Niagara

: The Master Of The World

The hours passed, and the situation did not change. The steersman

returned on deck, and the captain, descending, watched the movement

of the engines. Even when our speed increased, these engines

continued working without noise, and with remarkable smoothness There

was never one of those inevitable breaks, with which in most motors

the pistons sometimes miss a stroke. I concluded that the "Terror,"

in each of its transf
rmations must be worked by rotary engines. But

I could not assure myself of this.



For the rest, our direction did not change. Always we headed toward

the northeast end of the lake, and hence toward Buffalo.



Why, I wondered, did the captain persist in following this route? He

could not intend to stop at Buffalo, in the midst of a crowd of boats

and shipping of every kind. If he meant to leave the lake by water,

there was only the Niagara River to follow; and its Falls would be

impassable, even to such a machine as this. The only escape was by

the Detroit River, and the "Terror" was constantly leaving that

farther behind.



Then another idea occurred to me. Perhaps the captain was only

waiting for night to return to the shore of the lake. There, the

boat, changed to an automobile, would quickly cross the neighboring

States. If I did not succeed in making my escape, during this passage

across the land, all hope of regaining my liberty would be gone.



True, I might learn where this Master of the World hid himself. I

might learn what no one had yet been able to discover, assuming

always that he did not dispose of me at one time or another--and what

I expected his "disposal" would be, is easily comprehended.



I knew the northeast end of Lake Erie well, having often visited that

section of New York State which extends westward from Albany to

Buffalo. Three years before, a police mission had led me to explore

carefully the shores of the Niagara River, both above and below the

cataract and its Suspension Bridge. I had visited the two principal

islands between Buffalo and the little city of Niagara Falls, I had

explored Navy Island and also Goat Island, which separates the

American falls from those of the Canadian side.



Thus if an opportunity for flight presented itself, I should not find

myself in an unknown district. But would this chance offer? And at

heart, did I desire it, or would I seize upon it? What secrets still

remained in this affair in which good fortune or was it evil

fortune--had so closely entangled me!



On the other hand, I saw no real reason to suppose that there was any

chance of my reaching the shores of the Niagara River. The "Terror"

would surely not venture into this trap which had no exit. Probably

she would not even go to the extremity of the lake.



Such were the thoughts that spun through my excited brain, while my

eyes remained fixed upon the empty horizon.



And always one persistent question remained insolvable. Why had the

captain written to me personally that threatening letter? Why had he

spied upon me in Washington? What bond attached him to the Great

Eyrie? There might indeed be subterranean canals which gave him

passage to Lake Kirdall, but could he pierce the impenetrable

fortress of the Eyrie? No! That was beyond him!



Toward four o'clock in the afternoon, reckoning by the speed of the

"Terror" and her direction, I knew we must be approaching Buffalo;

and indeed, its outlines began to show some fifteen miles ahead.

During our passage, a few boats had been seen, but we had passed them

at a long distance, a distance which our captain could easily keep as

great as he pleased. Moreover, the "Terror" lay so low upon the

water, that at even a mile away it would have been difficult to

discover her.



Now, however, the hills encircling the end of Lake Erie, came within

vision, beyond Buffalo, forming the sort of funnel by which Lake Erie

pours its waters into the channel of the Niagara river. Some dunes

rose on the right, groups of trees stood out here and there. In the

distance, several freight steamers and fishing smacks appeared. The

sky became spotted with trails of smoke, which were swept along by a

light eastern breeze.



What was our captain thinking of in still heading toward the port of

Buffalo! Did not prudence forbid him to venture further? At each

moment, I expected that he would give a sweep of the helm and turn

away toward the western shore of the lake. Or else, I thought, he

would prepare to plunge beneath the surface. But this persistence in

holding our bow toward Buffalo was impossible to understand!



At length the helmsman, whose eyes were watching the northeastern

shore, made a sign to his companion. The latter, leaving the bow,

went to the central hatchway, and descended into the engine room.

Almost immediately the captain came on deck, and joining the

helmsman, spoke with him in a low voice.



The latter, extending his hand toward Buffalo, pointed out two black

spots, which showed five or six miles distant on the starboard side.

The captain studied them attentively. Then shrugging his shoulders,

he seated himself at the stern without altering the course of the

"Terror."



