Valiantlytheboatsbesetthecrabs，keepingupaconstantfusillade，andendeavouringtothrowgrapnelsoverthem。Ifoneoftheseshouldcatchunderanoverlappingarmour-plateitcouldbeconnectedwiththesteamwindlassoftheAdamant，andaplatemightberippedofforacraboverturned。
Butthecrabsprovedtobemuchmorelivelyfishthantheirenemieshadsupposed。Turning，asifonapivot，anddartingfromsidetoside，theyseemedtobeplayingwiththeboats，andnottryingtogetawayfromthem。ThespringarmourofCrabKinterferedsomewhatwithitsmovements，andalsoputitindangerfromattacksbygrapnels，anditthereforeleftmostoftheworktoitsconsort。
CrabJ，afterdartingswiftlyinandoutamongherantagonistsforsometime，suddenlymadeaturn，anddashingatoneoftheboats，ranunderit，andraisingitonitsglisteningback，rolledit，bottomupward，intothesea。Inamomentthecrewoftheboatwereswimmingfortheirlives。Theywerequicklypickedupbytwooftheotherboats，whichthendeemeditprudenttoreturntotheship。
ButthesecondofficeroftheAdamant，whocommandedthefourthboat，didnotgiveupthefight。
HavingnotedthespringarmourofCrabK，hebelievedthatifhecouldgetagrapnelbetweenitssteelribsheyetmightcapturethesea-monster。ForsomeminutesCrabKcontenteditselfwitheludinghim;but，tiredofthis，itturned，andraisingitshugenippersalmostoutofthewater，itseizedthebowoftheboat，andgaveitagentlecrunch，afterwhichitreleaseditsholdandretired。Theboat，leakingrapidlythroughtworaggedholes，wasrowedbacktotheship，whichitreachedhalffullofwater。
Thegreatbattle-ship，totallybereftofthepowerofmovingherself，wasnowrollinginthetroughofthesea，andasignalcamefromtherepellerforCrabKtomakefasttoherandputherheadtothewind。Thiswasquicklydone，thecrabattachingitselftothestern-postoftheAdamantbyapairoftowingnippers。Thesewereprojectedfromthesternofthecrab，andweresoconstructedthatthelargervesseldidnotcommunicateallitsmotiontothesmallerone，andcouldnotrundownuponit。
AssoonastheAdamantwasbroughtupwithherheadtothewindsheopenedfireupontherepeller。
Thelattervesselcouldeasilyhavesailedoutoftherangeofamotionlessenemy，butherordersforbadethis。HerdirectorhadbeeninstructedbytheSyndicatetoexposehisvesseltothefireoftheAdamant’sheavyguns。Accordinglytherepellersteamednearer，andturnedherbroadsidetowardtheBritishship。
ScarcelyhadthisbeendonewhenthetwogreatbowgunsoftheAdamantshooktheairwithtremendousroars，eachhurlingovertheseanearlyatonofsteel。
Oneofthesegreatshotpassedovertherepeller，buttheotherstruckherarmouredsidefairlyamidship。
Therewasacrashandscreamofcreakingsteel，andRepellerNo。7rolledovertowindwardasifshehadbeenstruckbyaheavysea。Inamomentsherightedandshotahead，and，turning，presentedherportsidetotheenemy。Instantexaminationofthearmouronherothersideshowedthatthetwobanksofspringswereuninjured，andthatnotanair-bufferhadexplodedorfailedtospringbacktoitsnormallength。
FiringfromtheAdamantnowcamethickandfast，thecrab，inobediencetosignals，turningheraboutsoastoadmitthefiringofsomeheavygunsmountedamidships。Threeenormoussolidshotstrucktherepelleratdifferentpointsonherstarboardarmourwithoutinflictingdamage，whiletheexplosionofseveralshellswhichhitherhadnomoreeffectuponherelasticarmourthantheimpactofthesolidshot。
ItwasthedesireoftheSyndicatenotonlytodemonstratetoitsownsatisfactiontheefficiencyofitsspringarmour，buttoconvinceGreatBritainthatherheaviestgunsonhermightiestbattle-shipscouldhavenoeffectuponitsarmouredvessels。ToprovetheabsolutesuperiorityoftheirmeansofoffenceanddefencewasthesupremeobjectoftheSyndicate。Forthisitsmembersstudiedandworkedbydayandbynight;forthistheypouredouttheirmillions;forthistheywagedwar。Toprovewhattheyclaimedwouldbevictory。
WhenRepellerNo。7hadsustainedtheheavyfireoftheAdamantforabouthalfanhour，itwasconsideredthatthestrengthofherarmourhadbeensufficientlydemonstrated;and，withamuchlighterheartthanwhenhehadturnedherbroadsidetotheAdamant，herdirectorgaveordersthatsheshouldsteamoutoftherangeofthegunsoftheBritishship。
DuringthecannonadeCrabJhadquietlyslippedawayfromthevicinityoftheAdamant，andnowjoinedtherepeller。
Thegreatironcladbattle-ship，withherloftysidesplatedwithnearlytwofeetofsolidsteel，withhersixgreatguns，eachweighingmorethanahundredtons，withherarmamentofotherguns，machinecannon，andalmosteveryapplianceofnavalwarfare，withasmallarmyofofficersandmenonboard，wasleftinchargeofCrabK，ofwhichonlyafewsquareyardsofarmouredroofcouldbeseenabovethewater。Thislittlevesselnowproceededtotowsouthwardhervastprize，uninjured，exceptthatherrudderandpropeller-
bladeswerebrokenanduseless。
Althoughtheenginesofthecrabwereofenormouspower，theprogressmadewasslow，fortheAdamantwasbeingtowedsternforemost。Itwouldhavebeeneasiertotowthegreatvesselhadthecrabbeenattachedtoherbow，butaramwhichextendedmanyfeetunderwaterrendereditdangerousforasubmergedvesseltoattachitselfinitsvicinity。
Duringthenighttherepellerkeptcompany，althoughataconsiderabledistance，withthecapturedvessel;andearlythenextmorningherdirectorpreparedtosendtotheAdamantaboatwithaflag-of-truce，andaletterdemandingthesurrenderandsubsequentevacuationoftheBritishship。Itwassupposedthatnow，whentheofficersoftheAdamanthadhadtimetoappreciatethefactthattheyhadnocontroloverthemovementsoftheirvessel;thattheirarmamentwaspowerlessagainsttheirenemies;thattheAdamantcouldbetowedwherevertheSyndicatechosetoorder，orlefthelplessinmidocean，——theywouldbeobligedtoadmitthattherewasnothingforthemtodobuttosurrender。
ButeventsprovedthatnosuchideashadenteredthemindsoftheAdamant’sofficers，andtheiractiontotallypreventedsendingaflag-of-truceboat。AssoonasitwaslightenoughtoseetherepellertheAdamantbeganfiringgreatgunsather。Shewastoofarawayfortheshottostrikeher，buttolaunchandsendaboatofanykindintoastormofshotandshellwasofcourseimpossible。
