"Speak, sir," ordered the admiral. "Then I would suggest, sir," said Jack, "that one of your cruisers be sent out so the enemy may be able to get a bare glimpse of her. Believing that she is alone, they undoubtedly will approach to attack. Let the cruiser, retiring slowly, give battle. When she has drawn the enemy close enough, the remainder of the fleet can make a dash and nab the Germans before they have time to flee." "An excellent plan!" cried the admiral, springing to his feet. "It shall be put into execution." With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was over, and Frank, Jack and Lord Hastings made their way back to the Sylph. That Admiral Sturdee was a man of action became apparent in a few moments. Unaware just how far off the German squadron was, Sir Frederick took the necessary steps immediately. Less than an hour after Lord Hastings and the two lads had returned aboard the Sylph, the British battleship Canopus got under way, and steaming away from her sister ships, made for the entrance to the little harbor, going slowly. Here she took up her position, steaming slowly back and forth. As yet, however, there was no sign of the enemy. Meantime, other vessels in the fleet continued to coal swiftly. Steam was gotten up and every ship prepared for action. Against the German fleet of five ships--the armored cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the protected cruisers Leipzig, Dresden and Nurnberg, accompanied by two colliers--the British admiral, besides the Sylph, would go into battle with eight ships of war--the battle cruisers Invincible and Inflexible, the former Admiral Sturdee's flagship, the cruisers Kent, Cornwall, Carnarvon, Bristol and Glasgow, and the battleship Canopus. At Sir Frederick's command, every sailor in the English fleet was given a light meal, and then each man took a cold bath. Following this, those who were not on watch, turned in for a brief rest. And to show the hardihood and bravery of the British tar, there was not a man who showed signs of nervousness or fear. There was a signal from the Canopus--a signal by flags, for the British did not wish to betray their presence by the use of the wireless, which could be as easily picked up by the enemy. "Enemy approaching," read the signal. Admiral Sturdee signaled back. "Engage him when he has approached so close that he believes you are unable to get away." The commander of the Canopus signified his understanding of this command, and continued steaming to and fro, ostensibly guarding the harbor. At last the first gray form of a German cruiser came within sight of those on the Sylph. It was steaming slowly forward, apparently in no hurry and secure in its belief that there was no enemy near to be feared. The Sylph had been stripped for action with the rest of the British fleet, for Lord Hastings had no mind to keep out of the battle.