"Frank!" he cried.
"Be still," said a voice kindly. "Frank is safe in the next boat."
Jack uttered an exclamation of relief and lay still, resting from his exertions.
And so they came again to theQueen Maryand were lifted aboard. Frank and Jack clasped hands when they stood on deck and Jack exclaimed:
"By Jove! I thought it was all over when I couldn't find you down there."
"I thought it was all over myself for a minute," said Frank. "That's one time when this old knife of mine helped out. I brought it back with me."
He displayed the knife and patted it affectionately.
"How do you feel?" asked Jack.
"First rate. And you?"
"Fine. Now we want to see Captain Raleigh."
At this moment the third officer approached.
"Captain Raleigh will receive you the moment you have put on some dry clothes," said the third officer.
"But we must see him at once," exclaimed Frank.
"Change your clothes first," said the third officer kindly.
"But——" Frank began.
"I have Captain Raleigh's orders for you to report to him the moment you have changed," said the third officer sharply. "You will hurry, if you please."
Frank could see that there was no use protesting further. He shrugged his shoulders and the two boys made their way to their cabin.
"The big chump," said Frank, as he slipped off his wet clothing. "The whole British navy might be sent to the bottom while we are doing this. What are a few wet clothes?"
"I guess it was the way we went at it," said Jack. "If we had blurted out what we knew——"
"To tell the truth, I've a good notion to say nothing about what I learned," said Frank.
Jack looked at his companion in the greatest surprise.
"Oh, no, you've not," he said at last, as he slipped on a dry shirt.
"Don't you believe I haven't," declared Frank. "I'm mad. I don't like that way of doing things. Now if it had been Lord Hastings——"
"Well, it wasn't," said Jack. "I'm afraid that's one trouble with us."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, simply that he allowed us to get too familiar with him. The result is we expect it from others, and when they don't treat us that way we are disappointed."
"That may be it, of course," Frank conceded. "But at the same time, I didn't like the tone of the third officer just now."
"Perhaps I didn't either," said Jack, "but I've got more sense than to show it. As a matter of fact, I suppose we should have obeyed without question."
Frank continued to mumble as he slipped into a dry coat. He picked up his cap and moved toward the door.
"Ready?" he asked of Jack.
"Almost. How's that shoulder?"
"All right. How's your wound?"
"Just a scratch. Didn't even bleed much." Jack picked up his cap and also moved toward the door of the cabin. "Guess maybe he'll let us see Captain Raleigh now," he said. "Come on."
Frank followed his chum.
On deck almost the first person they encountered was the third officer.
"Didn't take you long," he said with a smile.
"That is because we have important news," said Frank.
"Come, then. I'll conduct you to the captain myself," said the third officer.
Frank and Jack hurried after him.
Captain Raleigh greeted the two lads with a smile, as they stood at attention before him.
"You are back really sooner than I expected you," he said quietly."Have you learned anything?"
"If you please, sir," said Jack, "I shall skip the details until later. The German high sea fleet will be off the coast of Denmark before midnight!"
"What's that you say?" he demanded.
"It's true, sir," replied Frank, quietly, stepping forward. "The German high sea fleet, in almost full strength, will attack our patrol squadron in the Skagerak, off Jutland, tonight!"
For one moment Captain Raleigh looked at both lads closely. Then he cried sharply, including all in the cabin with his words:
"Follow me!"
He sprang for the bridge!
"Eleven o'clock!"
Jack returned his watch to his pocket.
"Not much time to gather the fleet together," he said quietly to Frank.
"No," was his chum's reply, "but you can rest assured that all can be done will be done."
Captain Raleigh, upon the bridge, had issued orders swiftly. TheQueen Mary, which had been heading southward after Frank and Jack returned aboard, was quickly brought about. After several sharp commands to his officers, Captain Raleigh motioned to Frank and Jack.
"Come with me," he said. "You shall tell me what you have learned as we go along."
The two lads followed him.
Straight to the wireless room went the commander of theQueen Mary.
"Get theLionquickly," he ordered the wireless operator.
"Lion! Lion!" the call went across the water.
There was no reply.
"Try theIndefatigable," was the next command.
"Indefatigable! Indefatigable!" flashed the wireless.
The receiving apparatus aboard theQueen Maryclicked sharply.
"Indefatigableanswering, sir," reported the operator.
"Send this," ordered Captain Raleigh, and passed a slip of paper on which he had scribbled rapidly to the wireless operator.
The message read as follows:
"German high sea fleet to attack off Jutland tonight. Inform AdmiralBeatty. Relay message. Am steaming for Danish coast to engage enemy.Information authentic. Follow me!
(Signed) "RALEIGH."
A short pause and again the receiving apparatus on theQueen Maryclicked sharply.
"O.K., sir," said the operator.
"All right," this from Captain Raleigh. "Call theInvincible."
Again the wireless began to click. Two minutes later the operator reported:
"Invincibleanswering, sir."
"Send the same message," instructed Captain Raleigh.
It might be well to state here that all these messages were sent in code, for it was probable that a German vessel of some sort might be within the wireless zone and, if able to read the messages as they flashed across the sea, would have communicated with the main German fleet.
One after another now the wireless of theQueen Marypicked up the battle cruisersDefense, Black Prince, Warriorand the super-dreadnaughtWar-spite,all of which chanced to be within range of theQueen Mary'swireless. The destroyersTipperary, TurbulentandNestorealso answered the call and were instructed to proceed to the Skagerak at full speed.
