Ofcoursetheofficersandcrewofthegun-boathadwatchedwithmostanxiousinterestthechaseofthecrab。Thevesselwasonewhichhadbeenfittedoutforservicewithdynamiteguns，ofwhichshecarriedsomeofverylongrangeforthisclassofartillery，andshehadbeenorderedtogetasternoftherepellerandtodoherbesttoputafewdynamitebombsonboardofher。
Thedynamitegun-boatthereforehadkeptaheadatfullspeed，determinedtocarryoutherinstructionsifsheshouldbeallowedtodoso;butherspeedwasnotasgreatasthatofacrab，andwhenthetorpedo-
boathadgivenupthechase，andthedreadedcrabwasdrawingswiftlynear，thecaptainthoughtittimeforbraverytogiveplacetoprudence。Withthelargeamountofexplosivematerialofthemosttremendousandterrificcharacterwhichhehadonboard，itwouldbetheinsanityofcourageforhimtoallowhiscomparativelysmallvesseltoberacked，shaken，andpartiallyshiveredbythepowerfuljawsoftheon-
comingfoe。Ashecouldneitherflynorfight，hehauleddownhisflagintokenofsurrender，thefirstinstanceofthekindwhichhadoccurredinthiswar。
WhenthedirectorofCrabQ，throughhislookout-
glass，beheldthisactiononthepartofthegun-boat，hewasalittleperplexedastowhatheshouldnextdo。
ToacceptthesurrenderoftheBritishvessel，andtoassumecontrolofher，itwasnecessarytocommunicatewithher。Thecommunicationsofthecrabsweremadeentirelybyblack-smokesignals，andthesethecaptainofthegun-boatcouldnotunderstand。Theheavyhatchesinthemailedroofwhichcouldbeputinusewhenthecrabwascruising，couldnotbeopenedwhenshewasatherfightingdepth，andinatossingsea。
Ameanswassoondevisedofcommunicatingwiththegun-boat。Aspeaking-tubewasrunupthroughoneoftheair-pipesofthecrab，whichpipewasthenelevatedsomedistanceabovethesurface。Throughthisthedirectorhailedtheothervessel，andastheair-pipewasnearthesternofthecrab，andthereforeatadistancefromtheonlyvisibleportionoftheturtle-
backroof，hisvoiceseemedtocomeoutofthedepthsoftheocean。
Thesurrenderwasaccepted，andthecaptainofthegun-boatwasorderedtostophisenginesandpreparetobetowed。Whenthisorderhadbeengiven，thecrabmovedroundtothebowofthegun-boat，andgraspingthecut-waterwithitsforceps，reverseditsenginesandbegantobackrapidlytowardtheBritishfleet，takingwithitthecapturedvesselasaprotectionagainsttorpedoeswhileintransit。
ThecrabslowedupnotfarfromoneoftheforemostoftheBritishships，andcomingroundtothequarterofthegun-boat，theastonishedcaptainofthatvesselwasinformed，throughthespeaking-tube，thatifhewouldgivehisparoletokeepoutofthisfight，hewouldbeallowedtoproceedtohisanchorageinPortsmouthharbour。Theparolewasgiven，andthedynamitegun-boat，afterreportingtotheflag-ship，steamedawaytoPortsmouth。
Thesituationnowbecameonewhichwasunparalleledinthehistoryofnavalwarfare。OnthesideoftheBritish，sevenwar-shipsweredisabledanddriftingslowlytothesouth-east。ForhalfanhournoadvancehadbeenmadebytheBritishfleet，forwheneveroneofthelargevesselshadsteamedahead，suchvesselhadbecomethevictimofacrab，andtheVice-Admiralcommandingthefleethadsignallednottoadvanceuntilfartherorders。
Thecrabswerealsolying-to，eachtothewindwardof，andnotfarfrom，oneoftheBritishships。Theyhadceasedtomakeanyattacks，andwererestingquietlyunderprotectionoftheenemy。This，withthefactthattherepellerstilllayfourmilesaway，withoutanyapparentintentionoftakingpartinthebattle，gavethesituationitspeculiarcharacter。
TheBritishVice-Admiraldidnotintendtoremaininthisquiescentcondition。Itwas，ofcourse，uselesstoorderforthhisironclads，simplytoseethemdisabledandsetadrift。Therewasanotherarmoftheservicewhichevidentlycouldbeusedwithbettereffectuponthispeculiarfoethancouldthegreatbattle-ships。
Butbeforedoinganythingelse，hemustprovideforthesafetyofthoseofhisvesselswhichhadbeenrenderedhelplessbythecrabs，andsomeofwhichwerenowdriftingdangerouslyneartoeachother。
DespatcheshadbeensenttoPortsmouthfortugs，butitwouldnotdotowaituntilthesearrived，andasufficientnumberofironcladsweredetailedtotowtheirinjuredconsortsintoport。
Whenthisorderhadbeengiven，theVice-Admiralimmediatelypreparedtorenewthefight，andthistimehiseffortsweretobedirectedentirelyagainsttherepeller。Itwouldbeuselesstodevoteanyfurtherattentiontothecrabs，especiallyintheirpresentpositions。ButifthechiefvesseloftheSyndicate’sfleet，withitsspringarmouranditsterribleearthquakebombs，couldbedestroyed，itwasquitepossiblethatthosesea-parasites，thecrabs，couldalsobedisposedof。
Everytorpedo-boatwasnoworderedtothefront，andinalongline，almostabreastofeachother，theseswiftvessels——thelight-infantryofthesea——
advanceduponthesolitaryanddistantfoe。Ifonetorpedocouldbutreachherhull，theVice-Admiral，inspiteofsevendisabledironcladsandacapturedgun-
boat，mightyetgazeproudlyathisfloatingflag，evenifhisownshipshouldbedriftingbroadsidetothesea。
Thelineoftorpedo-boats，slightlycurvinginward，hadadvancedaboutamile，whenRepellerNo。11awokefromherseemingsleep，andbegantoact。Thetwogreatgunsatherbowweretrainedupward，sothatabombdischargedfromthemwouldfallintotheseaamileandahalfahead。Slowlyturningherbowfromsidetoside，sothatthegunswouldcoverarangeofnearlyhalfacircle，theinstantaneousmotor-bombsoftherepellerweredischarged，oneeveryhalfminute。
