126Listening attentively10, I became convinced that some unusual affair was in hand, and anxious to miss nothing of interest, I entered an arch that led into one of the courts, and passed up the enclosed spiral staircase to the scene of this animated11 talking. On gaining the deck I saw nearly all the crew standing12 in groups round the citadel13. Burnett was there gesticulating wildly to Brandt, so stepping briskly up to them I asked the cause of this muster14.
“Ah, you here!” said Burnett. “In time for the first blow, eh! Well, there will be something to see shortly, eh, Brandt!” and the anarchist-philosopher addressed smiled approvingly. But his merriment recalled the bland15 purring of a cat over a captured mouse.
“What’s up, then?” I continued, somewhat startled, for during the pause the ominous16 words “ironclad,” “bombs,” uttered by some of the eager disputants around, had caught my ear.
“The captain has sighted an ironclad, and we are about to try conclusions,” said Brandt. The words had scarcely passed his lips when the inner door of the citadel swung ajar, and through the enclosure into our midst stalked the redoubtable17 captain himself.
“Comrades,” he said, “below us steams a large 127British ironclad just sighted through the mist. I propose to test her mettle—it will serve as a practical test of our bomb-fire—are you agreeable?”
A burst of applause greeted this iniquitous18 proposal, and a sturdy rascal19 stepped out of the throng20 and saluted22 him. Hartmann bent23 forward. “Well, Norman,” he said.
“May I strike the first blow, captain?” A chorus of similar applications followed. Hartmann thus appealed to suggest that the applicants24 should draw lots for the privilege, and the ruffians proceeded forthwith to settle their claims in this fashion.
Their levity25 so disgusted me that I longed to rush forward and attack the whole scheme. I had actually moved forward some steps when I felt a tight grip on my arm. I turned round sharply, to face Brandt, who had providentially sensed my project.
“Back, man! Are you mad? These men will stand no nonsense, and if you insult the captain, even his personal influence could not save you.”
Bah! it was hopeless. I slunk back with a feeling of utter helplessness. There was clearly nothing for it but to see the whole hideous26 affair out in silence. Still, indignation all but mastered me. What ruffians were these anarchists27! “Cowards!” I hissed28 involuntarily, but by this time they were 128too absorbed in their lot-drawing to hear me. “Shut up, fool,” reiterated29 Brandt. “I warn you that you will be brained or chucked overboard if they hear you.” I bit my lips in despair. “Schwartz has it! Schwartz has it!” I heard Hartmann say at last—they were drawing the lots—“he strikes the first blow, and no better man could do it. Next, Norman; next——”
I walked away and leant on the bow railing, glad to be left alone. The hubbub30 continued for some time, when the men dispersed31, almost all going below. Torn by useless emotions I gazed down at the mists that swam beneath us, striving to pierce the veil which separated us from the doomed32 ship. To tear myself away from the spot was impossible—the fascination33 of the projected crime was irresistible34. Have you ever watched a scene in a slaughter-house, loathing35 it while nevertheless unable to avert36 your gaze? Possibly you have. Well, that situation is akin37 to the morbid38 curiosity which nailed me unwillingly39 to my post.
The mists were thinning around us, but I observed with some surprise that a dense40 cloud below us—cut off sharply from its now unsubstantial fellows—maintained its position relatively41 to the Attila unchanged. Evidently Hartmann was purposely lurking42 behind 129this barrier, and proposed to deliver his first blow on an absolutely unsuspecting victim. Looking more attentively I noted43 a thin longitudinal rift5 in this cloud through which could be seen, though dimly, the sea, and in this something dark and indistinct, no bigger than an ordinary pea. It was the ironclad!
The Attila began to sink rapidly—the rift lengthened44 and broadened as I gazed, the pea swelled45 into a two-masted, two-funnelled battle-ship with a trail of black smoke faintly decipherable in her wake. Down, down, down we dropped—we were now on the fringe of the upper surface of the cloud, and the great ship, now only some 300 feet below us, was revealing itself clearly to the eye. At this point our downward motion ceased, and the Attila began to describe short curves at the level of the screening cloud, now skimming over its dank masses, now flashing over the rift that stretched directly over her unsuspecting prey47. Four evolutions of this sort had taken place, and now for the fifth time we were gliding48 over the rift, when I heard a cheer raised by some men on the lower gallery, and craning my head over the railing, saw something black flash through space and splash in a big green wave that was flinging itself against the vessel49’s stern. It was 130the moment of the “first blow,” and—might the omen50 hold good!—the first blow had failed.
Again a curve over the rift, and once more a failure, at least so it seemed at first, for this time, again, a splash by the stern rejoiced me. But my satisfaction was momentary51. A few seconds after I saw a cloud of smoke shoot upwards52 from the ironclad, followed by a deafening53 crash. The third bomb had told. And in the horrid54 confusion that followed, the Attila threw off her secrecy55, slipped through the cloud, and floated down to the vessel like some huge bird of prey—the very embodiment of masterful and shameless power.
As the smoke cleared away, revealing the strange visitor from the clouds, the feelings of the officers and crew must have been as unique as they were terrible. Amazement56, a sense of complete unpreparedness and helplessness, going along with the disastrous57 results of the explosion, must have unnerved even the boldest. The great battle-ship was wholly at the mercy of the foe58 that rode so contemptuously above it.
131
THE BATTLE-SHIP AT THE ‘ATTILA’S’ MERCY.
