“Very good, sir,” was the lieutenant’s reply, and the Sylph came about quickly.
Hardly had the little vessel laid herself out on her new course, when Lord Hastings’ voice rang out:
“Full speed ahead!”
The Sylph jumped forward like some live thing, and headed in the direction of the German cruiser, still bearing somewhat to the south.
Frank and Jack watched all these maneuvers with the greatest of interest. When the word was passed that the vessel approaching was a German cruiser, the boys had been greatly excited; and, when the Sylph had turned and fled from the enemy, their disappointment knew no bounds.
“Great Scott!” Frank exclaimed. “We are running away!”
“I don’t believe Lord Hastings is the man to run very far,” Jack replied. “Besides, you can see as well as I can that the Sylph is no match for the German. She would shoot us out of the water before she approached within range of our guns.”
“Perhaps so,” returned Frank, “but just the same I would rather fight than run away from that cruiser, big as she is.”
“I feel the same way. But 'discretion is the better part of valor,’ you know. Besides, I believe Lord Hastings has some scheme in his mind.”
“Well, I hope so,” declared Frank.