It was hours later that Frank first noticed signs of returning consciousness in his wounded comrade. Jack's pale face took on a little color, his eyelids fluttered, and a minute later he opened his eyes.
Frank bent over him.
"How do you feel, old fellow?" he asked gently.
It was some seconds before Jack replied. His gaze roved about the cabin, and Frank could see that for the moment his friend was unable to recognize his surroundings. At last, however, a look of understanding passed over his face, and he spoke:
"It was a great old scrap, wasn't it?" and he smiled up at his friend.
"It was all of that," replied Frank. "But tell me, how do you feel?"
"Well, I don't feel tip top, and that's a fact," replied Jack feebly, moving about on his bed.
He made as if to sit up, but Frank held him down.
"You stay where you are," he ordered.
"What's the matter?" demanded Jack. "Can't I get up if I feel like it?"
"No," replied Frank, "you can't. You'll stay where you are until the doctor says you are out of danger."
"Danger!" echoed Jack. "You ought to know by this time that I was not made to be killed so easily."
"Nevertheless," said Frank, "you are badly wounded. It will be several days before you will be able to get about."
"Several days!" cried Jack in dismay. "You take my word for it,I'll be up tomorrow."
"You'll stay right where you are until the doctor gives his permission for you to get up," said Frank firmly, "if I have to hold you in."
"Don't you believe it," cried Jack. "I'll be up and out of here tomorrow, or I'll know the reason why."
But he wasn't; for, as Frank had said, he was too badly wounded to be able to get about. The next day and the following one, while the Lena continued steadily on her course toward England, Jack was forced to lie in his bed.
It was not until the dawn of the third day that the surgeon gave him permission to go on deck. Supported by Frank's arm, the injured lad made his way to the bridge, where he took a deep breath of the invigorating air.
"By Jove! this feels good," he exclaimed, as a stiff breeze swept across the ship. "Think I'll camp out up here a while."
"Oh, no, you won't," replied Frank. "Just one hour, and then back to bed for you."
"By George! you'd think I was a baby the way you tell me what to do," said Jack, with some show of temper.
"You'll go back when your hour is up, if I have to drag you," said Frank. "And I don't believe you are in condition to put up much resistance."
"I guess you are right," replied Jack ruefully.
His hour up he returned to his cabin and Frank once more tucked him comfortably in bed.
It was several days before Jack was able to get about the ship with his accustomed alacrity; and then the Lena was well out of African waters, steaming up the coast of Portugal—the English channel and London now not far away.
Jack had now resumed command of the ship, and the boys, standing together on the bridge one fine morning, were congratulating themselves upon the success of the voyage, when from the lookout came a cry:
"Cruiser off the starboard bow, sir?"
"How is she headed?" demanded Jack.
"Coming right this way, sir."
"Can you make her out?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Let me know as soon as you can," was Jack's command.
It was fully half an hour later, and the cruiser was not yet plainly discernible to the naked eye, when the lookout called:
"She's British, sir."
"I wouldn't be too sure," muttered Jack to Frank. "She may be flying the English flag and still be an enemy. I don't trust these Germans much."
"Nor I," agreed Frank. "However, we will soon know whether she is friend or foe."
Slowly the cruiser drew nearer. Now the boys were able to make out the British flag flying at her masthead. There came a puff of smoke from the stranger, and a shot passed over the bow of the Lena.
"Signal to show our colors," muttered Frank.
At his command the British ensign soon fluttered gaily in the breeze.
Came another shot from the cruiser.
"What's the matter now, do you suppose?" asked Frank. "That's a signal to heave to. If she's British, what does she want us to heave to for?"
The vessels were still a considerable distance apart, and night was drawing on. The answer to Frank's question came from the approaching vessel.
The British ensign flying at the masthead of the approaching cruiser suddenly came fluttering down, and a moment later the Red, white and Black of Germany fluttered aloft in its stead.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Jack. "I was afraid of it!"
At the same moment another shot crossed the Lena's bow.
Jack acted with decision and promptness. At a quick command the Lena raised the German flag. Then, as the German commander hesitated, fearing to fire lest the vessel really be of his own country, Jack signaled the engine-room for full speed ahead.