And to each vessel, as it answered, the single word "relay" was flashed. This meant that Captain Raleigh wanted the word sent to other vessels of the British fleet not within her own wireless radius. And the answer to this was invariably the same:
Still in the wireless room, Captain Raleigh turned to Frank and Jack and said:
"Now, I shall be glad to know how you boys learned this information."
Jack explained as briefly as possible. Captain Raleigh interrupted occasionally as Jack proceeded with his story and when the lad had concluded, he said quietly:
"You have done well, young sirs. England has much to thank you for."
"But will the others arrive in time, sir?" asked Frank, anxiously. "That," said Captain Raleigh, "I cannot say. You may be sure that they will come to our assistance at all possible speed, however."
"But you will not await them there, sir?"
"No; I shall engage the enemy single handed if necessary."
With this Captain Raleigh turned on his heel and would have left the wireless room. At that moment, however, the wireless began to click again, and the commander of theQueen Marypaused.
"For us?" he asked.
The operator nodded.
"Admiral Beatty, aboard theLion, calling, sir."
"Take his message!"
There was silence for a moment, and then the operator called off the clicks of his apparatus.
"Admiral Beatty wants to know your source of information," he reported.
Captain Raleigh dictated a reply.
Again silence for a few moments; and then the operator said:
"TheQueen Maryis ordered to the Skagerak under full speed. Hold the enemy until the arrival of the main fleet. Assistance on the way.Indefatigable, DefenseandBlack Princealso steaming for Jutland to lend a hand. Open the engagement immediately you sight the enemy."
"Sign O.K.," said Captain Raleigh.
The operator obeyed and heard the operator aboard theLionrepeat his message.
"I guess that is about all we can do," said Captain Raleigh. Again he turned to leave the room and once more paused at the door.
"Keep your instrument going," he ordered the operator. "Pick up any ship that may not have heard the message. Come, boys," this last to Frank and Jack.
The boys followed their commander back to the bridge; thence to his cabin.
The interchange of messages had taken time, and glancing at his watch now, Frank saw that it was after one o'clock.
"Great Scott!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea we had been in the wireless room so long."
Back in his cabin, Captain Raleigh seemed to have forgotten the boys' presence. He was busy for perhaps an hour poring over a mass of charts and other papers. Frank and Jack stood at attention. They were becoming uneasy, when Captain Raleigh looked up suddenly.
"Pass the word for the first officer," he instructed.
Jack sprang to obey and in a moment the first officer of theQueenMarywas in the cabin.
"Shape your course for Jutland proper," ordered Captain Raleigh.
The first officer saluted and obeyed.
"We'll go back to the wireless room," Captain Raleigh informed the two lads. "I want to keep you boys near me for I may desire to ask a question at any moment."
The lads followed their commander back to the wireless room.
"Any calls?" he asked the operator.
"One coming now, sir."
"Repeat it as it comes."
"Very well, sir.Indefatigablecalling."
"Ask her position."
"Five miles south by southwest, sir."
"Inform Captain Reynolds that we shall slow down and wait for him to come up with us."
"Very well, sir."
The operator sent the message.
"O.K., sir, signed, 'Reynolds,'" the operator reported a few moments later.
"Ask her if she has picked up any other vessels."
"DestroyersFortuneandShark, sir," reported the operator a little later.
"Good. Give Captain Reynolds our position and tell him to keep working his wireless. Tell him we are likely to need every ship we can bring up."
"Very well, sir."
The operator sent the message.
"O.K., again, sir," he reported.
Captain Raleigh passed a slip of paper to the operator.
"On this," he said, "are enumerated the ships that should be somewhere in these waters. Pick up as many of them as you can. As you give the warnings when answered check them off on the list. If any information is asked, call me."
"Very well, sir," replied the operator, taking the slip of paper. "No other instructions, sir?"
"No. Send the same message as you sent to theIndefatigable."
Captain Raleigh motioned Frank and Jack to follow him and left the room.
"I want you two to attend me closely," he informed the lads. "I shall have lots of leg work that must be done from now until we sight the enemy and even after that. You shall act as my orderlies tonight and while the battle lasts."
Frank and Jack were considerably flattered by this. They knew thatCaptain Raleigh had been pleased with their work.
They saluted.
"Very well, sir," they exclaimed in a single breath.
"I want one of you to report to the wireless room, room, ready to bring me any message that may come," instructed Captain Raleigh. "The other will stay here. You can suit yourselves about your positions."
"I'll go to the wireless room, then, sir," said Frank.
"Very well. Report to me instantly a message is received."
Frank saluted and took his departure. Jack stood at attention in Captain Raleigh's cabin as the commander of theQueen Maryagain plunged into a mass of charts.
Captain Raleigh sprang to his feet and opened his watch.
"Four o'clock," he said. "We won't reach Skagerak until well after six. I am in hopes the Germans will not try to pass through before early morning. We shall be ready for them then."
"How big a fleet have we there now, sir?" asked Jack.
"None, to speak of. Two or three cruisers and a couple of torpedo boats. I believe we have a submarine or two there also, though I cannot be sure of that."
"We'll lick 'em, sir," said Jack, enthusiastically.
Captain Raleigh smiled.
"I hope so," he said quietly.
At that moment the first officer called from the bridge.
"Battleship overhauling us fast, sir."
"Probably theIndefatigable," said Captain Raleigh.
He went on deck. Jack followed him.
At the same moment Frank came running up.
"Indefatigablereports she has sighted us, sir!"
