Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-03

if need arose calamity to seek death beds in
the sea in the attempt to fend off the American
terror should it be directed against the island
ruler of the waves.
AS they advanced, Captains of this great
navy arrived in London in response to urgent
summons and fastened to the Admiralty.
One and all they were asked to pass expert
opinion on the condition of the Dreadnought,
and offer a solution of the methods used to
bring her to that singular anchorage IN the
river but, like children cropping in the mist,
they could formulate no tenabe theory nor
give any lucid explanation They looked at
each other in amazement, wagged their heads,
and admitted their inability. Plague would
have left dead men at their posts, or battle
would have left more serious scars than the
cutting away of the fighting masts and wreck
ing of the stacks; but even then who would
navigate her to home waters, and what could
account for her presence in place where even
a small sea going craft could not go? If that
nation in the West had submarine OF terrific
speed and unknown power, it might perhaps
destroy ship; but by what means could 1T
force it under or over bridge of solid masonry
and steel?
And so the men of the sea passed down and
back, while the people of London spent the time
in trying to see the latest evidence of disaster,
took turns in crowding to the embankment,
and then went to their homes. Business came
to halt, shops were unopened, and desks
were closed. In the Government Offices men
moved helplessly, and in homes throughout
the country families sat within doors gravely
discussing the latest manifestation of power.
Nor was the public aware that in higher
circles another cause for anxiety had been un-
covered, which was nothing less than the dis
appearance of the Prime Minister. King a
Prime Minister, and tie first Lord OF the Ad-
mralty taken at one mel 1t was sufficient
to make others of prom nence look at one an
other questioning when heir turn might come
and what the end woulo be- No one was safe
in this great crisis, when thrones tottered on
their settings and men were whisked away in
the night, when the most powerful vessels OF
war created by all the wisdom of science and
ingenuity of invention might be dominated
and handled like toys.
There was no ground for belief that any
power other than the United States might
have been the controlling spirit in this long
series of untoward events; but from that ma
ton came no word, only silence more men
acing than the thunder of distant guns, and
more terrible and ominous than an open dis
play of invincible arms. 1t took great
stretch of imagination to people the air with
phalanx phalanx of stern and lmpacable
foemen bent on invasion when the time seemed
ripe. A country which could haunt the world
was capable of anything, and 1t was not be-
But what means did she intend to take! What
would be her next move? How had she ac-
complished those victories already scored upon
her tally sheet? Only one hope for partial
explanation renamed, ana llldt was DdSed
upon the return to sanity of maddened sailor
who had come to them on life raft from the
unknown, as the only witness of disaster,
and the only living link.
And even while the anxious officials thought
of him group of surgeons and specialists
were standing round cot in hospital watch
ing this man breathe his last Now that his
importance had increased hundredfold Death
was intervening and sealing his lips. He passed
away as silently as he had been found, his
juYmbled wits giving no new and tangible
life raft in mid ocean, and speeches. he voy-
aged out into another world.
Night fell over London, Unfolding stricken
city where none came upon the streets and
men within doors whispered to each other,
dreading what the morrow might bring forth.
The heart of Britain, beating with logged de-
termination to the last was broken. America
was the master of fate, and could deal out its
awards or blows with the inexorableness of
god.
To be continued next Sunday