Theeffectofthemotor-bombwasfullyobservedwithglassesfromthevariousfortificationsoftheport，andfrommanypointsofthecityandharbour;andthosefamiliarwiththeeffectsofexplosiveswerenotlonginmakinguptheirmindswhathadhappened。TheyfeltsurethataminehadbeensprungbeneathFortPilcher;andtheywerenowequallyconfidentthatinthemorningatorpedoofnovelandterriblepowerhadbeenexplodedintheharbour。Theynowdisbelievedintheearthquake，andtreatedwithcontemptthepretencethatshotshadbeenfiredfromtheSyndicate’svessel。
　　Thiswasmerelyatrickoftheenemy。Itwasnotevenlikelythatthemineorthetorpedohadbeenoperatedfromtheship。Thesewere，inallprobability，underthecontrolofconfederatesonshore，andhadbeenexplodedattimesagreeduponbeforehand。Allthiswasperfectlyplaintothemilitaryauthorities。
　　Butthepeopleofthecityderivednocomfortfromtheannouncementoftheseconclusions。Forallthatanybodyknewthewholecitymightbeundermined，andatanymomentmightascendinacloudofminuteparticles。
　　Theyfeltthattheywereinaregionofhiddentraitorsandbombs，andinconsequenceofthisbeliefthousandsofcitizenslefttheirhomes。
　　Thatafternoonatruce-boatagainwentoutfromRepellerNo。1，androwedtothefort，wherealettertothecommandantwasdelivered。This，liketheother，demandednoanswer，andtheboatreturned。Laterintheafternoonthetworepellers，accompaniedbythecrabs，andleavingthesteelnetstillanchoredinitsplace，retiredafewmilesseaward，wheretheypreparedtolaytoforthenight。
　　Theletterbroughtbythetruce-boatwasreadbythecommandant，surroundedbyhisofficers。Itstatedthatintwenty-fourhoursfromtimeofwritingit，whichwouldbeatoraboutfouro’clockonthenextafternoon，abombwouldbethrownintothegarrisonedfort，underthecommandoftheofficeraddressed。Asthiswouldresultintheentiredestructionofthefortification，thecommandantwasearnestlycounselledtoevacuatethefortbeforethehourspecified。
　　Ordinarilythecommandantofthefortwasofacalmandunexcitabletemperament。Duringtheastoundingeventsofthatdayandthedaybeforehehadkepthisheadcool;hisjudgment，ifnotcorrect，wastheresultofsoberandearnestconsideration。Butnowhelosthistemper。TheunparalleledeffronteryandimpertinenceofthisdemandoftheAmericanSyndicatewastoomuchforhisself-possession。Hestormedinanger。
　　Herewastheculminationoftheknavishtrickeryoftheseconsciencelesspirateswhohadattackedtheport。
　　Atorpedohadbeenexplodedintheharbour，anunfinishedforthadbeenminedandblownup，andallthishadbeendonetofrightenhim——aBritishsoldier——
　　incommandofastrongfortwellgarrisonedandfullysuppliedwithallthemunitionsofwar。Inthefearthathisfortwouldbedestroyedbyamysticalbomb，hewasexpectedtomarchtoaplaceofsafetywithallhisforces。Ifthisshouldbedoneitwouldnotbelongbeforethesecraftyfellowswouldoccupythefort，andwithitsgreatgunsturnedinland，wouldholdthecityattheirmercy。Therecouldbenogreaterinsulttoasoldierthantosupposethathecouldbegulledbyatricklikethis。
　　Nothoughtofactualdangerenteredthemindofthecommandant。Ithadbeeneasyenoughtosinkagreattorpedointheharbour，andtheunguardedbluffsofFortPilcherofferedeveryopportunitytothescoundrelswhomayhaveworkedattheirminesthroughthenightsofseveralmonths。Butamineunderthefortwhichhecommandedwasanimpossibility;itsguardedoutpostspreventedanysuchmethodofattack。
　　Atabomb，oradozen，orahundredoftheSyndicate’sbombshesnappedhisfingers。Hecouldthrowbombsaswell。
　　Nothingwouldpleasehimbetterthanthatthoseark-likeshipsintheoffingshouldcomenearenoughforanartilleryfight。Afewtonsofsolidshotandshelldroppedontopofthemmightbeaveryconclusiveanswertotheirimpudentdemands。
　　TheletterfromtheSyndicate，togetherwithhisownconvictionsonthesubject，werecommunicatedbythecommandanttothemilitaryauthoritiesoftheport，andtotheWarOfficeoftheDominion。ThenewsofwhathadhappenedthatdayhadalreadybeencabledacrosstheAtlanticbacktotheUnitedStates，andallovertheworld;andtheprofoundimpressioncreatedbyitwasintensifiedwhenitbecameknownwhattheSyndicateproposedtodothenextday。OrdersandadvicesfromtheBritishAdmiraltyandWarOfficespedacrosstheocean，andthatnightfewoftheleadersingovernmentcirclesinEnglandorCanadaclosedtheireyes。
　　Theopinionsofthecommandantofthefortwerereceivedwithbutlittlefavourbythemilitaryandnavalauthorities。Greatpreparationswerealreadyorderedtorepelandcrushthismostaudaciousattackupontheport，butinthemeantimeitwashighlydesirablethattheutmostcautionandprudenceshouldbeobserved。Threemen-of-warhadalreadybeendisabledbythenovelanddestructivemachinesoftheenemy，andithadbeenorderedthatforthepresentnomorevesselsoftheBritishnavybeallowedtoapproachthecrabsoftheSyndicate。
　　WhetheritwasamineorabombwhichhadbeenusedinthedestructionoftheunfinishedworksofFortPilcher，itwouldbeimpossibletodetermineuntilanofficialsurveyhadbeenmadeoftheruins;but，inanyevent，itwouldbewiseandhumanenottoexposethegarrisonofthefortonthesouthsideoftheharbourtothedangerwhichhadovertakentheworksontheoppositeshore。If，contrarytotheopinionofthecommandant，thegarrisonedfortwerereallymined，thefollowingdaywouldprobablyprovethefact。Untilthispointshouldbedetermineditwouldbehighlyjudicioustotemporarilyevacuatethefort。Thiscouldnotbefollowedbyoccupationoftheworksbytheenemy，forallapproaches，eitherbytroopsinboatsorbybodiesofconfederatesbyland，couldbefullycoveredbytheinlandredoubtsandfortifications。
　　Whentheordersforevacuationreachedthecommandantofthefort，heprotestedhotly，andurgedthathisprotestbeconsidered。ItwasnotuntilthecommandhadbeenreiteratedbothfromLondonandOttawa，thatheacceptedthesituation，andwithbowedheadpreparedtoleavehispost。Allnightpreparationsforevacuationwenton，andduringthenextmorningthegarrisonleftthefort，andestablisheditselffarenoughawaytoprecludedangerfromtheexplosionofamine，butnearenoughtobeavailableincaseofnecessity。
