按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the city； where the net was anchored across the harbour。 It did not reach
from shore to shore； but in the course of the morning two other nets；
designed for shallower waters； were brought from the repellers and
30
… Page 31…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
anchored at each end of the main net； thus forming a line of complete
protection against submarine torpedoes which might be sent down from
the upper harbour。 Repeller No。 1 now steamed into the harbour；
accompanied by Crab A； and anchored about a quarter of a mile seaward
of the net。 The other repeller； with her attendant crab； cruised about the
mouth of the harbour； watching a smaller entrance to the port as well as
the larger one； and thus maintaining an effective blockade。 This was not a
difficult duty； for since the news of the extraordinary performances of the
crabs had been spread abroad； no merchant vessel； large or small； cared to
approach that port； and strict orders had been issued by the British
Admiralty that no vessel of the navy should； until further instructed；
engage in combat with the peculiar craft of the Syndicate。 Until a plan of
action had been determined upon； it was very desirable that English
cruisers should not be exposed to useless injury and danger。 This being the
state of affairs； a message was sent from the office of the Syndicate across
the border to the Dominion Government； which stated that the seaport city
which had been attacked by the forces of the Syndicate now lay under the
guns of its vessels； and in case of any overt act of war by Great Britain or
Canada alone； such as the entrance of an armed force from British territory
into the United States； or a capture of or attack upon an American vessel；
naval or commercial； by a British man…of…war； or an attack upon an
American port by British vessels； the city would be bombarded and
destroyed。 This message； which was； of course； instantly transmitted to
London； placed the British Government in the apparent position of being
held by the throat by the American War Syndicate。 But if the British
Government； or the people of England or Canada； recognized this position
at all； it was merely as a temporary condition。 In a short time the most
powerful men…of…war of the Royal Navy； as well as a fleet of transports
carrying troops； would reach the coasts of North America； and then the
condition of affairs would rapidly be changed。 It was absurd to suppose
that a few medium…sized vessels； however heavily armoured； or a few
new…fangled submarine machines； however destructive they might be；
could withstand an armada of the largest and finest armoured vessels in
the world。 A ship or two might be disabled； although this was unlikely；
31
… Page 32…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
now that the new method of attack was understood； but it would soon be
the ports of the United States； on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts；
which would lie under the guns of an enemy。 But it was not in the power
of their navy that the British Government and the people of England and
Canada placed their greatest trust； but in the incapacity of their petty foe to
support its ridiculous assumptions。 The claim that the city lay under the
guns of the American Syndicate was considered ridiculous； for few people
believed that these vessels had any guns。 Certainly； there had been no
evidence that any shots had been fired from them。 In the opinion of
reasonable people the destruction of the forts and the explosions in the
harbour had been caused by mines mines of a new and terrifying power
which were the work of traitors and confederates。 The destruction of the
lighthouse had strengthened this belief； for its fall was similar to that
which would have been occasioned by a great explosion under its
foundation。 But however terrifying and appalling had been the results of
the explosion of these mines； it was not thought probable that there were
any more of them。 The explosions had taken place at exposed points
distant from the city； and the most careful investigation failed to discover
any present signs of mining operations。 This theory of mines worked by
confederates was received throughout the civilized world； and was
universally condemned。 Even in the United States the feeling was so
strong against this apparent alliance between the Syndicate and British
traitors； that there was reason to believe that a popular pressure would be
brought to bear upon the Government sufficient to force it to break its
contract with the Syndicate； and to carry on the war with the National
army and navy。 The crab was considered an admirable addition to the
strength of the navy； but a mine under a fort； laid and fired by perfidious
confederates； was considered unworthy an enlightened people。 The
members of the Syndicate now found themselves in an embarrassing and
dangerous positiona position in which they were placed by the universal
incredulity regarding the instantaneous motor； and unless they could make
the world believe that they really used such a motor…bomb； the war could
not be prosecuted on the plan projected。 It was easy enough to convince
the enemy of the terrible destruction the Syndicate was able to effect； but
32
… Page 33…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
to make that enemy and the world understand that this was done by bombs；
which could be used in one place as well as another； was difficult indeed。
They had attempted to prove this by announcing that at a certain time a
bomb should be projected into a certain fort。 Precisely at the specified
time the fort had been destroyed； but nobody believed that a bomb had
been fired。 Every opinion； official or popular； concerning what it had done
and what might be expected of it； was promptly forwarded to th