"No damage there, sir," came the cheering news a moment later.
"Signal the engine room! Something may have given way," ordered Lord Hastings.
This was done, but the engineer reported no damage.
Frank and Jack both breathed easier, as did Lord Hastings.
"A pretty narrow squeak," remarked Lord Hastings calmly.
"Rather, sir," agreed Jack dryly. "And now shall we go after the other one, sir?"
"I guess not," replied his commander. "After this day's work we can afford to let one escape. There is no use taking further chances. Besides, she'll be on the lookout for us and might cripple us the moment we showed ourselves. No; we'll head west again and won't come to the surface until we are well out of this. You may come about, Mr. Templeton, and proceed due west at ten knots."
This was done and the U-6 did not come to the surface again until her commander felt sure that he had no longer need to fear the single remaining German battleship. Then, upon the surface again, Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack ascended the bridge.
Through their glasses, far back, they could still see the German battleships, which, though wounded unto death, were still afloat, apparently battling desperately to resist the sea that was trying to draw them under. The water was still full of bobbing heads—the German sailors who had leaped into the sea.
"Poor fellows," said Lord Hastings compassionately.