　　DuringthismorningtherearrivedintheoffinganotherSyndicatevessel。ThishadstartedfromanorthernpartoftheUnitedStates，beforetherepellersandthecrabs，andithadbeenengagedinlayingaprivatesubmarinecable，whichshouldputtheofficeoftheSyndicateinNewYorkindirectcommunicationwithitsnavalforcesengagedwiththeenemy。TelegraphicconnectionbetweenthecableboatandRepellerNo。1havingbeenestablished，theSyndicatesoonreceivedfromitsDirector-in-chieffullandcomprehensiveaccountsofwhathadbeendoneandwhatitwasproposedtodo。GreatwasthesatisfactionamongthemembersoftheSyndicatewhenthesedirectandofficialreportscamein。UptothistimetheyhadbeenobligedtodependuponveryunsatisfactoryintelligencecommunicatedfromEurope，whichhadbeensupplementedbywildstatementsandrumourssmuggledacrosstheCanadianborder。
　　Tocounteracttheeffectofthese，afullreportwasimmediatelymadebytheSyndicatetotheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates，andabulletindistinctlydescribingwhathadhappenedwasissuedtothepeopleofthecountry。Thesereports，whichreceivedaworld-
　　widecirculationinthenewspapers，createdapopularelationintheUnitedStates，andgaverisetoseriousapprehensionsandconcerninmanyothercountries。Butunderbothelationandconcerntherewasacertaindoubtfulness。SofartheSyndicatehadbeensuccessful;butitsstyleofwarfarewasdecidedlyexperimental，anditsforces，innumericalstrengthatleast，wereweak。WhatwouldhappenwhenthegreatnavalpowerofGreatBritainshouldbebroughttobearupontheSyndicate，wasaquestionwhoseprobableanswerwaslikelytocauseapprehensionandconcernintheUnitedStates，andelationinmanyothercountries。
　　ThecommencementofactivehostilitieshadbeenprecipitatedbythisSyndicate。InEnglandpreparationsweremakingbydayanbynighttosenduponthecoast-linesoftheUnitedStatesafleetwhich，innumbersandpower，wouldbegreaterthanthatofanynavalexpeditioninthehistoryoftheworld。
　　ItisnowonderthatmanypeopleofsoberjudgmentinAmericalookedupontheaffairofthecrabsandtherepellersasbutanincidentinthebeginningofagreatanddisastrouswar。
　　OnthemorningofthedestructionofFortPilcher，theSyndicate’svesselsmovedtowardtheport，andthesteelnetwastakenupbythetwocrabs，andmovednearerthemouthoftheharbour，atapointfromwhichthefort，nowinprocessofevacuation，wasinfullview。Whenthishadbeendone，RepellerNo。2tookupherpositionatamoderatedistancebehindthenet，andtheothervesselsstationedthemselvesnearby。
　　Theprotectionofthenetwasconsiderednecessary，foralthoughtherecouldbenoreasonabledoubtthatallthetorpedoesintheharbourandriverhadbeenexploded，othersmightbesentoutagainsttheSyndicate’svessels;andatorpedounderacraborarepellerwastheenemymostfearedbytheSyndicate。
　　Aboutthreeo’clockthesignalsbetweentherepellersbecameveryfrequent，andsoonafterwardsatruce-boatwentoutfromRepellerNo。1。Thiswasrowedwithgreatrapidity，butitwasobligedtogomuchfartheruptheharbourthanonpreviousoccasions，inordertodeliveritsmessagetoanofficerofthegarrison。
　　ThiswastotheeffectthattheevacuationoftheforthadbeenobservedfromtheSyndicate’svessels，andalthoughithadbeenapparentlycomplete，oneofthescientificcorps，withapowerfulglass，haddiscoveredamaninoneoftheouterredoubts，whosepresencetherewasprobablyunknowntotheofficersofthegarrison。Itwas，therefore，earnestlyurgedthatthismanbeinstantlyremoved;andinorderthatthismightbedone，thedischargeofthemotor-bombwouldbepostponedhalfanhour。
　　Theofficerreceivedthismessage，andwasdisposedtolookuponitasanewtrick;butasnotimewastobelost，hesentacorporal’sguardtothefort，andtherediscoveredanIrishsergeantbythenameofKilsey，whohadswornanoaththatifeveryothermaninthefortranawaylikealotofaddle-patedsheep，hewouldnotrunwiththem;hewouldstandtohisposttothelast，andwhenthecoupleofshipsoutsidehadgotthroughbombardingthestoutwallsofthefort，theworldwouldseethattherewasatleastoneBritishsoldierwhowasnotafraidofabomb，beitlittleorbig。
　　Thereforehehadmanagedtoeludeobservation，andtoremainbehind。
　　Thesergeantwassohot-headedinhisdeterminationtostandbythefort，thatitrequiredviolencetoremovehim;anditwasnotuntiltwentyminutespastfourthattheSyndicateobserversperceivedthathehadbeentakentothehillbehindwhichthegarrisonwasencamped。
　　AsithadbeendecidedthatRepellerNo。2shoulddischargethenextinstantaneousmotor-bomb，therewasananxiousdesireonthepartoftheoperatorsonthatvesselthatinthis，theirfirstexperience，theymightdotheirdutyaswellastheircomradesonboardtheotherrepellerhaddonetheirs。Themostaccurateobservations，themostcarefulcalculations，weremadeandre-made，thepointtobeaimedatbeingaboutthecentreofthefort。
　　Themotor-bombhadbeeninthecannonfornearlyanhour，andeverythinghadlongbeenready，whenatpreciselythirtyminutespastfouro’clockthesignaltodischargecamefromtheDirector-in-chief;andinfoursecondsafterwardstheindexonthescaleindicatedthatthegunwasintheproperposition，andthebuttonwastouched。
　　Themotor-bombwassettoacttheinstantitshouldtouchanyportionofthefort，andtheeffectwasdifferentfromthatoftheotherbombs。Therewasaquick，hardshock，butitwasallintheair。Thou-
　　sandsofpanesofglassinthecityandinhousesformilesaroundwerecrackedorbroken，birdsfelldeadorstunnedupontheground，andpeopleonelevationsatconsiderabledistancesfeltasiftheyhadreceivedablow;buttherewasnotremblingoftheground。
　　Astothefort，ithadentirelydisappeared，itsparticleshavingbeeninstantaneouslyremovedtoagreatdistanceineverydirection，fallingoversuchavastexpanseoflandandwaterthattheirdescentwasunobservable。
　　Intheplacewherethefortresshadstoodtherewasawidetractofbareearth，whichlookedasifithadbeenscrapedintoastaringdeadlevelofgravelandclay。Theinstantaneousmotor-bombhadbeenarrangedtoactalmosthorizontally。