132How the situation was viewed from its decks has been told at length in the admirably graphic59 letter of Captain Boyes, R.N., to the Times, and to that source I must refer you for details. Looking down 133from my eyrie, I was of course only able to gauge60 very roughly the havoc61 wrought62 by the bomb. Hartmann had previously63 told me that nothing constructed by man could withstand his enormous missiles, and the scene below well bore out his boast. Apparently64 the bomb had burst amidships nearly, I should say, between the funnels65. Of these latter one had been shorn of half its length, the other had been blown away completely, its base forming part of a chasm66 whence rolled volumes of black smoke, through which the shrieks67 of wounded men rose faintly upward. Across this chasm had fallen the fore-mast, while fragments of spars, ventilators, steel plates, fittings, boats, and human victims were scattered68 confusedly over the low-lying fore-deck. And even as I looked two more appalling69 explosions shook the ironclad from stem to stern; through the uprush of smoke I saw a great telescope of a gun tossed out of its shattered turret70 into the water and a huge cantle of the steel deck torn away, as if it were paper, exposing a new chasm, at once invaded by flames. But the other bomb was even more deadly, bursting in the great hollow excavated71 between the funnels and wrecking72 the very vitals of the ironclad; the steam from the shattered boilers73 rushing tumultuously up the gap with the effect of 134speedily shrouding74 the whole vessel. Some horrible deaths, says Captain Boyes, sprang from this explosion, as all those on duty in the port stoke-hole and engine-room were either blown to pieces by the bomb or subsequently boiled alive. I did not, of course, know of this at the time, but the volumes of escaping steam told too clearly how hideous must be the massacre75, and imagination thus stimulated76 could not very well go far wrong. I felt giddy with horror when I thought of the scenes which that vapour-pall hung over.
How long was this drama to continue? Doubtless until the ironclad was gutted77 or sunk, a consummation which could not be very far distant. Two or three bombs more would surely complete the work, and leave perhaps no witness to tell the hideous tale to history. I could look no longer—to do so seemed almost abetting78 these cruel fanatics—but flinging myself on the deck awaited tremblingly the next burst of thunder. A minute ebbed79 away, another, and then another, and still no shock. The suspense80 was becoming acute.
Suddenly the Attila pitched violently, the bow shifting thrice vehemently81 upwards, and along with this the hum of the great screw-blades began to swell46 higher and higher. I sprang to my feet—these 135tactics meant, of course, a rapid ascent82, but what was the object in view? Glancing over the railing I perceived that we were slanting at great speed into the cloud-zone, leaving the crippled battle-ship far behind and below. Ah, yes! The reason was clear enough. Not a mile to the south-west a large ironclad attended by some smaller vessels83, probably cruisers, was making its way to the scene. Owing to my absorption in the attack they had hitherto escaped my notice.
“A poor job this,” said some one who had stolen up unperceived behind me. I turned round—it was Burnett.
“Very,” I answered. “I must congratulate you, I suppose, on the heroism84 you have just displayed. A pity not to enhance it by engaging this vessel’s consorts85.”
Burnett took the sneer86 coolly.
“Why waste material? Besides, you must see that the Attila would be uselessly exposing herself. It would be folly87 to risk the salute21 of heavy guns with the great campaign yet before us.”
He was wise after his kind. The Attila dared not face the new-comers, who by elevating their guns might well succeed in winging her. A shell from a five-ton gun would have proved a most damaging 136visitor. Only so long as she circled directly above a vessel could she count on immunity88 from serious injury. A contest at her old level with numerous scattered foes89 was impracticable; so huge a target would inevitably90 be holed in the long run, while an attempt to drop bombs from a higher level would defeat its object by rendering91 accuracy of aim impracticable. Perforce, then, she had dropped the prey from her talons92 and was seeking safety aloft. Mounting into cloud-land, she was departing as mysteriously as she had come, a tigress who, having once tasted blood, yearned93 to slake94 her thirst in the heart of civilization itself. To-morrow we were to reach the metropolis95, and then—— Sick with my forebodings and savage96 at my sense of impotence, I turned surlily away from Burnett, whose very presence was now becoming obnoxious97, and descending98 into a court passed thence through the gallery to my berth, resolved from that hour to see as little of my fell associates as the conditions of my stay rendered possible.
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1
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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rifts
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| n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 )；裂隙；分裂；不和 | |
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slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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medley
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| n.混合 | |
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controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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17
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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18
iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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19
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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22
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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23
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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24
applicants
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| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
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25
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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26
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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anarchists
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| 无政府主义者( anarchist的名词复数 ) | |
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28
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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29
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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35
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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38
morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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39
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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40
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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41
relatively
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| adv.比较...地，相对地 | |
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42
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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43
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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44
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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46
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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47
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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48
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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49
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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50
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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51
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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52
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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53
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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54
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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55
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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56
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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57
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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58
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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59
graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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60
gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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61
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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62
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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63
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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64
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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65
funnels
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| 漏斗( funnel的名词复数 )； （轮船，火车等的）烟囱 | |
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66
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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67
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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70
turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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71
excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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72
wrecking
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| 破坏 | |
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73
boilers
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| 锅炉，烧水器，水壶( boiler的名词复数 ) | |
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74
shrouding
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| n.覆盖v.隐瞒( shroud的现在分词 )；保密 | |
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75
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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76
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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77
gutted
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| adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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78
abetting
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的现在分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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79
ebbed
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的过去式和过去分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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80
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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81
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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82
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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83
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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84
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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85
consorts
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| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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86
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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87
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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88
immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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89
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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90
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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91
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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92
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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93
yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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95
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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96
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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97
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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98
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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