The morning call., 1893-10-15

mans would be up with us In about
three days time. The chances were, how
ever, that they would be longer. They
mi ght not come at all, for they would be
sure to fall in with some Of the American
squadron further down the coast. They
certainly could not pass without having an
engagement and that they should we
prayed fervently; for il they did elude the
vigilance of the American vessels, and
proceeding north fall upon US. tho odds
would be overwhelmingly against US. so
much so that the good ship Dragon would
undoubtedly be sent to the bottom, for we
knew no such word as Surrender"
Time wore on. The 25th broke upon us
hopeful and dauntless as ever. The sky
was murky. the clouds lowering, and the
horizon was obScured SO that an object was
visible only at distance of about three
miles. Upon such morn as this we lay
on and of the Wash ngton coast. subject
to the tumbling and the tossing of north
westerly swell which came rolling in till
noon. when it subsidized somewhat.
Seven bells rang, and my mess went to
dinner. At eight bells we all tnmbed on
deck, and took up the unfinished work of
the watch preceding us. The haze began
to lift, but nothing on the broad expanse
of ocean was revealed to US. We were
then distant about thirty miles from the
mouth of the Columbia. Cape Disap-
pointment bore east-southeast, and could
D6 seen QIStIUcLiy lEOU tE6 military Top Oh
the Oregon's single mast.
The afternoon wore on till about 4, when
the men In the lookout sang out that away
to the southeast two steamers were in
sight. They were not coming toward US,
but were steaming in northerly direction.
Instantly throughout the Oregon ran
the cry "The Germans are coming" The
captain climbed to the top aud verified the
report of the lookout and gave orders to
Ut IN in G iY., ho, ord A
hands Immediately set to work removing
boats. hammocks. netting and washing to
places where they would be from under
foot
The officers of the ship now went aft
and held consultation of few minutes
and arrived at the decision of attaching
the enemy, seeing that they were only two
il mum ber. Accordingly orders were 80
Issued. All hands were beat to quarters,
and the steel PROV, which had never
before faced an enemy, headed seaward.
Shortly after getting under way we
noticed change in the enemies direction.
They headed for us. distant about eight
miles. On and on they came, flying the
flag of Germany. and the feeling whicn
came over me, while not exactly one of
terror, was not the peasantest by any
manner Of means. Lined up on either
side of the big rifles in the forward tnrret,
we stood grim and dark. The subdued
uSub QttVcUbu tHt SioHuIs uut ehtAO was
no dearth of determination in the faces of
any OF US. Back to hack, elbow to elbow.
we stood ready to fire at the instant OF
command The minutes seemed hours,
but the battle was not far off.
From a peep through the apertures
through which protruded the rifles we
could see the fast-approaching warships.
Suddenly from across the windward
waters the deafening roar of cannon
came. The iron missile struck us square
amidships. The Oregon shuddered from
stem to stern. All suspense was cast
aside and the battle was on.
Shot and she'll rsined upon US. Some
struck us and fell 20 the water. while
others entered our sides. but the order
came rot to fire. at last the command