The Lena seemed to leap forward, and in a moment had turned her stern to the enemy, thus making her a harder target to hit. The German, evidently taken by surprise, could not bring her guns to bear in a moment, and that moment undoubtedly saved the Lena.
The small guns on the Lena, at Frank's command, were made ready for instant use, and the men were piped to quarters. Although well aware he was outranged by the enemy, Jack determined to fight his ship to the last.
"They'll know they have been in a battle unless they sink us before they come in range of our guns," said Jack grimly.
"You bet they will," replied Frank.
"Everything ready?" demanded Jack.
"All ready, sir," replied Frank, with a slight smile and a salute.
The second and third officers made their reports. The British were ready for instant action, and eager for the fray.
"We'll run as long as we can," said Jack, "but, if we can't outrun them, we'll turn about and give them a fight, anyhow."
This word was passed along to the crew, and a loud British cheer rang out across the waters of the North Atlantic. Frank and Jack were forced to smile.
"The British sailor would always rather fight than run," saidFrank.
"Right," said Jack. "This running rather goes against me, too."
Now the forward guns of the German cruiser were brought into action, and heavy detonations rang out across the water. But the German gunners had not yet found the range, and the fact that the Lena was so maneuvered as to keep her stern to the enemy made the task of the enemy that much harder.
Darkness fell, and still the flight and pursuit continued, but so far the Lena had not been struck by a single shell. She had fired but one shot at the foe—from one of her small guns aft—but this had shown that the German cruiser was not yet within range of the Lena's guns.
Now that darkness had fallen the huge searchlight of the German cruiser played full upon the Lena. Suddenly Jack and Frank felt a terrific shock, and the Lena, for a moment, seemed to pause in her stride. A shell had struck the stem of the vessel. There was an explosion and a single high mast crashed to the deck.
Quickly a score of sailors sprang forward, and at a word fromFrank, cleared away the wreckage and tumbled it overboard.
"Nothing serious, sir," reported the second officer, after a hurried investigation.
"Good!" said Jack calmly.
Then, so suddenly that it appeared to be the hand of magic, the searchlight of the German cruiser faded from view. Darkness fell over the Lena intense darkness.
The glare of the searchlight had vanished so suddenly that for a brief moment Frank did not determine the cause of it.
"What is it?" he demanded anxiously.
"Fog," replied Jack laconically, "and just in time. With luck, we may make our escape."
The course of the Lena was quickly altered, and she once more headed toward the coast of England.
At full speed the Lena continued her voyage through the dense fog.
"Is there any danger of our colliding with another ship, speeding along like this without knowing what is ahead?" asked Frank in some anxiety.
"Certainly," replied Jack. "However, it is a chance we must take. We know what lies behind, and the way I figure it is that it is better to take a chance on what may lie before rather than on what we know lies behind."
"Right," said Frank, and he became silent.
All night the Lena forged ahead at full speed through the fog, which hung thick and dismal overhead and all about; and all this time the boys did not leave the bridge.
The men were allowed to rest at their posts, but were kept on the alert, for, as Jack said, "we must be prepared for anything."
Jack looked at his watch. It was 8 o'clock in the morning; and, even as he glanced at his timepiece, the fog lifted as suddenly as it had enveloped them.
"This is better—" Frank began, and broke off with a cry of amazement.
Not a hundred yards to the leeward his eyes fell upon the dark hull of the German cruiser which had pursued them the night before. Evidently the commander of the vessel had anticipated the course of the Lena and had taken the same route. There is no telling in what imminent danger the two had been of a collision during the night, as both had sped along silently, each fearing to betray his presence to the other.
Jack espied the enemy at the same instant that Frank cried out; and he acted upon the instant.
Hoarse commands were shouted across the decks of the Lena, and a moment later her small guns burst into sound. In spite of the fact that the enemy must have been on the lookout for the Lena, it was apparent that the Lena had been the first to realize the presence of the other.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" spoke the Lena's guns, and the sound went hurtling out across the sea.
"Crash! Crash!"
At this close range a miss was almost out of the question, and the Lena's shells crashed into the sides of the German cruiser. The German vessel staggered and reeled, but in a moment her big guns answered the smaller caliber ones of the Lena.
