Cardyke turned to the sub.
"This can't go on for long," he remarked. "What will the end be?"
"Goodness only knows," rejoined Fielding; "but we've a tough time before us!"
CHAPTER X
THE HYDRO-AEROPLANES
Meanwhile, what had happened to Lieutenant Drake and the rest of the Frome's crew, after the destruction of that little craft? Directly the boats pushed off Drake and those of the men who remained with him gathered on the fo'c'sle and turtle-back deck. Then, as the water came into contact with the red-hot plates, the destroyer's deck buckled amidships. Her motors went crashing through the flaming petrol in the double-bottoms as the vessel tilted and slipped stern foremost beneath the flaming surface of the sea.
All on board imagined that the end had come, when suddenly that part of the ship between the for'ard engine-room bulkhead and the bows shook itself clear of the remainder of the shattered hull and floated on the surface. The destroyer had literally been torn in twain, and the watertight bulkhead kept the forepart afloat. True, there was a perceptible list, but on investigation there was found hardly any water in the forehold.
As soon as the petrol blazing on the water had burned itself out, the boats returned to find that Drake and his companions were alive, though scorched by the terrific heat. Deeming it inexpedient to allow the boats' complement on board the stumpy vessel, Drake ordered them to stand off and lay on their oars. Fortunately there was little wind, although the sea ran high, but guided by an anchor-lamp shown from the bridge, the boats could keep within hail of the lieutenant-commander. At frequent intervals rockets were sent up, for the Frome was not so very far from the regular steamer track, while it was known that other destroyers and one or two cruisers were heading in their direction.
Just after dawn H.M.S. Indus, a powerful cruiser of 22,000 tons, bore down. The lieutenant and his men were taken off the wrecked forepart, and a wireless message was sent to Devonport announcing the details of the outrage on the high seas, and asking for instructions.