Back on the Sylph, Frank and Jack learned that the casualties in the battle had been comparatively slight. Ten men had been killed and twenty-two wounded. Two of the latter were not expected to live. The German shells had done considerable damage to the Sylph, particularly upon the gun deck. Lord Hastings declared, however, that this could be patched up with very little difficulty.
It was during a talk with Lord Hastings, while the commander of the Sylph and the two boys watched the approach of the British cruiser Lancaster, that Jack learned just what an important part he had played in the engagement.
“It was a single shot that put the German out of business,” declared Lord Hastings. “It was just after the first fire from the German hit us, killing some of the gun crew.”
Jack looked surprised, but said nothing.
“A second later,” continued Lord Hastings, “there was a single shot from the Sylph. The shell penetrated to the magazine on the cruiser, and it exploded. Although the Germans fought for some time thereafter, that was the shot that decided the battle; it was the shot that sunk the ship.”
He turned to Jack. “You were in the gun room at the time,” he said; “do you know who fired that shot?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jack, in some confusion.
“Who was it, then?”
“I fired it, sir!”
“What!” exclaimed Lord Hastings and Frank in the same breath.