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they would be successful。 Even the largest amount
stipulated to be paid them in case of success would be
less than the ordinary estimates for the military and
naval operations which had been anticipated； and in
case of failure； the amount forfeited would go far to
repair the losses which might be sustained by the
citizens of the various States。
At all events； should the Syndicate be allowed to
take immediate control of the war； there would be time
to put the army and navy； especially the latter； in
better condition to carry on the contest in case of the
failure of the Syndicate。 Organization and
construction might still go on； and； should it be
necessary； the army and navy could step into the
contest fresh and well prepared。
All branches of the Government united in accepting
the offer of the Syndicate。 The contract was signed；
and the world waited to see what would happen next。
The influence which for years had been exerted by
the interests controlled by the men composing the
Syndicate； had its effect in producing a popular
confidence in the power of the members of the Syndicate
to conduct a war as successfully as they had conducted
other gigantic enterprises。 Therefore； although
predictions of disaster came from many quarters； the
American public appeared willing to wait with but
moderate impatience for the result of this novel
undertaking。
The Government now proceeded to mass troops at
important points on the northern frontier； forts were
supplied with men and armaments； all coast defences
were put in the best possible condition； the navy was
stationed at important ports； and work at the ship…
yards went on。 But without reference to all this； the
work of the Syndicate immediately began。
This body of men were of various politics and of
various pursuits in life。 But politics were no more
regarded in the work they had undertaken than they
would have been in the purchase of land or of railroad
iron。 No manifestoes of motives and intentions were
issued to the public。 The Syndicate simply went to
work。 There could be no doubt that early success
would be a direct profit to it； but there could also be
no doubt that its success would be a vast benefit and
profit； not only to the business enterprises in which
these men were severally engaged； but to the business
of the whole country。 To save the United States from a
dragging war； and to save themselves from the effects
of it； were the prompting motives for the formation of
the Syndicate。
Without hesitation； the Syndicate determined that
the war in which it was about to engage should be one
of defence by means of offence。 Such a war must
necessarily be quick and effective； and with all the
force of their fortunes； their minds； and their bodies；
its members went to work to wage this war quickly and
effectively。
All known inventions and improvements in the art of
war had been thoroughly considered by the Syndicate；
and by the eminent specialists whom it had enlisted in
its service。 Certain recently perfected engines of
war； novel in nature； were the exclusive property of
the Syndicate。 It was known； or surmised； in certain
quarters that the Syndicate had secured possession of
important warlike inventions； but what they were
and how they acted was a secret carefully guarded and
protected。
The first step of the Syndicate was to purchase
from the United States Government ten war…vessels。
These were of medium size and in good condition； but
they were of an old…fashioned type； and it had not been
considered expedient to put them in commission。 This
action caused surprise and disappointment in many
quarters。 It had been supposed that the Syndicate；
through its agents scattered all over the world； would
immediately acquire； by purchase or lease； a fleet of
fine ironclads culled from various maritime powers。
But the Syndicate having no intention of involving； or
attempting to involve； other countries in this quarrel；
paid no attention to public opinion； and went to work
in its own way。
Its vessels； eight of which were on the Atlantic
coast and two on the Pacific； were rapidly prepared for
the peculiar service in which they were to be engaged。
The resources of the Syndicate were great； and in a
very short time several of their vessels； already
heavily plated with steel； were furnished with an
additional outside armour； formed of strips of elastic
steel； each reaching from the gunwales nearly to
the surface of the water。 These strips； about a foot
wide； and placed an inch or two apart； were each backed
by several powerful air…buffers； so that a ball
striking one or more of them would be deprived of much of its
momentum。 The experiments upon the steel spring and
buffers adopted by the Syndicate showed that the force
of the heaviest cannonading was almost deadened by the
powerful elasticity of this armour。
The armament of each vessel consisted of but one
gun； of large calibre； placed on the forward deck； and
protected by a bomb…proof covering。 Each vessel was
manned by a captain and crew from the merchant service；
from whom no warlike duties were expected。 The
fighting operations were in charge of a small body of
men； composed of two or three scientific specialists；
and some practical gunners and their assistants。 A few
bomb…proof canopies and a curved steel deck completed
the defences of the vessel。
Besides equipping this little navy； the Syndicate
set about the construction of certain sea…going vessels
of an extraordinary kind。 So great were the facilities
at its command； and so thorough and complete its
methods； that ten or a dozen ship…yards and foundries
were set to work simultaneously to build one of these
ships。 In a marvellously short time the Syndicate
possessed several of them ready for action。
These vessels became technically known as 〃crabs。〃
They were not large； and the only part of them which
projected above the water was the middle of an
elliptical deck； slightly convex； and heavily mailed
with ribs of steel。 These vessels were fitted with
electric engines of extraordinary power； and were
capable of great speed。 At their bows； fully protected
by the overhanging deck； was the machinery by which
their peculiar work was to be accomplished。 The
Syndicate intended to confine itself to marine
operations； and for the present it was contented with
these two classes of vessels。
The armament for each of the large vessels； as has
been said before； consisted of a single gun of long
range； and the ammunition was confined entirely to a
new style of projectile； which had never yet been used
in warfare。 The material and construction of this
projectile were known only to three members of the
Syndicate； who had invented and perfected it； and it
was on account of their possession of this secret
that they had b