THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS

CHAPTER I

IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

"Boom! Boom!"

Thus spoke the two forward guns on the little scout cruiser
H.M.S. Sylph, Lord Hasting, commander.

"A hit!" cried Jack, who, from his position in the pilot house,
had watched the progress of the missiles hurled at the foe.

"Good work!" shouted Frank, his excitement so great that he
forgot the gunners were unable to hear him.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Sylph had come about, and now poured a broadside into the
enemy.

Then, from the distance, more than a mile across the water, came
the sound of many guns. The German cruisers Breslau and Goeben
were returning the fire.

Shells, dropping in. front, behind and on all sides of the Sylph
threw up the water in mighty geysers, as if it were a typhoon
that surrounded the little vessel. Shells screamed overhead, but
none found its mark.

All this time the vessels were drawing closer and closer
together. Now, as the little scout cruiser rose on a huge swell,
a single shock shook the vessel and a British shell sped true.

A portion of the Breslau's superstructure toppled; a second later
and the faint sound of a crash was carried over the water to the
Sylph.

"A hit!" cried Jack again.

A loud British cheer rose above the sound of battle, and the
gunners, well pleased with their marksmanship, turned again to
their work with renewed vigor.

"Lieutenant Templeton on the bridge!" came the command, and Jack
hastened to report to Lord Hastings.