Soon one of the Sylph’s small boats was lowered and manned, and Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack jumped into it. Aboard the flagship, the meeting of Admiral Jellicoe and Lord Hastings did not wait on ceremony.
They were too old friends for such formalities. As Lord Hastings reached the deck of the flagship, Admiral Jellicoe rushed forward to meet him. The greeting was affectionate, and, after some few words, Lord Hastings motioned to Frank and Jack to approach.
“I wish to present to your excellency,” said Lord Hastings, in introducing the two lads to the British naval commander, “two of the bravest and most resourceful young men it has ever been my fortune to encounter. They both are midshipmen aboard my vessel.”
Both lads bowed.
“I am pleased to meet you, sirs,” acknowledged Admiral Jellicoe, and led the way to his cabin, Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank and officers following.
And this was the boys’ introduction to Vice-Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Great Britain’s “Boy Admiral,” the youngest Briton holding such an important command—the man to whom, soon after war with Germany was declared, Winston Churchill, first lord of the Admiralty, sent this laconic message:
“Capture or destroy the German fleet!”
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE BATTLE AT SEA.
It was shortly before dawn the following morning—August 28th, to be exact—that two British submarines, taking care to keep clear of the mines which had been planted outside the harbor of Helgoland, crept in close to the island. A little farther out, screened by the darkness which is always greatest just before dawn, the light cruiser, Fearless, took her position to await results.
Alongside the Fearless, but hidden from view by the larger vessel, lay the Sylph—to which our two boys had returned late that night—ready at an instant’s notice to act as scout or carry dispatches. All aboard were on the alert, and, as Frank and Jack leaned over the rail, awaiting anxiously the first glimmer of daylight, their excitement was intense.