The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-12-29

"Firew had hardly left my ups peror
his gun responded and knocked one o
Payton's aeroplanes into shapeless
| fluttering mass. His second shell burs
aboard her, sending my heart into IN.
throat In the fear that 1t had kille,
half the people she carried.
Careful Ethanw | shouted. IRE
member the prisoners!"
"All right. lootenant." he replied
but. blast him, he's fooled us lon,
enough!"
Before either side could fire again
the Chameleon was once more swal
lowed from sight by boiling. sulphur
tinted vapors. and. as before. the Os
prey. too, was Immediately involved
in the second rush OF the storm. Thi:
time the glare of the lightning and tn,
vicious raps of thunder were almos
incessant. We had all we could d.
to retain an upright position on the
pitching and swaying deck. Yet agar
the storm passed quickly, leaving US
In another blue domed and vapor bot
toned atmospheric valley among the
flashing thunder heads. And there
still was the Chameleon. like black
demon Of the air, awaiting US.
The battle was instantly resumed
with greater impetuosity than before
as IL the electric fury of the tempest
had entered into our blood
Still Payton presented his broadside
circling to keep out of reach. while !
endeavored to close. and Ethan pep.
pered him with the bow gun.
Having two guns in action to our
one. Paytva pumped the shells into Us
with caution. but his aim was wild
compared with Ethan's superb gun.
merry. Still. they managed to cut up
our rigging. tore a few holes in our
deck and finally sent a shell aboard us
that wounded two men and knocked
over Mr.. Grayman, who. with the Sec
rotary, had insisted upon remaining
on deck. with flying splinter.
Mr.. Grantham ran to his aid. and
sent a man to help carry him into the
cabin.
Whish! Whish! Rattle. Crack!
went the sounds Of the guns and tile
exploding shells. mingled at times
with the deep growls of thunder from
the encircling clouds, which menaced
another rush. as If we in turn had
stimulated them to renewed violence.
But they held off while the fight to a
finish between the Chameleon and the
Osprey went on.
Presently one Of our aeroplanes was
knocked endwise: then our steering
machinery was damaged. The latter
injury caused us to swing round so
that our stern gun also came into
play. and the gunner. Eaton-a good
man, too-incited by Ethan's splendid
work and eager to take his share In
1t, began to fire without orders. OF
course l let him 60 on, and the battle
became fiercer than ever Payton Sent
us some more smashers. and l felt by
the staggering of the Osprey that she
was MORALLY injured: but. after all.
that did not greatly trouble me, sine?
1t was plain that the Chameleon wa,
in a far worse plight. ut
Ethan was a sight to make ones
nerves Jingle. His eyes flashed. hts
strong arms worked with the precision
of walking beams. and the perspirn-
ton streamed from his face.
''Bully for you. Ethanr' I shouted
you've kept your
word. The Chameleon will never ay
again."
-"The blasted turncoatr he replied,
again sighting his gun. II knowed
I'd put an end to her cavortin's.
Change yer color ag'in, will ye. We
blasted grasshopper! Scoot inter
cloud ag'in if We kin. durn ye!'
Ethan had but just uttered these
words when shell whizzed aboard.
exploded under his gun and sent It
flying. end over end. down into the
clouds beneath us. Ethan
was toppled over. but Immediately
sprang to his feet. trickle Of blood
running down his cheek. braced him
self and stared.
! never saw on a mortal's face such
a look Of blank astonishment and