The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-01

| member that also AS you all know, we're
being chased by a Spanish cruiser. You're
aware of that, because you've seen her.
She's climbing hand over heels to us, and
in two or three hours we shall falI into
her clutches"
The battalion started. The men antici-
pated much, but not this.
THAT Isl added the colonel, drily, after
a pause, unless we do something to pre-
| vent it,
The battalion was itself again, and the
colonel went on: "A scheme has been de-
vised by which, instead of falling a prize
to her, she'll fall a prize to us. It'll need
smart engineering, but it can be done. I
| expect it will come off without any blood
shed, but if it is a case of stiff fight 1
look to you all to maintain the honor Of
| the regiment"
In spite of what he had said about ST.
| lence, there was a deep growl of acqui-
escense from the battalion. There are ex-
ceptions to all rules, and the colonel look
| ed upon this as one, and passed it over
| Had the men remained mute, he would
| have been sore at heart.
''rhe ship will be so worked" he contin-
ued, "as to make it apper that we surren-
der If we don't do that we shall soon have
the Spaniard's shot cutting through us.
You know, for purposes of naval warfare,
| this ship is nothing more than a colossal
tin-kettle It's like putting an old Brown
Bess against the Lee-Metford-and were
the Brown Bess."
The men did not know exactly what the
| colonel meant by his smile, but they
thought Brown Bess must be something
bad. and were satisfied.
''The cruiser" continued the colonel, lis
| now within range-that proves it,"
AS he spoke there was a loud crash on
the hull, and one of the machine guns
| was dismantled by the Don Alfonso's 1rst
| oh Ia CHI In was
no credit to the Spanish gunnery. All
the same, it caused the captain to send
| in a hurry for the colonel. The colonel
hastened off. you know the rest" he
said to the senior major. Explain II,
and then have the men posted. There
| isn't a moment to lose"
IF we're to act as you suggest" said
| the captain, when the colonel had gained
the bridge, 1.-THE sooner we do it the pet
ter. He can fire all day at that rate, 5nd
not hurt anybody What's the first part
of the programmed"
"SIacken speed" said the colonel.
That's easily DONE said the captain.
"The telegraph doesn't quite fit the pres
ent situation, so I'll have the chief engi-
neer up for a moment, and tell him just
what we want We mustn't cave in too
easily, or that might arouse suspicion on
board the Spaniard."
The chief appeared hotter and dirtier
than ever, for he had been poking into all
sorts of corners and doing all sorts of
things to goad the State of Georgia on half
a knot faster.
"Slacken down a trifie, just so that the
cruiser can overhaul us nicely, and not
too easily-a couple of knots an hour viii
do it," said the captain.
The chief stared hard. He could not
understand.
"Oh, it's all right" laughed the colonel
Were not going to give your beloved
in ~,
going to make present to the Spaniard
of our own precious carcases We're try
ing new move in the art of war"
The chief grinned, and disappeared. A
tremendous load had been lifted from his
mind. After all, it was better to try an
other move, for in his secret soul he had
been expecting every moment that he and
Nmany more would be blown sxy-high
through the explosion of the State of
Georgia's boilers. So far the burden of
responsibility had been on him, and it
was relief to get it on the shoulders of
someone else.
During the next half-hour the Hawk
shires had been told off to their stations,
and the Don Alfonzo had gained so much
in the chase that she was within easy sig
Mailing distance and easy range. By way
of proving the latter she sent several
shots unpleasantly near the State of Geor-
gia, and finally sent one whistling over the
|
THE time isn't far Off" said the colo
mel, "for the old flag to Acome down."
NO" agreed the captain, II think the
sooner it's done the better for the State OF
Georgia and her crew-to say nothing of
the First Hawkshire Regiment"
The captain telegraphed to the engine
room, and the State of Georgia slowed
down to half-speed; then he called quar-
termaster to his side and ordered him to
haul down the flag. At the same time he
signalled once more below and the engines
of the great liner stopped.
The Don Alfonzo came leaping on, and
the banner of England huttered down,
and lay in limp heap at the foot of the
pole mast. The quartermaster would
have rolled it up, but the captain shouted,
Leave it as it is, and stand by the hal
lizards to hoist again when 1 give the
word"
The cruiser came up to secure her prey.
Her captain was puzzled. He knew that
victory in the end was certain, but he had
not expected such an easy triumph as
this He dashed up to the State of Geor-
gia in rousing fashion. and a boat was got
in readiness to put him on board of her.
His ideas were limited, and it had not &C.
Cured to him that the great steamship
might be sheltering something more than
a mere crew Of peaceful merchantmen.
In the ecstacy of his soul he muttered
|
Holy Mother church that had so hand
somely favored him.
All the time he was forging up to the
State of Georgia. The thousand men of
the Hawkshire regiment were crouchlng
under every scrap of shelter they could
find, and were lying low under every open
port-hole from which they could fire upon
the Don Alfonzo. There was much pant
ing from excited men, and much nervous
handling of the most deadly rifle that ever
the genius of man invented.
"Oh, my stars" murmured a recruit, as
he saw from a hidden corner the Don AL
fonzo a proach, what herd o. cattle for
the butchers! Her decks are as thick with
men AS
"Your skull, you cursed chatter-box,"
snarled the sergeant of his section. Just
you say another word, and I'll jam your
teeth so far into your throat that you'll
never speak more. We don't want this
show spelling by the pulling Of a pup like
you"
The state of Georgia rolled gently to
the swell as the Don Alfonzo lunged