BACK IN ENGLAND
Following the return of the Essex to English waters, Jack reported at once
to Lord Hastings in Dover.
"I hear great things of you boys," said Lord Hastings. "Great things
indeed."
"We were a bit fortunate, sir," Jack admitted.
"It was more than good fortune," declared Lord Hastings. "But it's nothing
more than I expected of you both."
They conversed about various matters for some minutes. Then Jack asked:
"And what is in store for us now, sir?"
"You will report to Admiral Beatty," said Lord Hastings. "The Essex will
be assigned to duty with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea. Patrol work,
mostly. There is little likelihood that the Germans will make another
effort, but the sea must be patrolled, nevertheless."
"When do we report, sir?"
"At once. You will weigh anchor in the morning. Admiral Beatty's flagship
is somewhere off the coast of Belgium."
"Very well, sir," said Jack, and departed.
The next day the Essex left Dover. Fifty miles out, Jack picked up the
flagship by wireless and received his instructions.
Days lengthened into weeks now and weeks into months and the Essex was
still patrolling the North Sea with others of the Grand Fleet--composed
besides British vessels of an American squadron in command of Vice-Admiral
Sims. August passed and September came and still the Germans failed to
venture from their fortress of Helgoland and offer battle to the allies.
The work became monotonous. Occasionally, the Essex put back to port for
several days to replenish her bunkers and to take on provisions. At such
times Jack and Frank usually went ashore for short periods, and the crew,
portions at a time, were granted shore leave.
It was upon the last day of September that great news reached the
fleet--news that indicated that the war was nearing its end and that now,
if ever, the German fleet might venture from its hiding place and risk an
engagement.
Bulgaria had broken with Germany and sued for a separate peace.
Several days later came the news that an armistice had been signed and
that Bulgaria had ordered all German and Austrian troops to leave her
boundaries. King Ferdinand abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Boris,
who immediately ordered the demobilization of the Bulgarian armies.
"Turkey will come next, mark my words," declared Frank as he and Jack
stood on the bridge, looking off across the broad expanse of the North
Sea.
"Most likely," Jack agreed; "and after Turkey, Austria. That will leave
Germany to fight the world by herself."
"She'll never attempt that," Frank declared. "The minute she sees her last
chance gone, she'll squeal for help, the same as a hog. It's not in a
German to take a licking, you know. He begins to show, yellow when the
game goes against him."
"Perfectly true," said Jack, with a nod. "Now, it strikes me that Germany,
facing the problem of fighting it out alone--for she must see that
Bulgaria's action will soon be followed by her other allies--may send out
her fleet for a grand blow."
Frank shook his head.
"Not a chance," he said.
"But," said Jack, "it has been the opinion of war critics and experts
right along that Germany was saving her fleet for the final effort when
all other means had failed."
"I don't care what the experts think," declared Frank, "I don't think the
Germans will dare risk an engagement. In the first place, it would be
suicidal--she would have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Don't
fret. The German naval authorities know just as well as we do what would
happen to the German fleet should it issue from Helgoland."
"Maybe you're right," said Jack, "but in the enemy's place, I wouldn't
give up without a final effort."
"That's just it," Frank explained. "You wouldn't, and neither would I.
Neither, for that matter, would any British or American officer, nor
French. But the German is of different caliber. He doesn't fight half as
well when he knows the odds are against him. No, I believe that the German
fleet will be virtually intact when the war ends."
"Then we'll take it away from them," declared Jack.
"I'm sure I hope so. It would be dangerous to the future peace of the
world to allow the Germans to keep their vessels."
"Well," said Jack, "you can talk all you please, but you can't convince me
our work is over--not until peace has been declared--or an armistice
signed, or something."
"I agree with you there. There will be plenty of work for us right up to
the last minute."
As it developed the lads were right.
"It was shortly after midnight when Jack was aroused by the third officer.
"Message from Admiral Beatty, sir," said the third officer, and passed
Jack a slip of paper.
Jack read the message, which had been hastily scribbled off by the radio
operator.
