Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-03-28
roRPEpo ATTACH AT NIoHT,
A Vivid Picture OF "David- and +" Goliath
in Modern Naval Warfare.

A Vivid Picture OF .David-' and GOLIATH
in Modern Naval Warfare.
The opportunity comes-a dark night
and tempestuous, says John III. Ellicott
inst Nicholas. The clouds have covered
the stars like pail and there is how
ling wind which browns all other sounds.
The pigmy vessel makes ready and puts
to sea- 1t rushes along as swift as the
wind and as silent as calm. Big waves
sometimes sweep over it from end to
end as it plunges through the darkness,
but they are not needed. Small as ii
Is, it is stanchly built aud can stand the
strain of storm as well as its adversary.
All men save one are snugly shut inside,
tending the flying engine and preparing
the missile of destruction. This is
strange bolt, shared like cigar, over
ten feet in leng h, and the crew place
in the bow tubo. The man on deck
stands behind little iron tower, which
shields him from the shock of the waves,
and there he steers the boat. In the
darkness they seek their adversary de-
terminedly and with deadly purpoe,
since they are the protectors of their
native land The boat searches for
time III vain, for the big ship has
covered all its lights and lies like
sleeping monster Upon the waves
awaiting morning to renew the havoc.
Perhaps if the ship remained thus tho
little boat would never find her; but
Goliath" becomes uneasy; he fears
David will make au attack, so he has
determined to watch.
A dazzling cone of white light sud
denly starts from point in the dark
ness and broadens upon the water.
Slowly it sweeps about over the sea in
eircling arcs. All at once the little
boat is bathed in brilliant, binding
glare. The monsters eye feds it. But
in finding the enemy the battle-ship has
disclosed itself, and the dauntless little
adversary steams straight forward at
utmost speed. Streaks OF fame are now
shooting from under the white light
while the rafting reports of rifles and
machine guns rise sharply above the
winds roar. Shot and small she'll are
falling about like hail upon the water,
but the monster can not keep the range
Of the onrushing boat; and the missiles
fly wide of the mark.
Suddenly the great ship looms up
tall, long, shadowy, overpowering. 1t
is not far off-almost near enough to be
attacked. Yet little closer, and the
intrepid pigmy, still unframed, slows
and steadies, with that ominous black
tube 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
level with his eyes are little slits
through which he can see. Now sec
onds are precious il the brave little
craft is to escape destruction. The
moment has comel 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 q dull,
heavy shock has Jared the sea- A
gigantic column of white water rushes
up toward the black clouds. In it the
tall masts of the monster ship seem to
sway about and clash together. The
banging of the guns is sharply sue
ceeded by cries of human terror.
The mass Of water fails back into the
sea with roaring crash and scatters
over the waves in great wisps of glisteu-
ing foam. The wind, sweeping on again,
forms new waves over the distured
water. The monster ship has disap-
peared-the Goliath of the deep is con-
quered by his ligmy antagonist.