The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-30

what struck by the writer's theory that
the end of the worldIwould come through
the fiery vapors and lava of the interior
of the earth breaking through the thin
crust thereof. dreamed now that such
was calmly inspecting pressure-gauge
to ascertain how long the globe would
yet endure. Higher and higher ran the
warning hand upon the dial, and at
length, with a mighty crash, the world
exploded, and was hurled, not into
chaos, but into the water OF tho estuary
of tho Thames! !
Thoroughly awakened, as the reader
may suppose, rose to the surface, gulp-
ing down a mouthful of water swallowed |
in the surprise. As I clutched the frame
work beside me, was conscious of a
dazzling red flash like sheet lightning,
followed by tremendous report and q |
rafting all about me. as though shower |
of hail were falling. I had seen too
much of artillery not to know what this |
astonishing meteor was-a shrapnel shell.
Perhaps there msy be some Of my
readers Ignorant Of what such missile |
is: for, indeed, it is of somewhat late
invention. Let them imagine, then, a
cylindrical shell Of iron, ogival-headed,
and containing as many bullets as it will
conveniently hold, comfortably set in a
bed of resin. At the bottom thereof is a
small charge of powder, ignited by
time-fuze bored to burn any required
time. On this delightful machine ex
ploding out fly the bullets, and, by the
inexcrab]e laws Of dynamlcs, partaking
of the original motion of the shell. cover
the ground before them for hundreds of
yards with feu d'enfer. as Of whole
regiment firing volleys.
Such an implement of obstruction is
very we'll to talk about; but when its
violence is directed against ones self,
Their, is less pleasure in the contempla.
ton. Clearly ! had slept so long that
the ordinary afternoon practice had be-
gun, and from two guns evidently, or
the one shot could not have followed the
other 50 rapidly. Only a few seconds
| had I for these thoughts ere saw red
flash leap out from the fag-crowned
battery on shore. Instantly dived deep
as I could. and heard. deadened BY
the water above me, the sharp report of
the shell. AS rose to the surface again,
I saw white splinters on the woodwork of
the target that showed how true the aim
had been. Scarcely had time to take
breath when the red flash leaped again,
and again Owed. They were good gun
detachments- better anywhere; and
the guns were light ones-sixteen
Founders. Often had I competed myself
in race with time, running the gun up
again almost before the recoil had ceased,
and ramming home shot and cartridge
ere it had reached its former position
again. Now no doubt my comrades were
hard at word, wondering, perhaps, what
had become of me.
Eight separate times had I dived, and
my strength was failing fast. Even now
there was a ringing noise IN my head
which almost stupefed me, and was
growing more painful every instant. II
stood up on the framework and tried
to signal to the shore, must stand al
least one shot. and that was almost Ger.
tain death.
Even in that desperate moment an alb.
! surd idea come into my head, as such
things will come sometimes. I had read
some of an ingenious recipe for finding a
safe place on shipboard in action by put
ting ones head out at hole where sno1
had come in, relying on the improbable
! ity of another entering at the same orifice
There was one corner of the framework
splintered by several bullets; to i'll crep
} and held on despairingly.
, Another flash from the battery. Thi
time could see the shell coming like
black speck in the sky. Anxiously
watched for the burst to come; but thi
time it came not, and the shell plunged
into the sea fifty yards short, THROWN,
up mighty pillar OF water, and ricochet
ing away far over my head. Was tn
} fuse blind? I asked myself. No; Their
was another flash and another rusl
through the sir, anda sullen plunge in tn
sea beyond the target. The shrapne
, practice was over, and they were firin,
plugged shell. #-
3 Now or never was my time. Iclimbe'
t on to the woodwork, sprang 20 my fee
and waved my hands. From the shor
I must have looked very like pictur
e of Andromeda chained to her rock.
+ was too late, however, to escape shot
9 Once more the red flash spouted forth
l and I heard the omlnous rush coming
: nearer and nearer till with roar as o
s an express train it rushed past my head
e carrying away with it the left:hand to-
e corner of the target, and hurting it ia
' into the sea beyond. The conclusion
q seemed to tear my feet from under me
/ and I fell, striking my head against tn
e framework. had just sense enough
4 left to prevent myself rolling into th
! sea. My last glance at the shore showe'
+ the flag ho:sted half-mast high; an,
d then must have tainted away, for re
!, member no more till I found myself ly
: ing in my bed, with the surgeon major
e applying strong amonia to my nostril
e with marvellous effect. I have ittl
q more to tell. Watching the effect of tn
8 shot from the battery, they had seen m
!. standing there, just too late t
r stop the gun being FREQ, had ceased tn
!, practice, and got boat out without dc
Q lay. though with very faint hope G
t finding me alive. Ofcourse the story wa
J. made standing; joke against me for eve
0 after, and. must own that deserved i
= Nevertheless, have a: least the satisfa<
l ton of considering that when we go fort
n = r