"I suppose," replied Frank, "it's because the commander wishes to draw the enemy so close that escape will be impossible."
And the lad had hit upon the exact reason. Mindful of his instructions to draw the enemy in as close as possible before engaging him, the commander of the Canopus had no mind to open the battle.
And ever the German squadron was steaming closer and closer to destruction. But there is an end to everything, and so there finally came an end to this inaction.
"Boom!"
A single German gun had opened the battle.
There was no reply from the Canopus.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Two of the enemy's ships cut loose at the Canopus.
Still the British battleship did not reply.
But the Germans had not yet found the range, and the Canopus was untouched, although several shells struck near her.