　　Fewpersons，exceptthosewhofromadistancehadbeenwatchingthefortwithglasses，understoodwhathadhappened;buteveryoneinthecityandsurroundingcountrywasconsciousthatsomethinghadhappenedofamoststartlingkind，andthatitwasoverinthesameinstantinwhichtheyhadperceivedit。Everywheretherewasthenoiseoffallingwindow-glass。Therewerethosewhoassertedthatforaninstanttheyhadheardinthedistanceagrindingcrash;andtherewereotherswhowerequitesurethattheyhadnoticedwhatmightbecalledaflashofdarkness，asifsomethinghad，withalmostunappreciablequickness，passedbetweenthemandthesun。
　　Whentheofficersofthegarrisonmountedthehillbeforethemandsurveyedtheplacewheretheirforthadbeen，therewasnotoneofthemwhohadsufficientcommandofhimselftowriteareportofwhathadhappened。Theygazedatthebare，staringflatnessoftheshornbluff，andtheylookedateachother。Thiswasnotwar。Itwassomethingsupernatural，awful！
　　Theywerenotfrightened;theywereoppressedandappalled。Butthemilitarydisciplineoftheirmindssoonexerteditsforce，andabriefaccountoftheterrificeventwastransmittedtotheauthorities，andSergeantKilseywassentencedtoamonthintheguard-
　　house。
　　Nooneapproachedthevicinityofthebluffwheretheforthadstood，fordangermightnotbeover;buteverypossiblepointofobservationwithinasafedistancewassooncrowdedwithanxiousandterrifiedobservers。Afeelingofawewasnoticeableeverywhere。Ifpeoplecouldhavehadatangibleideaofwhathadoccurred，itwouldhavebeendifferent。Iftheseahadraged，ifavastbodyofwaterhadbeenthrownintotheair，ifadensecloudhadbeensuddenlyejectedfromthesurfaceoftheearth，theymighthaveformedsomeopinionaboutit。Buttheinstantaneousdisappearanceofagreatfortificationwithalittlemoreappreciableaccompanimentthanthesuddentap，asofalittlehammer，uponthousandsofwindow-panes，wassomethingwhichtheirintellectscouldnotgrasp。Itwasnottobeexpectedthattheordinarymindcouldappreciatethedifferencebetweentheactionofaninstantaneousmotorwhenimbeddedinrocksandearth，anditseffect，whenopposedbynothingbutstonewalls，uponornearthesurfaceoftheearth。
　　Earlythenextmorning，thelittlefleetoftheSyndicatepreparedtocarryoutitsfurtherorders。
　　Thewatersofthelowerbaywerenowentirelydeserted，craftofeverydescriptionhavingtakenrefugeintheupperpartoftheharbournearandabovethecity。
　　Therefore，assoonasitwaslightenoughtomakeobservations，RepellerNo。1didnothesitatetodischargeamotor-bombintotheharbour，amileormoreabovewherethefirstonehadfallen。Thiswasdoneinordertoexplodeanytorpedoeswhichmighthavebeenputintopositionsincethedischargeofthefirstbomb。
　　Therewereveryfewpeopleinthecityandsuburbswhowereatthathouroutofdoorswheretheycouldseethegreatcloudofwaterarisetowardthesky，andbeholditdescendlikeamightycataractupontheharbourandadjacentshores;butthequick，sharpshockwhichranunderthetownmadepeoplespringfromtheirbeds;andalthoughnothingwasthentobeseen，nearlyeverybodyfeltsurethattheSyndicate’sforceshadbeguntheirday’sworkbyexplodinganothermine。
　　Alighthouse，theoccupantsofwhichhadbeenorderedtoleavewhenthefortwasevacuated，astheymightbeindangerincaseofabombardment，wassoshakenbytheexplosionofthismotor-bombthatitfellinruinsontherocksuponwhichithadstood。
　　Thetwocrabsnowtookthesteelnetfromitsmooringsandcarriedituptheharbour。Thiswasratherdifficultonaccountoftheislands，rocks，andsand-bars;buttheleadingcrabhadonboardapilotacquaintedwiththosewaters。Withthenethangingbetweenthem，thetwosubmergedvessels，onecarefullyfollowingtheother，reachedapointabouttwomilesbelowthecity，wherethenetwasanchoredacrosstheharbour。Itdidnotreachfromshoretoshore，butinthecourseofthemorningtwoothernets，designedforshallowerwaters，werebroughtfromtherepellersandanchoredateachendofthemainnet，thusformingalineofcompleteprotectionagainstsubmarinetorpedoeswhichmightbesentdownfromtheupperharbour。
　　RepellerNo。1nowsteamedintotheharbour，accompaniedbyCrabA，andanchoredaboutaquarterofamileseawardofthenet。Theotherrepeller，withherattendantcrab，cruisedaboutthemouthoftheharbour，watchingasmallerentrancetotheportaswellasthelargerone，andthusmaintaininganeffectiveblockade。Thiswasnotadifficultduty，forsincethenewsoftheextraordinaryperformancesofthecrabshadbeenspreadabroad，nomerchantvessel，largeorsmall，caredtoapproachthatport;andstrictordershadbeenissuedbytheBritishAdmiraltythatnovesselofthenavyshould，untilfurtherinstructed，engageincombatwiththepeculiarcraftoftheSyndicate。Untilaplanofactionhadbeendeterminedupon，itwasverydesirablethatEnglishcruisersshouldnotbeexposedtouselessinjuryanddanger。
　　Thisbeingthestateofaffairs，amessagewassentfromtheofficeoftheSyndicateacrossthebordertotheDominionGovernment，whichstatedthattheseaportcitywhichhadbeenattackedbytheforcesoftheSyndicatenowlayunderthegunsofitsvessels，andincaseofanyovertactofwarbyGreatBritainorCanadaalone，suchastheentranceofanarmedforcefromBritishterritoryintotheUnitedStates，oracaptureoforattackuponanAmericanvessel，navalorcommercial，byaBritishman-of-war，oranattackuponanAmericanportbyBritishvessels，thecitywouldbebombardedanddestroyed。
　　Thismessage，whichwas，ofcourse，instantlytransmittedtoLondon，placedtheBritishGovernmentintheapparentpositionofbeingheldbythethroatbytheAmericanWarSyndicate。ButiftheBritishGovernment，orthepeopleofEnglandorCanada，recognizedthispositionatall，itwasmerelyasatemporarycondition。Inashorttimethemostpowerfulmen-of-waroftheRoyalNavy，aswellasafleetoftransportscarryingtroops，wouldreachthecoastsofNorthAmerica，andthentheconditionofaffairswouldrapidlybechanged。Itwasabsurdtosupposethatafewmedium-sizedvessels，howeverheavilyarmoured，orafewnew-fangledsubmarinemachines，howeverdestructivetheymightbe，couldwithstandanarmadaofthelargestandfinestarmouredvesselsintheworld。Ashiportwomightbedisabled，althoughthiswasunlikely，nowthatthenewmethodofattackwasunderstood;butitwouldsoonbetheportsoftheUnitedStates，onboththePacificandAtlanticcoasts，whichwouldlieunderthegunsofanenemy。
