10:30
The fact that men were hurrying about on deck , was only shown by the somber figures who now and then passed in front of a single lantern . From out the engine room , already under water , arose the pound of heavy pounding and the weird crackling of the engines , as they were tried out . Jack glanced at his watch . It was 10:30 . Suddenly there came a shrill whistle from the little bridge of the submarine , standing high above the vessel , and covered with heavy canvass . The officer in command , Captain Von Cromp himself , dressed hi heavy oilskins , raised a hand , the signal to go ahead . A short , sharp signal to the engine room , a loud whirr of the motor , and the X-9 was speeding ahead .