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Several officers were gathered about him. They were gesticulating violently, but to each the captain shook his head negatively. "They'll all be drowned if they don't hurry," said Captain Dreyfuss anxiously. "Why don't the fools jump!" Suddenly the German commander drew a revolver from his pocket, and pointed it directly at the protesting officers. They drew back.
"We would certainly be pleased to see service under another flag," persisted Jack. "Indeed we would," agreed Frank; "and we would be willing to go in any capacity. If we go to London we may have a long wait before being assigned to another ship." Suddenly Captain Dreyfuss slapped his leg with his hand and got to his feet.
Swiftly she dashed along in the night, but was suddenly checked in her flight by a hail from across the water: "What ship is that?" Jack recognized the voice of Captain Dreyfuss, and called back: "Captured Austrian cruiser, sir. This is Templeton. What shall I do with her?" "Take her on to the fleet," came the reply. "Good work! I shall not wait for you to return but will continue immediately."
The Marie Tieresa, back from her successful raid, was one of the foremost in the French line of battle. Now, as she steamed forward with the rest of the fleet, her hydroplanes were made ready for action. Captain Dreyfuss summoned Jack and Frank before him. "You will each take a seat in one of the hydroplanes," he ordered. "Your duties will be to drop bombs on the enemy.
As the Marie Theresa steamed up to the other vessels of the fleet, she was greeted with a salute. A short time later Captain Dreyfuss put off for the flagship in a small boat to pay his respects to the admiral. It was late when he returned aboard the Marie Theresa, and immediately he set foot on board a subdued air of excitement became apparent.
"Yes, sir," replied Jack, "but " Frank's heart fell. From the captain's tone, it was apparent that he did not intend to let them go. "And you, sir?" demanded the captain of Frank. "We have no cause to complain," replied Frank. "But Lord Hastings " "Enough!" interrupted Captain Dreyfuss. "It shall be as you say." He turned to Lord Hastings.
Captain Dreyfuss will indeed be glad to greet two such gallant Englishmen." It was fully half an hour later, the lads in the meantime having seen to the disposition of the British sailors aboard the French cruiser, before Jack and Frank were seated in the commander's cabin, relating their experiences to him.
They halted before their commander and came to attention. "If I am not mistaken," said Captain Dreyfuss, pointing ahead, "that dark hull there is an Austrian vessel, whether a warship or not I cannot say. Now, the success of this venture depends upon silence. A shot from a big gun aboard that ship would mean failure for us.
Then, at a command from Captain Dreyfuss, she was put on her course toward the south. Several uneventful days passed, during which Frank and Jack struck up quite a friendship with their fellow middies. The unkindly spirit of the young Frenchmen gave way to real comradeship, and all were now on the best terms.
"And where is Pierre?" demanded Captain Dreyfuss of Jack. "Gone!" replied the lad quietly. "He died the death of a hero." "And do you mean to tell me," demanded the captain, "that you two lads were in the machines that dived head first into the enemy?" "It was Jack who conceived the idea and made the first attack," replied Frank. Captain Dreyfuss turned to Lord Hastings.
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