On they went again for Zeebrugge Mole. Things were quieter now. That was strange in itself. What had happened to the long-range bombardment? Where were the smoke screens and why was nothing happening at the Mole? Our ships must be much overdue. Whatever could it mean? Presently some strange craft were seen and a moment later the motor boat was under fire. So she sheered off and the commanding officer did some hard thinking. There was only one possible explanation--the operation must have been postponed. So the next item on her programme was to return to Dover. It wouldn't do to be late getting back, so away they went--hell for leather--straight across everything once more. And they arrived back at Dover, after having completed the whole voyage both ways, before their confrères who were with the main force! At dawn we had completed most of the open-sea passage on the return journey. The force split up--the various units deconcentrated. {152} _Vindictive_ and her old friends returned to her home of the last few weeks. The _Hindustan's_ enthusiasm of the day before gave place to curiosity. The former positions in the anchorage were reoccupied. Coaling was then the order of the day; not a moment was to be wasted; with luck we might start again before nightfall. But it was not to be. The conditions were hopeless and perhaps that was all for the best. We needed some rest. As soon as everything was in readiness for the second attempt, we piped down and then, for the first time, we had a chance to talk things over. It would be untrue to say that we were not disappointed. The fear of indefinite postponement was now much stronger. But everybody realised to the full that the chances of success under adverse conditions were practically nil. Discussion paved the way to many suggestions of improvement--at any rate, we intended to derive what benefit we could from the abortive attempt. {153} CHAPTER XIII THE SECOND ATTEMPT AND RETURN. PREPARING FOR THE THIRD ATTEMPT. REWRITING THE ORDERS. GERMAN OPTIMISM I will not weary the reader with a repetition of our life at the Swin--the second edition differed little from the first. There were still chances of a new start during the present period. The weather, however, was most unkind. We summoned up all the patience that we could muster. The news from the battle front in France was becoming increasingly serious. We felt that somehow or other, we didn't quite know how, a successful operation on our part might help to stem the German advance. If only we could get started! At last our second chance came. The wind had changed back to a northerly direction. The "stand-by" order was received. "Carry on" followed. Once again we started off, as enthusiastic as ever; if our previous determination had not increased it was because no increase was possible.