ng to see that everything is shipshape,"
said Lord Hastings. "We may as well do the same."

The next hour was spent in minute inspection of every part of the little
craft and then Lord Hastings pronounced himself satisfied.

Hardly was the work completed, when Frank perceived a dark smudge upon
the distant horizon.

"Vessel of some kind, sir," he reported to Lord Hastings.

Lord Hastings gazed long and earnestly; and directly the shape of a
large ship loomed up.

"The _Glasgow_," he said quietly. "All ready, boys. Time to get busy."

CHAPTER XII.

THE FIRST VICTIM.

As the steamship _Glasgow_ drew nearer, the signs of activity among the
various units of the motorboat fleet became more acute. The little craft
darted hither and thither, finally dividing into two sections, one
section on each side of the channel through which the _Glasgow_ steamed
toward them. When the big steamship had steamed past, the ten little
boats fell into line behind her, moving swiftly forward, two abreast.

Apparently the commander of the _Glasgow_, Captain Sawyer, had been
informed that he was to be provided with an escort, for only the
fluttering of a few signal flags from the _Glasgow_ and from the
motorboat _Lion_, which carried Lieutenant Commander Thompson, in charge
of the mosquito fleet, betokened a greeting.

The _Glasgow_ swept majestically past, not pausing in her stride. From
the decks hands were waved and handkerchiefs fluttered toward the little
vessels below, the passengers aboard leaning over the rails and
speculating idly upon their presence.

The two foremost motorboats were _The Hawk_ and the _Lion_, commanded by
Lieutenant Commander Thompson and Lord Hastings. The others followed
close behind.

Jack and Frank had watched all this maneuvering with great interest; and
now that the flotilla, in perfect formation, was proceeding straight
ahead, Frank turned to his commander with a question:

"And about where do you expect to pick up the enemy, sir?" he asked.

"Hardly more than twenty miles out--certainly not more than two hours,"
was the reply.

The motorboats followed closely in the wake of the big steamship.
Although they were, of course, plainly visible from the steamer, and
could possibly be seen from the sides, it was hoped that the enemies'
submarine would take a position directly in front of the _Glasgow_ when
she accosted her. This would shield the motorboats from sight.

The _Glasgow_ and its