Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1908 — THE VANISHING FLEETS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE VANISHING FLEETS

By ROY NORTON

aiUSTBATED BY A. WEIL

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The king had watched the sights below as long as they were visible. Through his glasses he had seen the 'Streets become filled with excited men, women and children, and their shoutings had come to him faintly above the hum of the dynamos. The glimmerings of the great harbor dimmed and died away, and here and ithere could be descried the lights of the slow steaming patrol ships keeping the outpost watch upon the sea. When the last sign of life had vanished, he turned to his companions in silence, thinking of all that had taken place within the few recent hours. ' Only a short time ago they had entered this aerial chamber, standing in dread of the unknown terror of the waters and the menacing silence of this westerns continent they were leaving behind. Only a few hours past they had trembled at the powerlessness of their nation and shudderingly awaited the shoclt of invasion. Now they were going back to England bearing news that would upset eld ideas, remove all fear for the future, and ally her with the most powerful nation history had ever known. They had sailed away furtively with darkened ports, and were now returning in a glare of white light, careless es who might observe. Events had fallowed each other in such remarkable sequence, with such astounding rapidity, that it wearied the mind to follow them. The king was pondering over the new situation when with no preliminary notice every light in the radioplane went out and they were left in darkness. From without and through the open door came the voices of the admiral and engineer in conversation: "It can’t be an enemy.’’ “Hardly; but we dare take no ebjmces.” "What do you think it Is?” "I don’t know." A minute or two will tell If they have seen us.” The king and his countrymen fumbled for their glasses In the darkness, found them, and lined them- . selves Hp against the transparent port which had not been closed. The eause of the sudden cautionary measures was apparent. There, comparatively far away, and high up against the starlit sky, they saw the blazing line of a searchlight thrust up into the darkness. It wavered uncertainly for

an lnetant, and then slowly, as If feelIns Its way, approached then.. It teamed uncertain and for a moment disappeared. Their own machine had come to a halt. For an inetant nothing was risible, and then there leaped into the air a vertical beam of red. Betide it came another steady ray of brilliant white, aad then to complete the color trio a vivid shaft of blue arrayed itself beside the other two. Outside in the hood thoy heard a wild unrestrained burst of cheering, and the oabln was again flooded with light. The old admiral stepped hurriedly in, his face aglow, and his cap in his hand. "We have sighted the Norma, your majesty, the craft which disappeared with his imperial majesty, the' emperor of Germany.” Before he had finished speaking the signal calling hearers to the wireless telephone bussed Insistently, and lie turned to answer. From the dome above they could see answering lights playing rapidly from their own craft. They heard Bevins talking to some excitedly, and peering once more through the side ports ssw they were rushing onward to meet this other tNsvUier of the spaces. With decreestng speed the two approached eeofa , other, retaining their altitude high above and beyond sound of the sea. Mow they were floating abreast, and, after a moment's tensity, they

came to a stop, xneir metat sides came together with an almost imperceptible jar, and they adjusted themselvefe for further communication. Simultaneously their great ports slid open, and the king, who had gone to the compaaionway, saw the interior of the other radioplane. Bevins and Brockton In delight were shaking hands and congratulating each other. They talked for a moment, and then the rear admlra! retired from view. Bevins turned to the king and said: "Your majesty, the emperor of Germany wishes to oome aboard.” Before the king could give his assent the soldierly form of the kaiser appeared outlined in the light of his own port, took a cautious step across the threshold, and stood before the men of England. Whatever doubts he may havevhad of his reception were set aside by the outstretched to receive him and the words of welcome which the king hastened to give him. The bulky form of the chancellor came behind, and then, eonducted by 'the king, they turned and entered the cabin. Brockton and Bevins brought up the rear. At one end of the table stood the American secretary of state, and beside him were the prime minister of England and the lord of the admiralty. The chancellor ponderously edged his way forward until he was near them, leaving the king and his imperial nephew on the opposite side of the table. The visitors greeted and were presented to the others,, and then, for the fraction of a minute, they all stood confronting and expectant uAtil the king with his usual tact put an abrupt end to the restraint by inviting all to be seated, and asking for an explanation of the accident. The kaiser curbed his anxiety for news of developments, and briefly recounted his adventure, appealing now and then to Brockton for details which he did not understand. He concluded, and hesitated for an instant in embarrassed silence. Before he could formulate the opening question in & delicate subject the king had again stepped' Into the breech. “The world will soon be at peace,” he said meaningly, looking at his kinsman. “We have come from a- meeting in America with the man who has so decreed it, and I have had the honor of joining him in plans for the future.” “And Germany?" "Will be glad.” “But her allotment?" "The privilege of being one of the foremost in the movement.” “With dignity and honor?” “Yes, and with an opportunity to play her part voluntarily.” England’s king, grave and gray and reading men from the serene heights, of long life and philosophy, had expected a tempestuous outburst; but to his contentment none came. He studied the face of the ruler who had gained a world wide renutation for warlike ambitions and constant truculence, whose mailed fist had long been clenched In readiness for a blow, and was surprised. No sign of storm was apparent, but Instead a calm and placid pair of eyes stared back at him.

