Then, suddenly, there came from above the command:
“Cease firing!”
As if by magic the night became still. After the great noise and confusion of the battle the sudden stillness was so intense that the boys’ ears hurt. Then they made their way to the deck.
And what a sight met their eyes!
Before them the sea was covered with a mass of wreckage. The stately German cruiser of a few minutes before was like so much floating débris.
“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack. “Did we do all that?”
“I guess we did,” replied Frank.
“Mr. Chadwick! Mr. Templeton!” came the voice of Lord Hastings. “You will man two of the boats at once and pick up as many as possible of those poor fellows in the sea!”
The lads rushed to obey this order, and soon were busily engaged in rescuing the German sailors clinging to the débris and swimming about in the water.
For almost an hour they rowed about, picking up the unfortunate Germans.