Who Goes There?. B. K. Benson
him make just this declaration, though I had had intimations that such was his opinion. I was glad to hear this speech. It seemed to place the Doctor in favour of the North, and I felt relieved.
"Continue," I begged.
"You know that I have said many times that the war is unnecessary; that all war is crime."
"Yes."
"Yet you know that I have maintained that slavery also is a crime and must be suppressed."
"Yes, and I confess that you have seemed inconsistent."
"I know you think the two positions contradictory; but both these views are sound and true. War is a crime; slavery is a crime: these are two truths and they cannot clash. I will go farther and say that the North is right and the South is right."
"Doctor, you are astonishing. You will find it hard to convince me that both of these statements can be true."
"Well, are you ready to listen?"
"Ready and willing. But why is it that you say both sections are right? Why do you not prove that they are both wrong? You are speaking of crime, not virtue."
"Of course they are both wrong in the acts of which we are speaking; but in regard to the principles upon which they seem to differ, they are right, and these are what I wish to speak of."
"Well, I listen, Doctor."
"Then first let me say that the world is ruled by a higher power than General McClellan or Mr. Jefferson Davis."
"Agreed."
"The world is ruled by a power that has far-reaching, even eternal, purpose, and the power is as great as the purpose; the power is infinite."
"I follow you."
"This power cannot act contrary to its own purpose, nor can it purpose what it will not execute."
"Please illustrate, Doctor."
"Suppose God should purpose to make a world, and instead of making a world should make a comet."
"He would not be God," said I, "unless the comet should happen to be in a fair way of becoming a world."
"Exactly; to act contrary to His purpose would be caprice or failure."
"Yes; I see, or think I do."
"Not difficult at all; I simply say that war is a crime and slavery a crime. Two truths cannot clash."
"Then you mean to say that God has proposed to bring slavery into existence, and war, also?"
"Not at all. What I mean to say in that His purpose overrules and works beyond both. Man makes slavery, and makes war; God turns them into means for advancing His cause."
"Perhaps I can understand, Doctor, that what you say is true. But I do not see how the South can be right."
"What are all those crowds of people doing down on the battery?" asked Lydia, suddenly.
It was about two o'clock. We had walked slowly toward the beach.
"They are all looking in our direction," said Dr. Khayme; "they see something that interests them."
Across the water in the southeast could be seen smoke, which the wind blew toward us. Some officers upon a low sand-hill near us were looking intently through their field-glasses.
"I'll go and find out," said the Doctor; "stay here till I return."
We saw him reach the hill; one of the officers handed him a glass; he looked, and came back to us rapidly.
"We are promised a spectacle; I shall run to my tent for a glass," said he.
"What is it all about, Father?" asked Lydia.
"A Confederate war-vessel," said he, and was gone.
"I hope she will be captured," said I; "and I have no doubt she will."
"You have not read the papers lately," said Lydia.
"No; what do you mean?"
"I mean that there are many rumours of a new and powerful iron steamer which the Confederates have built at Norfolk," she replied.
"Iron?"
"Yes, they say it is iron, or at least that it is protected with iron, so that it cannot be injured."
"Well, if that is the case, why do we let our wooden ships remain here?"
The Doctor now rejoined us. He handed me a glass. I could see a vessel off toward Norfolk, seemingly headed in our direction. Lydia took the glass, and exclaimed, "That must be the Merrimac! what a strange-looking ship!"
The crowds on the batteries near Newport News and along the shore were fast increasing. The Doctor said not a word; indeed, throughout the prodigious scene that followed he was silent, and, to all seeming, emotionless.
Some ships of-war were at anchor not far from the shore. With the unaided eye great bustle could be seen on these ships; two of them were but a very short distance from us.
The smoke in the south came nearer. I had walked and stood until I needed rest; I sat on the ground.
Now, at our left, toward Fortress Monroe, we could see three ships moving up toward the two which were near us.
The strange vessel come on; we could see a flag flying. The design of the flag was two broad red stripes with a white stripe between.
The big ship was nearer; her form was new and strange; a large roof, with little showing above it. She seemed heading toward Fortress Monroe.
Suddenly she swung round and came slowly on toward our two ships near Newport News.
The two Federal ships opened their guns upon the rebel craft; the batteries on shore turned loose on her.
Lydia put her hands to her ears, but soon took them away. She was used to wounds, but had never before seen battle.
From above--the James River, as I afterward knew--now came down some smaller rebel ships to engage in the fight, but they were too small to count for much.
Suddenly the Merrimac fired one gun, still moving on toward our last ship--the ship at the west; still she moved on, and on, and on, and struck our ship with her prow, and backed.
The Union ships continued to fire; the batteries and gunboats kept up their fire.
The big rebel boat turned and made for our second ship, which was now endeavouring to get away. The Merrimac fired upon her, gun after gun.
Our ship stuck fast, and could not budge, but she continued to fire.
The ship which had been rammed began to lurch and at last she sank, with her guns firing as she went down.
Lydia's face was the picture of desolation. Her lips parted. The Doctor observed her, and drew his arm within her own; she sighed heavily, but did not speak.
The rebel ship stood still and fired many times on our ship aground; and white flags were at last seen on the Union vessel.
Now the small rebel ships approached the prize, but our shore batteries, and even our infantry on shore, kept up a rapid fire to prevent the capture. Soon the small ships steamed away, and the great craft fired again and again into the surrendered vessel, and set her afire.
Then still another Union ship took part in the contest; she also was aground, yet she fought the rebel vessels.
The great ship turned again and steamed toward the south until she was lost in the thickening darkness. Meanwhile, the burning ship was a sheet of flame; we could see men leap from her deck; boats put off from the shore.
"The play is over; let's go to supper," said the Doctor.
"I want no food," said I.
"You must not stay in