Oneofthemostappallingcharacteristicsofthemotor-bombswasthesilencewhichaccompaniedtheirdischargeandaction。Nonoisewasheard，excepttheflashofsoundoccasionedbytheremovaloftheparticlesoftheobjectaimedat，andthesubsequentroarofwindorfallofwater。
Aseachmotor-bombdroppedintothechannel，adensecloudappearedhighintheair，abovearoaring，seethingcauldron，hollowedoutofthewatersandoutoftheverybottomofthechannel。Intothischasmthecloudquicklycamedown，condensedintoavastbodyofwater，whichfell，withtheroarofacyclone，intothedreadfulabyssfromwhichithadbeentorn，beforethehissingwallsofthegreathollowhadhalffilleditwiththeirsweepingsurges。Thepiled-upmassoftheredundantwaterwasstillsendingitsmaddenedbillowstossingandwrithingineverydirectiontowardtheirnormallevel，whenanotherbombwasdischarged;anothersurgingabyssappeared，anotherroarofwindandwaterwasheard，andanothermountainoffuriousbillowsuplifteditselfinastormofsprayandfoam，ragingthatithadfounditsplaceusurped。
Slowlyturning，therepellerdischargedbombafterbomb，buildingupoutoftheveryseaitselfabarrieragainstitsenemies。Underthesethunderingcataracts，borninaninstant，andcomingdownallatonceinaplungingstorm;intotheseabysses，withwallsofwaterandfloorsofcleftandshiveredrocks;throughthiswidebeltofragingturmoil，thrownintonewfrenzyafterthedischargeofeverybomb，——novessel，notorpedo，couldpass。
Theairdrivenoffineverydirectionbytremendousandsuccessiveconcussionscamerushingbackinshriekinggales，whichtoreupthewavesintoblindingfoam。Formilesineverydirectiontheseaswelledandupheavedintogreatpeakedwaves，therepellerrisinguponthesealmosthighenoughtolookdownintotheawfulchasmswhichherbombsweremaking。Atorpedo-
boatcaughtinoneofthereturninggaleswashurledforwardalmostonherbeamendsuntilshewasundertheedgeofoneofthevastmassesofdescendingwater。
Thefloodwhich，fromeventheouterlimitsofthisfalling-sea，poureduponandintotheunluckyvesselnearlyswampedher，andwhenshewassweptbackbytherushingwavesintolessstormywaters，herofficersandcrewleapedintotheirboatsanddesertedher。Byraregood-fortunetheirboatswerekeptafloatintheturbulentseauntiltheyreachedthenearesttorpedo-
vessel。
Fiveminutesafterwardasmallbutcarefullyaimedmotor-bombstruckthenearlyswampedvessel，andwiththeroarofallherowntorpedoesshepassedintonothing。
TheBritishVice-Admiralhadcarefullywatchedtherepellerthroughhisglass，andhenoticedthatsimultaneouslywiththeappearanceofthecloudintheairproducedbytheactionofthemotor-bombsthereweretwopuffsofblacksmokefromtherepeller。Theseweresignalstothecrabstonotifythemthatamotor-
gunhadbeendischarged，andthustoprovideagainstaccidentsincaseabombshouldfailtoact。Onepuffsignifiedthatabombhadbeendischargedtothenorth;
two，thatithadgoneeastward;andsoon。if，therefore，acrabshouldseeasignalofthiskind，andperceivenosignsoftheactionofabomb，itwouldbecarefulnottoapproachtherepellerfromthequarterindicated。Itistruethatincaseofthefailureofabombtoact，anotherbombwouldbedroppeduponthesamespot，buttheinstructionsoftheWarSyndicateprovidedthateverypossibleprecautionshouldbetakenagainstaccidents。
OfcoursetheVice-Admiraldidnotunderstandthesesignals，nordidheknowthattheyweresignals，butheknewthattheyaccompaniedthedischargeofamotor-
gun。Oncehenoticedthattherewasashortcessationinthehithertoconstantsuccessionofwateravalanches，andduringthislullhehadseentwopuffsfromtherepeller，andthedestruction，atthesamemoment，ofthedesertedtorpedo-boat。Itwas，therefore，plainenoughtohimthatifamotor-bombcouldbeplacedsoaccuratelyupononetorpedo-boat，andwithsuchterribleresult，otherbombscouldquiteaseasilybedischargedupontheothertorpedo-boatswhichformedtheadvancedlineofthefleet。Whenthebarrierofstormandcataractagainbegantostretchitselfinfrontoftherepeller，heknewthatnotonlywasitimpossibleforthetorpedo-boatstosendtheirmissivesthroughthisragingturmoil，butthateachofthesevesselswasitselfindangerofinstantaneousdestruction。
Unwilling，therefore，toexposehisvesselstoprofitlessdanger，theVice-Admiralorderedthetorpedo-boatstoretirefromthefront，andthewholelineofthemproceededtoapointnorthofthefleet，wheretheylayto。
Whenthishadbeendone，therepellerceasedthedischargeofbombs;buttheseawasstillheavingandtossingafterthestorm，whenadespatch-boatbroughtordersfromtheBritishAdmiraltytotheflagship。CommunicationbetweentheBritishfleetandtheshore，andconsequentlyLondon，hadbeenconstant，andallthathadoccurredhadbeenquicklymadeknowntotheAdmiraltyandtheGovernment。TheordersnowreceivedbytheVice-Admiralweretotheeffectthatitwasconsideredjudicioustodiscontinuetheconflictfortheday，andthatheandhiswholefleetshouldreturntoPortsmouthtoreceivefurtherorders。
