Clair W. Hayes

“ Don't you know that the Germans eventually will be masters of the world? If we stand in with them, it may help."
"The Germans will never be masters of the world," said Jack. "You are laboring under a delusion, Cutlip. Your son is a brave boy. Not only did he warn us of the presence of a German submarine off the coast, but he rendered such other assistance that the entire crew has been either killed or captured." ”

“ A shrill whistle rang out on the Essex.
This was the answer to Jack's order to pipe the crew to quarters.
"Clear ship for action!" was Jack's next command.
"If it is the enemy," he confided to Frank, "we'll try and keep him engaged until reinforcements arrive."
"It may not be so hard, after all," Frank said "They may turn and beat a retreat when they find they are discovered."
"Not if there is only one of us," said Jack. "Pass the word to the forward lookout to sing out as soon as he can identify the enemy. I'll flash my light on them. He may be able to make them out." ”

“ I viewed the surrender as the guest of Admiral Beatty, and their majesties."
For some time the conversation dealt only with the surrender of the fleet. Then Lord Hastings said:
"Well, boys, the war is over. What do you intend to do now?"
"I know what I shall do, sir," said Frank.
"Well, let's hear it."
"I shall return to America as soon as I am able to procure my discharge."
"As I thought," said Lord Hastings. "And you, Jack?"
"I hardly know, sir. I have no relatives, few friends. There is no one dependent on me, and I am dependent on no one. ”

“ They are wonderful fighters—marvelous."
"Your trouble, Cutlip," said Frank, "is that you have read too much about them. I know that the country has been flooded with German propaganda, but I'd no idea it had affected anyone like that."
"But—" Cutlip began.
Jack silenced him with a gesture.
"You'll have to change all your ideas now, Cutlip," he said. "You see that the German is not a superman. We have beaten them. Besides, your country is at war with Germany. Only a traitor, or a coward, would refuse to help his country." ”

“ The speed of the Essex increased.
But the German vessels were bearing down on her swiftly, and eventually Jack was forced to call for full speed ahead.
But still the German warships gained.
"They've the heels of us, too," muttered Jack. "Well, we'll slow down a bit and trust to luck. We can't do any damage unless we get within range."
The Essex slowed suddenly to half speed.
The German fleet dashed ahead, now in single formation. This was fortunate for the Essex, for it meant that the guns of only one ship could be brought to bear on the British destroyer at one time. ”

“ In the seclusion of the latter's automobile, Jack said:
"I can't see how the secretary dares let time slip by like that."
"Never mind," said the ambassador, "you'll find in a day or two that Secretary Daniels knows what he's doing. Don't make any mistake about him. He's a capable man."
"I have no doubt of that, sir," replied Jack. "But if he had seen three years of war, as we have, he would never delay. Besides, he doesn't know these German submarines as well as I do. Neither do any of the Americans."
"Oh, yes they do," declared Frank.
"They do, eh?" exclaimed Jack. ”

“ Then, "Full speed ahead!" he signalled.
The British destroyer Essex stood out to sea magnificently. Aboard, her crew stood to their posts, ready for action. Jack, surrounded by his officers, held the bridge.
"We've got to keep a sharp eye out," said Jack.
"Right," Frank agreed. "We're likely to come upon one of the enemy any moment, and we can't afford to let him see us first."
"Very true, sir," Lieutenant Hetherton agreed. "Fortunately all our lookouts have sharp eyes. I'll venture to say a submarine won't come to the surface very close to us without being seen." ”

“ At that moment came the recall signal from the flagship.
"See," said Jack, "there's proof of it. If we had not been successful, the recall would not have been sounded yet. There is still plenty of time if we needed it, and our damage has not been great enough to leave the job unfinished."
Jack was right. The harbors of Ostend and Zeebrugge had been effectually sealed. No longer would enemy U-Boats make nightly raids into the North Sea, only to scurry back to their bases when it grew light. As a submarine base, Zeebrugge was extinct. So, for that matter, was Ostend. ”

“ Jack grinned.
"I've been here once," he said. "That should answer that question. You know my memory is pretty good."
"Then you can show me which house I live in," said Frank.
Jack pointed to a house a block away where a dim light showed from beneath a drawn curtain.
"There's the house," he said, "and there appears to be some one home."
"That's father, of course," said Frank. "He seldom goes out in the evening."
The lads quickened their steps and soon were before the house. Quietly they mounted the steps and as quietly tip-toed across the porch. Frank tried the door. It was unlocked. ”

