“To London!” exclaimed Jack, in surprise.
“Yes. There the Sylph will undergo the necessary repairs, which probably will take a week. At the end of that time I hope to have recovered to such an extent that we shall be able to put to sea immediately. I feel much stronger the last few hours.”
“And then back to Helgoland,” said Frank.
“No,” replied Lord Hastings, “I think not. I believe that our next cruise will be in the Mediterranean.”
“The Mediterranean!” exclaimed Jack. “Why not the North Sea? Don’t you think there will be more fighting there, sir?”
“Not immediately,” was the reply. “After the blow we have just inflicted upon the German fleet I believe it will be some time before the enemy will venture forth again.”
“Then there is no likelihood of Admiral Jellicoe’s forcing a battle by going in after the Germans?” queried Frank.
“I fear that would be suicide. The guns of a fortress, you know, are of much heavier caliber than it is possible to mount upon a war vessel. Besides, the harbor is mined, and there would, I am afraid, be but slight hope of success for British arms in such a venture.”
“And yet,” said Frank, with a smile, “there was a certain American admiral in the Civil War who said something about paying no heed to the torpedoes when he steamed into Mobile Bay.”
“Yes,” admitted Lord Hastings, “and there was another American admiral who also disregarded the mines at Manila. But don’t you fret,” he continued, “you will find that Admiral Jellicoe is of the same caliber, should he deem such a venturesome exploit essential.”