ThecannonsuspendedoverthesternoftheAdamantwasalsoagainbroughtintoplay，andshotaftershotwasdrivendownuponthetowingcrab。Everyballreboundedfromthespringarmour，buttheofficerinchargeofthecrabbecameconvincedthatafteratimethisconstantpounding，almostinthesameplace，wouldinjurehisvessel，andhesignalledtherepellertothateffect。
ThedirectorofRepellerNo。7hadbeenconsideringthesituation。TherewasonlyonegunontheAdamantwhichcouldbebroughttobearuponCrabK，anditwouldbethepartofwisdomtointerferewiththepersistentuseofthisgun。AccordinglythebowoftherepellerwasbroughttobearupontheAdamant，andhermotorgunwasaimedattheboomfromwhichthecannonwassuspended。
Theprojectilewithwhichthecannonwasloadedwasnotaninstantaneousmotor-bomb。Itwassimplyaheavysolidshot，drivenbyaninstantaneousmotorattachment，andwasthusimpelledbythesamepowerandinthesamemannerasthemotor-bombs。Theinstantaneousmotor-powerhadnotyetbeenusedatsogreatadistanceasthatbetweentherepellerandtheAdamant，andtheoccasionwasoneofintenseinteresttothesmallbodyofscientificmenhavingchargeoftheaimingandfiring。
Thecalculationsofthedistance，ofthenecessaryelevationanddirection，andofthedegreeofmotor-
powerrequired，weremadewithcarefulexactness，andwhentheproperinstantarrivedthebuttonwastouched，andtheshotwithwhichthecannonwaschargedwasinstantaneouslyremovedtoapointintheoceanaboutamilebeyondtheAdamant，accompaniedbyalargeportionoftheheavyboomatwhichthegunhadbeenaimed。
Thecannonwhichhadbeensuspendedfromtheendofthisboomfellintothesea，andwouldhavecrasheddownupontheroofofCrabK，hadnotthatvessel，inobediencetoasignalfromtherepeller，looseneditsholdupontheAdamantandretiredashortdistanceastern。Materialinjurymightnothaveresultedfromthefallofthisgreatmassofmetaluponthecrab，butitwasconsideredprudentnottotakeuselessrisks。
TheofficersoftheAdamantweregreatlysurprisedandchagrinedbythefalloftheirgun，withwhichtheyhadexpectedultimatelytopoundintheroofofthecrab。Nodamagehadbeendonetothevesselexcepttheremovalofaportionoftheboom，withsomeofthechainsandblocksattached，andnooneonboardtheBritishshipimaginedforamomentthatthisinjuryhadbeenoccasionedbythedistantrepeller。Itwassupposedthattheconstantfiringofthecannonhadcrackedtheboom，andthatithadsuddenlysnapped。
EveniftherehadbeenonboardtheAdamantthemeansforriggingupanotherarrangementofthekindforperpendicularartillerypractice，itwouldhaverequiredalongtimetogetitintoworkingorder，andthedirectorofRepellerNo。7hopedthatnowtheBritishcaptainwouldseetheuselessnessofcontinuedresistance。
ButtheBritishcaptainsawnothingofthekind，andshotaftershotfromhisgunswerehurledhighintotheair，inhopesthatthegreatcurvesdescribedwouldbringsomeofthemdownonthedeckoftherepeller。
Ifthisbeastlystore-ship，whichcouldstandfirebutneverreturnedit，couldbesunk，theAdamant’scaptainwouldbehappy。Withtheexceptionofthelossofhermotivepower，hisvesselwasintact，andifthestupidcrabwouldonlycontinuetokeeptheAdamant’sheadtotheseauntilthenoiseofhercannonadeshouldattractsomeotherBritishvesseltothescene，theconditionofaffairsmightbealtered。
AllthatdaythegreatgunsoftheAdamantcontinuedtoroar。Thenextmorning，however，thefiringwasnotresumed，andtheofficersoftherepellerweregreatlysurprisedtoseeapproachingfromtheBritishshipaboatcarryingawhiteflag。Thiswasaverywelcomesight，andthearrivaloftheboatwasawaitedwitheagerinterest。
DuringthenightacouncilhadbeenheldonboardtheAdamant。Hercannonadinghadhadnoeffect，eitherinbringingassistanceorininjuringtheenemy;
shewasbeingtowedsteadilysouthwardfartherandfartherfromtheprobableneighbourhoodofaBritishman-of-war;anditwasagreedthatitwouldbethepartofwisdomtocometotermswiththeSyndicate’svessel。
ThereforethecaptainoftheAdamantsentalettertotherepeller，inwhichhestatedtothepersonsinchargeofthatship，thatalthoughhisvesselhadbeeninjuredinamannertotallyatvariancewiththerulesofnavalwarfare，hewouldoverlookthisfactandwouldagreetoceasefiringupontheSyndicate’svessels，providedthatthesubmergedcraftwhichwasnowmadefasttohisvesselshouldattachitselftotheAdamant’sbow，andbymeansofasuitablecablewhichshewouldfurnish，wouldtowherintoBritishwaters。Ifthisweredonehewouldguaranteethatthetowingcraftshouldhavesixhoursinwhichtogetaway。
Whenthisletterwasreadonboardtherepelleritcreatedconsiderablemerriment，andananswerwassentbackthatnoconditionsbutthoseofabsolutesurrendercouldbereceivedfromtheBritishship。
InthreeminutesafterthisanswerhadbeenreceivedbythecaptainoftheAdamant，twoshellswentwhirringandshriekingthroughtheairtowardRepellerNo。7，andafterthatthecannonadingfromthebow，thestern，thestarboard，andtheportgunsofthegreatbattle-shipwentonwhenevertherewasavisibleobjectontheoceanwhichlookedintheleastlikeanAmericancoastingvesselorman-of-war。
ForaweekCrabKtowedsteadilytothesouththisblazingandthunderingmarinecitadel;andthenthecrabsignalledtothestillaccompanyingrepellerthatitmustberelieved。Ithadnotbeenfittedoutforsolongacruise，andsuppliesweregettinglow。
TheSyndicate，whichhadbeenkeptinformedofallthedetailsofthisaffair，hadalreadyperceivedthenecessityofrelievingCrabK，andanothercrab，wellprovisionedandfittedout，wasalreadyonthewaytotakeitsplace。ThiswasCrabC，possessingpowerfulengines，butinpointofroofarmourtheweakestofitsclass。ItcouldbebettersparedthananyothercrabtotowtheAdamant，andastheBritishshiphadnot，andprobablycouldnot，putoutanothersuspendedcannon，itwasconsideredquitesuitablefortheservicerequired。
ButwhenCrabCcamewithinhalfamileoftheAdamantitstopped。ItwasevidentthatonboardtheBritishshipasteadylookouthadbeenmaintainedfortheapproachoffreshcrabs，forseveralenormousshellandshotfromheavyguns，whichhadbeentrainedupwardatahighangle，nowfellintotheseaashortdistancefromthecrab。
