Великий военный синдикат

           ItwasalmostatthesametimethatthecommandersofthetwoshipsseparatelycametotheconclusionthattheproperwaytoprotectthefleetbehindtheBreakwaterwasforhisvesseltoboldlysteamouttoseaandattacktheBritishcruiser.Ifthisvesselcarriedalong-rangegun,whatwastohinderherfromsuddenlyrunningincloserandsendingafewshellsintothemidstofthedefencelessmerchantmen?Infact,togooutandfightherwastheonlywaytoprotectthelivesandpropertyintheharbour.Itwastruethatoneofthosebeastlyrepellerswassneakingaboutoffthecape,accompanied,probably,byanunderwatertongs-boat.Butasneitherofthesehaddoneanything,orseemedlikelytodoanything,theBritishcruisershouldbeattackedwithoutlossoftime.WhenthecommanderoftheLenoxcametothisdecision,hisshipwaswellabreastofCapeHenlopen,andhethereforeproceededdirectlyouttosea.TherewasalittlefearinhismindthattheEnglishcruiser,whichwasnowbearingtothesouth-east,mightsailoffandgetawayfromhim.TheStockbridgewasdetainedbythearrivalofadespatchboatfromtheshorewithamessagefromtheNavalDepartment.Butasthismessagerelatedonlytothemeasurementsofacertaindeckgun,hercommanderintended,assoonasananswercouldbesentoff,tosailoutandgivebattletotheBritishvessel.EverysoulonboardtheLenoxwasnowfilledwithfieryardour.Theshipwasalreadyingoodfightingtrim,buteverypossiblepreparationwasmadeforacontestwhichshouldshowtheircountryandtheworldwhatAmericansailorsweremadeof.