The Columbus journal., 1909-05-05

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names. The girl glanced apprehensively
upward, but the admiral continued his
calm inspection of the japanese feet.
Again from a vessel closer at hand
came series of sharp reports. The
radioplane felt shivering impact, and
careened slightly in answer to its
force. The admiral was hurled
against her metal side, and one of the
engineers seized a rail to prevent be-
ing thrown headlong against the ma
chinery.
They're trying four.inch shells on
us! are they?' shouted Beyins. well.
we'll put an end to that right now!'
He sprang to the signal box, and
Norma. reading his intention. hurried
to her post in the hood. He ordered
the other craft to increase speed and
traverse circles till he should notify
them which war vessels of the fleet be-
meath were to be their individual prey.
Now the small shells we're fairly rend-
ing the air around them. The sharp
clang of metal against metal and
quick explosion told that hits were be-
ing made. and through the ports the
radioplanes which suffered could be
seen to rock convulsively when struck.
The air seemed whining with death
which was clamoring for admission to
its prey. Shot and shell swept through
space; but higher and higher scared
the radioplanes, while the cid war dog
studied the formation of the fleet be-
low.
MY God! Seventeen is hit! Sew.
enteen is hit" screamed the lookout.
and the admiral and Norma stared
through side port.
In long. weird, dizzy circles, like a
wounded man striving to recover his
balance, a radiOplane was dropping
slowly down toward the waters, in.
effectually fighting to regain its bal.
ance. The four-inch shells had done
no damage; but the far outlying
cruiser had made an accidental hit
with heavy gun. Zigzagging here
and there in erratic swoops the radio
plane continued to plunge. From the
waters below came the sounds of ex-
ultant cheering. The enemy were gain
ing heart. They had found what they
believed to be chance for hope and
an invulnerable spot in the Ameri-
cans armor. Norma started back to
her levers; but the admiral called
excitedly:
Look, look! Good boy, Nineteen:
Good boy"
Again she looked through the port,
and was transfixed with the daring at.
tempt of another radioplane. Nine
teen, with its big white letters blazing
In the light. had taken a swift down.
ward shoot.
Its Jenkins! It's Jenkins!" Norma
called in excitement. knowing that the
little scientist was manning the hood
of that craft.
Then before she could say more.
Nineteen's object was made plain. The
great radioplane shot to a lower alti.
tude than that of it's crippled fellow,
dove here and there like a bat, caught
q simultaneous speed, and rounding
upward in a def swoop poised itself
firmly beneath the lower plate of Sew
enteen. For an instant the two, locked
together and overweighted. slid slowly
downward through the air, and then
Nineteen seemed to gather itself, cane
to a stop. hesitated for a moment. and
began a steady upward movement.
AS II divining its purpose, two other
radioplanes swooped down toward the
stricken monster till their sides
touched, and then, like q group of war.
riors carrying a wounded comrade
from the field, assisted the ascent into
the upper void. Focusing their fire on
the group, the Japanese made It q
target, and the scream of shot and
she'll broke into a pandemonium until
the air around was churned as by q de-
mons wrath.
Up-up they went till they were
mere specks against The dome of
the heavens. where they were beyond
range and in the profound silence Of
solitude. The others of the feet, led
by the Norma, fastened to soar to-
ward them; but before they could get
within speaking distance the wireless
brought to all radioplanes this mes
sage:
Seventeen was struck by a ten-inch
shell directly below her dynamos. The
jar caused temporary break which
cut on the current for short time.
This is nearly repaired. No damage
Of consequence has been done, and
she will report for duty within two
minutes"
Bevins and Norma looked at each
other with great relief Thank God
for that" the admiral said, and it was
echoed by his subordinate.
They turned again to the port, and
as they did SO they saw the specks
above disintegrate, and in a few mo-
nents Seventeen, repaired, and again
was in line of battle. The
cheering below ceased; but from the
doomed battle ships and cruisers a
hail of Intellectual shots
was fired, while the admiral of the
aerial feet. his plans formed, was
calmly sending orders.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
How Tears soothc Pain.
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