Part 18 (1/2)

THE BOYS GIVE THE WARNING

One other adventure, it transpired, was to befall Frank and Jack before they found themselves once more aboard the British battles.h.i.+p, _Queen Mary_; and while it did not result seriously, both lads once more approached the very door of death.

The morning sun was well above the horizon when Jack, shading his eyes, made out in the distance a smudge of smoke.

”Smoke ahead, Frank,” he called.

”Hope it's the _Queen Mary_” replied the lad. ”It should be if I have calculated correctly.”

A few moments later the outline of a large s.h.i.+p of war loomed up ahead.

”Can you make her out yet?” asked Jack.

”No; but she's built like the _Queen Mary_”

The hydroplane sped on.

”By Jove! She is the _Queen Mary_” cried Frank, a few moments later.

”We're in luck.”

Frank was right. As the hydroplane drew nearer it was plain to make out that the vessel was the giant battles.h.i.+p the lads had quitted the day before.

”Wonder what Captain Raleigh will think of our information?” said Frank, with a chuckle.

”Don't know. We've been pretty fortunate, though. I hope we are in time.”

”So do I. The trouble is, our s.h.i.+ps are scattered so far apart that they may not be able to a.s.semble quick enough in sufficient strength to beat off the enemy.”

”Don't worry; they won't get very far,” said Jack, confidently.

”Oh, I know that. But if they should happen to come upon a small portion of our fleet we are likely to get the worst of it.”

”Well, there is no reason why they should be able to do that now. We know their plans.”

”That's true, too. And they won't, unless it is decided to engage them in spite of their numbers, trusting reinforcements will arrive in time.”

And, though the lad had no idea he was making a prophecy, that is just what actually occurred.

The hydroplane now was less than a quarter of a mile from the _Queen Mary_ and Frank reduced its speed abruptly. Whether this sudden slowing down had anything to do with what followed it is hard to tell; but, no sooner had Frank reduced the speed of the craft, than the plane wabbled crazily.

”Look out, Jack!” shouted Frank. ”She's going down!”

Jack had not realized that there was anything wrong and now he did not grasp the full significance of Frank's words. What Jack thought Frank meant was that he was going to glide down to the deck of the battles.h.i.+p. Frank, however, knew that there was something seriously wrong with the craft. His first thought had been to jump after crying out to Jack, but seeing that his friend had not understood, Frank stuck to his post, trying as well as he knew how to bring the plane to the sea as gently as possible.

For a moment it seemed that he would succeed, for, as it neared the water, the plane righted itself. Frank drew a breath of relief. But his relief was short-lived.

After remaining upon a level keel for one single instant, the hydroplane turned turtle.

There came a cry of warning from aboard the _Queen Mary_, and even before the falling boys struck water, boats were lowered over the side, manned, and dashed to the rescue.