Show it ANX fj Y I f WS X THE MAN IN THE FIGHTING TOR There Is I one spot on board the modern man of war that Is still tho most exposed position In limo of battle and that Is the top or military mast as Its It-s now designated I The man stationed liters known that grim 1 death hovers all about him that there to no other t pool so full I of deadly peril Its Is a hero rdl he would snlrk his duty And rebel from fear In other parts of the ship he has nine chances In ten of escaping danger There lie hardly has one But he Is I also a doughty antagonist HIstory reminds us that It wa a hot rd from the French frigate lIdoubtablo mizzen top that add the carr of Lord Nelson In the moment ot victory On the first class ships and armored rulers the military mat are hollow find < access to the top Is gained through the Interior Where also the ammunition am-munition Is I hoisted Up There the mn stand living targets for shot and shell with a thin platln before them that Is avallableyrotection only against a small rifle bullet or a glancing hot from a rapid fire gun There they hand I small caliber machine gun and rlnemn usually support them Their work Is I to cripple the mosquito vessels 1 and hornets and to sweep the deck and superstructure ot the antagonist fill a rain ot deadly missiles picking oft the officers and subordinate commanders acting In fact as the sharpshooters ot the navy But they are not It nlono A steady fire ot bullets Is I directed against them Huge projectile are thrown at them and possibly one rightly aimed may bring down the mat vilth Its unfortunate tenants 10 the deck amid a rah that will bury them In shattered pieces ot Iron and tel mutilating them beyond recognition ROGER BAUNUM |