The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-07-24
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Fields looked relieved, and lost
somewhat Of his air Of set defiance.
At the head Of his men he crossed to
the end Of the bridge where he might
be nearer the n addressing him. The
nervous strain of the situation was be-
Ing rapidly diminished. Frankly, I'm
glad to be treasured" he replied.
There are a lot Of things we'd rather
know"
"And which l shall be glad to ex-
plain If you and a dozen of your. i'm
mediate su%bordinates will come aboard
as my guests"
The invitation was Immediately ac-
cepted; but it was a trying interview
for the Britons. The machine on
which they were received was the
Roberts, which was the latest pro-
duction of the plant on the key. It
was larger than Its predecessors, and
had been made the most pretentious.
It was elegantly appointed. ! Amid
ships 1t contained a drawing room on
which the most careful workmanship
had been lavished. The guests gath
cred round a huge mahogany. table,
whose polished top reflected the light
from the colored ports Of the dome,
and were served with refreshments be-
fore Bevins required to the object Of
his visit. He drew from his pocket
an official packet and laid 1t open be-
for him.
Gentlemen" he began, "of course
you are interested in all that you have
seen, and in the attitude of the United
States. What 1 shall read to you are
my orders. l have come out here to
meet you for the purpose, first of all,
that you may hear them"
The Roberts had assembled to an al
titude above the others. of the Ameri-
can feet, and was resting in mid air.
It was very still, the light hum of a
small dynamo from behind the parti-
tions being the only disturber Of ST.
lence. He opened the document and
read:
you are instructed to intercept the
British feet and assure its officers Of
the good will of the United States to-
ward his majesty, King Edward VII,
and all his subjects. You are to ex-
plain to them that the United States is
compelled, in pursuance of its adopted
policy formulated at the commence
ment of the war with Japan, to main
tain the secret Of its power until such
time as it is deemed expedient to an
nounce 1t to the world. You will then
endeavor to induce the British feet
to surrender itself into your hands as
guests of this country, assuring those
in command that all damages accru-
ing will be repaired by the United
States. You are to use all due caution
to avoid injury to life. property, or
pride, and to transport the entire feet
to the waters Of Chesapeake bay, after
which for q brief period the officers
and men Of Great Britain will be en-
tertained by the United States"
Bevins stopped and looked into the
faces confronting him, which ex-
pressed a variety of emotions, running
the. gamut from stolidity to wonder,
> and from compliance to Indignation.
The paper in his hands gave out a
crinkling noise as he turned 1t back
ward and forward between his fingers.
The British admiral's visage was a
frowning one. "Your country asks
too imuch!n he said, almost explosive
ly. "And really 1t volunteers no ex-
PLANTATION Of its acts or Intentions"
Some Of his companions nodded their
heads In approval. We can't &C
cept."
Bevins %reopened the parchment. Il
must then read you the concluding
clause" he said, and began:
1T is strongly desired that there be
no clash at arms; but in any event
you are to return with the feet"
There was brief silence In the room,
which was broken by Fields, who
Jumped to his feet. Bevins rose, and
the other officers did likewise. The
situation threatened unhappy conclu-
sions; but Bevins held up . restrain.
ing hand and went
Here! Before you underestimate
the force OF this last clause, let me
give you Q denomination Of what We
can do and how dificult Il would be
for you to offer any defense or effec-
tive resistance whatever"
He turned tot speaking tube, gave
. curt order and requested his visi-l
tors to look through the transparent
ports, which were suddenly opened be-
meath their feet. The Roberts swept.