CrabCwouldnothavefearedtheseheavyshothadtheybeenfiredfromanordinaryelevation;andalthoughnoothervesselintheSyndicate’sservicewouldhavehesitatedtoruntheterriblegauntlet，thisone，byreasonoferrorsinconstruction，beinglessablethananyothercrabtoresistthefallfromagreatheightofponderousshotandshell，thoughtitprudentnottoventureintothisrainofiron;and，movingrapidlybeyondthelineofdanger，itattemptedtoapproachtheAdamantfromanotherquarter。Ifitcouldgetwithinthecircleoffallingshotitwouldbesafe。Butthisitcouldnotdo。OnallsidesoftheAdamantgunshadbeentrainedtodropshotandshellsatadistanceofhalfamilefromtheship。
AroundandaroundthemightyironcladsteamedCrabC;butwherevershewentherpresencewasbetrayedtothefineglassesonboardtheAdamantbythebitofhershiningbackandtherippleaboutit;andeverbetweenherandtheshipcamedownthathailofironinmassesofaquarterton，halfton，ornearlyawholeton。CrabCcouldnotventureunderthese，andalldaysheaccompaniedtheAdamantonhervoyagesouth，dashingtothissideandthat，andlookingforthechancethatdidnotcome，foralldaythecannonofthebattle-shiproaredatherwherevershemightbe。
TheinmatesofCrabKwerenowveryrestiveanduneasy，fortheywereonshortrations，bothoffoodandwater。TheywouldhavebeengladenoughtocastloosefromtheAdamant，andleavethespitefulshiptorolltoherheart’scontent，broadsidetothesea。
Theydidnotfeartoruntheirvessel，withitsthickroofplatesprotectedbyspringarmour，throughtheheaviestcannonade。
ButsignalsfromtherepellercommandedthemtostaybytheAdamantaslongastheycouldholdout，andtheywereobligedtocontentthemselveswithahopethatwhennightfelltheothercrabwouldbeabletogetinunderthesternoftheAdamant，andmakethedesiredexchange。
ButtothegreatdiscomfitureoftheSyndicate’sforces，darknesshadscarcelycomeonbeforefourenormouselectriclightsblazedhighuponthesingleloftymastoftheAdamant，lightinguptheoceanforamileoneverysideoftheship。ItwasofnomoreuseforCrabCtotrytogetinnowthaninbroaddaylight;andallnightthegreatgunsroared，andthelittlecrabmanoeuvred。
Thenextmorningaheavyfogfelluponthesea，andthebattle-shipandCrabCwerecompletelyshutoutofsightofeachother。NowthecannonoftheAdamantweresilent，fortheonlyresultoffiringwouldbetoindicatetothecrabthelocationoftheBritishship。
Thesmoke-signalsofthetowingcrabcouldnotbeseenthroughthefogbyherconsorts，andsheseemedtobeincapableofmakingsignalsbysound。ThereforethecommanderoftheAdamantthoughtitlikelythatuntilthefogrosethecrabcouldnotfindhisship。
Whatthatothercrabintendedtodocouldbe，ofcourse，onboardtheAdamant，onlyasurmise;butitwasbelievedthatshewouldbringwithheratorpedotobeexplodedundertheBritishship。Thatonecrabshouldtowherawayfrompossibleaiduntilanothershouldbringatorpedotofastentoherstern-postseemedareasonableexplanationoftheactionoftheSyndicate’svessels。
TheofficersoftheAdamantlittleunderstoodtheresourcesandintentionsoftheiropponents。EveryvesseloftheSyndicatecarriedamagneticindicator，whichwasdesignedtopreventcollisionswithironvessels。Thislittleinstrumentwasplacedatnightandduringfogsatthebowofthevessel，andadelicatearmofsteel，whichordinarilypointedupwardataconsiderableangle，fellintoahorizontalpositionwhenanylargebodyofironapproachedwithinaquarterofamile，and，sofalling，rangasmallbell。Itspointthenturnedtowardthemassofiron。
Soonafterthefogcameon，oneoftheseindicators，properlyprotectedfromtheattractionofthemetalaboutit，wasputintopositiononCrabC。
BeforeverylongitindicatedtheproximityoftheAdamant;and，guidedbyitssteelpoint，theCrabmovedquietlytotheironclad，attacheditselftoitsstern-post，andallowedthehappycrewofCrabKtodepartcoastward。
WhenthefogrosetheglassesoftheAdamantshowedtheapproachofnocrab，butitwasobserved，inlookingoverthestern，thatthebeggarlydevil-fishwhichhadtheshipintowappearedtohavemadesomechangeinitsback。
IntheafternoonofthatdayatruceboatwassentfromtherepellertotheAdamant。Itwasallowedtocomealongside;butwhentheBritishcaptainfoundthattheSyndicatemerelyreneweditsdemandforhissurrender，hewaxedfiercelyangry，andsenttheboatbackwiththewordthatnofurthermessageneedbesenttohimunlessitshouldbeonecomplyingwiththeconditionshehadoffered。
TheSyndicatenowgaveupthetaskofinducingthecaptainoftheAdamanttosurrender。CrabCwascommandedtocontinuetowingthegreatshipsouthward，andtokeepherwellawayfromthecoast，inordertoavoiddangertoseaporttownsandcoastingvessels，whiletherepellersteamedaway。
WeekafterweektheAdamantmovedsouthward，roaringawaywithhergreatgunswheneveranAmericansailcamewithinpossiblerange，andsurroundingherselfwithacircleofburstingbombstoletanycrabknowwhatitmightexpectifitattemptedtocomenear。
Blazingandthundering，sternforemost，butstoutly，sherodethewaves，readytoshowtheworldthatshewasanimpregnableBritishbattle-ship，fromwhichnoenemycouldsnatchtheroyalcolourswhichfloatedhighaboveher。
ItwasduringthefirstweekoftheinvoluntarycruiseoftheAdamantthattheSyndicatefinisheditspreparationsforwhatithopedwouldbethedecisivemovementofitscampaign。Todothisarepellerandsixcrabs，allwithextraordinarypowers，hadbeenfittedoutwithgreatcare，andalsowithgreatrapidity，fortheBritishGovernmentwasworkingnightanddaytogetitsfleetofironcladsinreadinessforadescentupontheAmericancoast。ManyoftheBritishvesselswerealreadywellpreparedforordinarynavalwarfare;buttoresistcrabsadditionaldefenceswerenecessary。ItwasknownthattheAdamanthadbeencaptured，andconsequentlythemanufactureofstern-jacketshadbeenabandoned;butitwasbelievedthatprotectioncouldbeeffectuallygiventoruddersandpropeller-bladesbyanewmethodwhichtheAdmiraltyhadadopted。
