Jack and Frank darted hither and thither about the vessel,
carrying orders from Lord Hastings and Lieutenant Hetherington,
now and then taking a man's place at one of the guns as he
toppled over until another relieved them.

Two distinct shocks told that the Sylph had been struck twice
more. Then Lord Hastings gave the command for his vessel to
withdraw.

In attacking the enemy as he had, in the face of terrible odds,
he had accomplished his purpose. He had halted the Germans in
their attempt to escape, and had given the Undaunted and the
British torpedo boats time to come up.

Before the Germans could again get under full headway, there came
the heavy boom of a great gun. The Undaunted was within range,
and had opened fire.

Lord Hastings summoned Jack to him.

"What damage do you find to the Sylph?" he asked.

"Forward gun out of commission, sir," replied the lad. "Ten men
killed, and many wounded."

Frank also had had news to report.

The British flotilla and the German squadron were now at it
hammer and tongs. Seeing that all hope of escape had been cut
off, the German commander turned to face his new foes, determined