Incomplete Message

May I remind you of one of the most significant battles in world history—that of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte? The old verger of Winchester Cathedral never tired of telling the story of the day when the news of the battle reached England. It came by sailing vessel to the south coast and was carried overland by semaphore to the top of Winchester Cathedral and on to London.

The populace eagerly waited as the semaphore spelled out the words, “W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D.”

Just then a dense fog settled down over the harbor, as this incomplete message was waved on to London. A pall of gloom and discouragement settled over the land. Streets were barricaded. Women and the elderly prepared to defend their country in the streets and in the fields if necessary. But finally the fog lifted, and the signals came through again: W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D T-H-E E-N-E-M-Y.”