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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
which was served to them on deck by the light of swinging lanterns； they
were taken below and locked in a stuffy cabin。 They looked helplessly at
each other。
〃Don't give up；〃 advised Captain Weston。 〃It's a long night。 We may be
able to get out of here。〃
But this hope was in vain。 Several times he and Tom； thinking the
guards outside the cabin were asleep； tried to force the lock of the door
with their pocket…knives； which had not been taken from them。 But one of
the sailors was aroused each time by the noise； and looked in through a
barred window； so they had to give it up。 Slowly the night passed； and
morning found the prisoners pale； tired and discouraged。 They were
brought up on deck again； for which they were thankful； as in that tropical
climate it was stifling below。
During the day they saw Admiral Fanchetti and several of his officers
pay a visit to the submarine。 They went below through the opened conning
tower； and were gone some time。
〃I hope they don't disturb any of the machinery；〃 remarked Mr。 Swift。
〃That could easily do great damage。〃
Admiral Fanchetti seemed much pleased with himself when he
returned from his visit to the submarine。 〃You have a fine craft；〃 he said
to the prisoners。 〃Or； rather； you had one。 My government now owns it。 It
seems a pity to shoot such good boat builders； but you are too dangerous
to be allowed to go。〃
If there had been any doubt in the minds of Tom and his friends that
the sentence of the court…martial was only for effect； it was dispelled that
day。 A firing squad was told off in plain view of them； and the men were
put through their evolutions by Lieutenant Drascalo； who had them load；
aim and fire blank cartridges at an imaginary line of prisoners。 Tom could
not repress a shudder as he noted the leveled rifles； and saw the fire and
smoke spurt from the muzzles。
〃Thus we shall do to you at sunrise to…morrow；〃 said the lieutenant；
grinning； as he once more had his men practice their grim work。
It seemed hotter than ever that day。 The sun was fairly broiling； and
there was a curious haziness and stillness to the air。 It was noticed that the
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
sailors on the San Paula were busy making fast all loose articles on deck
with extra lashings； and hatch coverings were doubly secured。
〃What do you suppose they are up to？〃 asked Tom of Captain Weston。
〃I think it is coming on to blow；〃 he replied； 〃and they don't want to be
caught napping。 They have fearful storms down in this region at this
season of the year； and I think one is about due。〃
〃I hope it doesn't wreck the submarine；〃 spoke Mr。 Swift。 〃They ought
to close the hatch of the conning tower； for it won't take much of a sea to
make her ship considerable water。〃
Admiral Fanchetti had thought of this； however； and as the afternoon
wore away and the storm signs multiplied； he sent word to close the
submarine。 He left a few sailors aboard inside on guard。
〃It's too hot to eat；〃 observed Tom； when their supper had been
brought to them； and the others felt the same way about it。 They managed
to drink some cocoanut milk； prepared in a palatable fashion by the
natives of the island； and then； much to their disgust； they were taken
below again and locked in the cabin。
〃Whew！ But it certainly is hot！〃 exclaimed Mr。 Damon as he sat down
on a couch and fanned himself。 〃This is awful！〃
〃Yes； something is going to happen pretty soon；〃 observed Captain
Weston。 〃The storm will break shortly； I think。〃
They sat languidly about the cabin。 It was so oppressive that even the
thought of the doom that awaited them in the morning could hardly seem
worse than the terrible heat。 They could hear movements going on about
the ship； movements which indicated that preparations were being made
for something unusual。 There was a rattling of a chain through a hawse
hole； and Captain Weston remarked：
〃They're putting down another anchor。 Admiral Fanchetti had better
get away from the island； though； unless he wants to be wrecked。 He'll be
blown ashore in less than no time。 No cable or chain will hold in such
storms as they have here。〃
There came a period of silence； which was suddenly broken by a howl
as of some wild beast。
〃What's that？〃 cried Tom； springing up from where he was stretched
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
out on the cabin floor。
〃Only the wind；〃 replied the captain。 〃The storm has arrived。〃
The howling kept up； and soon the ship began to rock。 The wind
increased； and a little later there could be heard； through an opened port in
the prisoners' cabin； the dash of rain。
〃It's a regular hurricane！〃 exclaimed the captain。 〃I wonder if the
cables will hold？〃
〃What about the submarine？〃 asked Mr。 Swift anxiously。
〃I haven't much fear for her。 She lies so low in the water that the wind
can't get much hold on her。 I don't believe she'll drag her anchor。〃
Once more came a fierce burst of wind； and a dash of rain； and then；
suddenly above the outburst of the elements； there sounded a crash on
deck。 It was followed by excited cries。
〃Something's happened！〃 yelled Tom。 The prisoners gathered in a
frightened group in the middle of the cabin。 The cries were repeated； and
then came a rush of feet just outside the cabin door。
〃Our guards！ They're leaving！〃 shouted Tom。
〃Right！〃 exclaimed Captain Weston。 〃Now's our chance！ Come on！ If
we're going to escape we must do it while the storm is at its height； and all
is in confusion。 Come on！〃
Tom tried the door。 It was locked。
〃One side！〃 shouted the captain； and this time he did not pause to say
〃by your leave。〃 He came at the portal on the run； and his shoulder struck
it squarely。 There was a splintering and crashing of wood； and the door
was burst open。
〃Follow me！〃 cried the valiant sailor； and Tom and the others rushed
after him。 They could hear the wind howling more loudly than ever； and as
they reached the deck the rain dashed into their faces with such vio