Великий военный синдикат

           Theyhadimaginedthattherewasonlyoneofthesestrangeandterribleenemies,andhadsupposedthatshewouldbeafraidtomakeherpeculiarattackupononeofthem,becausewhiledoingsoshewouldexposeherselftothedangerofbeingrundownbytheother.Butthepresenceoftwoofthesealmostsubmergedenginesofdestructionentirelychangedthesituation.ButthecommandersoftheBritishshipswerebravemen.TheyhadstartedtorundownthestrangelyarmouredAmericancraft,andrunherdowntheywould,iftheycould.Theyputonmoresteam,andwentaheadatgreaterspeed.Insuchafuriousonslaughtthecrabsmightnotdaretoattackthem.Buttheydidnotunderstandthenaturenorthepowersoftheseenemies.InlessthantwentyminutesCrabAhadlaidholdofoneofthemen-of-war,andCrabBoftheother.Theruddersofbothwereshatteredandtornaway;andwhilethebladesofonepropellerwerecrushedtopieces,theother,withnearlyhalfitsshaft,wasdrawnoutanddroppedintotheocean.Helplesslythetwomen-of-warroseandfelluponthewaves.Inobediencetoordersfromtherepeller,eachcrabtookholdofoneofthedisabledvessels,andtoweditnearthemouthoftheharbour,whereitwasleft.Thecitywasnowinastateoffeverishexcitement,whichwasintensifiedbythefactthatamajorityofthepeopledidnotunderstandwhathadhappened,whilethosetowhomthishadbeenmadeplaincouldnotcomprehendwhysuchathingshouldhavebeenallowedtohappen.