A second shot rang out and Frank heard the whistle of a heavy missile overhead.
He sprang quickly to the searchlight, and with a single movement, whirled it about. In another moment a second white glare lighted up the sea.
Frank pointed his light squarely at the point from which he could see the other light came. While he was unable to see the other boat, because of its light, he knew that once his own searchlight had found its object, those aboard the other craft would no longer be able to see The Hawk.
Then came the sound of a third shot, but this time the missile was not even heard, and Frank knew that he had been successful. The enemy had lost the range.
"Good!" shouted Lord Hastings. "And just in time, I should say. The next shot would have hit us."
"Yes, sir," said Frank quietly. "He's blinded us, sir, but we have done the same for him. Now what, sir?"
"By Jove! I don't know," replied Lord Hastings. "Here, Jack, stand by this forward gun, and be ready to let her go the first moment you can see the enemy. If we can manage to work out from under his light we may be able to get him. Frank, don't you let that light off him a minute."
"I'll keep it on him, sir," replied the lad.
So there the two boats were, less than a hundred yards apart, but still unable to do one another harm, unless by a chance shot. For, although the occupants aboard each craft could see the light of the other, they couldn't gauge its origin with accuracy.
Several times the enemy fired, but without result.