The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-01-22

clear of danger. When almost within
hearing of the breakers on Duxbury
Reef, he makes a wide detour in order
to approach from seaward. for from
this direction an attack is hardly to be
expected. Nevertheless, he has to go q
considerable distance out to reach a
favorable position.
He reaches his station at quarter
past eleven o'clock, and in another
quarter of an hour the monitors will
open fire toward that flank of the enc
my opposite to which is Delafield. They
will keep up this cannonade for ten
minutes. to effect a diversion. AS soon
as this firing has ceased, Jacks work
will begin.
Boom! bang! go the great 10-inch and
12-iGch guns. 1t is trying time for
Jack, but he sees the effect of the ruse
and is again congratulating himself on
his luck. The searchlights are all play
ing inshore of him, the enemy entirely
oblivious of the fact that danger is
lurking in their rear. Half past eleven!
AS suddenly as it began, the firing
ceases. and Delafield, taking his stand
in the little coming tower, orders the
crew to their stations.
Slowly the Bainhridge starts ahead
then faster and faster she goes, until.
fairly flying. she brings into view the
weaker vessels forming the outer line.
But Jack disdains such pigmy prey.
Safely he flies past the gunboats, but
not quickly enough to avoid discovery.
On he goes, fearlessly taking the Balm
bridge straight toward the battle ships.
stand by" he sings out down the
voice tubes to the torpedo compart-
ments, and back comes the hearty an
swer: "All ready, sir"
Now he is but short distance from
switches and sees the torpedo guns ele-
waited and trained. Then amid show
er of shells he presses firing key, and
the forward torpedo is launched and
speeds on its errand of destruction. No
need to watch the effect; the magnet is
as sure as fate.
Meantime, the Bainbridge's course is
changed, so that she may rim parallel
to the column of battle ships, and the
empty gun is lowered. A second later
the after-torpedo is on it's way for the
next battle ship, and Delafield has done
half his work.
Long ere this the brave little craft has
been the center of a smother Of foam
ing water, lashed into impotent fury
by the crashing, bursting shells. But
her great speed saves her from annihi-
lation. She tears along with search
lights flashing on her like an aurora
and with the waves dashing wildly
over her
Two more of the enemy's most power
full ships sent to the bottom complete
her errand. The only damage on the
Bainbridge has happened to Delafield
himself. A piece of shell has inflicted
an ugly wound in his shoulder, and
though exhausted by the intense strain
and weak from loss of blood, he steers
his victorious vessel into the protection
of the harbor, then falls senseless on
deck.
Not long after, while recovering his
strength, Jack received a very official
looking document covered with formid-
able seals. 1t contained the informa-
tion that he had received the thanks of
Congress and that he had been promot-
ed to the rank of captain for his gal
lantry in sinking four of the enenly's
ships, thereby causing a withdra wal of
their fleet and preventing the lombard
ment of the city of San Francisco.-San
Francisco Argonaut