CHAPTER IX

READY TO START



Characteristic it was of Tom Swift to act calmly in times of
stress and danger, and he ran true to form now. Only for an
instant did he show any sign of perturbation. Then with calmness
and deliberation the young inventor quickly did a number of
things to the controls within his reach.

First of all he signaled to the engine room that he was going
to take charge of the boat. This meant that the navigator in the
conning tower was to keep his hands off the various levers and
wheel-valves. It was possible to operate the M. N. 1 from three
positions, but Tom wanted no triplicate handling of his craft
now.

Almost the instant Tom signaled that he would take charge back
came flashing the electrical signal from the conning tower that
his orders were understood. The next thing that those aboard the
craft became aware of was a tremor that seemed to run through the
whole under-sea ship. The quiet had changed to a subdued humming,
and the ominous lack of motion was succeeded by violent
vibration.