The British destroyers Mentor, Lightfoot, Zubian and French torpedo boats Lestin, Capitaine Mehl, Francis Garnier, Roux and Boucier to accompany the monitors.

There were in addition to these, three American destroyers—­the Taylor, the Alert and the Cyprus.

Eighteen British motor launches for smoke screening duty inshore and rescue work, and six for attending big monitors.

Four French motor launches attending M-24 and M-26 and five coastal motor boats.

Navigational aids having been established on the routes, the forces from the Swim and Dover were directed to join Admiral Keyes off the Goodwin Sands and to proceed in company to a rendezvous, and thereafter as requisite to their respective stations.

Those from Dunkirk were given their orders by the commodore.

An operation time table was issued to govern the movements of all the forces.  Wireless signals were prohibited, visual signals of every sort were reduced to a minimum and maneuvering prearranged as far as foresight could provide.

With few and slight delays the program for the passage was carried out as laid down, the special aids to navigation being found of great assistance.

The Harwich force, under Rear-Admiral Tyrwhitt, was posted to cover the operations and prevent interference from the north.

Jack and Frank, having reported to Admiral Keyes upon leaving Lord Hastings, had received necessary instructions as to their part in the raid.  They had passed the word to the other officers of the Brigadier, who in turn had informed members of the crew what was about to happen.

There was wild cheering among the British tars on the Brigadier when they learned they were to have a hand in one of the greatest and most dangerous enterprises attempted in the whole war.  Needless to say, Jack and Frank also were immensely pleased.

“Tell you what, Jack,” said Frank, after they had returned aboard the Brigadier, “it seems to me as though your work had come to the ears of the Admiralty with a vengeance.”

“Oh, I guess that isn’t it,” Jack laughed.  “They just happened to need another ship and picked on me.  That’s all.”

“Perhaps,” Frank admitted.  “But just the same it seems that we are always in the midst of things.  I wouldn’t call it all luck, if I were you.”

“Well, it’s not good judgment, that much is certain,” said Jack.  “For good judgment would tell me to keep in a safe place as long as possible.”

“If you want to know what I think about it,” said Frank, “this raid is going to be one of the greatest blows struck at the enemy.”

“It certainly will do the enemy a lot of harm if it’s successful,” Jack confessed.

“It’ll be successful all right.  I can feel that.”

“A hunch, eh?” laughed Jack.

“Call it what you like.  Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain Admiral Keyes will not fail.  And what are the Germans going to do for submarine bases if Ostend and Zeebrugge are bottled up?”