Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-27


most scrupulous care. The first shells
pass wide of the mark; but the aim is
rectifed, and soon the shells fall so near
the torpedo boat that they throw the
water over it. Now ore has fallen right
at its prov. A geyser jet of water thir-
ty feet high conceals the torpedo boat;
the enemy believes it has been sunk, and
utter a tremendous cheer. But the pro-
jectile has only ricochetted and passed
over it. The water falls back in rain,
and the brave little vessel reappears all
streaming with brine, as though it had
emerged from the sea-deeps, and rush
ing on at full steam in the face of
death.
Thereswas only nine men on the little
vessel, and they are going to attack
sort of leviathan carrying an immense
crew. 1t is not the fight of one against
ten, but of one against hundred.
Not single word is uttered beyond
the necessary orders. Those men whom
death already touches with his finger are
silent and grave. And do not suppose
for moment that they do not think of
the danger. On the contrary, they think
of nothing else. But it is not Of their
own danger they are thinking, but of
the danger of failure. 1t is not a ques-
ton of their lives, but of the success of
the enterprise. 1t is essential that the
torpedo boats shall reach the enemy's
flank and rescue our cruiser. After that.
if the torpedo.boat sinks, so much the
worse
Every nerve is strained, every eye is
directed toward the object in view. Now
the boat is only five hundred yards away
from the iron-c clad. The fire of the mi.
trailleuses mingles with the showers of
shells and sweeps the deck; every
thing wooden is splintered to atoms
with grape-shot. An incessant fire
of repeating rifles from the mast
tops of the iron-clad plays
over the torpedo boat; and the balls, en-
tering through the few openings in the
decks, have already disabled three men.
They lie in corner to which they were
able to drag themselves, for there is no
time now to attend to them. They may
be thought of in two minutes more
after the fate of all shall have been de-
cided.
The torpedo boat has almost reached
its enemy. The success of the expedi-
ton is now assured for the small batter
les are powerless to harm the torpedo
boat at such short range. The rifle fire,
terrible as it is, cannot sink her. 1t can
only kill some of her crew; but this Is
of no great consequence! Now is the
time when the captain needs all his surety
of eye and GOODNESS of will; now is the
time that his men must execute orders
with the rapidity of lightning, for if the
torpedo be fired second too soon it will
fail to do its terrible duty, and yet if
there be delay of moment the tor
pedo boat must dash itself to pieces
against the sides of its mighty adversary
Now the boat seems almost ready to
touch the enemy's vessel, Hand gre
nades flung upon her deck rebound and
burst; one man is killed; the captain has
received terrible wound in the face d;
but, summoning all his strength, he
supports himself erect against the iron
wall by sublime effort of will Livid,
arenched with blood, but terrible in his
calm resolve and bravery, he keeps his
eye still upon the enemy.
Ready Let her gow
The awful missile is launched. An
enormous surge appears in the water, and
d frightful, cracking noise is heard, fol-
lowed by terrible cry of distress. The
pigmy has conquered the giant.
Hard a starboardw
And the little vessel, suddenly wheel
Ing around, steams away at full speed
while the enemy's iron-clad sinks to the
bottom.
Ten minutes afterward the torpedo
BOAT has returned to its post beside the
ldmirars vessel-the admiral sends for
he captain in order to congratulate him.
He is carried to him upon bier. Mean
while the fight goes on. A new expedi-
hon may prove necessary. A provisory
captain is at once appointed, and four
men to complete the decimated crew
md the torpedo boat is ready to fulfill
.nother mission; it has another band OF
heroes TO direct II - P1rjs E5O1ro