The Lena quivered like a human thing under the deadly hail of fire from the enemy. The great guns raked the merchant ship from stem to stem, pierced her until her sides resembled nothing more than a sieve. Men fell everywhere, many prisoners being killed by fragments. But still the Lena continued to fight back.
Standing upon the bridge Jack directed the fighting of his ship. He realized in the first moment of contact that the doom of the Lena was sealed. She was no match for the German cruiser, but, before going down, it was his intention to do as much damage as possible to the enemy. And the fire of the Lena was doing terrific damage.
Men fell on the cruiser as well as on the Lena. Shells crashed aboard, tumbling down masts, bursting in the mouths of the guns and hurling showers of iron about. Grimy-faced men ran hither and thither about the decks of both vessels. They had long since lost all resemblance to human beings, and all fought like demons.
The German commander did not call upon the British to surrender. Evidently he did not wish to be bothered with prizes. To sink the enemy—that was his sole aim.
One by one the guns of the Lena were put out of action, until finally but two remained to reply to the fire of the enemy. Slowly the head of the Lena swung round, to permit of these last two guns being brought to bear.
"Boom! Boom!" They spoke their last message, and two shells pierced the very heart of the German cruiser.
There was a sudden, terrific explosion. A fierce red sheet of flame leaped from the German cruiser, and shot high in the air. The center turret rose with the flame and fell back to the waters of the North Atlantic in a million pieces.
The magazine of the cruiser had blown up! Her vitals were opened and the waters engulfed her.
The two lads stood on the bridge of the Lena, open-mouthed, awed by this spectacle. Both were too surprised to speak. At the very moment when the battle seemed lost, one well-directed shot had turned the fortunes of war in favor of the arms of the British.
At length Frank spoke.
"It is a miracle!" he exclaimed.
"No," replied Jack calmly, "not a miracle; rather, the courage and bravery of the sons of Britain are responsible for this good fortune."
He turned his eyes upon the floating wreckage. Not a survivor was in sight. "Poor fellows!" he said, half aloud, "may they rest in peace!"
At this moment the chief engineer came rushing on deck. Blood streamed down his face and one arm hung limp at his side.
"The engines are out of commission, sir," he reported, "and there is three feet of water in the engine-room. The ship is sinking!"
Jack drew himself up to his full height and shouted out his orders:
"Man the boats!" he cried.
He called the second and third officers.
"Look after the wounded," he commanded. "See that they are all placed in the boats. Release the prisoners, but they must shift for themselves."
"And the dead, sir?" questioned the second office.
Jack lifted his cap from his head.
"The dead," he said softly, "must be left to the mercy of the sea. We can do them no good."
The second officer saluted and hurried away.
Frank and Jack superintended the lowering of the boats. Each small craft already contained a quantity of provisions and water, and, at Jack's command, such small arms as could be hurriedly secured were thrown overboard. The wounded were lifted gently into the boats—the dead left where they had fallen. The last act was to release the prisoners. That was all that could be done for them.
At last all the boats were manned, and, at a word from Jack, they put away from the ship. Each boat was crowded, for some had been damaged in the battle with the German cruiser and made unfit for use.
Slowly the boats pulled away from the Lena.
"Which way?" asked Frank.
"Due east," replied Jack. "We must be some place off the coast of France, and, unless a storm arises, we stand a good chance of reaching land safely."
He cast his eyes toward the Lena.
"And hurry!" he commanded. "The Lena is likely to go down any moment, and, if we do not put some distance between us, she is likely to carry us under also."
The men in the boats bent to their work with a will, and soon they were out of danger.
"There she goes!" exclaimed Frank suddenly, and, standing up in the boat, he pointed a finger toward the Lena.
Slowly the ship had been settling by the head. Now she sank lower and lower in the water. A terrible hissing arose and went forth across the sea. The water had reached her boilers.
Then the bow of the ship climbed clear out of the water, for a moment pointed almost straight toward the sky—it seemed that she would turn completely over—then suddenly lurched heavily forward, and dived.
The water foamed angrily white, parted quietly for the Lena, as she took her death plunge, rose high in the air; then, its fury over, closed calmly over her. The Lena was gone.
