The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-23

the gigantic guns Silently, speedily ana
maJestcaily the opponents approach eacn
other. But TWO miles separate them now
Hark! A terrific roar resounds over the
biHowy waves; the approaching ship is
biotted out in an instant by a cloud of
smoke. We breathe freer; the strain is
over now; the battle has begun. Like
pieces of machinery the men in the two
broadside turrets move 10 their respective
duties. A fearful shock shakes the gi-
gantc ship from stem to stern; a roar that
deatens bursts forth; a cloud of sitting
powder permeates the decks; a great sigh
OF relef goes up from every man; we are
answering shot with shot now. The blood
rushes feverishly through the veins; they
MI up as if to burst; the eye shines clear
an herce, and strange ecstacy steals
over every man. The swash Of the waters.
the sharp words of command. the torrid
breathing of the engines suddersy breaks
1orth again-only in a Dash TO be crowned
by constant roar. The sma.ier<- guns
nave opened; we have approached within
mile; the sharp crack of the rifles of the
sharpshooters is not perceptible in tbe gem
eral din, but We feel, with a strang conf
oence IN ourselves, that they are there
MECHANICALLY each man works on at his
post shock, Slight but perceptible
runs through the vessel. Bleeding men are
hurried to the hospital; the dead are cast
dslue TO make room for the living. A
smell strikes the armor and explodes. do
ing little damage; another follows and en-
ters the ship; men fall with a startled cry
then lie silent; others writhe in terrible
agony. The men at the light, unprotected
guns are ordered to desert them; the men
pehlnd the armor are safe enough as vet
bruised and blackened, but safe. All the
unprotected armor of the ship has been
I pIoWh to pieces now; the wreckage of the
top-hammer is slowly blocking the guns
FIRE begins TO break out here and there; the
water IS pouring in through large rents in
the hull
Deep down in the ship are the heroes
VINO only know that the battle is raging
ny The roar of the guns. Suddenly the eiec-
lIlc lshts so out; a shot has disabled the
dynamo, and ill-smelling oil lamps alone
pierce the fearful darkness. 1t becomes
sultocatlng and the men gasp for air; In
Ierho can be no worse. They know the
tunnels have been shot away, but the tor
Ild, tetld atmosphere must be endured the
best it can. Even in the heat of battle we
notice now stacking i'm the speed of our
vessel Feeling of uneasiness SEXES us
and the begrimed features about us seem
TO increase the uncertainty. How long
nave we been fighting? Only an hour
The devastation grows more appalling;
we are not answering the enemy gun Tor
SNii INV Inc ammunition supply is grow
ing dangerously small. What, great mon
ster like this only able to carry ammuni-
ton for two hours of battle? Question
treads on question IN the mind; doubt piles
on doubt. How long have we been fighting
now? Only thirty minutes longer.
why we are scarce moving now This is
fearful; we feel that il cannot last much
longer we begin 10 wish it was ali over;
only discipline keeps us in our places. Why
Nya do + "a
this terrible suspense?
The smoke begins 10 clear away. All,
there she is, that terrible instrument of
destruction. She is going to ram us, sink
us as We lie helpless in the trough OF the
sea! How big she is, how grim and for
bidding. Are. we to stay here and drown
like rats in trap? STEADY, men, steady"
reverberates throughahe ship; the word of
command alone holds those trained to
obey. Strange, almost nude, begrimed
hardly human figures rush out of the
ships depths, take a frightened glance at
The giant now scarce two hundred yards
away then leap into the waves in a vain
endeavor TO save themselves.
Why do l stay here? Only discipline
keeps me here, a discipline that cannot last
a minute longer; the minute that means
my life. No. l VIII so down with the ship;
a sailors grave win be mine. 1 would
rather die like a hero than a coward.
There she is now. Why doesn't she strike
us? She can't miss us now.
What was that? Are we sinking? A great
shock runs throug the ship; she is lifted
on top of a wave, and tossing wildly, goes
down, down, down. Why don't We sink?
The air clears.
Is this death? Am I drowning? Is it a
dream? Where IS that grim, foreboding
spectre? 1 can't see her. Gigantic and all
powerful, she has disappeared entirely;
there only remains a handful of men
struggling for life on the waves
What's that you say? Torpedo? A deep
drawn sigh Of relief; a feeling that lille is
indeed dear creeps over you. Numbed you
hear The jubjlant voice of the junior Of
flcer. THE old man was just laying for
her; he's a sly old sea-dog."
And somehow you vaguely feel that
great naval battle has been fought and
Won.>