h lay the
line of travel for ships leaving the ports of the Elbe.

British submarines which had been doing reconnaissance work on the
German coast since August 24 reported to the British commander,
Admiral Jellicoe, that a large force of German light cruisers and
smaller craft were lying under the protection of the Helgoland
guns, and he immediately arranged plans for leading this force
away from that protection in order to give it battle. Briefly the
plans made provided that three submarines were to proceed on the
surface of the water to within sight of the German ships and when
chased by the latter were to head westward. The light cruisers
_Arethusa_ and _Fearless_ were detailed to run in behind any light
German craft which were to follow the British submarines, endeavoring
to cut them off from the German coast, and these two vessels were
backed by a squadron of light cruisers held in readiness should
the first two need assistance. Squadrons of cruisers and battle
cruisers were detailed to stay in the rear, still further to the
northwest, to engage any German ships of their own class which
might get that far.

It was at midnight on August 26 that Commodore Keyes moved toward
Helgoland with eight submarines accompanied by two destroyers.
During the next day--August 27--this force did nothing more than
keep watch for German submarines and scouting craft, and then took
up its allotted position for the main action. The morning of the
28th broke misty and calm. Under half steam three of the British
submarines, the _E-6, E-7_, and _E-8_ steamed toward the island
fortress, showing their hulls above water and followed by the two
detailed destroyers.

The mist thickened. Still more slowly and cautiously went the British
submersibles, and while they went above water, five of their sister
craft traveled under the surface. Here was the bait for the German
ships under Helgoland's guns. Would they bite?

The Germans soon gave the answer. First there crept out a German
destroyer which took a good look at the situation and then gave
wireless signals to some twenty more of her type, which soon came
out to join her. The twenty-one little and speedy German boats
bravely came out and chased the two British destroyers and three
submarines, while a German seaplane slowly circled upward to see
if the surrounding regions harbored enemies. Presumably the airman
found what he sought for he soon flew back to report to Helgoland. The
peac