The Bottineau courant., 1909-03-26

peh1On 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 demonstration had
reached it's climax, they had witnessed
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
1ro. Up to the very last, one or two
OF the gun crews elevated and fired
elevated and fired-with methodical
precision like men in a trance and
actuated by habit only.
The panic-stricken swallow vainly
winging his way through the air in
wild endeavor to escape the talons of
the darting hawk would have had
more chance than they before this on
slaught. 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,
implacable, and noiseless. it was
plunging for the final thrust Its very
method of attack was so surprising
and so unexpected that they were
awed with fear, helpless, benumbed,
despairing and conquered. They were
men done to death and suffering the
agonies of wounds before tho blow had
fallen. It was all accomplished with
such rapidity 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 paralyzed into inaction and
covered together, waiting for the
shock of annihilatiOn.
And their suspense, although of a
different nature, was scarcely more
keen and heartbreaking than that Of
those in the radioplane which was
hurtling at them.
The admiral was still crouching like
a man prepared for blow, when Nor
ma with quick energy tilted over an
other lever and checked the descent
Those within the shell felt their hearts
come back to the normal and were
once more able to breathe freely. It
was like the application of a powerful
brake to falling elevator, save that
there was no abrupt jar, no discordant
sound of steel on steel, and no shock
of friction.
Look out! Look out!" they heard
her call. Hold fast! We're going to
strike!"
And then, even as they sought po-
s1tlons of security, the great radio
plane felt sudden, sharp conclusion
OF impact as the top of the fighting
mast struck it's bottom plate, crumpled
like match, and went crashing down
ward, a debris of twisted, useless
steel. Even within the chamber there
penetrated to them the terrified
shieks 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 the small part of a Sec
ond there was silence and immoblity.
Even the storm of fire from the other
, ships had ceased.
Norma alone seemed endowed with
power of movement, and sprang quick
ly from lever to lever and switch to
switch, issuing her battle cry. "The
dynamos! The dynamos." she called.
Full speed, and stand clear for fear
of accident! I've thrown the magnet
currents! Quick! all your power be-
| fOra train
Her voice was sharp and decisive, and
her words snapped like lashes, driving
them to action. STEADY, steady"
With almost the instantaneousness
of it's stop, the radioplaae shivered and
! throbbed with increased energy. The
dynamOs hummed and roared the
Norma quivered like a race horse
under cruel whip, then steadied
itself, seemed to gather it's forces to-
gether, gave one mighty lift, and be-
gan to ascend. The frightened cries
from without subsided in stupefaction
The fighting admiral with clenched
fists was running the length of the
radioplane, staring through the lower
ports, and hoarsely voicing his exulta-
IlOu, HIS eyes udul1uS VIII Iu0 Joy OI
victory.
Out on the sluggish waves which
had now changed to a coldly cleaning
gray the other vessels of the Japanese
fleet witnessed the beginnings Of
catastrophe. They had seen this in
credibly monstrous thing drop from
ether upon their flagship, crumple it's
upper works like paper, attach itself
to the turrets, and then with phenom-
email power actually lift from the
ocean 10000 tons of steel-a floating
fortress believed but an hour ago to be
invincible-and bear it away. Even
as they watched they saw this strange
god which had grasped the pride of
Japan in his clutch deliberately sha-
ping his flight higher and higher into
the great void of the heavens and
passing out of their world.
OF what use were guns against
these strange visitants, whose only
| human nnarL woc tho Hao of tho do