　　ButitwasnotinthepoweroftheirnavythattheBritishGovernmentandthepeopleofEnglandandCanadaplacedtheirgreatesttrust，butintheincapacityoftheirpettyfoetosupportitsridiculousassumptions。
　　TheclaimthatthecitylayunderthegunsoftheAmericanSyndicatewasconsideredridiculous，forfewpeoplebelievedthatthesevesselshadanyguns。
　　Certainly，therehadbeennoevidencethatanyshotshadbeenfiredfromthem。Intheopinionofreasonablepeoplethedestructionofthefortsandtheexplosionsintheharbourhadbeencausedbymines——
　　minesofanewandterrifyingpower——whichweretheworkoftraitorsandconfederates。Thedestructionofthelighthousehadstrengthenedthisbelief，foritsfallwassimilartothatwhichwouldhavebeenoccasionedbyagreatexplosionunderitsfoundation。
　　Buthoweverterrifyingandappallinghadbeentheresultsoftheexplosionofthesemines，itwasnotthoughtprobablethattherewereanymoreofthem。Theexplosionshadtakenplaceatexposedpointsdistantfromthecity，andthemostcarefulinvestigationfailedtodiscoveranypresentsignsofminingoperations。
　　Thistheoryofminesworkedbyconfederateswasreceivedthroughoutthecivilizedworld，andwasuniversallycondemned。EvenintheUnitedStatesthefeelingwassostrongagainstthisapparentalliancebetweentheSyndicateandBritishtraitors，thattherewasreasontobelievethatapopularpressurewouldbebroughttobearupontheGovernmentsufficienttoforceittobreakitscontractwiththeSyndicate，andtocarryonthewarwiththeNationalarmyandnavy。
　　Thecrabwasconsideredanadmirableadditiontothestrengthofthenavy，butamineunderafort，laidandfiredbyperfidiousconfederates，wasconsideredunworthyanenlightenedpeople。
　　ThemembersoftheSyndicatenowfoundthemselvesinanembarrassinganddangerousposition——apositioninwhichtheywereplacedbytheuniversalincredulityregardingtheinstantaneousmotor;andunlesstheycouldmaketheworldbelievethattheyreallyusedsuchamotor-bomb，thewarcouldnotbeprosecutedontheplanprojected。
　　ItwaseasyenoughtoconvincetheenemyoftheterribledestructiontheSyndicatewasabletoeffect;
　　buttomakethatenemyandtheworldunderstandthatthiswasdonebybombs，whichcouldbeusedinoneplaceaswellasanother，wasdifficultindeed。Theyhadattemptedtoprovethisbyannouncingthatatacertaintimeabombshouldbeprojectedintoacertainfort。Preciselyatthespecifiedtimetheforthadbeendestroyed，butnobodybelievedthatabombhadbeenfired。
　　Everyopinion，officialorpopular，concerningwhatithaddoneandwhatmightbeexpectedofit，waspromptlyforwardedtotheSyndicatebyitsagents，anditwasthusenabledtoseeveryplainlyindeedthattheeffectithaddesiredtoproducehadnotbeenproduced。
　　UnlesstheenemycouldbemadetounderstandthatanyfortorshipswithintenmilesofoneoftheSyndicate’scannoncouldbeinstantaneouslydissipatedintheshapeoffinedust，thiswarcouldnotbecarriedonupontheprinciplesadopted，andthereforemightaswellpassoutofthehandsoftheSyndicate。
　　DaybydayandnightbynightthestateofaffairswasanxiouslyconsideredattheofficeoftheSyndicateinNewYork。Anewandimportantundertakingwasdeterminedupon，andonthesuccessofthisthehopesoftheSyndicatenowdepended。
　　DuringtherapidandvigorouspreparationswhichtheSyndicatewerenowmakingfortheirnewventure，severaleventsofinterestoccurred。
　　TwoofthelargestAtlanticmailsteamers，carryinginfantryandartillerytroops，andconveyedbytwoswiftandpowerfulmen-of-war，arrivedoffthecoastofCanada，considerablytothenorthoftheblockadedcity。ThedepartureandprobabletimeofarrivalofthesevesselshadbeentelegraphedtotheSyndicate，throughoneofthecontinentalcables，andarepellerwithtwocrabshadbeenforsomedayswaitingforthem。TheEnglishvesselshadtakenahighnortherncourse，hopingtheymightentertheGulfofSt。Lawrencewithoutsubjectingthemselvestoinjuryfromtheenemy’scrabs，itnotbeingconsideredprobablethattherewereenoughofthesevesselstopatroltheentirecoast。Butalthoughthecrabswerefewinnumber，theSyndicatewasabletoplacethemwheretheywouldbeofmostuse;andwhentheEnglishvesselsarrivedoffthenorthernentrancetothegulf，theyfoundtheirenemiesthere。
　　Howeverstrongmightbetheincredulityoftheenemyregardingthepowersofarepellertobombardacity，theSyndicatefeltsuretherewouldbenopresentinvasionoftheUnitedStatesfromCanada;butitwishedtoconvincetheBritishGovernmentthattroopsandmunitionsofwarcouldnotbesafelytransportedacrosstheAtlantic。Ontheotherhand，theSyndicateverymuchobjectedtoundertakingtheimprisonmentandsustenanceofalargebodyofsoldiers。Orderswerethereforegiventotheofficerinchargeoftherepellernottomolestthetwotransports，buttoremovetheruddersandextractthescrewsofthetwowar-vessels，leavingthemtobetowedintoportbythetroop-ships。
　　Thisdutywasperformedbythecrabs，whiletheBritishvessels，bothrams，werepreparingtomakeaunitedandvigorousonsetontherepeller，andthetwomen-of-warwerelefthopelesslytossingonthewaves。
　　Oneofthetransports，averyfaststeamer，hadalreadyenteredthestraits，andcouldnotbesignalled;buttheotheronereturnedandtookboththewar-shipsintow，proceedingveryslowlyuntil，afterenteringthegulf，shewasrelievedbytugboats。
　　Anothereventofasomewhatdifferentcharacterwastheoccasionofmuchexcitedfeelingandcomment，particularlyintheUnitedStates。ThedescentandattackbyBritishvesselsonanAtlanticportwasamatterofpopularexpectation。TheSyndicatehadrepellersandcrabsatthemostimportantpoints;but，inthemindsofnavalofficersandalargeportionofthepeople，littledependencefordefencewastobeplaceduponthese。AstotheabilityoftheWarSyndicatetopreventinvasionorattackbymeansofitsthreatstobombardtheblockadedCanadianport，veryfewbelievedinit。EveniftheSyndicatecoulddoanymoredamageinthatquarter，whichwasimprobable，whatwastopreventtheBritishnavyfromplayingthesamegame，andenteringanAmericanseaport，threatentobombardtheplaceiftheSyndicatedidnotimmediatelyrunalltheirqueervesselshighanddryonsomeconvenientbeach？
