The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-21

was danger that the Englishman perceiv-
ing that his antagonist did not appear to
be affected by his fire, would approach
closer and endeavor to ram her. This
was to be avoided, for the Scarabaus
No. l, and able to run into the latter and
sink her by mere preponderance of
weight.
It was, therefore, decided to now test
the powers of tho crabs. Signals were
made from Repcllcr No. to Crab A,
which had been lying with the larger
vessel between it and the enemy. These
signals were madc by jets of dense black
smoke, which werc cjcctcd from a small
pipe on the repcller. These slender COL
umns of Gmoke preserved their cylindri-
Cal forms for somo moments, and were
visible at q great distance by day or
night, being illuminated in tho latter
case by electric light. The length and
frequency of these jets were regulated
by IN instrument in the directors room.
Thus, by means Of long and short puiIs,
with the proper use Of intervals, y mes
sage could be projected into the air as a
telegraphic instrument woull marx it
upon paper.
In this manner Crab 4 was cst!v:,2a to
immediately proceed to tho c:t;:c!: c.
tho Scarabecus. The almost suu.:.., !, ID
vessel steamed rapidly frcm Lulli:s>i her
consort, and madc for the Eril:s,, i T.
cf-war.
When the latter vessel pSrcci.>'.. a..
approach CT this turtle backed c:;.:o:,,
squirting little jets of black s1no..sc as sax
replied to tho orders from tho repellcr.
there was great amaZcment on board
The crab had not been seen before. bat
as it caInc rapidly on there was no time
for curiosity or discussion. and several
heavy guns were brought to bear upon
1t. 1t was difficult to hit rapidly NOV
ing fiat object scarcely above the surface
of the water; and although several sho,
struck the crab, they glanced off without
i'll the least interfering with It's progress.
Crab a soon came 80 near the Scara-
beus that it was impossible to depress
tho guns of the latter SO Is to strike her.
The great vessel was, therefore headed
toward its assailant, and under a full
head Of steam dashed directly at it to
run it down. But the crab could turn as
upon n pivot. and shooting to one side
allowed the Eurging inon-of-war to passit.
Perceiving instantly that it would be
difficult to strike this nimblc and almost
submerged adversary, the commander of
the Scarabpus thought it well to let it
alonc for the present, and to bear down
with all speed upon the rcpeller. But it
! was easier to hit the crab than to leave
it behind. 1t was capable of great speed,
and. following the British vessel, it
quickly came up with her.
The course Of the Scar abaus was in
stantly changed, and every effort was
made to get tho vessel into position to
run down the crab. But this was not
| easy for SO largo ship, and Crab a
seemed to have no difficulty in keeping
closo to her stern.
Several machine guns especially adapt
| ed for firing at torpedo boats, or any hos
: tile craft which might be discovered
close to q vessel, were now brought to
bear upon the crab. and ball after ball
was hurled at her. Some of these struck,
but glanced off, without penetrating her
= tough armor.
These mancuvers had not continued
to bring into action the peculiar appar-
atus of that peculiar craft. An enormous
pair OF iron forccps, each massive limb
of which measured twelve feet or more in
length, was run out in front of the crab
at depth of six or eight feet below the
surface. These forceps were acted upon
BY az electric engine of immense power,
by which they could be shut, opened,
projected, withdrawn or turned and
twisted.
The crab darted forward, and in the
next instant the great teeth of her PIN
ccrs were fastened with a tremendous
grip upon the rudder and rudder post Of
tho ScaEabseus.
Then followed 4 sudden twist, which
sent j thrill through both vessels, q crash.
backward jerk, t,esnapping of chain.
and in 4 moment the great rudder. with
half ct the rudder port attached, was
terra from the vessel, and as tho forceps