"And so," said Jack sadly, "goes my first command!"
Frank laid his hand on his friend's arm.
"It's pretty tough," he said, "but there is no use crying over spilt milk. What can't be cured must be endured, you know."
"You are right," replied Jack, "and the thing do now is to try and reach land."
Standing up in the boat and shading his eyes with one band he looked eastward across the water for a long time. Then he sat down.
"See anything?" Frank asked.
"No."
"Have you any idea how far we are from shore?"
"I don't believe we can be very far away. With clear weather and steady rowing I believe we should make land within twenty-four hours, at least."
"Well," said Frank, "when we get ashore, what then?"
"Why," replied Jack, "we must return to London if we can and report to the Admiralty."
"And then what?"
"Then," said Jack slowly, "I hope we shall once more be assigned to a ship that is going into battle, that we may avenge ourselves for the loss of the Lena, and, yes, the death of Lord Hastings!"
It was to be many a long day before Frank and Jack were destined to see London again.
All day, following the loss of the Lena, the little boats bobbed up and down on the smooth sea, as they headed eastward as fast as strong British arms could drive them. All day the sun shone brightly, but as night drew on the air became cold and penetrating. The men wrapped themselves up as tightly as they could but even this did not keep out the chill.
Frank and Jack took turns sleeping and in keeping watch. At length the darkness began to give way to light; and, in the cold gray dawn of another day Jack, standing watch in the first boat, made out something in the distance that caused him to utter a loud cry.
Because of the intense darkness they had approached thus close without having gained a glimpse of what Jack now saw.
It was land.
Frank, aroused by Jack's cry, was on his feet in an instant and echoed his friend's cry of joy.
"Where do you suppose we are?" he asked.
"At a rough guess, I should say off the coast of France," wasJack's reply.
"Good! Then we should be perfectly safe."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," said Jack. "You never can tell what is going to happen in times like these. However, we will land as soon as possible."
The sun was high in the sky when the first of the little boats, rounding a sharp promontory, came in sight of a large vessel. She was plainly a ship of war, anchored a mile off the coast in a little bay. Beyond the lads could make out the houses of what appeared to be a small town.
"Wonder what place that is?" said Frank.
"I don't know," replied Jack, "but we'll soon find out. See!Our presence has been discovered."
Frank looked in the direction Jack pointed. It was true. They were close enough to the vessel now for the lads to make out several figures standing upon the deck, pointing toward them and gesticulating.
A moment later and the guns on the vessel shone in the sunlight, as the ship came about. They were pointed squarely at the little British flotilla.
A flag was quickly, run up to the masthead. The boys made it out in an instant—the tricolor of France. A cheer went up from the British sailors, and in one of the boats a sailor sprang to his feet and waved a British ensign above his head.
This was seen from the deck of the French vessel, and several small boats were hurriedly manned and came toward the British. Within hailing distance a voice cried out in French:
"Who are you and where from?"
"British prize crew aboard German merchantman, which was sunk by a German cruiser yesterday," Jack shouted back.
The French boats approached closer. The men in them were all armed, and it was plainly apparent they were not too confident of the identity of the British. They held their rifles ready for instant use, and small rapid-firers in the prow of each craft were ready for business.
But now that the French had approached close enough for their commander to distinguish the faces of the English sailors the tenseness of the French sailors relaxed, and they came on more confidently. The French officer ran his boat close to the one occupied by Frank and Jack and leaped lightly aboard it. The lads rose to greet him.
All three saluted, and the French officer said:
"I'm glad to see you."
"Not half as glad as we are to see you," replied Jack with enthusiasm. "This time yesterday we didn't know whether we would ever see land again or not."
"You have been adrift all that time?" questioned the officer.
"Yes, sir."
"You said something about having been sunk by a German cruiser.Why didn't they pick you up?"
"Because they were already at the bottom of the sea," repliedJack calmly.
"You mean that you sunk them with the small guns of your ship?" asked the officer in great wonderment.
"Yes," replied Jack briefly. "We were fortunate enough to do that with our last shot."
"Good for you!" ejaculated the officer. "But come! You must go aboard the Marie Theresa. Captain Dreyfuss will indeed be glad to greet two such gallant Englishmen."
