Великий военный синдикат

           ItseemedasifthesuccessoftheSyndicatehadsopuffedupitsmemberswithprideandconfidenceintheirpowersthattheyhadcometobelievethattheyhadonlytoshowthemselvestoconquer,whatevermightbetheconditionsofthecontest.ThedestructionoftheSyndicate’sfleetwouldnowbeaheavyblowtotheUnitedStates.ItwouldproduceanutterwantofconfidenceinthecouncilsandjudgmentsoftheSyndicate,whichcouldnotbecounteractedbythestrongestfaithintheefficiencyoftheirenginesofwar;anditwasfeareditmightbecomenecessary,evenatthiscriticaljuncture,toannulthecontractwiththeSyndicate,andtodependupontheAmericannavyforthedefenceoftheAmericancoast.EvenamongthemenonboardtheSyndicate’sfleetthereweresignsofdoubtandapprehensionsofevil.Ithadallbeenverywellsofar,butfightingoneshipatatimewasaverydifferentthingfromsteamingintothemidstofahundredships.Onboardtherepellertherewasnowanadditionalreasonforfearsandmisgivings.TheunluckycharacterofthevesselwhenithadbeentheTallapoosawasknown,andnotafewofthemenimaginedthatitmustnowbetimeforsomenewdisastertothisill-starredcraft,andifherevilgeniushaddesiredfreshdisasterforher,itwascertainlysendingherintoagoodplacetolookforit.ButtheSyndicateneitherdoubtednorhesitatednorpaidanyattentiontothedoubtsandcondemnationswhichtheyheardfromeveryquarter.