KEEPING THE TRADE ROUTES CLEAR 



tween the Tyne and the Thames, in which the 

 Germaus had sown a large number of mines. 



In appearance the gallant little steamboats dif- 

 fered only slightly from their aspect when trawling, 

 the chief alteration being that they did not look 

 quite so independent and had more cohesion and 

 orderliness in their movements than when they were 

 scattered over a wide area fleeting or single-boating. 



From the cliff-top, gazing seaward into the winter 

 mist which was half a fog, they looked like storm- 

 birds keeping company and replenishing their lar- 

 ders. And they were something of both, for they 

 had the wind and sea to fight, and they were anxious 

 to add to their score of captured or destro3 r ed mines. 



A dull crash told of the destruction of a mine — a 

 crash which had the effect of causing a rush to 

 shelter of people in an adjacent undefended port 

 who had lately endured a cowardly bombardment 

 and many of whose homes were in ruins. In the 

 streets were little children, with heads and limbs 

 bandaged, but incorrigibly cheerful, who had been 

 at play when the German guns began to fire and by 

 chance hit something which was not of military 

 importance, though in Germany they had wild offi- 

 cial tales of brave attacks on " forts " and " fort- 

 es." These youngsters could tell a good deal 

 about the raid, and they could sell pieces of German 

 shell, large or small, according to the price paid. 

 They understood the sweeping, too, for most of 

 them were children of fishermen, and some of their 

 fathers were out on the grey sea in the little ships 



1 ID 



