To make sure that the attempt would be a success, the machinery4 of the craft was carefully gone over. It was found to be in perfect order, save for a few adjustments which were needed. Then, as it was night, though there was no difference in the appearance of things below the surface, it was decided5 to turn in, and begin work in the morning. Nor did the gold-seekers go to the surface, for they feared they might encounter a storm.
"We had trouble enough locating the wreck6," said Captain Weston, "and if we go up we may be blown off our course. We have air enough to stay below, haven't we, Tom?"
"Plenty," answered the lad, looking at the gages.
After a hearty7 breakfast the next morning, the submarine crew got ready for their hard task. The craft was backed away as far as was practical, and then, running at full speed, she rammed8 the wreck. The shock was terrific, and at first it was feared some damage had been done to the Advance, but she stood the strain.
"Did we open up much of a hole?" anxiously asked Mr. Swift.
"Pretty good," replied Tom, observing it through the conning9 tower bull's-eyes, when the submarine had backed off again. "Let's give her another."
Once more the great steel ram hit into the side of the Boldero, and again the submarine shivered from the shock. But there was a bigger hole in the wreck now, and after Captain Weston had viewed it he decided it was large enough to allow a person to enter and place a charge of dynamite10 so that the treasure ship would be broken up.
Tom and the captain placed the explosive. Then the Advance was withdrawn11 to a safe distance. There was a dull rumble12, a great swirling13 of the water, which was made murky14; but when it cleared, and the submarine went back, it was seen that the wreck was effectively broken up. It was in two parts, each one easy of access.
"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Now to get at the gold!"
"Yes, get out the diving suits," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my watch-charm, I think I'll chance it in one myself! Do you think the sharks are all gone, Captain Weston?"
"I think so."
In a short time Tom, the captain, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were attired15 in the diving suits, Mr. Swift not caring to venture into such a great depth of water. Besides, it was necessary for at least one person to remain in the submarine to operate the diving chamber16.
Walking slowly along the bottom of the sea the four gold-seekers approached the wreck. They looked on all sides for a sight of the sharks, but the monster fish seemed to have deserted17 that part of the ocean. Tom was the first to reach the now disrupted steamer. He found he could easily climb up, for boxes and barrels from the cargo18 holds were scattered19 all about by the explosion. Captain Weston soon joined the lad. The sailor motioned Tom to follow him, and being more familiar with ocean craft the captain was permitted to take the lead. He headed aft, seeking to locate the captain's cabin. Nor was he long in finding it. He motioned for the others to enter, that the combined illumination of the lamps in their helmets would make the place bright enough so a search could be made for the gold. Tom suddenly seized the arm of the captain, and pointed20 to one corner of the cabin. There stood a small safe, and at the sight of it Captain Weston moved toward it. The door was not locked, probably having been left open when the ship was deserted. Swinging it back the interior was revealed.
There was no mistaking the dejected air of Captain Weston. The others shared his feelings, but though they all felt like voicing their disappointment, not a word could be spoken. Mr. Sharp, by vigorous motions, indicated to his companions to seek further.
They did so, spending all the rest of the day in the wreck, save for a short interval22 for dinner. But no gold rewarded their search.
Tom, late that afternoon, wandered away from the others, and found himself in the captain's cabin again, with the empty safe showing dimly in the water that was all about.
"Hang it all!" thought the lad, "we've had all our trouble for nothing! They must have taken the gold with them."
Idly he raised his steel bar, and struck it against the partition back of the safe. To his astonishment23 the partition seemed to fall inward, revealing a secret compartment24. The lad leaned forward to bring the light for his helmet to play on the recess25. He saw a number of boxes, piled one upon the other. He had accidentally touched a hidden spring and opened a secret receptacle. But what did it contain?
Tom reached in and tried to lift one of the boxes. He found it beyond his strength. Trembling from excitement, he went in search of the others. He found them delving26 in the after part of the wreck, but by motions our hero caused them to follow him. Captain Weston showed the excitement he felt as soon as he caught sight of the boxes. He and Mr. Sharp lifted one out, and placed it on the cabin floor. They pried27 off the top with their bars.
There, packed in layers, were small yellow bars; dull, gleaming, yellow bars! It needed but a glance to show that they were gold bullion. Tom had found the treasure. The lad tried to dance around there in the cabin of the wreck, nearly three miles below the surface of the ocean, but the pressure of water was too much for him. Their trip had been successful.
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1
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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2
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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7
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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rammed
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| v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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9
conning
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| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
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10
dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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11
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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12
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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13
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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15
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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21
bullion
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| n.金条，银条 | |
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22
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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23
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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26
delving
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的现在分词 ) | |
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27
pried
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| v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的过去式和过去分词 )；撬开 | |
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