Page:America Fallen!.djvu/185

Rh precision, into this trap. Just look at that! They are going to tee us."

And there we saw the four battle-cruisers, going 28 knots, forge ahead of the German column, and draw in, diagonally, across our path.

By the time the second fleet of the enemy had closed in to 12,000 yards and opened fire, the cruiser division was zigzagging across our course, 10,000 yards ahead, and delivering a raking fire right down our line, first letting fly to starboard, then to port.

A hurricane of fire and steel smote the head of the American line. By preconcerted plan, every ship of the enemy, from starboard, from port, and from dead ahead, concentrated on the Oklahoma. Never had such a fury of shells stormed upon ship or fortress as found and searched out the American flagship. In those brief minutes before she sank, all