"Good!" exclaimed Captain Raleigh. "I felt sure it was theIndefatigable. Tell her we shall steam slowly until she comes up with us."
Frank saluted and returned to the wireless room.
Now Captain Raleigh gave an order to the first officer.
"Have all hands piped to quarters, Mr. MacDonald."
Instantly, all became bustle aboard theQueen Mary.Men rushed hither and thither; but in a moment order was restored out of the seeming confusion.
Followed by Jack, his first and second officers, Captain Raleigh made an inspection of the giant battleship.
He addressed the different groups of men as he passed and told them what was about to transpire.
"It is likely to be a one-sided battle at first," he told the men quietly, "but I know that none of you will shrink because of that. You have fought against odds before now. You will not mind doing it again."
The men cheered him.
His tour of inspection completed, Captain Raleigh ordered:
"Let each man be served with a good meal and let them have two hours sleep—all but the watches."
The necessary orders were given and a short time later the men were eating heartily. Then they went to their quarters, where some lay down to sleep while others sat in groups and discussed the impending battle.
Shortly after five o'clock Frank and Jack found themselves alone in their cabin, having been relieved of duty for an hour.
"It's going to be a great fight, Frank," declared Jack.
"You bet it is. It will be the greatest naval battle of history, if the bulk of the British fleet comes up in time. Never before has such a vast array of giant fighting ships as will be engaged in this struggle contended for supremacy. In total tonnage engaged and in the matter of armament and complement it will outrival even the victory of Nelson at Trafalgar and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. And the British, as always, will win."
"Let us hope so. But, as you and I know, the Germans are no mean opponents. Considering the fact that, since the outbreak of the war, they have had little opportunity to practise war tactics on the sea and practically no chance at all to practise gunnery, the few battles that have been fought have proven them foemen worthy of the best we have to offer."
"True," said Frank. "Until reinforcements arrive they will outnumber us. I don't know how many to one."
"To my mind it is foolish to engage the German fleet with only a few ships," said Jack. "It won't gain us anything. I believe we should retreat slowly and draw them on."
"I believe that would be a much better plan. We might engage them at long range, running slowly before them. Then, when the main fleet came up, we would take them by surprise."
And even at that moment the same plan was being revolved in the mind of Vice-Admiral Beatty as, in his flagship, theLion, he steamed swiftly northward.
By this time the battleshipIndefatigablehad drawn up almost on even terms with theQueen Mary.The wireless of both ships were busy as the commanders exchanged greetings and discussed their plans for battle. A little later, as theIndefatigabledrew even closer, Captain Reynolds of theIndefatigableflashed this message:
"I am coming aboard you."
Half an hour later he came over the side of theQueen Maryand disappeared with Captain Raleigh in the latter's cabin. Directly an aide was despatched for Frank and Jack, who made their way to their commander's quarters.
"So!" exclaimed Captain Reynolds, when his eye fell on Jack, "this lad is one of the two who gained this important information, eh? Let me hear your story again, sir."
Jack repeated the account of the adventures he and his friend had had the night before. Captain Raleigh produced the paper the lads had taken from the commander of the German air squadron and the two commanders scanned it together.
"Well, there is one thing in our favor," said Captain Reynolds. "TheGermans will fail to get the air support they are expecting."
"There probably will be other aircraft with the fleet," said CaptainRaleigh.
"Most likely. Probably a Zeppelin or two with them. Fortunate we have these new anti-aircraft guns aboard. They weren't completed any too soon. Raleigh, what ships are in the Skagerak now?"
"Only three, I believe. TheGlasgow, Albertand theVictoria, the former a battle cruiser and the latter two torpedo boats. If we can arrive in time there will be five of us. Then, if theWarspite, theInvincibleand the cruisersDefense, Black PrinceandWarriorcome up in time we will be more on even terms."
"Exactly. But the main fleet, farther south, will hardly arrive in time I am afraid; and, by the way, you are wrong in your calculations. TheWarspiteis with the main fleet."
"Is that so? So, then, is theEdinsburgh, theTiger, thePeerless, theTerror, theGeorge IVand theRichard?"
"Yes; those, with a dozen battle cruisers and a score of torpedo boats, comprise the main fleet. If they arrive in time, the Germans must either run or be sent to the bottom."
At this moment a message was handed to Captain Raleigh from the wireless room.
"Change in orders," said the commander briefly, after scanning the piece of paper. "We are to engage the enemy at long range and seek to draw him farther into the North Sea. Orders have been sent to the three ships off Jutland to fall back before the approach of the enemy until we can join them, if they sight the enemy before we arrive. If not, we are all to retire slowly. TheInvincible, three cruisers and half a dozen torpedo boats will join us soon after dawn. The main fleet cannot arrive until two hours before noon."
"By Jove, Raleigh!" exclaimed Captain Reynolds, "I am better satisfied with those orders. There is more chance of success now. It would have been foolhardy for us to engage the whole German fleet."
"I agree with you."
"Well, I'll get back to my vessel now."
Captain Reynolds arose and extended his hand to his fellow commander.
"In case——" he said simply.
Captain Raleigh gripped the hand. Then he accompanied Captain Reynolds and saw him over the side.
It was now after 6 o'clock. The German fleet was due off Jutland at almost any moment. Captain Raleigh and Jack made their way to the wireless room.
"Get theGlasgow," commanded Captain Raleigh of the operator.
"Glasgow! Glasgow!" went the call.
"Glasgow!" came the reply a few moments later.
This conversation between the two commanders ensued:
"Have you sighted the enemy?" This from theQueen Mary.
