the harbor of Chatham, one of the important English naval bases, and fell into her position in the convoy of ships spread out as an escort for a trio of tro

submarine in the North Sea, Jack and Ted stood out on the deck of their craft more eager than ever to g

was in command again and smiling good naturedly at "his b

now that the United States had sent a naval commission to cooperate with the London admiralty and the Frenc

on the likelihood of a big battle between the German high seas fleet and the combined fleets of the United States, Great Britain, and Fran

"Now that they have all got together and figured out what to do as a result of the ses

ght of the daring feats possi

rsued Ted. "And why shouldn't we go right after them? The United

onning tower, Lieutenant McClure

ight run right into one to-night. Those German destroyers are likely to make a sortie from Ostend

e boys, he remarked laughingly: "You three pretty good chums, aren't

se two Brighton boys took me right in--and me a rank outs

of friendship and Jack responded with a

od goods when we

been taking it all

.S. Navy is the best in the world--fellows all pulling together. I'm mighty proud of all my boys," continued the little lieutenant. "Yo

p's commander passed along the

id Jack, with an admiring gl

"Why, if 'Little Mack' told me to go g

he fleet of transports trailed along in battle formation ready to turn back any attack. The crew of the Dewey had retreated into the h

scape to attract the attention of the outside world, Mike Mowrey had tu

lly strains that sounded up in the conning

cutive Officer Cleary to his chief, as he swung t

transports, alert to challenge any foe. Another hour and the short trip to the French port where the troops were to embark would be concluded and the Dewey free to dash off to her post

ested to-night," said "Little Mac

like it," re

d forth their flaming bombs and death-dealing hand grenades. A lookout on one of the destroyers detected at this moment an aerial fleet looming out of the no

ower in a vain effort to search the skies. In another moment, after giving the "wheel" over to his flag of

use. "Two--three--four; there's a half dozen or more o

hen the reported approach of the air

, as he joined his chum

little evening exercise," answered Jack, as he hu

g on outside the submarine. Their impatience, however, was short-lived, for there came very quickly an order to

" chuckled Ted, as he follo

," answered Bill. "And this is a real chance f

e the order to unlimber th

range, and then fire away!" d

nose of his craft downward, and came volplaning toward the sea at a dizzy pace. Follow

shouted Lieut

d to point at the fast-flying airships. At the aft gun Ted gripped the trigger ready to fire,

to the sky while the crew gazed eagerly upward to watch for t

to the right," s

y of the night sky was lighted at intervals by the bursting of shells as the German air fleet soared forward over the allied naval fleet. Observers wer

every shot count!" san

nable to make a hit. "Let's get one of 'e

nd gave the signal again to fire. Following the shot for a moment the frenzied gunner was elated to note that the machine just above sagged suddenly to one side. Like a bird with a

low is done for

it came on downward like a feather floating in the still air.

bserving the wounded airship. The other planes were engaged over the remainder of

d take prisoner the German birdmen in the damaged machine. The ship's cour

ow; he is apt to shoot unless both pilot a

e lips of the Yankee skipper before a gun rang out from under the ca

ly overhead," bawled Mowrey, as he spi

ing squadron had put back to the rescue. As it soared now within range of the A

f the lyddite bombs, and accordingly gave orders to submerge. Jamming their guns back into their deck casings, the crews mel

wounded airplane and burst directly over the conning tower. There was a crash of rending steel and then a g

McClure. "They've torn a