Inthespringofacertainyear，notfarfromthecloseofthenineteenthcentury，whenthepoliticalrelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainbecamesostrainedthatcarefulobserversonbothsidesoftheAtlanticwereforcedtothebeliefthataseriousbreakintheserelationsmightbelookedforatanytime，thefishingschoonerElizaDrumsailedfromaportinMaineforthebanksofNewfoundland。
　　ItwasinthisyearthatanewsystemofprotectionforAmericanfishingvesselshadbeenadoptedinWashington。EveryfleetofthesevesselswasaccompaniedbyoneormoreUnitedStatescruisers，whichremainedonthefishinggrounds，notonlyforthepurposeofwarningAmericancraftwhomightapproachtoonearthethree-milelimit，butalsotooverlooktheactionoftheBritishnavalvesselsonthecoast，andtointerfere，atleastbyprotest，withsuchseizuresofAmericanfishingboatsasmightappeartobeunjust。Intheopinionofallpersonsofsoberjudgment，therewasnothingintheconditionofaffairsatthistimesodangeroustothepeaceofthetwocountriesasthepresenceoftheseAmericancruisersinthefishingwaters。
　　TheElizaDrumwaslateinherarrivalonthefishinggrounds，andhaving，underordersfromWashington，reportedtothecommanderoftheLennehaha，theUnitedStatesvesselinchargeatthatplace，hercaptainandcrewwentvigorouslytoworktomakeupforlosttime。Theyworkedsovigorously，andwitheyessosingletothecatchingoffish，thatonthemorningofthedayaftertheirarrival，theywerehaulingupcodatapointwhich，accordingtothenationalityofthecalculator，mightbetwoandthree-
　　quartersorthreeandone-quartermilesfromtheCanadiancoast。
　　Inconsequenceofthisinattentiontotheapparentextentofthemarinemile，theElizaDrum，alittlebeforenoon，wasoverhauledandseizedbytheBritishcruiser，DogStar。AfewmilesawaytheLennehahahadperceivedthedangerouspositionoftheElizaDrum，andhadstartedtowardhertowarnhertotakealessdoubtfulposition。Butbeforeshearrivedthecapturehadtakenplace。WhenhereachedthespotwheretheElizaDrumhadbeenfishing，thecommanderoftheLennehahamadeanobservationofthedistancefromtheshore，andcalculatedittobemorethanthreemiles。WhenhesentanofficerinaboattotheDogStartostatetheresultofhiscomputations，thecaptainoftheBritishvesselrepliedthathewassatisfiedthedistancewaslessthanthreemiles，andthathewasnowabouttotaketheElizaDrumintoport。
　　Onreceivingthisinformation，thecommanderoftheLennehahasteamedclosertotheDogStar，andinformedhercaptain，bymeansofaspeaking-trumpet，thatifhetooktheElizaDrumintoaCanadianport，hewouldfirsthavetosailoverhisship。TothisthecaptainoftheDogStarrepliedthathedidnotintheleastobjecttosailovertheLennehaha，andproceededtoputaprizecrewonboardthefishingvessel。
　　AtthisjuncturethecaptainoftheElizaDrumranupalargeAmericanflag;infiveminutesafterwardthecaptainoftheprizecrewhauleditdown;inlessthantenminutesafterthistheLennehahaandtheDogStarwereblazingateachotherwiththeirbowguns。Thesparkhadbeenstruck。
　　Thecontestwasnotalongone。TheDogStarwasofmuchgreatertonnageandheavierarmamentthanherantagonist，andearlyintheafternoonshesteamedforSt。John’s，takingwithherasprizesboththeElizaDrumandtheLennehaha。
　　Allthatnight，ateverypointintheUnitedStateswhichwasreachedbytelegraph，thereburnedasmotheredfire;andthenextmorning，whentheregularandextraeditionsofthenewspaperswerepouredoutupontheland，thefireburstintoaroaringblaze。
　　Fromlakestogulf，fromoceantoocean，onmountainandplain，incityandprairie，itroaredandblazed。
　　Parties，sections，politics，wereallforgotten。EveryAmericanformedpartofanelectricsystem;thesamefireflashedintoeverysoul。Nomatterwhatmightbethoughtonthemorrow，orinthecomingdayswhichmightbringbetterunder-standing，thisdaytheunreasoningfireblazedandroared。
　　Withmorningnewspapersintheirhands，menrushedfromthebreakfast-tablesintothestreetstomeettheirfellow-men。Whatwasitthattheyshoulddo？
　　Detailedaccountsoftheaffaircamerapidly，buttherewasnothinginthemtoquietthenationalindignation;theAmericanflaghadbeenhauleddownbyEnglishmen，anAmericannavalvesselhadbeenfiredintoandcaptured;thatwasenough！NomatterwhethertheElizaDrumwaswithinthethree-milelimitornot！Nomatterwhichvesselfiredfirst！IfitweretheLennehaha，themorehonourtoher;sheoughttohavedoneit！Fromplatform，pulpit，stump，andeditorialofficecameonevehement，passionateshoutdirectedtowardWashington。
　　Congresswasinsession，andinitshallsthefireroaredlouderandblazedhigherthanonmountainorplain，incityorprairie。NomemberoftheGovernment，fromPresidenttopage，venturedtoopposethetempestuousdemandsofthepeople。Thedayforargumentupontheexcitingquestionhadbeenalongwearyone，andithadgonebyinlessthanaweekthegreatshoutofthepeoplewasansweredbyadeclarationofwaragainstGreatBritain。
　　Whenthishadbeendone，thosewhodemandedwarbreathedeasier，butthosewhomustdirectthewarbreathedharder。
　　Itwasindeedatimeforhardbreathing，butthegreatmassofthepeopleperceivednoreasonwhythisshouldbe。Moneytherewasinvastabundance。IneveryStatewell-drilledmen，bythousands，stoodreadyforthewordtomarch，andthemilitaryexperienceandknowledgegivenbyagreatwarwasyetstronguponthenation。
　　Tothepeopleatlargetheplanofthewarappearedaveryobviousandaverysimpleone。Canadahadgiventheoffence，Canadashouldbemadetopaythepenalty。
　　Inaveryshorttime，onehundredthousand，twohundredthousand，fivehundredthousandmen，ifnecessary，couldbemadereadyfortheinvasionofCanada。Fromplatform，pulpit，stump，andeditorialofficecamethecry："OntoCanada！"
　　AttheseatofGovernment，however，theplanofthewardidnotappearsoobvious，sosimple。ThrowingagreatarmyintoCanadawasallwellenough，andthatarmywouldprobablydowellenough;butthequestionwhichproducedhardbreathingintheexecutivebranchoftheGovernmentwastheimmediateprotectionofthesea-coast，Atlantic，Gulf，andevenPacific。
