The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-09
Copyrighted BY the
Frank A. Munsey CO.

In dead silence ] got the me1 al
ready for a rush the moment We should
reach the side Of the Chameleon; and
then. rising a little. to clear the shafts
of light from the windows, We began
cautiously 20 cross the lake We were
about half way across, and had dropped
nearer the water, and was conSra Ia
lating myself on our prospective sue
cess. when q flash like blue lightning
came from the Chameleon, followed by
the loud whish of an electric gun, which
blended with a sharp spiintering report
as a shell struck the Eagle
We were upset by the shock, and the
Eagle Veered from her course, her nose
shooting Up in the air, while one OF her
aeroplanes dipped and swept the water
another shell came, which also struck
US, tipping Up a part OF the deck and
narrowly missing her motors
We were the surprised party. and sur
priSed with d vengeance PaytoiL, as
We afterVard learned. always bad a
crew aboard the ChameleOns and even
when they were in their home port
they did not altogether relax their vigil
ance The watch had caught sight OF
US approaching across the iake-they
had been totally unaware OF our pres
ence in the neighborhcoo-and, having
two excellent electric guns. OF the same
caliher as ours, they rad made prompt
use OF them. TO our intense aStOnlsn-
ment as well as or very serious dam
age
Inclzily. nobody aboard US was hit.
but the damage done was sufficient TO
render the Eagle virtually Unmanage-
able.
The noise produced an immediate ef-
feet upon the people in the lodge There
were the sounds of running 10 and fro,
doors we're slammed, agonized screams
reached our ears aud IN an incredibly
brief time we saw. 0hree men drag Slng
two women down the short path rom
the building to the Chameleon
Fer Gods sake cried the secretary
do something, quick PaytOn is run
ming away with his prisoners
But we were poverless 20 interfere,
the Eagle lowering and dipping Ike a
wounded bird over TIE lake. and refus-
ing 10 answer her helm We could not
even return the fire. for neither Of our
guns could Re brought to bear and, If
they could have been. We might have
killed the prisoners a. they were car
ried aboard il was this consideration
that led me 70 refrain from ordering
the small arms 10 be used. for they
could have had no effect in stopping the
Chameleon
1 managed TO signal the other aeros
10 close IN. 7 doubt II they noticed the
signals, but they endeavored to close
just the same I saw the blue flashes
from two or three Of their guns as they
swept down over The trees 10 the. lake.
but the shells exploded IN the forest
beyond, and g, minute later the Cname-
Icon rose like a frightened hawk I'm
short swift spiral., making straight up
into thc darl1en1nE heavens
The SKY lark, which recognizes oy
her rig darted after her. and saw
several shots nred, but evidently
without effect and the Cham eleOu,
suddenly changing her ascent TO
horizontal course rushed away with
amazing speed, while the skylark con-
tlnued 70 chase heI- ne O5hgI tALeS
moved COnfusedly about. and l shout
ed to the osprey TO drop down BY US.
Here" I said 10 Lieutenant OSBORN
her commander, tale charge OF the
Osprey with my crew, and you can
transfer yours 10 the Eagle Quick
now
The transfer was effected in less
than FIVE minutes. and immediately J
rose out OF the shadow OF the ueesr
commanding the crow and the BobO-
link 70 follow me at fun speed MI
IfrayInan, and the secretary. OF course
accompanied me. aboard the osprey II
was a desperate move, but the only
thing to be done, a. the Eagle had be-
come utterly unmanageable-
When We had attained a eonside fable
elevation, We caught sight II the chase
far of TO The NORTH the heavens yet re
tanning a twilight glow The SKY ARK
was in the rear. but keeping nobly AT
her WOrE and occasionally nrlng
gun, 10 which there was no response
The revenue fieTs were all built on
the same general plan. 50 that Ian
no risk OF confusion or uncertainty
for my men in transferring them
wanted my own crew. DeCauSe 1 knew
every man Of them like a book, and
particularly I wanted Ethan ana the
engineer I should have liked 10 give
Ethan his own gun, but, Of course. when
every second was precious, no transfer
OF armament could be thought Of As
soon as the chase was located I ordered
top speed, and then took Mr.. Gray
nan and the Secretary into the cabin
for a consultation They were great
y cast down by the unfortunate turn
that the affair had taken, particularly
the Millionaire who fairly groaned-
Hes run Of with Helen, and now
he'll kin herr Oh why did We under
take thisg"
Mr.. Grantham evidently felt that the
responsibility rested on him, and ne
showed no disposition TO shirk It
Neither was he altogether disCOura Eed.
and he started TO InSpirit his friend.
Don't take II that way, Grayman."
he said. Ais not ended yet. We
surely began vel. We have smoked
the fox out. which is an immense thing
in itself Now we've got him on the
run, and Wen catch him. Trust Allan
for that
Gentlemen, I said respectfully. par
don me for saying that We have no
time now for talk OF this kind Il Is
not for that that 7 invited YOU into the
cabin Nj Grantham. You have done
II I an TO succeed from this time forth
must be unhampered. 7 wanted to
ask you, Mr.. Secretary. il you would
re willing 10 leave me in absolute con-
troll I have hitherto .Telt that I ought
TO consult you IN critical moments I
do not want to do that in the future
Our only chance is in having 8 single
responsible commander and no divided
You are entirely right" exclaimed
the Secretary 81 believe it's nv fault
that PaytOn got of. From this moment
you are in absolute control. III simply
be a spectator
Mr- Grayman said nothing, and was
greatly gratihed
That's all wanted. Mr.. Grantham. -
7 said And now to work"
7 went Immediately on deck the
others following 7 was delighted to
perceive that the Chameleon was still
visible, though dim IN the distance. with
the SkyIaTk dOggedIy chuTning after her
and yet firing from time to time Close
behind us rushed the Crow and the
BobOIink I visited the engineer
Jim, do you know the Osprey's mo-
torso I asked.
I've been aboard her often he ss ID.
and I know her whole makeup pretty
we'll
What IS her best speed7'
Jack (the regular engineer OF the
Osprey often told ne he had made a
hundred and thirty miles.
See IF YOU can't work It I'D to a
hundred and forty
II don't believe it's possible replied
Jim. but III bust her If you say so"
Z don't say bust her but saw see
what is the best that's in her
oh II I only had the "a ElPffr he re-