Before dusk she was in sight of the seven German ships, with their attendant British destroyers. The Germans once more scattered. The _Gefion_, which was the only really fast ship, made off towards the west, but was promptly headed off by the _Terrific_ and driven back. The _Pfeil_ headed boldly towards Milford, and as the batteries at that place were not yet manned, caused some moments of great anxiety to the British. Two of the fast ocean-going destroyers were ordered to run in between her and the port and to torpedo her if she attempted to make her way in through the narrow entrance. Observing their manœuvre, the German captain once more turned south. The other five German ships kept in line, and attemped to pass between the Smalls and the Welsh coast. The _Terrific_ had now closed the _Gefion_ sufficiently to open fire with her 9·2’s and 6-inch guns. The fight was so unequal that it could not be long protracted. With every disadvantage of speed, protection, and armament, the German cruiser was shattered by a few broadsides, and, in a sinking condition, surrendered just after dark. The _Selkirk_ and _Lion_ passed her and fired a few shots at her just before she struck, but were ordered by the Rear-Admiral to attend to the other German ships. Five shots from the _Lion’s_ bow 9·2-inch gun settled the _Pfeil_, which beached herself in Freshwater Bay, where the crew blew up the ship, and were captured a few hours later. Thus four of the ten raiders were disposed of, and there now remained only five within reach of the British ships clearing the Bristol Channel. It was 9 p.m. before the _Lion_ and _Selkirk_ had closed on the remnant of the German squadron which had raided the South Wales ports sufficiently to engage it. The five German ships had passed through the dangerous passage between the Smalls and the mainland without misadventure, and were slightly to the north-west of St. David’s Head. Right ahead of them were the British destroyers, ready to co-operate in the attack as soon as the big cruisers came up; abreast of the German line were the two large British armoured cruisers; well astern of them was the _Terrific_, heading to cut off their retreat. The German ships were formed up with the _Cormoran_ at the head, and astern of her in line the _Sperber_, _Schwalbe_, _Meteor_, and _Falke_. None of these poor old vessels mounted anything larger than a 4-inch gun, and none of them could steam more than twelve knots. The only course remaining for them was to make some show of fight for the honour of the German flag, and to their credit be it said that they did this.