"They are making for home under a smoke screen from their destroyers,
and I'll bet some of our ships are not very far away either," was
Lieutenant McClure's observation as he stood surveying the field of
action through his glass.

"Yes, and that destroyer there is probably the chap who nearly ran us
down last night," added Executive Officer Cleary.

Lieutenant McClure nodded assent and then turned toward Jack, who had
been watching the approaching Germans from a position on deck just aft
the conning tower.

The _Dewey's_ commander motioned the young seaman to climb into the
steering station.

"I want you to stand right by and act as my aide," said McClure.
"That goes, not only now, but until further orders. You and Mr.
Wainwright will relieve each other as my aides. Go below and tell
Chief Engineer Blaine we are about to close in on the Huns and want
all the speed possible during the next hour or so."

Jack saluted and lowered away into the conning tower hatch. As he
climbed down into the hull he heard the sound of heavy cannonading
across the water. It was certain now that a running fight was in
progress and that behind the veil of the black German destroyer
smoke were allied warships.

The retreating column was well off the port bow and racing eastward
toward the shelter of the big guns at Heligoland. Coming up out of
the south the American submarine had run at right angles into the line