Now the first gun on the German cruiser spoke, and a shell plowed up the water alongside the Britisher.
“They’ll have the range in a minute,” said Dick, “and then they’ll go at it hammer and tongs.”
He was right. The next shot from the German burst squarely over her enemy’s forward turret, putting it out of commission.
There was a cheer from the few German passengers aboard the Yucatan.
But the British cruiser more than evened up the score with her next shot.
A shell burst squarely amidships on the German. A moment later there was a terrific explosion.
The German cruiser seemed to part in the middle. It staggered crazily. She had been wounded unto death, as every passenger aboard the Yucatan realized.
Men flung themselves into the sea, and struck out in the direction of the Yucatan.
Captain Anderson was a humane man, and while the matter possibly was none of his business, he determined to aid the unfortunate victims. He ordered the ship’s lifeboats manned and lowered.
“Look!” cried Shirley.