"Why, I can't say. Probably had orders not to proceed too far immediately."
"I can tell you why," said Frank.
"I wish you would," said the young officer.
"The reason," replied Frank, "is perfectly simple. It's because the main British fleet is out there waiting for you fellows. After we chased your fleet back——"
"But you didn't chase us back. We retired when the battle was won."
"Oh, you retired when the battle was won, eh?"
"Yes; that's what the official report says."
"But it doesn't say who won the battle, does it?" asked Frank, with a grin, in which his friends were forced to join.
The young officer gazed from one to another, and Frank continued:
"Now, I'll tell you something you don't seem to know. We were pursuing the German fleet when two of our vessels crashed in the fog. That's how we happen to be here now."