The Fight for Constantinople: A Story of the Gallipoli Peninsula

up The

f the young officer. Perhaps he took him for one of the German taskmasters. At

try by his ankle, at the same time delivering a terrific left-hander that caug

rasp, fortunately without exploding. The back of his head came i

ed him," whi

e spared the trouble of having to gag and truss him up. You might remove the bolt from his rifle and thr

rs had emerged was midway between the fort and the beach, and, being in a totally diff

ost came to grief through the rock giving way beneath his feet, but by dint of hanging on like grim death he succeeded in regaining a firm foothold. The drizzl

to travel light on the job. Ready? I'll set the course if you'll keep as close as yo

fearing there might be a limit to his young companion's pluck, he refrained from cautionin

ossible for the active swimmers to endure half an hour's swimming without risk of exhaus

bring a heavy rifle-fire upon the two swimmers from the numerous Turkish infantry who had reoccupied the position after the retirement of the demolition

s stationary, but before the swimmers had covered fifty yards they were caught by the current, and swept southwards so rapidly that Dick realized that there was no chance of makin

osthwaite laconically, aft

r," replied the

Dick, pointing to a black shape "broad on hi

changing course. Just then a search-light played full upon the

f drifting mines, sir," remarked Sefton

In so doing he completely forgot the other side of the question, and a crackle of musketry from th

nd gave a swift glance at his companion. He was still "going stro

from the fo'c'sle

the projectile was not aimed at the two dark objects in the ray of the search-light. With

maintaining a high speed, made

Dick cheerfully. "They

. The creaking of tackle announced that her crew were lowering one of t

of being transferred from the boat to the destroyer Calder. Then, with a vivid and a sharp detonation, a shell burst a

n below and furnished with dry clothing. Quickly the Sub returne

an't put you on board the Hammerer. The battleships and cruisers have withdrawn until the mine-field is cleared a little higher up. They're going to tack

of any ser

see at present. We'll find roo

eaming slowly in a northerly direction, and had already passed t

sub-lieutenant and two seamen. The Lieutenant-Commander, called by courtesy the Ca

Commander glanced at the

in the tone of a referee at a box

from the four squat funnels, and, like a hound released from leash, the Calder raced on h

ittle over 550, her speed supposed to be 24 knots, but by dint of terrific e

of having died for their country. If on the other hand the Calder returned in safety, the British Admiral would be in possession of important information with reference to the position of new batteries that the Turks had thrown up to supplement those which were alre

ak. Each of these positions mounted guns heavy enough to blow the frail destroyer clean out of the water, while there was known to be rows of deadly mines which might be anchor

eir mines, and were loath to disclose their positions by opening fire upon an insignificant destroyer. I

er. The flame-tinged smoke was enough. Besides, she had already crossed the path of

he Naval Reserve officer to Dick. "We'll have o

d outvoice the clap of thunder, a hundred projectiles sped towards the daring British destroyer, some falling short, others bursting ahead and astern, while many flew harmlessly overhead. Yet

ers, she held grimly on her way, her skipper, standing coolly

ch on the foc'sle blazed away against the powerful shore batteries. A dozen streams of smoke from the perforated funnels eddi

re, for she was lost sight of by the Turkish gunners. While they were congratulating themselves upon having sunk another of the Giaour's s

ick revelled in the situation, now that the first salvo had been fired. Possibly the sight of the Lieutenant-Commander scorning to take shelter helped to steady Dick's

prevent the projectiles from Kilid Bahr and the adjacent batteries ricochetting into Chanak and the forts on the As

D GRIMLY AND SW

the tubes mounted on the shore, tore past her, the trail of foam looming with a peculiar phosphorescence, showing how near they had

e thought to have left the Sea of Marmora and had taken shelter beyond Nagara were not in their

her return journey. Before she recovered her normal trim a 4-inch shell penetrated her thin plating, and, fortunat

previously clear of the water was now eighteen inches beneath the surfac

bundle of oily waste he thrust it into the irregular-shaped hole, and coolly sat

Naval Reserve officer, who was looking through one

ich, having circled to starboard, had closed in upon the Calder. Both w

He realized the danger of the formation, for both

port!" h

r, and with a lurch that gave those below the impression that she was turning turtle, the destroyer

s she tore past the southern-most of the forts, badly mauled but sti

ked the Lieutenant-Commander, as he was rej

eserve officer ha

r!" he exclaimed.

k my cigarette-case to blazes-and it was a presentation one, worse luck. That's why I had to ask for something to

neer, and the gunner as to the damage to personnel and hull and fittings. This done he retired to his cabin-which was considerably draughty, owing to

e midshipman busily engaged in helping the doctor, a surgeon probationer of the Royal Naval Reserve entered for service during the war. The

. It felt absolutely rotten being boxed up without knowing what's going on. One thing is certain: I'll take jolly go

said Crosthwaite, who had been told by the s

ing to patch up a man who has been horribly knocked about,

the old Hammerer before another hour's up, unless something unforeseen occur

et boat put off from the Hammerer to take off the two missing officers, who parted from their rescu

y in the terrific seas. In such weather even the steadiest ship would be unable to use her guns with any degree of accuracy, while it was equally ce

. They were doubtless hard at work throwing up new trenches and batteries, and installing fresh

lling, and increased the desire of the officers and men of the fleet to complete the good wo

ypewritten document which contained news of the war that had been received by wireless and distr

proffered pa

attack upon the southern forts of the Gallipoli Peninsula. In spite of a terrific artillery fire

n we do land a few army corps!" remarked Bourne. "However, the mor

e benefit of some of the midshipmen. "Three cruisers and at least six destroyers were observed to sink under the accurate f

ce. "We'll be through in a fortnight. And I believe the wind's dro

ect, for on the following morning the

Its meaning was greeted with an outburst of a

weigh and engage