　　AfeelingofindignationagainsttheSyndicatehadexistedinthenavyfromthetimethatthewarcontracthadbeenmade，andthisfeelingincreaseddaily。ThattheofficersandmenoftheUnitedStatesnavyshouldbepennedupinharbours，ports，andsounds，whileBritishshipsandthehulkingmine-springersandrudder-pinchersoftheSyndicatewereallowedtoroamtheoceanatwill，wasaveryhardthingforbravesailorstobear。Sometimestheresentmentagainstthisstateofaffairsrosealmosttorevolt。
　　ThegreatnavalpreparationsofEnglandwerenotyetcomplete，butsingleBritishmen-of-warwerenowfrequentlyseenofftheAtlanticcoastoftheUnitedStates。NoAmericanvesselshadbeencapturedbythesesincethemessageoftheSyndicatetotheDominionofCanadaandtheBritishGovernment。ButonegoodreasonforthiswasthefactthatitwasverydifficultnowtofindupontheAtlanticoceanavesselsailingundertheAmericanflag。Asfaraspossiblethesehadtakenrefugeintheirownportsorinthoseofneutralcountries。
　　AtthemouthofDelawareBay，behindthegreatBreakwater，wasnowcollectedanumberofcoastwisesailing-vesselsandsteamersofvariousclassesandsizes;andfortheprotectionofthesemaritimerefugees，twovesselsoftheUnitedStatesnavywerestationedatthispoint。TheseweretheLenoxandStockbridge，twoofthefinestcruisersintheservice，andcommandedbytwoofthemostrestlessandbravestofficersoftheAmericannavy。
　　Theappearance，earlyonasummermorning，ofalargeBritishcruiseroffthemouthoftheharbour，filledthosetwocommanderswithuncontrollablebelligerency。Thatintimeofwaravesseloftheenemyshouldbeallowed，undisturbed，tosailupanddownbeforeanAmericanharbour，whileanAmericanvesselfilledwithbraveAmericansailorslayinsidelikeacoweddog，wasathoughtwhichgoadedthesoulofeachofthesecommanders。Therewasacertainrivalrybetweenthetwoships;and，consideringtheinsultofferedbytheflauntingredcrossintheoffing，andthehumiliatingrestrictionsimposedbytheNavalDepartment，eachcommanderthoughtonlyofhisownship，andnotatalloftheother。
　　ItwasalmostatthesametimethatthecommandersofthetwoshipsseparatelycametotheconclusionthattheproperwaytoprotectthefleetbehindtheBreakwaterwasforhisvesseltoboldlysteamouttoseaandattacktheBritishcruiser。Ifthisvesselcarriedalong-rangegun，whatwastohinderherfromsuddenlyrunningincloserandsendingafewshellsintothemidstofthedefencelessmerchantmen？Infact，togooutandfightherwastheonlywaytoprotectthelivesandpropertyintheharbour。
　　Itwastruethatoneofthosebeastlyrepellerswassneakingaboutoffthecape，accompanied，probably，byanunderwatertongs-boat。Butasneitherofthesehaddoneanything，orseemedlikelytodoanything，theBritishcruisershouldbeattackedwithoutlossoftime。
　　WhenthecommanderoftheLenoxcametothisdecision，hisshipwaswellabreastofCapeHenlopen，andhethereforeproceededdirectlyouttosea。TherewasalittlefearinhismindthattheEnglishcruiser，whichwasnowbearingtothesouth-east，mightsailoffandgetawayfromhim。TheStockbridgewasdetainedbythearrivalofadespatchboatfromtheshorewithamessagefromtheNavalDepartment。Butasthismessagerelatedonlytothemeasurementsofacertaindeckgun，hercommanderintended，assoonasananswercouldbesentoff，tosailoutandgivebattletotheBritishvessel。
　　EverysoulonboardtheLenoxwasnowfilledwithfieryardour。Theshipwasalreadyingoodfightingtrim，buteverypossiblepreparationwasmadeforacontestwhichshouldshowtheircountryandtheworldwhatAmericansailorsweremadeof。
　　TheLenoxhadnotproceededmorethanamileouttosea，whensheperceivedRepellerNo。6comingtowardherfromseaward，andinadirectionwhichindicatedthatitintendedtorunacrosshercourse。TheLenox，however，wentstraighton，andinashorttimethetwovesselswerequiteneareachother。Uponthedeckoftherepellernowappearedthedirectorincharge，who，withaspeaking-trumpet，hailedtheLenoxandrequestedhertolayto，ashehadsomethingtocommunicate。ThecommanderoftheLenox，throughhistrumpet，answeredthathewantednocommunications，andadvisedtheothervesseltokeepoutofhisway。
　　TheLenoxnowputonagreaterheadofsteam，andasshewasinanycaseamuchfastervesselthantherepeller，sherapidlyincreasedthedistancebetweenherselfandtheSyndicate’svessel，sothatinafewmomentshailingwasimpossible。Quicksignalsnowshotupinjetsofblacksmokefromtherepeller，andinaveryshorttimeafterwardthespeedoftheLenoxslackenedsomuchthattherepellerwasabletocomeupwithher。
　　Whenthetwovesselswereabreastofeachother，andatasafehailingdistanceapart，anothersignalwentupfromtherepeller，andthenbothvesselsalmostceasedtomovethroughthewater，althoughtheenginesoftheLenoxwereworkingathighspeed，withherpropeller-bladesstirringupawhirlpoolatherstern。
　　ForaminuteortwotheofficersoftheLenoxcouldnotcomprehendwhathadhappened。Itwasfirstsupposedthatbymistaketheengineshadbeenslackened，butalmostatthesamemomentthatitwasfoundthatthiswasnotthecase，thediscoverywasmadethatthecrabaccompanyingtherepellerhadlaidholdofthestern-postoftheLenox，andwithallthestrengthofherpowerfulengineswasholdingherback。
　　NowburstforthintheLenoxastormoffrenziedrage，suchaswasneverseenperhapsuponanyvesselsincevesselswerefirstbuilt。Fromthecommandertothestokerseveryheartwasfilledwithfuryattheinsultwhichwasputuponthem。Thecommanderroaredthroughhistrumpetthatifthatinfernalsea-beetlewerenotimmediatelyloosedfromhisshiphewouldfirstsinkherandthentherepeller。
