"Mebby," suggested Speake, "they saw us and followed us to the island."
"Hardly that, mate," spoke up Dick. "They've beached that torpedo, and all four of the Japs are ashore, tinkering with it."
Matt was puzzled to know what to do. If the Japs had not heard the rifle shot, it would be possible for the _Grampus_ to haul in her anchor and slip away, unnoticed, providing the tank valves were repaired and she could leave the bay under water. But this manoeuvre would leave a threatening danger behind, and Matt and his friend would never feel safe from an unexpected attack.
In that critical moment, Motor Matt would have given a deal if he could have known all about the _Pom_ and her capabilities. For a few moments he stood on the deck, turning the situation over and over in his mind, his eyes on the point around which lay the hostile submarine.
"How far is the _Pom_ anchored off the shore, Dick?" he asked.
"I'm sure they didn't--they were too busy with that torpedo. But they may have heard me yell, or the report of that gun may have reached them. They have good ears, those fellows."
"Get into your clothes, Dick," said Matt, having at last made up his mind as to what he should do. "After that, take the rifle and sit here on the deck. Watch that point of land. If the Japs fix that torpedo so they are able to use it, they will have to come around the point in order to launch it at us. Finish getting the breakfast, Speake. Gaines will pass it around as soon as you have it ready. Clackett and I will go below and see what we can do with those valves. Don't bother us with any breakfast until we have them once more in working order."
"What are Carl and I to do, Matt?" inquired Glennie.
"Stay up here with Dick, and keep your eyes peeled."
Matt, Clackett, and Speake went below. Matt and Clackett were an hour at the valves before they were finally made dependable. All the while they were at work a deep silence reigned throughout the boat. Every one realized the necessity of keeping quiet so as not to arouse the Japs.
Matt, after swallowing a cup of coffee, came out on deck and began taking off his clothes.
"What's the game, matey?" asked Dick. "You're not going into the water and give the sharks a chance at you, are you?"