It was fully half an hour later, the lads in the meantime having seen to the disposition of the British sailors aboard the French cruiser, before Jack and Frank were seated in the commander's cabin, relating their experiences to him.
"And what do you plan to do now?" asked the commander, after he had complimented the boys upon their gallant conduct.
"Well," replied Frank, "we had thought of returning to London.By the way, just whereabouts are we?"
The commander swept an arm in the direction of the little town.
"That," he said, "is St. Julien, on the southern coast of France. Bordeaux is to the north, and, in the event that you are planning to return to London, it will be necessary to go that way. If I were bound that way, I would gladly land you there, but I am not."
"May I ask which way you are going?" asked Frank.
"I am bound for the Adriatic," replied the commander, "to join the rest of the French fleet blockading the Austrians there."
"By Jove!" ejaculated Jack suddenly, struck with a sudden idea."Why cannot we go with you, Captain Dreyfuss."
"Go with me?" echoed the commander of the Marie Theresa.
"Yes," cried Frank, falling in with the idea at once. "May we, captain?"
The captain mused silently for some time.
"It would be very irregular," he said at length.
"We would certainly be pleased to see service under another flag," persisted Jack.
"Indeed we would," agreed Frank; "and we would be willing to go in any capacity. If we go to London we may have a long wait before being assigned to another ship."
Suddenly Captain Dreyfuss slapped his leg with his hand and got to his feet.
"It shall be done," he said; "and, I may say that I shall be glad of your company. I will have you shown your quarters. As it happens, I am short handed. I shall see that your crew is set ashore and given passage for London."
At his signal a young midshipman entered the cabin and came to attention.
"I place these young men in your charge," Captain Dreyfuss said to him. "You will show them quarters. From this time on they will be your shipmates."
The young Frenchman saluted, and the lads followed him from the commander's cabin.
He showed them to very neat quarters and said abruptly:
"You will bunk here."
He departed without another word. Frank and Jack stared after him in some surprise.
"Nice, pleasant companion he'll make," said Frank with fine sarcasm.
"I should say so," answered Jack. "From his actions you'd think we had done something to offend him."
"Oh, well," said Frank, "I guess we don't need to worry a whole lot about him."
"No," said Jack, "but just the same I would rather be on good terms with all on board."
The British sailors had now been gathered on deck and Frank and Jack went up to bid them goodbye. As they were rowed away in the direction of the little town the sailors stood up in the boats and gave three lusty cheers for both lads. The lads waved their hats at them.
"You'd think these English were somebody," came a voice from Frank's elbow, and turning the lad saw several French midshipmen standing nearby. "They leave us to do all the fighting," continued one, whom Frank now recognized as the one who had escorted them to their quarters. "If they fought as well as they talk, this war wouldn't last long."
Frank took a quick step toward the speaker, but Jack's hand fell on his arm and stayed him.
"Quiet," said Jack. "We don't want to have any trouble with them. Besides their words do not apply to you. You are American."
"You are right," said Frank, and turned away.
Suddenly Captain Dreyfuss' voice rang out on the bridge. Instantly all became bustle and confusion. The Marie Theresa was about to get under way. Not yet having been assigned to their duties, Jack and Frank stood a little to one side.
Slowly the big battle cruiser got under way. With her flag flying proudly, she turned her stern toward the shore and made for the open sea. Soon she was heading southward at full speed.
Now a second midshipman approached the lads.
"I am instructed to show you your duties," he said, without enthusiasm, and the boys could see that he was not well pleased with his task.
Frank stepped up to him and held out his hand. "See here," he said, "why can't we be friends?"
The Frenchman took the proffered hand and shook it half-heartedly. He glanced furtively about, evidently in fear that some of his comrades might see him in this compromising situation. Then, as rapidly as possible, he instructed the lads in their tasks.
"And now," he concluded, "dinner is ready. You will mess with the other midshipmen. Come, will show you the way."
Without a word the lads followed him. The long table was already filled. + But there were still some vacant seats. Frank and Jack dropped into these.
"Midshipman Templeton and Midshipman Chadwick," said their escort, introducing them to the rest, with a sweep of his arm.
