Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-07-01

Cy11ullcI OVcIuetlu, SuCG uO1CS Ill GWO u
its alright compartments-an what
fall! But there were other things to
think Of
Admiral, gasped, if vc go much
higher, we shall die for want of air.
+" Mr.. Swash, replied the grand cid
salt, duty before breath always-re-
member that, sir. I'm afraid the ship
will not carry much higher. Well get
over them, don't you think. Captain
Howitzer?
"Howitzer gazed anxiously at the
enemy, who were now within Is miles,
and replied:
"'Close call, sir.
Then to the men:
:" Stand ready to drop torcf dyna-
mite on them if we get over them!'
"As he spoke there was puff on the
enemy's flagship, and solid shot came
singing half mile below US Old Wad
laughed and ordered the bow gun to re-
turn the fire when we were within five
miles. Our shells passed over them. We
had then reached as high an altitude as
it was possible fer the ships to float, and
then we reduced speed They approached
to within two miles and stopped and be-
gan to circle about us, evidently intend
ing to subject cur balloons to q cross
fire. Higher than we they could not CO.
and the discovery Of this fact brought
jeers and cheers from our crew.
'tFor some 10 minutes there was ter
rible suspense Each vessel circ!ed Wa
rily around its cll osen oppone ut, banging
away with its machine guns IL vain en-
deavor to puneture the enensy's balloon.
But the distance was too great and the
movements CT the vessels tao quick for
any successful gun work. Suddenly
Howitzer seized my arm and pointed
toward the lightning. Her crew had
just thrown overheard her whole cabin,
her two guns and a great quantity OF
dynamite bombs.
For mcmeEt we were speechless
with establishment. We're they going to
take to flight? Admiral Wad seized a
flag to signal Commander Blower, but he
just got as far as -, when he stopped.
Slowly the great vessel was mounting
in the air. A cry Of dismay was heard
from the hossiio ship with which she
was engaged. Il five minutes she was
400 feet above item. The British crew
madly threw overheard all the weight
they carried--guns, bombs and every
thing-but they were tee late-the
Lightning was above them; then
black object shot down cn them; a
deafening roar followed, with rush of
IL If
out Of her course. And when we looked
toward the lightning she vas alone,
but slowly sinking toward the sea, for
the conclusion had torn off the end OF
her balloon cylinder. We could see her
crew at the rail cheering wildly.
"Admiral Wi.d at once ordered that
we pursue the same tactics. verything
went by the bosrd-guns ard all ammu-
milton but five bombs. We loosened
some rivets il tie f1oor and let tho cabin
fall; then we, tco, began to rise. But
the British admiral was not to be cut
witted, for lie had been busy at exactly
the same work, and when we found
ourselves l,o00 feet higher, he lay a
mile away ct the same altitude.
gone and we eould have lai. there for
eternity and not harm each ether, unless
we closed For L long time he paced the
deck in silence At length he called the
men together, aud i'll q neat, touching
speech asked for one volunteer fcr for
iorn hope.
"'All that can be done,' he said, is
to ram the enemy. One mar and myself
can handle the ship, and it would be
useless fer yon to stop on beard simply
| to lose your lives.
'sEyery man volunteered; every man
! offered to stay in their Commander
place. He chcse me for his companion,
since alone Of all the crew was rnniar-
ried, and he positively refused to accept
o substitute He would 60 down Win
| the old ship, he said.
ssThe scene that followed vas mcst
touching. The men wrung tllo brave ola
mans hand in last parting. One hy
one they took their parachutes, swung
over the side and went sailing away 1llto
| the blue.
''The last man was gone ana olo "au
turned toward me and embraced nle.
Between his emotion and the extreme
ratification Of the air he could not speak.
This show of feeling lasted but mill
utes. for we were brought to our senses
by a great cheer from the enemy crew.
They believed the ship deserted ana
were hearing down toward us. instantly
the admiral Strengthened up and nrnily
pushed the button. turning the full force
of the electrical current into the pro
pelling motors. The great ship swung
around and with terrific speed sailed at
the enemy. The enemy tried to sWlhg
| their shin out of the course, but III vain
| Tn a minute we struck them. A crash
like 1000 peals of thunder, flash IKE
the explosion Of dynamite factory anu
all was still. And when looked agaii
there was nc. hing but blue, the endless
| hlne Of infinite ssace. Tho Hawk ana
her two opponents had been wrecked, l
sunnose. by tic awful conclusion.
! Tieutenant Swash had finished MS
narration and for long time paHeu
silently at his pipe. ], for ray part was
rapt in silent wonder at tne man.
knew Swasls veil. but sueh assurances :
as this 7 had not believed him capaole
IF After all, he was one Ct these per
sons yEo lie SO habitually t;a:-t. coming
fron them, q fsory Of their own death
4 was Lot surprising. Suddenly /. ".'s .s
thrown violently from my char 70 siie
| foor, and when I recovered ny sense s,-
was 5ound fast ip blanket and ioos-