AN ENGINE OF DESTRUCTION
The _David_, so named because although she was small it was hoped she
would strike terror to the huge Goliaths of the Union fleet, was built
of boiler iron. She was thirty feet long and of a cigar shape, her
greatest diameter being a little less than six feet. She was propelled
by a hand engine worked by members of her crew, and could be submerged
at pleasure, but experience had shown that once down she usually stayed
down with all on board. A résumé of her history has been given. She was
a floating, or sinking, death-trap.
Originally she was intended to drag after her a floating torpedo in the
hope that she could pass under a vessel's keel and explode the torpedo
when she reached the proper position. General Beauregard, however, had
positively forbidden that she should be used as a submarine any longer
on account of her disastrous behavior, and on this occasion she was
provided with a long spar sticking out from her nose, on the end of
which was one hundred pounds of powder in a copper cylinder provided
with four extremely sensitive tubes of lead containing a highly
explosive mixture, which would ignite upon contact with a ship's side
or bottom and explode the torpedo.
She was painted a slate-gray, and her ballast was so adjusted that with
the seven men who manned her on board, one to steer, one to look after
the torpedo, and five to turn the propeller crank, her low hatch
scarcely rose above the water. In that condition, and especially at
night, she looked like a plank floating on the surface. By hard and
conscientious labor her five man-power engine could shove her along at
about a speed of four knots. Although the order of General Beauregard
that she should not be submerged again had materially diminished the
risk which experience had shown was overwhelming, yet the proposed
expedition was nevertheless hazardous in the extreme.
In the first place, an excellent lookout was kept on the Union ships on
account of the several attempts which had been made against them by
similar boats. If she were discovered, one shot striking the boat as
she approached, even a rifle shot, would suffice to sink her. No one
knew what she would do even if she succeeded in exploding the torpedo.
It was scarcely hoped that she could get away from a sinking ship
in that event.
The little party of officers grouped on the wharf bade good-by to the
men who entered the deadly affair as if they were saying farewell to
those about to die. Every preparation had been made, the artillery
officer had finally and carefully inspected the torpedo to see if it
was in good working order, the men had descended into the cramped
narrow little hull of the boat and had made ready to start the
propeller. None of them wore any superfluous clothing, for it was
oppressively hot in the confined area of the little iron shell, and
they might have to swim for their lives anyway--perhaps they would be
lucky if they got the chance. In short, everybody was ready and every
one was there except the commander of the expedition.
Great secrecy had been observed in the preparations lest there might be
a spy in the town, who, learning of the attempt, would communicate the
valuable information to the Federal fleet, and so frustrate it. General
Beauregard had caused the wharf to be cleared and guarded early in the
evening. It was quite dark in February at six o'clock, and no one
except his trusted staff officers and Lacy, who had so magnanimously
surrendered his opportunity to Sempland, was present.
At a quarter before seven, which was the time Sempland had appointed to
return when he left in obedience to Fanny Glen's summons, the general
began to feel some uneasiness. He spoke about it to Lacy, but was
reassured by that gentleman, who professed full confidence that the
young lieutenant would undoubtedly be there in a few moments. He had
already of his own motion despatched a soldier to Fanny Glen's house
and had learned from him the false news that Sempland had been there
and had left. Lacy supposed he had returned to his quarters.
The state of the tide, the necessities of the blockade-runners who
hoped to escape that night under cover of the confusion caused by the
attack, rendered it absolutely necessary that there should be no delay
in the departure of the torpedo boat. The time had been set for seven
o'clock, as late as practicable, in order to secure the advantage of
settled darkness before the blow was delivered. The party on the wharf
waited apprehensively a little longer, conversing in low tones as the
moments ran away, and there was great anxiety as to the whereabouts of
the missing officer. Seven o'clock struck from the ancient church
steeple hard by; still he did not appear.
"General," said Lacy, a few moments later, "if I might suggest, sir--"
"Go on. What is it?"
"It might be well to send for him."
"Never!" said the general, shortly; "it is a soldier's duty to be at
the place appointed him at the specified time. I shall not send for
him. If he has forgotten himself, his duty, for any cause, he shall
suffer the consequences."
Lacy was in despair. He could not understand the situation. He had not
the slightest doubt of Sempland's courage. He knew his friend's rigid
idea of soldierly duty or honor. Where had he gone? If there had been
any way, he would have despatched men to hunt for him in every
direction, but the general's prohibition was positive. And for some
reason which he could not explain he refrained from saying anything
about Sempland's visit to Fanny Glen, merely advising the general, in
response to an inquiry, that he had left him to go to his quarters to
write a letter.
Five minutes more dragged along.
"General Beauregard," said Lacy at last, "with your permission I will
seek him myself."
"No," said the general, sternly, "we can wait no longer. I need you for
something else."
"You mean--?"
"I mean that I shall carry out the original plan. Mr. Sempland has
forfeited any consideration whatever at our hands."
"Then I am to--?"
Lacy pointed toward the _David_.
"Unless you wish to back out."
"No one has ever used these words to me, sir," answered Lacy, proudly.
"I am as ready, as anxious, to go as I ever was. But Sempland--sir, I
would stake my life on his fidelity."
"It may be so. I can wait no longer. Will you go, or shall I give up
the expedition?"
"Rather than that, sir," said one of his staff officers, "if Major Lacy
hesitates, let me go."
"Enough!" said Lacy. "Will you explain to Sempland how it came about?
Good-by."