Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-17
CHAPTER XIV.
The Greater Waterloo.


and steam at a quarter Of an hours no
tice.
The single signal Weigh" went up from
the Arson. and ten thousand sallor-hearts
went fiuttering, as the fat chajn-links, Ike
professions OF slow-footed sea-tortoises,
came waddlius .clutnsily n-5oard.
1t was arranged between Hardy ana
Beresford that the plan OF advance which
the latter had long since determined upon
should be put into execution and main
tanned. up to the time OF Hardys visit to
the allied fleet. II, after the visit. Hardy
desired to take over the sole command, he
would signal that fact throughout the
fleet.
AT noon exactly the ships steamed cut.
At once the news was flashed over all
Britain. and an hour later the churches OF
the land, in hamlet town and city. were
thronged with worshipers imploring the Al
mighty TO protect His Witness In the
earth, and not to forsake in the hour OF
her extremity that chosen nation. His serv-
ant. which had proclaimed the greatness
of goodness. and. as far as her poor stliv-
ing eyes could see, had loved righteousness
and had hated iniquity.
The ships passed Spithead massed in four
columns in line ahead. flag and senior Of
ficers leading their columns, Hardy at the
head of the starboard line in the Royal
Sovereign and Beresford at the head of the
extreme port. Ships had stringent instruc-
tons to keep their speed. and maintain an
exact formation. Six knots, eight knots
ten knots were sgnaled; and 1t was evil
dent from the position of the steam cones
that every ship had steam in plenty.
1t was bright early September day but
as often happens on such days blush
mist, which was half mist and half a
luminosity. delicately yelled the distance.
Of Selsey Bill the second link of the
chain of lookouts Joined the fleet an hour
afterward the third, and half an hour al
terward the fourth. The last, having come
IN at the rate of twenty-one knots, reported
the enemy off Ninchelsea. steering w. pN
S. in four lines abreast. the last line con-
ssting mainly of troop ships. and the whole
occupying vast breadth of sea midway
between the French coast at Dieppe and the
English at Winchelsea. In half an hour
everybody of any rank in either fleet had
glass at his eyes.
1t was the head signalman of the Royal
Sovereign who first sent thrill through his
ship by reporting that he could make out
something to eastward; and five minutes
later every glass could detect the enemy.
faint and toy-like in the vague haze as
mirage. or the other-world hues OF soap
bubbles. The fleets We're then twenty miles
apart and it was just after four. the day
being as bright and hot as ever.
Hardy, the glass at his eyes. said To a sis
nal m!dshipman. an old Britannia shipinae
of his own age:
II want No 9s. Have her signaled along
side at once
No. 9s was a quite new first-class torpedo
boat, the fastest thing in the British navy.
and the first of her build. Only 100 tons
in displacement, she yet had length OF
100 feet, and an LH.P. of 2,SG0. She
steamed or rushed. at the rate Of thirty
three knots, and while she was doing it her
crew were not com fortable, and the sea In
all her ne!ghborhood changed color. Hardy.
before he stepped aboard her took the pre-
caution to drape himself from head to foot
In oilskins.
Away, then, in few minutes drove No.
9S at full speed swaying through horrible
Migratory heave OF her tanks. like charger
which galloped all day, and at nightfaE
he sprawls with dropped neck at the in
gate the sweat reeking on his rocking ribs;
so drove No. So grooming for speed. seem
ing far too frail for the power that pumped
and Travelled within her rocking ribs
- stward she flew. mere white specter
OF hurrying foam; and within this shroud
of spray, Hardy, in his oilskins. lay fiat
on his face his left arm around an upright
at the extreme bow, double spyglass at
his eyes. From the masthead amidships
foated a large white flag
AS soon No. 0S was seen to shoot
ahead of the fleet. Lord Charles Beresford
signaled slow speed. and the fleet proceeded
at a mere crawl through the water. this
having been previously agreed upon 1t
Hardy's idea that the enemy were
probably ignorant of our exact forces. and
that something might possibly be gained.
When the facts or the battle unI0lued them
selves, by maintaining this ignorance
long might be. Hence a nearer APP
proach was for the present avoided
In thirty-tive minutes Hardy the
deck of the allied Admiral ship, the ship
being the Andrea Doria. and the admiral,
IN virtue OF seniority. Admiral Premesnil.
the Grand Duke Alexis being second in
command.
He was led. his face half enveloped in
the throatfiap of the oilskin and the water
streaming to his feet. into the admfral's
quarters. Premesnil a tall man. with gray
hair and a stately Courteousness OF man
ner. sat opposite Hardy, supporting a
thoughtful brow on thumb and finger.
May / ask, sir said Hardy 'are you
fairly well acquainted with English?'
Fairly well. sir" answered Premesnil:
and that is not a confession, but a boast"
He bowed. Hardy bowed.
We'll. sir. said Hardy, Il come to You
to make proposal of peace. But before l
can say anything / must ask you TO slacken
your speed so as not to approach too near
to my fleet during talk Our fleet Is
almost stationary. l ask the same Of YOU"
1T shall be done, sir. But first let us
understand who We are. I, as you guess,
am the admiral-in-chief here; Admiral Pre-
mesnil Who are you?"
II have the joint command of the British
fleet said Hardy, "in collaboration with
Lord Charles Beresford. Ny name is John
Hardy. l speak for myself and my col
league"
Might ask-Hardy of shoreham fame?''
Yes, sir
Good. Then shall at once comply with
your request as to speed, and order you
glass of wine. You have had good
drenching, l see
The admiral touched a button and gave
an order as to speed. But Hardy declined
the wine
He put his brow on his hand, and he be-
gan to talk slowly and gravey in his plain,
strong Saxon, unfolding to the admiral why
he was there, going into the minutIae OF
the Chinese character, prophesying in sim
pie English, but with the conviction and
effusion of Hebrew seer the doom of Eu-
rope.
He spoke for half an hour without inter-
ruption. And when he was finished the adj
miral sighed, for he was weary and was
wondering what this all was about, and
when it would end. He did not believe a
word of the matter.
The thought occurred to him: Can this
be a ruse to keep back the battle TIL dark
ness comes on?"
His manner stiffened. He was narrow
and technical; he lacked both sight and in
sight.
And what are your proposals, sir?" he
said.
i have made them!" said Hardy.
But not seriously-come now"
Hardy leapt to his feet, flushing