　　TotheseremarksthedirectoroftheSyndicate’svesselspaidnoattention，butproceededtostateasbrieflyandforciblyaspossiblethattheLenoxhadbeendetainedinorderthathemighthaveanopportunityofspeakingwithhercommander，andofinforminghimthathisactionincomingoutoftheharbourforthepurposeofattackingaBritishvesselwasindirectviolationofthecontractbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSyndicatehavingchargeofthewar，andthatsuchactioncouldnotbeallowed。
　　ThecommanderoftheLenoxpaidnomoreattentiontothesewordsthantheSyndicate’sdirectorhadgiventothosehehadspoken，butimmediatelycommencedaviolentattackuponthecrab。Itwasimpossibletobringanyofthelargegunstobearuponher，forshewasalmostunderthesternoftheLenox;buteverymeansofoffencewhichinfuriatedingenuitycouldsuggestwasusedagainstit。Machinegunsweretrainedtofirealmostperpendicularly，andshotaftershotwaspoureduponthatportionofitsglisteningbackwhichappearedabovethewater。
　　ButastheseprojectilesseemedtohavenoeffectuponthesolidbackofCrabH，twogreatanvilswerehoistedattheendofthespanker-boom，anddropped，oneaftertheother，uponit。Theshocksweretremendous，buttheinternalconstructionofthecrabsprovided，bymeansofuprightbeams，againstinjuryfromattacksofthiskind，andthegreatmassesofironslidoffintotheseawithoutdoinganydamage。
　　Findingitimpossibletomakeanyimpressionuponthemailedmonsterathisstern，thecommanderoftheLenoxhailedthedirectoroftherepeller，andsworetohimthroughhistrumpetthatifhedidnotimmediatelyordertheLenoxtobesetfree，herheaviestgunsshouldbebroughttobearuponhisfloatingcounting-house，andthatitshouldbesunk，ifittookalldaytodoit。
　　ItwouldhavebeenagrimsatisfactiontothecommanderoftheLenoxtosinkRepellerNo。6，forheknewthevesselwhenshehadbelongedtotheUnitedStatesnavy。BeforeshehadbeenboughtbytheSyndicate，andfittedoutwithspringarmour，hehadmadetwolongcruisesinher，andhebitterlyhatedher，fromherkeelup。
　　ThedirectoroftherepelleragreedtoreleasetheLenoxtheinstanthercommanderwouldconsenttoreturntoport。Noanswerwasmadetothisproposition，butadynamitegunontheLenoxwasbroughttobearupontheSyndicate’svessel。Desiringtoavoidanycomplicationswhichmightensuefromactionsofthissort，therepellersteamedahead，whilethedirectorsignalledCrabHtomovethesternoftheLenoxtothewindward，which，beingquicklydone，thegunofthelatterboreuponthedistantcoast。
　　ItwasnowveryplaintotheSyndicatedirectorthathiswordscouldhavenoeffectuponthecommanderoftheLenox，andhethereforesignalledCrabHtotowtheUnitedStatesvesselintoport。WhenthecommanderoftheLenoxsawthathisvesselwasbeginningtomovebackward，hegaveinstantorderstoputonallsteam。Butthiswasfoundtobeuseless，forwhenthedynamitegunwasabouttobefired，theengineshadbeenorderedstopped，andthemomentthatthepropeller-bladesceasedmovingthenippersofthecrabhadbeenreleasedfromtheirholduponthestern-
　　post，andthepropeller-bladesoftheLenoxweregentlybutfirmlyseizedinagraspwhichincludedtherudder。Itwasthereforeimpossiblefortheenginesofthevesseltorevolvethepropeller，and，unresistingly，theLenoxwastowed，sternforemost，totheBreakwater。
　　ThenewsofthisincidentcreatedthewildestindignationintheUnitedStatesnavy，andthroughoutthecountrythecondemnationofwhatwasconsideredtheinsultingactionoftheSyndicatewasgeneral。Inforeigncountriestheaffairwasthesubjectofagooddealofcomment，butitwasalsotheoccasionofmuchseriousconsideration，foritprovedthatoneoftheSyndicate’ssubmergedvesselscould，withoutfiringagun，andwithoutfearofinjurytoitself，captureaman-of-warandtowitwhitheritpleased。
　　TheauthoritiesatWashingtontookinstantactionontheaffair，andasitwasquiteevidentthatthecontractbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheSyndicatehadbeenviolatedbytheLenox，thecommanderofthatvesselwasreprimandedbytheSecretaryoftheNavy，andenjoinedthatthereshouldbenorepetitionsofhisoffence。ButasthecommanderoftheLenoxknewthattheSecretaryoftheNavywasasangryashewasatwhathadhappened，hedidnotfeelhisreprimandtobeinanywayadisgrace。
　　ItmaybestatedthattheStockbridge，whichhadsteamedfortheopenseaassoonasthebusinesswhichhaddetainedherwascompleted，didnotgooutsidetheCape。WhenherofficersperceivedwiththeirglassesthattheLenoxwasreturningtoportsternforemost，theyopinedwhathadhappened，anddesiringthattheirshipshoulddoallhersailinginthenaturalway，theStockbridgewasputaboutandsteamed，bowforemost，toheranchoragebehindtheBreakwater，thecommanderthankinghisstarsthatforoncetheLenoxhadgotaheadofhim。
　　ThemembersoftheSyndicatewereveryanxioustoremovetheunfavorableimpressionregardingwhatwascalledinmanyquarterstheirattackuponaUnitedStatesvessel，andacirculartothepublicwasissued，inwhichtheyexpressedtheirdeepregretatbeingobligedtointerferewithsomanybraveofficersandmeninamomentofpatrioticenthusiasm，andexplaininghowabsolutelynecessaryitwasthattheLenoxshouldberemovedfromapositionwhereaconflictwithEnglishline-of-battleshipswouldbeprobable。ThereweremanythinkingpersonswhosawtheweightoftheSyndicate’sstatements，buttheeffectofthecircularuponthepopularmindwasnotgreat。
　　TheSyndicatewasnowhardatworkmakingpreparationsforthegrandstrokewhichhadbeendeterminedupon。Inthewholecountrytherewasscarcelyamanwhoseabilitycouldbemadeavailableintheirwork，whowasnotengagedintheirservice;
　　andeverywhere，infoundries，workshops，andship-
　　yards，theconstructionoftheirenginesofwarwasbeingcarriedonbydayandbynight。Nocontractsweremadeforthedeliveryofworkatcertaintimes;
　　everythingwasdoneunderthedirectsupervisionoftheSyndicateanditssubordinates，andtheworkwentonwithadefinitenessandrapidityhithertounknowninnavalconstruction。
　　InthemidstoftheSyndicate’slabourstherearrivedoffthecoastofCanadathefirstresultofGreatBritain’spreparationsforherwarwiththeAmericanSyndicate，intheshapeoftheAdamant，thelargestandfinestironcladwhichhadevercrossedtheAtlantic，andwhichhadbeensenttoraisetheblockadeoftheCanadianportbytheSyndicate’svessels。
