The Boy Allies with the Victorious Fleets | Page 5

since the war began they had been to America. This was shortly
after the United States entered the war. They were ordered to the North
Atlantic in order to help the American authorities snare a German
commerce raider which, in some unaccountable manner, had run the
British blockade in the North sea, and was wreaking havoc with allied
shipping. Later they went to New York, and then returned to Europe
with a combined British-American convoy for the first expeditionary
force to cross the seas.
In temperament and disposition Jack and Frank were as unlike as one
could conceive. Jack, big for his age, broad-shouldered and strong, was
always cool and collected. Frank, on the other hand, was of a more
fiery nature, easily angered and often rash and reckless. Jack's
steadying influence had often kept the two out 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,"