“Not around here. Farther along, of course, we shall have to be extremely careful.”
For two days the Sylph continued on her way without incident.
Frank and Jack quickly fell into the routine life aboard the cruiser, and performed such duties as were from time to time assigned to them in such manner as to draw forth the praise of Lord Hastings and his officers.
It was on the third evening after leaving London that Frank and Jack, who were standing on deck, were startled by a cry from the lookout:
“Cruiser off the port bow, sir!”
The word was passed and Lord Hastings quickly appeared on deck.
“A German, as sure as I am a foot high!” he declared, after a long and careful scrutiny through his glass.
“She’s a German, sir,” agreed Lieutenant Edwards, “and she is headed directly for us.”
“We’ll go a little closer, and try to make out her identity,” was Lord Hastings’ order. “Slow down to fifteen knots!”
Soon the ship, at first but a speck in the distance, was close enough for Lord Hastings to make out her colors.