"German squadron of six vessels reported to have left Helgoland and to be
headed for the coast of Scotland," the message read. "Proceed to intercept
them at full speed. Other vessels being notified."
Jack sprang into his clothes, meanwhile having Frank summoned from his
cabin. Frank dashed into Jack's cabin, clothes in hand.
"What's up?" he demanded.
"Germans headed for the Scottish coast," replied Jack briefly, and dashed
out of the door.
Frank followed him a few moments later. Jack was standing on the bridge
giving orders hastily.
"Have a look at the engine room, Frank," said Jack, "and tell the engineer
to crowd on all possible steam. We'll have need of speed this trip, or I
miss my guess."
Frank obeyed.
The Essex, which had been proceeding east by south at a leisurely pace,
had come about now and was dashing due north at top speed. Jack himself
shaped the course and gave the necessary instructions to the helmsman.
Below in the radio room, the wireless began to clatter. The operator, from
time to time, was getting into touch with other vessels of the Grand Fleet
ordered north to intercept the German raiders.
First he received a flash from the Lion; then the Brewster replied, and
after her, the Tiger, Southampton, Falcon, White Hawk and Peerless.
Counting the Essex this made eight ships speeding northward to intercept
the enemy.
"I take it," said Jack, "that this is about the last blow the enemy will
attempt to deliver. The Germans, knowing they are beaten, are intent now
only upon doing what damage they can while there is yet time. This raid, I
suppose, they figure will throw a scare into the coast cities, as similar
raids did earlier in the war. However, they'll have a surprise this time,
for all the coast ports are fortified now. There will be guns there to
stand them off until we get there."
"Let's hope we get there in time," muttered Frank. "I'd like one more
crack at the enemy. I'm afraid they are going to get off too easily when
peace comes."
"We've got to get there in time," declared Jack.
From time to time the radio operator sent reports to Jack giving the
positions of other vessels rushing to the defense of the coast ports.
"We'll get there first, at this rate," said Jack. "We're closer than the
others."
"But we're no match for the enemy single-handed," declared Frank. "Chances
are that the German squadron is composed mostly of battleships."
"True enough," Jack admitted, "but we'll do what damage we can. The
Tiger, Lion, White Hawk, Falcon and Peerless are warships, you know.
They'll be more than enough for the foe."
"Yes; but we may be at the bottom of the sea by that time."
"Don't worry. We'll hold our own until assistance arrives."
Jack made a rapid calculation.
"If we had any idea of the approximate position of the enemy at this time,
we would know better how to go about our work," he said.
"You might call the enemy and find out?" said Frank with a grin.
"Don't be funny, Frank," said Jack severely. "This is no time for levity."
Came a cry from the lookout.
"Battle squadron off the port bow, sir!"
Jack clapped his glass to his eye.
The ships were too far distant and the night was too dark, however, to
permit him to ascertain the identity of the approaching vessels.
"May be the enemy, Jack," said Frank.
"Right," Jack agreed.
A shrill whistle rang out on the Essex.
This was the answer to Jack's order to pipe the crew to quarters.
"Clear ship for action!" was Jack's next command.
"If it is the enemy," he confided to Frank, "we'll try and keep him
engaged until reinforcements arrive."
"It may not be so hard, after all," Frank said "They may turn and beat a
retreat when they find they are discovered."
"Not if there is only one of us," said Jack. "Pass the word to the forward
lookout to sing out as soon as he can identify the enemy. I'll flash my
light on them. He may be able to make them out."
The huge searchlight of the Essex flashed forth across the water, and
played upon the approaching ships.
"Germans!" came the cry from the lookout.
"I thought so," said Jack. "Frank, go to the radio room and find out how
close our nearest support is."
Frank was back in a few minutes.
"Lion says to engage," he reported. "Says she'll be with us in less than
an hour. Tiger says she will arrive not more than fifteen minutes later.
Falcon and Hawk report they are less than an hour and a half away."
"Right," said Jack. "Trouble is those fellows are likely to out-range us,
in which event we'll have to retire slowly, trying to draw them after us.
In that way reinforcements may arrive sooner. Hello! There she goes!"
The roar of a great gun came across the water.