Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-03-21

CONVENT, OfO006l00 70 the 0e2. V0ey
did not fear to run their vessel, with
IT. thick roof plates protected by spring
armor. through the heaviest cannonade.
But signals from the repeller COM
manded them to stay by the Adamant o.
long a. they could hold out, and they
were obliged to content themselves with
. hope that when night fell the other
crab would be able to get in under the
stern Of the Adamant, and make the de-
sired exchange
But to the great dIscomforture Of the
syndicate's forces darkness had scarcely
come on before four enormous electric
lights blazed high up on the single lofty
mast Of the Adamant, lighting up the
ocean for mile on every side Of the
ship. It was Of no more use for Crab c
to try to get in now than in broad day
light; and all night the great guns roared.
and the little crab unanswered.
The next morning heavy fog fell
upon the sea, and the battle ship and
Crab c were completely shut out Of sight
Of each other. Now the cannon Of the
Adamant were silent, for the only result
Of firing would be to indicate to the crab
the location Of the British ship. The
smoke signals Of the towing crab could
not be seen through the fog by her con-
sorts, and she seemed to be incapable of
making signals BY sound Therefore the
commander Of the Adamant thought it
likely that until the fog rose the crab
could not find his ship.
What that other crab intended to do
could be, Of course. on board the Ada
mant. only surmise, but It was believed
that she would bring with her q torpedo
to be exploded under the British ship.
That one crab should tow her away from
possible aid until another ehould bring o
torpedo to fasten to her stern post
seemed q reasonable explanation Of the
action Of the syndicate's vessels.
The officers Of the Adamant little I'm.
derstood the resources and intentions of
their opponents. Every vessel Of the
syndicate carried q magnetic indicator.
which was designed to prevent collisions
with iron vessels. This little instrument
was placed at night and during fogs at
the bow Of the vessel, and delicate arm
Of steel. which ordinarily pointed up
ward at considerable angle, fell into
horizontal position when any large body
Of iron approached within quarter Of
mile; and, 20 falling, rang q small bell.
Its point then turned toward the mass
Of iron.
Soon after the fog came on one of these
indicators. properly protected from the
attraction Of the metal about it, was put
into position on Crab C. Before very
long it indicated the proximity Of the
Adamant; and, guided by its steel point.
the crab moved quietly to the ironclad,
attached itself to its stern post and
allowed the happy crew Of Crab K to
depart eastward.
When the fog rose tho glasses Of the
Adamant showed the approach Of no
crab. but It was observed in looking over
the stern that the beggarly devil fish
which had the ship In tow appeared to
have made some change in its back.
In the afternoon Of that day o truce
boat was sent from the repeller to the
Adamant. II was allowed to come
alongside, but when tho British captain
found that the syndicate merely renewed
its demand for his surrender he waxed
fiercely angry. and sent the boat back
with the word that no further message
need be sent to him unless it should be
one complying with the conditions he
had offered.
The syndicate now gave up the task Of
inducing the captain Of the Adamant to
surrender. Crab G was commanded to
continue towing the great ship south
ward. and to keep her well away from
the coast, in order to avoid danger to
seaport towns and coasting vessels. while
the repeller steamed away.
Week after week the Adamant moved
southward. roaring away with her great
guns whenever an American sail came
within possible range, and surrounding
herself with . circle Of bursting bombs
to 1t any crab know what Il might ex-