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captain of the Adamant sent a letter to the repeller； in which he stated to
the persons in charge of that ship； that although his vessel had been injured
in a manner totally at variance with the rules of naval warfare； he would
overlook this fact and would agree to cease firing upon the Syndicate's
vessels； provided that the submerged craft which was now made fast to his
vessel should attach itself to the Adamant's bow； and by means of a
suitable cable which she would furnish； would tow her into British waters。
If this were done he would guarantee that the towing craft should have six
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hours in which to get away。 When this letter was read on board the repeller
it created considerable merriment； and an answer was sent back that no
conditions but those of absolute surrender could be received from the
British ship。 In three minutes after this answer had been received by the
captain of the Adamant； two shells went whirring and shrieking through
the air toward Repeller No。 7； and after that the cannonading from the bow；
the stern； the starboard； and the port guns of the great battle…ship went on
whenever there was a visible object on the ocean which looked in the least
like an American coasting vessel or man…of…war。 For a week Crab K towed
steadily to the south this blazing and thundering marine citadel； and then
the crab signalled to the still accompanying repeller that it must be
relieved。 It had not been fitted out for so long a cruise； and supplies were
getting low。 The Syndicate； which had been kept informed of all the
details of this affair； had already perceived the necessity of relieving Crab
K； and another crab； well provisioned and fitted out； was already on the
way to take its place。 This was Crab C； possessing powerful engines； but
in point of roof armour the weakest of its class。 It could be better spared
than any other crab to tow the Adamant； and as the British ship had not；
and probably could not； put out another suspended cannon； it was
considered quite suitable for the service required。 But when Crab C came
within half a mile of the Adamant it stopped。 It was evident that on board
the British ship a steady lookout had been maintained for the approach of
fresh crabs； for several enormous shell and shot from heavy guns； which
had been trained upward at a high angle； now fell into the sea a short
distance from the crab。 Crab C would not have feared these heavy shot had
they been fired from an ordinary elevation； and although no other vessel in
the Syndicate's service would have hesitated to run the terrible gauntlet；
this one； by reason of errors in construction； being less able than any other
crab to resist the fall from a great height of ponderous shot and shell；
thought it prudent not to venture into this rain of iron； and； moving rapidly
beyond the line of danger； it attempted to approach the Adamant from
another quarter。 If it could get within the circle of falling shot it would be
safe。 But this it could not do。 On all sides of the Adamant guns had been
trained to drop shot and shells at a distance of half a mile from the ship。
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Around and around the mighty ironclad steamed Crab C； but wherever she
went her presence was betrayed to the fine glasses on board the Adamant
by the bit of her shining back and the ripple about it； and ever between her
and the ship came down that hail of iron in masses of a quarter ton； half
ton； or nearly a whole ton。 Crab C could not venture under these； and all
day she accompanied the Adamant on her voyage south； dashing to this
side and that； and looking for the chance that did not come； for all day the
cannon of the battle…ship roared at her wherever she might be。 The inmates
of Crab K were now very restive and uneasy； for they were on short
rations； both of food and water。 They would have been glad enough to cast
loose from the Adamant； and leave the spiteful ship to roll to her heart's
content； broadside to the sea。 They did not fear to run their vessel； with its
thick roofplates protected by spring armour； through the heaviest
cannonade。 But signals from the repeller commanded them to stay by the
Adamant as long as they could hold out； and they were obliged to content
themselves with a hope that when night fell the other crab would be able
to get in under the stern of the Adamant； and make the desired exchange。
But to the great discomfiture of the Syndicate's forces； darkness had
scarcely come on before four enormous electric lights blazed high up on
the single lofty mast of the Adamant； lighting up the ocean for a mile on
every side of the ship。 It was of no more use for Crab C to try to get in
now than in broad daylight； and all night the great guns roared； and the
little crab manoeuvred。 The next morning a heavy fog fell upon the sea；
and the battle…ship and Crab C were completely shut out of sight of each
other。 Now the cannon of the Adamant were silent； for the only result of
firing would be to indicate to the crab the location of the British ship。 The
smoke…signals of the towing crab could not be seen through the fog by her
consorts； and she seemed to be incapable of making signals by sound。
Therefore the commander of the Adamant thought it likely that until the
fog rose the crab could not find his ship。 What that other crab intended to
do could be； of course； on board the Adamant； only a surmise； but it was
believed that she would bring with her a torpedo to be exploded under the
British ship。 That one crab should tow her away from possible aid until
another should bring a torpedo to fasten to her stern…post seemed a
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
reasonable explanation of the action of the Syndicate's vessels。 The
officers of the Adamant little understood the resources and intentions of
their opponents。 Every vessel of the Syndicate carried a magnetic indicator；
which was designed to prevent collisions with iron vessels。 This little
instrument was placed at night and during fogs at the bow of the vessel；
and a delicate arm of steel； which ordinarily pointed upward at a
considerable angl