_ deck. Ross and
his chum were heartily glad of their thick pilot-coats, mufflers, and
woollen "mitts", as they sheltered behind the breast-work erected on
the bridge.

Captain Syllenger slowly paced the bridge, frequently glancing at the
clock in the chart-room, since it was almost a matter of impossibility
to consult his watch, owing to his generous accumulation of clothing.
It was now nearly eight o'clock, but as yet there were no signs of the
expected sea-planes.

Just then the dull morning light was pierced by a brilliant flash from
one of the monitors. The watchers on the _Capella's_ bridge could see
the low-lying hull give a decided jerk in a sternward direction under
the reaction of the enormous projectile.

Long before the shell reached its objective, other 14-inch guns added
their quota, and the air was rent with the flashes of the ordnance and
the ear-splitting detonations following the discharge.

"By Jove!" exclaimed Sub-lieutenant Fox, who with his brother officers
had had telescopes levelled upon the faintly outlined sand dunes.
"There are the sea-planes!"

He was right. Flying at a great height the air-squadron had passed
over the warships, and had taken up their observation stations without
being seen or heard by anyone on board the patrol-vessels immediately
over the German batteries, they were cutting "figure eights" and
describing seemingly erratic circles, while the observers, coolly
wirelessing the results of the monitors' shells, hardly heeded the
furious fire directed upon them by the hostile anti-aircraft guns.

On a point extending for nearly three miles, the shore was torn by the
terrific explosive shells. Clouds of sand, and yellow smoke mingled
marked the scene of destruction, as battery after battery was spotted
and promptly put out of action. Across the dunes could be seen swarms
of ant-like figures--German troops flying for shelter from the
devastating fire of the British guns.

But the action was by no means a one-sided one. Guns, large and small,
replied; the heavier ordnance vigorously at first, and then gradually
slackening down as the lyddite shells sought out the fixed
emplacements. The lighter guns, mounted on armoured motor-cars, gave
more trouble, since, after every shot, each piece was moved a hundred
yards or more.

For several minutes the lads watched the unusual spectacle through the
binoculars. Then something resembling a concentrated tornado screeched
abo