Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-31

should he 80 heartiess, should show us
ouch slight pity in our extremity. Surely
they could not suppose that we conteifi-
plated any further reslstancel Yet had
reason to bear in mind the cold and heart
less and unrelenting rage Of the Teuton
crossed both as man and nation The
thought came TO me that we had little to
hope for from them, even should we at
once cry for quarter.
From some distance TO portland at
times II sounded as though from astern--
came a ceaseess racket Of firing. / Won
dered that the Vistula should waste her
ammunition so freely upon such small and
feeble game. And, wondering, I came to
my senses--such as they were-staggered
up and out Of the smoke cloud.
Almost at once stumbled into Sevrance,
who clapped hand upon my shoulder with
a fervent THANK God, you're safe, old
man"
But the others7" asked
He shook his head sorrowfuly. TITS a
bad business ~ he said. "Bad--badi The
decks shambles. Gordon. They've shot
us to blts-the Infamous cowardsI doubt
II we've half our men alive or ablebo6ied.
The engine rooms blown to smithereens.
Everybody below was all but boiled
alive"
"Callahan7" 1 interrupted anxiously.
Sevrance bowed his head he was hatless.
''Hes-still down there-beyond rescue
he was struck dead by the same she'll"
TITS good to know that 1t wasn't the
steam"
Don't - sevrance pleaded.
I held silence for space; then: What
to do now?"
what can weG We're on the knees Of
the gods"
"well-we can surrender and take our
medicine" suggested.
Don't be an ass, Gordon. We've got to
AnhN IAvaN Tov MIA ~
why, what do you"
'Hara-klrii" sevrance smiled You
don't seem to understand. Here's German
destroyer, the Vistula, sailing under false
colors and wantonly attacking vessel
flying the colors of friendly poweri" He
caught at his breath Heaven alone knows
how Holzborn-that fiend !-compassed this
business 7" he cried But the Vistula is
In for IL. Dye suppose she can afford to
let one witness live to tell the tale7 Think
what this story would mean--not only for
but for the ships officers them
selves. How they think TO keep II quiet.
Heaven alone knows, but the fact remains
that this business has got to be hushed up
at whatever cost OF blood and ships Our
turn will come after she's through with the
Asp out there. The Asps the deuce of
damaging witness-what you might call an
unforeseen contingency, Gordon; something
that the German murderers hadn't counted
upon-don't you see? So they're trying to
ordnance"
You don't mean that7"
II would II were not true"
Then they're not firing on us7"
He smiled bitterly. What need7 We
are-out. They can afford to take their
time before polishing us off. But the Asp.
has got to be attended to right away
He moved over to the rail, straining his
eyes against the binding fog.
Nothing to see." he commented, but
from the sound OF IT, they're at 1t hammer
and tongs. my hoy! May Providence be
with the Britishl"
AS stumbled toward him. Garvin reeled
out of the mist and Joined us. He was pale
as sheet, save where blood had spattered
his head and torso-for he was stripped to
the waist. His lips. remember. we're un-
cannily blue, his eyes staring. his features
working as convulsively as his broad and
hairy chest that rose and fell spasmodically
ran from him in streams.
Three gun crews left, sir" he reported,
I've got 'em together. sir, and ready to
work the two 12-pounders and the after
tube. L"
sevrance shrugged his shoulders. "oh. is
It worth while?"
"Give me another chance at 'em, SIR
Sarvin pleaded. "They say the third times
luck I'd "a blown them TO perdition, sir.
that last time II that Internal she'll hadn't
.orn through to the engines. want only
one more chance at the tube, and then, If
hats no go. I'll give 1t up, but"
"Ah, what difference? Have it your own
way. I'm only wishing that we could return
/ part OF what they've given US, Garvin---
md it seems to me that we could work the
most damage with the guns"
Thank you. sir. If 1 don't strike with
he first torpedo. then give It up and take
o the 6-pounders At least, we can help
he Asp out a bit"
IF they are not out of range" Sevrance
I'VE can't move you know"
But we can sting a hit-if they're in
ange, as you say, sir"
He seemed struck with an idea. and.
urning. instantly vanished
A whifr of cold air, heavy with moisture,
lew in my face. I leaped TO the rail. and,
s 1 had hoped, spontaneously the htful
reeze rent apart the wells of fog.
1t was now all but night; yet a white
ght hovered In the mlsts that hung about
s in huge. translucent sheets. swaying
lightly. traversing the heaving. sable seas
lowly. with irnperceptible progress. like gt-
,antic and weary wraiths.
CONTINUED TOMORROW