The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-05-24

what struck by the writer's theory that
the end of the world would come
through the fiery vapors and lava of the
interior of the earth breaking through
the thin crust thereof. / dreamed now
that such catastrophe was imminent,
and that / was calmly inspecting a
pressure-gauge to ascertain how long
the globe would yet endure. Fearlessly,
as happens in dreams, felt the increas-
ing heat beneath me. Tremors and in
distinct rumblings came rising up from
infinite depths, until the ground shook
and quivered beneath my feet. 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 splash, into the water of
the estuary of the Thames.
Thoroughly awakened, AS the reader
may suppose, rose to the surface, gulp-
ing down mouthful of water in the
surprise. As | clutched the frame
work beside me, ! was conscious Of a
dazzling red fash like lightning, fol-
lowed by tremendous report and rat
Ting all about me, as though shower
of hail were falling. had seen too
much of artillery not to know what this
astonishing meteor was-a shrapncl
she'll
Perhaps there may 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
bed of rosin. AT the bottom thereof, is
small charge of powder, ignited by a
time-fuse bored to burn any required
time. On this delightful machine ex-
ploding out fly the bullets, and, by the
memorable laws of dynamics, partaking
of the original portion of the shell,
cover the ground before them for hun
dreds of yards with a fue denjer, as of a
whole regiment firing vollcys. r.e
Such an instrument of destruction is
very well to talk about; but when its
violence is directed against oneself,
there is less pleasure in the contempla-
ton. Clearly, l had slept 50 long that
the ordinary practice had begun, and
from two guns evidently, or the one shot
could not have followed the other so
rapidly. Only few seconds had for
these thoughts ere saw fash leap out
from the flag crowned battery on shore.
Instantly | dived as deep as | could,
and heard, deadened by the water
above me, the sharp report of the shell.
AS arose to the surface again l 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
observation-disclosures better anywhere;
Founders. Often had 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 COM
rades were hard at work, wondering,
perhaps, what had become of me.
Eight separate times had | dived, and
my strength was failing fast. Even now
there was ringing noise in my head
which almost stupefied me, and was
growing more painful every instant. If
| stood up on the framework and tried
to signal TO the shore, | must stand at
least one shot, and that was almost GER
tain death.
Even in that desperate moment an
absurd idea came into my head, as such
things will come sometimes. / had
read somewhere of an ingenious recipe
for finding safe place on ship-board in
action by putting ones head out at
n hole where shot had come in, relying
on the improbablity of another enter
ing at the same oriiice. There was one
corner of the framework splintered by
several bullets; to it l crept and held
on despairingly.
Another fash from the battery. This
time | could see the shell coming like
black speck in the sky. Anxiously |
watched for the burst to come; but this
time it came not, and the shell
plunged into the sea fifty yards short,
throwing up mighty pillar of water,
ricochetting away far over my head.
Was the fuze blind? l asked myself.
No; there was another flash and another
rush through the air, and sullen plunge
in the sea beyond the target. The
shrapnel practice was over, and they
were firing plugged shells.
Now or never was my time. |
climbed on to the woodwork, sprang to
my feet, and waved my hands. From
the shore must have looked very much
like picture of Andromeda chained to
her rock. | was too late, however, to
escape a shot. Once more the red fash
spouted forth and heard the ominous
rush come. nearer and nearer, till with
a roar as of an express train it rushed
past my head. carrying away with it
the left-hand top corner of the target,
and hurting it far into the sea beyond.
The conclusion seemed to tear my feet
from under me, and l fell, striking my
head against the framework. L had
just sense enough left to prevent myself
rolling into the sea. My last glance at
the shore showed the flag hoisted half
mast high and then | must have tainted
away, for | remember no more till /
found myself in my bed, with the sur
geon-major applying strong ammonia to
my nostrils with good effect. / have
little more to tell. Watching the effect
of the shot from the battery, they had
seen me standing there, just too late to
stop the gun being fred, had ceased the
practice, and got boat out without de-
lay, though with very faint hope of
finding me alive. OF course the story
was made standing joke against me
ever after, and l must own that de-
served it. Nevertheless, l have at least
the satisfaction of considering that
when we 60 forth again to fight the
Russians or the Germans, or whatever
other nation may elect to try with us