Frank and Jack rose from their seats and bowed. The young Frenchmen barely acknowledged the introduction with nods of their heads.
Frank's face flushed, and he made as if to rise, but, again Jack stayed him, and they fell to eating in silence. Several times during the meal some Frenchman inadvertently made a remark derogatory to the fighting ability of the English.
Frank held his temper, though his face burned,'' and Jack was fearful that his friend would soon be mixed up in trouble again. However, the meal finally came to an end, and Jack and Frank arose with the others to leave the room.
To the deck below, where the midshipmen were wont to spend most of their leisure hours, the lads followed the Frenchmen. Here some drew cigarettes from their pockets, and, in spite of the regulations against this practice, proceeded to light up in most approved style.
Then they broke up into little knots, and Jack and Frank found themselves left to themselves.
"Come," said Jack at length, "we might as well go on deck."
He took Frank by the arm and started away. As they neared the door, a big, hulking Frenchman suddenly stretched forth a foot, and Frank, who had not noticed this obstruction, tripped and fell heavily to the deck.
He was up in a moment, his face a dull red. He turned on the now giggling midshipmen, angrily.
"Who did that?" he demanded, taking a step forward and doubling up his fists.
A laugh went round the room, but there was, no reply.
"Who did that?" demanded Frank again.
The big French middie who had tripped the lad stepped forward.
"I did it," he replied, thrusting out his face. "What of it?"
"Just this," replied Frank, and started forward. Jack stopped him.
"Here's where I get into this," he said quietly. "I tried to keep out, but it's no use. Stand aside, Frank, can't you see you are no match for him."
"Step aside nothing," said Frank, struggling, in Jack's grasp."I never saw a Frenchman yet I couldn't lick."
"Well," said Jack calmly, "this is one you won't lick. I'm going to do it myself. It's my fight, anyway in vain did Frank struggle. He was like a child in his friend's strong hands."
The big Frenchman thrust his face forward again.
"So you are going to interfere, are you?" he said.
"Yes," said Jack pleasantly, "and you'll wish I hadn't."
"Then take that," cried the Frenchman, and struck out suddenly.
Jack leaped back quickly, but he was not swift enough to entirely avoid the blow. A tiny stream of blood trickled from his nose. Without a word he calmly drew a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away the red drops. Then he stepped forward and spoke to all.
"Now," he said quietly, "this chap is going to pay for that. Are you gentlemen here? Will you see that this is conducted in a proper manner, or is it to be a rough-and-tumble?"
One of the French middies stepped forward suddenly. He offeredJack his hand.
"I'll see that it is conducted ship-shape," he said. "You impress me as a brave man, and I'll see that you get fair play."
"Thanks," said Jack laconically, accepting his hand.
"I might as well tell you, however," continued the Frenchman, "that you are up against more than your match. This man is one of the heavyweight aspirants for the championship of the French navy, and has several scalps to his credit."
"I guess he hasn't bumped up against an Englishman," was Jack's reply.
"What's it to be?" asked the Frenchman.
"Anything suits me," said Jack.
"To a finish," grumbled Jack's antagonist.
Quickly a square was marked off, and, enjoining the spectators to silence, the young Frenchman who appeared more friendly than the rest as self-appointed referee called time.
Jack and his opponent squared off.
Frank, who had never seen Jack exhibit his prowess in the fistic art, and who was rather a skillful boxer himself, though by no means a heavyweight, muttered to himself:
"Why didn't I insist on taking him on myself? Jack is due for a good lacing. He's strong enough, but he hasn't the science, I'm afraid."
He stood nervously in his friend's corner.
The Frenchman opened the fight with a rush, and his friends uttered subdued cheers and encouragement as he dashed at Jack. In size, it appeared that the two were about evenly matched, although the Frenchman was a shade taller than his opponent.
That his comrades believed him a master of the fistic art was evinced by their cries:
"Finish him up quickly."
"Let him stay a couple of rounds."
"No; one round's enough."
The Frenchman rushed, evidently having decided to finish the fight as quickly as possible. His expression showed that he had no doubt of his ability to polish off the Englishman and of his superiority as a boxer.
Jack met the first rush calmly, and with a slight smile on his face. His guard was perfect and not a blow reached him. The Frenchman landed blow after blow upon Jack's arms, with which the lad covered first his face and then his body.
