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war the Scarabaeus was worthless。 Orders now came fast from Repeller
No。 1； which had moved nearer to the scene of conflict。 It was to be
supposed that the disabled ship was properly furnished with bulk…heads； so
that the water would penetrate no farther than the stern compartment； and
that； therefore； she was in no danger of sinking。 Crab A was ordered to
make fast to the bow of the Scarabaeus； and tow her toward two men…of…
war who were rapidly approaching from the harbour。 This proceeding
astonished the commander and officers of the Scarabaeus almost as much
as the extraordinary attack which had been made upon their ship。 They
had expected a demand to surrender and haul down their flag； but the
Director…in…chief on board Repeller No。 1 was of the opinion that with her
propeller extracted it mattered little what flag she flew。 His work with the
Scarabaeus was over； for it had been ordered by the Syndicate that its
vessels should not encumber themselves with prizes。 Towed by the
powerful crab； which apparently had no fear that its disabled adversary
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
might fire upon it； the Scarabaeus moved toward the harbour； and when it
had come within a quarter of a mile of the foremost British vessel； Crab A
cast off and steamed back to Repeller No。 1。 The other English vessels
soon came up； and each lay to and sent a boat to the Scarabaeus。 After half
an hour's consultation； in which the amazement of those on board the
damaged vessel was communicated to the officers and crews of her two
consorts； it was determined that the smaller of these should tow the
disabled ship into port； while the other one； in company with a man…of…war
just coming out of the harbour； should make an attack upon Repeller No。 1。
It had been plainly proved that ordinary shot and shell had no effect upon
this craft； but it had not been proved that she could withstand the rams of
powerful ironclads。 If this vessel； that apparently carried no guns； or； at
least； had used none； could be crushed； capsized； sunk； or in any way put
out of the fight； it was probable that the dangerous submerged nautical
machine would not care to remain in these waters。 If it remained it must be
destroyed by torpedoes。 Signals were exchanged between the two English
vessels； and in a very short time they were steaming toward the repeller。 It
was a dangerous thing for two vessels of their size to come close enough
together for both to ram an enemy at the same time； but it was determined
to take the risks and do this； if possible； for the destruction of the repeller
was obviously the first duty in hand。 As the two men…of…war rapidly
approached Repeller No。 1； they kept up a steady fire upon her； for if in
this way they could damage her； the easier would be their task。 With a firm
reliance upon the efficacy of the steel…spring armour； the Director…in…chief
felt no fear of the enemy's shot and shell； but he was not at all willing that
his vessel should be rammed； for the consequences would probably be
disastrous。 Accordingly he did not wait for the approach of the two vessels；
but steering seaward； he signalled for the other crab。 When Crab B made
its appearance； puffing its little black jets of smoke； as it answered the
signals of the Director…in…chief； the commanders of the two British vessels
were surprised。 They had imagined that there was only one of these
strange and terrible enemies； and had supposed that she would be afraid to
make her peculiar attack upon one of them； because while doing so she
would expose herself to the danger of being run down by the other。 But the
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THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
presence of two of these almost submerged engines of destruction entirely
changed the situation。 But the commanders of the British ships were brave
men。 They had started to run down the strangely armoured American craft；
and run her down they would； if they could。 They put on more steam； and
went ahead at greater speed。 In such a furious onslaught the crabs might
not dare to attack them。 But they did not understand the nature nor the
powers of these enemies。 In less than twenty minutes Crab A had laid hold
of one of the men…of…war； and Crab B of the other。 The rudders of both
were shattered and torn away； and while the blades of one propeller were
crushed to pieces； the other； with nearly half its shaft； was drawn out and
dropped into the ocean。 Helplessly the two men…of…war rose and fell upon
the waves。 In obedience to orders from the repeller； each crab took hold of
one of the disabled vessels； and towed it near the mouth of the harbour；
where it was left。 The city was now in a state of feverish excitement；
which was intensified by the fact that a majority of the people did not
understand what had happened； while those to whom this had been made
plain could not comprehend why such a thing should have been allowed to
happen。 Three of Her Majesty's ships of war； equipped and ready for
action； had sailed out of the harbour； and an apparently insignificant
enemy； without firing a gun； had put them into such a condition that they
were utterly unfit for service； and must be towed into a dry dock。 How
could the Government； the municipality； the army； or the navy explain this？
The anxiety； the excitement； the nervous desire to know what had
happened； and what might be expected next； spread that evening to every
part of the Dominion reached by telegraph。 The military authorities in
charge of the defences of the city were as much disturbed and amazed by
what had happened as any civilian could possibly be； but they had no fears
for the safety of the place； for the enemy's vessels could not possibly enter；
nor even approach； the harbour。 The fortifications on the heights mounted
guns much heavier than those on the men…of…war； and shots from these
fired from an elevation might sink even those 〃underwater devils。〃 But；
more than on the forts； they relied upon their admirable system of
torpedoes and submarine batteries。 With these in position a