第41章

In another instant all three divers were fighting the terrible creatures, that, knowing by instinct they were in danger, were using the weapon with which nature had provided them.They lashed about with their sharp-pointed tails, and more than one blow fell on the suits of the divers.

Had there been the least penetration, of course almost instant death would have followed.For the sea, at that depth and pressure, entering the suits would have ended life suddenly.But Tom had seen to it that the suits were well made and strong, with a lining of steel.And however great a thickness of leather the devil fish could send his sting through, it could not overcome steel.

There was danger, though, that the slender tip might slip through the steel bars across the windows in the helmets and shatter the glass.And that would be as great a danger as if the suits themselves were penetrated.

"We've got to fight 'em!" gasped Tom through his instrument, and, seeing his chance, he gave another jab to the devil fish attacking him.Koku, too, was standing up well under the attack of the monster he had first wounded.Ned, watching his chance, got in several blows, first at one and then at the other of the huge creatures.The third devil fish, which had not been wounded, had disappeared.Finally Koku, with a desperate blow, succeeded in severing the tail from the beast attacking him, and that battle was over.

As if realizing that it had lost its power to harm, the devil fish at once swam off, grievously wounded.Then Koku turned his attention to Tom's enemy.Ned, too, lent his aid, and they succeeded in wounding the creature in several places, so that it sank to the bottom of the sea and lay there gasping.

Slowly the red waters cleared and the three divers, exhausted by the fight, could view the remaining creature--the one wounded to death.It was the largest of the three, and truly it was a monster.But it was past the power to harm, and in a few minutes an under sea current carried it slowly away.Later it would float, doubtless, or be devoured by sharks or other ocean pirates before reaching the surface.

"Thank goodness that's over!" said Ned to Tom."I don't want to see any more of them.""There may be more about," Tom said."We'd better keep watch.Ned, you lay off and Koku and I will work on the propellers.Then you can take your turn."This plan was followed.Koku, not being tired, did not need to stop working, and he was the first to free his shaft partially of the entangling weeds.Tom rapped a signal, the blades were slowly revolved and then came free.A little later the second was in like condition.

"Now we can move!" said Tom, as they started back toward the diving chamber."I hope we don't run into another patch of that serpent grass.""Nor see any more devil fish," added Ned."Same here!" echoed the young inventor.

Luck seemed to be with the gold-seekers after that, for as the submarine was sent ahead, no more of the long, entangling grass was encountered.

The search for the sunken Pandora was now begun in earnest, since they were positive that they were at the right spot.

No immediate sign of her was found.But Tom and his friends hardly expected to be as lucky as that.They were willing to make a search.For, as Tom had said, a current might have shifted the position of the wreck.

They followed the plan of moving about in ever-widening circles.Only in this way could they successfully cover the ground.It was the third day after the encounter with the devil fish that Tom, Ned and Mr.Damon were in the forward observation cabin.The eccentric man suddenly pointed to something visible from the starboard window.

"There's a wreck, Tom!" he cried."Maybe it's the Pandora!"Tom and the others hurried to Mr.Damon's side and peered out into the sea, illuminated by the great searchlight.

"That isn't the Pandora!" said the young inventor."But it's a wreck, isn't it?" asked Ned.

"Yes, it's a sunken vessel, all right," Tom assented."But it's a reminder of the Great War.Look! She has been blown up by a torpedo!"