InissuingthesecommandstheBritishGovernmentwasactuatedsimplybymotivesofhumanityandcommonsense。TheBritishfleetwasthoroughlypreparedforordinarynavalwarfare，butanenemyhadinauguratedanotherkindofnavalwarfare，forwhichitwasnotprepared。Itwas，therefore，decidedtowithdrawtheshipsuntiltheyshouldbepreparedforthenewkindofwarfare。Toallowironcladafterironcladtobedisabledandsetadrift，tosubjecteveryshipinthefleettothedangerofinstantaneousdestruction，andallthiswithoutthepossibilityofinflictinginjuryupontheenemy，wouldnotbebravery;itwouldbestupidity。
ItwassurelypossibletodeviseameansfordestroyingthesevenhostileshipsnowinBritishwaters。Untilactionforthisendcouldbetaken，itwasthepartofwisdomfortheBritishnavytoconfineitselftotheprotectionofBritishports。
WhenthefleetbegantomovetowardtheIsleofWight，thesixcrabs，whichhadbeenlyingquietlyamongandundertheprotectionoftheirenemies，withdrewsouthward，and，makingaslightcircuit，joinedtherepeller。
Eachofthedisabledironcladswasnowintowofasistervessel，oroftugs，excepttheLlangaron。
Thisgreatshiphadbeendisabledsoearlyinthecontest，andherbroadsidehadpresentedsuchavastsurfacetothenorth-westwind，thatshehaddriftedmuchfarthertothesouththananyothervessel。
Consequently，beforethearrivalofthetugswhichhadbeensentfortotowherintoharbour，theLlangaronwaswellonherwayacrossthechannel。Afoggynightcameon，andthenextmorningshewasashoreonthecoastofFrance，withamileofwaterbetweenheranddryland。Fast-rootedinagreatsand-bank，shelayweekafterweek，withthestormsthatcameinfromtheAtlantic，andthestormsthatcameinfromtheGermanOcean，beatinguponhertallsideofsolidiron，withnomoreeffectthanifithadbeenaprecipiceofrock。Againstwavesandwindssheformedamassivebreakwater，withawidestretchofsmoothseabetweenherandtheland。Thereshelay，proofagainstalltheartilleryofEurope，andalltheartilleryoftheseaandthestorm，untilafleetofsmallvesselshadtakenfromherherponderousarmament，hercoalandstores，andshehadbeenlightenedenoughtofloatuponahightide，andtofollowthreetugstoPortsmouth。
Whennightcameon，RepellerNo。11andthecrabsdroppeddownwiththetide，andlaytosomemileswestofthesceneofbattle。Thefogshuttheminfairlywell，but，fearfulthattorpedoesmightbesentoutagainstthem，theyshowednolights。Therewaslittledanger，ofcollisionwithpassingmerchantmen，fortheEnglishChannel，atpresent，wasdesertedbythisclassofvessels。
Thenextmorningtherepeller，precededbytwocrabs，bearingbetweenthemasubmergednetsimilartothatusedattheCanadianport，appearedofftheeasternendoftheIsleofWight。Theanchorsofthenetweredropped，andbehindittherepellertookherplace，andshortlyafterwardshesentaflag-of-truceboattoPortsmouthharbour。ThisboatcarriedanotefromtheAmericanWarSyndicatetotheBritishGovernment。
InthisnoteitwasstatedthatitwasnowtheintentionoftheSyndicatetoutterlydestroy，bymeansoftheinstantaneousmotor，afortifiedpostupontheBritishcoast。Asthiswouldbedonesolelyforthepurposeofdemonstratingtheirresistibledestructivepowerofthemotor-bombs，itwasimmaterialtotheSyndicatewhatfortifiedpostshouldbedestroyed，provideditshouldanswertherequirementsoftheproposeddemonstration。ConsequentlytheBritishGovernmentwasofferedtheopportunityofnamingthefortifiedplacewhichshouldbedestroyed。IfsaidGovernmentshoulddeclinetodothis，ordelaytheselectionfortwenty-fourhours，theSyndicatewoulditselfdecideupontheplacetobeoperatedupon。
EveryoneineverybranchoftheBritishGovernment，and，infact，nearlyeverythinkingpersonintheBritishislands，hadbeenrackinghisbrains，orherbrains，thatnight，overtheastoundingsituation;andthenoteoftheSyndicateonlyaddedtotheperturbationoftheGovernment。Therewasastrongfeelinginofficialcirclesthattheinsolentlittleenemymustbecrushed，ifthewholeBritishnavyshouldhavetorushuponit，andallsinktogetherinacommongrave。
Buttherewerecoolerandmoreprudentbrainsattheheadofaffairs;andthesehadalreadydecidedthatthecontestbetweentheoldenginesofwarandthenewoneswasentirelyone-sided。Theinstinctsofgoodgovernmentdictatedtothemthattheyshouldbeextremelywaryandcircumspectduringthefurthercontinuanceofthisunexampledwar。Therefore，whenthenoteoftheSyndicatewasconsidered，itwasagreedthatthetimehadcomewhengoodstatesmanshipandwisediplomacywouldbemorevaluabletothenationthantorpedoes，armouredships，orheavyguns。
TherewasnottheslightestdoubtthatthecountrywoulddisagreewiththeGovernment，butonthelatterlaytheresponsibilityofthecountry’ssafety。
Therewasnothing，intheopinionoftheablestnavalofficers，topreventtheSyndicate’sfleetfromcominguptheThames。Instantaneousmotor-bombscouldsweepawayallfortsandcitadels，andexplodeanddestroyalltorpedodefences，andLondonmightlieunderthegunsoftherepeller。
Inconsequenceofthisviewofthestateofaffairs，ananswerwassenttotheSyndicate’snote，askingthatfurthertimebegivenfortheconsiderationofthesituation，andsuggestingthatanexhibitionofthepowerofthemotor-bombwasnotnecessary，assufficientproofofthishadbeengiveninthedestructionoftheCanadianforts，theannihilationoftheCraglevin，andtheextraordinaryresultsofthedischargeofsaidbombsontheprecedingday。
