Великий военный синдикат

           TheLenoxhadnotproceededmorethanamileouttosea,whensheperceivedRepellerNo.6comingtowardherfromseaward,andinadirectionwhichindicatedthatitintendedtorunacrosshercourse.TheLenox,however,wentstraighton,andinashorttimethetwovesselswerequiteneareachother.Uponthedeckoftherepellernowappearedthedirectorincharge,who,withaspeaking-trumpet,hailedtheLenoxandrequestedhertolayto,ashehadsomethingtocommunicate.ThecommanderoftheLenox,throughhistrumpet,answeredthathewantednocommunications,andadvisedtheothervesseltokeepoutofhisway.TheLenoxnowputonagreaterheadofsteam,andasshewasinanycaseamuchfastervesselthantherepeller,sherapidlyincreasedthedistancebetweenherselfandtheSyndicate’svessel,sothatinafewmomentshailingwasimpossible.Quicksignalsnowshotupinjetsofblacksmokefromtherepeller,andinaveryshorttimeafterwardthespeedoftheLenoxslackenedsomuchthattherepellerwasabletocomeupwithher.Whenthetwovesselswereabreastofeachother,andatasafehailingdistanceapart,anothersignalwentupfromtherepeller,andthenbothvesselsalmostceasedtomovethroughthewater,althoughtheenginesoftheLenoxwereworkingathighspeed,withherpropeller-bladesstirringupawhirlpoolatherstern.ForaminuteortwotheofficersoftheLenoxcouldnotcomprehendwhathadhappened.