CHAPTER XII.
A BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY.
Lord Hastings turned to the operator with a smile.
“Tell him to blow away!” he said, and the operator departed, grinning broadly.
The first shades of darkness were now beginning to encircle the little vessel.
“The enemy has the range of us,” said Lord Hastings to Lieutenant Edwards, as a second shell whistled over the bow of the vessel, kicking up a great splash in the water.
“Yes, sir,” was the reply; “our guns are ineffective at this distance.”
Under Lord Hastings’ command, the Sylph came about, and headed back in the way she had come.
“What would you say she is making?” asked Lord Hastings of Lieutenant Edwards, indicating the approaching German cruiser.
“About twenty-one knots, sir.”
“Good. Set our speed at twenty-four, then.”