New-York tribune., 1907-11-24

4eN'N 80 S4.N4iA' ~ JN-AHt 1000 - --'
OF observation.
And at that instant the great radioplane
ShIvered with Surcharge OF energy, reeled
drunkenly through every fiber for the fraction
of a second, gathered itself and IN one terrific
plunge shot downward at such awful rate
of speed that the engineers by the dynamos
InStInCtIvely threw themselves u the hoor,
the man on the lookout seized the bars before
him gasping for breath, and the Admiral,
startled, Whirled toward the figure IN the hood,
fearing that some fatal accident had occurred
There erect. triumphant, and fierce, stood
the woman glorihed who was striking the hrSt
blow for her cOuntry's honor and her fathers
exaitation. She was fairly hurting the ma
chine through space, her hands grasping the
levers OF descent and her eyes the periscope
which portrayed the position OF their helpless
victims.
Bevins in a fury Of excitement, shouted his
approval with storms OF OathS. completely
swept out of himself BY the fierceneSs OF the
assault. Good. good he shouted. That's
right Open her up wide They're ours J
They're ours
Outside the kissing air was torn by whirl-
wind of small shells fired in a panic stricken
attempt 10 fend of this adversary which was
driving downward upon the Ito. IL was their
last hope at defense They had tested their
guns repeatedly at long range. and proved
them Intellectual against enemy that could
travel with speed beside which that OF the
Swiftest bird of prey was insignificant They
had watched those strange, unCanny things
lift themselves 10 a prodlglOuS altitude with
incompatible ease. carry away and reJuvenate
a wounded companion which had been struck
by the mereSt chance turn toward each other
as II in communication. whIrl out IN long lines
betOkenIng the perfection OF control, had
waited for dOwnpour of missiles; and then
when amazement at this marvellous demon
stration had reached its climax, they had wit
messed the sudden Swoop IN their direction.
Now in hopeless impotence the men on the
deck of the doomed Ito lost their heads and
ran frantiCally to and fro. Up to the very
last one or two OF the gun crews elevated and
fred-elevated and fred-with methodical
precision like men IN trance and aCtuated
by habit only.
The panic stricken swallow vainly winging
its way through the air in wild endeavor TO
escape the talons of the dartIng hawk would
have had more chance than thev before this
onslaught. This gigantic embodiment OF doom
was leaping down upon them with such terrific
velocity and at such an angle OF flight as TO
preclude all possibility of defense Irresistible
lmplacable, and nOlSeleSS, II plunging for
the final thrust. Its very method OF attack
was so surprising and so unexpected that they
were awed with fear, helpless, benumbed de
Spairing, and conquered. They were men
done TO death and suffering the agonieS OF
wounds before the blow had fallen. II was all
accomplished with such TapidItv that not even
the most terrified had time to rush to the rails
and throw himself into the sea. When the
instant OF death seemed imminent. they were
paralNZed INTO lnaCtiOn, and covered together
waiting for the shock of annihilation.
And their suspense, although OF a different
nature, was scarcely more keen and heart
breaking than that OF those in the radioplane
which was hurting at them.
The Admiral WAS still CrOuChing like a man
prepared for blow, when Norma with quick
energy tilted over another lever and checked
the descent Those within the she'll felt their
hearts come back to the normal and once more
were able to breathe freely. 1t was like the
application of powerful brake to a falling
elevator, save that there was no abrupt lar
no discordant sound of steel on steel and no
shock of friction.
Look OUT Look out" they heard her
call Hold fastl We're going TO strike,'
And then, even as they sought positions of
security the great radioplane felt sudden.
sharp conclusion OF impact is the top OF a
lighting mast struck its bottom plate crun-
pied like a match, and went crashing down
ward. debris of twisted. useless steel Even
within the chamber there penetrated TO them
the terrified Shrieks and despairing cries OF
the men of Japan.
Another quick smashing blow almost threw
those at the dynamoS from their feet. more
cries were heard without. and then for a
second there was silence and inmobilitv
Even the storm of fire from the other ships
had ceased.
Norma alone seemed endowed with Dnvrer