Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-09
a TORPEDO ATTACK AT HIGHT.

~ iO0T6O0 ~ IHON ~
A vivid Picture of sDavid'' and Coli
ath" In Modern Naval Warfare.
The opportunity comes-a dark night
and tempestuous The clouds have Gov
cred the stars like pail, and there is
bowling wind which browns all other
sounds. The pigmy vessel makes ready
and puts to sea. 1t rushes along as swift
asgthe wind and as silent as calm. Big
waves sometimes sweep over it from end
to end as it plunges through the dark
ness. but they are not needed. Smalla
it is. it is stanchly built and can stand
the strain of storm as well as it's adver-
sary. All men save one are snugly shut
inside, tending the flying engine and
preparing the missile of destruction.
This is strange bolt, shaped like a ci-
gar, over ten feet in length, and the
crew place it in the bow tube. 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 adver-
sary determinedly, and with deadly pur-
pose, since they are the protectors Of
their native land. The boat searches
for time in vain, for the big ship has
covered all lights and is lying like
sleeping monster upon the waves, await
ing morning to renew the havoc. Per
haps If the ship remained thus the little
boat would never find her; but ssGoliath"
becomes uneasy: he fears David" will
make an attack, SO he has determined to
watch.
A dazzling cone of white light sudden
ly 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 a brilliant, binding glare. The mon
ster's eye finds it'll 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 shell are falling about like hail
upon the water, but the monster cannot
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 blaz-
ing side. Shots are falling upon the
boat, and the man who was steering has
taken refuge in his iron tower; but in
side there is wheel, and he can steer as
well as before, for around him on level
with his eyes are little Sits through
which he can see. Now seconds are
precious if the brave 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 it 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.
fUrms new waves over the disturbed
water. The monster ship has disappeared
the Goliath Of the deep is conquered
by his pigmy antagonist. John M. Eli
cott in St. Nicholas.