"Good work! I shall not wait for you to return but will continue immediately."
This was a disappointment to the two lads, who had banked on being aboard the Marie Theresa in her raid. However, orders were not to be disobeyed.
Day was breaking when the Austrian cruiser steamed in among the French ships. Jack went aboard the admiral's flagship and reported. It was while he was standing beside the admiral that a fearful commotion broke out on board the captured Austrian cruiser.
There was the sound of a big gun, and a shell screamed overhead.
"The fools!" exclaimed the admiral. "Can't they understand they have been captured?"
Evidently the Austrians could not, for a second shell screamed overhead.
Quickly the flagship signaled the French aboard the captured vessel to leave, and when they were over the side and well out of harm's way the French dreadnought opened fire on the cruiser.
Men now emerged from below on to the deck of the captured vessel, and rushed rapidly about.
An officer leveled a glass and took in the imposing sight of the
French gathered about on all sides of him.
In another moment a white flag was run up at the masthead. It was the sign of surrender.