Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-07-26

the moment L0dC we CduS0I SIEuI Oh
one another when both his guns spit
their blue flashes, and the shells
screamed so close that 1 wondered at
our escape. l yelled an order to the
steersman to bring Jul bow In line
with the Chameleon, meaning to run
her down, but before we had swung
into the desired position she fred twice
again and once more narrowly missed
her aim.
Ethan was ready now, and the word
"Fire!" had hardly left my lips before
his gun responded and knocked one Of
Payton's aeroplanes into a shapeless,
futtering mass. His second shell burst
aboard her, sending my heart into my
throat in the fear that it had killed
half the people she carried.
Careful, Ethan" 1 shouted. RE
member the prisonersf"
Cali right, lootenant," he replied;
"but, blast him, he's fooled US long
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 o.
prey, too, was Immediately involved
In the second rush of the storm. This
time the glare of the lightning and the
vicious raps Of thunder were almost
i%ncessant. We had all we could do
to retain an upright position on the
pitching and swaying deck. Yet again
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 a black
demon of the air, awaiting US.
The battle was instantly resumed
with greater impetuosity than before,
ns If the electric fury of the tempest
had entered into our blood.
Still Paytor presented his ~broadside,
circling to keep out Of reach, while I
endeavored to close, and Ethan pep
pered him with the bow gun.
Having two guns i'll action 10 our
one, Payton pumped the shells into US
with a caution, but his aim was wild
compared with Ethan's superb gun
hClSs oNAllt lAtt hluAdSCu ~ OHt 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 a flying splinter.
Mr.. Grantham ran to his aid, and l
sent a man to help carry him into the
cabin.
Whish! Whishl Ratt1ei Crack!
went the sounds of the guns and the
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 II of our a~eroplanes 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-fncited by Ethan's splendid
work and eager to take his share in
it, began to fire without orders. OF
course I let him go on, and the battle
became fercer than ever. Payton sent
US some more smashers, and I felt by
the staggering Of the Osprey that she
was MORALLY injured; but. after all,
that did not greatly trouble me, since
1t was plain that the Chameleon was
In q far worse plight.
Ethan was q sight to make ones
nerves tingle. His eyes flashed, his
strong arms worked with the precision
of walking beams, and the perspira-
ton streamed from his face.
"Bully for you, Ethan!' I shouted
enthusiastically. you've kept your
word. The Chameleon will never fly
again"
-'The blasted %turncoatF he replied,
again sighting his gun. 81 knowed
I'd put an end to her cavortin's.
Change yer color ag'in, will ye, We
blasted grasshopper! Scoot inter a
cloud ag'in If ye kin, durn YET"
Ethan had but Just uttered these
words when a shell whizzed aboard,
exploded under his u and sent 1t
flying, end over end, down into the
scudding clouds beneath is. Ethan
was toppled over, but Immediately
sprang to his feet, a trickle Of blood
running down his cheek, braced him
self and stared.
/ V saw on q mortaps face such
a look Of blank establishment and