It was a fearsome sight that met his gaze. Lying at full length upon the sand, and with his hands held in front of his helmet to protect the glass plate, was one of the divers whom the sub recognized as Kenwyn. Over him, and ready to spring upon another victim, was an enormous conger, more than eight feet in length and as thick round as a man’s thigh.
Standing ready to lunge with his crowbar was Captain Restronguet, while with axes held ready in a position of attack were Carnon and O’Shaunessey.
Recovering his steel bar Hythe, though giddy with the effect of his fall, ranged alongside his friends.
The eel darted forwards. Captain Restronguet delivered a thrust and missed.
The next moment he, too, was capsized while the conger, darting over his body, retreated to the shelter of a hole in the rocks.
The captain was on his feet in an instant, while Kenwyn was assisted to rise. As no bubbles came from his dress it was evident that the attack had not seriously injured his diving-gear. Had the conger used its teeth instead of his tail the flexible metal fabric would have been bitten through as easily as if made of paper.
Kenwyn, however, walked unsteadily. The attack had not left him uninjured, but by a gesture he showed that he was quite able to continue the submarine excursion.
Once again the march was resumed, but ere they had gone another five paces O’Shaunessey happened to turn and look in the direction of the eel’s retreat. He had just time to warn his comrades, for the conger, viewing the departing invaders as a sign of defeat, was preparing to renew the attack.
Like an arrow the snake-like monster darted forward! This time Captain Restronguet succeeded in thrusting his crowbar down the conger’s throat, and by an almost superhuman effort pinned it to the sandy bed. Right and left the brute writhed its powerful tail. To withdraw the crowbar would be imprudent, to keep it there was obviously beyond the captain’s strength in spite of his muscular powers.
Marking his opportunity Hythe planted his crowbar fairly through the eel’s back. To any creature but a member of the fish tribe such a blow would have proved instantly fatal, but the conger only fought the more, till O’Shaunessey and Carnon cut its body into four pieces with their axes. Even then the severed portions continued to writhe. But the victory had been won, and once again Captain Restronguet led the way towards the lost submarine.