And now the British ships proceeded on their course. None had
been seriously damaged. They turned their backs upon the scene
of the engagement and made off in the direction from which they
had come.

The boys shouted loud and long for assistance; but their cries
were not heard aboard the British ships of war, which, gradually
gathering more headway, steamed off to the south. Not until they
were almost out of sight did the lads cease their shouting, and
resign themselves to their fate.

In despair, they turned to each other for comfort. Jack was
first to speak.

"Well, Frank," he said quietly. "We shall soon join Lord
Hastings and our other good friends in a place where there is no
war and no losing of friends."

"Isn't there something we can do?" asked Frank, trembling with
cold.

"I am afraid not."

There was a sudden stirring of the water beneath them. Jack
cried out suddenly:

"What's that?"

Frank had regained his coolness now.