Of Lord Hastings and the other officers and men, the lads could
see nothing.

For a moment the boys were unable to speak, so astounded were
they at the suddenness of this terrible disaster.

"Great Scott!" gasped Frank at last. "Do you realize what has
happened?"

Jack was more calm.

"Perfectly," he replied faintly, with a sob in his voice. "The
Sylph has gone, and with her Lord Hastings and all on board --
all our friends, the only ones we have in the world."

The two boys unconsciously swam closer together.

"The fortunes of war," said Jack, more quietly now. "It is a
terrible thing."

Further conversation was interrupted by the sound of another
terrific explosion. Startled, the boys turned in the water just
in time to see the last German destroyer disappear beneath the
sea.

"Good!" exclaimed Jack, in fierce joy. "I am glad of that."

Frank also gritted his teeth, and muttered fervent
congratulations to the British gunners.