A quarter of an hour later, I could see plainly that there were two

smoke clouds at the point they had studied so carefully. Little by

little the black spots beneath these became more defined. They were

two long, low steamers, which, coming from the port of Buffalo, were

approaching rapidly.



Suddenly it struck me that these were the two torpedo destroyers of

which Mr. Ward had spoken, and which I had been told to summon in

case of need.



These destroyers were of the newest type, the swiftest boats yet

constructed in the country. Driven by powerful engines of the latest

make, they had covered almost thirty miles an hour. It is true, the

"Terror" commanded an even greater speed, and always, if she were

surrounded so that flight was impossible, she could submerge herself

out of reach of all pursuit. In truth, the destroyers would have had

to be submarines to attack the "Terror" with any chance of success.

And I know not, if even in that case, the contest would have been

equal.



Meanwhile, it seemed to me evident that the commanders of the two

ships had been warned, perhaps by Mr. Wells who, returning swiftly to

Toledo, might have telegraphed to them the news of our defeat. It

appeared, moreover, that they had seen the "Terror," for they were

headed at full speed toward her. Yet our captain, seemingly giving

them no thought whatever, continued his course toward the Niagara

River.



What would the torpedo destroyers do? Presumably, they would maneuver

so as to seek to shut the "Terror" within the narrowing end of the

lake where the Niagara offered her no passage.



Our captain now took the helm. One of the men was at the bow, the

other in the engine room. Would the order be given for me to go down

into the cabin?



It was not, to my extreme satisfaction. To speak frankly, no one paid

any attention to me. It was as if I had not been on board. I watched,

therefore, not without mixed emotions, the approach of the

destroyers. Less than two miles distant now they separated in such a

way as to hold the "Terror" between their fires.



As to the Master of the World, his manner indicated only the most

profound disdain. He seemed sure that these destroyers were powerless

against him. With a touch to his machinery he could distance them, no

matter what their speed! With a few turns of her engine, the "Terror"

would dart beyond their cannon shots! Or, in the depths of the lake,

what projectiles could find the submarine?



Five minutes later, scarcely a mile separated us from the two

powerful fighters which pursued us. Our captain permitted them to

approach still closer. Then he pressed upon a handle. The "Terror,"

doubling the action of her propellers, leaped across the surface of

the lake. She played with the destroyers! Instead of turning in

flight, she continued her forward course. Who knew if she would not

even have the audacity to pass between her two enemies, to coax them

after her, until the hour when, as night closed in, they would be

forced to abandon the useless pursuit!



The city of Buffalo was now in plain view on the border of the lake.

I saw its huge buildings, its church towers, its grain elevators.

Only four or five miles ahead, Niagara river opened to the northward.



Under these new conditions which way should I turn? When we passed in

front of the destroyers, or perhaps between them, should I not throw

myself into the waters I was a good swimmer, and such a chance might

never occur again. The captain could not stop to recapture me. By

diving could I not easily escape, even from a bullet? I should surely

be seen by one or other of the pursuers. Perhaps, even, their

commanders had been warned of my presence on board the "Terror."

Would not a boat be sent to rescue me?



Evidently my chance of success would be even greater, if the "Terror"

entered the narrow waters of Niagara River. At Navy Island I would be

able to set foot on territory that I knew well. But to suppose that

our captain would rush into this river where he might be swept over

the great cataract! That seemed impossible! I resolved to await the

destroyers' closest approach and at the last moment I would decide.



Yet my resolution to escape was but half-hearted. I could not resign

myself thus to lose all chance of following up this mystery. My

instincts as a police official revolted. I had but to reach out my

hand in order to seize this man who had been outlawed! Should I let

him escape me! No! I would not save myself! Yet, on the other hand,

what fate awaited me, and where would I be carried by the "Terror,"

if I remained on board?



It was a quarter past six. The destroyers, quivering and trembling

under the strain of their speed, gained on us perceptibly. They were

now directly astern, leaving between them a distance of twelve or

fifteen cable lengths. The "Terror," without increasing her speed,

saw one of them approach on the port side, the other to starboard.



I did not leave my place. The man at the bow was close by me.

