Now the Sydney made use of her own torpedo tube, and a moment later this engine of destruction sped through the water toward the Emden. There was no need for a second. A terrible explosion told that the torpedo had found its mark.

High above the burning cruiser a second sheet of flame flared up, and at almost the same instant the Emden beached. There was a loud crunching sound as the cruiser grounded on the rocky reef and was battered by the heavy waves against the uneven projections.

To launch the small boats in this place and make for the sh.o.r.e was impossible. The boats were launched, and the crew tumbled in. One made off toward the sh.o.r.e, but it could not live in the fierce breakers, and in a moment disappeared.

The other boats, warned by the fate of the first, put off toward the open sea.

"Do you suppose Captain von Mueller will remain and perish with his ship?" asked Frank of Lord Hastings.

"I do not believe so," was the reply. "There is no need for it.

If the ship were sinking, it would be another matter, but as you see, it is not. It appears to be caught hard and fast on a ledge, and is burning up."

It was true. Stuck suddenly fast on a rocky ledge, the Emden was almost stationary. Flames continued to leap on all sides of her, and it was plainly apparent that it would not be long before they would reach her magazine; and when they did reach it, that would be the end.

As the German small boats headed seaward, the Sydney ceased firing at the now helpless vessel, and bore down on them. It was plain that Captain Glossop was bent upon capturing the survivors.

Small boats and the Australian cruiser were now probably a mile from the burning vessel, and the Sylph had started forward also to pick up some of the German sailors.

At this moment the flames reached the magazine of the Emden.

There was a blinding flash, a terrific detonation. The Emden sprang from the sea like a thing alive, seemed to hang in the air for a brief moment, then turned and dived head-first into the sea. The waters closed over her with an angry hiss, and the German cruiser Emden, for months a terrible menace to British, French and Russian shipping, "The Terror of the Sea," was no more.

"A fitting end for so n.o.ble a vessel," was Lord Hastings' only comment as the cruiser disappeared from the world's ken.

The Sylph was nearing the little flotilla of small boats, and several were put off from the vessel to join the small craft of the Sydney and take the surviving Germans prisoners.

Frank and Jack were in the first boat. As they, drew closer, Jack made out a uniformed figure in one of the German boats that he felt sure was the commander of the Emden.

He steered his boat closer. It was plain that there would be no further resistance from the Germans, and Jack finally managed to steer his boat alongside that of Captain von Mueller.

The latter made no protest when Jack ordered him to step aboard the Sylph's small boat, and did so without a word. Immediately, the little craft turned about and put back to the Sylph, leaving the other small craft to attend to the rest of the German survivors.

Of the Emden's crew Of 361 officers and men, there were less than 75 left alive. Dead and wounded alike had gone to a deep-sea grave when the German cruiser took her death plunge.

Lord Hastings stood at the rail of the Sylph as the little boat drew alongside.

Jack and Frank clambered over the side of the ship ahead of the German commander and, with Lord Hastings, stood waiting to receive him.

CHAPTER XXIII

CAPTAIN VON MUELLER

As Captain von Mueller clambered over the rail, Lord Hastings advanced to meet him with outstretched hand.

"It is indeed a pleasure to receive you aboard the Sylph!" he exclaimed, with real pleasure in his voice.

Captain von Mueller grasped the outstretched hand and wrung it heartily.

"And I am glad to see you," he returned quietly, "though I would rather it were under more fortunate circ.u.mstances. But the battle is over and with your permission, we will not refer to it again."

"Agreed," replied Lord Hastings, and led the way to his cabin, motioning for Captain von Mueller, Frank and Jack to follow.

He introduced the lads to the great German commander, and the latter expressed his pleasure at seeing them. At this moment the third officer entered and spoke to Lord Hastings.

"Launch from the Sydney coming alongside, sir," he said.

"Show Captain Glossop here when he comes aboard," he said.

The third officer withdrew. He appeared again a moment later, however, followed by the commander of the Sydney. Introductions followed.

"Captain von Mueller," said Lord Hastings at length, "it will be necessary for me to turn you over to Captain Glossop. You will go with him aboard the Sydney. Were I returning direct to England, it would give me pleasure to have you accompany me.

However, the Sydney will go straight back to Melbourne, and you will be taken there and held as a prisoner of war."

Captain von Mueller signified his understanding of the situation.

He expressed pleasure at having met Lord Hastings again, and that the fortunes of war had made him the prisoner of such gallant Englishmen.

After some further talk, Captain von Mueller and Captain Glossop disappeared over the side of the Sylph, and put off toward the Sydney. Before either vessel proceeded on its way, several further messages were exchanged between the commanders of the Sydney and the Sylph; but at length the Sydney began to draw away toward the east.

"And so," said Lord Hastings to the two lads, as they stood leaning over the rail, after the Sylph was once more under way, "so goes the 'German Terror of the Sea.'"

The Sylph now turned her head once more to the west, and started on her journey back toward the Mediterranean. She steamed along slowly, Lord Hastings, greatly satisfied with the success of his mission, being in no particular hurry. They put in at Ceylon for coal; then once more resumed their journey.

It was the second day after leaving Ceylon that the lookout made a startling discovery.

"Submarine off the starboard bow, sir!" he called.

Instantly there was excitement on board the Sylph, for there was no telling whether the submarine were friend or foe. At length those on the bridge were able to make out the periscope of the vessel, close to the water. And at this very moment it stood higher and higher in the water. The submarine was coming to the surface.

The Sylph had been quickly stripped for action, for Lord Hastings had determined to give battle should the submarine prove to be an enemy. All available guns were turned upon the spot where the submarine was rising.

But hardly had the under-sea craft come to the surface than a British ensign was run up.

Lord Hastings breathed easier.

"Good!" he exclaimed. "I wouldn't care much to encounter a submarine."

The commander of the submarine, Captain Nicholson, came aboard the Sylph to pay his respects to Lord Hastings.

"I suppose you are aware," he said during the course of the conversation, "that Turkey has declared war on England, France and Russia?"

"What!" cried Lord Hastings. "Turkey has declared war! I hadn't heard of it."

"Well, it's true, nevertheless," replied Captain Nicholson.

Lord Hastings smiled grimly.