The submarine was indeed in a peculiar position. She was on a
slant in the water, her nose held fast in the soft mud bank, and
it was Tom's idea that by making the stern buoyant it might help
to pull her free.

To this end he also gave what assistance the propellers were
capable of adding by starting the motors again, so that the craft
once more trembled and vibrated.

But it all seemed to no purpose. Aside from the slanting
position, there was no change in the M. N. 1. Ned, looking out
into the murky water, which had cleared slightly, saw that the
craft was still held fast. And then, for the first time, Mr.
Hardley seemed to become aware that something serious was the
matter. Up to now he seemed to think that all that had occurred
was done for the purpose of testing the newly outfitted underseas
boat.

"Is there anything wrong?" he asked sharply of Tom. "Why are we
in this position, and why don't we go on out to the open ocean
and make a test at considerable depth? We'll have to go down
deeper than this if we find the Pandora!"

"I suppose so," agreed Tom. "But we have had an accident,
and--"

"An accident!" interrupted the gold-seeker, and then Ned saw
him turn pale. "Do you mean to say this is not part of the test?"