And Jack proved to be a better prophet than he really meant to be.
At a signal from Lord Hastings, The Hawk now moved slowly forward again.
"Can you tell us just where we are bound, sir?" asked Jack.
"Well, not exactly," was his commander's reply. "I have information that leads me to believe an enemy, or several enemies, may be prowling about around——"
An interruption came suddenly and from an altogether unexpected source, and with the interruption all aboard became suddenly silent, except Lord Hastings, who sprang quickly to the wheel, and before the astonished helmsman knew what was going on, threw the wheel over hard.
For the interruption which had come so suddenly was the voice of a big gun.
Lord Hastings threw the wheel over with such violence that the motorboat careened desperately and all but capsized. Frank and Jack saved themselves from being thrown overboard by a quick grasp at the rail, to which they clung with all their might.
And then, before Lord Hastings could flash the searchlight across the water, had such been his intention, a blinding glare lighted up The Hawk. The enemy had been too quick for those aboard.
Now another shot rang out and the boys heard a terrible whistling overhead.
"Pretty close," said Jack quietly. "They are liable to get us next time."