"We will have to hold them," declared Jack.
At this moment the lads' attention was directed to the cruiser Glasgow. Already badly damaged, a second German shell had now burst amidships with a loud explosion.
"And that settles the Glasgow," said Jack, sadly.
He was right. Gamely the Glasgow fought 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 the Glasgow settled; 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 the Glasgow to Captain Raleigh of the Queen Mary.
"Goodbye," it said. "Hold them!"
After that there was no further word from the doomed cruiser.