nd Jack proved to be a better prophet than he really meant to be.

At a signal from Lord Hastings, _The Hawk_ now moved slowly forward
again.

"Can you tell us just where we are bound, sir?" asked Jack.

"Well, not exactly," was his commander's reply. "I have information that
leads me to believe an enemy, or several enemies, may be prowling about
around----"

An interruption came suddenly and from an altogether unexpected source,
and with the interruption all aboard became suddenly silent, except Lord
Hastings, who sprang quickly to the wheel, and before the astonished
helmsman knew what was going on, threw the wheel over hard.

For the interruption which had come so suddenly was the voice of a big
gun.

Lord Hastings threw the wheel over with such violence that the motorboat
careened desperately and all but capsized. Frank and Jack saved
themselves from being thrown overboard by a quick grasp at the rail, to
which they clung with all their might.

And then, before Lord Hastings could flash the searchlight across the
water, had such been his intention, a blinding glare lighted up _The
Hawk_. The enemy had been too quick for those aboard.

Now another shot rang out and the boys heard a terrible whistling
overhead.

"Pretty close," said Jack quietly. "They are liable to get us next
time."

An idea suddenly struck Frank, and he dashed aft. There he picked up his
rifle and hurried forward again.

"Hold her steady a minute, sir," he called to Lord Hastings.

And the latter, realizing that the lad had some plan, did as requested
without asking a question.

Quickly Frank raised his rifle to his shoulder, and pausing just long
enough to take careful aim, fired.

Frank's keen mind had detected the one hope of salvation for those
aboard _The Hawk_. The enemy was very close and the lad realized that
the next shot must find its mark. There was but one thing to do. The
light aboard the enemy must be destroyed; without it _The Hawk_ could
escape, for minus the light, which was its eye, the foe could not hope
to detect them.

As Frank's finger pressed the trigger he knew that he had not missed;
and at the same moment he cried to Lord Hastings:

"Hard-a-port!"

Again _The Hawk_ careened desperately in response to the quick turn of
the helm; but it was well that Lord Hastings had acted upon the instant;
for even as Frank had fired there was another heavy "boom" and a heavy
shell passed the spot where _The Hawk_ ha