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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
but not one of them broke a steel spring； nor penetrated the heavy inside
plates。
After half an hour of this； work the Director…in… chief became satisfied
that the new armour had well acquitted itself in the severe trial to which it
had been subjected。 Some of the air…buffers had been disabled； probably
on account of faults in their construction； but these could readily be
replaced； and no further injury had been done the vessel。 It was not
necessary； therefore； to continue the experiment any longer； and besides；
there was danger that the Englishman； perceiving that his antagonist did
not appear to be affected by his fire； would approach closer and endeavour
to ram her。 This was to be avoided； for the Scarabaeus was a much larger
vessel than Repeller No。 1； and able to run into the latter and sink her by
mere preponderance of weight。
It was therefore decided to now test the powers of the crabs。 Signals
were made from Repeller No。 1 to Crab A； which had been lying with the
larger vessel between it and the enemy。 These signals were made by jets of
dense black smoke； which were ejected from a small pipe on the repeller。
These slender columns of smoke preserved their cylindrical forms for
some moments； and were visible at a great distance by day or night； being
illumined in the latter case by electric light。 The length and frequency of
these jets were regulated by an instrument in the Director's room。 Thus； by
means of long and short puffs； with the proper use of intervals； a message
could be projected into the air as a telegraphic instrument would mark it
upon paper。
In this manner Crab A was ordered to immediately proceed to the
attack of the Scarabaeus。 The almost submerged vessel steamed rapidly
from behind her consort； and made for the British man…of…war。
When the latter vessel perceived the approach of this turtle…backed
object； squirting little jets of black smoke as she replied to the orders from
the repeller； there was great amazement on board。 The crab had not been
seen before； but as it came rapidly on there was no time for curiosity or
discussion； and several heavy guns were brought to bear upon it。 It was
difficult to hit a rapidly moving flat object scarcely above the surface of
the water； and although several shot struck the crab； they glanced off
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
without in the least interfering with its progress。
Crab A soon came so near the Scarabaeus that it was impossible to
depress the guns of the latter so as to strike her。 The great vessel was；
therefore； headed toward its assailant； and under a full head of steam
dashed directly at it to run it down。 But the crab could turn as upon a pivot；
and shooting to one side allowed the surging man…of…war to pass it。
Perceiving instantly that it would be difficult to strike this nimble and
almost submerged adversary； the commander of the Scarabaeus thought it
well to let it alone for the present； and to bear down with all speed upon
the repeller。 But it was easier to hit the crab than to leave it behind。 It was
capable of great speed； and； following the British vessel； it quickly came
up with her。
The course of the Scarabaeus was instantly changed； and every effort
was made to get the vessel into a position to run down the crab。 But this
was not easy for so large a ship； and Crab A seemed to have no difficulty
in keeping close to her stern。
Several machine…guns； especially adopted for firing at torpedo…boats or
any hostile craft which might be discovered close to a vessel； were now
brought to bear upon the crab； and ball after ball was hurled at her。 Some
of these struck； but glanced off without penetrating her tough armour。
These manoeuvres had not continued long； when the crew of the crab
was ready to bring into action the peculiar apparatus of that peculiar craft。
An enormous pair of iron forceps； each massive limb of which measured
twelve feet or more in length； was run out in front of the crab at a depth of
six or eight feet below the surface。 These forceps were acted upon by an
electric engine of immense power； by which they could be shut； opened；
projected； withdrawn； or turned and twisted。
The crab darted forward； and in the next instant the great teeth of her
pincers were fastened with a tremendous grip upon the rudder and rudder…
post of the Scarabaeus。
Then followed a sudden twist； which sent a thrill through both vessels；
a crash； a backward jerk； the snapping of a chain； and in a moment the
great rudder； with half of the rudder…post attached； was torn from the
vessel； and as the forceps opened it dropped to leeward and hung dangling
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
by one chain。 Again the forceps opened wide； again there was a rush； and
this time the huge jaws closed upon the rapidly revolving screw…propeller。
There was a tremendous crash； and the small but massive crab turned over
so far that for an instant one of its sides was plainly visible above the
water。 The blades of the propeller were crushed and shivered； those parts
of the steamer's engines connecting with the propeller…shaft were snapped
and rent apart； while the propeller… shaft itself was broken by the violent
stoppage。 The crab； which had quickly righted； now backed； still holding
the crushed propeller in its iron grasp； and as it moved away from the
Scarabaeus； it extracted about forty feet of its propeller…shaft； then；
opening its massive jaws； it allowed the useless mass of iron to drop to the
bottom of the sea。 Every man on board the Scarabaeus was wild with
amazement and excitement。 Few could comprehend what had happened；
but this very quickly became evident。 So far as motive power was
concerned； the Scarabaeus was totally； disabled。 She could not direct her
course； for her rudder was gone； her propeller was gone； her engines were
useless； and she could do no more than float as wind or tide might move
her。 Moreover； there was a jagged hole in her stern where the shaft had
been； and through this the water was pouring into the vessel。 As a man…of…
war the Scarabaeus was worthless。 Orders now came fast from Repelle