ted Jack. "Why should they? Can't you see that white flag
flying at the masthead?"

"By George! I hadn't noticed that."

"And there," said Jack, pointing, "goes a prize crew from the Lion to take
over the vessel."

A launch loaded with British tars had put off from the Lion and was making
toward the German flagship.

Admiral Krauss and his officers and men were soon transferred to the Lion
and a British crew was in possession of the Bismarck.

Thus ended the last sea battle of the great war. In all the times that
Germany had tested the naval power of Great Britain and her allies, she
had found it great--too much for German naval tactics to overcome. And now
that the great war was drawing to an end, she did not test it again.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE END APPROACHES

With the coming of November, it became apparent to every officer and man
in the Grand Fleet--as well as the rest of the world--that the beginning
of the end was at hand--that the German war machine was disintegrating and
was about to break.

This was strengthened by the announcement on November 2 that the preceding
day England, France and Italy had concluded an armistice with Turkey, thus
depriving Germany of her second ally. This left only Germany and Austria
to continue the struggle, and upon the same day that the armistice with
Turkey was announced came word that Austria also had made overtures for
peace.

"You can take it from me," said Jack, as the destroyer Essex continued her
patrol of the North Sea, "that this war is about to end. I'm willing to
bet that Germany will sue for peace within a couple of weeks."

Frank expressed his doubts.

"She's likely to continue the struggle for some time yet," he said.

"But that would be foolish," declared Jack. "She can hope to gain nothing
thereby."

"Perhaps not. But if Germany sues for peace now there is likely to be such
an internal upheaval in the Empire that the French revolution will look
like a house party."

"Maybe you're right, but I stick to my opinion nevertheless."

Events proved that Jack was right.

On the morning of November 5, word reached the Grand Fleet that an
armistice had been concluded with Austria the day before.

"As I expected," said Jack. "What did I tell you, Frank?"

"Well, I anticipated that myself," said Frank. "But Germany hasn't asked
for peace yet, you know."

"True, but I can tell you something you don't know. I just got word this
morning."

"What's t