The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04


occupants Of il were the lighthouse keeper and
his daughter. The young woman, despite her
isolation from society, found 10 be very ac-
compllshed She had never been or the island
but had read great deal, having in her library
such works as Shakespeare, Byron, Tennyson,
LOngfellow. etc. She was an accomplished mu-
sician and had ia her possession a piano.
After cruising around the Florida Keys
several days. we made sail for Mobile 10 re-
penish our stock Of coal. After considerable
trouble in getting up the intricate channel Of
Mobile Bay, we found that we could not OBJ
tain the kind OF coal desired so we laid in
enough Of such as was 10 be had 10 last us TO
New Orleans.
While the ship was taking in coal, motley
crowd OF Southern pickaninnies. some hatless,
most with very little clothing hanging 90 them,
aud all shoeless, entertained the crew with a
genuine minstrel show. Their singing and
dancing was. indeed, up 10 the standard.
Billy Duf, the pride and life Of the crew,
a little hit Of a man." who had spent all his
life in the service Of Uncle sam, began TO feel
young and gay, and threatened TO transform
the minstrel show into a circus by executing a
war dance, terminating with a number Of hand.
springs and double somersault
One little negro after the performance passed
around his big tattered straw hat and goodly-
sized collection was soon forthcoming from the
ships boys
/ shall never forget that trip to New Orleans
We got caught in one Of those hurricanes that
so often strike the Gulf
Incidental TO this trip, and before we caught
the storm good, was a funny happening. The
first night out we had pretty fair weather.
Upon turning in, left the portfolio, which was
right over Chips's bunk open, In order 10
catch breath Of fresh air j was awakened
toward morning by a shout from Chips -:
Mine Colt I'm drowndedi" Jumping up 10
learn the cause Of the uproar, ] soon took in the
situation. A huge sea had washed in through
the open portfolio and had dronched the poor
carpenter, leaving him like a ,veritable
drowned rat
The storm had Just struck rs. and tell you
we thought all hands would pay a visit 10
Davy JOnes's locker" before daylight.
found an old salt down on his knees praying
for all he was worth. did not appreciate the
full extent Of the danger, probably. as he did.
j asked him II there was much danger. He
] replied that he had been in many gale, but
/ II we weathered this one we could all thank
our stars. While old Billy was kneeling
/ there the Master-at- Arms came along. That
/ gentleman was no doubt man OF great physi-
cal courage but ! must say at times he be-
camo very sacriligious especially when he had
occasion 10 discipline the men under any such
cond itiOns as the present.
A. he saw Billy" i'm the attitude described
lie exclaimed
well, I'm be -! Get up. YOU blamed
milksop. aud bear hand We'll. it's as good
as picnic to sec you here holding prayer
I meeting"
However, we weathered The gale and made
! New Orleans after several days.
A. we noarcd the jetties az the mouth Of the
Mississippi j noticed what q
TERRIFIC CURRENT
I there was. For some distance out the force Of
\ the Underwater formed cresccnt-shaped lines Of
waves
! As we were passing up dog belonging 10 the
/ ship fell overheard. The poor brute struggled
4 bravely against the current but il aVailed
nothing and he was swept on down the stream
/ The Captain aud enire crew thought 80 much
OF the animal that the former decided to stop
4 and pick him NJ
Before we could do So however the dog had
| struggled 90 shore about one mile down the
river, which was making about five knots an
hour. We at last managed 10 bring him aboard,
TO the joy Of all hands
We arrived at New Orleans at about n. m.
aud dropped anchor. Most all hands were given
! permission % 90 ashore, and awaited themsel YES
/ Of the opportunity. About two hours after
i landing there was scarcely sober man among
/ the sailors All were flush, having lust been
1 paid Oh, aud they proceeded TO enjoy them
selves after their own manner.