　　Inastormofnationalindignationwarhadbeendeclaredagainstapowerwhichatthisperiodofherhistoryhadbroughtuphernavalforcestoapointdoubleinstrengthtothatofanyothercountryintheworld。Andthiswarhadbeendeclaredbyanationwhich，comparativelyspeaking，possessednonavalstrengthatall。
　　ForsomeyearstheUnitedStatesnavyhadbeensteadilyimproving，butthisimprovementwasnotsufficienttomakeitworthyofrelianceatthiscrisis。Ashasbeensaid，therewasmoneyenough，andeveryship-yardinthecountrycouldbesettoworktobuildironcladmen-of-war：butittakesalongtimetobuildships，andEngland’snavywasafloat。ItwastheBritishkeelthatAmericahadtofear。
　　BymeansofthecontinentalcablesitwasknownthatmanyofthelargestmailvesselsoftheBritishtransatlanticlines，whichhadbeenwithdrawnuponthedeclarationofwar，werepreparinginBritishportstotransporttroopstoCanada。ItwasnotimpossiblethatthesegreatsteamersmightlandanarmyinCanadabeforeanAmericanarmycouldbeorganizedandmarchedtothatprovince。ItmightbethattheUnitedStateswouldbeforcedtodefendherborders，insteadofinvadingthoseoftheenemy。
　　Ineveryfortandnavy-yardallwasactivity;thehammeringofironwentonbydayandbynight;butwhatwastobedonewhenthegreatironcladsofEnglandhammereduponourdefences？HowlongwoulditbebeforetheAmericanflagwouldbeseennomoreuponthehighseas？
　　ItisnotsurprisingthattheGovernmentfounditspositiononeofperilousresponsibility。Awrathfulnationexpectedofitmorethanitcouldperform。
　　Alloverthecountry，however，therewerethoughtfulmen，notconnectedwiththeGovernment，whosawtheperilousfeaturesofthesituation;anddaybydaythesegrewlessafraidofbeingconsideredtraitors，andmorewillingtodeclaretheirconvictionsofthecountry’sdanger。Despitethecontinuanceofthenationalenthusiasm，doubts，perplexities，andfearsbegantoshowthemselves。
　　IntheStatesborderinguponCanadaareactionaryfeelingbecameevident。UnlesstheUnitedStatesnavycouldpreventEnglandfromrapidlypouringintoCanada，notonlyherowntroops，butperhapsthoseofalliednations，theseNorthernStatesmightbecomethesceneofwarfare，andwhatevertheissueofthecontest，theirlandsmightberavished，theirpeoplesuffer。
　　FrommanyquartersurgentdemandswerenowpressedupontheGovernment。FromtheinteriortherewereclamoursfortroopstobemassedontheNorthernfrontier，andfromtheseaboardcitiestherecameacryforshipsthatwereworthytobecalledmen-of-war，——
　　shipstodefendtheharboursandbays，shipstorepelaninvasionbysea。Suggestionswereinnumerable。
　　Therewasnotimetobuild，itwasurged;theGovernmentcouldcalluponfriendlynations。Butwisemensmiledsadlyatthesesuggestions;itwasdifficulttofindanationdesirousofawarwithEngland。
　　Inthemidstoftheenthusiasms，thefears，andthesuggestions，camereportsofthecaptureofAmericanmerchantmenbyfastBritishcruisers。ThesereportsmadetheAmericanpeoplemorefurious，theAmericanGovernmentmoreanxious。
　　Almostfromthebeginningofthisperiodofnationalturmoil，apartyofgentlemenmetdailyinoneofthelargeroomsinahotelinNewYork。Atfirsttherewereelevenofthesemen，allfromthegreatAtlanticcities，buttheirnumberincreasedbyarrivalsfromotherpartsofthecountry，untilatlastthey，numberedtwenty-three。Thesegentlemenwereallgreatcapitalists，andaccustomedtooccupyingthemselveswithgreatenterprises。Bydayandbynighttheymettogetherwithcloseddoors，untiltheyhadmaturedtheschemewhichtheyhadbeenconsidering。Assoonasthisworkwasdone，acommitteewassenttoWashington，tosubmitaplantotheGovernment。
　　Thesetwenty-threemenhadformedthemselvesintoaSyndicate，withtheobjectoftakingentirechargeofthewarbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritain。
　　Thispropositionwasanastoundingone，buttheGovernmentwasobligedtotreatitwithrespectfulconsideration。Themenwhooffereditwereapowerintheland，——apowerwhichnogovernmentcouldaffordtodisregard。
　　TheplanoftheSyndicatewascomprehensive，direct，andsimple。Itofferedtoassumetheentirecontrolandexpenseofthewar，andtoeffectasatisfactorypeacewithinoneyear。Asaguaranteethatthiscontractwouldbeproperlyperformed，animmensesumofmoneywouldbedepositedintheTreasuryatWashington。ShouldtheSyndicatebeunsuccessful，thissumwouldbeforfeited，anditwouldreceivenopayforanythingithaddone。
　　ThesumtobepaidbytheGovernmenttotheSyndicate，shoulditbringthewartoasatisfactoryconclusion，woulddependuponthedurationofhostilities。Thatistosay，thatastheshorterthedurationofthewar，thegreaterwouldbethebenefittothecountry，therefore，thelargermustbethepaytotheSyndicate。Accordingtotheproposedcontract，theSyndicatewouldreceive，ifthewarshouldcontinueforayear，one-quarterthesumstipulatedtobepaidifpeaceshouldbedeclaredinthreemonths。
　　IfatanytimeduringtheconductofthewarbytheSyndicateanAmericanseaportshouldbetakenbytheenemy，oraBritishforcelandedonanypointoftheseacoast，thecontractshouldbeconsideredatanend，andsecurityandpaymentforfeited。IfanypointonthenorthernboundaryoftheUnitedStatesshouldbetakenandoccupiedbytheenemy，onemilliondollarsofthedepositedsecurityshouldbeforfeitedforeverysuchoccupation，butthecontractshouldcontinue。
　　ItwasstipulatedthatthelandandnavalforcesoftheUnitedStatesshouldremainundertheentirecontroloftheGovernment，butshouldbemaintainedasadefensiveforce，andnotbroughtintoactionunlessanyfailureonthepartoftheSyndicateshouldrendersuchactionnecessary。
