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。
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