During the action the _Arethusa_ was hit many times, and was much damaged. All her guns were out of action except one 6-inch gun, with which she replied to the enemy's fire. About 8.15 one of her shells wrecked the forebridge of the _Ariadne_, whereupon she turned tail and made for Heligoland. Meanwhile the _Fearless_ had driven off the _Strassburg_, and the destroyers had sunk the German commodore's destroyer, and had damaged some of the others. With that humanity which has always distinguished British seamen, the destroyers lowered their boats and attempted to save the lives of the German sailors struggling in the water. While engaged in this work of mercy a German cruiser fired on them, and two of the boats could not be picked up. Later on, when these open boats were twenty-five miles from the nearest land, and that land the enemy's fortress, with nothing but fog and foes around them, they were wondrously saved. "Suddenly," writes an officer, "a swirl alongside, and up, if you please, pops His Britannic Majesty's submarine E4, opens his conning tower, takes them all on board, shuts up again, dives, and brings them home 250 miles! Is that not magnificent? No novel would dare to face the critics with an episode like that in it, except, perhaps, Jules Verne; and all true." All the British ships were now ordered to turn to the westward and reduce speed to twenty knots. The _Arethusa_ was badly in need of repair. A water tank had been hit; all the guns but one were for the time being out of action, and a fierce fire broke out which was only got under with difficulty. She soon repaired herself, however; got nearly all of her guns into working order; and brought ammunition on deck, ready for the next bout. The bulk of our fleet had kept out of sight, and the Germans believed that they had only submarines, destroyers, and two cruisers to fight. Here was a glorious chance to wipe out the two British cruisers. About ten o'clock two of our destroyers reported that they were being chased by three cruisers of the enemy--the _Mainz_, the _Köln_, and a heavier vessel, probably the _Strassburg_. The _Arethusa_, with the _Fearless_ and the First Flotilla, at once made for the three German cruisers, and about eleven o'clock sighted the _Strassburg_, if that was her name. She opened a heavy fire at once, and the poor, battered _Arethusa_ was again in peril. Thanks to a vigorous attack by the _Fearless_ and the destroyers, the _Strassburg_ drew off and disappeared in the haze. Ten minutes later she appeared on the starboard quarter, and again attacked the _Arethusa_; but her shots fell short. No such mistake was made by the British gunners; both the _Arethusa_ and the _Fearless_ hit the German ship repeatedly, and so badly damaged her that she finally drew out of the fight and ran for home.