The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History — John Shaqi
The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of HistoryHayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)
General
The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History
Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)
Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction
"Men," he said, "it is to be regretted that we have discovered so soon.
There was still work to be done before the hour for our great effort to
crush the British fleet. However, to a certain extent we have been
successful. We have managed to sow the seed of suspicion in the minds
of our enemies. Prisoners, whom we have allowed to be taken, have let
slip words that will lead the British to think our fleet will slip from
its base and approach England from the south. We know better than that.
We know that on the night of May 31--which is tomorrow--our fleet will
strike the British off Jutland."
There was a subdued cheer from the assembled Germans. The speaker
continued:
"Through our efforts the British fleet has been scattered. The main
portion of the fleet lies to the south and will be unable to reach
Jutland in time to save the portion of the British fleet there from
destruction. Of course, should wind of the move reach the British there
would still be time for the fleet to gather. But no such word will
reach the enemy. After sinking the first section of the British fleet,
our vessels will steam south and meet the main British fleet. The
numbers will be nearer equal then. We shall be victorious."
Again there was a subdued cheer, in which Frank and Jack joined for the
sake of appearances. Again the speaker continued:
"I shall now explain the reason we have landed here. Our part in the
work has been done. Here we shall remain until nightfall tomorrow. We
shall then sail north and take part in the battle. In my pocket here,"
he tapped the breast of his coat, "are instructions I shall read to you
before we leave. Until that time we shall rest here, for we have done
work enough for the present. We shall be safe here. Our position now is
directly between two French lines and for that reason we shall not be
disturbed. Of course, if it becomes necessary, we can take to our
machines and get out of harm's way. We have provisions and water enough
to last us; and while the weather is warm, it is still cool enough. At
any rate, we shall have to make the best of it."
The man ceased speaking and beckoned the others to follow him. He
walked a hundred yards to the east. There he made a mark in the sand
with his foot.
"Until the time for us to move has come," he said, "let no man set foot
beyond that line. I make this rule for safety's sake."
He walked two hundred yards from the sea itself and repeated the
operation and instructions; and then to the west.
"Within these bounds," he said, "we will spend tonight and tomorrow.
The man who disobeys these instructions shall be shot. Do I make myself
plain?"
There was a murmur of assent.
"Very well," said the leader. "Now you are all left to your own
devices. First, however, I shall pick the watches for the night."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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