12:25
There was a hail across the water . Then a torpedo flashed close to the Roger . Again Frank glanced at his watch . It was 12:25 -- only five minutes were left in which the pirate submarine might reach a place of safety . Frank feared to give the signal to submerge for the reason that the speed of the craft would be impeded . It was better to run the gauntlet of the submarines on top of the water . Torpedoes passed close , but Frank maneuvered the little vessel from port to starboard and back again so rapidly that none struck home .