The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-27

real earnest, hoping to gain speed by drop
ping weight. But it is too late to effect
the result. The Columbia maintains her
speed magnt1cently, while the Campania IL
not holding her own as well as at the be-
slhng OF the chase. BY 2 O'Clock the dis
lance between them is less than three
mics, and the captains of the COlumbia'S
forward 6-inch guns keeps their eyes on the
sgnts and daily with their primer lanyards
suggestively in the hope of getting an or
der to try a long shot. But the captain
only smiles and shakes his head and con-
tlnues to pace the bridge.
Soon, however, the Campania's crew stop
whipping cargo overheard.
"Iney' re training her after 6-inch gun on
US, l think sir" reports the Columbia's
cadet at the masthead.
He hardly finishes speaking when a flash
OF name from the Campania shows that
she INTENDS to cripple her pursuer if pos
sible. The shell flies wild, striking the
water far off on the Columbia's starboard
quarter. This firing is repeated four or
nve times in the next five minutes with
some resulting improvement in range, but
very uncertain train, shells striking first
on one side and then on the other.
Mr.. Holystone," says the Columbia's
captain presently, to the lieutenant COM
handing the forward guns, you may open
fire on the chase"
Aim carefully, men, and fire when you're
ASooy' says tAO 1ACulCHdIlt. Dull O-l1Cu
guns are already trained, and, taking the
distance from the officer at the range
finder, the gun captains fire almost SIM
ultaneously. 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 a
few seconds, SO that each is ready for an
other 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 had struck the Companies after
SmokeStack, and, exploding Immediately,
has plainly left her in trouble. She yaws
from her course, and, on resuming, it, is ev-
identity not holding her former speed. The
two guns again belch forth, and this time
both strike the Campania.
The latter has but two alternatives-im-
mediate surrender or battle. The Columbia
is now coming up fast. The shell that ex-
ploded in the Campania's smokestack drove
the flames and ashes back through the fur
mace door and ashpits in one room, killing
every man in it and depriving the ship Of
that much boiler power. 1t is a question Of
only a few minutes when the Columbia's
whole battery will be brought to bear. AL
ready her forward four-inch guns are near
ly effective. The Campania, by a quick
change of course eight points can bring
three six-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 tempo
rarily cripple the Columbia she may yet es-
cape.
Her captain takes the chance. Putting
his helm hard a-port, he swings across the
Columbia's BOWS and rattles away half a
dozen shots from his three six-inch guns
thus brought to bear. But it is a hopeless
effort, for the Columbia's bow guns-two
Six-inch and two four-inch rapid firers-
quicker worked and better aimed, are hull
ing the Campania at every shot, and just
as the former starboards her helm to bring
her whole starboard battery to bear, the
~Campania's flag comes down and the chase
is over.