Evening star., 1907-11-03
THE VANISHING FLEETS
Continued dtomp
Continued from page s

shore, pulled noisily up the stream against
the outgoing tide, and circled round the levia
than as though suspecting danger from within
Her chief officer, after due caution, and receive
ing no response, cautiously directed her along
side. and boarded the Dreadnought over the
starboard quarter. The ever increasing crowd
along the embankment drew in its breath in
expectancy. waiting for revelation. 1t
forward, listening for whatever response
might be given but nothing was heard save
the steady lap of the water and the farthest
sounds of early river traffic.
The officer advanced along the deck to the
companionway. and leaned curiously into it,
repeating his hail, and once more there was a
wait and no reply. He backed away from the
entrance, and hesitated. 1t was plain that he
cincts of stricken craft, and in momeht
more he stepped to the rail, held short con-
versation with those on the decks of his boat
and then waited till he was joined by Others
of that force that guards the Thames. Three
men cambered aboard, and stood by him
until they were joined by two Others, who,
obeying low spoken order, stationed them
selves at the head of the companionway. The
officer and his assistants advanced slowly.
stepped into the darkness, and disappeared
into the depths of the battleship, while the sus-
pense along the embankment and on the patrol
became more intense. 1t was several minutes
before the investigators reappeared, and then
they had gone only short way into the YES
remained waiting. With British taciturnity
they declined to answer any of the questions
which were shouted to them from the shore
The little boat swung off, turned her nose
out into the stream, and steamed hurr1edly
away at full speed, bent summoning Others
of her service. and in less than half an hour
turned accompanied by small hotilla, which
spread out and stationed its members close up
against the sides of the stranded craft. An
other officer of higher authority joined those
waiting on the decks of the Dreadnought, and
led the way below, ready to learn the worst. He
went as into plague ship manned by the dead.
of tragedy, and prepared for shocking sights.
From place to place he advanced almost
on tiptoe and followed by his companions.
who stared into darker corners or glanced
fearfully behind when the echoes of their fall
ing feet clumped hollowly through the steel
cavern. Once a weird shrek caused them to
spring toward each other with nervous fright.
and when the ships cat came mewing up to
them begging in its animal way for compan-
ionship, they looked foolishly at one another
like boys who had been startled in the midst
of ghost tales told by camp fire in the woods
Cabin after cabin and ward room after ward
room was opened and searched: but nowhere
could be found sign of disturbance or conflict.
There was not another living being aboard
to greet them nor did they find more awful
testimonials of war
In the Captain quarters. clean and business
like, the roll topped desk was closed. and the
books on top of it were in order as for inspec~
ton. At its side stood typewriter with the tin
resting lightly upon it. and stenographer's case
notebook beside neatly checked and showing
that the last letter or order had been COM
pleted, On the ward room table lay maya