"I believe I am right in saying a charge of eighty pounds of nitro-gelenite, which is equivalent to nearly a ton of gunpowder. You may remember how the shock of the explosion shook the ’Aphrodite’ in the chase off Ushant?" "Rather," remarked Hythe. "At that time I----" A column of mingled flame and water bursting apparently from the fo’c’sle of the "Topaze" effectually checked the sub’s remarks. To the watchers on the "Aphrodite" it seemed as if the bows of the cruiser were lifted clear of the water. Then came a deafening detonation, like the noise of thunder above one’s head. The cruiser rocked violently two or three times, then seemed to settle on an even keel, while her quick-firers blazed away in a frantic, aimless manner, for several of the projectiles could be observed striking the water a mile apart. "Any wireless message?" asked Captain Restronguet coolly. "No, sir," replied Kenwyn. "She’s withstood the shock, thank heavens!" ejaculated Hythe, then, "No, she hasn’t, by George! There’s ’Out Collision Mats,’" he added, as a bugle rang out from the stricken ship. "’Vorwartz’ is making off, sir," announced Mylor, who had relieved the observer at the electric detector. "Hard lines on us," exclaimed Captain Restronguet. "What are we to do? The hour is not anything like up, and no signal of distress from the ’Topaze.’ Send them a message, Kenwyn. Wireless, please." "No reply, sir," announced the second officer after a wait of nearly two minutes. "Then her wireless is disabled by the shock. Speak her in Morse, Kenwyn. Ask whether Captain Sedgwyke will release us from the remainder of our period of inaction, as the ’Vorwartz’ is now making off in a southerly direction." But before Kenwyn could get to the flashing signal lamp four loud blasts from the motor fog-horn of the "Topaze" sent forth their cry for urgent assistance. "She’s settling down by the bows," exclaimed one of the spectators of the ocean drama. "Full speed ahead," ordered Captain Restronguet. Within five minutes from the request for aid the "Aphrodite" was abreast the stricken vessel at less than a cable’s length away. Her fore part, already deep in the water, showed unmistakable signs of the mortal blow she had received. Her armoured belt, that extended right to the bows, had already disappeared from view, but for nearly thirty feet on the starboard side and nearly opposite the for’ard nine-point-two-inch gun the lighter steel plates were rent and buckled in all directions. Over the gaping wound a collision mat had been placed, but one might as well attempt to stop a mill-stream with a mop-head. The order had already been given to abandon ship, and with the utmost precision and coolness the seamen were drawn up to await the approach of the cruiser’s boats, that were now only a few yards off.