The Boy Allies under Two Flags Part 40

"Right," replied Lord Hastings, "and it's up to us to get there well ahead of them."

"Other cruisers coming within zone, sir," reported the wireless operator.

"Can you make out their conversation?" inquired Lord Hastings.

"No, sir," was the reply. "They have reported to the flags.h.i.+p, and after being warned, have continued in code."

"Did you pick up their ident.i.ties?"

"Yes, sir. Besides the Dresden, the Gneisenau, Leipzig and Nurnberg have reported."

"That's all of 'em," said Lord Hastings dryly, "and they make a pretty powerful squadron. Here's where we have to begin to hustle."

The Sylph seemed to go forward even faster than before.

CHAPTER XXVII

TRAPPING THE ENEMY

"Land ahead!" came the cry of the lookout.

It was now early morning, and Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood on the bridge taking a breath of the fresh, invigorating air.

Gla.s.ses were quickly leveled, and soon the distant sh.o.r.e was made out.

"What port are we making for, sir?" asked Jack.

"Port Stanley," was Lord Hastings' reply.

Rapidly the Sylph steamed on, and finally, rounding into the little harbor, they made out a welcome and unexpected sight.

Frank and Jack cried out in surprise, and even Lord Hastings was moved to an expression of wonder.

In the little harbor, screened from the sea, riding gently on the swell of the tide, were eight British s.h.i.+ps of war!

"Oh, my!" exclaimed Frank joyfully, doing a little clog dance on the bridge, "won't we give it to the Germans now!"

Jack was equally as enthusiastic, though he was not given to such outbursts of emotion, being naturally more quiet.

"It looks like the end of the German squadron to me," he said simply.

As the Sylph steamed into the little harbor, one of the British war vessels turned slightly, and a sh.e.l.l screamed over the Sylph's bow.

"Want to know who we are," explained Lord Hastings.

The British ensign was quickly run up, and there followed a loud, cheer from the sailors of the fleet.

On the s.h.i.+p closest to sh.o.r.e flew the flag of Vice Admiral St.u.r.dee.

"I guess I had better pay my respects to the admiral at once,"

said, Lord Hastings. "Would you boys care to come with me?"

"Nothing would please us more," replied Frank, speaking for both.

The Sylph steamed close to the British fleet, and then the three put off for the flags.h.i.+p in a small boat. Aboard, they were shown immediately to the admiral's cabin, where the nearness of the German squadron was rapidly related.

"Fortunate!" cried Admiral St.u.r.dee. "I feared I would have to chase them all over the sea. I didn't expect them to come to me.

Have you a plan to suggest, Lord Hastings?"

"I fear, Sir Frederick," replied Lord Hastings, "that if you put to sea to give battle, the Germans will turn and flee upon recognizing the power of the British fleet."

"True," mused the admiral.

"May I offer a suggestion, Sir Frederick?" asked Jack.

The admiral glanced at the lad sharply, but Jack bore up bravely under the close scrutiny.

"Speak, sir," ordered the admiral.

"Then I would suggest, sir," said Jack, "that one of your cruisers be sent out so the enemy may be able to get a bare glimpse of her. Believing that she is alone, they undoubtedly will approach to attack. Let the cruiser, retiring slowly, give battle. When she has drawn the enemy close enough, the remainder of the fleet can make a dash and nab the Germans before they have time to flee."

"An excellent plan!" cried the admiral, springing to his feet.

"It shall be put into execution."

With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was over, and Frank, Jack and Lord Hastings made their way back to the Sylph.

That Admiral St.u.r.dee was a man of action became apparent in a few moments. Unaware just how far off the German squadron was, Sir Frederick took the necessary steps immediately.

Less than an hour after Lord Hastings and the two lads had returned aboard the Sylph, the British battles.h.i.+p Canopus got under way, and steaming away from her sister s.h.i.+ps, made for the entrance to the little harbor, going slowly.

Here she took up her position, steaming slowly back and forth.

As yet, however, there was no sign of the enemy. Meantime, other vessels in the fleet continued to coal swiftly. Steam was gotten up and every s.h.i.+p prepared for action.

Against the German fleet of five s.h.i.+ps--the armored cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the protected cruisers Leipzig, Dresden and Nurnberg, accompanied by two colliers--the British admiral, besides the Sylph, would go into battle with eight s.h.i.+ps of war--the battle cruisers Invincible and Inflexible, the former Admiral St.u.r.dee's flags.h.i.+p, the cruisers Kent, Cornwall, Carnarvon, Bristol and Glasgow, and the battles.h.i.+p Canopus.

At Sir Frederick's command, every sailor in the English fleet was given a light meal, and then each man took a cold bath.

Following this, those who were not on watch, turned in for a brief rest. And to show the hardihood and bravery of the British tar, there was not a man who showed signs of nervousness or fear.

There was a signal from the Canopus--a signal by flags, for the British did not wish to betray their presence by the use of the wireless, which could be as easily picked up by the enemy.

"Enemy approaching," read the signal.

Admiral St.u.r.dee signaled back.

"Engage him when he has approached so close that he believes you are unable to get away."