"No," from theGlasgow.
"Have any of your consorts picked up the foe?"
"Not yet."
"You received my earlier instructions?"
"Yes. We are holding our ground until we sight the enemy. Then we shall retire. How long before you will come up with us?"
"In your present position, two hours. If you fall back, we shall, of course, be with you sooner. Are you ready for action?"
"Yes; cleared."
"Good. I am giving my men all the rest possible. Goodbye."
"Funny," said Captain Raleigh to Jack, "they should have sighted the enemy by this time."
"It would seem so, sir," agreed Jack.
"Well, they probably will be in sight by the time we come up with theGlasgow," said Captain Raleigh.
But two hours later, when theQueen MaryandIndefatigablecame up with the other British ships, no enemy had been sighted yet. It was then almost nine o'clock.
"You are sure you have not miscalculated the time?" Captain Raleigh asked of Frank and Jack.
"Positive, sir," replied the former. "Besides, you have the document relating to the attack."
"True enough. The enemy probably has been delayed. Or perhaps they will await the coming of daylight."
"It would be better if they did, for us, I mean, wouldn't it, sir?" asked Frank.
"Much better," replied his commander briefly.
"Then let us hope that is what happens."
"But I am afraid it won't happen," said Jack. "If the Germans get this far safely, they won't wait for us to overtake them."
"No; you're right there," said Captain Raleigh. "The thing that worries me is that, if they do get by us, they will spread out all over the sea. They will be able to raid the British coast, may succeed in running through the English channel, and then we shall have to round them up all over again. They would scatter over the seven seas."
"Then we've got to lick 'em," declared Frank, grimly.
Captain Raleigh smiled.
"That's the spirit I like to see," he said quietly. "It is the spirit that has carried the British flag to victory against overwhelming odds on many occasions."
"But he is not an Englishman, sir," said Jack with a smile.
"What?" exclaimed Captain Raleigh. "Not an Englishman? Then what is he?"
"American," was Jack's reply.
"Oh, well, it amounts practically to the same thing," declared CaptainRaleigh.
"Next to being an American," said Frank, quietly, "I would be English."
The first officer, Lieutenant MacDonald, burst into the captain's cabin at this moment.
"Message from theGlasgow, sir!" he exclaimed. "German battle squadron, steaming at twenty knots, sighted five miles off Jutland, sir!"
Skagerak, in which the greatest naval battle of history was about to be fought, is an arm of the North Sea between Norway and Denmark. The scene of the battle was laid off Jutland and Horn Reef, on the southern extremity of Denmark.
From the reef of Heligoland, the main German base in the North Sea, to Jutland, is about one hundred miles as the crow flies. Therefore, it became evident that the German high sea fleet must have left the protection of that supposedly impregnable fortress some time before.
That the advance of the German fleet had been well planned was indicated by the very fact that it could successfully elude the British cruisers patrolling the entrance to the mine fields that guarded Heligoland itself. Could a British fleet of any size have got between the German high sea fleet and Heligoland the menace of the German fleet would have ended for all time.
At the moment, however, the British warships were scattered over the North Sea in such a manner as to preclude such an attempt; and the best Admiral Beatty and Admiral Jellicoe could hope for was to come up with the German fleet and give battle, preventing, if possible, the escape of any units of the fleet to other parts of the sea and to drive all that the British could not sink back to Heligoland.
The German dash of one hundred miles across the North Sea was a bold venture and one that the British had not believed the Germans would attempt at that time. British vigilance had been lax or the German fleet could never have gone so far from its base without discovery; and this laxity proved costly for the British; and might even have proven more costly still.
Above the German fleet came a fleet of aircraft, augmented to a great degree by three powerful Zeppelin balloons. Lying low upon the water also was a fleet of German submarines.
As the German fleet approached Jutland on the night of May 31, it was shrouded in darkness. The night was very black and a heavy fog hung over the sea. The night could not have been better for the attempt, which would, in all probability have succeeded, had it not been for the fact that the British had been forewarned.
Forewarned is forearmed; and this fact alone prevented the Germans from carrying out their designs. It is history that the approach of the German fleet had been reported to the commander of the British cruiserGlasgowby an aviator, who had sailed across the dark sea in a hydroplane. Whether the Germans knew that there were but three British vessels in the Skagerak cannot be told, but certainly they believed they were in sufficient strength to force a passage, particularly by a surprise attack, which they believed the present venture would be.
Therefore, it must have been a great disappointment to the German admiral when a single big gun boomed in the distance.
This was the voice of the British battleshipQueen Mary,which, taking directions from theGlasgow'saviator, had fired the opening shot, telling the Germans that their approach had been discovered and that the passage of the Skagerak would be contested.
Immediately the German fleet slowed down; for the German admiral had no means of knowing the strength of the British fleet at that point. Hurried orders flashed back and forth. A few moments later three aeroplanes, which had been hanging low above the German fleet, dashed forward.
They had been ordered forth to ascertain the strength of the British.
In almost less time than it takes to tell it they were directly above the British fleet, which, so far, consisted only of five ships of war— besides theGlasgow,an armored cruiser, theAlbertandVictoria, torpedo boats, being theQueen MaryandIndefatigable.
As the Germans approached in the air, a hydroplane ascended from each of the British ships and British aviators gave chase to the enemy. One, which had come too close, was brought down; but the other two returned safely to the shelter of the German fleet, where the British dare not follow them because of the presence of a superior force of the enemy.
