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Rh our heads and dropped into the sea, five hundred yards beyond the ship.

And now Admiral Willard, having obtained sufficient offing, brought his fleet back into column again, ready for the great trial of strength.

There was another flash from the Derfflinger, and half a minute later the shell struck 300 yards to starboard of the Oklahoma.

"Good shooting," said the ensign, "now for the salvo."

But it did not come—not yet. Instead, the leading ship of the German dreadnought column tried for range. The shell struck 400 yards short. The next was 600 yards over. And then came the salvos. From both ships there burst a flash of flame, from the battle-cruiser first and, a few seconds later, from the dreadnought—and the Oklahoma was the target of each.