The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-09-03
ILLUSTRATED
BY IS
HM:z

IL as GIG sanity epPSiheSN'
ships it contained a drawing room on
which the most careful workmanship
had been layished. The guests gath
cred round 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 it 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 | shall read to you are
my orders. | 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.
1t was very STILL the light hum Of a
small dynamo from behind the parti-
tons being the only disturber of 81
lence. He opened the document and
read:
You are instructed to intercept the
British fleet 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 it to the world You will then
endeavOr to induce the British fleet
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 cautiop
to avoid injury to life, property, or
pride, and to transport the entire fleet
to the waters of Chesapeake bay, after
which for 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 eu
pressed a variety of emotions, runnins
the gamut from stolidity to wonder,
and from compliance to Indignation
The British admrars visage was a
frowning one. Your country asks
too much.' he said, almost explosive.
ly. And really it volunteers no ex.
PLANTATION of its acts or Intentions
Some Of his companions nodded thei,
heads in approval. I'VE can't &C.
cept.'
Bevins reopened the parchment. '
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 even,
you are to return with the fleet"
There was brief silence in the room
which was broken by Fields, who
Jumped to his feet. Bevins rose AMI
the other officers did likewise. The
situation threatened unhappy conclu,
sions; but Bevins held up a restrain.
ing hand and went on:
Here! Before you underestimate
the force of this last clause, let mo
give you a demonstration of what we
can do and how difficult it would he
for you to offer any defense or effec.
tive resistance whatever"
ne turned to a speaking tube. gave
curt order and requested his visi.
TORS to lock through the TRANSPARENT
ports, which were suddenly opened he
meath their feet The Roberts swept
up INTO the air to such a prodigiouy
helght that the internal pressure
against her shell became terrific She
was at such an altitude that no mortal
oelhg could have withstood the strain
ana only her splendid anchorable con.
sfuction and cohesive qualities kent
her from flying apart. The world ho.
10" was reduced in appearance until
its surface was obliterated is dull
maze and the shadows of the sun were
marked against its eastern outline
IN great circles she descended INIT,
tne water again became visible then
the vessels upon it, and last Of all
'ne crests OF the waves. Now she
S"ooped lower, and then at a speed of
nearly 600 miles an hour whinned q
stfalght line close above the tons If
'ne nghtlng mas}s, slowed down and
"hified IN and out, about and above
the British ships as easily as would .
swallow in playful fight. On tho
decKs OF the vessels men stared IN
"ioe-eyed amazement at this demon
VI me air, at first fearing that control
nad been lost and the lives If tbono
aooafa were in jeopardy Then at tho
splehold exhibition of speed and han.
ui'hs they were dumbfounC.d Tho
''ooefts then rose in one quick lift
oli'll II was above the plane of altitude
assumed by the other machines, noisad
loi moment and came to a ston IN |
al this time no one had snoria, !
"oro' Now they turned to the Amer. !