Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-26

antics. "Then the boys wear thin clothing and
the thinner the clothing 10 why so much the
more fun" By which he meant. Of course,
thas an increase OF pain resulted in additional
MARTY Healthful physical training is en-
couraged and there is hardly . moment in the
day when two or more officers are not walking
the decks with the rapidity that leaves no
doubt In the mind of the observer as 70 whether
tne observed IL walking or sauntering.
IRREsuLARIrr IN LINE
Up to the latter part OF the afternoon the
feet had moved in review order, but with n Gan
on the port side for which the Bancroft seemed
TO be responsible. The extra distance was
steadily maintained all dav long so perhaps
the Bancroft was only obeying an order of
which the starboard squadron knew nothing,
but the appearance OF things was q tribe
out of joint because Of even this slight
irregularity. The only other trouble APP
the part of the Atlanta to get into
the Newark's station. For awhile there was
confusion, but the tangle soon Strengthened
out These little mishaps would be less likely
to occur were our naval authorities to sdopt
the devices by which the ships of the British
squadron kept each other informed. Each has
speed signals and signals that show the number
OF revolutions made by each screw minute after
minute, and still others that are worked
oy the steering gear TO make plain the direc-
ton IN which the wheel is being spun In addi-
ton TO these useful precautionary measures
several active midshipmen are continually en-
gagged in scientifically determining the dis
tances from ship to ship and If there is a de-
Walton OF more than few yards the flag lieu
tenant reports il and then up goes a signal to
the wanderer and reformation follows immedi-
ately. Astern OF the British contingent the
string was pretty badly frayed out Brazil
struggled. Italy moved away far to the southeast
OF Its proper station, France had forsaken the
Hussard and consequently had but two Of its
representatives in line. But these events were
not easily to be seen from the deck Of the
Blake. for at precise distance csme the Australia
unswervingly except when at the commence
ment OF q watch q new man took the wheel;
then the cruiser would yaw for . few seconds.
but that was all.
NEW FORMATION.
When quarters sounded the formation was
changed. the two columns being converted
into four. and when that maneuver was COM
pleted night commenced to cloud the eastern
horizon. The shore was invisible, fully twenty
miles away, so the sun-which is ordinarily be-
lieved in this country 10 disappear in the
Pacific -moved steadily downward until
its direct brilliancy and its hardly
less dazzling reflection were extinguished
by the deep-green Atlantic. Flags slowly be-
came imperceptible, the semGphores with which
short-range conversations a-e carried on in
Admiral Hopkins squadron +. .ded their black
and white arms and seemed TO sleep at their
posts Oh the bridge ends; lights twinkled
family against the gray tints of fast-ap-
preaching gloom, then increased in strength
until they shone clearly, the snowy bulls Of
our cruisers took dark gray shade
and seemed black as black could be when
the red and white Ardois signals flashed mes
sages to and fro. Viewed from the spectacular
standpoint the Ardois system is ahead of all
competition, but the English officers prefer the
plain white electric light at the masthead.
Dots and dsshes-the Morse alphabet-conyey
the information. and they conveyed a great
deal OF it last night.
PLEASANT ASSOCIATIONS.
Dinner in the admiral's mess-and none but
Flag Capt. Hamilton, Flag Lieut.. Sandman
and Secretary Rowe ordinarily dine with the
chiefs a trifie more ceremonious than other
meals. principally as to dress. There is
nothing extraordinary about it: no chilli
ness nor formality. There was always a
clearly evident desire on the part Of all the
officers to know more about the United States
and It's people. for whom, in the main. they
have tine highest regard. None we're more
highly interested in our public and private
affairs than was the admiral and none contrib
uted more literally or more cleyerly to the
conversation which. in combination with the
appetizing products of a frs;-class chef. filed
out the most delightful hours of the day.
And when dinner over what a pleasant,
coy spot was the admirals cabin when the
admiral was there, and the incense of after
dinner cigars moved in waves Of white
across the coziiy furnished apartment from
the vicinity of the fire that glowed in an
open CRATE to one Of the ventllating ports. And
the good stories that were told. generally by
the admiral, will long be remembered by those
who were privileged TO be so closely associated
with him, even If the association did not last
much more than day.
Perhaps at no time the polite ness of Sir
John more clearly apparent than when he,
knowing that his guests desired to visit the en-
CINE room, declared most seriously that he was
going down that way and would be pleased
to have them accompany him. On this trip
be showed a most intimate acquaintance with
all the details of an extremely intricate
system of propulsion; talked fuently of
fuel and the work it would do, of the guam
titles required by the Blake at various rates
Of speed; knew more about temperatures in
the various departments than did the men who
worked there: and proved very conclusively
that even the most remote portions of those
great floating vessels with which are now
surrounded were known TO him. He is an all
round modern seaman OF the highest type.
Aft Of the admirars cabin. overhang-
ing the water and sheltered by can
awning, is .he sternwalk-the admirals
private promenade. The view from this
reservation last night was simply beautiful.
The moon-or as the admiral and a good
many others of the Englishmen called it. 1.-THE
parish lantern"-was out In a most attractive,
if abbreviated, shape. and although its beams
could not make the white cruisers appear white,
still the combination of the lovers orb, the
glistening waters, countless electric lights and
just enough breeze to give the scene life was
something not easily to be forgotten.
THE NEXT MORNING.
Heres your coffee. SIR" The admirars
steward was the speaker. and his coming
denoted the simultaneous arrival of 6
O'Clock. The morning was just calm as had
been the night before. At no time had
there been any discomforting motion Of the
ship, and even with the freshening of the
morning breeze there was. as Mr. Ralph re-
marked, no more roll than a man needed to
go with his coffee.
A few minutes later when Was on the tor
pedo deck one of the able seamen was whistling
Hail Columbia" very loudly and with a good
deal of spirit Are you goin' to desert?"
sung voice from across the deck. You no al
ways whistlin' that blasted tune" The only reply
was rolled up blanket thrown good naturedly
in such a way that it put a temporary stoppage
to further inuendoes. But maybe that ques-
ton put into the whistler's head an idea that
had never before obtained admission.
1t was $50 when Admiral Gherardi signaled
the morning 'How dye do" to the Blake. and
to this Admiral Hopkins responded, quite
well, thank you; hope you are the same"
REVIEW ORDER RESUMED.
Twenty minutes later the Philadelphia sig
nailed again, this time to resume review order.
Itl.. ID Il Il n