But the German aviators had learned what they had been sent to learn. They had discovered the strength of the British. Again sharp orders were flashed from the German flagship.
The fleet came on faster.
Captain Raleigh, because of his seniority, had taken command of the small British squadron. He had drawn his ships up in a semicircle, heads pointed to the foe. As his aviators signalled that the Germans were again advancing, Captain Raleigh gave the command that had been long eagerly awaited by the men—a command which the commander of theQueen Maryhad delayed giving until the last moment because he desired to give his men all the rest he could.
"Clear for action!" he thundered.
Jack glanced at his watch and as he did so eight bells struck.
"Midnight!"
The exclamation was wrung from Frank.
"And no aid for at least three hours," said Jack, quietly.
As the lad spoke the fog suddenly lifted and gave to the British a view of the advancing German fleet.
"Forward turret guns!" cried Captain Raleigh, "Fire at will!"
A terrible salvo burst from the 16-inch guns in the forward turret.
At almost the same moment the leading German ships 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 ships 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 ships advanced the battle cruisers. Not a battleship nor a dreadnaught came forward. But the smaller ships dashed on swiftly and presently their guns found the range.
A shell burst aboard theGlasgow'sbridge, 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, theGlasgowfought back.
A shell 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 ship 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 ships—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 battleship had fled before a German ship or ships 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 airships 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."
"I guess we will manage to hold them till the main fleet arrives in the morning," said Frank, hopefully.
"We will have to hold them," declared Jack.
At this moment the lads' attention was directed to the cruiserGlasgow. Already badly damaged, a second German shell had now burst amidships with a loud explosion.
"And that settles theGlasgow," said Jack, sadly.
He was right. Gamely theGlasgowfought back, but it was apparent to all, in spite of the darkness, that she was settling lower and lower in the water.
"And we can't rescue the men," said Frank. "Remember the admiralty orders. No ship in action is to go to the aid of another. It would be suicide."
"So it would," said Jack. "Poor fellows."
Slowly theGlasgowsettled; and for a moment the fire of all the other vessels—Germans as well as British—lulled a bit. All eyes were bent on the sinking ship.
A wireless message was flashed from theGlasgowto Captain Raleigh of theQueen Mary.
"Goodbye," it said. "Hold them!"
After that there was no further word from the doomed cruiser.
The searchlights of both fleets played full upon theGlasgowas she settled lower in the water. She staggered, seemed to make an effort to hold herself afloat, and then sank suddenly.
The duel of big guns broke out afresh.
Dawn.
With the breaking of the intense darkness what a surprise was in store for the Germans!
Back of the four remaining British ships that had at first engaged the Germans, interrupting their dash and holding them in check until the arrival of a force strong enough to engage the foe more closely, came now the relief promised by Vice-Admiral Beatty.
Gathered from various parts of the North Sea, they had steamed toward Jutland, and, arriving there at almost the same time, they had assumed battle formation in the darkness.
That the British were approaching must have been known by the German admiral, for their wireless apparatus had been working unceasingly, telling of their approach, and these signals must have been caught by the German warships, though, because sent in code, they were undecipherable. Nor could the enemy tell, by the sound, just how close the British were.
Captain Raleigh, too, as well as the other British commanders, had known the other English ships were forming some distance back. Toward these they now retreated; and just as dawn broke, and the British sailors obtained their first view of the promised assistance—and greeted the new arrivals with cheers—the British advanced to the attack.
The German admiral, taking in the situation, knew that he still outnumbered the British—that the advantage was still with him. He determined to give battle. He knew, too, that it was only a question of time until the main British fleet would approach and he determined to win the battle before the arrival of new foes. He signalled an advance.
The British fleet was great and powerful—but not so great and powerful as the German by far. As theQueen Mary, Indefatigableand the two torpedo boats fell back, still the center of German fire and still hurling shell, seeking their proper places in the battle line, the other British vessels came on. And presently theQueen Maryand others had gained their places in the formation.
Ahead of the larger ships now—theQueen Mary, theIndefatigableand theInvincible,advanced the speediest of light cruisers—theDefense, theBiack Princeand theWarrior. Behind these, spread out fan-wise, came the destroyersTipperary, Turbulent, Nestore, Alcaster, Fortune, Sparrow Hawk, Ardentand theShark. TheAlbertandVictoriaalso had fallen in line, though badly battered by the effects of the German shells during the night.
Then the three battle cruisers advanced; and as the battle opened, far back came the battleshipMarlborough, hurrying to join in the struggle.
The German fleet advanced to the attack in a broad semi-circle. The flagship, theWestphalen, a dreadnaught of 18,600 tons, was squarely in the center. To her left was the battleshipPommernand next theFreiderich; to her right the battleshipsWiesbadenandFrauenlob. Beyond the battleships to the left were the cruisersHindenburgandLutzow, and beyond the battleships to the right the cruisersElbingandEssen. Torpedo boats, more than a score of them, also spread far on either side.
Directly behind the single dreadnaught and the battleships came a flotilla of submarines, ready to dash forward at the proper moment and launch their deadly torpedoes. Overhead, and moving forward, were the three giant Zeppelins and a flotilla of other aircraft.
Of all the vessels engaged, theQueen Marywas the largest. TheMarlborough, advancing rapidly, came next and then the German dreadnaughtWestphalen. The British battle cruisersIndefatigableandInvinciblewere the next most powerful, in the order named, and the other German vessels were by far superior to the British.
Now, as the battle opened with the greatest fury, another British vessel was sighted to the westward. It was theLion, the flagship of Vice-Admiral Beatty, steaming at full speed ahead.
