CHAPTER II
THE BATTLE
"Well," Jack continued, "Ames espied one of the destroyers that hadbeen leading us floundering around helplessly, with the Germandestroyer, which had appeared from nowhere, trying to cut her off.
"'Templeton,' said Ames, 'take the hand steering gear and run in thereand get that fellow out.'
"I ran over to the hand gear. A fellow couldn't be frightened with aman like Ames telling him what to do. Ames propped himself up againstwhat was left of the bridge and directed the gunners while we made thebest speed we could with our single boiler.
"They were still dousing us with water, but the shells were not fallingon board now. The two German destroyers were sweeping down on thehelpless boat ahead, the missiles from their light guns playing aregular tattoo on her. It was an even chance we wouldn't find a liveman aboard her.
"Ames was having a glorious time where he had propped himself againstthe shattered bridge. He swore every time one of our shells missed andhe laughed gleefully every time one went home.
"We were only about a thousand yards from the British destroyer now andit 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 heavyshell from one of the land forts. Exactly amidships of the destroyerit landed. It broke her back and all her ribs, so to speak. Steam andsteel and water and men flew high in the air. Everything aboard herwas blown to bits.
"There was no use trying to tow her out now. I searched the water withmy glass for living men. I figured we might be able to save a few ifany survived, although it was against admiralty orders to stop when indanger. I didn't believe in the admiralty's stand at that moment. ButI couldn't make out a living soul.
"The Germans immediately turned their attention to us. Theirmarksmanship was getting better. There was a frightful jar and thesteering gear was wrenched out of my hands and I was thrown to thedeck. 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 thehatch--and another below and transmitted my orders to the engine room bythem. First we drove ahead with one screw, then with the other, to geta zig-zag course; next we backed first with one propeller and then theother. Each time we backed farther than we went forward, for I wantedto get out of the mess if possible. The crazy course threw the enemygunners off somewhat.
"Suddenly I heard a yell from Ames. We'd put one of the Germandestroyers out of business. The other one was steaming toward us, butshe was a long ways off.
"The men were cheering. I looked at the second destroyer, thinking wemust have finished her, too, but she was still firing. Then I glancedaround to see what the men were yelling about.
"Right into that hail of fire steamed a little mine sweeper. Shelooked for all the world like a tugboat. She had a single gun mountedin her bow, and one or two amidships. She had no armor and a riflebullet probably would have pierced her sides with ease, but she poundedstraight 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 manto our stern. The sweeper had come close. The man in the prow swunghis rope and let the coil fly. It fell across our stern. There wasn'tmuch left to make it fast to, but we did it somehow and the sweeperstarted 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, buther master stuck to his task; and he undoubtedly saved our lives.
"Gradually we were pulled back, till at length we were under theprotection of the guns of our fleet. From the flagship, signals werebeing flashed for our benefit. Ames read the flags through hisglasses."
"'Congratulating us?' I asked.
"'Blast him, no!' shouted Ames. 'He wants to know why in blazes wedidn't come out when we had a chance. Well, he wouldn't have come outhimself had he been here, and I've been on the flagship, so we needn'tfeel sensitive about it!'
"And that's about all," Jack continued, "except for the fact that theraid by the battle fleet was given up. We cruised about for severaldays, in spite of our crippled condition. The ship's carpenter put usin condition to stay afloat, but at last we returned. I came here themoment I had landed."
"Well, you had a pretty strenuous time, if you ask me," declaredFrank. "Too bad, though, that the raid couldn't have been made. Wemight have captured Heligoland."
"The Germans might capture Gibraltar," said Jack, with a vein ofsarcasm 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 getsin the war, he'll show you a few things."
"Maybe so," said Jack, "but what's all this talk I hear about theUnited 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 beingdebated in the senate. It wouldn't surprise me if the senate passed ittoday. 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 forLord Hastings."
The two boys went upstairs, and while they are awaiting the arrival ofLord Hastings, a few words will be necessary to introduce them morefully.
Frank Chadwick was an American lad of possibly nineteen.
He had been in Italy when the great European war broke out, and througha misfortune had been shanghaied aboard a sailing vessel. After someadventures he fell in with Jack Templeton, a young Englishman, who hadspent most of his life on the north coast of Africa. Together the ladshad disposed of the crew of the vessel.
They became fast friends. Fortune threw them in the path of LordHastings, British nobleman and secret service agent, and they had gonethrough all kinds of troubles with him. Lord Hastings had commandedseveral vessels during the course of the war, and Jack and Frank uponthese occasions had been his first officers.
Both lads spoke German and French fluently, and both had a smatteringof several other tongues. Jack was huge in stature and of enormousstrength for one of his age. Frank, on the other hand, was rathersmall, but what he lacked in physical strength he more than made up incourage.
Frank's greatest accomplishment, and one that had caused Jack muchenvy, was shooting. He could hit almost anything with a rifle, andrevolvers in his hands were no less deadly.
Frank's chief trouble was his hot-headedness and more than once thishad gotten him into such trouble that it took all Jack'sresourcefulness to extricate him.
Both lads had seen service in many parts of the world since they hadmet Lord Hastings. Their commander recently had lost his vessel andthe three had been on indefinite leave of absence.
The day before Jack's return Frank had been informed by Lord Hastingsthat they were about to put to sea again.
"Well," said Frank, when the two were in the room always reserved fortheir use when they were in London, "Lord Hastings will be glad to seeyou back again. He has been anxious, especially now that he has beenordered again on active service. He has been wondering where he wouldget 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 muchrather have you along," declared Frank.
"Well, I'm glad to be back, old fellow," said Jack. "I'll admit thatfor a few minutes there the other night it looked as though I wouldnever see London again, but everything is all right at last."
There were the sounds of footsteps below. These a few moments laterascend
ed the stairs.
"Probably Lord Hastings," said Frank.
The lad was right and a moment later Lord Hastings stepped into theroom. 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.
Boy Allies with Uncle Sam's Cruisers Page 2