The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-03

tain, but he PAGES the bridge without
appearing to notice the blank looks.
The change of course ID trifiing, but 1t
Is an evident less to the pursuer for
which no one can account. Five miles
from where the course was changed
the helm Is ported and the direct chase
is resumed. Meanwhile the catamaran
dropped from the Campania's quarter
is just abeam; but, instead of passing
1t close aboard, as was the case with
the Campania'S boats. 1t is half mile
away. Then the CoftImbia's crew get
sudden proof of their captains
shrewdness There is a great puff of
smoke and flash of flame on the sur
face of the water, a bursting Of shells
in the air and scattering or wreckage
and language all around the spot where
the catamaran recently tossed so peace
fully.
II thought so.'' says the captain.
when they saw how close We passed
to their boats they whipped up a couple
of tons of powder and ammunition,
loaded them ON the catamaran and set
going time fuse to explode them just
when we We're due to pass | don't
think 1T would have hurt US, but I
didn't want to take the chances of the
effect of a nearby explosion on our
boilers"
Having failed in this little ruse. the
Campania now begins TO Jettison her
cargo in real earnest, hoping to gain
speed by dropping weight. But IL is too
late to affect the result The Columbia
maintains her speed magnificently, while
the Campania is not holding her own
as well as at the beginning OF the chase.
By o'clock the distance between them
is less than three miles and the cap
tains of the Columbia's forward six
inch guns keep their eyes ON the sights
and daily with their primer lanyards
suggestively in the hope of getting an
order to try long shot But the CAP
tain only smiles shakes his head and
continues to pace the bridge.
Soon. however. the Companies crew
stop whipping cargo overheard.
They're training her after six-inch
gun on us, think SIR reports the Co
lumbias cadet at the masthead.
He hardly finishes speaking when
flash of flame from the Campania
shows that she intends to cripple her
pursuer If possible The shell flies wild,
striking the water far off on the Column
bias starboard quarter. This firing is
repeated four or five times in the next
five minutes with some, resulting inn
provement in range, but very uncer-
tain train. shells striking first on one
side and then on the other
MIR. Ho1ystone," says the ColumbiaS
captain presently to the lieutenant COM
handing the forward guns, you may
open fire on the chaser
Aim carefully. men. and fire when
you're ready says the lieutenant. Both
six-inch guns are already trained. and,
taking the distance from the officer at
the range finder the gun captains fire
almost simultaneously. They are the
crack shots of the navy, having been
chosen for these two guns from the
prize marksmen of the whole service.
AS the two guns explode the crews
automatically reload them in few sec
onds, SO that each is ready for another
shot before the flight Of the first has
ended.
WINGED AND THEN BAGGED.
well done,'' says the captain; you
winged him the first time
One shell has struck the Campania's
after smokestack, and, exploding i'm
mediately has plainly left her in
trouble. She yaws from her course, and.
on resuming it, is evidently not holding
her former speed. The two guns again
belch forth, and this time both strike
the CamDania.
The latter has but two alternatives
immediate surrender or battle. The
Columbia Is now coming up fast. The
shell that exploded in the Companies
smokestack drove the flames and ashes
back through the furnace door and ash
pits in one fire room, killing every man
in it and depriving the ship of that
much boiler power. 1t is question of
only a few minutes when the Column
bias whole battery will be brought t.
bear. Already her forward four-inch
guns are nearly effective. The Cam
pania by a quick change of course eight
points can bring three s1x-inch, rapid
fire guns to bear on her pursuer and
for several minutes will have a slight
advantage over her in the weight of
metal thrown. If she can even tenn
porarily cripple the Columbia she may
yet escape.
Her captain takes the chance. Put
ting his helm hard a-port, he swings
across the Columbia's bows and rattles
away half dozen shots from his three
six-inch guns thus brought to bear.
But it is a hopeless effort, for the Co.
lumbia's bow guns-two ssix-inch and
two four-inch rapid firers-quicker
worked and better aimed, are hulling
the Campania a. every shot, and just
as the former starboards her helm to
bring her whole starboard battery to
bear, the Campanias flag comes down
and the chase is over.