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didn't seem to understand me。〃
〃No；〃 replied the lad； who was still a little nervous from his recent
experience。 〃I thought you meant for us to turn it over； bottom side up；〃
and he laughed。
〃Bless my gizzard！ Just like a shark；〃 commented Mr。 Damon。
〃Please don't mention them；〃 begged Tom。 〃I hope we don't see any
more of them。〃
〃Oh； I fancy they have been driven far enough away from this
neighborhood now；〃 commented the captain。 〃But now about the wreck。
We may be able to approach it from above。 Suppose we try to lower the
submarine on it？ That will save ripping it open。〃
This was tried a little later； but would not work。 There were strong
currents sweeping over the top of the Boldero； caused by a submerged reef
near which she had settled。 It was a delicate task to sink the submarine on
her decks； and with the deep waters swirling about was found to be
impossible； even with the use of the electric plates and the auxiliary
screws。 Once more the Advance settled to the ocean bed； near the wreck。
〃Well； what's to be done？〃 asked Tom； as he looked at the high steel
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
sides。
〃Ram her； tear a hole； and then use dynamite；〃 decided Captain
Weston promptly。 〃You have some explosive； haven't you； Mr。 Swift？〃
〃Oh； yes。 I came prepared for emergencies。〃
〃Then we'll blow up the wreck and get at the gold。〃
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
CHAPTER Twenty…Four
Ramming the Wreck
Fitted with a long； sharp steel ram in front； the Advance was
peculiarly adapted for this sort of work。 In designing the ship this ram was
calculated to be used against hostile vessels in war time； for the submarine
was at first； as we know； destined for a Government boat。 Now the ram
was to serve a good turn。
To make sure that the attempt would be a success； the machinery 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
decided 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 wreck； 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 hearty 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 rammed 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 conning 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
dynamite so that the treasure ship would be broken up。
Tom and the captain placed the explosive。 Then the Advance was
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT （or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure）
withdrawn to a safe distance。 There was a dull rumble； a great swirling of
the water； which was made murky； 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
attired 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 chamber。
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 deserted 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 cargo holds were scattered 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 pointed 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。
It was empty。 There was no gold bullion in it。
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。
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They did so； spending all th