THE BATTLE
"Well," Jack continued, "Ames espied one of the destroyers that had
been leading us floundering around helplessly, with the German
destroyer, which had appeared from nowhere, trying to cut her off.
"'Templeton,' said Ames, 'take the hand steering gear and run in there
and get that fellow out.'
"I ran over to the hand gear. A fellow couldn't be frightened with a
man like Ames telling him what to do. Ames propped himself up against
what was left of the bridge and directed the gunners while we made the
best speed we could with our single boiler.
"They were still dousing us with water, but the shells were not falling
on board now. The two German destroyers were sweeping down on the
helpless boat ahead, the missiles from their light guns playing a
regular tattoo on her. It was an even chance we wouldn't find a live
man aboard her.
"Ames was having a glorious time where he had propped himself against
the shattered bridge. He swore every time one of our shells missed and
he laughed gleefully every time one went home.
"We were only about a thousand yards from the British destroyer now and
it looked like there was a fair chance of getting her out of the mess.
I was beginning to have hope when I heard the screaming of a heavy
shell from one of the land forts. Exactly amidships of the destroyer
it landed. It broke her back and all her ribs, so to speak. Steam and
steel and water and men flew high in the air. Everything aboard her
was blown to bits.
"There was no use trying to tow her out now. I searched the water with
my glass for living men. I figured we might be able to save a few if
any survived, although it was against admiralty orders to stop when in
danger. I didn't believe in the admiralty's stand at that moment. But
I couldn't make out a living soul.
"The Germans immediately turned their attention to us. Their
marksmanship was getting better. There was a frightful jar and the
steering gear was wrenched out of my hands and I was thrown to the
deck. When I picked myself up there was nothing with which to steer.
Our rudder and a part of our stern had been shot away--
"'Alternate the screws!' Ames yelled. 'I'm busy with these guns.
We'll fight as long as she floats!'
"The speaking tubes existed no longer. I stationed a man at the
hatch--and another below and transmitted my orders to the engine room by
them. First we drove ahead with one screw, then with the other, to get
a zig-zag course; next we backed first with one propeller and then the
other. Each time we backed farther than we went forward, for I wanted
to get out of the mess if possible. The crazy course threw the enemy
gunners off somewhat.
"Suddenly I heard a yell from Ames. We'd put one of the German
destroyers out of business. The other one was steaming toward us, but
she was a long ways off.
"The men were cheering. I looked at the second destroyer, thinking we
must have finished her, too, but she was still firing. Then I glanced
around to see what the men were yelling about.
"Right into that hail of fire steamed a little mine sweeper. She
looked for all the world like a tugboat. She had a single gun mounted
in her bow, and one or two amidships. She had no armor and a rifle
bullet probably would have pierced her sides with ease, but she pounded
straight toward us; the water around her was beaten to a foam.
"Far out on the prow stood a man with a coil of rope. Ames sent a man
to our stern. The sweeper had come close. The man in the prow swung
his rope and let the coil fly. It fell across our stern. There wasn't
much left to make it fast to, but we did it somehow and the sweeper
started to tow us out of that particular part of the water.
"Our guns continued to bark at the destroyer, which was gaining on us.
Some of our shots went home. The little old tugboat was hit once, but
her master stuck to his task; and he undoubtedly saved our lives.
"Gradually we were pulled back, till at length we were under the
protection of the guns of our fleet. From the flagship, signals were
being flashed for our benefit. Ames read the flags through his
glasses."
"'Congratulating us?' I asked.
"'Blast him, no!' shouted Ames. 'He wants to know why in blazes we
didn't come out when we had a chance. Well, he wouldn't have come out
himself had he been here, and I've been on the flagship, so we needn't
feel sensitive about it!'
"And that's about all," Jack continued, "except for the fact that the
raid by the battle fleet was given up. We cruised about for several
days, in spite of our crippled condition. The ship's carpenter put us
in condition to stay afloat, but at last we returned. I came here the
moment I had landed."
"Well, you had a pretty strenuous time, if you ask me," declared
Frank. "Too bad, though, that the raid couldn't have been made. We
might have captured Heligoland."
"The Germans might capture Gibraltar," said Jack, with a vein of
sarcasm in his voice, "but I don't think they will--not right away."
"It can be done, though," declared Frank.
"What? The Germans capture Gibraltar?"
"No, I mean the British can take Heligoland. Wait until Uncle Sam gets
in the war, he'll show you a few things."
"Maybe so," said Jack, "but what's all this talk I hear about the
United States declaring war on Germany?"
"It's only talk, so far," said Frank, "but it seems certain to come.
In fact, the war resolution already has passed the house and is being
debated in the senate. It wouldn't surprise me if the senate passed it
today. Then all that is needed is the signature of President Wilson."
"Well, let's hope there is no hitch," said Jack fervently.
"I don't think there will be. Come, let's go to our room and wait for
Lord Hastings."
The two boys went upstairs, and while they are awaiting the arrival of
Lord Hastings, a few words will be necessary to introduce them more
fully.
Frank Chadwick was an American lad of possibly nineteen.
He had been in Italy when the great European war broke out, and through
a misfortune had been shanghaied aboard a sailing vessel. After some
adventures he fell in with Jack Templeton, a young Englishman, who had
spent most of his life on the north coast of Africa. Together the lads
had disposed of the crew of the vessel.
They became fast friends. Fortune threw them in the path of Lord
Hastings, British nobleman and secret service agent, and they had gone
through all kinds of troubles with him. Lord Hastings had commanded
several vessels during the course of the war, and Jack and Frank upon
these occasions had been his first officers.
Both lads spoke German and French fluently, and both had a smattering
of several other tongues. Jack was huge in stature and of enormous
strength for one of his age. Frank, on the other hand, was rather
small, but what he lacked in physical strength he more than made up in
courage.
Frank's greatest accomplishment, and one that had caused Jack much
envy, was shooting. He could hit almost anything with a rifle, and
revolvers in his hands were no less deadly.
Frank's chief trouble was his hot-headedness and more than once this
had gotten him into such trouble that it took all Jack's
resourcefulness to extricate him.
Both lads had seen service in many parts of the world since they had
met Lord Hastings. Their commander recently had lost his vessel and
the three had been on indefinite leave of absence.
The day before Jack's return Frank had been informed by Lord Hastings
that they were about to put to sea again.
"Well," said Frank, when the two were in the room always reserved for
their use when they were in London, "Lord Hastings will be glad to see
you back again. He has been anxious, especially now that he has been
ordered again on active service. He has been wondering where he would
get a first officer."
"I guess you could, fill that place without any trouble," said Jack.
"I guess I could fill it all right, if I had to, but I would much
rather have you along," declared Frank.
"Well, I'm glad to be back, old fellow," said Jack. "I'll admit that
for a few minutes there the other night it looked as though I would
never see London again, but everything is all right at last."
There were the sounds of footsteps below. These a few moments later
ascended the stairs.
"Probably Lord Hastings," said Frank.
The lad was right and a moment later Lord Hastings stepped into the
room. His eyes fell upon Jack and he advanced with outstretched hand.
"Jack!" he exclaimed. "I certainly am glad to see you again."
They shook hands heartily.