II07-1956-TOM SWIFT and His Diving Seacopter by Victor Appleton II

Author:Victor Appleton II [pseud.] [Appleton, Victor II]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Published: 1956-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

13. TRAPPED

THE BOYS were thrown to the deck as the cabin rocked from the force of the blow and a shower of rocks fell past the quartz windows.

“W-what caused it?” Bud gasped.

“Compression waves from the sound of our rotors probably—they must have loosened a strata of rock and caused a landslide!”

As he spoke, Tom grabbed the throttle lever and gunned the jets for a getaway. There was a brief spurt of power—then no further response! The needle of the rpm indicator flickered to zero!

Tom’s face turned pale. “Bud, we’ve lost power! The pumps aren’t working and the rotor’s dead!”

“Then why don’t we bob to the surface?” Bud asked.

“The weight of the rocks is pressing us down. We’re sinking! Can’t you feel it?”

Bud was too alarmed to answer. For several moments the Ocean Arrow continued to sink. Then suddenly there was a violent jolt that knocked the boys off their feet.

“Now what?” exclaimed Bud, rushing to the window as soon as he regained his balance.

“We’re pinned on a rock ledge!” said Tom, playing the searchlight downward.

Miraculously the high-powered lamp was still working. In its yellow glare, rocks and gravel could be seen raining down on all sides.

Bud stared in awe. “It’s a wonder we haven’t been smashed to pieces.”

“If this were happening on dry land, we probably would be,” replied Tom. “Rocks fall slower in deep water. It is denser and gives them more resistance. The rocks seem to weigh less, too, because of the buoyant effect.”

Nevertheless, their plight was serious. The falling rocks had hit with enough force to cause leaks in some of the seams. Water was beginning to pour into the cabin at half a dozen points.

“I’ll pull out the diving suits,” Bud offered.

“Better be quick,” Tom advised. “I wonder how the others are making out,” he added worriedly.

He clicked on the intercom and called to his friends! His face turned grim.

“The line’s dead,” he announced.

At that instant the lights went out, plunging the cabin into darkness.

“The final straw!” Bud groaned. “We’re goners!”

Waist-deep in water, the boys groped around in the pitch darkness, trying to extract the diving suits from the locker where they were stowed. Moment by moment, breathing was becoming more difficult. Evidently oxygen was leaving the cabin at an alarming rate.

“Here they are!” cried Tom, pulling out the suits. But in spite of their frantic efforts, the task of organizing and donning the heavy gear proved too difficult.

“We can’t wait!” Tom cried. He was panting now. “We’d better get to Airmo while there’s still time!” He prayed that Compartment A and his friends in it were safe.

Tom located the watertight door in the rear bulkhead. Gasping for breath, he and Bud unlatched the clamps and with superhuman strength swung the door in against the water.

Fortunately, the passageway was still dry. Ducking low, Tom stepped in. Bud followed. They could hear the water sloshing in behind them and quickly yanked the door shut.

“The water will keep it from opening,” Tom murmured as he led the way to Airmo’s hatch.

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