TothisareplywassentfromtheofficeoftheSyndicateinNewYork，bymeansofacableboatfromtheFrenchcoast，thatonnoaccountcouldtheirpurposebealteredortheirpropositionsmodified。
AlthoughtheBritishGovernmentmightbeconvincedofthepoweroftheSyndicate’smotor-bombs，itwasnotthecasewiththeBritishpeople，foritwasyetpopularlydisbelievedthatmotor-bombsexisted。
ThisdisbelieftheSyndicatewasdeterminedtoovercome，notonlyforthefurtheranceofitsownpurposes，buttopreventthedownfallofthepresentBritishMinistry，andaprobableradicalchangeintheGovernment。Thatsuchapoliticalrevolution，asundesirabletotheSyndicateastocool-headedandsensibleEnglishmen，wasimminent，therecouldbenodoubt。Thegrowingfeelingofdisaffection，almostamountingtodisloyalty，notonlyintheoppositionparty，butamongthosewhohadhithertobeenfirmadherentsoftheGovernment，wasmainlybasedupontheideathatthepresentBritishrulershadallowedthemselvestobefrightenedbyminesandtorpedoes，artfullyplacedandexploded。ThereforetheSyndicateintendedtosetrightthepublicminduponthissubject。Thenoteconcludedbyearnestlyurgingthedesignation，withoutlossoftime，ofaplaceofoperations。
ThisanswerwasreceivedinLondonintheevening，andallnightitwasthesubjectofearnestandanxiousdeliberationintheGovernmentoffices。Itwasatlastdecided，amidgreatopposition，thattheSyndicate’salternativemustbeaccepted，foritwouldbetheheightoffollytoallowtherepellertobombardanyportsheshouldchoose。Whenthisconclusionhadbeenreached，theworkofselectingaplacefortheproposeddemonstrationoftheAmericanSyndicateoccupiedbutlittletime。Thetaskwasnotdifficult。NowhereinGreatBritainwasthereafortifiedspotofsolittleimportanceasCaerdaff，onthewestcoastofWales。
Caerdaffconsistedofalargefortonapromontory，andanimmensecastellatedstructureontheothersideofasmallbay，withalittlefishingvillageattheheadofsaidbay。Thecastellatedstructurewasratherold，thefortresssomewhatlessso;andbothhadlongbeenconsidereduseless，astherewasnoprobabilitythatanenemywouldlandatthispointonthecoast。
Caerdaffwasthereforeselectedasthespottobeoperatedupon。NoonecouldforamomentimaginethattheSyndicatehadminedthisplace;andifitshouldbedestroyedbymotor-bombs，itwouldprovetothecountrythattheGovernmenthadnotbeenfrightenedbythetricksofacraftyenemy。
AnhourafterthereceiptofthenoteinwhichitwasstatedthatCaerdaffhadbeenselected，theSyndicate’sfleetstartedforthatplace。
Thecrabswereelevatedtocruisingheight，therepellertakenintow，andbytheafternoonofthenextdaythefleetwaslyingoffCaerdaff。Anotewassentonshoretotheofficerincommand，statingthatthebombardmentwouldbeginatteno’clockinthemorningofthenextdaybutone，andrequestingthatinformationofthehourappointedbeinstantlytransmittedtoLondon。Whenthishadbeendone，thefleetsteamedsixorsevenmilesoffshore，whereitlaytoorcruisedaboutfortwonightsandaday。
AssoonastheGovernmenthadselectedCaerdaffforbombardment，immediatemeasuresweretakentoremovethesmallgarrisonsandtheinhabitantsofthefishingvillagefrompossibledanger。WhentheSyndicate’snotewasreceivedbythecommandantofthefort，hewasalreadyinreceiptofordersfromtheWarOfficetoevacuatethefortifications，andtosuperintendtheremovalofthefishermenandtheirfamiliestoapointofsafetyfartherupthecoast。
Caerdaffwasaplacedifficultofaccessbyland，thenearestrailroadstationsbeingfifteenortwentymilesaway;butonthedayafterthearrivaloftheSyndicate’sfleetintheoffing，thousandsofpeoplemadetheirwaytothispartofthecountry，anxioustosee——ifperchancetheymightfindanopportunitytosafelysee——whatmighthappenatteno’clockthenextmorning。Officersofthearmyandnavy，Governmentofficials，presscorrespondents，ingreatnumbers，andcuriousandanxiousobserversofallclasses，hastenedtotheWelshcoast。
Thelittletownswherethevisitorsleftthetrainswerecrowdedtooverflowing，andeverypossibleconveyance，bywhichthemountainslyingbackofCaerdaffcouldbereached，waseagerlysecured，manypersons，however，beingobligedtodependupontheirownlegs。Soonaftersunriseoftheappointeddaytheforts，thevillage，andthesurroundinglowercountrywereentirelydeserted，andeverypointofvantageonthemountainslyingsomemilesbackfromthecoastwasoccupiedbyexcitedspectators，nearlyeveryonearmedwithafield-glass。
Afewofthegunsfromthefortificationsweretransportedtoanoverlookingheight，inorderthattheymightbebroughtintoactionincasetherepeller，insteadofbombarding，shouldsendmeninboatstotakepossessionoftheevacuatedfortifications，orshouldattemptanyminingoperations。Thegunnersforthisbatterywerestationedatasafeplacetotherear，whencetheycouldreadilyreachtheirgunsifnecessary。
ThenextdaywasoneofsupremeimportancetotheSyndicate。Onthisdayitmustmakeplaintotheworld，notonlywhatthemotor-bombcoulddo，butthatthemotor-bombdidwhatwasdone。BeforeleavingtheEnglishChannelthedirectorofRepellerNo。11hadreceivedtelegraphicadvicesfrombothEuropeandAmerica，indicatingthegeneraldriftofpublicopinioninregardtotherecentsea-fight;and，besidesthese，manyEnglishandcontinentalpapershadbeenbroughttohimfromtheFrenchcoast。
