The Columbus journal., 1909-05-26
ILLUSTRATED
"
EMzZ

seen, and in the attitude of the United
States. What l shall read to you are
my orders. l 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 fleet, and was resting in mid air.
1t was very still. the light hum of
small dynamo from behind the parti-
tons being the only disturber of ST.
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 expedicnt to an
nounce it to the world. Yen will then
endeavor to induce the British feet
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 caution
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
tertained by the United States"
Bevins stopped and locked into the
faces confronting him, which ex-
pressed variety of emotions, running
the gamut from stolidity to wonder.
and from compliance to indignation.
The British admiral's visage was
frowning one "Ycur country asks
too much!" he said. almost explosive
ly. And really it volunteers no ex-
PLANTATION of it's acts or intentions"
Some of his companions nodded their
heads in approval. We can't &C.
cept."
Bevins reopened the parchment. Il
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 event
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, and
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 me
give you a demonstration of what We
can do and how difficult it would be
for you to offer any defense or effec-
tive resistance whatever"
He turned to speaking tube, gave
curt order and requested his visi-
tors to look through the transparent
ports. which we're suddenly opened be-
meath their feet. The Roberts swept
up into the air to such a prodigious
height that the internal pressure
against her shell became terrific. She
was at such an altitude that no mortal
being could have withstood the strain,
and only her splendid anchorable con-
structi0n and cohesive qualities kept
her from flying apart. The world be-
low was reduced in appearance until
its surface was obliterated in a dull
haze and the shadows of the sun we're
marked against its eastern outline.
In great circles she descended, until
the water again became visible, then
the vessels upon 1t. and last of all
the crests of the waves. Now she
swooped lower. and then at speed of
nearly 600 miles An hour whipped a
straight line close above the tops of
the fighting masts, slowed down. and
whirled in and out, about and above
the British ships as easily as would a
swallow in playful flight. On the
decks of the vessels men stared in
wide-eyed amazement at this demon
Of the air, at first fearing that control
had been lost and the lives of those
aboard were in jeopardy. Then at the
splendid exhibition of speed and ham
ding they were dumbfOunded. The
Roberts then rose in one quick lift
until it was above the plane of altitude
assumed by the other machines. poised
for moment, and came to a STOP In
all this time no one had spoken
word. Now they turned to the Amer
lean, unloosing their convulsive
clutches from the seats and liberated
from the SPELL