　　Thisgreatshiphadbeenespeciallyfittedouttoengageincombatwithrepellersandcrabs。AsfaraswaspossiblethepeculiarconstructionoftheSyndicate’svesselshadbeencarefullystudied，andEnglishspecialistsinthelineofnavalconstructionandordnancehadgivenmostearnestconsiderationtomethodsofattackanddefencemostlikelytosucceedwiththesenovelshipsofwar。TheAdamantwastheonlyvesselwhichithadbeenpossibletosendoutinsoshortatime，andhercruisewassomewhatofanexperiment。IfsheshouldbesuccessfulinraisingtheblockadeoftheCanadianport，theBritishAdmiraltywouldhavebutlittledifficultyindealingwiththeAmericanSyndicate。
　　Themostimportantobjectwastoprovideadefenceagainstthescrew-extractingandrudder-breakingcrabs;
　　andtothisendtheAdamanthadbeenfittedwithwhatwastermeda"stern-jacket。"Thiswasagreatcageofheavysteelbars，whichwasattachedtothesternofthevesselinsuchawaythatitcouldberaisedhighabovethewater，soastooffernoimpedimentwhileunderway，andwhich，intimeofaction，couldbeletdownsoastosurroundandprotecttherudderandscrew-propellers，ofwhichtheAdamanthadtwo。
　　ThiswasconsideredanadequatedefenceagainstthenippersofaSyndicatecrab;butasameansofoffenceagainstthesealmostsubmergedvesselsanovelcontrivancehadbeenadopted。Fromagreatboomprojectingoverthestern，alargeship’scannonwassuspendedperpendicularly，muzzledownward。Thisguncouldbeswungaroundtothedeck，hoistedintoahorizontalposition，loadedwithaheavycharge，awoodenplugkeepingtheloadinpositionwhenthegunhungperpendicularly。
　　Ifthecrabshouldcomeunderthestern，thiscannoncouldbefireddirectlydownwarduponherback，anditwasnotbelievedthatanyvesselofthekindcouldstandmanysuchtremendousshocks。ItwasnotknownexactlyhowventilationwassuppliedtothesubmarinevesselsoftheSyndicate，norhowtheoccupantswereenabledtomakethenecessaryobservationsduringaction。Whenunderwaythecrabssailedsomewhatelevatedabovethewater，butwhenengagedwithanenemyonlyasmallportionoftheircoveringarmourcouldbeseen。
　　Itwassurmisedthatunderandbetweensomeofthescalesofthisarmourtherewassomearrangementofthickglasses，throughwhichthenecessaryobservationcouldbemade;anditwasbelievedthat，eveniftheheavyperpendicularshotsdidnotcrushintheroofofacrab，theseglasseswouldbeshatteredbyconcussion。
　　Althoughthismightappearamatterofslightimportance，itwasthoughtamongnavalofficersitwouldnecessitatethewithdrawalofacrabfromaction。
　　Inconsequenceoftheideathatthecrabswerevulnerablebetweentheiroverlappingplates，someoftheAdamant’sboatswerefittedoutwithGatlingandmachineguns，bywhichashowerofballsmightbesentunderthescales，throughtheglasses，andintothebodyofthecrab。Inadditiontotheirguns，theseboatswouldbesuppliedwithothermeansofattackuponthecrab。
　　Ofcourseitwouldbeimpossibletodestroythesesubmergedenemiesbymeansofdynamiteortorpedoes;
　　forwithtwovesselsincloseproximity，theexplosionofatorpedowouldbeasdangeroustothehullofoneastotheother。TheBritishAdmiraltywouldnotalloweventheAdamanttoexplodetorpedoesordynamiteunderherownstern。
　　Withregardtoarepeller，orspring-armouredvessel，theAdamantwouldrelyuponherexceptionallypowerfularmament，anduponhergreatweightandspeed。
　　Shewasfittedwithtwinscrewsandenginesofthehighestpower，anditwasbelievedthatshewouldbeabletooverhaul，ram，andcrushthelargestvesselarmouredorunarmouredwhichtheSyndicatewouldbeabletobringagainsther。Someofhergunswereofimmensecalibre，firingshotweighingnearlytwothousandpounds，andrequiringhalfatonofpowderforeachcharge。Besidestheseshecarriedanunusuallylargenumberoflargecannonandtwodynamiteguns。
　　Shewassoheavilyplatedandarmouredastobeproofagainstanyknownartilleryintheworld。
　　Shewasafloatingfortress，withmenenoughtomakeupthepopulationofatown，andwithstores，ammunition，andcoalsufficienttolastforalongtermofactiveservice。SuchwasthemightyEnglishbattle-
　　shipwhichhadcomeforwardtoraisethesiegeoftheCanadianport。
　　TheofficersoftheSyndicatewerewellawareofthecharacteroftheAdamant，herarmamentandherdefences，andhadbeeninformedbycableofhertimeofsailingandprobabledestination。TheysentoutRepellerNo。7，withCrabsJandK，tomeetherofftheBanksofNewfoundland。
　　ThisrepellerwasthelargestandstrongestvesselthattheSyndicatehadreadyforservice。Inadditiontothespringarmourwithwhichthesevesselsweresupplied，thisonewasfurnishedwithasecondcoatofarmouroutsidethefirst，theelasticsteelribsofwhichranlongitudinallyandatrightanglestothoseoftheinnerset。Bothcoatswerefurnishedwithagreatnumberofimprovedair-buffers，andthearrangementofspringarmourextendedfiveorsixfeetbeyondthemassivesteelplateswithwhichthevesselwasoriginallyarmoured。Shecarriedonemotor-cannonoflargesize。
　　Oneofthecrabswasoftheordinarypattern，butCrabKwasfurnishedwithaspringarmourabovetheheavyplatesofherroof。ThishadbeenplaceduponherafterthenewshadbeenreceivedbytheSyndicatethattheAdamantwouldcarryaperpendicularcannonoverherstern，buttherehadnotbeentimeenoughtofitoutanothercrabinthesameway。
　　WhenthedirectorinchargeofRepellerNo。7firstcaughtsightoftheAdamant，andscannedthroughhisglassthevastproportionsofthemightyshipwhichwasrapidlysteamingtowardsthecoast，hefeltthataresponsibilityresteduponhimheavierthananywhichhadyetbeenbornebyanofficeroftheSyndicate;buthedidnothesitateinthedutywhichhehadbeensenttoperform，andimmediatelyorderedthetwocrabstoadvancetomeettheAdamant，andtoproceedtoactionaccordingtotheinstructionswhichtheyhadpreviouslyreceived。Hisownshipwaskept，inpursuanceoforders，severalmilesdistantfromtheBritishship。