TherepellerwhichwastotakepartintheSyndicate’sproposedmovementhadbeenavesseloftheUnitedStatesnavywhichforalongtimehadbeenoutofcommission，andundergoingacourseofveryslowanddesultoryrepairsinadockyard。Shehadalwaysbeenconsideredthemostunluckycraftintheservice，andnearlyeveryaccidentthatcouldhappentoashiphadhappenedtoher。Yearsandyearsbefore，whenshewouldsetoutuponacruise，herofficersandcrewwouldreceivethehumoroussympathyoftheirfriends，andwagerswerefrequentlylaidinregardtothedifferentkindsofmishapswhichmightbefallthisunluckyvessel，whichwasthenknownastheTallapoosa。
TheSyndicatedidnotparticularlydesirethisvessel，buttherewasnootherthatcouldreadilybemadeavailableforitspurposes，andaccordinglytheTallapoosawaspurchasedfromtheGovernmentandworkimmediatelybegunuponher。Herenginesandhullwereputintogoodcondition，andoutsideofherwasbuiltanotherhull，composedofheavysteelarmour-
plates，andstronglybracedbygreattransversebeamsrunningthroughtheship。
Stilloutsideofthiswasplacedanimprovedsystemofspringarmour，muchstrongerandmoreeffectivethananywhichhadyetbeenconstructed。This，withthearmour-plate，addednearlyfifteenfeettothewidthofthevesselabovewater。Allhersuperstructureswereremovedfromherdeck，whichwascoveredbyacurvedsteelroof，andunderabomb-proofcanopyatthebowwereplacedtwogunscapableofcarryingthelargest-
sizedmotor-bombs。TheTallapoosa，thustransformed，wascalledRepellerNo。11。
Theimmenseadditiontoherweightwouldofcourseinterfereverymuchwiththespeedofthenewrepeller，butthiswasconsideredoflittleimportance，asshewoulddependonherownenginesonlyintimeofaction。
Shewasnowbelievedtopossessmoreperfectdefencesthananybattle-shipintheworld。
Earlyonamistymorning，RepellerNo。11，towedbyfouroftheswiftestandmostpowerfulcrabs，andfollowedbytwoothers，leftaNorthernportoftheUnitedStates，boundforthecoastofGreatBritain。
Hercoursewasaverynortherlyone，forthereasonthattheSyndicatehadplannedworkforhertodowhileonherwayacrosstheAtlantic。
TheSyndicatehadnowdetermined，withoutunnecessarilylosinganhour，toplainlydemonstratethepoweroftheinstantaneousmotor-bomb。IthadbeenintendedtodothisupontheAdamant，butasithadbeenfoundimpossibletoinducethecaptainofthatvesseltoevacuatehisship，theSyndicatehaddeclinedtoexhibittheefficiencyoftheirnewagentofdestructionuponadisabledcraftcrowdedwithhumanbeings。
ThiscoursehadbeenhighlyprejudicialtotheclaimsoftheSyndicate，forasRepellerNo。7hadmadenouseinthecontestwiththeAdamantofthemotor-
bombswithwhichshewassaidtobesupplied，itwasgenerallybelievedonbothsidesoftheAtlanticthatshecarriednosuchbombs，andtheconvictionthatthedestructionattheCanadianporthadbeeneffectedbymeansofminescontinuedasstrongasithadeverbeen。
Tocorrectthesefalseideaswas，nowthedutyofRepellerNo。11。
ForsometimeGreatBritainhadbeensteadilyforwardingtroopsandmunitionsofwartoCanada，withoutinterruptionfromherenemy。OnlyoncehadtheSyndicate’svesselsappearedabovetheBanksofNewfoundland，andasthenumberofthesepeculiarcraftmustnecessarilybesmall，itwasnotsupposedthattheirlineofoperationswouldbeextendedveryfarnorth，andnodangerfromthemwasapprehended，providedtheEnglishvesselslaidtheircourseswelltothenorth。
ShortlybeforethesailingofRepellerNo。11，theSyndicatehadreceivednewsthatoneofthelargesttransatlanticmailsteamers，loadedwithtroopsandwithheavycannonforCanadianfortifications，andaccompaniedbytheCraglevin，oneofthelargestironcladsintheRoyalNavy，hadstartedacrosstheAtlantic。Thefirstbusinessoftherepellerandherattendantcrabsconcernedthesetwovessels。
Owingtothepowerandspeedofthecrabswhichtowedher，RepellerNo。11madeexcellenttime;andonthemorningofthethirddayoutthetwoBritishvesselsweresighted。SomewhatalteringtheircoursetheSyndicate’svesselsweresoonwithinafewmilesoftheenemy。
TheCraglevinwasamagnificentwarship。ShewasnotquitesolargeastheAdamant，andshewasunprovidedwithastern-jacketorotherdefenceofthekind。InsendingherouttheAdmiraltyhaddesignedhertodefendthetransportagainsttheregularvesselsoftheUnitedStatesnavy;foralthoughthenatureofthecontractwiththeSyndicatewaswellunderstoodinEngland，itwasnotsupposedthattheAmericanGovernmentwouldlongconsenttoallowtheirwarvesselstoremainentirelyidle。
WhenthecaptainoftheCraglevinperceivedtheapproachoftherepellerhewasmuchsurprised，buthedidnothesitateforamomentastohiscourse。Hesignalledtothetransport，thenaboutamiletothenorth，tokeeponherwaywhilehesteeredtomeettheenemy。IthadbeendecidedinBritishnavalcirclesthattheproperthingtodoinregardtoarepellerwastoramherasquicklyaspossible。Thesevesselswerenecessarilyslowandunwieldy，andifaheavyironcladcouldkeepclearofcrabslongenoughtorushdownuponone，therewaseveryreasontobelievethatthe\"ball-bouncer，\"astherepellerswerecalledbyBritishsailors，couldbecrushedinbelowthewater-lineandsunk。So，fullofcourageanddetermination，thecaptainoftheCraglevinboredownupontherepeller。
Itisnotnecessarytoenterintodetailsoftheensuingaction。BeforetheCraglevinwaswithinhalfamileofherenemyshewasseizedbytwocrabs，allofwhichhadcastloosefromtherepeller，andinlessthantwentyminutesbothofherscrewswereextractedandherruddershattered。Inthemeantimetwooftheswiftestcrabshadpursuedthetransport，and，comingupwithher，oneofthemhadfastenedtoherrudder，without，however，makinganyattempttoinjureit。
Whenthecaptainofthesteamersawthatoneofthesea-devilshadhimbythestern，whileanotherwasnearbyreadytoattackhim，heprudentlystoppedhisenginesandlayto，thecrabkeepinghisship’sheadtothesea。
ThecaptainoftheCraglevinwasaverydifferentmanfromthecaptainoftheAdamant。Hewasquiteasbrave，buthewaswiserandmoreprudent。Hesawthatthetransporthadbeencapturedandforcedtolayto;
