yells of defiance, and a shower of shot from machine guns.

The character of the new defence which had been fitted to the Llangaron
was known to the Syndicate, and the directors of the two new crabs
understood the heavy piece of work which lay before them. But their
plans of action had been well considered, and they made straight for
the stern of the British ship.

It was, of course, impossible to endeavour to grasp that great cylinder
with its rounded ends; their forceps would slip from any portion of its
smooth surface on which they should endeavour to lay hold, and no such
attempt was made. Keeping near the cylinder, one at each end of it,
the two moved slowly after the Llangaron, apparently discouraged.

In a short time, however, it was perceived by those on board the ship
that a change had taken place in the appearance of the crabs; the
visible portion of their backs was growing larger and larger; they were
rising in the water. Their mailed roofs became visible from end to
end, and the crowd of observers looking down from the ship were amazed
to see what large vessels they were.

Higher and higher the crabs arose, their powerful air-pumps working at
their greatest capacity, until their ponderous pincers became visible
above the water. Then into the minds of the officers of the Llangaron
flashed the true object of this uprising, which to the crew had seemed
an intention on the part of the sea-devils to clamber on board.

If the cylinder were left in its present position the crab might seize
the chains by which it was suspended, while if it were raised it would
cease to be a defence. Notwithstanding this latter contingency, the
order was quickly given to raise the cylinder; but before the hoisting
engine had been set in motion, Crab Q thrust forward her forceps over
the top of the cylinder and held it down. Another thrust, and the iron
jaws had grasped one of the two ponderous chains by which the cylinder
was suspended.

The other end of the cylinder began to rise, but at this moment Crab R,
apparently by a single effort, lifted herself a foot higher out of the
sea; her pincers flashed forward, and the other chain was grasped.

The two crabs were now placed in the most extraordinary position. The
overhang of their roofs prevented an attack on their hulls by the
Llangaron, but their unmailed hulls were so greatly exposed that a few
shot from another ship could easily have destroyed them. But as any
ship