McClure could now see the leader of the German squadron---a powerful
battle cruiser---crowding on all speed. His guns astern, powerful
fourteen-inch pieces in twin turrets, were in action, firing huge
salvos at his pursuers. The destroyer rode far to starboard of the
cruiser, emitting a steady stream of smoke designed to blind the eyes
of the pursuers.
Jockeying into position after another twenty minutes' run, the _Dewey's_
commander decided to let loose with a torpedo. The cruiser had pulled
up now until it was nearly dead ahead of the American submersible. The
destroyer was dancing along several hundreds yards in the rear of the
cruiser.
So intent were the Germans on keeping away from the pursuing warships
that they had not noticed the sly little submarine that had slipped up
out of the south!
Jack had now an opportunity to witness the actual firing of a torpedo
at an enemy vessel at close range. Directly in front of the _Dewey's_
commander, just above the electric rudder button, glowed four little
light bulbs in bright red---one for each of the torpedo tubes in the
bow bulkhead.
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