Frank, having a knowledge of boxing, realized that he was witnessing a defense that was indeed remarkable, and muttered happily to himself. But to the rest of the spectators it appeared that their idol was hitting his man at will, and they continued to encourage him with low words, at the same time hurling epithets at Jack.
So far Jack had not attempted to strike a blow; nor had he given ground. He had presented a perfect defense to his opponent, who danced rapidly about him, striking from this side and that. The round ended, and still Jack had not offered at his opponent.
The Frenchman himself, however, skillful boxer that he was, was not deceived. He realized, as he rested in his corner, that he had met a foeman worthy of the best he had to offer. As yet, though, he had no means of telling what the lad had in store for an attack of his own; but he realized that Jack's defense was well-nigh perfect.
Therefore, when they advanced to the middle of the ring for the second round, he was more wary, for he had no mind to let Jack slip over a hard blow through carelessness. Suddenly Jack led with his right, then made as if to land with his left. The Frenchman threw up his arm to guard the latter blow, and Jack's right, which had not been checked—the feint with the left having made the desired opening—caught the Frenchman flush on the nose.
The Frenchman staggered back. Jack followed this advantage with a quick left and then another right to the Frenchman's face. Both blows had steam behind them, and his opponent, plainly in distress, covered up quickly and cinched.
In the clinch he attempted to deliver several short arm blows, but Jack was prepared for this kind of fighting, and blocked them with ease. Finally the two broke, and the Frenchman stood on the defensive.
It was apparent to all who were not too prejudiced that he now stood in awe of his opponent's hitting power.
Then they stood off and boxed at long range, and Jack trimmed his adversary beautifully. Tiring of this, the Frenchman rushed, but time was called as he swung wildly. In swinging he left a wide opening. Jack, starting a hard blow, turned it aside when the referee called time.
"Where did you learn to box?" asked Frank breathlessly between rounds.
"Why," said Jack, with a smile, "from my father. He was rather proficient in the use of his fists."
"He must have been," said Frank dryly. "Why didn't you tell me you could box?"
"You never asked me," replied Jack calmly.
He arose and walked slowly to meet his opponent as the referee again called time.
"Now, my friend," said Jack to his opponent, "I am going to give you as good a licking as you ever have had."
He feinted with dazzling rapidity several times, and drove a straight left to the Frenchman's ear. With lightning-like quickness he played a tattoo upon the Frenchman's face and body. Bewildered, his opponent dashed into a clinch.
"If you say so, we'll call this off right here," said Jack.
The Frenchman suddenly freed himself, and his reply to this kindly offer was to send a jab to Jack's nose, drawing blood.
"Just for that," said Jack quietly, who felt somewhat ashamed at having been caught off his guard, "I'll finish this fight right now. There is no need prolonging it."
Once, twice, he rocked the Frenchman's head, and then, as the latter came forward in a last desperate effort, Jack pivoted on his heel, and, starting his left low, swung. The Frenchman checked himself in his attack, and desperately tried to leap back.
But it was too late. Through his guard went the blow, and, catching the Frenchman on the point of the chin, it lifted him from his feet and into the air.
At least four feet through the air went the Frenchman, and came to the deck, head first, at the feet of his friends. He lay there while the referee counted him out.
Quickly Jack leaped forward, and, kneeling, raised his late opponent's head.
"Water, some of you," he called.
It was quickly brought, and Jack, wetting his handkerchief, bathed the Frenchman's face. His efforts were at last rewarded by a slight groan, and finally the unconscious man opened his eyes.
"What hit me?" he asked in a faint whisper.
"It's all right, old man," said Jack. "You'll be all right in a second."
Slowly the light of comprehension dawned in the Frenchman's eyes. He struggled to his feet, where he stood uncertainly for a few moments, looking at his conqueror.
Jack extended a hand.
"I'm sorry I had to do it," he said, a pleasant smile lighting up his face.
The Frenchman looked at him in silence for a full minute, then, stepping forward, he grasped the outstretched hand.
"What are you," he demanded, grinning, "a prizefighter?"
"No," said Jack, with a laugh, "but I guess I have had better training than you."