FromallthesethedirectorperceivedthatthecauseoftheSyndicatehadinacertainwaysufferedfromthemannerinwhichthebattleinthechannelhadbeenconducted。EverynewspaperurgedthatiftherepellercarriedgunscapableofthrowingthebombswhichtheSyndicateprofessedtouse，therewasnoreasonwhyeveryshipintheBritishfleetshouldnothavebeendestroyed。Butastherepellerhadnotfiredasingleshotatthefleet，andasthebattlehadbeenfoughtentirelybythecrabs，therewaseveryreasontobelievethatifthereweresuchthingsasmotor-guns，theirrangewasveryshort，notasgreatasthatoftheordinarydynamitecannon。Thegreatriskrunbyoneofthecrabsinordertodisableadynamitegun-boatseemedanadditionalproofofthis。
Itwasurgedthattheexplosionsinthewatermighthavebeenproducedbytorpedoes;thatthetorpedo-boatwhichhadbeendestroyedwassoneartherepellerthatanordinaryshellwassufficienttoaccomplishthedamagethathadbeendone。
TogainsaytheseassumptionswasimperativeontheSyndicate’sforces。Tofirmlyestablishtheprestigeoftheinstantaneousmotorwastheobjectofthewar。
Crabswereofbuttemporaryservice。Anynationcouldbuildvesselslikethem，andthereweremanymeansofdestroyingthem。Thespringarmourwasacompletedefenceagainstordinaryartillery，butitwasnotadefenceagainstsubmarinetorpedoes。TheclaimsoftheSyndicatecouldbefirmlybasedonnothingbutthepowersofabsoluteannihilationpossessedbytheinstantaneousmotor-bomb。
Aboutnineo’clockontheappointedmorning，RepellerNo。11，muchtothesurpriseofthespectatorsonthehighgroundswithfield-glassesandtelescopes，steamedawayfromCaerdaff。Whatthismeantnobodyknew，butthenavalmilitaryobserversimmediatelysuspectedthattheSyndicate’svesselhadconcentratedattentionuponCaerdaffinordertogoovertoIrelandtodosomesortofmischiefthere。Itwaspresumedthatthecrabsaccompaniedher，butastheywerenowattheirfightingdepthitwasimpossibletoseethematsogreatadistance。
ButitwassoonperceivedthatRepellerNo。11hadnointentionofrunningaway，norofgoingovertoIreland。Fromslowlycruisingaboutfourorfivemilesoffshore，shehadsteamedwestwarduntilshehadreachedapointwhich，accordingtothecalculationsofherscientificcorps，wasninemarinemilesfromCaerdaff。Thereshelaytoagainstastrongbreezefromtheeast。
Itwasnotyetteno’clockwhentheofficerinchargeofthestarboardgunremarkedtothedirectorthathesupposethatitwouldnotbenecessarytogivethesmokesignals，ashadbeendoneinthechannel，asnowallthecrabswerelyingnearthem。Thedirectorreflectedamoment，andthenorderedthatthesignalsshouldbegivenateverydischargeofthegun，andthatthecolumnsofblacksmokeshouldbeshotuptotheirgreatestheight。
Atpreciselyteno’clock，uprosefromRepellerNo。
11twotalljetsofblacksmoke。UprosefromthepromontoryofCaerdaff，aheavygraycloud，likeanimmenseballoon，andthenthepeopleonthehill-topsandhighlandsfeltasharpshockofthegroundandrocksbeneaththem，andheardthesoundofaterriblebutmomentarygrindingcrush。
Asthecloudbegantosettle，itwasborneouttoseabythewind，andthenitwasrevealedthatthefortificationsofCaerdaffhaddisappeared。
Intenminutestherewasanothersmokesignal，andagreatcloudoverthecastellatedstructureontheothersideofthebay。Thecloudpassedaway，leavingavacantspaceontheothersideofthebay。
Thesecondshocksentapanicthroughthecrowdofspectators。Thenextearthquakebombmightstrikeamongthem。Downtheeasternslopesranhundredsofthem，leavingonlyafewofthebravestcivilians，thereportersofthepress，andthenavalandmilitarymen。
Thenextmotor-bombdescendedintothefishingvillage，thecomminutedparticlesofwhich，beingmostlyoflightmaterial，floatedfarouttosea。
Thedetachmentofartilleristswhohadbeendeputedtomanthegunsontheheightswhichcommandedthebayhadbeenorderedtofallbacktothemountainsassoonasithadbeenseenthatitwasnottheintentionoftherepellertosendboatsonshore。Themostcourageousofthespectatorstrembledalittlewhenthefourthbombwasdischarged，foritcamefartherinland，andstrucktheheightonwhichthebatteryhadbeenplaced，removingallvestigesoftheguns，caissons，andtheledgeofrockonwhichtheyhadstood。
Themotor-bombswhichtherepellerwasnowdischargingwereofthelargestsizeandgreatestpower，andadozenmoreofthemweredischargedatintervalsofafewminutes。Thepromontoryonwhichthefortificationshadstoodwasannihilated，andthewatersofthebaysweptoveritsfoundations。Soonafterwardtheheadofthebayseemedmadlyrushingouttosea，butquicklysurgedbacktofillthechasmwhichyawnedatthespotwherethevillagehadbeen。
Thedensecloudswerenowupheavedatsuchshortintervalsthatthesceneofdevastationwascompletelyshutoutfromtheobserversonthehills;buteveryfewminutestheyfeltasickeningshock，andheardamomentaryandhorriblecrashandhisswhichseemedtofillalltheair。Theinstantaneousmotor-bombsweretearingupthesea-board，andgrindingittoatoms。
Itwasnotyetnoonwhenthebombardmentceased。
Nomorepuffsofblacksmokecameupfromthedistantrepeller，andthevastspreadingmassofcloudsmovedseaward，droppingdownuponSt。George’sChannelinarainofstonedust。Thentherepellersteamedshoreward，andwhenshewaswithinthreeorfourmilesofthecoastsheranupalargewhiteflagintokenthathertaskwasended。
