In almost less time than it takes to tell it they were directly above the British fleet, which, so far, consisted only of five ships of war-- besides the _Glasgow,_ an armored cruiser, the _Albert_ and _Victoria_, torpedo boats, being the _Queen Mary_ and _Indefatigable_. As the Germans approached in the air, a hydroplane ascended from each of the British ships and British aviators gave chase to the enemy. One, which had come too close, was brought down; but the other two returned safely to the shelter of the German fleet, where the British dare not follow them because of the presence of a superior force of the enemy. But the German aviators had learned what they had been sent to learn. They had discovered the strength of the British. Again sharp orders were flashed from the German flagship. The fleet came on faster. Captain Raleigh, because of his seniority, had taken command of the small British squadron. He had drawn his ships up in a semicircle, heads pointed to the foe. As his aviators signalled that the Germans were again advancing, Captain Raleigh gave the command that had been long eagerly awaited by the men--a command which the commander of the _Queen Mary_ had delayed giving until the last moment because he desired to give his men all the rest he could. "Clear for action!" he thundered. Jack glanced at his watch and as he did so eight bells struck. "Midnight!" The exclamation was wrung from Frank. "And no aid for at least three hours," said Jack, quietly. As the lad spoke the fog suddenly lifted and gave to the British a view of the advancing German fleet. "Forward turret guns!" cried Captain Raleigh, "Fire at will!" A terrible salvo burst from the 16-inch guns in the forward turret. At almost the same moment the leading German ships opened fire. The first few salvos from each side did no damage, for the range had not been gauged accurately. It became apparent now that the German admiral had no intention of risking all his first line ships in this encounter. Apparently he had decided that his smaller vessels were fully capable of coping with the small number of the enemy that was contesting his advance. From the shelter of the larger ships advanced the battle cruisers. Not a battleship nor a dreadnaught came forward. But the smaller ships dashed on swiftly and presently their guns found the range. A shell burst aboard the _Glasgow's_ bridge, carrying away nearly the entire superstructure. The captain and his first officer were killed, and many men were injured as huge splinters flew in all directions. Under the command of the second officer, the _Glasgow_ fought back. A shell from her forward turret burst aboard the closest German vessel and there was a terrific explosion, followed by a series of blasts not so loud. Came fearful cries from aboard the enemy.