Part 6 (2/2)

Presently Sefton's thoughts were interrupted by the shrill, long-drawn-out trills of the bos'n's mates' pipes summoning the s.h.i.+p's company to muster on the quarter-deck. At the double the men romped aft--every seaman, marine, stoker, and ”idler” not actually prevented by pressure of duty elsewhere.

Since the captain could not quit the fore-bridge the a.s.sembled s.h.i.+p's company was addressed by the commander. In crisp sentences of simple brevity he explained to the men the position of affairs. At length a big action was in progress, he announced, for a wireless message had just come in to the effect that the battle-cruisers were already engaging the enemy at 18,000 yards--a distance of nearly 11 land miles.

More than that, the German Battle Squadron was coming from the nor'ard, and there was a grave possibility of the British battle-cruisers being engaged between the enemy battles.h.i.+ps and their battle-cruisers. In which case, the commander hastened to explain, losses would doubtless be severe; but it was part of the Commander-in-Chief's plan to risk certain of his battle-cruisers in order to cut off and detain the German fleet until the British Main Battle Squadrons got between the enemy and their bases.

”I do not expect that we shall go into action just at present,”

concluded the commander, ”but should events shape themselves all right we'll be in the thick of it before long. And I have not the faintest hesitation in expressing my firm belief that every man jack of us will do his duty to King and country, and uphold the traditions of H.M.S.

_Warrior_.”

With that the men were dismissed, and, all preparations having been made, they were at liberty until the ”Action Stations” sounded. That interval was perhaps the most trying of all. Many of the s.h.i.+p's company were going into action for the first time. The majority were laughing and cutting jokes; some could be seen with grey, anxious faces as they thought of their dear ones at home; but amongst the whole complement there was not the faintest trace of faint-heartedness. From the captain down to the youngest ”first-cla.s.s” boy the same sentiment held sway: that the _Warrior_ would be able to acquit herself with glory and with honour.

Through the sultry air could be faintly heard the distant and constant rumble of heavy gun-firing. The naval action was developing, although the engaged portions of the rival fleets were fifty or sixty miles away.

The subdued noise made a fitting accompaniment to the stirring words of the commander.

Sefton, still remaining on the quarter-deck, could not help admiring the steadiness with which the cruisers kept station. From time to time hoists of bunting fluttered to the yard-arm of the flags.h.i.+p _Defence_, the orders they expressed being carried out with the utmost celerity and precision.

A lieutenant descending from the after-bridge pa.s.sed along the quarter-deck towards the companion on the half-deck.

”You're out of it, Sefton, I'm afraid,” he remarked. ”We've just had another wireless. Our destroyers are giving the Huns socks. The old _Calder_ is in the thick of it.”

”Any losses?” asked Sefton, feeling ready to kick himself for being out of the sc.r.a.p.

”Don't know yet,” was the reply. ”I only----”

The lieutenant's words were interrupted by the blare of a bugle.

Turning on his heels he rushed forward at top speed, for at last the rousing order ”Action at the Double” was given.

In an instant all was a scene of ”orderly confusion”, each man running with a set purpose. For the most part the crew were stripped to the waist--a crowd of muscular-armed, deep-chested, clean-shaven men in the very pink of condition. Still exchanging banter, they disappeared to their battle-stations, eager and alert to let loose a hail of sh.e.l.l upon the first hostile vessel that came within range.

”Come along, old man,” exclaimed the young sub who had previously ”cottoned on” to Jack Sefton. ”Now's your chance if you want to see the fun.”

The two junior officers made their way for'ard, past the starboard guns in their isolated and closely-sealed steel turrets, until they reached the foremast.

”Up with you,” said Sefton's companion laconically.

Sefton agilely ascended to the dizzy perch known as the fire-control platform. The other sub followed quickly at his heels, squeezed through the narrow aperture in the floor of the enclosed s.p.a.ce, and slammed to the metal hinged cover.

”At last!” he exclaimed gleefully.

Sefton only nodded in complete accord. A clock on the after side of the steel wall indicated 5.45. A glance to the deck a hundred feet below showed no sign of life. There was nothing to show that confined within that double-wedge-shaped hull were close upon seven hundred human beings, all with one set purpose, as the thirteen thousand tons of dead-weight forged ahead at full speed towards a distant blurr just visible through the ever-varying haze.

Suddenly the _Defence_ opened fire with her for'ard pair of 9.2's, quickly following with her 7.5's. The ball had opened.

”Fifteen eight hundred, sir,” reported one of the range-finding officers within Sefton's hearing.

Rapidly yet smoothly the _Warrior's_ bow guns rose until Sefton could see their muzzles showing like oval-shaped cavities against the dull-grey painted chases. For a second or two only the weapons hung seemingly irresolute.

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