Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-25
The GREAT
WAR
SYNDICATE.
BY FRANK r. STOCKTON.

Author of "Ruider Grange" Amos Kill
bright" "Thc Bee Man of Orn," 'The
Christmas Wreck THE Lady or tho
Tiger" 1.-THE Late Mrs. Null" 1.-THE
Hundredth Man." 1.-THE Casting Away
Of Mrs. Lccks and Mrs. Aleshine," "The
Dusantes," etc.
Copyrighted l)y p F. Collier of Golfers Once
Week, and published by special arrangement
With him through the American Press Associa
ton All rights reserved
CONTINUED from Saturday,
The overwhelming eftronterv of this
demand caused the commander of the
Scarab1us t. doubt whether he had to
deal with a raving lunatic or a buster
ing fool: but he informed the person in
charge Of the flag OF truce pols vr.r I.e
would give him fifteen minutes in which
10 Get bacl, to his vessel, and that ne
would then open fire upon that craft.
The men who rowed the little boat
were not men-ofwar's men, and were
unaccustomed to duties of this kind. In
eight minutes they had reached their
vessel and were safe on board.
u
shot came from the Scarabeus. 1t
passed over Repeller No. /, and that
vessel, instead Of replying, Immediately
steamed nearer her adversary. The
,irector-in-chief desired to determine
the effect of an active cannonade upon
the new armor, and therefore ordered
the vessel placed in such position that
the Englishman might have the best
opportunity for using it as target.
The Scarab9us lost no time in availing
herself of the facilities offered. She was
large and powerful ship, with heavy
armament; and, soon getting the range
of the syndicates vessel, she hurled ball
after ball upon her striped side. RepellOr
No. l made no reply, but quietly sub
mitted to the terrible bombardment.
Some of the great shot Jared her from
bow to stern, but not one of them broke
steel spring, nor penetrated the heavy
inside plates.
After half an hour of this work the
director-in-chief became satisfied that
the new armor had well acquitted itself
III the severe trial to which it had been
subjected. Some of the air buffers had
been disabled, probably on account of
faults in their construction, but these
could readily be replaced, and no further
injury had been done the vessel. 1t was
not necessary, therefore, to continue the
experiment any longer, and besides there
was danger thdtthe Englishman perceiy-
ing that his antagonist did not appear to
be affected by his fire, would approach
closer and endeavor to ram her. This
was TO be avoided for the Scarabnus
was q much larger vessel than Repellel
No. /, and able to run into the latter and
sink her by mere preponderance OF
weight
1t was, therefore, decided to now test
the powers Of the crabs. Signals were
made from Repeller No. to Crab A.
which had been lying with the larger
vessel between it and the enemy. These
signals were made by jets of dense black
smoke, which were elected from a small
pipe on the repeller. These slender col
umns of smoke preserved their cylindri
cal forms for some moments, and were
visible at a great distance by day OIL
night, being Illuminated in the latter
case by electric light. The length anC
frequency of these jets were regulated
by an instrument in the directors room
Thus, by means of long and short puffs
with the proper use of intervals, q mes
sage could be projected into the air as :
Geographic instrument would mark il
upon paper. %
In this manner Crab A was ordered Il
Immediately proceed to the attack o
the Scarabaus. The almost submerged
vessel steamed rapidly from behind he
consort, and made for the British man
of-war.
When the latter vessel perceived tn
approach of this turtle backed object
squirting little Jets of black smoke assn
replied to the orders from the repeilei
there was great amazement on bqnrd
The crab had not been seen before, bu
as it came rapidly on there was nS&tiin
for curiosity or discussion, and vera
heavy guns were brought to ha46 upol
it. 1t was difficult to hit q rapidly
ing fiat object scarcely above ts,tffas'
of the water; and although several slio
struck the crab, they glanced Rf without
in the least interfering with progress
Crab A soon came so neSt tie Scara
baus that it was impossihl9'to depres
the guns of the latter SO asto strike her
The great vessel was, therefore heade'
toward its assailant, and under full
head of steam dashed directly at it t.
run it down. But the crab could turn a
upon pivot, and shooting to one sid
allowed thesurging man-ofwar to passit
Perceiving instantly that it would b
difficult to strike this nimble and almos
submerged adversary, the commander o
the Scarabaus thought it well to let j
alone for the present, and to bear dow
with all speed upon the repeller. But
was easier to hit the crab than to leay
nbehind. TWAS capable of great speed
and. following the British vessel,
quickly came up with her.
The course of the Scarabmus was in
stantly changed, and every effort wa
made to get the vessel into position t
run down tho crob put fh;c xyoc M