　　Thestateoffeelingingovernmentalcircles，andtheevidencesofalarmanddistrustwhichwerebecomingapparentinCongressandamongthepeople，exertedanimportantinfluenceinfavouroftheSyndicate。TheGovernmentcaughtatitsproposition，notasifitwereastraw，butasifitwerealife-raft。Themenwhoofferedtorelievetheexecutivedepartmentsoftheirperilousresponsibilitiesweremenofgreatability，prominentpositions，andvastresources，whosevastenterpriseshadalreadymadethemknownallovertheglobe。Suchmenwerenotlikelytojeopardizetheirreputationsandfortunesinacaselikethis，unlesstheyhadwell-foundedreasonsforbelievingthattheywouldbesuccessful。Eventhelargestamountstipulatedtobepaidthemincaseofsuccesswouldbelessthantheordinaryestimatesforthemilitaryandnavaloperationswhichhadbeenanticipated;andincaseoffailure，theamountforfeitedwouldgofartorepairthelosseswhichmightbesustainedbythecitizensofthevariousStates。
　　Atallevents，shouldtheSyndicatebeallowedtotakeimmediatecontrolofthewar，therewouldbetimetoputthearmyandnavy，especiallythelatter，inbetterconditiontocarryonthecontestincaseofthefailureoftheSyndicate。Organizationandconstructionmightstillgoon，and，shoulditbenecessary，thearmyandnavycouldstepintothecontestfreshandwellprepared。
　　AllbranchesoftheGovernmentunitedinacceptingtheofferoftheSyndicate。Thecontractwassigned，andtheworldwaitedtoseewhatwouldhappennext。
　　TheinfluencewhichforyearshadbeenexertedbytheinterestscontrolledbythemencomposingtheSyndicate，haditseffectinproducingapopularconfidenceinthepowerofthemembersoftheSyndicatetoconductawarassuccessfullyastheyhadconductedothergiganticenterprises。Therefore，althoughpredictionsofdisastercamefrommanyquarters，theAmericanpublicappearedwillingtowaitwithbutmoderateimpatiencefortheresultofthisnovelundertaking。
　　TheGovernmentnowproceededtomasstroopsatimportantpointsonthenorthernfrontier;fortsweresuppliedwithmenandarmaments，allcoastdefenceswereputinthebestpossiblecondition，thenavywasstationedatimportantports，andworkattheship-
　　yardswenton。Butwithoutreferencetoallthis，theworkoftheSyndicateimmediatelybegan。
　　Thisbodyofmenwereofvariouspoliticsandofvariouspursuitsinlife。Butpoliticswerenomoreregardedintheworktheyhadundertakenthantheywouldhavebeeninthepurchaseoflandorofrailroadiron。Nomanifestoesofmotivesandintentionswereissuedtothepublic。TheSyndicatesimplywenttowork。Therecouldbenodoubtthatearlysuccesswouldbeadirectprofittoit，buttherecouldalsobenodoubtthatitssuccesswouldbeavastbenefitandprofit，notonlytothebusinessenterprisesinwhichthesemenwereseverallyengaged，buttothebusinessofthewholecountry。TosavetheUnitedStatesfromadraggingwar，andtosavethemselvesfromtheeffectsofit，werethepromptingmotivesfortheformationoftheSyndicate。
　　Withouthesitation，theSyndicatedeterminedthatthewarinwhichitwasabouttoengageshouldbeoneofdefencebymeansofoffence。Suchawarmustnecessarilybequickandeffective;andwithalltheforceoftheirfortunes，theirminds，andtheirbodies，itsmemberswenttoworktowagethiswarquicklyandeffectively。
　　AllknowninventionsandimprovementsintheartofwarhadbeenthoroughlyconsideredbytheSyndicate，andbytheeminentspecialistswhomithadenlistedinitsservice。Certainrecentlyperfectedenginesofwar，novelinnature，weretheexclusivepropertyoftheSyndicate。Itwasknown，orsurmised，incertainquartersthattheSyndicatehadsecuredpossessionofimportantwarlikeinventions;butwhattheywereandhowtheyactedwasasecretcarefullyguardedandprotected。
　　ThefirststepoftheSyndicatewastopurchasefromtheUnitedStatesGovernmenttenwar-vessels。
　　Thesewereofmediumsizeandingoodcondition，buttheywereofanold-fashionedtype，andithadnotbeenconsideredexpedienttoputthemincommission。Thisactioncausedsurpriseanddisappointmentinmanyquarters。IthadbeensupposedthattheSyndicate，throughitsagentsscatteredallovertheworld，wouldimmediatelyacquire，bypurchaseorlease，afleetoffineironcladsculledfromvariousmaritimepowers。
　　ButtheSyndicatehavingnointentionofinvolving，orattemptingtoinvolve，othercountriesinthisquarrel，paidnoattentiontopublicopinion，andwenttoworkinitsownway。
　　Itsvessels，eightofwhichwereontheAtlanticcoastandtwoonthePacific，wererapidlypreparedforthepeculiarserviceinwhichtheyweretobeengaged。
　　TheresourcesoftheSyndicateweregreat，andinaveryshorttimeseveraloftheirvessels，alreadyheavilyplatedwithsteel，werefurnishedwithanadditionaloutsidearmour，formedofstripsofelasticsteel，eachreachingfromthegunwalesnearlytothesurfaceofthewater。Thesestrips，aboutafootwide，andplacedaninchortwoapart，wereeachbackedbyseveralpowerfulair-buffers，sothataballstrikingoneormoreofthemwouldbedeprivedofmuchofitsmomentum。TheexperimentsuponthesteelspringandbuffersadoptedbytheSyndicateshowedthattheforceoftheheaviestcannonadingwasalmostdeadenedbythepowerfulelasticityofthisarmour。
　　Thearmamentofeachvesselconsistedofbutonegun，oflargecalibre，placedontheforwarddeck，andprotectedbyabomb-proofcovering。Eachvesselwasmannedbyacaptainandcrewfromthemerchantservice，fromwhomnowarlikedutieswereexpected。Thefightingoperationswereinchargeofasmallbodyofmen，composedoftwoorthreescientificspecialists，andsomepracticalgunnersandtheirassistants。Afewbomb-proofcanopiesandacurvedsteeldeckcompletedthedefencesofthevessel。
　　Besidesequippingthislittlenavy，theSyndicatesetabouttheconstructionofcertainsea-goingvesselsofanextraordinarykind。Sogreatwerethefacilitiesatitscommand，andsothoroughandcompleteitsmethods，thattenoradozenship-yardsandfoundriesweresettoworksimultaneouslytobuildoneoftheseships。InamarvellouslyshorttimetheSyndicatepossessedseveralofthemreadyforaction。
　　Thesevesselsbecametechnicallyknownas"crabs。"
　　Theywerenotlarge，andtheonlypartofthemwhichprojectedabovethewaterwasthemiddleofanellipticaldeck，slightlyconvex，andheavilymailedwithribsofsteel。Thesevesselswerefittedwithelectricenginesofextraordinarypower，andwerecapableofgreatspeed。Attheirbows，fullyprotectedbytheoverhangingdeck，wasthemachinerybywhichtheirpeculiarworkwastobeaccomplished。TheSyndicateintendedtoconfineitselftomarineoperations，andforthepresentitwascontentedwiththesetwoclassesofvessels。
