Part 24 (1/2)

At almost the same moment the leading German s.h.i.+ps opened fire.

The first few salvos from each side did no damage, for the range had not been gauged accurately.

It became apparent now that the German admiral had no intention of risking all his first line s.h.i.+ps in this encounter. Apparently he had decided that his smaller vessels were fully capable of coping with the small number of the enemy that was contesting his advance.

From the shelter of the larger s.h.i.+ps advanced the battle cruisers. Not a battles.h.i.+p nor a dreadnaught came forward. But the smaller s.h.i.+ps dashed on swiftly and presently their guns found the range.

A sh.e.l.l burst aboard the _Glasgow's_ bridge, carrying away nearly the entire superstructure. The captain and his first officer were killed, and many men were injured as huge splinters flew in all directions.

Under the command of the second officer, the _Glasgow_ fought back.

A sh.e.l.l from her forward turret burst aboard the closest German vessel and there was a terrific explosion, followed by a series of blasts not so loud. Came fearful cries from aboard the enemy.

And then the whole sky was lighted up for miles around as the German s.h.i.+p sprang into a brilliant sheet of flame. For perhaps two minutes it lighted up the heavens; then there was another violent explosion and the German cruiser disappeared beneath the water with a hiss like that of a thousand serpents.

A cheer rose on the air--a loud British cheer.

”One gone,” said Frank, quietly.

”Yes, but only one gone,” replied Jack.

”Yes, but it's two o'clock now,” said Frank, hopefully.

”About time to begin our retreat then,” said Jack.

And the order for retreat came a few moments later.

The five British s.h.i.+ps--for all were still able to navigate in spite of the damage that had been inflicted--came about in a broad circle and headed westward.

Then it was the Germans' time to cheer and they did so with a will. It was not often that a British battles.h.i.+p had fled before a German s.h.i.+p or s.h.i.+ps and the Germans, since the war opened, had little chance to cheer such a procedure. But now that they had such a chance, they cheered their best Apparently, they had lost sight of the fact that the British were retiring before superior numbers, and that, even in spite of that and the fact that they now were retreating, they still had the best of the encounter so far.

For one German cruiser lay at the bottom of the sea.

The British retreat was slow; and, for some unaccountable reason, the Germans did not press forward as swiftly as they might have done.

Whether they feared a trap, or whether the German admiral had determined to await the coming of day before disposing of the enemy, was not apparent. But that he had some plan in mind, every Briton realized.

”The longer he holds off the better,” said Frank.

”Right,” agreed Jack. ”Of course, we probably could run away from them if they pressed us too hard, but we wouldn't; and for that reason he should be able to dispose of us if he came ahead swiftly.”

”Wonder why some of these Zeppelins and airs.h.i.+ps haven't come into action?” said Frank.

”I don't know. Perhaps the Germans are afraid of losing one of them.

They probably have other uses for them, for, should they break through here, it is likely they have their plans laid. What time have you?”

”Three thirty,” said Frank, after a glance at his watch. ”An hour, almost, till daylight. Do you suppose the others will arrive on time?”

”I hope so. It would be better, of course, if they arrived while it is yet dark, for then they might come up unseen. But with their arrival we still will be outnumbered; and, realizing that, the Germans, when the day breaks, will press the attack harder.”