"Well," said the Frenchman, "if you ever need anybody to help you out, you can count on me. Maybe some day you will bump up against someone who can best you, but I believe the two of us together can put him down."
"Thanks," laughed Jack, "I'll remember that offer when the time comes."
The other French middies now gathered found and shook Jack and Frank both by the hand, while the one who had first made himself odious apologized profusely for his actions.
"Say no more about it," exclaimed Frank. "I'm glad we're all friends at last."
Further conversation was interrupted by the sudden sound of a bugle on deck. It was the call to quarters.
Quickly all sprang to their posts. Men dashed hither and thither, and in almost less time than it takes to tell it the Marie Theresa was cleared for action.
Then, at last having time to glance about, the two lads made out the cause of this sudden call. Several miles across the water could be seen two small cruisers. A closer look showed the boys the German flag flying at the masthead of each.
"Now," said Frank to Jack, "we'll have an opportunity of seeing how the French fight."
"They'll fight," said Jack briefly. "You may make sure of that."
"Nevertheless I would rather that we had an English crew."
Now the range was signaled to the gunners, and the Marie Theresa quivered and recoiled as the first of her big guns spoke. The shot fell short. Again the range was signaled, and once more the shot fell short, though nearer, the first of the German cruisers.
The third shot plowed up the water under her bow.
"We have the range now," said Jack, "we'll hit her next time."
His words proved true. A solid shot, hurled by one of the Marie Theresa's forward guns, struck the first German cruiser squarely in the side. The two following ones hit her just below the water line.
"That's pretty good shooting, if you ask me," said Frank enthusiastically.
But now the Germans also had succeeded in finding the range, and a shell burst over the Marie Theresa, hurling its fragments upon the deck. Five men went down, never to rise again.
As the battle progressed the two German cruisers drew farther and farther apart, until now they poured their fire upon the Marie Theresa from two directions. To avoid this cross fire, the commander of the Marie Theresa signaled full speed ahead, and dashed straight for the nearest of the enemy.
In spite of the galling fire from both of the enemy, the Marie Theresa bore down on the German cruiser. Too late the latter turned to flee from her larger opponent; but her guns continued to pour in her fire.
Although raked from stem to stern, the Marie Theresa had not been hit in a vital spot. The first German cruiser turned to run, but, by a quick maneuver, Captain Dreyfuss plowed into her as she turned. The sharp prow of the Marie Theresa crashed into the German amidships, and so terrific was the impact that the French ship recoiled.
But it was the death-blow of the German cruiser. Men leaped into the small boats and put off from the ship, or flung themselves head first into the sea. The Marie Theresa drew off and turned her attention to the other German cruiser.
But the latter had had enough. She turned quickly and headed west. Boats were lowered from the Marie Theresa and hurried to the aid of the survivors of the enemy. Many were picked up and taken aboard the French ship.
On the bridge of the German cruiser' now settling fast, could be seen the German commander. Several officers were gathered about him. They were gesticulating violently, but to each the captain shook his head negatively.
"They'll all be drowned if they don't hurry," said CaptainDreyfuss anxiously. "Why don't the fools jump!"
Suddenly the German commander drew a revolver from his pocket, and pointed it directly at the protesting officers. They drew back. The German commander followed them.
One by one they threw themselves into the sea all but one. At him the commander pointed revolver, and shook his head vigorously. The latter protested.
Finally the German commander hurled his weapon far into the sea, and held out his hand. The officer took it, and, arm in arm, the two walked, back to the bridge.
The German cruiser lurched heavily, but the two German officers were unmindful of it. Calmly the commander drew two cigars from his pocket, and offered one to the officer. The latter accepted it, and, taking a match from his pocket, struck it calmly.
He held the match so his commander could get a light, then lighted his own cigar. Thus the two stood, calmly smoking, as the cruiser settled.
Slowly the fatally wounded craft sank lower and lower in the water, until nothing was visible below the bridge. Then, with a sudden lurch, this to disappeared—nothing but the mast remained—then nothing at all.
The German commander had gone down with his ship—as had so many before him—as would so many after him.
The commander of the Marie Theresa lifted his cap, uttering no word—a silent tribute to a hero.