Thissignthatthebombardmenthadceasedwasacceptedingoodfaith;andassomeofthemilitaryandnavalmenhadcarefullynotedthateachpufffromtherepellerwasaccompaniedbyashock，itwasconsideredcertainthatallthebombswhichhadbeendischargedhadacted，andthat，consequently，nofurtherdangerwastobeapprehendedfromthem。Inspiteofthisannouncementmanyofthespectatorswouldnotleavetheirpositiononthehills，butahundredormoreofcuriousandcourageousmenventureddownintotheplain。
Thatpartofthesea-coastwhereCaerdaffhadbeenwasanewcountry，aboutwhichmenwanderedslowlyandcautiouslywithsuddenexclamations，ofamazementandawe。Therewerenolongerpromontoriesjuttingoutintothesea;therewerenohillocksandrockyterracesrisinginland。Inavastplain，shavenandshorndowntoacommonlevelofscarredandpallidrock，therelayanimmensechasmtwomilesandahalflong，halfamilewide，andsodeepthatshudderingmencouldstandandlookdownupontherentandrivenrocksuponwhichhadrestedthatportionoftheWelshcoastwhichhadnowblownouttosea。
AnofficeroftheRoyalEngineersstoodontheseawardedgeofthisyawningabyss;thenhewalkedovertothealmostcircularbodyofwaterwhichoccupiedtheplacewherethefishingvillagehadbeen，andintowhichthewatersofthebayhadflowed。WhenthisofficerreturnedtoLondonhewroteareporttotheeffectthatashipcanal，lessthananeighthofamilelong，leadingfromthenewlyformedlakeattheheadofthebay，wouldmakeofthischasm，whenfilledbythesea，thefinestandmostthoroughlyprotectedinlandbasinforshipsofallsizesontheBritishcoast。Butbeforethisreportreceiveddueofficialconsiderationtheideahadbeensuggestedandelaboratedinadozennewspapers。
AccountsandreportsofallkindsdescribingthedestructionofCaerdaff，andoftheplaceinwhichithadstood，filledthenewspapersoftheworld。Photo-
graphsandpicturesofCaerdaffasithadbeenandasitthenwaswereproducedwithmarvellousrapidity，andtheearthquakebomboftheAmericanWarSyndicatewasthesubjectofexcitedconversationineverycivilizedcountry。
TheBritishMinistrywasnowthecalmestbodyofmeninEurope。Thegreatoppositionstormhaddiedaway，thegreatwarstormhadceased，andthewisestBritishstatesmensawtheunmistakablepathofnationalpolicylyingplainandopenbeforethem。Therewasnolongertimeforargumentsandstruggleswithopponentsorenemies，internalorexternal。Therewasevennolongertimeforthediscussionofmeasures。Itwasthetimefortheadoptionofameasurewhichindicateditself，andwhichdidnotneeddiscussion。
OntheafternoonofthedayofthebombardmentofCaerdaff，RepellerNo。11，accompaniedbyhercrabs，steamedfortheEnglishChannel。TwodaysafterwardtherelayoffthecoastatBrighton，withawhiteflagfloatinghighaboveher，theoldTallapoosa，nownavalmistressoftheworld。
Nearbylayacableboat，andconstantcommunicationbywayofFrancewaskeptupbetweentheofficersoftheAmericanSyndicateandtherepeller。InaveryshorttimecommunicationswereopenedbetweentherepellerandLondon。
WhenthislaststepbecameknowntothepublicofAmerica，almostasmuchexcitedbytherecenteventsasthepublicofEngland，agreatdisturbancearoseincertainpoliticalcircles。ItwasarguedthattheSyndicatehadnorighttonegotiateinanywaywiththeGovernmentofEngland;thatithadbeenempoweredtocarryonawar;andthat，ifitsdutiesinthisregardhadbeensatisfactorilyexecuted，itmustnowretire，andallowtheUnitedStatesGovernmenttoattendtoitsforeignrelations。
ButtheSyndicatewasfirm。Ithadcontractedtobringthewartoasatisfactoryconclusion。Whenitconsideredthatthishadbeendone，itwouldretireandallowtheAmericanGovernment，withwhomthecontracthadbeenmade，todecidewhetherornotithadbeenproperlyperformed。
TheunmistakablepathofnationalpolicywhichhadshownitselftothewisestBritishstatesmenappearedbroaderandplainerwhentheoverturesoftheAmericanWarSyndicatehadbeenreceivedbytheBritishGovernment。TheMinistrynowperceivedthattheSyndicatehadnotwagedwar;ithadbeensimplyexhibitingtheuselessnessofwarasatpresentwaged。
Whonowcoulddenythatitwouldbefollytoopposetheresourcesofordinarywarfaretothoseofwhatmightbecalledprohibitivewarfare。
AnotherideaaroseinthemindsofthewisestBritishstatesmen。IfprohibitivewarfarewereagoodthingforAmerica，itwouldbeanequallygoodthingforEngland。Morethanthat，itwouldbeabetterthingifonlythesetwocountriespossessedthepowerofwagingprohibitivewarfare。
InthreedaysaconventionofpeacewasconcludedbetweenGreatBritainandtheAmericanSyndicateactingfortheUnitedStates，itsprovisionsbeingmadesubjecttosuchfuturetreatiesandalliancesasthegovernmentsofthetwonationsmightmakewitheachother。InsixdaysaftertheaffairatCaerdaff，acommitteeoftheAmericanWarSyndicatewasinLondon，makingarrangements，underthefavourableauspicesoftheBritishGovernment，fortheformationofanAnglo-AmericanSyndicateofWar。
TheAtlanticOceannowsprangintonewlife。Itseemedimpossibletoimaginewhencehadcomethemultitudeofvesselswhichnowsteamedandsaileduponitssurface。Amongthese，goingwestward，weresixcrabs，andthespring-armouredvessel，oncetheTallapoosa，goinghometoatriumphantreception，suchashadneverbeforebeenaccordedtoanyvessel，whetherofwarorpeace。
