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impalpable powder。
When the cloud had cleared away there were no fortifications； and the
bluff on which they had stood had disappeared。 Part of this bluff had
floated away on the wind； and part of it lay piled in great heaps of sand on
the spot where its rocks were to have upheld a fort。
The effect of the motor…bomb was fully observed with glasses from the
various fortifications of the port； and from many points of the city and
harbour； and those familiar with the effects of explosives were not long in
making up their minds what had happened。 They felt sure that a mine had
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been sprung beneath Fort Pilcher； and they were now equally confident
that in the morning a torpedo of novel and terrible power had been
exploded in the harbour。 They now disbelieved in the earthquake； and
treated with contempt the pretence that shots had been fired from the
Syndicate's vessel。 This was merely a trick of the enemy。 It was not even
likely that the mine or the torpedo had been operated from the ship。 These
were； in all probability； under the control of confederates on shore； and
had been exploded at times agreed upon beforehand。 All this was perfectly
plain to the military authorities。 But the people of the city derived no
comfort from the announcement of these conclusions。 For all that anybody
knew the whole city might be undermined； and at any moment might
ascend in a cloud of minute particles。 They felt that they were in a region
of hidden traitors and bombs； and in consequence of this belief thousands
of citizens left their homes。 That afternoon a truce…boat again went out
from Repeller No。 1； and rowed to the fort； where a letter to the
commandant was delivered。 This； like the other； demanded no answer； and
the boat returned。 Later in the afternoon the two repellers； accompanied by
the crabs； and leaving the steel net still anchored in its place； retired a few
miles seaward； where they prepared to lay to for the night。 The letter
brought by the truce…boat was read by the commandant； surrounded by his
officers。 It stated that in twenty…four hours from time of writing it； which
would be at or about four o'clock on the next afternoon； a bomb would be
thrown into the garrisoned fort； under the command of the officer
addressed。 As this would result in the entire destruction of the fortification；
the commandant was earnestly counselled to evacuate the fort before the
hour specified。 Ordinarily the commandant of the fort was of a calm and
unexcitable temperament。 During the astounding events of that day and
the day before he had kept his head cool； his judgment； if not correct； was
the result of sober and earnest consideration。 But now he lost his temper。
The unparalleled effrontery and impertinence of this demand of the
American Syndicate was too much for his self…possession。 He stormed in
anger。 Here was the culmination of the knavish trickery of these
conscienceless pirates who had attacked the port。 A torpedo had been
exploded in the harbour； an unfinished fort had been mined and blown up；
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and all this had been done to frighten hima British soldier in command
of a strong fort well garrisoned and fully supplied with all the munitions of
war。 In the fear that his fort would be destroyed by a mystical bomb； he
was expected to march to a place of safety with all his forces。 If this
should be done it would not be long before these crafty fellows would
occupy the fort； and with its great guns turned inland； would hold the city
at their mercy。 There could be no greater insult to a soldier than to suppose
that he could be gulled by a trick like this。 No thought of actual danger
entered the mind of the commandant。 It had been easy enough to sink a
great torpedo in the harbour； and the unguarded bluffs of Fort Pilcher
offered every opportunity to the scoundrels who may have worked at their
mines through the nights of several months。 But a mine under the fort
which he commanded was an impossibility； its guarded outposts prevented
any such method of attack。 At a bomb； or a dozen； or a hundred of the
Syndicate's bombs he snapped his fingers。 He could throw bombs as well。
Nothing would please him better than that those ark…like ships in the
offing should come near enough for an artillery fight。 A few tons of solid
shot and shell dropped on top of them might be a very conclusive answer
to their impudent demands。 The letter from the Syndicate； together with
his own convictions on the subject； were communicated by the
commandant to the military authorities of the port； and to the War Office
of the Dominion。 The news of what had happened that day had already
been cabled across the Atlantic back to the United States； and all over the
world； and the profound impression created by it was intensified when it
became known what the Syndicate proposed to do the next day。 Orders
and advices from the British Admiralty and War Office sped across the
ocean； and that night few of the leaders in government circles in England
or Canada closed their eyes。 The opinions of the commandant of the fort
were received with but little favour by the military and naval authorities。
Great preparations were already ordered to repel and crush this most
audacious attack upon the port； but in the mean time it was highly
desirable that the utmost caution and prudence should be observed。 Three
men…of…war had already been disabled by the novel and destructive
machines of the enemy； and it had been ordered that for the present no
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more vessels of the British navy be allowed to approach the crabs of the
Syndicate。 Whether it was a mine or a bomb which had been used in the
destruction of the unfinished works of Fort Pilcher； it would be impossible
to determine until an official survey had been made of th