hesawthattherepellermountedtwoheavygunsatherbow，andwhatevermightbethecharacterofthoseguns，therecouldbenoreasonabledoubtthattheyweresufficienttosinkanordinarymailsteamer。Hisownvesselwasentirelyoutofhiscontrol，andevenifhechosetotryhisgunsonthespringarmouroftherepeller，itwouldprobablyresultintherepellerturningherfireuponthetransport。
Withadisabledship，andthelivesofsomanymeninhischarge，thecaptainoftheCraglevinsawthatitwouldbewrongforhimtoattempttofight，andhedidnotfireagun。Withasmuchcalmnessasthecircumstanceswouldpermit，heawaitedtheprogressofevents。
InaveryshorttimeamessagecametohimfromRepellerNo。11，whichstatedthatintwohourshisshipwouldbedestroyedbyinstantaneousmotor-bombs。
Everyopportunity，however，wouldbegivenforthetransfertothemailsteamerofalltheofficersandmenonboardtheCraglevin，togetherwithsuchoftheirpossessionsastheycouldtakewiththeminthattime。Whenthishadbeendonethetransportwouldbeallowedtoproceedonherway。
Tothisdemandnothingbutacquiescencewaspossible。Whetherornottherewassuchathingasaninstantaneousmotor-bombtheCraglevin’sofficersdidnotknow;buttheyknewthatiflefttoherselftheirshipwouldsoonattendtoherownsinking，fortherewasaterriblerentinherstern，owingtoapitchofthevesselwhileoneofthepropeller-shaftswasbeingextracted。
Preparationsforleavingtheshipwere，therefore，immediatelybegun。Thecrabwasorderedtoreleasethemailsteamer，which，inobediencetosignalsfromtheCraglevin，steamedasnearthatvesselassafetywouldpermit。Boatswereloweredfrombothships，andtheworkoftransferwentonwithgreatactivity。
TherewasnoloweringofflagsonboardtheCraglevin，fortheSyndicateattachednoimportancetosuchoutwardsignsandformalities。IfthecaptainoftheBritishshipchosetohauldownhiscolourshecoulddoso;butifhepreferredtoleavethemstillbravelyfloatingabovehisvesselhewasequallywelcometodothat。
WhennearlyeveryonehadlefttheCraglevin，aboatwassentfromtherepeller，whichlaynearby，withanoterequestingthecaptainandfirstofficeroftheBritishshiptocomeonboardRepellerNo。11andwitnessthemethodofdischargingtheinstantaneousmotor-bomb，afterwhichtheywouldbeputonboardthetransport。ThisinvitationstruckthecaptainoftheCraglevinwithsurprise，butalittlereflectionshowedhimthatitwouldbewisetoacceptit。Inthefirstplace，itwasinthenatureofacommand，which，inthepresenceofsixcrabsandarepeller，itwouldberidiculoustodisobey;and，moreover，hewasmovedbyadesiretoknowsomethingabouttheSyndicate’smysteriousengineofdestruction，if，indeed，suchathingreallyexisted。
Accordingly，whenalltheothershadlefttheship，thecaptainoftheCraglevinandhisfirstofficercameonboardtherepeller，curiouslyobservingthespringarmouroverwhichtheypassedbymeansofalightgang-boardwithhandrail。Theywerereceivedbythedirectoratoneofthehatchesofthesteeldeck，whichwerenowallopen，andconductedbyhimtothebomb-proofcompartmentinthebow。Therewasnoreasonwhythenatureoftherepeller’sdefencesshouldnotbeknowntoworldnoradoptedbyothernations。Theywereintendedasaprotectionagainstordinaryshotandshell;theywouldavailnothingagainsttheinstantaneousmotor-bomb。
TheBritishofficerswereshownthemotor-bombtobedischarged，which，externally，wasverymuchlikeanordinaryshell，exceptthatitwasnearlyaslongastheboreofthecannon;andthedirectorstatedthatalthough，ofcourse，theprincipleofthemotor-bombwastheSyndicate’ssecret，itwashighlydesirablethatitseffectsanditsmethodsofoperationshouldbegenerallyknown。
Therepeller，accompaniedbythemailsteamerandallthecrabs，nowmovedtoabouttwomilestotheleewardoftheCraglevin，andlayto。Themotor-bombwasthenplacedinoneofthegreatguns，whilethescientificcorpsattendedtothenecessarycalculationsofdistance，etc。
ThedirectornowturnedtotheBritishcaptain，whohadbeenobservingeverythingwiththegreatestinterest，and，withasmile，askedhimifhewouldliketocommithari-kari？
Asthisremarkwassomewhatenigmatical，thedirectorwentontosaythatifitwouldbeanygratificationtothecaptaintodestroyhisvesselwithhisownhands，insteadofallowingthistobedonebyanenemy，hewasatlibertytodoso。Thisofferwasimmediatelyaccepted，forifhisshipwasreallytobedestroyed，thecaptainfeltthathewouldliketodoithimself。
Whenthecalculationshadbeenmadeandtheindicatorset，thecaptainwasshownthebuttonhemustpress，andstoodwaitingforthesignal。HelookedovertheseaattheCraglevin，whichhadsettledalittleatthestern，andwasrollingheavily;butshewasstillamagnificentbattleship，withtheredcrossofEnglandfloatingoverher。Hecouldnothelpthethoughtthatifthismotormysteryshouldamounttonothing，therewasnoreasonwhytheCraglevinshouldnotbetowedintoport，andbemadeagainthegrandwarshipthatshehadbeen。
Nowthedirectorgavethesignal，andthecaptain，withhiseyesfixeduponhisship，touchedthebutton。
Aquickshockranthroughtherepeller，andablack-
graycloud，halfamilehigh，occupiedtheplaceoftheBritishship。
Thecloudrapidlysettleddown，coveringthewaterwithaglitteringscumwhichspreadfarandwide，andwhichhadbeentheCraglevin。
TheBritishcaptainstoodforamomentmotionless，andthenhepickeduparammerandranitintothemuzzleofthecannonwhichhadbeendischarged。Thegreatgunwasempty。Theinstantaneousmotor-bombwasnotthere。
NowhewasconvincedthattheSyndicatehadnotminedthefortresseswhichtheyhaddestroyed。
IntwentyminutesthetwoBritishofficerswereonboardthetransport，whichthensteamedrapidlywestward。Thecrabsagaintooktherepellerintow，andtheSyndicate’sfleetcontinueditseastwardcourse，passingthroughthewideexpanseofglitteringscumwhichhadspreaditselfuponthesea。
Theywerenottwo-thirdsoftheirwayacrosstheAtlanticwhenthetransportreachedSt。John’s，andthecabletoldtheworldthattheCraglevinhadbeenannihilated。
Thenewswasreceivedwithamazement，andevenconsternation。ItcamefromanofficerintheRoyalNavy，andhowcoulditbedoubtedthatagreatman-of-
