ON. BOARD THE ‘‘ TONNANT ”’ 307

missing was regarded as lost. The authorities then
decided that a second expedition should be made under
other conditions of offensive action.

Nearly eight weeks had elapsed since Simon Hart’s
strange missive had been launched. Ker Karraje might be
already in possession of the secret of M. Roch. .

An agreement was come to between the maritime powers
that five war ships should be sent into the Bermuda waters.
Since a great cavern existed in the interior of the bulk of
Backcup, an attempt. was to be made to bring down its
rocky side like the walls of a bastion, under the fire of
powerful modern artillery.

The squadron assembled at the entrance of the Chesa-
peake in Virginia, and directed its course towards the
group, which it sighted in the evening of November 17th.

The next day the squadron attacked in the morning.

The ship that was to lead proceeded on her way, and
was yet within four and a half miles of the base of the
rock-islet, when three shells, after having passed beyond
her, curved back upon themselves and burst, at fifty yards’
distance from her hull. She sank in a few seconds,
carrying hundreds of victims into the depths of the
Atlantic,

The effect of this explosion, due to a terrible disturbance
of the atmospheric layers which produced a concussion
greater than any previously obtained from the new explo-
sives, was instantaneous. es

The four ships, which were far behind, felt the terrible
repercussion even at their distance.