　　Thearmamentforeachofthelargevessels，ashasbeensaidbefore，consistedofasinglegunoflongrange，andtheammunitionwasconfinedentirelytoanewstyleofprojectile，whichhadneveryetbeenusedinwarfare。ThematerialandconstructionofthisprojectilewereknownonlytothreemembersoftheSyndicate，whohadinventedandperfectedit，anditwasonaccountoftheirpossessionofthissecretthattheyhadbeeninvitedtojointhatbody。
　　Thisprojectilewasnot，intheordinarysenseoftheword，anexplosive，andwasnamedbyitsinventors，"TheInstantaneousMotor。"Itwasdischargedfromanordinarycannon，butnogunpowderorotherexplosivecompoundwasusedtopropelit。Thebombpossessed，initselfthenecessarypowerofpropulsion，andthegunwasusedmerelytogiveittheproperdirection。
　　Thesebombswerecylindricalinform，andpointedattheouterend。Theywerefilledwithhundredsofsmalltubes，eachradiatingoutwardfromacentralline。Thoseinthemiddlethirdofthebombpointeddirectlyoutward，whilethoseinitsfrontportionwereinclinedforwardataslightangle，andthoseintherearportionbackwardatthesameangle。Onetubeattheendofthebomb，andpointingdirectlybackward，furnishedthemotivepower。
　　Eachofthesetubescouldexertaforcesufficienttomoveanordinarytrainofpassengercarsonemile，andthispowercouldbeexertedinstantaneously，sothatthedifferenceintimeinthestartingofatrainatoneendofthemileanditsarrivalattheotherwouldnotbeappreciable。Thedifferenceinconcussionaryforcebetweenatrainmovingattherateofamileintwominutes，orevenoneminute，andanothertrainwhichmovesamileinaninstant，caneasilybeimagined。
　　Inthesebombs，thosetubeswhichmightdirecttheirpowersdownwardorlaterallyupontheearthwerecapableofinstantaneouslypropellingeveryportionofsolidgroundorrocktoadistanceoftwoorthreehundredyards，whiletheparticlesofobjectsonthesurfaceoftheearthwereinstantaneouslyremovedtoafargreaterdistance。Thetubewhichpropelledthebombwasofaforcegraduatedaccordingtocircumstances，anditwouldcarryabombtoasgreatadistanceasaccurateobservationforpurposesofaimcouldbemade。Itsforcewasbroughtintoactionwhileinthecannonbymeansofelectricitywhilethesameeffectwasproducedintheothertubesbytheconcussionofthesteelheadagainsttheobjectaimedat。
　　Whatgavethetubestheirpowerwasthejealouslyguardedsecret。
　　Themethodofaimingwasasnovelasthebombitself。Inthisprocessnothingdependedontheeyesightofthegunner;thepersonalequationwasentirelyeliminated。Thegunwassomountedthatitsdirectionwasaccuratelyindicatedbygraduatedscales;
　　therewasaninstrumentwhichwasacteduponbythedip，rise，orrollofthevessel，andwhichshowedatanymomentthepositionofthegunwithreferencetotheplaneofthesea-surface。
　　Beforethedischargeofthecannonanobservationwastakenbyoneofthescientificmen，whichaccuratelydeterminedthedistancetotheobjecttobeaimedat，andreferencetoacarefullypreparedmathematicaltableshowedtowhatpointsonthegraduatedscalesthegunshouldbeadjusted，andtheinstantthatthethatthemuzzleofthecannonwasinthepositionthatitwaswhentheobservationwastaken，abuttonwastouchedandthebombwasinstantaneouslyplacedonthespotaimedat。Theexactnesswithwhichthepropellingforceofthebombcouldbedeterminedwasanimportantfactorinthismethodofaiming。
　　Assoonasthreeofthespring-armouredvesselsandfive"crabs"werecompleted，theSyndicatefeltitselfreadytobeginoperations。Itwasindeedtime。TheseashadbeencoveredwithAmericanandBritishmerchantmenhasteninghomeward，ortofriendlyports，beforetheactualcommencementofhostilities。
　　Butallhadnotbeenfortunateenoughtoreachsafetywithinthelimitsoftimeallowed，andseveralAmericanmerchantmenhadbeenalreadycapturedbyfastBritishcruisers。
　　ThemembersoftheSyndicatewellunderstoodthatifawarwastobecarriedonastheydesired，theymuststrikethefirstrealblow。Comparativelyspeaking，averyshorttimehadelapsedsincethedeclarationofwar，andtheopportunitytotaketheinitiativewasstillopen。
　　Itwasinordertotakethisinitiativethat，intheearlyhoursofaJulymorning，twooftheSyndicate’sarmouredvessels，eachaccompaniedbyacrab，steamedoutofaNewEnglandport，andheadedforthepointontheCanadiancoastwhereithadbeendecidedtoopenthecampaign。
　　ThevesselsoftheSyndicatehadnoindividualnames。Thespring-armouredshipsweretermed"repellers，"andwerenumbered，andthecrabswereknownbythelettersofthealphabet。EachrepellerwasinchargeofaDirectorofNavalOperations;andthewholenavalforceoftheSyndicatewasunderthecommandofaDirector-in-chief。OnthismomentousoccasionthisofficerwasonboardofRepellerNo。1，andcommandedthelittlefleet。
　　Therepellershadneverbeenvesselsofgreatspeed，andtheirpresentarmourofsteelstrips，thelowerportionofwhichwasfrequentlyunderwater，considerablyretardedtheirprogress;buteachofthemwastakenintowbyoneoftheswiftandpowerfulcrabs，andwiththisassistancetheymadeverygoodtime，reachingtheirdestinationonthemorningofthesecondday。
　　Itwasonabreezyday，withacloudysky，andtheseamoderatelysmooth，thatthelittlefleetoftheSyndicatelaytoofftheharbourofoneoftheprincipalCanadianseaports。Aboutfivemilesawaytheheadlandsoneithersideofthemouthoftheharbourcouldbeplainlyseen。IthadbeendecidedthatRepellerNo。1shouldbeginoperations。Accordingly，thatvesselsteamedaboutamilenearertheharbour，accompaniedbyCrabA。Theotherrepellerandcrabremainedintheirfirstposition，readytoactincasetheyshouldbeneeded。
　　Theapproachoftwovessels，evidentlymen-of-war，andcarryingtheAmericanflag，wasperceivedfromthefortsandredoubtsatthemouthoftheharbour，andthenewsquicklyspreadtothecityandtothevesselsinport。Intenseexcitementensuedonlandandwater，amongthecitizensoftheplaceaswellasitsdefenders。Everymanwhohadapostofdutywasinstantlyatit;andinlessthanhalfanhourtheBritishman-of-warScarabaeus，whichhadbeenlyingatanchorashortdistanceoutsidetheharbour，camesteamingouttomeettheenemy。Therewereothernavalvesselsinport，buttheyrequiredmoretimetobeputinreadinessforaction。