warhadbeendestroyedinamomentbyoneshotfromtheSyndicate’svessel！Andyet，evennow，therewerepersonswhodiddoubt，andwhoassertedthatthecrabsmighthaveplacedagreattorpedoundertheCraglevin，thatawireattachedtothistorpedoranoutfromtherepeller，andthattheBritishcaptainhadmerelyfiredthetorpedo。Buthourbyhour，asfullernewscameacrosstheocean，thenumberofthesedoubtersbecamesmallerandsmaller。
InthemidstofthegreatpublicexcitementwhichnowexistedonbothsidesoftheAtlantic，——inthemidstofalltheconflictingopinions，fears，andhopes，——thedominantsentimentseemedtobe，inAmericaaswellasinEurope，oneofcuriosity。WerethesesixcrabsandonerepellerboundtotheBritishIsles？Andifso，whatdidtheyintendtodowhentheygotthere？
ItwasnowgenerallyadmittedthatoneoftheSyndicate’scrabscoulddisableaman-of-war，thatoneoftheSyndicate’srepellerscouldwithstandtheheaviestartilleryfire，andthatoneoftheSyndicate’smotor-bombscoulddestroyavesselorafort。Butthesethingshadbeenprovedinisolatedcombats，wherethenewmethodsofattackanddefencehadhadalmostundisturbedopportunityforexhibitingtheirefficiency。ButwhatcouldarepellerandhalfadozencrabsdoagainstthecombinedforceoftheRoyalNavy，——anavywhichhadinthelastfewyearsregaineditssupremacyamongthenations，andwhichhadmadeGreatBritainoncemorethefirstmaritimepowerintheworld？
Thecrabsmightdisablesomemen-of-war，therepellermightmakehercalculationsanddischargeherbombatashiporafort，butwhatwouldthemainbodyofthenavybedoingmeanwhile？Overwhelming，crushing，andsinkingtothebottomcrabs，repeller，motorguns，andeverythingthatbelongedtothem。
InEnglandtherewasafeelingofstrongresentmentthatsuchalittlefleetshouldbeallowedtosailwithsuchintentintoBritishwaters。Thisresentmentextendeditself，notonlytotheimpudentSyndicate，buttowardtheGovernment;andtheoppositionpartygaineddailyinstrength。Theoppositionpapershadbeenloudandrecklessintheirdenunciationsoftheslownessandinadequacyofthenavalpreparations，andloadedtheGovernmentwiththeentireresponsibility，notonlyofthedamagewhichhadalreadybeendonetotheforts，theships，andtheprestigeofGreatBritain，butalsoforthethreateneddangerofasuddendescentoftheSyndicate’sfleetuponsomeunprotectedpointuponthecoast。ThisfleetshouldneverhavebeenallowedtoapproachwithinathousandmilesofEngland。Itshouldhavebeensunkinmid-ocean，ifitssinkinghadinvolvedthelossofadozenmen-of-war。
InAmericaaverystrongfeelingofdissatisfactionshoweditself。Fromthefirst，theSyndicatecontracthadnotbeenpopular;butthequick，effective，andbusiness-likeactionofthatbodyofmen，andthemarkedsuccessuptothistimeoftheirinventionsandtheiroperations，hadcausedagreatreactionintheirfavour。Theyhad，sofar，successfullydefendedtheAmericancoast，andwhentheyhadincreasedthenumberoftheirvessels，theywouldhavebeenreliedupontocontinuethatdefence。EvenifaBritisharmadahadsetouttocrosstheAtlantic，itsmovementsmusthavebeenslowandcumbrous，andtheswiftandsuddenstrokeswithwhichtheSyndicatewagedwarcouldhavebeengivenbynightandbydayoverthousandsofmilesofocean。
Whetherornotthesestrokeswouldhavebeenquickenoughorhardenoughtoturnbackanarmadamightbeaquestion;buttherecouldbenoquestionofthesuicidalpolicyofsendingsevenshipsandtwocannontoconquerEngland。ItseemedasifthesuccessoftheSyndicatehadsopuffedupitsmemberswithprideandconfidenceintheirpowersthattheyhadcometobelievethattheyhadonlytoshowthemselvestoconquer，whatevermightbetheconditionsofthecontest。
ThedestructionoftheSyndicate’sfleetwouldnowbeaheavyblowtotheUnitedStates。ItwouldproduceanutterwantofconfidenceinthecouncilsandjudgmentsoftheSyndicate，whichcouldnotbecounteractedbythestrongestfaithintheefficiencyoftheirenginesofwar;anditwasfeareditmightbecomenecessary，evenatthiscriticaljuncture，toannulthecontractwiththeSyndicate，andtodependupontheAmericannavyforthedefenceoftheAmericancoast。
EvenamongthemenonboardtheSyndicate’sfleetthereweresignsofdoubtandapprehensionsofevil。
Ithadallbeenverywellsofar，butfightingoneshipatatimewasaverydifferentthingfromsteamingintothemidstofahundredships。Onboardtherepellertherewasnowanadditionalreasonforfearsandmisgivings。TheunluckycharacterofthevesselwhenithadbeentheTallapoosawasknown，andnotafewofthemenimaginedthatitmustnowbetimeforsomenewdisastertothisill-starredcraft，andifherevilgeniushaddesiredfreshdisasterforher，itwascertainlysendingherintoagoodplacetolookforit。
ButtheSyndicateneitherdoubtednorhesitatednorpaidanyattentiontothedoubtsandcondemnationswhichtheyheardfromeveryquarter。FourdaysafterthenewsofthedestructionoftheCraglevinhadbeentelegraphedfromCanadatoLondon，theSyndicate’sfleetenteredtheEnglishChannel。Owingtothepowerandspeedofthecrabs，RepellerNo。11hadmadeapassageoftheAtlanticwhichinheroldnavalcareerwouldhavebeenconsideredmiraculous。
Craftofvariouskindswerenowpassed，butnoneofthemcarriedtheBritishflag。Intheexpectationofthearrivaloftheenemy，BritishmerchantmenandfishingvesselshadbeenadvisedtokeepinthebackgrounduntiltheBritishnavyhadconcludeditsbusinesswiththevesselsoftheAmericanSyndicate。
Ashasbeensaidbefore，theBritishAdmiraltyhadadoptedanewmethodofdefencefortheruddersandscrew-propellersofnavalvesselsagainsttheattacksofsubmergedcraft。Theworkofconstructingthenewapplianceshadbeenpushedforwardasfastaspossible，butsofaronlyoneofthesehadbeenfinishedandattachedtoaman-of-war。
TheLlangaronwasarecentlybuiltironcladofthesamesizeandclassastheAdamant;andtoherhadbeenattachedthenewstern-defence。Thiswasanimmensesteelcylinder，entirelyclosed，androundedattheends。Itwasabouttenfeetindiameter，andstronglybracedinside。Itwassuspendedbychainsfromtwodavitswhichprojectedoverthesternofthevessel。Whensailingthiscylinderwashoisteduptothedavits，butwhentheshipwaspreparedforactionitwaslowereduntilitlay，nearlysubmerged，abaftoftherudder。Inthispositionitsendsprojectedaboutfifteenfeetoneithersideofthepropeller-blades。
