Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-14

been lounging over the steel side Of thu
ship, Strengthened up with momentary
dignity.
A moment later and the Chicago LEI
go her anchor with the noisy rattle o,
heavy chains, almost within a stone,
throw OF the Philadelphia. The other
vessels glided silently by, sheered off 10
her side, and took positions in the samo
| order as they had entered the roads. ex.
cept that the little Vesuyius nestled her.
self quite snugly and almost lovingly
undor the shelter OF the Cbicagos pom
derous hull. The vessels went TO their
places with all the grace and in.
telligcnce of well-trsined horses
entering their stalls, and then, with
their noses pointing seward as il with n
longing 70 sniff again tho fresh salt air.
they settled down TO rest. Fifteen min.
utes later procession of pert little
launches put out towards the wharf n
score of officers received ioyous wei.
come. the hotel lobby once more buzzed
with merry chatter. and everybody was
happy.
BENHAM's FLEET ALSO.
Later in the day Admiral Benham's
fleet, which had also been out to Lynn
haven Bay. returned.
The eyoluions through which the
ships had gone were the same ss those
which made the drill OF few DAYS ago
so successful. They moved along in
column formation, each ship exactly 200
yards distant from the one in front and
the one behind they circled in grea.
curves. like snowy eagles lowering over
their prey and ready to swoop down
upon 1t they signallcd each other with
flags by day and with electric lights by
night. and they played at warfare with
no enemy IN sight The value Of the
practice was shown by the marked i'm
provoment of these manGuyres over
those OF last week.
The return Of the fleets from sea was
not tho only event Of the day. The
Bancroft joined the squadron. Early
this morning she lay opposite some huge
cOal-docks at the mouth of the Eliza
beth river with an unglnly collier for O
companion. BY slow degrees the dirty
cargo of the scow was transferred TO the
hold Of the war vessel, the white paint
becoming streakod with inky lines. The
Bancroft's signal, SNOWY flag of red,
white, and blue squares, tluttered i'll the
morning breeze and the early sunlight
reflected the Rlisten OF polished brass
At ] she moved up to the anchorage of
the fleet
THE BANCRoTT's ARRIVAL.
1t was the first time she had partici-
paied formally in the rendezvous, and
she announced her arrival with becoming
noise and ceremony. There was n great
deal of talking back and forth with flags
as she appeared in view, and there was
much running up and hauling down of
vari-colored signals. AS she steamed
slowly 10y the PHILADELPHIA she opened
fire. Bang, bang. bang, and tongues of
flame shot out of the ships eide and
were smothered up in smoke, while
the windows of the hotel at the fort rat
tied as though giant had caught the
building and was shaking IT with angry
grasp. Thirteen times did the sharp
report deaten the unaccustOmcd ear, and
then the Philadelphia answered with
seven guns. The Admiral and the Com
mandcr being thus assured of each
others distinguished consideration and
esteem, the Bancroft passed on and
found a convenient place to come to
anchorage.
MORE WORLDS TO CONQUER.
As if all this was not enough cor one
day, there has been lots Of gossip over
the expected arrival tomorrow OF the
Italian and Spanish ships. Their ar
rival Is eagerly awaited, for at present
the only foreign ships in the harbor are
the General Admiral and the lynda OF
the Russian squadron. Their officers are
very delightful to gaze upon, but firt-
ing with the aid Of Al interpreter has
never been q success since the world be-