The Press., 1889-03-28

demand caused the commander of the Scarab@us to doubt whether he had to deal with raving lunatic or buster ing fool; but he informed the person in charge of the flag of truce boat that he would give him fifteen minutes in which to get back to his vessel, and that he would then open fire upon that craft.
 The men who rowed the little boat were not men-of-war's men, and were unaccustomed to duties of this kind. In eight minutes they had reached their vessel and were safe-on board.
 Just seven minutes afterward the first shot came from the Scarabeus. It passed over Repeller No. 1, and that vessel, instead of replying, immediately steamed nearer her adversary. The director-in-chief desired to determine the effect of an active cannonade upon the new armor, and therefore ordered the vessel placed in such position that the Englishman might have the best opportunity for using it as target.
 The 1carabseus lost no time in availing herself of the facilities offered. She was @ large and powerful ship, with heavy armament; and, soon getting the range of the syndicate's vessel, she hurled ball after ball upon her striped sides Repeller No. made no reply, but quietly sub mitted to the terrible bonbardment. Some of the great shot jarred her from bow to stern, but not one of them broke steel spring, nor penetrated the heavy inside plates.
 After half an hour of this work the director-in-chief became satisfied that A,<, I~oI in the severe trial to which it had been subjected. Some of the air buffers had been disabled, probably on account of faults in their construction, but these could readily be replaced, and no further injury had been done the vessel. It was not necessary, therefore, to continue the experiment. any longer, and besides there 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 Scarabseus was a much larger vessel than Repeller No. 1, and able to run into the latter and sink her hy mere preponderance of weight.
 It was, therefore, decided to now test the powers of the crabs. Signals were made from Repeller No. to Crab A, which had been lying with the larger vessel between it and the enemy These signals were made by jets of dense black smoke, which were elected from a small pipe on the repeller. These slender col umns of smoke preserved their cylindri- cal forms for some moments, and were visible at great distance by day or night, being illuminated in the latter case by electric light. The length and frequency of these jets were regulated by an instrument ill the directors room. Thus, by means of long and short puffs, with the proper use of intervals, mes l sage could be projected into the air as ] telegraphic instrument would mark it 1 upon paper.
 1 In this manner Crab A was ordered to 1 immediately proceed 10 the attack of l the Scarabeeus. The almost submerged vessel steamed rapidly from behind her 1 consoft, and made for the British man l of-war. l When the latter vessel perceived the approach of this turtle backed object, squirting little jets of black smoke as she replied to the orders from the repeller, there was great amazement on board. The crab had not been seen before, but as it came rapidly on there was no time 1 for curiosity or discussion, and several heavy guns were brought to bear upon it. It was difficult to hit rapidly nov ing flat object scarcely above the surface of the water; and although several shot struck the crab, they glanced off without in the least interfering with it's progress. l Grab A soon came so near the Scara- baeus that it was impossible to depress the guns of the latter so as to strike her. The great vessel was, therefore headed toward it's assailant, and under full head of steam dashed directly at it to run it down. But the crab could turn as upon pivot, and shooting to one side allowed the surging man-of-war to pass it.
 Perceiving instantly that it would be difficult to strike this nimble and almost submerged adversary, the commander of the Scarabaeus thought it well to let it alone for the present, and to bear down with alfspeed upon the repeller. But it was easier to hit the crab than to leave it behind. It was capable of great speed, and, following the British vessel, it quickly came mp with her.
 The course of the Scarabs was in stantly changed, and every effort was made to get the vessel into a position to run down the crab. But this was not easy for so large ship, and Crab A seemed to have no difficulty in keeping close 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 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 maneuvers had not continued
 long when the crew of the crab was
 ready to bring into action the peculiar apparatus of that peculiar craft. An enormous pair of iron forceps, each mas
 sive 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 an electric engine of im- mense power, by which they could be shut. opened, projected, withdrawn or turned and twisted.
 The crab darted forward, and ill the next instant the great teeth of her pin cers were fastened with tremendous grip upon the ruddcr and rudder post of the Scarabaeus.
 Then followed a sudden twist, which
 sent thrill through both vessels, a