The National tribune., 1888-05-10

common TO their kind, the favOrite pastime was
boxing, at which a number were adopts. Gen.
helton was fond, when current business slack
ened enough TO permit it. of watching the play,
and especially the boxing, at which he was no
slow hand himself Even now, at nearly 60
years of age, the General is trim built and alert
III his movements, and owes much of his we'll
preserved youth TO his lifelong indulgence in
athletics during his spare hours. He is only Of
medium hight, but has the deep chest, wide
shoulders, narrow TANKS and small hands and
feet that tell to one of experience in such mat
tiers of wonderful strength and endurance.
Among the boxers on the lawn before Gen.
heltons windows was huge fellow named
Kelley, Regular Sergeant of cavalry, who
seemed to be the master of his mates with his
iists-a Regular Tom HyeT to them all. Him
the then Major watched for long time and
finally sent for him one day and directed him
TO come that evening to his quarters. When
Kelley duly reported himself, the Major pro-
posed boxing bout. Kelley was shy of putting
on the gloves with an Acknowledgement, but
finally obeyed, though his action was by no
means up TO his work with his mates, and it
was not satisfactory to Maj. Keltou. At the
end OF the practice, Kelt0n said: Now, Ser
geant, when you come again, / want you to re-
member that when we take off our coats and
put on the gloves there will be no Major or
Sergeant here, but just two men boxing, and l
want you TO do your work as | have seen you
with the men at the Department. Do your
best, and get in your work Just as you would
with them" Kelley hardly liked the idea,
but as the time grew near to 20 to Maj. kel-
tons again, he took heart Of grace, and, as he
was enormously the superior of kelton in
hight aud weight, he couiidentially told some
comrades that An order 5 au order; an if
MAJ. Aelt0n really wants boxing, I'll give him
a round or two that wiz be plenty for HIM"
Poor Kelley reported again in due time, and,
with fire in his eye, proceeded to give Mai.
heltou all he wanted. TIE Major was there
and waiting for the huge Sergeant, and warm
ed poor Kelley up SO bad that he was ashamed
10 talk Of the matter thereafter, and was
obliged TO soundiy thump several of his own
companions to put a stop to their sarcastic in
quiries about his blackened eyes aud swollen
nose. 1t isn't always safe to measure a man
by his apparent size.
ADMIRAL AaI3IEN's NERVE.
Seeing Rear-Admiral Daniel Ammen at his
usual desk at the Navy Department a few days
ago, reminded me of an episode during his
military career that strikes me as one OF the
neryiest actions ever performed by any man.
Nay -, 1854, Admiral Ammen, then d Com
mandcr, took passage on the steamer Ocean
Queen at New York under orders to conduct
draft Of men to AspinwaIl and Panama for dis
tTlBUtlon 10 our mgH-of- war cruising in the Pa
clhc. When the steamer dropped down the
and 220 men were put Oh beard in Commander
Ammen charge.
The Ocean Queen was crowded with passen-
gers, and even her steeFage was SO full that 10
other accommodations could be provided for
the navy men except by slowing away under
the hurricane deck forward Of the eaugway.
The men were q turbulent lot, aud Ammen had
only Doa!swain as assistant, and no marine
guard at al.
At midnight of the same day Commander
Ammcu WAS told that the men demanded to
see min, and lie went forward to where the
whole lot was gathered IN the port gaugway.
About ~ men seemed TO be the riu.Ieaders, aud
Of these Seaman John Kelly and Seaman Alfred
Russell were the spokesHen. They rather
bLuly asserted that the provision made for
THEN sleeping was unfit and unsatisfactory, and
that they couldn't stand It; and, besides, that
tic supper that day didn't suit them.
Admiral AHHeu Is sl0W-spokeu and re-
markaDly mild man, and stranger would be
SLOW 10 believe him the determined officer he is
when IT needs be- l0r ia general appearance he
SHOWS nothing OF the general idea OF the natty,
alert navy man lie told the men ii his quiet
way that lie knew they were not as comfort
ably provided for as they should be, but in the
crowded condition Of the vessel nothing could
be done
The men said much more but finally de-
manLed that all hands shoald be given 4 drink
OF whisky, and that would make il all right.
This impudent demand was refused and they
were ordered back to their places, which they
o6eyed grumbliugly.
The men had been senton from Philadelphia,
and most Of them had recently been transferred
from the army, aud their conduct was 50 rough
that Capt. IIa5.epaagh, commanding the Ocean
Queen, suggested that next morning he should
ran III 10 Hampton Roads where the ring
leaders could be transferred 10 navy vessels and
a marine guard obtained to keep the rest in
order. Commander Anmcu objected that lie
could str4igatcn matters out himself if it be-
came lmperatIyely necessary, and the course
Was held On down along tie CGEst toward Hat
teTas.
AT breakfast the next morning and again at
dinner-t!me there was loud growing about the
food by the leaders, but many Of tie facn cX-
pressed themselves thoroughly satisfied VITA
the meals. Nothing, however would satisfy
the turbulent ones, and matters came TO such a
pass that Commander AmmcH was hurriediy
sent Tor that evening. BO4tswain Bell, with
Capt IluklepaugA and one or two Of his OIL
GERS, were facing tic whole gang in the port
gansway, and lie learned that they had declared
their intention 70 20 aft and break into the
spirit room, and, If necessary,.to take posses
sion OF the ship.
This was rank mutiny, and Commander
Ammcn rose TO the occasion. lie went 70 his
state.0Om, DuCkled on his sword and revolver
and, returning stepped out in front Of the
mutIueers alone. The mob refused 10 obey lis
orders 10 20 forward, and be quietly told them
OF the elect Of their conduct, aud that they
were thus Ia open mutiny. They laughed at
him, while Kelly and Russell defantiy reiter-
ated their intention Of going to the spirit room
10 help themselves, and even made movement
( to start at.
Quick a. . Fash Amnen's manner changed
thoroughly, and his voice rang out as clearly
and authCTitatiyely as il had before been mild
and cZpOstulatIug IN tone.
halt, every man! There is the line you
must no. crOss-frOm tire gangway to the mast
If any man dares put foot across it, he will die
right there. Now dispeTse and 20 forward"
Deep quiet followed for half a moment, while
the men silently watched tie thin figure be-
fore them; and then, with cry Of Come on,
mates, the man Kelly rushed forward.
/ Craca went Ammeu's revolver, and Kelly
dropped dead across the line 10 feet away. All
hands halted for the instant but Russell SEEM
ed Infatuated at the occurrence, and he, too
rushed forward, only TO fall stone dead almost
across the body Of his fellow mUtineer and
couspirator, aud then the whole crowd halted
4 IN terror.
Is that euough?" asked Ammen Then,
after pause while he held his still smoking
revolver in his hand, the men in the rear be-
gan to drop away by twos tlrees and half
( dozens ana in less than a moment the last one
OF The leaders had skulked away.
4 The trouble was over. A dozen or 20 Of the