Over the tops of the three British cruisers, light vessels travelled swiftly toward the enemy, the larger ships opened with their big guns. The range was found almost with the first salvo and shells began to drop aboard the enemy.
The British cruiserDefense, making straight for the German dreadnaughtWestphalen, hurled a shell aboard the German flagship that burst amidships. There was a terrible explosion and men were hurled into the water in little pieces. A hole was blown through the upper deck.
But theDefensepaid dearly for this act. The forward guns of theWestphalenpoured a veritable rain of shells upon the British vessel and in a moment she was wounded unto death.
There was nothing the other vessels of the fleet could do to aid her; and it was plainly apparent that she must sink. But the British tars stuck to their guns and they continued to hurl shells into the German line until the water of the North Sea washed over them.
TheDefensewas gone.
This left theBlack Princeand theWarrioralone before the larger British vessels and they stood to their work gallantly. The fire of both cruisers was centered on the German flagship; and it was plain that if they continued at their work theWestphalenwas doomed.
An order was flashed to the German Zeppelins. Two sped forward.
Captain Raleigh of theQueen Marysaw them advancing and the forward anti-aircraft gun was unloosened. The first Zeppelin, flying low, was pierced before it had moved forward a hundred yards; and it fell into the sea between the German battleships, a flaming mass. But the second came on.
Above theBlack Princethe Zeppelin paused. Something dropped through the air. There was a flash, an explosion and a dense black cloud rolled across the water. When it had cleared theBlack Princewas gone!
The anti-aircraft guns of theQueen Maryand theIndefatigablefired furiously at the Zeppelin; and a few moments later a shot from the latter struck home. The second Zeppelin fell into the sea. By this time theMarlboroughhad drawn up with theQueen Maryand the other large British ships; and now these advanced majestically.
The first to encounter the weight of their guns was the German battleshipPommern, of 12,900 tons. Raked fore and aft, she was soon ablaze. Her crew leaped into the sea, almost as one man, following an explosion in her boiler room; and the water was dark with bobbing heads.
ThePommern'ssister ship, theFreiderich, slowed down and gave assistance in picking up the crew of the former vessel; and while she was engaged in this work no British gun fired at her.
Gradually theMarlborough, theQueen Mary, theIndefatigableand theInvincibledrew closer together as they advanced upon the Germans. Shells burst over them with regularity, but so far none had reached a vital spot.
TheQueen Maryturned all her forward guns on theWestphalenand raked her fore and aft. In vain the other vessels of the German fleet sought to detract theQueen Mary'sfire. Captain Raleigh had started out with the intention of disposing of the German flagship and he was determined not to heed the others until theWestphalenhad been sent to the bottom.
It was no easy task he had set for himself, for he now was the center of fire of the whole German fleet—almost. A submarine darted forward to save theWestphalen. The quick eye of a British gunner caught it. He took aim and fired. The submarine disappeared.
With a view to disposing of the enemy immediately, Captain Raleigh ordered that one of the two forward torpedoes be launched.
There was a hiss as the little tube was released. The distance was so close now that a miss was impossible. There was an instant of silence, followed by a terrible rending sound; then a loud blast. The torpedo had reached theWestphalen'sboiler room.
Quickly the German admiral and his officers clambered over the side and rowed to theWiesbaden, where they were taken on board and the admiral's flag run up. TheWestphalenwas abandoned; and she sank a few moments later.
In the meantime, the British cruiserWarrior, of 13,500 tons, had been sent down by the explosion of a German shell which had reached her magazine. So rapidly had she settled that not a man of her crew escaped. Thus had the three light battle cruisers of the British—the vessels that had shown the way—been disposed of.
At this moment Vice-Admiral Beatty and his flagship, theLion, entered the battle. The great guns of the flagship roared above the others and the battleshipFrauenlob, singled out by her fire, soon sank.
In spite of the German losses, the British, so far, had had the worst of the encounter and the German admiral, despite the loss of his flagship, had no mind to give up the battle. He pushed to closer quarters.
Now the fighting became more terrific. Shells struck upon all ships engaged at intervals of a few seconds apart. Frequently loud explosions were heard above the voices of the great guns; and in most cases these signified the end of a ship of war.
Among the smaller vessels—the torpedo boats—which had singled each other out, the execution had been terrible. Dead and wounded strewed the decks and there was no time for the uninjured to give aid. They were too busy attending to their guns and manoeuvering their vessels.
But the outcome of an engagement such as this could have but one result, it seemed. Outnumbered as they were and fighting as bravely as they knew how, the British were getting the worst of it. Rather than sacrifice more lives and ships, Vice-Admiral Beatty, on theLion, gave the signal to retire. He was in hopes that the Germans would follow and thus fall into the clutches of the main British fleet which was advancing at full speed and with which Vice-Admiral Beatty had been in communication by wireless.
The Germans accepted the bait as the British drew off slowly; and as they advanced more ships steamed up from the east. It was a second German squadron advancing to the aid of the first.
There was a cry of surprise from the British, for they had not known that there was a second fleet in such close proximity. These new vessels evidently were the reserves the German admiral had been depending upon to turn the tide of battle should his first line ships not be able to overcome the British.
Seeing apparent victory within his grasp, the German admiral signalled his fleet to full speed; so the British retreated more rapidly.
Suddenly there was a terrible explosion to the right of theQueen Mary. Frank and Jack, as well as all others on theQueen Mary, gazed in that direction. The battle cruiserInvinciblesuddenly sprang into a sheet of flame and parted in half. A German shell had struck her vitals.
