But he never slackened
speed, racing along under every pound of steam the straining ships
could carry, thanks to the skill of those quiet heroes of the
engine-room, who, seeing nothing of either friend or foe, never know
anything of either defeat or victory, life or death, till all is over
either with the battle or themselves.
As the great Battle Fleet came rushing from the north every eye was
strained to catch the first sight of Beatty and the Germans. The
thunder of a thousand guns rolled far across that summer sea. It was
heard along the coast of Jutland a hundred miles away; and the main
body of the Grand Fleet knew _The Day_ had come long before they
reached the battlefield. Presently the flashes began sparkling into
view; and then the ships themselves loomed up, dimly made out through
mist and smoke.
Jellicoe did not yet know exactly where the Germans were, and Beatty
could not tell what they would do now Jellicoe had come. But Beatty
turned sharp east immediately he sighted Jellicoe, and the Germans soon
turned too, fearing to have him cross their T while Jellicoe was
rounding on them.
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