TheblockadeoftheCanadianport，whichhadbeeneffectivelymaintainedwithoutincident，wasnowraised，andtheSyndicate’svesselsproceededtoanAmericanport。
TheBritishironclad，Adamant，attheconclusionofpeacewasstillintowofCrabC，andoffthecoastofFlorida。AvesselwassentdownthecoastbytheSyndicatetonotifyCrabCofwhathadoccurred，andtoorderittotowtheAdamanttotheBermudas，andtheredeliverhertotheBritishauthorities。ThevesselsentbytheSyndicate，whichwasafastcoast-
steamer，hadscarcelyhoveinsightoftheobjectsofhersearchwhenshewassalutedbyaten-inchshellfromtheAdamant，followedalmostimmediatelybytwoothers。ThecommanderoftheAdamanthadnoideathatthewarwasatanend，andhadneverfailed，duringhisinvoluntarycruise，tofireatanythingwhichboretheAmericanflag，orlookedlikeanAmericancraft。
Fortunatelythecoaststeamerwasnotstruck，andatthetopofherspeedretiredtoagreaterdistance，whencetheSyndicateofficeronboardcommunicatedwiththecrabbysmokesignals。
DuringthetimeinwhichCrabChadhadchargeoftheAdamantnocommunicationhadtakenplacebetweenthetwovessels。Wheneveranair-pipehadbeenelevatedforthepurposeofusingthereinaspeaking-
tube，avolleyfromamachine-gunontheAdamantwaspoureduponit，andafterseveralpipeshadbeenshotawaythedirectorofthecrabceasedhiseffortstoconferwiththoseontheironclad。Ithadbeennecessarytoplacetheoutletsoftheventilatingapparatusofthecrabundertheforwardendsofsomeoftheupperroof-plates。
WhenCrabChadreceivedherorders，sheputabouttheprowofthegreatwarship，andproceededtotowhernorth-eastward，thecommanderoftheAdamanttakingapartingcrackwithhisheavieststern-gunatthevesselwhichhadbroughttheorderforhisrelease。
AllthewayfromtheAmericancoasttotheBermudaIslands，thegreatAdamantblazed，thundered，androared，notonlybecausehercommandersaw，orfanciedhesaw，anAmericanvessel，buttonotifyallcrabs，repellers，andanyothervileinventionoftheenemythatmayhavebeenrecentlyputforthtoblemishthesacredsurfaceofthesea，thattheAdamantstillfloated，withtheheaviestcoatofmailandthefinestandmostcompletearmamentintheworld，readytosinkanythinghostilewhichcamenearenough——butnottoonear。
WhenthecommanderfoundthathewasboundfortheBermudas，hedidnotunderstandit，unless，indeed，thoseislandshadbeencapturedbytheenemy。Buthedidnotstopfiring。Indeed，shouldhefindtheBermudasundertheAmericanflag，hewouldfireatthatflagandwhatevercarriedit，aslongasashotorashellorachargeofpowderremainedtohim。
ButwhenhereachedBritishwaters，andslowlyenteringSt。George’sharbour，sawaroundhimtheBritishflagfloatingasproudlyasitfloatedabovehisowngreatship，heconfessedhimselfutterlybewildered;butheorderedthemenateveryguntostandbytheirpieceuntilhewasboardedbyaboatfromthefort，andinformedofthetruestateofaffairs。
Buteventhen，whenwearyCrabCraisedherselffromherfightingdepth，andsteamedtoadock，thecommanderoftheAdamantcouldscarcelyrefrainfromsendingacoupleoftonsofironintothebeastlysea-
devilwhichhadhadtheimpertinencetotowhimaboutagainsthiswill。
NotimewaslostbytherespectiveGovernmentsofGreatBritainandtheUnitedStatesinratifyingthepeacemadethroughtheSyndicate，andinconcludingamilitaryandnavalalliance，thebasisofwhichshouldbetheusebythesetwonations，andbynoothernations，oftheinstantaneousmotor。Thetreatywasmadeandadoptedwithmuchmoredespatchthangenerallyaccompaniessuchagreementsbetweennations，forbothGovernmentsfelttheimportanceofplacingthemselves，withoutdelay，inthatpositionfromwhich，bymeansoftheirunitedcontrolofparamountmethodsofwarfare，theymightbecomethearbitersofpeace。
Thedesiretoevolvethatpowerwhichshouldrenderoppositionuselesshadlongledmenfromonewarlikeinventiontoanother。Everyonewhohadconstructedanewkindofgun，anewkindofarmour，oranewexplosive，thoughtthathehadsolvedtheproblem，orwasonhiswaytodoso。Theinventoroftheinstantaneousmotorhaddoneit。
ThetreatyprovidedthatallsubjectsconcerninghostilitiesbetweeneitherorbothofthecontractingpowersandothernationsshouldbereferredtoaJointHighCommission，appointedbythetwopowers;andifwarshouldbeconsiderednecessary，itshouldbeprosecutedandconductedbytheAnglo-AmericanWarSyndicate，withinlimitationsprescribedbytheHighCommission。
ThecontractmadewiththenewSyndicatewasofthemoststringentorder，andcontainedeveryprovisionthatingenuityorforesightofmancouldinventorsuggesttomakeitimpossiblefortheSyndicatetotransfertoanyothernationtheuseoftheinstantaneousmotor。
ThroughoutallclassesinsympathywiththeAdministrativepartiesofGreatBritainandtheUnitedStatestherewasafeelingofjubilantelationonaccountoftheallianceandtheadoptionbythetwonationsofthemeansofprohibitivewarfare。Thispublicsentimentactedevenupontheopposition;andthemajorityofarmyandnavyofficersinthetwocountriesfeltboundtoadmitthattheartsofwarinwhichtheyhadbeeneducatedwerethingsofthepast。
Ofcoursethereweremembersofthearmyandnavyinbothcountrieswhodeprecatedthenewstateofthings。
Buttherewerealsomen，stillliving，whodeprecatedtheabolitionoftheoldwoodenseventy-fourgunship。