Itwasbelievedthatthiscylinderwouldeffectuallypreventacrabfromgettingnearenoughtothepropellerortheruddertodoanydamage。Itcouldnotbetornawayasthestern-jackethadbeen，fortheroundedandsmoothsidesandendsofthemassivecylinderwouldoffernoholdtotheforcepsofthecrabs;and，approachingfromanyquarter，itwouldbeimpossiblefortheseforcepstoreachrudderorscrew。
TheSyndicate’slittlefleetarrivedinBritishwaterslateintheday，andearlythenextmorningitappearedabouttwentymilestothesouthoftheIsleofWight，andheadedtothenorth-east，asifitweremakingforPortsmouth。ThecourseofthesevesselsgreatlysurprisedtheEnglishGovernmentandnavalauthorities。ItwasexpectedthatanattackwouldprobablybemadeuponsomecomparativelyunprotectedspotontheBritishseaboard，andthereforeonthewestcoastofIrelandandinSt。George’sChannelpreparationsofthemostformidablecharacterhadbeenmadetodefendBritishportsagainstRepellerNo。11
andherattendantcrabs。ParticularlywasthisthecaseinBristolChannel，wherealargenumberofironcladswerestationed，andwhichwastohavebeenthedestinationoftheLlangaroniftheSyndicate’svesselshaddelayedtheircominglongenoughtoallowhertogetaroundthere。ThatthislittlefleetshouldhavesailedstraightforEngland’sgreatnavalstrongholdwassomethingthattheBritishAdmiraltycouldnotunderstand。ThefactwasnotappreciatedthatitwastheobjectoftheSyndicatetomeasureitsstrengthwiththegreateststrengthoftheenemy。
Anythinglessthanthiswouldnotavailitspurpose。
Notwithstandingthatsomanyvesselshadbeensenttodifferentpartsofthecoast，therewasstillinPortsmouthharbouralargenumberofwarvesselsofvariousclasses，allincommissionandreadyforaction。Thegreaterpartofthesehadreceivedorderstocruisethatdayinthechannel。Consequently，itwasstillearlyinthemorningwhen，aroundtheeasternendoftheIsleofWight，thereappearedaBritishfleetcomposedoffifteenofthefinestironclads，withseveralgunboatsandcruisers，andanumberoftorpedo-boats。
Itwasanoblesight，forbesidesthewarshipstherewasanotherfleethangingupontheoutskirtsofthefirst，andcomposedofcraft，largeandsmall，andfrombothsidesofthechannel，filledwiththosewhowereanxioustowitnessfromafarthesea-fightwhichwastotakeplaceundersuchnovelconditions。Manyoftheseobserverswerereportersandspecialcorrespondentsforgreatnewspapers。OnsomeofthevesselswhichcameupfromtheFrenchcoastweremenwithmarineglassesofextraordinarypower，whosebusinessitwastosendanearlyandaccuratereportoftheaffairtotheofficeoftheWarSyndicateinNewYork。
AssoonastheBritishshipscameinsight，thefourcrabscastofffromRepellerNo。11。Thenwiththeothertwotheypreparedforaction，movingconsiderablyinadvanceoftherepeller，whichnowsteamedforwardveryslowly。Thewindwasstrongfromthenorth-west，andtheseahigh，theshiningtopsofthecrabsfrequentlydisappearingunderthewaves。
TheBritishfleetcamesteadilyon，headedbythegreatLlangaron。Thisvesselwasverymuchinadvanceoftheothers，forknowingthatwhenshewasreallyinactionandthegreatcylinderwhichformedherstern-guardwasloweredintothewaterherspeedwouldbemuchretarded，shehadputonallsteam，andbeingtheswiftestwar-shipofherclass，shehaddistancedallherconsorts。Itwashighlyimportantthatsheshouldbeginthefight，andengagetheattentionofasmanycrabsaspossible，whilecertainoftheothershipsattackedtherepellerwiththeirrams。Althoughitwasnowgenerallybelievedthatmotor-bombsfromarepellermightdestroyaman-
of-war，itwasalsoconsideredprobablethattheaccuratecalculationswhichappearedtobenecessarytoprecisionofaimcouldnotbemadewhentheobjectoftheaimwasinrapidmotion。
Butwhetherornotoneormoremotor-bombsdidstrikethemark，orwhetherornotoneormorevesselswereblownintofineparticles，therewereadozenironcladsinthatfleet，eachofwhosecommandersandofficersweredeterminedtorunintothatrepellerandcrushher，ifsobetheyheldtogetherlongenoughtoreachher。
Thecommandersofthetorpedo-boatshadorderstodirecttheirswiftmessengersofdestructionfirstagainstthecrabs，forthesevesselswerefarinadvanceoftherepeller，andcomingonwitharapiditywhichshowedthattheyweredetermineduponmischief。
Ifatorpedo，shotfromatorpedo-boat，andspeedingswiftlybyitsownpowersbeneaththewaves，shouldstrikethesubmergedhullofacrab，therewouldbeonecrabthelessintheEnglishChannel。
Ashasbeensaid，theLlangaroncamerushingon，distancingeverything，eventhetorpedo-boats。If，beforeshewasobligedtolowerhercylinder，shecouldgetnearenoughtothealmoststationaryrepellertotakepartintheattackonher，shewouldthenbecontenttoslackenspeedandletthecrabsnibbleawhileatherstern。
Twoofthelatestconstructedandlargestcrabs，Q
andR，headedatfullspeedtomeettheLlangaron，who，asshecameon，openedtheballbysendinga\"rattler\"intheshapeofafive-hundred-poundshotintotheribsoftherepeller，thenatleastfourmilesdistant，andimmediatelyafterbeganfiringherdynamiteguns，whichwereoflimitedrangeattheroofsoftheadvancingcrabs。
Thereweresomeonboardtherepellerwho，atthemomentthegreatshotstruckher，witharingingandclangourofsteelsprings，suchasneverwasheardbefore，wishedthatinherformerstateofexistenceshehadbeensomeothervesselthantheTallapoosa。
Buteveryspringsprangbacktoitsplaceasthegreatmassofironglancedoffintothesea。Thedynamitebombsflewoverthetopsofthecrabs，whoserapidmotionsandslightlyexposedsurfacesgavelittlechanceforaccurateaim，andinashorttimetheyweretooclosetotheLlangaronforthisclassofguntobeuseduponthem。
Asthecrabscamenearer，theLlangaronloweredthegreatsteelcylinderwhichhungacrossherstern，untilitlayalmostentirelyunderwater，andabaftofherrudderandpropeller-blades。Shenowmovedslowlythroughthewater，andhermengreetedtheadvancingcrabswithyellsofdefiance，andashowerofshotfrommachineguns。
