The Battle, and How It Grew

In Rio de Janeiro there were rumors of a great naval battle off the coast of Brazil. It was said that there were those who knew more of this battle in the city of Maceio, 1,000 miles north of Rio. Yes, the citizens had heard that at least four warships had been involved.

It was said that the folk of the town of Maragogy, 60 miles north of Maceio, would know more. There Senhor Ayres Costa, a former mayor of great dignity, was willing to say: "I haven't the slightest doubt that this was naval combat, as shots, characteristic of a cannonade, were heard closely by all the populace."

It was said that a fisherman named Jose Bispo, who lives in Maragogy and catches a fish called Maragogy, knew more. Jose, a good man with a rumor too, told his story:

"I climbed a hill of about 80 meters, from where I saw a ship about 20 miles southeast, but I was unable to identify her as a warship, or armored vessel. Another ship was more distant and I was able to see only the column of her smoke.

"When I reached the top of the hill, the shooting ended. The nearest vessel was steaming southward and the other was visible only by her small column of smoke and I was unable to determine if this one was fleeing or had halted to attack. Afterward the nearest ship disappeared over the horizon.

"It is not true . . . that lifeboats, or wreckage, were found on the beaches here. . . ."

Last week the great battle of Maragogy had shrunk, in Rio rumor, to ridiculous scale. It was decided that probably the terrible flashes and thunderous gun-talk had been only searchlights and rockets from the S.S. Delnorte picking up survivors from the torpedoed S.S. I.C. White (TIME, Oct. 13).

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