ABritishartilleryofficerconversingwithamemberoftheAmericanSyndicateataLondonclub，saidtohim：——
\"Doyouknowthatyoumadeagreatmistakeinthebeginningofyouroperationswiththemotor-guns？Ifyouhadcontrivedanattachmenttothemotorwhichshouldhavemadeaninfernalthunder-clapandastormofsmokeatthemomentofdischargeitwouldhavesavedyoualotofmoneyandtimeandtrouble。TheworkofthemotorontheCanadiancoastwasterribleenough，butpeoplecouldseenoconnectionbetweenthatandthegunsonyourvessels。IfyoucouldhavesoonershownthatconnectionyoumighthavesavedyourselvesthetroubleofcrossingtheAtlantic。And，toprovethis，oneofthemostsatisfactorypointsconnectedwithyourworkontheWelshcoastwasthejetofsmokewhichcamefromtherepellereverytimeshedischargedamotor。Ifithadnotbeenforthosejets，IbelievetherewouldbepeoplenowintheoppositionwhowouldswearthatCaerdaffhadbeenmined，andthattheMinistrywereapartytoit。\"
\"Yourpointiswelltaken，\"saidtheAmerican，\"andshoulditeverbenecessarytodischargeanymorebombs，——whichIhopeitmaynotbe，——weshalltakecaretoshowavisibleandaudibleconnectionbetweencauseandeffect。\"
\"Thedeviltakeit，sir！\"criedanoldcaptainofanEnglishship-of-the-line，whowassittingnearby。
\"Whatyouaretalkingaboutisnotwar！WemightaswellsendoutaCodfishTrusttosettlenationaldisputes。Inthenextsea-fightwe’llsaveourselvesthetroubleofgnawingandcrunchingatthesternsoftheenemy。We’llsimplysendanoteaboardrequestingtheforeignertobesogoodastosendushisrudderbybearer，which，ifproperlymarkedandnumbered，willbereturnedtohimontheconclusionofpeace。Thiswoulddojustaswellastwistingitoff，andsaveexpense。No，sir，Iwillnotjoinyouinajulep！_I_havemadenoallianceovernew-fangledinventions！Waiter，fetchmesomerumandhotwater！\"
InthemidstoftheprofoundsatisfactionwithwhichthemembersoftheAmericanWarSyndicateregardedthesuccessoftheirlabours，——laboursalikeprofitabletothemselvesandtotherecentlycontendingnations，——andinthegratifiedpridewithwhichtheyreceivedthepopularandofficialcongratulationswhichwereshowereduponthem，therewasbutonelittlecloud，oneregret。
InthecourseofthegreatSyndicateWaralifehadbeenlost。ThomasHutchins，whileassistingintheloadingofcoalononeoftherepellers，wasaccidentallykilledbythefallingofaderrick。
TheSyndicategaveageneroussumtothefamilyoftheunfortunateman，andthroughouttheUnitedStatestheoccurrenceoccasionedadeepfeelingofsympatheticregret。ApopularsubscriptionwasstartedtobuildamonumenttothememoryofHutchins，andcontributionscame，notonlyfromallpartsoftheUnitedStates，butfrommanypersonsinGreatBritainwhowishedtoassistintheerectionofthistributetothemanwhohadfalleninthecontestwhichhadbeenofasmuchbenefittotheircountryastohisown。
Someweeksaftertheconclusionofthetreaty，apublicquestionwasraised，whichatfirstthreatenedtoannoytheAmericanGovernment;butitprovedtobeoflittlemoment。Ananti-AdministrationpaperinPeakville，Arkansas，assertedthatinthewholeofthepublishedtreatytherewasnotonewordinregardtothefisheriesquestion，thecomplicationsarisingfromwhichhadbeenthecauseofthewar。Otherpaperstookupthematter，andtheGovernmentthendiscoveredthatindrawingupthetreatythefisheriesbusinesshadbeenentirelyoverlooked。Therewasagooddealofsurpriseinofficialcircleswhenthisdiscoverywasannounced;butasitwasconsideredthatthefisheriesquestionwasonewhichwouldtakecareofitself，orbereadilydisposedofinconnectionwithanumberofotherminorpointswhichremainedtobesettledbetweenthetwocountries，itwasdecidedtotakenonoticeoftheimpliedchargeofneglect，andtoletthematterdrop。Andastheoppositionpartytooknorealinterestinthequestion，butlittlemorewassaidaboutit。
Bothcountriesweretoowellsatisfiedwiththegeneralresulttowastetimeordiscussionoversmallmatters。GreatBritainhadlostsomefortsandsomeships;butthesewouldhavebeencomparativelyuselessinthenewsystemofwarfare。Ontheotherhand，shehadgained，notonlytheincalculableadvantageofthealliance，butamagnificentandunsurpassedlandlockedbasinonthecoastofWales。
TheUnitedStateshadbeenobligedtopayanimmensesumonaccountofthecontractwiththeWarSyndicate，butthiswasconsideredmoneysowellspent，andsomuchlessthananordinarywarwouldhavecost，thatonlythemostviolentanti-Administrationjournalseveralludedtoit。
Reductionofmilitaryandnavalforces，andgradualdisarmament，wasnowthepolicyofthealliednations。
SuchforcesandsuchvesselsasmightbedemandedforthefutureoperationsoftheWarSyndicatewereretained。Afewfieldbatteriesofmotor-gunswereallthatwouldbeneededonland，andacomparativelysmallnumberofarmouredshipswouldsufficetocarrythemotor-gunsthatwouldberequiredatsea。
Nowtherewouldbenomoremereexhibitionsofthepowersoftheinstantaneousmotor-bomb。Hereafter，ifbattlesmustbefought，theywouldbebattlesofannihilation。
ThisisthehistoryoftheGreatSyndicateWar。
WhetherornottheAnglo-AmericanSyndicatewasevercalledupontomakewar，itisnottobestatedhere。
ButcertainitisthataftertheformationofthisSyndicateallthenationsoftheworldbegantoteachEnglishintheirschools，andtheSpiritofCivilizationraisedherheadwithaconfidentsmile。
