THE HOME-COMING OF THE "SAUCIEST BOY"
Probably so extraordinary a battle had never yet been fought at sea in modern times.
It must have been pretty nearly eight bells in the night-watch, when suddenly sweeping round a headland, with the Russian flag flying, the Breezy found herself almost cheek by jowl with a great German cruiser. Not far off were five British merchantmen, all evidently prisoners. This was perceived by search-light.
The interpreter Kep roared through the great megaphone in German--
"What ship is that?"
"Kaiser the Second of Germany. Who are you?"
"The Russian cruiser Borloff, Captain, his Excellency the Count Kaskovisky."
"We don't believe you."
"Take that, then, as you can take no snuff."
Immediately a torpedo was let fly, followed by the roar of big artillery that all but swept the German into the sea, guns and all. She was hard hit and reeled and swayed like an old tub.