“And no wonder,” declared Jack.  “You were under water for five minutes before I could get to you.  I got you as you were going down for the last time.  I didn’t arrive a minute too soon.”

“And where are we now?” asked Frank.

“In one of the small boats, making for shore.”

“What shore?”

“Any shore.  Belgium, most likely.  But a storm Is brewing and——­”

A sudden shout interrupted him.

“Vessel approaching off the port bow, sir!” came the cry.

Jack stood up hurriedly and looked across the sea.  Sure enough, just appearing over the horizon, a faint speck had become visible.  Jack waved his hand to Lord Hastings, who was in a second boat not far behind.

“Safe now, I guess, sir,” he called.

“Unless it happens to be a German,” returned his commander.

“Hardly, in this part of the sea,” declared Jack.

The heads of the small boats were turned and they made directly for the approaching vessel, which loomed larger and larger in the distance.

Jack returned to Frank’s side.

“Ship, eh?” asked Frank feebly.

“Yes,” replied Jack.

“British?”

“Haven’t been able to make her out yet.  Probably is, though.  I hope so, for I want to get you to bed where you can be looked after.”

“Don’t mind me.  Say, how many men did we lose?”

“Ten,” said Jack slowly.

“Ten,” repeated Frank.  “It was a costly battle, wasn’t it?  But what has happened to——­”

“Don’t you think you had better not talk any more now?” said Jack, raising a silencing hand.  “You’re pretty weak.  Don’t exert yourself.”

“But wasn’t that Lord Hastings’ voice I heard just now?”

“Yes, it was.”

“By George!  I’m glad he came through safely,” declared Frank feebly.

“All right.  You try and go to sleep now.”

Frank opened his lips to protest, but he was too weary to do so.  Several times a question struggled to his lips, but the effort to speak was too great and directly he fell asleep.

It was almost an hour later that the vessel, which those in the little boats some time before had made out to be a British merchantman, sighted them.  Immediately small boats were lowered over the side and made toward the shipwrecked sailors.

The latter were quickly transferred to the merchantman’s boats and were rowed back toward the steamship.  There the wounded were lifted gently over the side and sent immediately to the sick bay, where their wounds were dressed.

The captain of the vessel led Lord Hastings and Jack to his cabin, where he insisted upon an account of their adventures.  He was greatly interested and commended Jack highly when Lord Hastings had concluded his recital.

“I must also congratulate your second officer when he has recovered,” he said.

“But tell me, captain,” said Lord Hastings.  “Where are you bound?”