Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-08-08

liberty. ! VIII now remove the nag or
truce and return to America and from
this second on you can consider me
an enemy"
He closed the window, touched q
lever and with one mighty beat OF the
flexible wings the machine assembled
at least a hundred feet
The count looked after Napoleon
His face was pale as he h~urriedly do
seconded to the bridge.
The eagle fingered above the right
wing Of the first line of dreadnoughts.
Napoleon could infliot any damage he
chose He could almost count the
number of men aboard each vessel.
Werdenstein gave hurried orders, and
watched eagerly for their execution
A few minutes later two armored
monoplanes Sided up from the flag
ship and turned toward the eagle.
Napoleon must have suspected their
intention. for he circled higher and
htgher up. The bats followed the
eagle; each monoplane carried four
men. each OF whom carried small CALI
Der. mitrelious bombs and other ann
munitton OF a !
Stin the eagle went higher and
higher. lowering above the north wing
Of the long line OF war boats. It was
so high now that 1t appeared only a
Rpeck to the naked eye. The planes
assembled In a spiral, and they were
far behind. The eagle turned and led
the two planes along the line, near the
flagship Il descended quickly and
made a dip similar to the swoop of
the eagle on It's prey that caused the
thousands of spectators to believe It
was falling, but before It touched the
water It darted forward and SKINNED
the waves. it's great wings touching
the water occasionally.
Napoleon watched the enemies who
were now above him. One had dropped
several bombs. but none had touched
the swiftly moving a~erodromone. A turn
OF the wheel caused the eagle to make
q circle before the Brigitta, then It
went higher and higher until 1t
reached the two monoplanes- Before
Napoleon knew what they were about
the two planes had opened fire; he
wac so close to them that the bullets
fell IN his aerodromone like hail. The
result was surprising. The deadly mis-
siles r~ebounded from the sides without
leaving a mark OF the giittering body.
Napoleon had cieveriy led them d.
rect1y in front Of the flagship, 30 that
the scene was enacted before the eyes
OF the count and his stan. It was mar
veious. the greatest play a mans eyes
had ever rested upon.
Napoleon turned to face the ascend.
ing bat The count saw him reach up
to a lever hat he had not used before.
He hesitated for a moment, but when
the first bomb was thrown at him he
pulled the lever; a fash followed. Zig
gag lines Of lightning burst forth and
theo once armored m~onoplane was shat
tered into q thousand bits. It's fate
seemed to shatter the nerve OF the en-
gtneer on the other plane. for he
turned and raced for the flagship. It
was too late. Napoleon pulled the
lever again and 1t followed its com
-zade-fRt0 space.
The count was pale; he had been
given a terrible example OF his enc
my's power. still he did not turn back.
nearest the eagle to open fire with
their heavy guns. Napoleon read the
order on his plate and was sad, but
he knew that the only way to save
the masses from humiliation was by
a painful operation.
His right hand was on the lever,
the left on the wheel; as the guns be-
low Numbered, the bird man was far
away, and their shells were wasted.
But the next moment brought the
avenging answer; lightning after light
ming darted toward the two boats, the
powder magazines exploded and the
dreaded giants we're wrecks, sinking
gone. leaving a mass OF floating debris
and dead men.
The Count Won Werdenstein looked
at the scene nelplessly. For the first
time in his life he realized how puny
he was.
He looked for the eagle, but it had
disappeared.
Boats were put out at once to res
u those who had not been killed by
the explosions; but the experiences of
that day had spread terror over the
whole fleet and the effect was demon
alizing.
The Count Won Werdenstein ordered
all the commanders to gather at the
flagship. for he felt that he had to de-
eide on some action. He paced the
bridge of the Brigitta. The navy and
army under his command, that he had
thought great enough to conquer the
whole world, had been defeated by a
single man.
When the council of war began the
count stood to talk. but before he said
q word q message from one of the