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。