The Boy Allies with the Victorious Fleets | Page 5

of trouble, or brought them through safely when they were in difficulties.
Both lads spoke French and German fluently and each had a smattering of Italian. Also, as the result of several trips to Russia, they had a few words of the Russian tongue at their command.
In physical strength, Jack excelled Frank by far, although the latter was by no means a weakling. On the other hand again, Frank was a crack shot with either rifle or revolver; in fact, he was such an excellent marksman as to cause his chum no little degree of envy. Then, too, both lads were proficient in the art of self defense and both had learned to hold their own with the sword.
Up to the time this story opens the combined allied fleets had succeeded in keeping the Germans bottled up in the strong fortress of Helgoland. True, the enemy several times had sallied forth in few numbers, apparently seeking to run the blockade in an effort to prey upon allied merchant ships. But every time they had offered battle they had received the worst of it. They had been staggered with a terrible defeat at Jutland almost a year before this story opens, and since that time had not ventured forth.
But even now, in the security of their hiding places, the Germans were meditating a bold stroke. Submarines were being coaled and victualed in preparation for a dash across the Atlantic. Already, one enemy submarine--a merchantman--had passed the allied ships blocking the English channel and had crossed to America and returned. Some months later, a U-Boat of the war type had followed suit. A cordon of ally ships had been thrown around American ports to snare this venturesome submarine on its return, but it had eluded them and returned safely to its home port.
But soon--very soon, indeed--German undersea craft were to strike a more severe blow at allied shipping, carrying, for the moment, the war in all its horrors to the very door of America. While the United States was arming and equipping its millions to send across the sea to destroy the kaiser and German militarism, these enemy undersea craft were crossing the Atlantic determined to reap a rich harvest upon American, allied and neutral shipping off the American coast.
And the blow was to be delivered without warning--almost.
When the U.S.S. Plymouth, under Jack's command, returned to Liverpool, the captain of the vessel, having somewhat recovered, came aboard and relieved Jack of command.
"I'm obliged for your services, Captain," he said, "but I'll take charge of the old scow again myself, with your leave."
Jack and Frank went ashore, where, at their hotel, they received a brief telegram from Lord Hastings. It read as follows:
"Return to Dover at once. Important."
"Now I wonder what is up," said Frank after reading the message.
"The simplest way to find out," replied Jack, "is to go and see."
CHAPTER III
OFF FOR AMERICA
"Then everything went first rate your first trip, Captain?" questioned Lord Hastings.
"First rate, sir," Jack replied.
The lads were back in Dover where, the first thing after their arrival, they sought an audience with their former commander.
"Yes, sir," Frank agreed, "Jack makes an A-1 captain."
"I'm glad to hear it," was Lord Hastings' comment. "I've other work in hand and I wouldn't want to trust it to a man who is nervous under fire."
"But we were not under fire this time, sir," said Jack.
"You mustn't always take me literally, Jack," smiled Lord Hastings. "It was your first venture in your present rank and you acquitted yourself creditably. That is what I meant."
"And what is the other venture, sir?" Frank asked eagerly.
"There you go again, Frank," said Lord Hastings. "How many times have I told you that you must restrain your impatience."
Frank was abashed.
"Your warnings don't seem to do much good, I'll admit, sir. Nevertheless, I'll try to do better."
"See that you do," returned Lord Hastings gravely. "Nothing was ever gained by too great impatience. Remember that."
"I'll try, sir."
"Very well. Then I shall acquaint you with the nature of the work in hand."
The boys listened intently to Lord Hastings' next words.
"As you know," His Lordship began, "the seas have virtually been cleared of all enemy ships. All German merchant vessels have been captured or sunk. What few raiders that preyed on our commerce for a time have been put out of business."
"Yes, sir," said Jack. "Our merchant vessels no longer have anything to fear from the foe."
"They shouldn't, that's true enough," replied Lord Hastings.
"You mean they have, sir?" asked Jack, incredulously.
Lord Hastings nodded.
"I do," he admitted gravely. "Particularly shipping on the other side of the Atlantic."
"America, sir?"
"Exactly."
"But surely," Frank put in, "surely our blockade is tight enough to prevent the enemy from breaking through."
"We have not yet found means," replied Lord Hastings, "of effectually blockading the submarine."
"Oh, I see," said Frank. "You mean that