A cry of despair broke from the British as theInvincible—the greatest British ship to suffer so far—dived beneath the waves.
It was by a miracle, it seemed, that theQueen Mary,theIndefatigable, theMarlboroughand theLion, now in the front line, had escaped being struck in their vitals by the German shells that flew all about. On theQueen Mary, dead men and wounded men strewed the deck. They were being carried below as rapidly as possible, where the ship's surgeon, with a corps of assistants, was attending to their wounds.
Frank and Jack had been working like demons. From one part of the ship to the other they had been running with orders ever since the battle opened. The heart of each lad was in his throat—not because of fear— but because the British were getting the worst of the engagement. Never before had they seen an enemy fleet stand up to a British squadron of this size and fight. Always before it had been the German policy to run.
But now they were not only standing up to the British, but were giving them a bad thrashing. Each lad realized, of course, that the British were out-numbered and that the weight of guns was in favor of the enemy; but in spite of this they felt that the enemy should be defeated. They cast occasional glances to the west, hoping to catch sight of the main British fleet, which should be drawing near now.
But at nine o'clock there was no smoke on the horizon.
The loss of theInvinciblehad been a hard blow to the British. As the others retreated now the Germans pressed them closely. A shot struck theMarlboroughin the forward turret, exploding her guns there and killing the gun crews. The effect of the explosion was terrible. Men were hurled high in the air and came down in small pieces.
Jack, in the forward turret of theQueen Marya moment later, was hurled to the deck as a German shell struck one of the guns and blew it to pieces. The lad escaped the rain of steel that descended a moment later, but others in the turret were not so fortunate. Fully half the men there were killed or wounded so badly that they could fight no more.
Jack sprang to one of the guns himself. It was loaded. Quickly the lad sighted it upon one of the enemy ships and fired.
He watched the effect of this shot. It was the German cruiserElbingat which he had aimed. He saw a cloud of missiles ascend from amidships and knew that the shot had struck home.
Jack forgot all about reporting to Captain Raleigh for further orders, and as the battle raged, he continued to fire one of the big 16-inch guns—he and other unwounded British tars.
Frank had not seen his chum for an hour; and chancing to poke his head into the forward turret, he was surprised to see Jack working like a Trojan with the members of the gun crew.
"Good work, Jack! Keep it up!" he called.
Jack looked in Frank's direction long enough to wave his hand; then turned back to his work.
Came a loud British cheer. "What's happened?" demanded Jack of the man next him, shouting at the top of his voice to make himself heard above the din of battle.
The man shook his head.
"Don't know," he shouted back, "unless the main fleet has been sighted."
"We might have sunk one of the enemy," said another.
As a matter of fact, both men were right.
Two German torpedo boats had gone to the bottom almost simultaneously under well directed British shots; and, far back across the sea, a flotilla of battleships had been sighted.
Apparently the Germans had not yet sighted the British reinforcements, for they continued to press their foes hard.
Four British torpedo boats had been sent to the bottom of the sea. They were theTipperary, theTurbulent, theNestoreand theShark. The others gave slowly before the enemy; and a moment later two of those sank—theSparrow Hawkand theArdent.
There now remained facing the entire German fleet theLion, theQueen Mary, theIndefatigable, theMarlboroughand two torpedo boats, theFortuneand theAlcaster.
But the German losses had been great. TheWestphalenhad been sunk.So had thePommernand theFreiderich. TheFrauenlobhad gone tothe bottom and theWiesbaden, the new flagship, was badly crippled.As another German torpedo boat sank, the Germans slackened their pace.
The British had a breathing spell.
But the battle was not over yet. The second German squadron had now approached almost close enough to take a hand in the battle. Apparently this Was what the German admiral was waiting for before resuming operations.
It was plainly evident now that the Germans had sighted the approaching British fleet, but at that distance they were unable to make out its strength. The German admiral decided to continue the battle if he could do so with any hope of success.
So, with the second squadron in range, he gave the command to advance again.
TheQueen Maryand theIndefatigablebore the brunt of this next attack and for half an hour it seemed that it was impossible for the two ships to live through the rain of shells that fell all about them. But live they did and they gave as good or better than they received.
The German battleshipHindenburg, pierced by half a dozen shells at almost the same time, staggered back and fell out of line. But the British had no mercy on her. Shell after shell they poured upon her; and at last she sank.
TheWiesbaden, the German flagship, pressed hotly to the attack. Although struck in a dozen places and her port side batteries out of commission, she continued to play on theQueen Maryand theIndefatigablewith her forward turret guns.
As a matter of fact, it was fortunate for theQueen Maryand theIndefatigablethat they had begun to retire; for their forward turret guns had been silenced and the only pieces that they could now bring into play were in the turrets aft.
A shell from the German battleshipLutzowexploded on the bridge of theMarlborough. The bridge was carried completely away and the commander of the ship was killed, as were half a score of other officers. A second shell struck theMarlboroughand carried away her steering apparatus. Absolutely uncontrollable now, theMarlboroughdrifted toward theLion, with which she almost collided before theLioncould get out of the way.
There was nothing that could be done for her until after the battle, at any rate, and the others left her to her fate. Drifting as she was, theMarlboroughcontinued her fire; and of a sudden she put a shot aboard theLutzowin a vital spot.
TheLutzowblew up with a terrible roar. The crew of theMarlboroughcheered and waved their hands to their companions on the other British ships.
