第42章

By this time the small boat was under the big guns of the San Paulo, and the prisoners were ordered, in broken English, to mount a companion ladder that hung over the side.In a short time they were on deck, amid a crowd of sailors, and they could see the boat going back to bring off the admiral, who signaled from the submarine.Tom and his friends were taken below to a room that looked like a prison, and there, a little later, they were visited by Admiral Fanchetti and several officers.

"You will be tried at once," said the admiral."I have examined your submarine and I find she carries two torpedo tubes.It is a wonder you did not sink me at once.""Those are not torpedo tubes!" cried Tom, unable to keep silent, though Captain Weston motioned him to do so.

"I know torpedo tubes when I see them," declared the admiral."I consider I had a very narrow escape.Your country is fortunate that mine does not declare war against it for this act.But I take it you are acting privately, for you fly no flag, though you claim to be from the United States.""There's no place for a flag on the submarine," went on Tom."What good would it be under water?""Silenceo!" cried Lieutenant Drascalo, the admonition to silence seeming to be the only command of which he was capable.

"I shall confiscate your craft for my government," went on the admiral, "and shall punish you as the court-martial may direct.You will be tried at once."It was in vain for the prisoners to protest.Matters were carried with a high hand.They were allowed a spokesman, and Captain Weston, who understood Spanish, was selected, that language being used.But the defense was a farce, for he was scarcely listened to.Several officers testified before the admiral, who was judge, that they had seen the submarine rise out of the water, almost under the prow of the San Paulo.It was assumed that the Advance had tried to wreck the warship, but had failed.It was in vain that Captain Weston and the others told of the reason for their rapid ascent from the ocean depths--that Mr.Swift had been shocked, and needed fresh air.Their story was not believed.

"We have heard enough!" suddenly exclaimed the admiral."The evidence against you is over-whelming--er--what you Americans call conclusive," and be was speaking then in broken English."I find you guilty, and the sentence of this court-martial is that you be shot at sunrise, three days hence!""Shot!" cried Captain Weston, staggering back at this unexpected sentence.His companions turned white, and Mr.Swift leaned against his son for support.

"Bless my stars! Of all the scoundrelly!" began Mr.Damon."Silenceo!" shouted the lieutenant, waving his sword.

"You will be shot," proceeded the admiral."Is not that the verdict of the honorable court?" he asked, looking at his fellow officers.They all nodded gravely.

"But look here!" objected Captain Weston."You don't dare do that! We are citizens of the United States, and--""I consider you no better than pirates," interrupted the admiral."You have an armed submarine--a submarine with torpedo tubes.You invade our harbor with it, and come up almost under my ship.You have forfeited your right to the protection of your country, and I have no fear on that score.You will be shot within three days.That is all.Remove the prisoners."Protests were in vain, and it was equally useless to struggle.The prisoners were taken out on deck, for which they were thankful, for the interior of the ship was close and hot, the weather being intenselydisagreeable.They were told to keep within a certain space on deck, and a guard of sailors, all armed, was placed near them.From where they were they could see their submarine floating on the surface of the little bay, with several Brazilians on the small deck.The Advance had been anchored, and was surrounded by a flotilla of the native boats, the brown-skinned paddlers gazing curiously at the odd craft.

"Well, this is tough luck!" murmured Tom."How do you feel, dad?" "As well as can be expected under the circumstances," was the reply.

"What do you think about this, Captain Weston?""Not very much, if I may be allowed the expression," was the answer."Do you think they will dare carry out that threat?" asked Mr.Sharp.

The captain shrugged his shoulders."I hope it is only a bluff," he replied, "made to scare us so we will consent to giving up the submarine, which they have no right to confiscate.But these fellows look ugly enough for anything," he went on.

"Then if there's any chance of them attempting to carry it out," spoke Tom, "we've got to do something.""Bless my gizzard, of course!" exclaimed Mr.Damon."But what? That's the question.To be shot! Why, that's a terrible threat! The villains--""Silenceo!" shouted Lieutenant Drascalo, coming up at that moment.