The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-04-12

tho mouth of the harbor filled those two
commanders with uncomfortable bellig-
erency. That in time of war vessel or
the enemy should be allowed, undis-
turbed, to sail up and down before an
American harbor, while an American
vessel filled with brave American sailors
lay inside like q cowed dog, was q
thought which goaded the soul of each
of these commanders. There was O GER
tain rivalry between tho two ships, and
considering tho insult offered by the
Haunting red cross in the offing. and tho
humiliating restrictions imposed by the
naval department, each commander
thought only of his own ship, and not
at all Of the other.
1t was almost at the same time that
tho commanders of the two ships sepa-
rately came to the conclusion that tho
proper way to protect the fleet behind
the breakwater was for his vessel to
boldly steam out to sea and attack tho
British cruiser. II this vessel carried o
long range gun, what was to hinder her
from suddenly running in closer and
sending few shells into the midst Of
the defenseless merchantmen? In fact,
TO 60 out and fight her was tho only way
to protect tho lives and property in the
harbor.
1t waa true that ono of those beastly
repellers was sneaking about off the
cape, accompanied, probably, by an
under water tongs boat. But as neither
of these had done anything or seemed
likely to do anything, the British cruiser
should be attacked without loss Of time.
When the commander of the Lenox
came to this decision, his ship was well
abreast of Cape Henlopen, and he there
fore proceeded directly out to sea. There
was little fear in his mind that the
English cruiser, which was now bearing
to the southeast, might sail off and get
away from him. The Stockbridge was
detained by the arrival of q dispatch
boat from the shore with message from
the naval department. But IS this mes
sage related only to the measurements Of
q certain deck gun, her commander in
tended as soon as an answer could be
sent off, to sail out and give baltic to the
British vessel.
Every soul on board the Lenox was
now filled, with fiery ardor. The ship
was already in good fighting trim, but
every possible preparation was mado for
contest which should show their coun-
try and the world what American sailors
were made of.
The Lenoy had not proceeded more
than mile out to sea when she per-
ceived Repeller No. coming toward her
from seaward, and in y direction which
indicated that it intended to run across
her course. The LenoI, however, went
straight On, and IN short time the two
vessels were quite near each other. Upon
tho deck of tho repeller now Appeared
the director in charge, who, with o
speaking trumpet, hailed the Lenc:; and
requested her to lay to, as he had some-
thing to communicate. The commander
Of the Lenox, through his trumpet, an
swered that he wanted no communica-
lions, and advised tho other vessel to
keep out of his way.
The Lenox now put on q greater head
of steam, and as she was in any case q
much faster vessel than tho repeller, she
rapidly increased the distance between
herself and the syndicate IS vessel, so that
in a few moments Mailing was impossible.
Quick signals now shot up in jets Of black
smoke from the repeller, and in very
short time afterward the speed Of tho
Lenox slackened SO much that the repel-
Ter was able to come up with her.
When the two vessels were abreast Of
each other, and at safe hailing distance
apart, another signal went up from the
repelleS, and then both vessels almost
ceased to move through the water, al
though the engines of the Lenox were
working at high speed, with her propel-
Ter blades stirring up a whirlpool at her
stern.
For q minute or two the officers of the
Lenox could not comprehend what had
happened. 1t was first supposed that by
mistake the engines had been slackened,
but almost at the same moment that it
was found that this was not the case, the
companying the repeller had laid hold Of
the stern post of the Lenox, and with all
the strength of her powerful engines was
holding her back.
Now burst forth in the Lenox storm
Of frenzied rage, such as was never seen
perhaps upon any vessel since vessels
were first built. From the commander
to the stokers every heart was filled with
fury at the insult which was put upon
them. The commander roared through
his trumpet that if that internal sea
beetle were not Immediately loosed from
his ship he would first sink her and then
the repeller.
To these remarks the director of the
syndicate's vessels paid no attention, but
proceeded to state as briefly and forcibly
as possible that the Lenox had been de-
tanned in order that he might have an
opportunity of speaking with her COM
mander, and of informing him that his
action in coming out of the harbor for
the purpose of attacking O British vessel,
was in direct violation of the contract
between the United States and the syn
dictate having charge of the war, and
that such action could not be allowed.
The commander of the Lenox paid no
more attention to these words than the
syndicate's director had given to those
he had spoken, but Immediately COM
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