The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-29

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stands upon low shore
facing the Crows Nest. The day was sui
try. Hardly breath of air was stirring.
The sun beat hot upon the bosom Of the
Hudson. Its rays were reflected from the
surface of the river to the shore, increasing
if possible the heat of the battery. A firing
drill had been ordered at o'clock. Here
is the picture:
The great guns stand, black and grim,
near the bay washing the feet of the dark
green mountain known as the Crows Nest.
Storm King is outlined against the sky
beyond it. To the right ten miles across
the blue water, the glittering spires of New
burg are seen. Across the river towers
Mount Taurus, and beyond that Break
Neck, as wild, rugged and ragged as when
Benedict Arnold fled down the river after
hearing Of the capture Of Andre
Shops, lazily drifting with the current,
dot the bosom of the stream. In the far
distance two tugs are pulling fleet of lum-
ber-laden canal-boats toward the Tappan
Zee. The heat is intense. Crows sailing
over the west shore flats emit lazy "eaws,"
and the robins remain silent in the shade.
The hill beneath the battery is Uttered with
swetering spectators. Among them are
many well-dressed ladies. They sit be-
meath the trees, and the play of their fans
is incessant. Knots of cadets off duty are
Stbu lUNeI uOWu lh6 blOpG. All ed5eIly
await the drill.
Suddenly the sharp rat-tat-tat Of drum
is heard. 1t comes from the barracks be-
yond the esplanade. A moment later a
column of cadets is in sight. 1t is the firing
party. The boys wear gray jackets and
white trousers. The column moves with
the precision Of a machine. Down the
slope it comes carrying the elastic step of
youth. In discipline it is perfect. With eyes
rigidly to the front it passes batteries more
dangerous than any coast batteries. They
are batteries Of loveliness-maideDs, the
fire Of whose eyes would make the braYest
of men lay down their arms.
Filing to the left, the column is aligned
behind the guns. AT the word of command
it breaks into detachments. Each detach-
pieces of artillery. The first two on
the right are 15-inch smooth bores.
and the third. fifth and sixth are
S-inch rifles converted. The fourth is a 10
inch mortar. The sm0oth-bOres carry round
shot weighing over 400 pounds All frown
above the earthworks, black and defiant.
Take equipments" shouts the COM
manding officer.
The equipments hang from the guns or
are found upon the chassis, as the cres-
cented railway upon which the breech rests
is termed. In twinkllng the cadets are at
work. Some mount the platforms, while
others are busy below. The excavation is
alive with activity. The gunner stands upon
the chassis experimenting the move
ments around him. He passes the primer
pouch to cadet and removes the cover
of the vent This he places in his own
pouch. Two cadets work the screw and
give the piece an elevation, and all resume
their places.
Form battery" shouts the commandant.
1t means Roll the gun back" The gun
ner cries, In gear" and each detachment
is again alive. Handspikes are inserted in
the sockets of the carriages and the axIes
are unkeyed. This leaves the cannon free
upon its carriage. A moment later the
gunner shouts 'Heave." The wheels re-
yolve and the muzzle of the monster is
drawn within the battery. "Halt," cries
the gunner, and the great cannon is brought
to a standstill. Like flash cadet throws
an outlying pulley into place. 1t is used to
lift the heavy shot 10 the muZZle.