Then came the sound of a third shot, but this time the missile was not even heard, and Frank knew that he had been successful.  The enemy had lost the range.

“Good!” shouted Lord Hastings.  “And just in time, I should say.  The next shot would have hit us.”

“Yes, sir,” said Frank quietly.  “He’s blinded us, sir, but we have done the same for him.  Now what, sir?”

“By Jove!  I don’t know,” replied Lord Hastings.  “Here, Jack, stand by this forward gun, and be ready to let her go the first moment you can see the enemy.  If we can manage to work out from under his light we may be able to get him.  Frank, don’t you let that light off him a minute.”

“I’ll keep it on him, sir,” replied the lad.

So there the two boats were, less than a hundred yards apart, but still unable to do one another harm, unless by a chance shot.  For, although the occupants aboard each craft could see the light of the other, they couldn’t gauge its origin with accuracy.

Several times the enemy fired, but without result.

“Well, we’ve got to do something,” declared Lord Hastings.  “Can any of you suggest anything?”

“I believe I have a plan, sir,” declared Frank.

“Let’s have it quick,” said Lord Hastings.

“Well, sir, I should say that if you would stand by the gun, Jack and I can slip over the side in one of the small boats.  We’ll make a slight detour, to get out of the blinding glare, then row toward the enemy.  Without the light in our eyes, we should be able to pick off a couple of the enemy with rifles.  Then he’ll have to shift his light to hunt new foes.  You can be ready and sink him the moment he does so.”

“That’s not a half bad idea,” declared Lord Hastings.  “It shall be done.  Over with you, lads.”

Quickly Frank and Jack got a little boat over the side, procured a rifle apiece, and rowed away.

In spite of the fact that the glare of the enemy’s searchlight was squarely upon them, they could not be seen because of the light aboard The Hawk playing upon the eyes of the foe.  So, though they rowed rapidly, they knew they were safe enough.

Out of the glare of the searchlight, they shaped their course toward the enemy, whose bulk they could now see looming up in the darkness.

“By Jove!  It’s another motorboat,” Frank whispered.

Jack nodded his head in the darkness, but did not reply.

Less than a hundred feet from the enemy, Frank made out several forms forward.

“This is close enough,” he whispered to Jack.

Jack shipped his oars and picked up his rifle.  Frank did likewise.

“You get the one on the left; I’ll take the one on the extreme right,” said Frank.  “Then get the one next your first man if you have time before he ducks, and I’ll do the same.”

“All right,” said Jack.  “Give the word when you’re ready.”

“Ready!  Aim!  Fire!” said Frank quietly.