rank and Jack got a little boat over the side, procured a rifle
apiece, and rowed away.

In spite of the fact that the glare of the enemy's searchlight was
squarely upon them, they could not be seen because of the light aboard
_The Hawk_ playing upon the eyes of the foe. So, though they rowed
rapidly, they knew they were safe enough.

Out of the glare of the searchlight, they shaped their course toward the
enemy, whose bulk they could now see looming up in the darkness.

"By Jove! It's another motorboat," Frank whispered.

Jack nodded his head in the darkness, but did not reply.

Less than a hundred feet from the enemy, Frank made out several forms
forward.

"This is close enough," he whispered to Jack.

Jack shipped his oars and picked up his rifle. Frank did likewise.

"You get the one on the left; I'll take the one on the extreme right,"
said Frank. "Then get the one next your first man if you have time
before he ducks, and I'll do the same."

"All right," said Jack. "Give the word when you're ready."

"Ready! Aim! Fire!" said Frank quietly.

Two sharp cracks broke the stillness of the night, followed almost
instantly by two more.

When the lads lowered their rifles and gazed toward the foe, there was
not a man in sight.

"Don't know whether we got them or they just ducked," said Frank. "We'll
fire a couple of more shots, enough to make them take their light off
_The Hawk_."

They did so, and a moment later their efforts were rewarded. The
searchlight aboard the enemy, moved by an unseen hand, turned and swept
the sea carefully.

"Row back!" shouted Frank, and seized his oar.

Jack followed suit. Quickly the little boat was brought about and headed
back in the general direction of _The Hawk_.

And the enemy's boat was now lighted up by the glare of _The Hawk_
alone.

Suddenly the flashlight of the enemy fell squarely upon the two boys.

"We're gone now, unless Lord Hastings sinks them first," said Frank
quietly.

"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Bullets began to spatter around the two lads. One grazed Frank's ear.

"Guess we had better go overboard," he said, "They'll----"

"Boom!"

The voice of a single big gun spoke once.

"_The Hawk!_" cried Frank.

"Boom!"

The voice came again.

And then the boys were left again in darkness as the enemy sought out
_The Hawk_ with his searchlight.

"Boom!"

It was the third word of the forward gun of _The Hawk_.

Cries of terror and confus