THE BEST OF DETAILS Boom! It was a dull sound, off to port.

Then even the men who stood in the middle of the spar deck were able to see the top of a broad column of water that rose out of the ocean.
Major Wells so far forgot himself as to give vent to a yell of joy, then suddenly clapped a restraining hand over his own mouth.
"Sorry you men couldn't have seen that," the major called, leaning over the rail above and addressing the men on the spar deck.
"A destroyer let go a depth charge, which exploded under water and threw up a geyser that would make hot water feel tired." "Look at that now, Major," urged Captain Cartwright, pulling at his superior's sleeve.

Major Wells walked to the side rail, looked out over the water, and had all he could do to keep back another yell of glee.
"There's something out there that's worth seeing, men, and it's visible," the major called down.

"A great blot of oil on the water, and it's spreading.

That shows that a submarine was knocked to flinders by that depth charge!" In spite of orders a low, surging cheer started.
"Shade off on that noise, men!" Dick ordered briskly, holding up his hand and moving again through the crowd.