With one of her forward guns dismounted, the "Grigsby" was to that extent out of business. Preferring not to trust to his torpedo tubes, at this juncture Darrin raced aft, just as the destroyer began to execute a swift turn.
And now Dave's craft turned tail and ran for it, the young commander directing personally the service of the after guns as the foremost German destroyer gave chase.
Two more hits were scored by the enemy, with the result that two more of Dave's hardy young seamen were killed and four wounded. Matters were beginning to look decidedly serious.
As for Dan Dalzell, when he saw the "Grigsby" turn tail and flee, his heart gave a great bound.
"Good old Darry didn't do that unless he had to," Dan told himself. "I must cover his retreat somehow."
So, his guns barking, and men standing by at the torpedo tubes, Dalzell darted straight for the second of the German destroyers.
Fortunately there was plenty of sea-room, for Dave Darrin was not in reality running away. He was still alert to win the fight, but he wanted to win with the smallest possible loss among his own men.
The Hun craft pursuing him was the slowest of the three enemies. This Dave had already guessed. He allowed the other craft to gain for half a mile, then suddenly shot ahead. By this time several hits had been scored by both combatants, and the third enemy destroyer was maneuvering for a position from which she could render herself effective to send Darrin and his men to the bottom.
Just when it happened Lieutenant Fernald hardly knew, but once more Darrin stood on the bridge at his side.
"Circle!" Dave shouted. "The shortest circle we can make, so as not to show our broadside longer than we must."