　　AssoonastheapproachofScarabaeuswasperceivedbyRepellerNo。1，aboatbearingawhiteflagwasloweredfromthatvesselandwasrapidlyrowedtowardtheBritishship。Whenthelattersawtheboatcomingshelayto，andwaiteditsarrival。AnotewasdeliveredtothecaptainoftheScarabaeus，inwhichitwasstatedthattheSyndicate，whichhadundertakenonthepartoftheUnitedStatestheconductofthewarbetweenthatcountryandGreatBritain，wasnowpreparedtodemandthesurrenderofthiscitywithitsfortsanddefencesandallvesselswithinitsharbour，and，asafirststep，theimmediatesurrenderofthevesseltothecommanderofwhichthisnotewasdelivered。
　　TheoverwhelmingeffronteryofthisdemandcausedthecommanderoftheScarabaeustodoubtwhetherhehadtodealwitharavinglunaticorablusteringfool;
　　butheinformedthepersoninchargeoftheflag-of-
　　truceboat，thathewouldgivehimfifteenminutesinwhichtogetbacktohisvessel，andthathewouldthenopenfireuponthatcraft。
　　Themenwhorowedthelittleboatwerenotmen-of-
　　war’smen，andwereunaccustomedtodutiesofthiskind。Ineightminutestheyhadreachedtheirvessel，andweresafeonboard。
　　JustsevenminutesafterwardthefirstshotcamefromtheScarabaeus。ItpassedoverRepellerNo。1，andthatvessel，insteadofreplying，immediatelysteamednearerheradversary。TheDirector-in-chiefdesiredtodeterminetheeffectofanactivecannonadeuponthenewarmour，andthereforeorderedthevesselplacedinsuchapositionthattheEnglishmanmighthavethebestopportunityforusingitasatarget。
　　TheScarabaeuslostnotimeinavailingherselfofthefacilitiesoffered。Shewasalargeandpowerfulship，withaheavyarmament;and，soongettingtherangeoftheSyndicate’svessel，shehurledballafterballuponherstripedside。RepellerNo。1madenoreply，butquietlysubmittedtotheterriblebombardment。Someofthegreatshotjarredherfrombowtostern，butnotoneofthembrokeasteelspring，norpenetratedtheheavyinsideplates。
　　Afterhalfanhourofthis，worktheDirector-in-
　　chiefbecamesatisfiedthatthenewarmourhadwellacquitteditselfintheseveretrialtowhichithadbeensubjected。Someoftheair-buffershadbeendisabled，probablyonaccountoffaultsintheirconstruction，butthesecouldreadilybereplaced，andnofurtherinjuryhadbeendonethevessel。Itwasnotnecessary，therefore，tocontinuetheexperimentanylonger，andbesides，therewasdangerthattheEnglishman，perceivingthathisantagonistdidnotappeartobeaffectedbyhisfire，wouldapproachcloserandendeavourtoramher。Thiswastobeavoided，fortheScarabaeuswasamuchlargervesselthanRepellerNo。1，andabletorunintothelatterandsinkherbymerepreponderanceofweight。
　　Itwasthereforedecidedtonowtestthepowersofthecrabs。SignalsweremadefromRepellerNo。1toCrabA，whichhadbeenlyingwiththelargervesselbetweenitandtheenemy。Thesesignalsweremadebyjetsofdenseblacksmoke，whichwereejectedfromasmallpipeontherepeller。Theseslendercolumnsofsmokepreservedtheircylindricalformsforsomemoments，andwerevisibleatagreatdistancebydayornight，beingilluminedinthelattercasebyelectriclight。ThelengthandfrequencyofthesejetswereregulatedbyaninstrumentintheDirector’sroom。Thus，bymeansoflongandshortpuffs，withtheproperuseofintervals，amessagecouldbeprojectedintotheairasatelegraphicinstrumentwouldmarkituponpaper。
　　InthismannerCrabAwasorderedtoimmediatelyproceedtotheattackoftheScarabaeus。Thealmostsubmergedvesselsteamedrapidlyfrombehindherconsort，andmadefortheBritishman-of-war。
　　Whenthelattervesselperceivedtheapproachofthisturtle-backedobject，squirtinglittlejetsofblacksmokeassherepliedtotheordersfromtherepeller，therewasgreatamazementonboard。Thecrabhadnotbeenseenbefore，butasitcamerapidlyontherewasnotimeforcuriosityordiscussion，andseveralheavygunswerebroughttobearuponit。Itwasdifficulttohitarapidlymovingflatobjectscarcelyabovethesurfaceofthewater;andalthoughseveralshotstruckthecrab，theyglancedoffwithoutintheleastinterferingwithitsprogress。
　　CrabAsooncamesoneartheScarabaeusthatitwasimpossibletodepressthegunsofthelattersoastostrikeher。Thegreatvesselwas，therefore，headedtowarditsassailant，andunderafullheadofsteamdasheddirectlyatittorunitdown。Butthecrabcouldturnasuponapivot，andshootingtoonesideallowedthesurgingman-of-wartopassit。
　　Perceivinginstantlythatitwouldbedifficulttostrikethisnimbleandalmostsubmergedadversary，thecommanderoftheScarabaeusthoughtitwelltoletitaloneforthepresent，andtobeardownwithallspeedupontherepeller。Butitwaseasiertohitthecrabthantoleaveitbehind。Itwascapableofgreatspeed，and，followingtheBritishvessel，itquicklycameupwithher。
　　ThecourseoftheScarabaeuswasinstantlychanged，andeveryeffortwasmadetogetthevesselintoapositiontorundownthecrab。Butthiswasnoteasyforsolargeaship，andCrabAseemedtohavenodifficultyinkeepingclosetoherstern。
　　Severalmachine-guns，especiallyadoptedforfiringattorpedo-boatsoranyhostilecraftwhichmightbediscoveredclosetoavessel，werenowbroughttobearuponthecrab，andballafterballwashurledather。Someofthesestruck，butglancedoffwithoutpenetratinghertougharmour。
　　Thesemanoeuvreshadnotcontinuedlong，whenthecrewofthecrabwasreadytobringintoactionthepeculiarapparatusofthatpeculiarcraft。Anenormouspairofironforceps，eachmassivelimbofwhichmeasuredtwelvefeetormoreinlength，wasrunoutinfrontofthecrabatadepthofsixoreightfeetbelowthesurface。Theseforcepswereacteduponbyanelectricengineofimmensepower，bywhichtheycouldbeshut，opened，projected，withdrawn，orturnedandtwisted。
　　Thecrabdartedforward，andinthenextinstantthegreatteethofherpincerswerefastenedwithatremendousgripupontherudderandrudder-postoftheScarabaeus。