ThecharacterofthenewdefencewhichhadbeenfittedtotheLlangaronwasknowntotheSyndicate，andthedirectorsofthetwonewcrabsunderstoodtheheavypieceofworkwhichlaybeforethem。Buttheirplansofactionhadbeenwellconsidered，andtheymadestraightforthesternoftheBritishship。
Itwas，ofcourse，impossibletoendeavourtograspthatgreatcylinderwithitsroundedends;theirforcepswouldslipfromanyportionofitssmoothsurfaceonwhichtheyshouldendeavourtolayhold，andnosuchattemptwasmade。Keepingnearthecylinder，oneateachendofit，thetwomovedslowlyaftertheLlangaron，apparentlydiscouraged。
Inashorttime，however，itwasperceivedbythoseonboardtheshipthatachangehadtakenplaceintheappearanceofthecrabs;thevisibleportionoftheirbackswasgrowinglargerandlarger;theywererisinginthewater。Theirmailedroofsbecamevisiblefromendtoend，andthecrowdofobserverslookingdownfromtheshipwereamazedtoseewhatlargevesselstheywere。
Higherandhigherthecrabsarose，theirpowerfulair-pumpsworkingattheirgreatestcapacity，untiltheirponderouspincersbecamevisibleabovethewater。
ThenintothemindsoftheofficersoftheLlangaronflashedthetrueobjectofthisuprising，whichtothecrewhadseemedanintentiononthepartofthesea-
devilstoclamberonboard。
Ifthecylinderwereleftinitspresentpositionthecrabmightseizethechainsbywhichitwassuspended，whileifitwereraiseditwouldceasetobeadefence。Notwithstandingthislattercontingency，theorderwasquicklygiventoraisethecylinder;butbeforethehoistingenginehadbeensetinmotion，CrabQthrustforwardherforcepsoverthetopofthecylinderandhelditdown。Anotherthrust，andtheironjawshadgraspedoneofthetwoponderouschainsbywhichthecylinderwassuspended。
Theotherendofthecylinderbegantorise，butatthismomentCrabR，apparentlybyasingleeffort，liftedherselfafoothigheroutofthesea;herpincersflashedforward，andtheotherchainwasgrasped。
Thetwocrabswerenowplacedinthemostextraordinaryposition。TheoverhangoftheirroofspreventedanattackontheirhullsbytheLlangaron，buttheirunmailedhullsweresogreatlyexposedthatafewshotfromanothershipcouldeasilyhavedestroyedthem。ButasanyshipfiringatthemwouldbeverylikelytohittheLlangaron，theirdirectorsfeltsafeonthispoint。
Threeoftheforemostironclads，lessthantwomilesaway，wereheadingdirectlyforthem，andtheirramsmightbeusedwithbutlittledangertotheLlangaron;but，ontheotherhand，threeswiftcrabswereheadingdirectlyfortheseironclads。
ItwasimpossibleforCrabsQandRtooperateintheusualway。Theirmassiveforceps，lyingflatagainstthetopofthecylinder，couldnotbetwisted。
Theenormouschainstheyheldcouldnotbeseveredbythegreatestpressure，andifbothcrabsbackedatoncetheywouldprobablydonomorethantowtheLlangaronsternforemost。Therewas，moreover，notimetowasteinexperiments，forotherramswouldbecomingon，andtherewerenotcrabsenoughtoattendtothemall。
Notimewaswasted。QsignalledtoR，andRbackagain，andinstantlythetwocrabs，eachstillgraspingachainofthecylinder，begantosink。OnboardtheLlangaronanorderwasshoutedtoletoutthecylinderchains;butasthesechainshadonlybeenmadelongenoughtoallowthetopofthecylindertohangatoralittlebelowthesurfaceofthewater，afootortwooflengthwasallthatcouldbegained。
Thedavitsfromwhichthecylinderhungwerethickandstrong，andtheironwindlassestowhichthechainswereattachedwerelargeandponderous;butthesewerenotstrongenoughtowithstandtheweightoftwocrabswithsteel-armouredroofs，enormousengines，andironhull。Inlessthanaminuteonedavitsnappedlikeapipe-stemunderthetremendousstrain，andimmediatelyafterwardthewindlasstowhichthechainwasattachedwastornfromitsbolts，andwentcrashingoverboard，tearingawayaportionofthestern-railinitsdescent。
CrabQinstantlyreleasedthechainithadheld，andinamomentthegreatcylinderhungalmostperpendicularlyfromonechain。Butonlyforamoment。
ThenippersofCrabRstillfirmlyheldthechain，andthetremendousleverageexertedbythefallingofoneendofthecylinderwrencheditfromtherigidlyheldendofitschain，and，inaflash，theenormousstern-
guardoftheLlangaronsunk，endforemost，tothebottomofthechannel。
Intenminutesafterward，theLlangaron，rudderless，andwiththebladesofherpropellersshiveredandcrushed，wasslowlyturningherstarboardtothewindandthesea，andbeginningtorolllikealogofeightthousandtons。
BesidestheLlangaron，threeironcladswerenowdriftingbroadsidetothesea。Buttherewasnotimetosuccourdisabledvessels，fortherestofthefleetwascomingon，andtherewasgreatworkforthecrabs。
Againsttheseenemies，swiftofmotionandsuddeninaction，thetorpedo-boatsfounditalmostimpossibletooperate，fortheBritishshipsandthecrabsweresorapidlynearingeachotherthatatorpedosentoutagainstanenemywasmorethanlikelytorunagainstthehullofafriend。Eachcrabspedatthetopofitsspeedforaship，notonlytoattack，butalsotoprotectitself。
Onceonlydidthecrabsgivethetorpedo-boatsachance。Amileortwonorthofthesceneofaction，alargecruiserwasmakingherwayrapidlytowardtherepeller，whichwasstilllyingalmostmotionless，fourmilestothewestward。Asitwashighlyprobablethatthisvesselcarrieddynamiteguns，CrabQ，whichwasthefastestofherclass，wassignalledtogoafterher。Shehadscarcelybegunhercourseacrosstheopenspaceofseabeforeatorpedo-boatwasinpursuit。
Fastaswasthelatter，thecrabwasfaster，andquiteaseasilymanaged。Shewasinapositionofgreatdanger，andheronlysafetylayinkeepingherselfonalinebetweenthetorpedo-boatandthegun-boat，andtoshortenasquicklyaspossiblethedistancebetweenherselfandthatvessel。
Ifthetorpedo-boatshottoonesideinordertogetthecraboutofline，thecrab，itsbacksometimeshiddenbythetossingwaves，spedalsotothesameside。Whenthetorpedo-boatcouldaimagunatthecrabandnotatthegun-boat，adeadlytorpedoflewintothesea;butatossingseaandashiftingtargetwereunfavourabletothegunner’saim。Itwasnotlong，however，beforethecrabhadrunthechasewhichmightsoreadilyhavebeenfataltoit，andwassonearthegun-boatthatnomoretorpedoescouldbefiredatit。
