The Columbus journal., 1909-05-05
He cazed in the Direction Indicated by the Sailor

the supernatural or the unknown.
Again they looked, and saw that the
flying specks Travelled with incredible
rapidity, and were apparently observ-
ing them. after which, as they
watched, they saw them come to an
abrupt stop. 1t was enough. What
ever they were. their presence would
be made known.
The officers sprang to the alarms,
and in an instant thunderous volleys
beloved out across the waters, awak-
ening the other vessels. Shrill pi-
pings, the staccato blare of bugles, and
the sound of running feet told the
story of excitement and that we'll
drilled crews were answering the caA
The hour was early for the perfect use
of flag signals: SO from one warship
to another flashed the searchfght
warnings, and wireless operators in
their cabins licked frantic messages
to outlying members of the fleet to
close in for action. Admirals and cap
tains, who had fought successfully in
other wars and counted their service
as valuable adjuncts In any engage
TANKS of the great turrets and stared
spelIbound at this apparition which
had come upon them In the night.
There it was, silent feet of the air,
sinister and menacing, lowering over
them as If waiting opportunity or bid
ing 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 they saw thrown
out to the winds of the morning. whip
ping and writhing. the flag of the ma
ton they had come to conquer; the
oldest banner in the world, and the
one they had been taught through
months of consideration to 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 fluttered from
each birdlike craft, a challenge to bat
tie in which the odds were against
them.
Aloft in that fleet of the air, where
all was quiet. there was no sudden call
of excitement. For hours they had
watched and waited for the appear
ance 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 de-
cry the oncoming fleet, and Fighting
Bevins with his own hand had sig
nailed his followers to reduce speed.
Now he stood at 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
to strife and accustomed from early
manhood to scenes of carnage. was
more cool or 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 a glow of admi.
ration.
Who is going to handle herr" he
querfed. glancing at the hood.
Il am. she replied, as quietly as il
query Of no moment
He held out his hand and shook hers
warmly.
From away In the outer distance,
where the angle was not too sharp to
prevent its elevation. came the sullen
report OF gun. and Q shell few past |
at such close range that its screaming
came to them through the thickness
OF their plate and the open upper