　　Thenfollowedasuddentwist，whichsentathrillthroughbothvessels;acrash;abackwardjerk;thesnappingofachain;andinamomentthegreatrudder，withhalfoftherudder-postattached，wastornfromthevessel，andastheforcepsopeneditdroppedtoleewardandhungdanglingbyonechain。
　　Againtheforcepsopenedwide;againtherewasarush;andthistimethehugejawsclosedupontherapidlyrevolvingscrew-propeller。Therewasatremendouscrash，andthesmallbutmassivecrabturnedoversofarthatforaninstantoneofitssideswasplainlyvisibleabovethewater。Thebladesofthepropellerwerecrushedandshivered;thosepartsofthesteamer’senginesconnectingwiththepropeller-shaftweresnappedandrentapart，whilethepropeller-
　　shaftitselfwasbrokenbytheviolentstoppage。
　　Thecrab，whichhadquicklyrighted，nowbacked，stillholdingthecrushedpropellerinitsirongrasp，andasitmovedawayfromtheScarabaeus，itextractedaboutfortyfeetofitspropeller-shaft;
　　then，openingitsmassivejaws，itallowedtheuselessmassofirontodroptothebottomofthesea。
　　EverymanonboardtheScarabaeuswaswildwithamazementandexcitement。Fewcouldcomprehendwhathadhappened，butthisveryquicklybecameevident。Sofarasmotivepowerwasconcerned，theScarabaeuswastotally，disabled。Shecouldnotdirecthercourse，forherrudderwasgone，herpropellerwasgone，herengineswereuseless，andshecoulddonomorethanfloataswindortidemightmoveher。Moreover，therewasajaggedholeinhersternwheretheshafthadbeen，andthroughthisthewaterwaspouringintothevessel。Asaman-of-wartheScarabaeuswasworthless。
　　OrdersnowcamefastfromRepellerNo。1，whichhadmovednearertothesceneofconflict。Itwastobesupposedthatthedisabledshipwasproperlyfurnishedwithbulk-heads，sothatthewaterwouldpenetratenofartherthanthesterncompartment，andthat，therefore，shewasinnodangerofsinking。CrabAwasorderedtomakefasttothebowoftheScarabaeus，andtowhertowardtwomen-of-warwhowererapidlyapproachingfromtheharbour。
　　ThisproceedingastonishedthecommanderandofficersoftheScarabaeusalmostasmuchastheextraordinaryattackwhichhadbeenmadeupontheirship。Theyhadexpectedademandtosurrenderandhauldowntheirflag;buttheDirector-in-chiefonboardRepellerNo。1wasoftheopinionthatwithherpropellerextracteditmatteredlittlewhatflagsheflew。HisworkwiththeScarabaeuswasover;forithadbeenorderedbytheSyndicatethatitsvesselsshouldnotencumberthemselveswithprizes。
　　Towedbythepowerfulcrab，whichapparentlyhadnofearthatitsdisabledadversarymightfireuponit，theScarabaeusmovedtowardtheharbour，andwhenithadcomewithinaquarterofamileoftheforemostBritishvessel，CrabAcastoffandsteamedbacktoRepellerNo。1。
　　TheotherEnglishvesselssooncameup，andeachlaytoandsentaboattotheScarabaeus。Afterhalfanhour’sconsultation，inwhichtheamazementofthoseonboardthedamagedvesselwascommunicatedtotheofficersandcrewsofhertwoconsorts，itwasdeterminedthatthesmalleroftheseshouldtowthedisabledshipintoport，whiletheotherone，incompanywithaman-of-warjustcomingoutoftheharbour，shouldmakeanattackuponRepellerNo。1。
　　Ithadbeenplainlyprovedthatordinaryshotandshellhadnoeffectuponthiscraft;butithadnotbeenprovedthatshecouldwithstandtheramsofpowerfulironclads。Ifthisvessel，thatapparentlycarriednoguns，or，atleast，hadusednone，couldbecrushed，capsized，sunk，orinanywayputoutofthefight，itwasprobablethatthedangeroussubmergednauticalmachinewouldnotcaretoremaininthesewaters。Ifitremaineditmustbedestroyedbytorpedoes。
　　SignalswereexchangedbetweenthetwoEnglishvessels，andinaveryshorttimetheyweresteamingtowardtherepeller。Itwasadangerousthingfortwovesselsoftheirsizetocomecloseenoughtogetherforbothtoramanenemyatthesametime，butitwasdeterminedtotaketherisksanddothis，ifpossible;
　　forthedestructionoftherepellerwasobviouslythefirstdutyinhand。
　　Asthetwomen-of-warrapidlyapproachedRepellerNo。1，theykeptupasteadyfireuponher;forifinthiswaytheycoulddamageher，theeasierwouldbetheirtask。Withafirmrelianceupontheefficacyofthesteel-springarmour，theDirector-in-chieffeltnofearoftheenemy’sshotandshell;buthewasnotatallwillingthathisvesselshouldberammed，fortheconsequenceswouldprobablybedisastrous。Accordinglyhedidnotwaitfortheapproachofthetwovessels，butsteeringseaward，hesignalledfortheothercrab。
　　WhenCrabBmadeitsappearance，puffingitslittleblackjetsofsmoke，asitansweredthesignalsoftheDirector-in-chief，thecommandersofthetwoBritishvesselsweresurprised。Theyhadimaginedthattherewasonlyoneofthesestrangeandterribleenemies，andhadsupposedthatshewouldbeafraidtomakeherpeculiarattackupononeofthem，becausewhiledoingsoshewouldexposeherselftothedangerofbeingrundownbytheother。Butthepresenceoftwoofthesealmostsubmergedenginesofdestructionentirelychangedthesituation。
　　ButthecommandersoftheBritishshipswerebravemen。TheyhadstartedtorundownthestrangelyarmouredAmericancraft，andrunherdowntheywould，iftheycould。Theyputonmoresteam，andwentaheadatgreaterspeed。Insuchafuriousonslaughtthecrabsmightnotdaretoattackthem。
　　Buttheydidnotunderstandthenaturenorthepowersoftheseenemies。InlessthantwentyminutesCrabAhadlaidholdofoneofthemen-of-war，andCrabBoftheother。Theruddersofbothwereshatteredandtornaway;andwhilethebladesofonepropellerwerecrushedtopieces，theother，withnearlyhalfitsshaft，wasdrawnoutanddroppedintotheocean。
　　Helplesslythetwomen-of-warroseandfelluponthewaves。
　　Inobediencetoordersfromtherepeller，eachcrabtookholdofoneofthedisabledvessels，andtoweditnearthemouthoftheharbour，whereitwasleft。
　　Thecitywasnowinastateoffeverishexcitement，whichwasintensifiedbythefactthatamajorityofthepeopledidnotunderstandwhathadhappened，whilethosetowhomthishadbeenmadeplaincouldnotcomprehendwhysuchathingshouldhavebeenallowedtohappen。ThreeofHerMajesty’sshipsofwar，equippedandreadyforaction，hadsailedoutoftheharbour，andanapparentlyinsignificantenemy，withoutfiringagun，hadputthemintosuchaconditionthattheywereutterlyunfitforservice，andmustbetowedintoadrydock。HowcouldtheGovernment，themunicipality，thearmy，orthenavyexplainthis？
