Part 20 (2/2)

With cheers the men sprang to their stations, Ned and Frank going to the big gun turret, though it was hardly possible the great guns would be used on so small an opponent.

The decks were quickly cleared, and preparations made for all emergencies. The captain seemed to have taken into consideration the same idea that the sailor had given voice to-namely, that a torpedo might be launched against the _Georgetown_. He was going to take no chances, and even the boats were gotten ready for a quick launching if it should prove necessary.

”Fire one shot at her, to starboard from a three-inch gun,” was the order that came a little later. And with a yell of delight, not from bloodthirstiness, but at the chance for action, the crew of that gun sprang to obey.

”I wish we had a chance,” murmured Ned, regretfully, as he stood at the ammunition hoist in the big turret.

”Say, if one of these projectiles. .h.i.t that s.h.i.+p there wouldn't be a thing left,” said Frank.

”No, I reckon not. Well, maybe our chance will come later.”

With a dull boom the smaller gun sent out a projectile that carried a small explosive charge. It was aimed to strike far enough to one side of the escaping craft to do no damage.

Into the sea splashed the sh.e.l.l, and as it burst it sent a column of water high into the air.

”That's a notification to them to slow down and let us come up to them,”

said Frank.

”I wonder if they will,” came from Ned.

The issue was not long in doubt. From the stern of the smaller boat there shot out a puff of smoke, and then came a dull report. A small object was seen speeding toward the _Georgetown_.

”They're trying to torpedo us!” shouted Ned, looking from the forward turret.

”That's no torpedo,” one of the more experienced sailors said. ”It's only a small projectile, and it's going to fall short.”

A moment later events proved that he was right, for the sh.e.l.l fell into the sea five hundred yards from the battles.h.i.+p, and a spray of water flashed into the air.

”Guess her guns haven't much power,” said Frank.

”But she shows, by firing back at us, that she isn't going to pull up and let us investigate her, I think,” remarked Ned. This was the case, for the other craft, the name of which was not visible, kept on at an undiminished speed. She was rapidly leaving the _Georgetown_ behind, and soon the commander of the latter gave up the chase. He did not want to waste his coal, or run the risk of burning out bearings, or breaking a shaft, merely to capture a craft so small as the one flying the Uridian flag of the revolutionists.

”We can attend to her case later, if she comes monkeying around when we're anch.o.r.ed off that banana republic,” observed Hank, and the others agreed with him.

Gradually the escaping craft drew away, until only her smoke could be seen on the horizon. It was the general opinion, afterward, that the vessel had been scouting around, perhaps to get sight of the approach of the United States' war craft, and having seen her, had made haste to run and bring the word to the land forces. Just what the outcome would be no one knew.

It was two days later when the _Georgetown_ came to anchor off the city of Pectelo, which was the seacoast capital of Uridio. As the big chains rattled through the hawse pipes, a boat was lowered away, and Captain Decker and some of his officers went ash.o.r.e to learn what the situation was.

What took place ash.o.r.e was not made public to the s.h.i.+p's crew when the cutter returned. But a grave look was observed on the faces of the captain and his officers.

Everyone on the _Georgetown_ waited eagerly for the next move. It was not long in coming.

”Man the forward turret!” came the command. ”To your stations, men.

We're going to give them a demonstration!”

”Hurrah!” cried Ned.

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