In spite of the fact that the German vessels under the protection of the great guns of the fort were undoubtedly ready for instant action, the order for them to sally forth to the assistance of their comrades came not.
Gradually the German ships drew off, pursued for a great distance by the victorious British fleet, leaving four vessels at the bottom of the North Sea, two others burning, and, with practically every vessel that had been engaged in the action suffering serious damage. British marksmanship had been too much for them, and they retired to the protection of the great guns of Helgoland, till they presently should once more summon sufficient courage to face the British.
The loss of the Germans was enormous--that of the English comparatively light, only thirty-two lives lost, and less than sixty men wounded.
Several of the British ships had been struck by German shells, but all were able to steam away, although for a short time the _Arethusa_ received some aid from the _Sylph_. The _Liberty_ also had been seriously damaged.
While the smaller guns of the _Sylph_ had prevented her from working any great damage on the heavily armored German vessels, the little scout cruiser had, nevertheless, been right in the hottest of the fight. One of her men was killed and three were wounded.
"A gallant fight!" declared Lord Hastings to his officers, as the _Sylph_ drew off after the battle. "England may well be proud of her sailors!"
"It was glorious!" replied Frank. "But I am sorry we did not have a more important part to play."
"Don't let that worry you," replied Lord Hastings. "You will see all the fighting you want, and more too before the war is over, or I miss my guess."
"Well," said Jack, "to-day's action has proved one thing, at least."
"That" repeated Jack, "is that Britannia, as ever, rules the wave!"
Aboard H. M. S. battle cruiser _Alto_ subdued excitement prevailed. It was six o'clock the morning after the first British naval victory off Helgoland, and still, for some unaccountable reason, the commander of the _Alto_ had received no information of the battle.
Alice Beulow, pale from loss of sleep and tired to the point of exhaustion, paced to and fro in her little cabin. Several times she fell upon her knees beside her bed and prayed, for, by the mandate of the court-martial, she had less than two hours to live.