“ Jack nodded.
"I should think so," he agreed. "If they let one of those fellows get away now they should be court-martialed."
"Don't fret," said Frank, "they won't get away."
They didn't get away.
Firing ceased just as the first streak of light appeared in the eastern sky, and when the smoke of battle cleared away, Jack and Frank saw that the British victory had been complete.
Only two German ships were still above water. These were the Bismarck, flagship of Admiral Krauss, and the Hamburg. The others had all been sunk.
The Hamburg, the lads could see, was slowly sinking by the head. ”

“ Lord Hastings smiled.
"I understand she is in pretty bad shape," he said. "So you don't think you can go now, eh?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. A fellow can't cross the ocean except in a ship."
"True enough. But why are you in Dover now?"
"Why, sir?" Jack exclaimed. "Because we were instructed to report to you."
"Exactly," said Lord Hastings; "and in your pocket, I presume, you have the same packet of papers the admiralty wishes turned over to Secretary Daniels of the American navy department?" ”

“ The German naval authorities know just as well as we do what would happen to the German fleet should it issue from Helgoland."
"Maybe you're right," said Jack, "but in the enemy's place, I wouldn't give up without a final effort."
"That's just it," Frank explained. "You wouldn't, and neither would I. Neither, for that matter, would any British or American officer, nor French. But the German is of different caliber. He doesn't fight half as well when he knows the odds are against him. No, I believe that the German fleet will be virtually intact when the war ends." ”

“ Frank, a revolver in each hand, stopped and awaited the lad's approach.
Two Germans raised their rifles to shoot Cutlip down. Frank's eye caught the glint of the steel in the darkness. His revolvers spoke sharply twice, and Cutlip came on unharmed.
A bullet sang past Frank's right ear, another grazed his left. More bullets began to sing by him. Cutlip stumbled forward, and sheathing one revolver, Frank caught him by the hand.
"Run!" he cried. ”

“ Nevertheless, the most of the men reached their ship in safety, and from the flagship came the signal to retreat.
Upon returning to the Brigadier, Frank surveyed his own men. There had been few casualties among them. Less than a dozen men had been killed and left behind. Of wounded Frank counted fifteen. Immediately he ascended to the bridge to report to Jack.
Jack greeted his chum with a smile. Although the Brigadier had been in the midst of the battle, and many German shells had found their marks aboard her, Jack was as cool and unruffled as before the battle started. ”

“ King Ferdinand abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Boris, who immediately ordered the demobilization of the Bulgarian armies.
"Turkey will come next, mark my words," declared Frank as he and Jack stood on the bridge, looking off across the broad expanse of the North Sea.
"Most likely," Jack agreed; "and after Turkey, Austria. That will leave Germany to fight the world by herself."
"She'll never attempt that," Frank declared. "The minute she sees her last chance gone, she'll squeal for help, the same as a hog. It's not in a German to take a licking, you know. ”

“ The German admiral gritted his teeth.
"Confound these English!" he exclaimed. "Can nobody beat them?"
For a moment he debated with himself. He had half a mind to continue the struggle, for the odds were still, with the Germans. Then he changed his mind.
The wireless aboard the German flagship flashed a signal to retire.
But the German admiral had delayed too long for a successful retreat. Other British ships hove into view—seven of them. ”

“ Jack struck out after the German commander as the latter swam for the submarine. The lad was a powerful swimmer and he felt confident he could overtake the man before help could reach him.
The destroyer Essex had now drawn close. Frank had been afraid to order a shot at the submarine for fear the shell might hit Jack in the water.
"Take the bridge, Mr. Hetherton!" he cried. "Lower a boat, men!"
The boat was lowered in a trice and Frank and a score of sailors sprang in. The launch darted toward Jack at full speed, Frank standing erect and with the quartermaster at the rudder. ”

“ They approached almost to the flagship of Admiral Tyrwhitt and the guns of the two flagships boomed out an exchange of salutes. Then the American flotilla slowed down and swung to leeward, and took its places in the long line.
"Going to be quite an event this surrender, if you ask me," said Frank.
"It certainly is," Jack replied. "I understand King George and Queen Mary, together with many other distinguished British, French, Americans and Italians, will be present to witness the surrender."
"Including ourselves," grinned Frank. ”

“ Lieutenant Hetherton and young Cutlip accompanied Frank on his tour of inspection. The lad found that the cabin was cuddled securely in a miniature forest, or rather at one end of it. On both sides and in the rear were a profusion of dense trees. Only the approach from the front was in the clear.
"It's all right," Frank said. I'll throw my men around the house from three sides, and when the Germans have gone in we can surround it completely. If they come after dark, there is little doubt they will approach from the front." ”

