y is, though. I hope so,
for I want to get you to bed where you can be looked after."

"Don't mind me. Say, how many men did we lose?"

"Ten," said Jack slowly.

"Ten," repeated Frank. "It was a costly battle, wasn't it? But what has
happened to----"

"Don't you think you had better not talk any more now?" said Jack,
raising a silencing hand. "You're pretty weak. Don't exert yourself."

"But wasn't that Lord Hastings' voice I heard just now?"

"Yes, it was."

"By George! I'm glad he came through safely," declared Frank feebly.

"All right. You try and go to sleep now."

Frank opened his lips to protest, but he was too weary to do so. Several
times a question struggled to his lips, but the effort to speak was too
great and directly he fell asleep.

It was almost an hour later that the vessel, which those in the little
boats some time before had made out to be a British merchantman, sighted
them. Immediately small boats were lowered over the side and made toward
the shipwrecked sailors.

The latter were quickly transferred to the merchantman's boats and were
rowed back toward the steamship. There the wounded were lifted gently
over the side and sent immediately to the sick bay, where their wounds
were dressed.

The captain of the vessel led Lord Hastings and Jack to his cabin, where
he insisted upon an account of their adventures. He was greatly
interested and commended Jack highly when Lord Hastings had concluded
his recital.

"I must also congratulate your second officer when he has recovered," he
said.

"But tell me, captain," said Lord Hastings. "Where are you bound?"

"London," was the reply.

"So? But you were headed in the other direction."

"So I was; but that was merely to avoid the German submarines. I am
doubling back now, having changed my course no sooner than I picked you
up."

"That is indeed fortunate for us," declared Lord Hastings. "We shall all
be glad to get back to London."

"And you shall be there shortly, unless we are unfortunate enough to
encounter one of these under-sea murderers," replied the captain.

Lord Hastings and Jack now excused themselves and the latter immediately
made his way to the sick bay, where he asked permission to see his chum.
This was readily granted.

Frank had not awakened while being transferred from the small boat to
the steamship, and again he was filled with curiosity. Jack explained
the transfer, and then asked:

"How do you feel now, old