The Boy Allies Under the Sea Part 21

"I've been here long enough," he told the boys. "Back to _The Hawk_ again now."

And back to _The Hawk_ they went that day.

Aboard _The Hawk_ Lord Hastings made a careful inspection and then left the lads, while he held an interview with the British commanding officer in charge of the motorboat flotilla. When he returned he had a smile on his face.

"Good news," he said, as he came aboard.

"What, sir?" asked Frank.

"Action to-night, sir?" demanded Jack.

"Better than that--for you boys," replied Lord Hastings. "Action, and at once."

"Where?" asked Frank.

"Around the same neighborhood we were in before."

"Good," declared Jack.

"And more important prey, this time," continued Lord Hastings.

"Submarines?" asked Jack.

"Well, that's what we expect," replied Lord Hastings. "We hope to be fortunate enough to find one or two."

"When do we start, sir?" demanded Frank.

"As soon as the _Glasgow_ comes along."

"The _Glasgow_, sir? You mean the steamship _Glasgow_?"

"Exactly. It appears that pa.s.sengers have been warned not to take pa.s.sage on the _Glasgow_. A warning has been circulated through the newspapers, the same as was done before the _Lusitania_ sailed and was sunk. This naturally leads to the belief that the Germans are planning to torpedo the _Glasgow_. We are to be on hand to see that this does not happen."

"I see, sir," replied Frank. "Is it just _The Hawk_, sir?"

"Well, no," replied Lord Hastings. "_The Hawk_ and nine other motorboats."

"A regular fleet," remarked Jack. "I suppose the idea is for us to trail in behind the _Glasgow_?"

"Exactly. You see the submarine, nine times out of ten, lying in wait for its victim, will come to the surface a short distance ahead of the steamer. Now, in view of the furore that the sinking of the _Lusitania_ caused in neutral countries, it is hardly to be expected the _Glasgow_ will be torpedoed without warning."

"But just how do we get at the enemy, sir?" demanded Frank.

"I'm coming to that. When the submarine comes to the surface and gives warning for pa.s.sengers and crew to leave the ship, we shall sneak out from behind at full speed. Before the submarine can submerge, we shall be close enough to get her. That's why we carry such heavy guns. One of us is bound to get her."

"I see," said Frank. "Of course if the submarine could submerge in a moment, it wouldn't be possible."

"Exactly," agreed Lord Hastings.

He led the way to the rail.

"See," he said, waving a hand in the direction of the others of the motorboat fleet, "they are all getting ready for action."

It was true. There were signs of great activity aboard some of the other little vessels. "Just overhauling to see that everything is shipshape,"

said Lord Hastings. "We may as well do the same."

The next hour was spent in minute inspection of every part of the little craft and then Lord Hastings p.r.o.nounced himself satisfied.

Hardly was the work completed, when Frank perceived a dark smudge upon the distant horizon.

"Vessel of some kind, sir," he reported to Lord Hastings.

Lord Hastings gazed long and earnestly; and directly the shape of a large ship loomed up.

"The _Glasgow_," he said quietly. "All ready, boys. Time to get busy."

CHAPTER XII.

THE FIRST VICTIM.

As the steamship _Glasgow_ drew nearer, the signs of activity among the various units of the motorboat fleet became more acute. The little craft darted hither and thither, finally dividing into two sections, one section on each side of the channel through which the _Glasgow_ steamed toward them. When the big steamship had steamed past, the ten little boats fell into line behind her, moving swiftly forward, two abreast.

Apparently the commander of the _Glasgow_, Captain Sawyer, had been informed that he was to be provided with an escort, for only the fluttering of a few signal flags from the _Glasgow_ and from the motorboat _Lion_, which carried Lieutenant Commander Thompson, in charge of the mosquito fleet, betokened a greeting.

The _Glasgow_ swept majestically past, not pausing in her stride. From the decks hands were waved and handkerchiefs fluttered toward the little vessels below, the pa.s.sengers aboard leaning over the rails and speculating idly upon their presence.

The two foremost motorboats were _The Hawk_ and the _Lion_, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Thompson and Lord Hastings. The others followed close behind.

Jack and Frank had watched all this maneuvering with great interest; and now that the flotilla, in perfect formation, was proceeding straight ahead, Frank turned to his commander with a question:

"And about where do you expect to pick up the enemy, sir?" he asked.

"Hardly more than twenty miles out--certainly not more than two hours,"

was the reply.

The motorboats followed closely in the wake of the big steamship.

Although they were, of course, plainly visible from the steamer, and could possibly be seen from the sides, it was hoped that the enemies'

submarine would take a position directly in front of the _Glasgow_ when she accosted her. This would shield the motorboats from sight.

The _Glasgow_ and its bodyguard were now out of sight of land. The sun shone brightly and the day was perfectly calm. There was scarcely a ripple upon the smooth surface of the sea.

Below, aboard the _Glasgow_, the pa.s.sengers were at dinner. They were laughing and joking among themselves.

Aboard the motorboats all was peacefully quiet. The men not on duty were idling about and talking.