How about 'Little Mack'?" he managed finally to ask faintly.

"Alive but yet unconscious," replied Ted, "They have gotten most of
the water out of his lungs and are using the pulmotor."

Jack closed his eyes again and murmured a prayer of thanks for his
safe deliverance and for the life of his lieutenant.

"Was the _Dewey_ damaged by the mine explosion?" he asked.

Ted replied that so far as could be determined no serious damage had
been inflicted, although Officer Cleary had expressed some apprehension
as to the condition of the port seams forward on the under side of the
hull. The examination was still in progress.

For an hour Jack rested quietly in his bunk. The _Dewey_ had submerged
after taking aboard the half-drowned commander and his rescuer, and
at a safe depth gotten safely out of the zone of danger. Now she had
come to the surface again for further examination of her hull.

Jack and Ted were conversing in low tones, when Bill Witt stumbled
along the passageway leading into the men's quarters and stopped beside
Jack. His face was stern.

"What's the matter, Bill---you seasick?" queried Ted.