Page:Air Service Boys Flying for France.djvu/98

Rh was fully understood, a feeling of depression and horror fell over the passengers in spite of their thankfulness over their own escape.

"Still, it's only what those who embark on a U-boat expect," Tom told a woman who expressed to him her horror at the fate that had overtaken the German crew. "They never go out but they count themselves as good as dead, I've read. And if by great good luck they get safely back into harbor again it's as though a new life had been given to them."

"Well, we're leaving the spot at last now," remarked Jack, with a sigh of relief. "The captain feels he has done everything that could be expected. His conscience can't trouble him. Those pirates of the twentieth century took their chances, and they lost out against our superior gunners, which is all there is to it."

"And think of what a small object our men had for a mark!" Tom went on to say. "I suppose, though, it's easier shooting from the steady deck of a big liner like this than from a jerky low platform, such as the deck of a submarine must present. That's why the Germans' shooting was so poor, even at a big target."

Soon they were once again pursuing their regular course. No one was sorry, for there must always be a certain amount of additional