New-York tribune., 1907-11-24

were
the golfers IN whose hulls was carried fuel for
the great armada.
Here was the Kashima which could drive
her seventeen thousand tons OF steel through
the water at nineteen knots speed the katOri,
but little smaller and almost Is fast. the Asahi.
the Mikasa, the Asama, the Tokiwa, and Others
which were dear to the heart and pride of
Nippon gallant navy, carefully planned,
well constructed, and of invincible size and
strength No squadron that breasted the
waves might cause II TO hesitate
In the stiffness OF the morning there came q
sudden, sharp exclamation from the man on
the lookout excited call TO the bridge, and
the quick step OF an officer in answer 10 the
summons. Almost instantly he was followed
by another, who brought with him q pair o..
powerful binoculars, through which he gazed in
the direction indicated by the sailor. There
IN the immeasurable void OF the upper air, SO
high above that 1t f1oated in the broader light,
scared COvey OF gigantic objects unplctured
in the lore OF flight. Onward II came TIL
almost above, when 1t stopped and majestiCally
hovered over them, and seemed TO be watching
and waiting for some ray of broader light. The
pallid blue OF those far floating bodies rendered
them almost indistinguishable, save when now
and then they swung broadside to in deployng.
resumed their speed, and swept round II cir
cles.
Puzzled and amazed, the officer handed the
glasses to his companion, and watched his face
attentively, as If hoping TO read from its ex
some solution TINS mysterious VISTA
ton from the immense unClouded space above.
The glasses were lowered, and the two men
with the superstition of ages behind them
turned TO each other with pallid faces fearing
the supernatural or the unknown. Again they
looked, and saw that the flying specks travelled
with incredible rapidity and were apparently
observing them, after which, as they watched,
they saw them come 70 an abrupt stop. 1t
was enough. Whatever they were, their
presence would be made known.
The officers sprang to the alarms, and III an
instant thunderOus volleys beloved out across
the waters, awakening the other vessels. Shri
pipings, the staccato bare OF bugles, and the
sound Of running feet told the story of excite
ment and that well drilled crews were answer
ing the call The hour was early for the per
feet use OF flag signals; so from one warship
to another flashed the searchlight warnings,
and wireless operators in their cabins ticked
frantic messages to outlying members OF the
fleet 10 close in for action. Admirals and Cap
tains who had fought successfully In other
wars and counted their service as valuable
adJuncts IN any engagement stood upon the
bridges OF the fanks OF the great turTets and
stared spellbound at this apparitlon which
had come upon them IN the night. There II
was, silent fleet of the air sinister and menac-
ing, lowering over them as II waiting oppor-
tunity or biding its time TO strike.
A sudden evolution brought one of those
terrible adversaries TO the outer edge OF the
aerial formation, and through their glasses
ing, whipping and writhing, the flag Of the
nation they had come to ConqueT,-the old
est banner in the world, and the one they had
been taught through months of consideration
10 despise. Stars on field of blue, fit emblem
for warriors OF the clouds! And then ere the
first flag had Strengthened out its heavy folds,
the colors futtered from each birdlike craft,
challenge TO battle in which the odds were
against them.
Aloft IN that feet OF the air, where all was
quiet, there was no sudden call OF excitement.
For hours they had watched and waited tor
the appearance of the enemy, and when he
was sighted far below IN the murk OF the dawn
each man took his post without words but
the martial spirit which sends men TO battle
burned clear and high. The supreme test was
at hand, and the wait and preparation were
at an end. The issue was IN the lap OF the gods.
The Norma had been the FIRST to descry the
oncoming fleet. and Fighting" Bevins with
his own hand had signaled his followers to re
duce speed. Now ne stood Al the transparent
ports. heard the sudden booming alarm, WIT
messed the excitement on the decks, and
smiled with grim JOY By his side stood Norma
and not even he, trained 70 strife and accus-
toned from early manhood to scenes Of car
mage, was more cool OF determined. He looked
at her questioningly, wondering whether or no
he should read in her eyes a sign OF regret or
weakness. and turned from her with glow OF
aduoiratiOu.