Boom!
The report followed a flash of red flame. The battleship trembled to her keel plates as the sound reverberated.
The shell sped screeching through the air.
"Phsiw-is-s-s-s-s-s-s-s!"
Straight for the end target it sped, and a second later the lookout, reading off Ned's wig-wagging signals, announced in a curt voice:
"Bull's-eye, sir."
A little chorus of congratulation followed among the officers.
"That's the stuff!" murmured the ensigns and middies.
"Excellent work," was the comment of their more dignified senior officers.