Immovable at the helm, his eyes burning beneath his contracted brows,

the captain waited. He meant, perhaps, to finish the chase by one

last maneuver.





Suddenly, a puff of smoke rose from the destroyer on our left. A

projectile, brushing the surface of the water, passed in front of the

"Terror," and sped beyond the destroyer on our right.



I glanced around anxiously. Standing by my side, the lookout seemed

to await a sign from the captain. As for him, he did not even turn

his head; and I shall never forget the expression of disdain

imprinted on his visage.



At this moment, I was pushed suddenly toward the hatchway of my

cabin, which was fastened above me. At the same instant the other

hatchways were closed; the deck became watertight. I heard a single

throb of the machinery, and the plunge was made, the submarine

disappeared beneath the waters of the lake.



Cannon shot still boomed above us. Their heavy echo reached my ear;

then everything was peace. Only a faint light penetrated through the

porthole into my cabin. The submarine, without the least rolling or

pitching, sped silently through the deeps.



I had seen with what rapidity, and also with what ease the

transformation of the "Terror" had been made. No less easy and rapid,

perhaps, would be her change to an automobile.



And now what would this Master of the World do? Presumably he would

change his course, unless, indeed, he preferred to speed to land, and

there continue his route along the roads. It still seemed more

probable, however, that he would turn back toward the west, and after

distancing the destroyers, regain the Detroit River. Our submersion

would probably only last long enough to escape out of cannon range,

or until night forbade pursuit.



Fate, however, had decreed a different ending to this exciting chase.

Scarce ten minutes had passed when there seemed some confusion on

board. I heard rapid words exchanged in the engine room. The steadily

moving machinery became noisy and irregular. At once I suspected that

some accident compelled the submarine to reascend.



I was not mistaken. In a moment, the semi-obscurity of my cabin was

pierced by sunshine. The "Terror" had risen above water. I heard

steps on the deck, and the hatchways were re-opened, including mine.

I sprang up the ladder.



The captain had resumed his place at the helm, while the two men were

busy below. I looked to see if the destroyers were still in view.

Yes! Only a quarter of a mile away! The "Terror" had already been

seen, and the powerful vessels which enforced the mandates of our

government were swinging into position to give chase. Once more the

"Terror" sped in the direction of Niagara River.



I must confess, I could make nothing of this maneuver. Plunging into

a cul-de-sac, no longer able to seek the depths because of the

accident, the "Terror" might, indeed, temporarily distance her

pursuers; but she must find her path barred by them when she

attempted to return. Did she intend to land, and if so, could she

hope to outrun the telegrams which would warn every police agency of

her approach?



We were now not half a mile ahead. The destroyers pursued us at top

speed, though being now directly behind, they were in poor position

for using their guns. Our captain seemed content to keep this

distance; though it would have been easy for him to increase it, and

then at nightfall, to dodge back behind the enemy.



Already Buffalo had disappeared on our right, and a little after

seven o'clock the opening of the Niagara River appeared ahead. If he

entered there, knowing that he could not return, our captain must

have lost his mind! And in truth was he not insane, this man who

proclaimed himself, who believed himself, Master of the World?



I watched him there, calm, impassive not even turning his head to

note the progress of the destroyers and I wondered at him.



This end of the lake was absolutely deserted. Freight steamers bound

for the towns on the banks of the upper Niagara are not numerous, as

its navigation is dangerous. Not one was in sight. Not even a

fishing-boat crossed the path of the "Terror." Even the two

destroyers would soon be obliged to pause in their pursuit, if we

continued our mad rush through these dangerous waters.



I have said that the Niagara River flows between New York and Canada.

Its width, of about three quarters of a mile, narrows as it

approaches the falls. Its length, from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, is

about fifteen leagues. It flows in a northerly direction, until it

empties the waters of Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie into

Ontario, the last lake of this mighty chain. The celebrated falls,

which occur in the midst of this great river have a height of over a

hundred and fifty feet. They are called sometimes the Horse-shoe

Falls, because they curve inward like the iron shoe. The Indians have

given them the name of "Thunder of Waters," and in truth a mighty

thunder roars from them without cessation, and with a tumult which is

heard for several miles away.