Apparently this was more than the German admiral had bargained for. With his whole second squadron intact and the British apparently helpless, he had thought to crush these few ships before aid should reach them; and then, if the approaching British were not too formidable, to offer them battle also.
Now there were only three British ships in line—theLion, theQueen Maryand theIndefatigable—and these were really not fit nor able to continue the fight.
But the men fought on doggedly. None of the others had thought of surrender and no such idea entered the head of a single man aboard any of the British ships. Help was at hand and then the Germans would get the thrashing of their lives, the men told themselves. They would keep the Germans busy until this help arrived.
Hardly a man aboard theQueen Marythat had not been wounded. Sweat poured from their faces, hands and body as they continued to fight their guns; and as they fought they shouted and yelled encouragement to one another.
"Boom!"
There was a different tone to this deep voice and every man on board the hard pressed British ships knew what it meant.
The first ship of the main British fleet had come within range and had opened with her biggest gun.
Other new voices took up the challenge and within a few moments the roar of battle was at its height once more.
Still a considerable distance away, the dimensions of the approaching British fleet now became apparent to the German admiral. He had thought, at first, that perhaps the newcomers would number a few ships, attracted by the sounds of battle, but as he looked at the formidable array now bearing down on him he knew that his plans, whatever they were, had been frustrated.
"And we had it all planned so carefully," he said between clenched teeth.
He strode up and down angrily, beating the palm of one hand with a knotted fist.
"How could they have learned of it?" he cried. "How could they?"
He was very angry. An officer approached him.
"Shall we draw off, sir?" he asked, and pointed to the fresh British ships bearing down on them.
"No!" thundered the admiral. "Why don't you sink those three ships ahead of you there? Sink them, I tell you!"
The officer saluted and moved away.
For some moments the German admiral continued to talk to himself in great anger; then he suddenly cooled down. With a finger he summoned the officer who had accosted him a moment before. The officer approached and saluted.
"I forgot myself a moment ago," said the admiral. "You may give the signal to retire!"
A moment later the big German ships began to come about; and from the decks of theQueen Mary, theLionand theIndefatigablethere came loud British cheers.
TheMarlborough, still helpless, poured shell after shell upon the enemy.
Some distance away still, the British fleet was approaching in an endeavor to intercept the retreat of the enemy. Captain Raleigh of theQueen Marytook in the situation at a glance.
"They'll never do it!" he exclaimed.
He determined upon a bold step. He gave command to bring theQueen Maryabout. Then, disabled as his ship was, he started in pursuit of the enemy.
There was a cheer from theIndefatigable, and presently the head of that vessel also came about She started after theQueen Mary!
Perceiving this move by two vessels that he believed the same as at the bottom of, the sea, so far as fighting purposes went, the German admiral became very angry again.
"A blight on these English!" he exclaimed. "Don't they know when they are beaten?"
Certainly it seemed not, if the Admiral's version that they were defeated was correct.
TheQueen Maryand theIndefatigablesteamed after the enemy at full speed.
Jack had relinquished his duties in the gun turret to more experienced hands and had joined Frank on deck. To some extent the forward turret had been repaired and was now in condition to hurl more shells after the fleeing enemy.
It was well after noon when the Germans fled; and as the two British ships followed close on the heels of the enemy—with the main British fleet still some distance back—one of those deep impenetrable fogs that often impede progress on the North Sea suddenly descended.
It was indeed a boon to the fleeing Germans, for without its aid, there is little likelihood that they could have escaped the British fleet, which had the heels of the enemy. But the fog blotted the foe completely from the sight of the main British fleet; and even from the decks of theQueen Maryand theIndefatigable, much closer, it was impossible to make out the whereabouts of the Germans.
The British continued to fire ahead into the fog, but with what result it was impossible to tell.
The fog became more dense until it was impossible to see ten yards ahead. Even the great searchlights on the vessels failed to penetrate the gloom.
"Well, I guess that settles it," said Frank.
"Looks that way," Jack agreed. "These Germans are pretty slippery customers anyhow. It's impossible to catch them in the dark."
"This fog descended as though it were all made to order for them,"Frank complained.
"Pretty hard to beat a fellow when the elements are fighting on his side," Jack admitted. "I imagine Captain Raleigh will give up the chase now."
But Jack was wrong, though, as it turned out, it would have been a great deal better for all concerned if the chase had been abandoned at that point.
After some conversation with Captain Reynolds of theIndefatigableby wireless, Captain Raleigh announced that the pursuit would be continued and ordered full speed ahead in the deep darkness.
As the vessel gathered momentum, Frank exclaimed:
"I don't like this. I feel as though something disastrous was about to happen."
"Another one of those things, eh?" said Jack, grinning in the darkness that enveloped them.
"What things?"
"I never can remember what you call them. Premonitions, I mean."
"You mean a hunch," said Frank, quietly. "Yes, that's just what I have —a hunch."
"Take it to Captain Raleigh. Maybe he will give you something for it," said his friend.
"This is no joking matter," declared Frank. "I'm not naturally nervous, as you know, but right now my nerves are on edge."
"Just the after effects of the battle," said Jack, quietly. "You are all unstrung."
"I'm unstrung, all right," Frank admitted, "but the battle had nothing to do with it. I tell you something is going to happen."
"Well, what?"
"I don't know."
"It's a poor hunch, unless it will tell you what is going to happen," declared Jack.
"Have it your own way," said Frank. "But wait."
"I'm waiting," said Jack, cheerfully.