　　AssoonastherepellerhadbeensightedfromtheAdamant，astrictlookouthadbeenkeptfortheapproachofcrabs;andwhenthesmallexposedportionsofthebacksoftwoofthesewereperceivedglisteninginthesunlight，thespeedofthegreatshipslackened。
　　TheabilityoftheSyndicate’ssubmergedvesselstomovesuddenlyandquicklyinanydirectionhadbeenclearlydemonstrated，andalthoughagreatironcladwitharamcouldrundownandsinkacrabwithoutfeelingtheconcussion，itwasknownthatitwouldbeperfectlyeasyforthesmallercrafttokeepoutofthewayofitsbulkyantagonist。ThereforetheAdamantdidnottrytoramthecrabs，nortogetawayfromthem。Hercommanderintended，ifpossible，torundownoneorbothofthem;buthedidnotproposetodothisintheusualway。
　　Asthecrabsapproached，thestern-jacketoftheAdamantwasletdown，andtheengineswereslowed。Thisstern-jacket，whenprotectingtherudderandpropellers，lookedverymuchlikethecowcatcherofalocomotive，andwascapableofbeingputtoasomewhatsimilaruse。ItwastheintentionofthecaptainoftheAdamant，shouldthecrabsattempttoattachthemselvestohisstern，tosuddenlyputonallsteam，reversehisengines，andbackuponthem，thestern-jacketansweringasaram。
　　ThecommanderoftheAdamanthadnodoubtthatinthiswayhecouldrunintoacrab，rollitoverinthewater，andwhenitwaslyingbottomupward，likeafloatingcask，hecouldmovehisshiptoadistance，andmakeatargetofit。Sodesirouswasthisbraveandsomewhatfacetiouscaptaintotryhisnewplanuponacrab，thatheforeboretofireuponthetwovesselsofthatclasswhichwereapproachinghim。Someofhisgunsweresomountedthattheirmuzzlescouldbegreatlydepressed，andaimedatanobjectinthewaternotfarfromtheship。Butthesewerenotdischarged，and，indeed，thecrabs，whichwerenewonesofunusualswiftness，werealongsidetheAdamantinanincrediblyshorttime，andoutoftherangeoftheseguns。
　　CrabJwasonthestarboardsideoftheAdamant，CrabKwasontheportside，and，simultaneously，thetwolaidholdofher。Buttheywerenotdirectlyasternofthegreatvessel。Eachhaditsnippersfastenedtoonesideofthestern-jacket，nearthehinge-likeboltswhichheldittothevessel，andonwhichitwasraisedandlowered。
　　InamomenttheAdamantbegantosteambackward;
　　buttheonlyeffectofthismotion，whichsoonbecamerapid，wastoswingthecrabsaroundagainsthersides，andcarrythemwithher。Asthevesselswerethusmovingthegreatpincersofthecrabsweretwistedwithtremendousforce，thestern-jacketononesidewasbrokenfromitsbolt，andontheothertheboltitselfwasdrawnoutofthesideofthevessel。Thenippersthenopened，andthestern-jacketfellfromtheirgraspintothesea，snappinginitsfallthechainbywhichithadbeenraisedandlowered。
　　ThisdisasteroccurredsoquicklythatfewpersonsonboardtheAdamantknewwhathadhappened。Butthecaptain，whohadseeneverything，gaveinstantorderstogoaheadatfullspeed。Thefirstthingtobedonewastogetatadistancefromthosecrabs，keepwellawayfromthem，andpoundthemtopieceswithhisheavyguns。
　　Buttheironscrew-propellershadscarcelybeguntomoveintheoppositedirection，beforethetwocrabs，eachnowlyingatrightangleswiththelengthoftheship，butneitherofthemdirectlyasternofher，madeadashwithopennippers，andCrabJfastenedupononepropeller，whileCrabKlaidholdoftheother。Therewasadinandcrashofbreakingmetal，twoshockswhichwerefeltthroughoutthevessel，andtheshatteredandcrushedbladesofthepropellersofthegreatbattle-
　　shipwerepowerlesstomoveher。
　　ThecaptainoftheAdamant，pallidwithfury，stooduponthepoop。Inamomentthecrabswouldbeathisrudder！Thegreatgun，double-shottedandreadytofire，washangingfromitsboomoverthestern。CrabK，whoseroofhadtheadditionalprotectionofspringarmour，nowmovedroundsoastobedirectlyasternoftheAdamant。Beforeshecouldreachtherudder，herforwardpartcameunderthesuspendedcannon，andtwomassivesteelshotweredrivendownuponherwithaforcesufficienttosendthemthroughmassesofsolidrock;butfromthesurfaceofelasticsteelspringsandair-bufferstheybouncedupward，oneofthemalmostfallingonthedeckoftheAdamant。
　　Thegunnersofthispiecehadbeenwelltrained。
　　Inamomenttheboomwasswungaround，thecannonreloaded，andwhenCrabKfixedhernippersontherudderoftheAdamant，twomoreshotcamedownuponher。Asinthefirstinstanceshedippedandrolled，buttheribsofheruninjuredarmourhadscarcelysprungbackintotheirplaces，beforehernippersturned，andtherudderoftheAdamantwasbrokenintwo，andtheupperportiondraggedfromitsfasteningsthenaquickbackwardjerksnappeditschains，anditwasdroppedintothesea。
　　AsignalwasnowsentfromCrabJtoRepellerNo。
　　7，totheeffectthattheAdamanthadbeenrenderedincapableofsteamingorsailing，andthatshelaysubjecttoorder。
　　Subjecttoorderornot，theAdamantdidnotliepassive。Everygunonboardwhichcouldbesufficientlydepressed，wasmadereadytofireuponthecrabsshouldtheyattempttogetaway。Fourlargeboats，furnishedwithmachineguns，grapnels，andwithvariousapplianceswhichmightbebroughtintouseonasteel-platedroof，wereloweredfromtheirdavits，andimmediatelybeganfiringupontheexposedportionsofthecrabs。Theirmachinegunswereloadedwithsmallshells，andifthesepenetratedunderthehorizontalplatesofacrab，andthroughtheheavyglasswhichwassupposedtobeintheseinterstices，thecrewofthesubmergedcraftwouldbesoondestroyed。
　　ThequickeyeofthecaptainoftheAdamanthadobservedthroughhisglass，whilethecrabswerestillataconsiderabledistance，theirprotrudingair-pipes，andhehadinstructedtheofficersinchargeoftheboatstomakeanespecialattackuponthese。Iftheair-pipesofacrabcouldberendereduseless，thecrewmustinevitablybesmothered。
　　Butthebravecaptaindidnotknowthatthecondensed-airchambersofthecrabswouldsupplytheirinmatesforanhourormorewithoutrecoursetotheouterair，andthattheair-pipes，furnishedwithvalvesatthetop，werealwayswithdrawnunderwaterduringactionwithanenemy。Nordidheknowthattheglassblocksunderthearmour-platesofthecrabs，whichwereplacedinrubberframestoprotectthemfromconcussionabove，werealsoguardedbysteelnettingfrominjurybysmallballs。