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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
the Advance withstood it
Then began a search that lasted nearly a week。 Back and forth they
cruised； around in great circles； with the powerful searchlight focused to
disclose the sunken treasure ship。 Once Tom； who was observing the path
of light in the depths from the conning tower； thought he had seen the
remains of the Boldero； for a misty shape loomed up in front of the
submarine； and he signaled for a quick stop。 It was a wreck； but it had
been on the ocean bed for a score of years； and only a few timbers
remained of what had been a great ship。 Much disappointed； Tom rang for
full speed ahead again； and the current was sent into the great electric
plates that pulled and pushed the submarine forward。
For two days more nothing happened。 They searched around under the
green waters； on the alert for the first sign； but they saw nothing。 Great
fish swam about them； sometimes racing with the Advance。 The
adventurers beheld great ocean caverns； and skirted immense rocks； where
dwelt monsters of the deep。 Once a great octopus tried to do battle with
the submarine and crush it in its snaky arms； but Tom saw the great white
body； with saucer…shaped eyes； in the path of light and rammed him with
the steel point。 The creature died after a struggle。
They were beginning to despair when a full week had passed and they
were seemingly as far from the wreck as ever。 They went to the surface to
enable Captain Weston to take another observation。 It only confirmed the
other； and showed that they were in the right vicinity。 But it was like
looking for a needle in a haystack； almost； to and the sunken ship in that
depth of water。
〃Well； we'll try again；〃 said Mr。 Swift； as they sank once more beneath
the surface。
It was toward evening； on the second day after this； that Tom； who was
on duty in the conning tower； saw a black shape looming up in front of the
submarine； the searchlight revealing it to him far enough away so that he
could steer to avoid it。 He thought at first that it was a great rock； for they
were moving along near the bottom； but the peculiar shape of it soon
convinced him that this could not be。 It came more plainly into view as the
submarine approached it more slowly； then suddenly； out of the depths in
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
the illumination from the searchlight； the young inventor saw the steel
sides of a steamer。 His heart gave a great thump； but he would not call out
yet； fearing that it might be some other vessel than the one containing the
treasure。
He steered the Advance so as to circle it。 As he swept past the bows he
saw in big letters near the sharp prow the word； Boldero。
〃The wreck！ The wreck！〃 he cried； his voice ringing through the craft
from end to end。 〃We've found the wreck at last！〃
〃Are you sure？〃 cried his father； hurrying to his son； Captain Weston
following。
〃Positive；〃 answered the lad。 The submarine was slowing up now； and
Tom sent her around on the other side。 They had a good view of the
sunken ship。 It seemed to be intact； no gaping holes in her sides； for only
her plates had started； allowing her to sink gradually。
〃At last；〃 murmured Mr。 Swift。 〃Can it be possible we are about to get
the treasure？〃
〃That's the Boldero； all right；〃 affirmed Captain Weston。 〃I recognize
her； even if the name wasn't on her bow。 Go right down on the bottom；
Tom； and we'll get out the diving suits and make an examination。〃
The submarine settled to the ocean bed。 Tom glanced at the depth gage。
It showed over two miles and a half。 Would they be able to venture out
into water of such enormous pressure in the comparatively frail diving
suits； and wrest the gold from the wreck？ It was a serious question。
The Advance came to a stop。 In front of her loomed the great bulk of
the Boldero； vague and shadowy in the flickering gleam of the searchlight
As the gold…seekers looked at her through the bull's…eyes of the conning
tower； several great forms emerged from beneath the wreck's bows。
〃Deep…water sharks！〃 exclaimed Captain Weston； 〃and monsters； too。
But they can't bother us。 Now to get out the gold！〃
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
CHAPTER Twenty…Three
Attacked by Sharks
For a few minutes after reaching the wreck； which had so occupied
their thoughts for the past weeks； the adventurers did nothing but gaze at it
from the ports of the submarine。 The appearance of the deep…water sharks
gave them no concern； for they did not imagine the ugly creatures would
attack them。 The treasure…seekers were more engrossed with the problem
of getting out the gold。
〃How are we going to get at it？〃 asked Tom； as he looked at the high
sides of the sunken ship； which towered well above the comparatively
small Advance。
〃Why； just go in and get it；〃 suggested Mr。 Damon。 〃Where is gold in a
cargo usually kept； Captain Weston？ You ought to know； I should think。
Bless my pocketbook！〃
〃Well； I should say that in this case the bullion would be kept in a safe
in the captain's cabin；〃 replied the sailor。 〃Or； if not there； in some after
part of the vessel； away from where the crew is quartered。 But it is going
to be quite a problem to get at it。 We can't climb the sides of the wreck；
and it will be impossible to lower her ladder over the side。 However； I
think we had better get into the diving suits and take a closer look。 We can
walk around her。〃
〃That's my idea；〃 put in Mr。 Sharp。 〃But who will go； and who will
stay with the ship？〃
〃I think Tom and Captain Weston had better go； suggested Mr。 Swift。
〃Then； in case anything happens； Mr。 Sharp； you and I will be on board to
manage matters。〃
〃You don't think anything will happen； do you； dad？〃 asked his son
with a laugh； but it was not an easy one； for the lad was thinking of the
shadowy forms of the ugly sharks。
〃Oh； no； but it's best to be prepared；〃 answered his father。
The captain and the young inventor lost no