Between Lake Erie, and the little city of Niagara Falls, two islands

divide the current of the river, Navy Island, a league above the

cataract, and Goat Island, which separates the American and the

Canadian Falls. Indeed, on the lower point of this latter isle stood

once that "Terrapin Tower" so daringly built in the midst of the

plunging waters on the very edge of the abyss. It has been destroyed;

for the constant wearing away of the stone beneath the cataract makes

the ledge move with the ages slowly up the river, and the tower has

been drawn into the gulf.



The town of Fort Erie stands on the Canadian shore at the entrance of

the river. Two other towns are set along the banks above the falls,

Schlosser on the right bank, and Chippewa on the left, located on

either side of Navy Island. It is at this point that the current,

bound within a narrower channel, begins to move at tremendous speed,

to become two miles further on, the celebrated cataract.



The "Terror" had already passed Fort Erie. The sun in the west

touched the edge of the Canadian horizon, and the moon, faintly seen,

rose above the mists of the south. Darkness would not envelop us for

another hour.



The destroyers, with huge clouds of smoke streaming from their

funnels, followed us a mile behind. They sped between banks green

with shade trees and dotted with cottages which lay among lovely

gardens.



Obviously the "Terror" could no longer turn back. The destroyers shut

her in completely. It is true their commanders did not know, as I

did, that an accident to her machinery had forced her to the surface,

and that it was impossible for her to escape them by another plunge.

Nevertheless, they continued to follow, and would assuredly maintain

their pursuit to the very last.



I marveled at the intrepidity of their chase through these dangerous

waters. I marveled still more at the conduct of our captain. Within a

half hour now, his course would be barred by the cataract. No matter

how perfect his machine, it could not escape the power of the great

falls. If the current once mastered our engines, we should inevitably

disappear in the gulf nearly two hundred feet deep which the waters

have dug at the base of the falls! Perhaps, however, our captain had

still power to turn to one of the shores and flee by the automobile

routes.



In the midst of this excitement, what action should I take

personally? Should I attempt to gain the shores of Navy Island, if we

indeed advanced that far? If I did not seize this chance, never after

what I had learned of his secrets, never would the Master of the

World restore me to liberty.



I suspected, however, that my flight was no longer possible. If I was

not confined within my cabin, I no longer remained unwatched. While

the captain retained his place at the helm, his assistant by my side

never removed his eyes from me. At the first movement, I should be

seized and locked within my room. For the present, my fate was

evidently bound up with that of the "Terror."



The distance which separated us from the two destroyers was now

growing rapidly less. Soon they were but a few cable-lengths away.

Could the motor of the "Terror," since the accident, no longer hold

its speeds? Yet the captain showed not the least anxiety, and made no

effort to reach land!



We could hear the hissing of the steam which escaped from the valves

of the destroyers, to mingle with the streamers of black smoke. But

we heard, even more plainly, the roar of the cataract, now less than

three miles away.



The "Terror" took the left branch of the river in passing Navy

Island. At this point, she was within easy reach of the shore, yet

she shot ahead. Five minutes later, we could see the first trees of

Goat Island. The current became more and more irresistible. If the

"Terror" did not stop, the destroyers could not much longer follow

her. If it pleased our accursed captain to plunge us into the vortex

of the falls, surely they did not mean to follow into the abyss!



Indeed, at this moment they signaled each other, and stopped the

pursuit. They were scarce more than six hundred feet from the

cataract. Then their thunders burst on the air and several cannon

shot swept over the "Terror" without hitting its low-lying deck.



The sun had set, and through the twilight the moon's rays shone upon

us from the south. The speed of our craft, doubled by the speed of

the current, was prodigious! In another moment, we should plunge into

that black hollow which forms the very center of the Canadian Falls.



With an eye of horror, I saw the shores of Goat Island flashed by,

then came the Isles of the Three Sisters, drowned in the spray from

the abyss.



I sprang up; I started to throw myself into the water, in the

desperate hope of gaining this last refuge. One of the men seized me

from behind.



Suddenly a sharp noise was heard from the mechanism which throbbed

within our craft. The long gangways folded back on the sides of the

machine, spread out like wings, and at the moment when the "Terror"

reached the very edge of the falls, she arose into space, escaping

from the thundering cataract in the center of a lunar rainbow.



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