In rapid sentences he told of the president’s .design, which Great Britain would accept and which she had helped outline in detail, and closed by predicting the results which would follow. He talked low and earnestly, leaning his elbows on the table before him and addressing himself only to the emperor. His summary ooncluded, he straightened back into the hollow of his chair and waited for the others to speak. The chancellor, who had been so Intent that he had never changed attitude or expression, shifted his gaze from the king to his sovereign, who for a time sat wrapped in thought. As if he had oome to a quick conclusion, he looked up and in three words expressed his views. "It looks perfect,” he said. The chancellor smiled, the king looked satisfied and the prime minister with a sigh of relief gave a quick sidelong glance at the American secretary of state. The lord of the admiralty was'rubbing his hands.* "Germany asks nothing more than fairness,” the emperor said, "and I think she will gladly accept and enter into the oonclave. It will upset her more than any other nation perhaps, because she is founded on military form; but the whole .world shall understand that she permits no nation, race or people to go beyond her in enlightened methods.” His stern expression changed to one of warmth. He smiled at some thought of his own and continued: “We all ohange, I suppose, as we ad-

vance, I have learned that one may have his ideas enlarged by acoident. I have known for many days what it is to be free to think, to learn profound lessons in philosophy from the forest and streams, and have come nearer to meq of the American nation than I had ever hoped. 1 have formed new friendships, and by the camp fires at night have been given other views of life, of men and humanity, by a moat admirable teacher." He nodded his head toward Brockton. paused for a moment and then laughed aloud. "I caugbt a trout that weighed nearly four pounds and shot four caribou!” ho chuckled. At this incongrueus termination as bis speech his hearers gasped, and then waited for him to continue, which he did in humorous vein, interspersed with oemments of grsvur trend. And la this recountal of adventure they read of bis broadening. By auggestion he conveyed to them that he had gone away an a strange Jouraey wrapped la the earee and dlgultiaa of peeltloa to ha taught many lessons In democracy. * J Be bad worked his huygg.

shared the annoyances of his companions, and known the Joys of independence and self-support. lie had discovered the trappings of courts to be shallow emblems and tawdry when contrasted with the true coats of primitive nature. He had learned that men when stripped of outward, rank and position wfere very similar, and could demand only such respect from theft* fellows as they were entitled 'to by merit. Honest companionship which sought no other , retutn was a # priceless treasure. And now with this new view of fife, stronger in health and unJaundiced in mind, he was glad to ally himself and his empire in a movement which promised advancement without conquest and gain without aggression. The drumß of war sounded very hollow, and their unmusical beatings were dying away in the distance, going to inglorious silence and disuse. It wad better so! In resppnse to an order from Bevins, a servant with noiseless feet and deft hands brought refreshments to them. The king rose, and the others immediately stood. “Before we part company and resume our way to our homes,” he said, “I shall ask you to drink my toast.’’ He stood erect, lifted his glass high in the air until the lights above caught the quivering opalescent liquid in their rays, and then in a voice of extreme reverence said: “Gentlemen, to the ruler of that greatest of all kingdoms, Peace, his excellency the president of the United States.” (To be continued.)

"The Soldierly Form of the Kaiser Appeared."