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 Adamant； a strict lookout had been kept for the approach of crabs； and
when the small exposed portions of the backs of two of these were
perceived glistening in the sunlight； the speed of the great ship slackened。
The ability of the Syndicate's submerged vessels to move suddenly and
quickly in any direction had been clearly demonstrated； and although a
great ironclad with a ram could run down and sink a crab without feeling
the concussion； it was known that it would be perfectly easy for the
smaller craft to keep out of the way of its bulky antagonist。 Therefore the
Adamant did not try to ram the crabs； nor to get away from them。 Her
commander intended； if possible； to run down one or both of them； but he
did not propose to do this in the usual way。 As the crabs approached； the
stern…jacket of the Adamant was let down； and the engines were slowed。
This stern…jacket； when protecting the rudder and propellers； looked very
much like the cowcatcher of a locomotive； and was capable of being put to
42
… Page 43…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
a somewhat similar use。 It was the intention of the captain of the Adamant；
should the crabs attempt to attach themselves to his stern； to suddenly put
on all steam； reverse his engines； and back upon them； the stern…jacket
answering as a ram。 The commander of the Adamant had no doubt that in
this way he could run into a crab； roll it over in the water； and when it was
lying bottom upward； like a floating cask； he could move his ship to a
distance； and make a target of it。 So desirous was this brave and somewhat
facetious captain to try his new plan upon a crab； that he forebore to fire
upon the two vessels of that class which were approaching him。 Some of
his guns were so mounted that their muzzles could be greatly depressed；
and aimed at an object in the water not far from the ship。 But these were
not discharged； and； indeed； the crabs； which were new ones of unusual
swiftness； were alongside the Adamant in an incredibly short time； and out
of the range of these guns。 Crab J was on the starboard side of the
Adamant； Crab K was on the port side； and； simultaneously； the two laid
hold of her。 But they were not directly astern of the great vessel。 Each had
its nippers fastened to one side of the stern…jacket； near the hinge…like bolts
which held it to the vessel； and on which it was raised and lowered。 In a
moment the Adamant began to steam backward； but the only effect of this
motion； which soon became rapid； was to swing the crabs around against
her sides； and carry them with her。 As the vessels were thus moving the
great pincers of the crabs were twisted with tremendous force； the stern…
jacket on one side was broken from its bolt； and on the other the bolt itself
was drawn out of the side of the vessel。 The nippers then opened； and the
stern…jacket fell from their grasp into the sea； snapping in its fall the chain
by which it had been raised and lowered。 This disaster occurred so quickly
that few persons on board the Adamant knew what had happened。 But the
captain； who had seen everything； gave instant orders to go ahead at full
speed。 The first thing to be done was to get at a distance from those crabs；
keep well away from them； and pound them to pieces with his heavy guns。
But the iron screw…propellers had scarcely begun to move in the opposite
direction； before the two crabs； each now lying at right angles with the
length of the ship； but neither of them directly astern of her； made a dash
with open nippers； and Crab J fastened upon one propeller； while Crab K
43
… Page 44…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
laid hold of the other。 There was a din and crash of breaking metal； two
shocks which were felt throughout the vessel； and the shattered and
crushed blades of the propellers of the great battle… ship were powerless to
move her。 The captain of the Adamant； pallid with fury； stood upon the
poop。 In a moment the crabs would be at his rudder！ The great gun；
double…shotted and ready to fire； was hanging from its boom over the stern。
Crab K； whose roof had the additional protection of spring armour； now
moved round so as to be directly astern of the Adamant。 Before she could
reach the rudder； her forward part came under the suspended cannon； and
two massive steel shot were driven down upon her with a force sufficient
to send them through masses of solid rock； but from the surface of elastic
steel springs and air…buffers they bounced upward； one of them almost
falling on the deck of the Adamant。 The gunners of this piece had been
well trained。 In a moment the boom was swung around； the cannon
reloaded； and when Crab K fixed her nippers on the rudder of the Adamant；
two more shot came down upon her。 As in the first instance she dipped and
rolled； but the ribs of her uninjured armour had scarcely sprung back into
their places； before her nippers turned； and the rudder of the Adamant was
broken in two； and the upper portion dragged from its fastenings then a
quick backward jerk snapped its chains； and it was dropped into the sea。 A
signal was now sent from Crab J to Repeller No。 7； to the effect that the
Adamant had been rendered incapable of steaming or sailing； and that she
lay subject to order。 Subject to order or not； the Adamant did not lie
passive。 Every gun on board which could be sufficiently depressed； was
made ready to fire upon the crabs should they attempt to get away。 Four
large boats； furnished with machine guns； grapnels； and with various
appliances which might be brought into use on a steel…plated roof； were
lowered from their davits； and immediately began firing upon the exposed
portions of the crabs。 Their machine guns were loaded with small shells；
and if these penetrated under the horizontal plates of a crab； and through
the heavy glass which was supposed to be in these interstices； the crew of
the submerged craft would be soon destroyed。 The quick eye of the captain
of the Adamant had observed through his glass； while the crabs were still
at a considerable distance； their protruding air…pipes； and he had instructed
44
… Page 45…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
the officers in charge of the boats to make an especial attack upon these。 If
the air…pipes of a crab could be