Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-12-04
DAVID AND GOLIATH.
Night Attack of a Torpedo Boat on
Big Warshlp.

The opportunity comes-a dark night
and tempestuous. The clouds have Gov
cred the stars like pail, and there is a
howling wind which browns all other
sounds. The pygmy vessel makes ready
and puts to sea. 1t rushes along as swift
as the wind and as silent as a calm. Big
waves sometimes sweep over it from end
TO enq as 1t plunges through the dark
ness, but they are not needed. Small as
1t is it is stanchly built and can stand
the strain of storm as well as its adver-
sary. All men save one are snugly shut
inside, tending the flying engine and
preparing the missile of destruction.
This is a strange bolt, shaped like a
cigar, over ten feet in length; and the
crew place it in the bow tube. The man
on deck stands behind little iron tower
winch shields him from the shock of the
waves, and there he steers the boat
In the darkness they seek their ad-
versary determinedly, and with deadly
purpose, since they are the protectors of
their native land. The boat searches for
time in vain, for the big ship has Gov
cred all lights and is lying like Sleep
ing monster upon the waves, awaiting
AiiOi I'LL W iCHCW lllc havoc.
II the ship remained thus, the little boat
would never find her; but "Golath" be-
comes uneasy; he fears "Davidn will
make an attack, so he has determined
to watch. A dazzling cone of white
light suddenly starts from point in the
darkness, and broadens upon the water
Slowly it sweeps about over the sea in
circling arcs. All at once the little boat
is bathed in brilliant, binding glare
The monsters eye finds it! But in find
ing the enemy the battle-ship has dis
closed itself, and the dauntless little ad-
versary steams straight forward at utmost
speed. Streaks of flame are now shoot
ing from under the white light, while
the rattling reports of rifles and machine
guns rise sharply above the winds roar
Shot and small shell arc falling about
like hail upon the water, but the mon
ster cannot keep the range of the on
rushing boat, and the missiles fly wide of
the mark.
Suddenly the great ship looms up
tall, long, snowy, overpowering. 1t is
not far off, almost near enough to be at
tackled. Yet alittle closer and the in
trepid pigmy, still unharmed, slows and
Stedules, Will tndt oInlHouS Oldck luoe
pointing toward the monsters blazing
side. Shots are falling upon the boat.
and the man who was steering has taken
refuge in his iron tower; but inside
there is wheel, and he can steer as well
as before, for around him on a level
with his eyes are little slits through
which he can see. Now seconds are
precious, if the fragile little craft is to
escape destruction. The moment has
come A lever is pulled, and from that
black tube comes short hoarse roar. At
once the little boat begins to turn, ready
to escape with the speed of the wind.
But before the boat can turn, dull
heavy shock has Jared the sea. A gi-
gantic column of white water rushes up.
ward toward the black clouds. In 1t the
tall masts of the monster ship seem to
sway about and clash together. The
banging of the guns is sharply succeeded
by cries of human terror.
The mass of water falls back into the
sea with roaring crash and scatters
over the waves in great wisps of glisten-
ing foam. The wind, sweeping on again
forms new waves over the disturbed wa
ter. The monster ship has disappeared
the Goliath Of the Deep is conquered
by HIS pygmy antagonist. list. Nicholas.