Produced by Sean Pobuda
By Ensign Robert L. Drake
"Boom! Boom!"
Thus spoke the two forward guns on the little scout cruiser
H.M.S. Sylph, Lord Hasting, commander.
"A hit!" cried Jack, who, from his position in the pilot house,had watched the progress of the missiles hurled at the foe.
"Good work!" shouted Frank, his excitement so great that heforgot the gunners were unable to hear him.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Sylph had come about, and now poured a broadside into theenemy.
Then, from the distance, more than a mile across the water, camethe sound of many guns. The German cruisers Breslau and Goebenwere returning the fire.
Shells, dropping in front, behind and on all sides of the Sylphthrew up the water in mighty geysers, as if it were a typhoonthat surrounded the little vessel. Shells screamed overhead, butnone found its mark.
All this time the vessels were drawing closer and closertogether. Now, as the little scout cruiser rose on a huge swell,a single shock shook the vessel and a British shell sped true.
A portion of the Breslau's superstructure toppled; a second laterand the faint sound of a crash was carried over the water to theSylph.
"A hit!" cried Jack again.
A loud British cheer rose above the sound of battle, and thegunners, well pleased with their marksmanship, turned again totheir work with renewed vigor.
"Lieutenant Templeton on the bridge!" came the command, and Jackhastened to report to Lord Hastings.
"What do you make of that last shot, Mr. Templeton?" demanded thecommander of the Sylph. "Is the enemy seriously crippled, wouldyou say?"
"No sir," replied Jack. "I think not. You may see that thewreckage has already been cleared away, and the enemy is stillplugging away at us."
"Mr. Hetherington!" called the commander. The first lieutenantof the little vessel saluted. "Yes, sir."
"I fear the enemy is too strong for us, sir. You will have tobring the Sylph about."
"Very well, sir."
A moment later the head of the little scout cruiser began toswing gradually to the left.
Jack returned to the wheelhouse.
"What on earth are we coming about for?" demanded Frank, as hisfriend entered.
"Lord Hastings believes the enemy is too strong for us," was theother's reply.
"But that's no reason to run, is it?"
"I don't think so, but it appears that Lord Hastings does. Iguess he knows more about it than we do."
"I guess that's so; but I don't like the idea of running."
"Nor I."
At this instant there was a. hail from the lookout:
"Steamer on the port bow, sir!"
"What's her nationality?" bellowed Lord Hastings.
"British, sir," was the reply.
"Can you make her out?"
The lookout was silent for a moment and then called back. "Yes,sir; Cruiser Gloucester, sir!"
"Good!" shouted Lord Hastings. "Lieutenant Hetherington! Bringher about again."
The Sylph came back to her course as if by magic, and once morerushed toward the enemy. Several miles to port, could now bese