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The Atlantic Ocean now sprang into new life。 It seemed impossible to
imagine whence had come the multitude of vessels which now steamed
and sailed upon its surface。 Among these； going westward； were six crabs；
and the spring…armoured vessel； once the Tallapoosa； going home to a
triumphant reception； such as had never before been accorded to any
vessel； whether of war or peace。 The blockade of the Canadian port； which
had been effectively maintained without incident； was now raised； and the
Syndicate's vessels proceeded to an American port。 The British ironclad；
Adamant； at the conclusion of peace was still in tow of Crab C； and off the
coast of Florida。 A vessel was sent down the coast by the Syndicate to
notify Crab C of what had occurred； and to order it to tow the Adamant to
the Bermudas； and there deliver her to the British authorities。 The vessel
sent by the Syndicate； which was a fast coast… steamer； had scarcely hove
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in sight of the objects of her search when she was saluted by a ten…inch
shell from the Adamant； followed almost immediately by two others。 The
commander of the Adamant had no idea that the war was at an end； and
had never failed； during his involuntary cruise； to fire at anything which
bore the American flag； or looked like an American craft。 Fortunately the
coast steamer was not struck； and at the top of her speed retired to a
greater distance； whence the Syndicate officer on board communicated
with the crab by smoke signals。 During the time in which Crab C had had
charge of the Adamant no communication had taken place between the
two vessels。 Whenever an air…pipe had been elevated for the purpose of
using therein a speaking… tube； a volley from a machine…gun on the
Adamant was poured upon it； and after several pipes had been shot away
the director of the crab ceased his efforts to confer with those on the
ironclad。 It had been necessary to place the outlets of the ventilating
apparatus of the crab under the forward ends of some of the upper roof…
plates。 When Crab C had received her orders； she put about the prow of
the great warship； and proceeded to tow her north…eastward； the
commander of the Adamant taking a parting crack with his heaviest stern…
gun at the vessel which had brought the order for his release。 All the way
from the American coast to the Bermuda Islands； the great Adamant
blazed； thundered； and roared； not only because her commander saw； or
fancied he saw； an American vessel； but to notify all crabs； repellers； and
any other vile invention of the enemy that may have been recently put
forth to blemish the sacred surface of the sea； that the Adamant still floated；
with the heaviest coat of mail and the finest and most complete armament
in the world； ready to sink anything hostile which came near enoughbut
not too near。 When the commander found that he was bound for the
Bermudas； he did not understand it； unless； indeed； those islands had been
captured by the enemy。 But he did not stop firing。 Indeed； should he find
the Bermudas under the American flag； he would fire at that flag and
whatever carried it； as long as a shot or a shell or a charge of powder
remained to him。 But when he reached British waters； and slowly entering
St。 George's harbour； saw around him the British flag floating as proudly
as it floated above his own great ship； he confessed himself utterly
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bewildered； but he ordered the men at every gun to stand by their piece
until he was boarded by a boat from the fort； and informed of the true state
of affairs。 But even then； when weary Crab C raised herself from her
fighting depth； and steamed to a dock； the commander of the Adamant
could scarcely refrain from sending a couple of tons of iron into the
beastly sea… devil which had had the impertinence to tow him about
against his will。 No time was lost by the respective Governments of Great
Britain and the United States in ratifying the peace made through the
Syndicate； and in concluding a military and naval alliance； the basis of
which should be the use by these two nations； and by no other nations； of
the instantaneous motor。 The treaty was made and adopted with much
more despatch than generally accompanies such agreements between
nations； for both Governments felt the importance of placing themselves；
without delay； in that position from which； by means of their united
control of paramount methods of warfare； they might become the arbiters
of peace。 The desire to evolve that power which should render opposition
useless had long led men from one warlike invention to another。 Every one
who had constructed a new kind of gun； a new kind of armour； or a new
explosive； thought that he had solved the problem； or was on his way to do
so。 The inventor of the instantaneous motor had done it。 The treaty
provided that all subjects concerning hostilities between either or both of
the contracting powers and other nations should be referred to a Joint High
Commission； appointed by the two powers； and if war should be
considered necessary； it should be prosecuted and conducted by the Anglo…
American War Syndicate； within limitations prescribed by the High
Commission。 The contract made with the new Syndicate was of the most
stringent order； and contained every provision that ingenuity or foresight
of man could invent or suggest to make it impossible for the Syndicate to
transfer to any other nation the use of the instantaneous motor。 Throughout
all classes in sympathy with the Administrative parties of Great Britain
and the United States there was a feeling of jubilant elation on account of
the alliance and the adoption by the two nations of the means of
prohibitive warfare。 This public sentiment acted even upon the opposition；
and the majority of army and navy officers in the two countries felt bound