shattered stern and the blood running in
the steersman's eyes. Keen eyes sighted a periscope in time. The helm
was put over and the white track raced across the stern, missing by
feet. Baffled in under-water attack, the enemy hove up from his depths
to open surface fire. He never had opportunity. If look-out was good,
gun action was as quick and ready in _Palm Branch_. Her first shot
struck the conning-tower, the second drove home on the submarine, which
sank. While all eyes were focused on the settling wash and spreading
scum of oil, a new challenge came and was as speedily accepted. A shell,
fired by a second submarine at long range, passed over the steamer.
Slewing round to a new target, the gunners kept up a steady return, shot
for shot. The submarine dropped farther astern, fearing the probe of a
bracket: he angled his course to bring both his guns in action. Two
pieces against the steamer's one! At that, he fared no better. Firing
continuously, eighty rounds in less than an hour, he registered not one
hit.

At length _Palm Branch's_ steady, methodical search for the range had
effect. Her gunners capped the day's fine shooting by a direct hit on
the submarine's after-gun, shattering the piece. At evens again--the
U-boat ceased fire and drew off, possibly under threat of British
patrols approaching at full speed, more probably for the good and
sufficient reason that he had had enough.

Not all our contests were as happily decided. If--shirking the issue of
the guns, with no zest for a square fight--the German went to his
depths, he had still the deadly torpedo to enforce a toll. The toll we
paid and are paying, but there is no stoppage in the round by which the
nation is fed and her arms served. The burden is heavy and our losses
great, but we have not failed. We dare not fail.

[Illustration: IN A MERCHANTMAN--BOMB-THROWER PRACTICE]

II

OUR RELATIONS WITH THE NAVY

JOINING FORCES

AFTER an interval of a hundred years, we are come to work together
again, banded, as in the days of the Armada, to keep the seas against a
ruthless challenger. In view of a new blood-bond between us, it is
difficult to write coldly of the causes that have kept us apart. Only by
preface of an affirmation can it be made possible. Through all our
differences, prejudices, envies--perhaps jealousies--there ran at least
one clear unsullied thread--our admiration for the Navy, our glory in
its strength and power, our belief in