marines here until I get further instructions from the commanding
officer."

"Anything happening?" demanded Eph, reaching deck just after the cutter
had put off. He eyed the marine squad curiously.

"Just what we're trying to find out," replied Jack.

"It must seem to you that I acted amiss in leaving the deck," put in
Williamson.

"But you didn't," retorted Jack. "Had you been on deck you wouldn't
have heard that infernal machine bumping against the hull."

"Infernal?" echoed Eph Somers, rubbing his eyes. "Say, have I been
missing a whole lot by being asleep?"

The other three told him quickly all they knew of what had happened.

Within five minutes the cutter came back, bringing two more marines
and a young second lieutenant of that corps.

"Lieutenant Commander Kimball's compliments, sir," reported the second
lieutenant. "He will put in an appearance as soon as that cylinder has
been investigated. He has sent me with instructions to see what had best
be done."

"I don't believe there's much doubt as to what had best be done,"
replied Captain Jack, quickly. "Williamson reports having cut a wire
that was attached to that cylinder. I think we can find that wire again,