sink, by falling back, and it
quietly sank beneath the waves, leaving scarcely a ripple above the
surface.

"That would have been different if she had been struck amidship, for the
hull would have gone down on an even keel," remarked the commander.

The nine boats were now afloat near each other. In the distance could be
seen smoke in two directions, evidence that vessels were not far away.
Then, almost like an apparition, from the east came two of the speedy
little ships, which act like spit-fires and lie so low in the water that
they are able to creep up unawares. They do not give forth any smoke to
warn an enemy, or indicate their presence to friends.

Long before the ships, which had announced their positions by the smoke
on the horizon, came into sight, the saucy chasers were sailing around
and about the fleet of _St. Duneen's_ boats.

"It rather makes me feel good to think that we didn't get caught by
either of the submarines," said Alfred. "I would hate to give them that
satisfaction."

"But what's the difference, after all?" replied Ralph. "So long as they
sink the ships, what matter does it make whether they do it by mines or
submarines?"

"Yes; one is as bad as the other, both done against all law," answered
Alfred.

The first boat to answer the signal was a French cruiser, which came up
rapidly after the chasers arrived. There was ample room on board for the
passengers, but it took fully an hour before all were safe on board and
orders were given to start. As the cruiser turned, a great, gray British
battleship came up to port, saluted, and passed on, followed by another
far in the distance, those two great vessels with their black smoke
trailing out in the distance and moving along majestically seeming to be
the acme of power.

The boys were on the upper deck and watched the scene with admiration.
Before the cruiser had proceeded far the smoke of more than a dozen
ships were visible, and the boys could not help but be impressed at the
tremendous power of the Allies on the water, notwithstanding the
calamity which had just befallen their ship. After all, the ships had
been sunk by an enemy which dared not show his face above the surface of
the water.

"Submarine sunk near the harbor of Brest and one off Cherburg," was the
startling announcement of the wireless operator. "Five American ships
have arrived at the Loire," was another message. "America is aflame with
excitement, and demands action," c