CHAPTER X

ATTACKED FROM THE SKY

On a wonderful September evening, with a crisp autumnal air making every fellow feel like a young kitten, the Dewey again glided away from her anchorage in 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 troopships.  They were crowded with thousands of young chaps, the majority of them Americans and Canadians, on their way to join the armies “somewhere in France.”

Bronzed and sturdy as a result of their summer’s training in home waters and their activities aboard the submarine in the North Sea, Jack and Ted stood out on the deck of their craft more eager than ever to get back into active service again, notwithstanding the rigors of the service in which they had enlisted.

“Little Mack,” now completely recovered from his injuries, was in command again and smiling good naturedly at “his boys” as they stood grouped about on the deck of the Dewey.

They were thrilled with the anticipation of marvelous new exploits in which they were likely to participate, now that the United States had sent a naval commission to cooperate with the London admiralty and the French naval experts in what was expected to be a campaign to carry the war by naval tactics right home to Germany.

“Ain’t no use in expecting that German navy to come out in the open and fight to a finish,” commented Bill Witt, as the conversation turned on the likelihood of a big battle between the German high seas fleet and the combined fleets of the United States, Great Britain, and France.  “Those fellows would sooner lay back safe in the Kiel Canal; they know full well we’d make short work of them if they ever came outside.”

“Ten to one your Uncle Sam don’t wait for them to come outside,” put in Jack earnestly.  “Now that they have all got together and figured out what to do as a result of the sessions of that joint naval board in London, we’re likely to be sent right in after them.”

Jack’s eyes glowed as he thought of the daring feats possible under such a naval policy.

“You can bet the Dewey will be in on any such stunts as that,” pursued Ted.  “And why shouldn’t we go right after them?  The United States Navy never did lie back and wait for the enemy to come out.”

Passing along, the deck to the conning tower, Lieutenant McClure stopped to eye the little group.

“You fellows just aching for a scrap again,” he said finally.  “Well, there’s no telling when we might run right into one to-night.  Those German destroyers are likely to make a sortie from Ostend.  Besides, you never can tell when some of the Kaiser’s air navy is likely to be popping around.”

As he spoke “Little Mack” scanned the sky to the east.  Turning to the boys, he remarked laughingly:  “You three pretty good chums, aren’t you?” gazing along the line, from Jack to Ted and then to Bill Witt.