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the triangular deck forward of the conning-tower might easily have broken a leg
for me, or I might have slipped off onto the deck and rolled overboard; but fate
was upon my side, as I was only slightly bruised. As I came to my feet, I heard
the conning-tower cover slam. There is a ladder which leads from the deck to the
top of the tower. Up this I scrambled, as fast as I could go; but Benson had the
cover tight before I reached it.
I stood there a moment in dumb consternation. What did the fellow intend?
What was going on below? If Benson was a traitor, how could I know that there
were not other traitors among us? I cursed myself for my folly in going out upon
the deck, and then this thought suggested another--a hideous one: who was it
that had really been responsible for my being here?
Thinking to attract attention from inside the craft, I again ran down the ladder
and onto the small deck only to find that the steel covers of the conning-tower
windows were shut, and then I leaned with my back against the tower and cursed
myself for a gullible idiot.
I glanced at the bow. The sea seemed to be getting heavier, for every wave now
washed completely over the lower deck. I watched them for a moment, and then
a sudden chill pervaded my entire being. It was not the chill of wet clothing, or
the dashing spray which drenched my face; no, it was the chill of the hand of
death upon my heart. In an instant I had turned the last corner of life's highway
and was looking God Almighty in the face--the U-33 was being slowly submerged!
It would be difficult, even impossible, to set down in writing my sensations at that
moment. All I can particularly recall is that I laughed, though neither from a
spirit of bravado nor from hysteria. And I wanted to smoke. Lord! how I did want
to smoke; but that was out of the question.
I watched the water rise until the little deck I stood on was awash, and then I
clambered once more to the top of the conning-tower. From the very slow
submergence of the boat I knew that Benson was doing the entire trick alone--
that he was merely permitting the diving-tanks to fill and that the diving-rudders
were not in use. The throbbing of the engines ceased, and in its stead came the
steady vibration of the electric motors. The water was halfway up the conning-
tower! I had perhaps five minutes longer on the deck. I tried to decide what I
should do after I was washed away. Should I swim until exhaustion claimed me,
or should I give up and end the agony at the first plunge?
From below came two muffled reports. They sounded not unlike shots. Was
Benson meeting with resistance? Personally it could mean little to me, for even
though my men might overcome the enemy, none would know of my predicament
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