"They've the heels of us, too," muttered Jack. "Well, we'll slow down a bit and trust to luck. We can't do any damage unless we get within range."
The Essex slowed suddenly to half speed.
The German fleet dashed ahead, now in single formation. This was fortunate for the Essex, for it meant that the guns of only one ship could be brought to bear on the British destroyer at one time.
"Range, sir!" cried the range finder at this point.
"Then fire!" shouted Jack to the aft turret battery captain.
The battery spoke sharply, and the men gave a cheer of delight.
The first shell went home. It cleared the bow of the first German vessel apparently by the fraction of an inch and smashed squarely into the bridge. The crash of the shell striking home was followed almost instantly by an explosion. Timber and steel, intermingled with human bodies, flew high in the air. This much those aboard the Essex could see by the flare of the searchlight.
"A good shot, men!" cried Jack. "An excellent shot!"
An excellent shot it was indeed.
Something appeared to have gone wrong with the steering apparatus of the first German ship. She veered slightly to port.