The Boy Allies with Uncle Sams Cruisers | Page 3

another crash. The body of a man who had just reached the deck came
toppling down in a shower of splinters and debris.
"Well, I got back on to my feet and made the deck. A shell had
exploded right atop of us and nearly swept us clean. The bridge was
almost carried away. Captain Ames lay under a light steel beam and I
thought he was dead. I ran over to him. As I approached he shook off
the beam and got up. One of his legs gave way and he had to hold on to
a stanchion for support.
"'Cut off my trouser leg!' he shouted, very much excited.
"I ripped out my knife and did as he ordered. Then he twisted the cloth
around his leg above an ugly gash and tied it.
"'What's gone below?' he demanded. 'One boiler,' I replied.

"'Might have been both,' grunted Ames, and added, 'Well, we're not out
of this fight yet."'
Jack paused a moment.
"A brave man!" cried Frank. "Go ahead, Jack."
Jack cleared his throat and proceeded.
CHAPTER II
THE BATTLE
"Well," Jack continued, "Ames espied one of the destroyers that had
been leading us floundering around helplessly, with the German
destroyer, which had appeared from nowhere, trying to cut her off.
"'Templeton,' said Ames, 'take the hand steering gear and run in there
and get that fellow out.'
"I ran over to the hand gear. A fellow couldn't be frightened with a man
like Ames telling him what to do. Ames propped himself up against
what was left of the bridge and directed the gunners while we made the
best speed we could with our single boiler.
"They were still dousing us with water, but the shells were not falling
on board now. The two German destroyers were sweeping down on the
helpless boat ahead, the missiles from their light guns playing a regular
tattoo on her. It was an even chance we wouldn't find a live man aboard
her.
"Ames was having a glorious time where he had propped himself
against the shattered bridge. He swore every time one of our shells
missed and he laughed gleefully every time one went home.
"We were only about a thousand yards from the British destroyer now
and it looked like there was a fair chance of getting her out of the mess.
I was beginning to have hope when I heard the screaming of a heavy

shell from one of the land forts. Exactly amidships of the destroyer it
landed. It broke her back and all her ribs, so to speak. Steam and steel
and water and men flew high in the air. Everything aboard her was
blown to bits.
"There was no use trying to tow her out now. I searched the water with
my glass for living men. I figured we might be able to save a few if any
survived, although it was against admiralty orders to stop when in
danger. I didn't believe in the admiralty's stand at that moment. But I
couldn't make out a living soul.
"The Germans immediately turned their attention to us. Their
marksmanship was getting better. There was a frightful jar and the
steering gear was wrenched out of my hands and I was thrown to the
deck. When I picked myself up there was nothing with which to steer.
Our rudder and a part of our stern had been shot away --
"'Alternate the screws!' Ames yelled. 'I'm busy with these guns. We'll
fight as long as she floats!'
"The speaking tubes existed no longer. I stationed a man at the hatch --
and another below and transmitted my orders to the engine room by
them. First we drove ahead with one screw, then with the other, to get a
zig-zag course; next we backed first with one propeller and then the
other. Each time we backed farther than we went forward, for I wanted
to get out of the mess if possible. The crazy course threw the enemy
gunners off somewhat.
"Suddenly I heard a yell from Ames. We'd put one of the German
destroyers out of business. The other one was steaming toward us, but
she was a long ways off,
"The men were cheering. I looked at the second destroyer, thinking we
must have finished her, too, but she was still firing. Then I glanced
around to see what the men were yelling about.
"Right into that hail of fire steamed a little mine sweeper. She looked
for all the world like a tugboat. She had a single gun mounted in her

bow, and one or two amidships. She had no armor and a rifle bullet
probably would have pierced her sides with ease, but she pounded
straight toward us; the water around her was beaten to a