The Raymer enterprise., 1911-11-30

We'll, Talbot" | said cheerfully,
there's only one thing to be DONE
Your shirts older than mine-give me
a piece"
Not while ! can fire another shot.
Adams" replied Talbot sulkily. Sur
render? What for?"
Because our positions hopeless"
retorted. I'VE can't get away, and il
we could they'd catch US again. Tai
bot. they'll release you. It's me they
want. Make flag out Of your shirt"
you be damned" retorted Talbot
sulkily. Say that again and I'll bash
yer blarsted fyce in" !.
"silence!" l shouted. I'm COM
manding omcer here, my man. l or
der you as your ofacer to hoist that
flag"
20. orl right" said Talbot sullenly.
heard the TIT Of linen In the tear
ing. And then. slowly. Talbot hoisted
the white nag on his rife barrel.
A moment later little squint.eyed
Japanese tripped out Of the wood and
beckoned to us.
This way, gentlemen" he shouted,
pointing to line Of coarse tussock
grass that grew near and, as now
perceived. formed an excellent path.
way through the morass. Fling down
your rifles!" he added. "Now your pis.
tolls! so!"
At a signal from him three Indians
stepped forward from among the
trees and bound us. after which we
were led along a narrow trail that
seemed to disappear right over the
face of the cliffs. In places the path
was so narrow that we literally clung
to the side of the precipice. Presently
1t widened out; We were descending a
wooded chine that led to the little
cove. on which already we could hear
the booming Of the sea-rollers. A turn
disclosed It to us. A neat little mill
tary house. the encsmpment Of the In.
dams. and a large shed. surmounted
by high pole for wireless transmits.
sion. stood just at the boundary Of the
high tide. fringed with coarse sea.
weed and almost washed by the spray.
At the encampment we were halted.
What are you going to do with us!"
asked Kitachi.
The little man turned round and
looked at me quizzically.
DO you know why l spared your
lives!' he asked.
And murdered our companions" I
retorted bitterly.
Kitachi Shrugged his shoulders. II
obey my emperor" he said. saluting
at the word. Their lives are moth.
Ing, my life is nothing, and yours are
nothing. to be weighed in the balance
with his command. I spared yours
because. gentlemen-you are to be the
torpedoes,"
"What?" cried.
Since you will never leave this
spot alive. I will explain the matter
gladly. The principle Of the new di.
rigible torpedo is different entirely
from that Of any other. It is not only
directed, but is set In action from the
shore; in other words, instead Of be-
Ing discharged at q high rate Of We
locity. 1t proceeds at a constant and
leisurely speed through the waves, un-
til within aiming distance Of its tar.
get. Then, and then only, does the
operator on shore detonate the charge
and hurl the missile into the vitals Of
the ship. Now you will readily see
that, proceeding at such a low rate
Of speed. torpedo Of metal would
simply sink below the surface Of the
waves. We must make use. there
fore, Of something Of the same rela-
tive gravity as water-in other words,
the human body. Now, when you are
incased in hollow she'll Of aluminium,
and discharged at . constant speed of
some ten miles per hour. you will
make your course half submerged,
and. when the charge Is detonated,
you will hit the flagship betwixt wind
and water-exactly on the water line -
What. make torpedo out Of me?'
cried Talbot. advancing upon the
Japanese with whirling fists. pulled
him back with dimculty from the
Japanese's revolver.
while there's life there's hope, Tai.
bot" I whispered. Kitachl heard.
"You have until tomorrow morning
at ten. gentlemen" he answered
briefly. AT that hour the flagship
will be passing abreast Of our sta.
ton. They are now nearing the en-.
trance; you see. am picking up their
position by means Of wireless"
He smiled dispassionately. He
seemed inhuman, discarnate. q living
intelligence not subordinate to the
human emotions Of man. but dedicated
wholly to his duty.
win you be paroled until tomor.
row, or will you be tied?" he asked.
We gave our parole. Apparently Ki.
tachi had entire confidence in It. for
he merely indicated q tent in which
we were to sleep and went into his
house.
l shall never forget the horrors OF
that night. At ten In the morning we
were to die. to fulhl the forged com
| yuunicutt tt0u En- Xbtoohl AuA <kt. ~