“You do honour to the great name you bear,” he thought.  Through smoke and steam he looked up at the conning-tower, where he knew the Prince-Admiral was.  Then he saw it no more, for suddenly a thick, black cloud overspread his eyes.  He had only felt a slight blow in his breast, but no pain.  He tried to lift his hand to the place where he had been hit, but it sank powerlessly.  It seemed as if he were being turned round in a circle by an invisible hand.  Thousands of fiery sparks shot up suddenly from the dark cloud—­the night closed completely round him—­deep, impenetrable night, and still, solemn silence.

Major Hermann Heideck had found a hero’s death.

. . . . . . .

A torpedo-boat that had been summoned by signal hurried up at full speed to the Admiral’s flagship which was lying on her side.  A broadside torpedo had struck the Wittelsbach; and although there was no fear of her sinking, it was impossible for operations to be directed from her any longer.

Regardless of the danger it involved, the Prince-Admiral had himself and his staff transferred by the torpedo-boat to the Zahringen, on which his flag was at once hoisted.

. . . . . . .

The progress of the engagement had hitherto been favourable to the German fleet to a surprising extent.  Its losses were considerably less than those of its numerically far superior enemy, and its ships, with few exceptions, were still able to fight and manoeuvre.  But as yet, considering the strength of the ships still at the enemy’s disposal, it was too early to speak of a decision in favour of the German fleet.  Although the clever manoeuvre of the German squadron had frustrated the intended attack of the English, and inflicted very considerable losses upon them, it might still be possible for Sir Percy Domvile to atone for his mistake and to bind the capricious fortune of war to his flag.

The same frightful scenes which Major Heideck had witnessed on board the Wittelsbach had also taken place on the other German battleships and cruisers.  Blood flowed in rivers, and, if the murderous engagement continued much longer, the moment could not be far off when it would no longer be possible to fill the gaps caused by death in the ranks of the brave crews.  A few luckily-aimed English torpedoes, and no genius in the supreme command, no heroism on the part of the captains, officers, and crew would have been able to avert disaster from the German arms.

Then, suddenly a fresh, apparently very powerful squadron, was sighted from the south-west, which, if it had proved to be a British reserve fleet, must have decided the victory at once in favour of the English.

The moments that passed until the question was definitely settled were moments of the keenest suspense and excitement for those on board the German vessels.  The relief was so much the greater when it was seen to be no fresh hostile force, but Admiral Courtille’s squadron, advancing at full speed, just at the right moment to decide the issue.