　　Theanxiety，theexcitement，thenervousdesiretoknowwhathadhappened，andwhatmightbeexpectednext，spreadthateveningtoeverypartoftheDominionreachedbytelegraph。
　　Themilitaryauthoritiesinchargeofthedefencesofthecitywereasmuchdisturbedandamazedbywhathadhappenedasanyciviliancouldpossiblybe，buttheyhadnofearsforthesafetyoftheplace，fortheenemy’svesselscouldnotpossiblyenter，norevenapproach，theharbour。Thefortificationsontheheightsmountedgunsmuchheavierthanthoseonthemen-of-war，andshotsfromthesefiredfromanelevationmightsinkeventhose"underwaterdevils。"
　　But，morethanontheforts，theyreliedupontheiradmirablesystemoftorpedoesandsubmarinebatteries。
　　Withtheseinpositionandreadyforaction，astheynowwere，itwasimpossibleforanenemy’svessel，floatingonthewaterorunderit，toentertheharbourwithoutcertaindestruction。
　　Bulletinstothiseffectwerepostedinthecity，andsomewhatallayedthepopularanxiety，althoughmanypeople，whowerefearfulofwhatmighthappennext，leftbytheeveningtrainsfortheinterior。ThatnightthenewsofthisextraordinaryaffairwascabledtoEurope，andthencebacktotheUnitedStates，andallovertheworld。Inmanyquarterstheaccountwasdisbelieved，andinnoquarterwasitthoroughlyunderstood，foritmustbeborneinmindthatthemethodsofoperationemployedbythecrabswerenotevidenttothoseonboardthedisabledvessels。Buteverywheretherewasthegreatestdesiretoknowwhatwouldbedonenext。
　　Itwasthegeneralopinionthatthetwoarmouredvesselsweremerelytenderstothesubmergedmachineswhichhaddonethemischief。Havingfirednoguns，nortakenanyactivepartinthecombat，therewaseveryreasontobelievethattheywereintendedmerelyasbomb-proofstore-shipsfortheirformidableconsorts。
　　Asthesesubmergedvesselscouldnotattackatown，norreducefortifications，butcouldexercisetheirpoweronlyagainstvesselsafloat，itwasplainenoughtoseethattheobjectoftheAmericanSyndicatewastoblockadetheport。ThattheywouldbeabletomaintaintheblockadewhenthefullpoweroftheBritishnavyshouldbebroughttobearuponthemwasgenerallydoubted，thoughitwasconcededinthemostwrathfulcirclesthat，untilthesituationshouldbealtered，itwouldbeunwisetoriskvaluablewarvesselsinencounterswiththediabolicalsea-monstersnowlyingofftheport。
　　IntheNewYorkofficeoftheSyndicatetherewasgreatsatisfaction。Thenewsreceivedwasincorrectandimperfect，butitwasevidentthat，sofar，everythinghadgonewell。
　　Aboutnineo’clockthenextmorning，RepellerNo。
　　1，withherconsorthalfamileastern，andprecededbythetwocrabs，oneoneitherbow，approachedtowithintwomilesoftheharbourmouth。Thecrabs，aquarterofamileaheadoftherepeller，movedslowly;forbetweenthemtheyboreanimmensenet，threeorfourhundredfeetlong，andthirtyfeetdeep，composedofjointedsteelrods。Alongtheupperedgeofthisnetwasaseriesofair-floats，whichweresograduatedthattheyweresunkbytheweightofthenetafewfeetbelowthesurfaceofthewater，fromwhichpositiontheyheldthenetsuspendedvertically。
　　Thisnet，whichwasintendedtoprotecttherepelleragainsttheapproachofsubmarinetorpedoes，whichmightbedirectedfromtheshore，wasanchoredateachend，twoverysmallbuoysindicatingitsposition。
　　Thecrabsthenfallingastern，RepellerNo。1layto，withthesunkennetbetweenherandtheshore，andpreparedtoprojectthefirstinstantaneousmotor-bombeverusedinwarfare。
　　Thegreatguninthebowofthevesselwasloadedwithoneofthelargestandmostpowerfulmotor-bombs，andthespottobeaimedatwasselected。Thiswasapointinthewaterjustinsideofthemouthoftheharbour，andnearlyamilefromthelandoneitherside。Thedistanceofthispointfromthevesselbeingcalculated，thecannonwasadjustedattheanglecalledforbythescaleofdistancesandlevels，andtheinstrumentindicatingrise，fall，anddirectionwasthenputinconnectionwithit。
　　NowtheDirector-in-chiefsteppedforwardtothebutton，bypressingwhichthepowerofthemotorwasdeveloped。Thechiefofthescientificcorpsthenshowedhimtheexactpointuponthescalewhichwouldbeindicatedwhenthegunwasinitsproperposition，andthepiecewasthenmoveduponitsbearingssoastoapproximateasnearlyaspossiblethisdirection。
　　Thebowofthevesselnowroseupontheswellofthesea，andtheinstantthattheindexuponthescalereachedthedesiredpoint，theDirector-in-chieftouchedthebutton。
　　Therewasnoreport，nosmoke，novisiblesignthatthemotorhadleftthecannon;butatthatinstantthereappeared，tothosewhowereonthelookout，fromafortaboutamileaway，avastapertureinthewatersofthebay，whichwasvariouslydescribedasfromonehundredyardstofivehundredyardsindiameter。Atthatsameinstant，intheneighbouringheadlandsandislandsfaruptheshoresofthebay，andineverystreetandbuildingofthecity，therewasfeltasharpshock，asiftheunderlyingrockshadbeenstruckbyagigantictrip-hammer。
　　Atthesameinstanttheskyabovethespotwherethemotorhaddescendedwasdarkenedbyawide-
　　spreadingcloud。Thiswasformedofthatportionofthewaterofthebaywhichhadbeeninstantaneouslyraisedtotheheightofaboutathousandfeet。Thesuddenappearanceofthiscloudwasevenmoreterriblethantheyawningchasminthewatersofthebayorthestartlingshock;butitdidnotremainlonginview。Ithadnosoonerreacheditshighestelevationthanitbegantodescend。Therewasastrongsea-
　　breezeblowing，andinitsdescentthisvastmassofwaterwasimpelledtowardtheland。
　　Itcamedown，notasrain，butasthewatersofavastcataract，asthoughamountainlake，byanearthquakeshock，hadbeenprecipitatedinabodyuponavalley。Onlyoneedgeofitreachedtheland，andheretheseethingfloodtoreawayearth，trees，androcks，leavingbehinditgreatchasmsandgulliesasitdescendedtothesea。
