Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-11-11

the British ship had not. and probably
could not, put out another suspended
cannon, it was considered quite suitable
for the service required.
But when Crab 9 came within half a
mile of the Adainant it stopped. 1t was
evident that on board the British ship a
steady lookout had been maintained for
the approach of fresh crabs, for several
enormous shell and shot from heavy
guns, which had been trained upward at
high angle, now fell into the sea a
short distance from the crab.
Grab q would not have feared these
heavy shot had they been fired from an
ordinary elevation; and although no
other vessel in the syndicate's service
would have hesitated to run the terrible
gauntlet, this one, by reason Of errors in
construction, being less able than any
other crab 10 resist the fall from a great
height of ponderous shot and she'll,
thought it prudent not venture into this
rain of iron, and moving rapidly beyond
the line of danger, it attempted to ap-
proach the Ada2lant from another
| quarter. If it coald get within the circle
of falling shot it would he safe But this
| it could not do. On all sides Of The AG-
alnant guns had been trained to drop
shot and shells at o distance of half a
mile from the ship.
Around and around the mighty IRON
clad steamed Crab G, but wherever she
went her presence was betrayed to the
fine glasses on board the hdamant by the
bit of her shining back and the ripple
about it, and ever between her and the
ship came down that hail of iron in
masses of a quarter ton. half ton, or
nearly a whole ton. Grab G could not
venture under these, and all day she &C
companied the Adamant ON her voyage
south, dashing to this side and that, and
looking for the chance that did not come,
for all day the cannon of the battle ship
roared at her wherever she might be.
The inmates of Grab K were now very
FESTIVE and uneasy, for they were on
short rations, both of food and water
They would have been glad enough to
cast loose from the Adamant, and leave
the spiteful ship to roll to her hearts
content, broadside to the sea. They
did not fear to run their vessel, with
its thick roof plates protected by spring
armor through the heaviest cannonade
But signals from the repeller com
manded them to stay by the Adamant as
long as 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 mako 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. 1t was of no more use for Grab 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
Grab 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 cor
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 wisA her a torpedo
to be exploded under the British ship.
That one crab should tow her away from
possible aid until another should bring a
torpedo to fasten to her stern post
seemed a reasonable explanation of the
action of the syndicates vessels.
The officers of the Adamant little I'M
derstood the resources and intentions of
their opponents. Every vessel of the
syndicate carried a magnetic Indicator,
which was designed to prevent collisions
with iron vessels. This little instrument
YVES 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, SO falling, rang a 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 Grab K to
depart eastward.
When the fog rose the 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 a truce
boat was sent from the repcller to the
Adamant. 1t was allowed to come
alongside, but when the British captain
found that the syndicate merely renewed
its demand for his surrender he waved
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 C 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 eoasting vessels, while
the repeller steamed away.
Week after week the Adanlant moved
southwark, roaring away with her great
guns whenever an American sail came
within possible range, and surrounding
herself with circle Of bursting bombs
to let any crab know what it might ex-
pect if it attempted to come near. Blaz-
ing and laundering. stern foremost but
stoutly she rode the wares, ready to
show the world that she was an impreg-
nable British battle ship. from which no
enemy could snatch the royal colors
which 1oated high above her.
1t was during the FIRST week Of the in
voluntary cruise Of the Adamant that
the syndicate finished its preparations
for what it hoped would be the decisive
movement of its campaign. To DO this
repeller and six crabs, all with extraer-
binary powers. had been fitted out with
great care, and also with great rapidly,
for the British government was working
night and day to get its feet of ironclads
in readiness for a descent upon the
American coast. Many Of the British