The National tribune., 1901-11-07

which they expect to blow Us and the
whole crowd back there into Kingdom
come. You wait until they have opened
the port wide, and started the gun out
Then let 'em have it. Don't fire a sec
ond too soon or too late, or it's goOd-by
to us"
L understand. SIR said Harry. saIut-
ing.
ST looked along the 32-pounder TO see
that Harry's aim was right.
SLOW her down, until she's just NOV
ing, Shorty
Shorty rang the bell, and spoke through
the tube:
Just give her enough motion to keep
her alive. Tom
Bring her head around a foot CT two
this way, Shorty
Ease her off to stabburd, commanded
Shorty.
Ease it is. sir. answered Sandy.
STEADY" ordered Shorty.
STEADY it is, sir
Hold her right there
Hold her there, sir
shorty said 81. you'd better take
that lanyard Pete is so uncertain
No. no." yelled Pete. III be awful
sure and careful
See that you do said 81, relenting at
the boys eagerness. But if you do get
ratified, and fire too soon or too late off
goes your head. That gun will not leave
anything of any of US that our mothers
would know. Keep your eye on me, and
don't jerk till | drop my hand. Harry.
keep your eye on that port and hold her
muzZe right where the crack between the
doors comes down to the bottom"
Il understand, sir" answered Harry,
one hand on the eieyating screw, and the
other patting the handspike by which one
of the tiremen was training the gun.
Stand by" warned Shorty. They're
trying to open the shutters now. Appar-
emily, one of the shots from the battery
has jammed them, ard they're having
trouble"
They watched the port with breathless
anxiety.
Presently the impatient ironclads men
seemed to jam the gun itself against the
shutters. One flew off its hanges and fell
into the water; the other tapped back
against the armOred side with loud
clang, and the muzzle of the gun ran out
ST dropped his hand. and Pete pulled
the lanyard so vigorously that he fell back
on the deck.
Their boat shook as if to pieces by the
shock as their gun fired, but the shell went
directly into the port, and the rebel 81
FOUNDER only yawned yiciOUsly. with no
awful squirt of fire, smoke and canister
from its black mouth.
Start your enginesi Swing her around!
Run out of herew commanded ST.
They had all anticipated this. Tom
Radbone opened the valve WIDE the screw
whirred, and the boat leaped forward.
Sandy swung her helm around so that she
described a wide circle, while 81 and
Shorty watched for the developments on
the Savannah"
Apparently the ir0nclad's last hope was
gone. She could not be moved, for some
reason. while the terrible fire-boats were
steadily floating nearer. The "Savan-
nah's ports remained closed. and there
was no sign of life along her side.
Harry reloaded his ;}2-pOunder. and the
boats head was turned to bring the gun
to bear upon the next port, while 81 and
Shorty waited Il few minutes for develop
ments.
Presently smoke and tongues of fire be-
gan issuing from the ironclad's deck Then
there were several loud explosions, and
she began to settle in the water
Looking across, 81 and Shorty saw the
last of the crew leaving the boats and
climbing up on the bluff.
I'D ike awfully well to go in and hoist
the 20Oth Injiannys flag on her, ST. said
Shorty, but as it amt made o sheetiron
twouldn't do, till those fires burn out
Just then the fire reached one of the
which had been loaded but
not run out. 1t went off, and the dis
,harge carried the shutters IN front out
some distance over the water with a hOr-
'ible crash and splash that deluged them
with water.
Il guess we'd better go back and report
o the Colonel" remarked 81. shaking off
he water. when they get to shooting
he whole side of a ship at us there don't
eem to be much room on here for little
,oat like this"