“ The submarine began to settle a few moments later. Men emerged from below and sprang into the sea.
"Lower a boat!" cried Jack. "I want a few of those fellows."
A boat was lowered instantly and strong hands pulled it toward the Germans floundering in the water.
By this time the lifeboats that had escaped the German fire came alongside the Brigadier and the occupants climbed aboard the destroyer. These were quickly fitted out with dry clothing. It developed that there had been three women passengers aboard the Hazelton and all of these had been saved. ”

“ Passengers, of whom there were perhaps fifty, became greatly excited. Every man on board strapped on a life preserver, and waited for he knew not what.
The fact that, directly astern, the Essex, British destroyer, was in plain sight and trailing them, did not allay their fears. Came a shot from a gun mounted forward on the submarine, a signal to heave to.
"Obey it," said Jack, to Captain Griswold, on the bridge.
Captain Griswold ordered his engines stopped.
"I'll keep out of sight for a moment," said Jack. "The commander may come on board." ”

“ A moment later there was an explosion and the station disappeared as though by magic.
Near the lookout station aft iron ladder led down to the Mole and three of Frank's men descended it. Frank went with them. Below they encountered half a dozen of the enemy.
It was no time to hesitate and Frank knew it.
"Bombs, men," he said simply.
Three hands drew back, then were brought forward. Three hand grenades dropped among the foes. There were three short blasts, and when the smoke cleared away, there were no Germans to be seen at that point. Then Frank and his men rejoined the others. ”

“ Young Cutlip was plainly eager to help in the capture of the German submarine crew.
"And you feel sure they will come back to-night?" Jack questioned.
"Yes, sir. They must be very hungry. If you could have seen those three men devour what little food I gave them! They seemed to be half starved."
"Strange, too," Jack muttered, "considering the number of ships they have sunk in these waters recently. They should have replenished their stores."
"It may be that this was one of the less fortunate submarines," said Frank. "The sinkings may have been done by other U-Boats." ”

“ Both Jack and Frank had risen swiftly in the British service. They had seen active service in all quarters of the globe and had fought under many flags.
Under Lord Hastings' command they had been with the British fleet in the North Sea when it struck the first decisive blow against the Germans just off Helgoland. Later they were found under the Tricolor of France and with the Italians in the Adriatic. With the British fleet again when it sallied forth to clear the seven seas of enemy vessels, they had traversed the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian oceans. ”

“ The Brigadier was a small destroyer, not more than 200 feet long. It had a complement of 250 men, officers and crew; carried two batteries of 9-inch guns in turrets forward and aft and was equipped with three 2-inch torpedo tubes. It was not one of the latest of British destroyers, but still it was modern in many respects.
"A good ship," said Jack, after a careful examination of the papers. "As to speed, we should get twenty-three knots on a pinch. Her fighting equipment is excellent, everything is spick and span, and I was impressed with the officers and crew. Yes, she is a good ship." ”

“ The German sailors were led below, where they were soon safely chained and Frank returned to the bridge.
"Kindly pass the word for all the passengers and the crew to come on deck, Mr. Hetherton," ordered Jack.
The second officer obeyed and soon the deck was crowded. The German commander became the center of an angry group.
"I've just called you all here," said Jack, "that you may cast your eyes upon one of the kaiser's paid murderers. It is men like this who have made an outcast of Germany. ”

“ But there's work just as important, and you are doing your part. But we must be moving now. We've wasted time enough."
"So we have," declared Captain Griswold. "Shall you leave us here, sir?"
"No," said Jack, "we'll follow and see you safely in harbor."
"Very well. Then I shall return to the Ventura."
"And I to the Essex, Captain. Good-bye and good luck to you."
Captain Griswold shook hands heartily with Jack, and then insisted on shaking hands as well with Frank, and every officer and member of the British crew aboard the submarine. Then he put off for his ship. ”

“ The Falcon and the Peerless, from either side and forward of the Germans, now opened with their big guns almost simultaneously. Every available gun aboard the German vessels replied. From astern, the guns of the Lion were pounding the sterns of the fleeing enemy battleships. The Brewster and the Southampton, together with the Tiger and the White Hawk, also were hurling shells after the Germans, although with little effect, for they were trailing too far behind.
Jack urged the Essex forward in the wake of the others. ”