　　Thebayitself，intowhichthevastbodyofthewaterfell，becameasceneofsurgingmadness。Thetoweringwallsofwaterwhichhadstoodupallaroundthesuddenlycreatedaperturehurledthemselvesbackintotheabyss，anddownintothegreatchasmatthebottomofthebay，whichhadbeenmadewhenthemotorsentitsshockalongthegreatrockbeds。Downupon，andinto，thisroaring，boilingtumultfellthetremendouscataractfromabove，andtheharbourbecameonewildexpanseofleapingmaddenedwaves，hissingtheirwhirlingsprayhighintotheair。
　　Duringthesefewterrificmomentsotherthingshappenedwhichpassedunnoticedinthegeneralconsternation。Allalongtheshoresofthebayandinfrontofthecitythewatersseemedtobesuckedaway，slowlyreturningastheseaforcedthemtotheirlevel，andatmanypointsupanddowntheharbourthereweresubmarinedetonationsandupheavalsofthewater。
　　Thesewerecausedbytheexplosion，byconcussion，ofeverytorpedoandsubmarinebatteryintheharbour;
　　anditwaswiththisobjectinviewthattheinstantaneousmotor-bombhadbeenshotintothemouthofthebay。
　　Theeffectsofthedischargeofthemotor-bombastonishedandevenstartledthoseonboardtherepellersandthecrabs。AttheinstantoftouchingthebuttonahydraulicshockwasfeltonRepellerNo。
　　1。Thiswassupposedtobeoccasionedthedischargeofthemotor，butitwasalsofeltontheothervessels。
　　Itwasthesameshockthathadbeenfeltonshore，butlessindegree。Afewmomentsaftertherewasagreatheavingswellofthesea，whichtossedandrolledthefourvessels，andliftedthesteelprotectingnetsohighthatforaninstantpartsofitshowedthemselvesabovethesurfacelikeglisteningsea-ghosts。
　　Experimentswithmotor-bombshadbeenmadeinunsettledmountainousdistricts，butthiswasthefirstonewhichhadeverexerteditspowerunderwater。
　　Onshore，intheforts，andinthecitynooneforaninstantsupposedthattheterrificphenomenonwhichhadjustoccurredwasinanywayduetothevesselsoftheSyndicate。Therepellerswereinplainview，anditwasevidentthatneitherofthemhadfiredagun。
　　Besides，thefiringofcannondidnotproducesucheffects。Itwasthegeneralopinionthattherehadbeenanearthquakeshock，accompaniedbyacloud-burstandextraordinaryconvulsionsofthesea。Suchacombinationofelementarydisturbanceshadneverbeenknownintheseparts;andagreatmanypersonsweremuchmorefrightenedthaniftheyhadunderstoodwhathadreallyhappened。
　　Inabouthalfanhourafterthedischargeofthemotor-bomb，whentheseahadresumeditsusualquiet，aboatcarryingawhiteflagleftRepellerNo。1，roweddirectlyoverthesubmergednet，andmadefortheharbour。Whentheapproachofthisflag-of-trucewasperceivedfromthefortnearestthemouthoftheharbour，itoccasionedmuchsurmise。HadtheearthquakebroughttheseSyndicateknavestotheirsenses？Orweretheyabouttomakefurtherabsurdandoutrageousdemands？Someirateofficerswereoftheopinionthatenemiesliketheseshouldbeconsiderednobetterthanpirates，andthattheirflag-of-truceshouldbefiredupon。Butthecommandantofthefortpaidnoattentiontosuchcounsels，andsentadetachmentwithawhiteflagdowntothebeachtomeettheapproachingboatandlearnitserrand。
　　ThemenintheboathadnothingtodobuttodeliveraletterfromtheDirector-in-chieftothecommandantofthefort，andthenrowbackagain。Noanswerwasrequired。
　　Whenthecommandantreadthebriefnote，hemadenoremark。Infact，hecouldthinkofnoappropriateremarktomake。Themissivesimplyinformedhimthatatteno’clockandeighteenminutesA。M。，ofthatday，thefirstbombfromthemarineforcesoftheSyndicatehadbeendischargedintothewatersoftheharbour。
　　At，orabout，twoo’clockP。M。，thesecondbombwouldbedischargedatFortPilcher。Thatwasall。
　　Whatthisextraordinarymessagemeantcouldnotbeimaginedbyanyofficerofthegarrison。Ifthepeopleonboardtheshipsweretakingadvantageoftheearthquake，andsupposedthattheycouldinduceBritishsoldierstobelievethatithadbeencausedbyoneoftheirbombs，thenweretheyidiotsindeed。TheywouldfiretheirsecondshotatFortPilcher！Thiswasimpossible，fortheyhadnotyetfiredtheirfirstshot。TheseSyndicatepeoplewereevidentlyverytricky，andthedefendersoftheportmustthereforebeverycautious。
　　FortPilcherwasaverylargeandunfinishedfortification，onabluffontheoppositesideoftheharbour。WorkhadbeendiscontinuedonitassoonastheSyndicate’svesselshadappearedofftheport，foritwasnotdesiredtoexposethebuildersandworkmentoapossiblebombardment。Theplacewasnow，therefore，almostdeserted;butafterthereceiptoftheSyndicate’smessage，thecommandantfearedthattheenemymightthrowanordinaryshellintotheunfinishedworks，andhesentaboatacrossthebaytoorderawayanyworkmenorotherswhomightbelingeringabouttheplace。
　　Alittleaftertwoo’clockP。M。，aninstantaneousmotor-bombwasdischargedfromRepellerNo。1intoFortPilcher。Itwassettoactfivesecondsafterimpactwiththeobjectaimedat。Itstruckinacentralportionoftheunfinishedfort，andhavingdescribedahighcurveintheair，descendednotonlywithitsownmotivepower，butwiththeforceofgravitation，andpenetrateddeepintotheearth。
　　FivesecondslateravastbrowncloudappearedontheFortPilcherpromontory。Thiscloudwasnearlysphericalinform，withanapparentdiameterofaboutathousandyards。Atthesameinstantashocksimilartothataccompanyingthefirstmotor-bombwasfeltinthecityandsurroundingcountry;butthiswasnotsosevereastheother，forthesecondbombdidnotexertitsforceupontheunderlyingrocksoftheregionasthefirstonehaddone。
　　Thegreatbrowncloudquicklybegantoloseitssphericalform，partofitdescendingheavilytotheearth，andpartfloatingawayinvastdust-cloudsborneinlandbythebreeze，settlingdownwardastheymoved，anddepositingonland，water，ships，houses，domes，andtreesanalmostimpalpablepowder。
　　Whenthecloudhadclearedawaytherewerenofortifications，andthebluffonwhichtheyhadstoodhaddisappeared。Partofthisbluffhadfloatedawayonthewind，andpartofitlaypiledingreatheapsofsandonthespotwhereitsrocksweretohaveupheldafort。