The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-06-05
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ereign when called, and prevented de-
lay when the monarch and his COM
panions appeared for their journey.
The fog had become an ally.
Those who sit upon England's
throne may never show surprise-so
runs traditicn-but on this night an
expression OF establishment burst from
one of her sovereigns as he entered
the yawning Portal of the strange ma
chine. Up to that moment neither he
nor his companions had entertained a
belief that the American engine of
destruction could be other than some
powerful. speedy. and inyincible sub.
marine. Now in the cloak of fog and
darkness, within sound of the roar OF
traffic rast his palace gates, in the
midst of his own garden. he found q
formidable monster with undreamed-
OF might.
With his companions he was ushercd
through shadcwy companionway
without hearing the stealthy closing of
the port through which he came. Nor
was he aware as he entered the bril-
liantly lighted drawing room amid
ships, that already he had been lifted
into the light of stars and was flying
through space over the Atlantic ocean
at speed of 900 miles an hour. 1t
was incomprehensible that before his
first questions had been answered the
ribbon Of the channel had been passed
and Ireland had lost itself in the
eastern horizon. Gravely interested
and steadily courteous. he inspected
the radioplane under the guidance of
the inventor and his daughter, who
made known to him its capabilities.
and 1t was his own suggestion that
the trip might be extended to the
Chesapeake, where the fleet of the
Lion was moored. For once the first
lord of the admiralty showed eager
ness, and was visibly pleased when
Bevins said there could be no objec-
ton to the kings desire.
Between the inventor and the king,
as they sped westward, there was es-
tablished friendship. Gruff and
querulous "Cld Bill" Roberts. demo-
cratic to the core, and respecting men
only for their real worth. found in
this quiet, self-contained guest one
whom he could admire. And to the
the scientist was the most
man he had ever met con-
sidering that his past achievements
had gained worldwide fame, to be
capped with the surprising creation
Of this aerial masterpiece. From time
to time he glanced at the stately
American girl, who sat silently beside
the prime minister He found him. |
self puzzled by the brooding wistful-
ness OF her eyes and specializing as
70 what yearning had mirrored its
sadness in their depths.
Not until Bevins had recounted the |
ale of the western battle did the king
realize that on occasion the supple |
hands of the girl might become things |
If steel, and that within her was a
'oul of flame. She begged permission !
o retire before the admiral had fairly |
begun his story, and was not there to
lear that stern old veteran of the
'eas conclude with the trenchant
statement: 1T was not /, your males
y, who won the battle that day; it
vas that slip of girl who led the
cohorts Of the Eagle down upon
hem. 1t was she who clasped the
lag in her arms when the battle was
lone"
The men in the room leaned forward
n silence when Bevins ended. They
lad been carried away into the realm
# imagination to picture the stirring
lash of mighty arms and vaIorous
leeds. Before anyone could speak an
nicer appeared at the door.
Il have to report that we are above
ne Chesapeake. sir" he said to his
uperior.
1t was the breaking of reverfe. the
harp call from the past to the pres
MT, and the king rose expectantly.
he lights Of the Roberts flashed out
nd left them in darkness. The ports
Glow opened. and they grouped them
elves round them, with night glasses
by their host.
(To BE CONTINUED.)