The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-10-31

-..-=s.sss.--s-z~ over its contents,
- the placid serenity
~-- of his countenance
gave way to a look of excitemena.
jumping up, he shouted to his iazler
mess-mates who had not yet emerged
from their state-rooms: Boys. the war
is on"
In second, heads were thrust out,
some of the possessors even venturing
into the ward-room considerably more
en- deshabille than custom regulations
permitted. But Delafield's telegram
was of so much interest and importance
that such trifling conventionalties were
forpotten. and his curious brother-cfii-
GERS crowded around him, ciamorihg
loudly for the news.
.T.isten," said the lieutenant, I'll
read it to you:
washington, d. c.. Oct. 20, 1ss-. To
J.ieut John Delafield, u. s. N, U. 5.
s. Idaho. San Francisco Harbor: Regard
Yourself detached from Idaho Proceed
Immediately to Mare island navy yaru,
Take command of the Bainbrioge' an"
prepare for active service at earnest pos
sihle moment Commandant ordered 10
ine"'' ~ Secretary"
.What do you fellows think Of that?'
said Jack.
Lucky dog"
.sWish were in your place
They all seemed pleased at Delafield's
stroke of luck. Fortune was truly smil-
ing on him. for he had been selected for
this hazardous and important duty out
of half hundred other officers OF his
own rank, each one as eager as himself
to command the little craft, the Balm
bridge. of which woHders were ex-
pected.
He had been chosen by the secretary
of the navy and had received his prepar-
ntory orders, which were to the effect
that he would be retained on board the
Idaho until hostilities were imminent
when he would be given his new com
mand. Meanwhile the work OF fitting
her for sea had been pushed at the navy
yard with all dispatch. The Bainbridgt
was the first of our new semi-submarln'
magnetic torpedo-boats, those marvei'
of American ingenuity and skill.
Jack started for the navy-yard
once, and on arriving reported to thu
commandment, Admiral Dana, who toll
him in his bluff, kindly way to go ahea'
and fit out his craft as rapidly as posi-
BILE. taking whatever was necessary 10
her equipment without the usual fol-
malities, adding cheerily: "We can al
tend to all that after you come bacl
Delafield."
As he stands there before the admira
receiving his instructions, let us glanc
mt the officer upon whom, perhaps, wi
hang the result of the battle very 500
TO be fought outside the Heads. Tai
erect and finely formed, Lieut.. Deiaiiel
inpresses one instantly as man OF n
mean physical strength. His fac
gives evidence of courage, firmness an
great will power-just the attribute
in fact, which should most properly b
long to the man ordered to command a
unknown quantity like the Bainbridg
vet to be tried by the test OF actual ba
tie. When he leaves the Office of Il
admiral, his elastic step and easy ca
riage show that his task has not owe
burdened him with anxiety, but, on II
contrary, indicates confidence in hir
self and assurance of his ability to Ca
nv the work before him to SUGGEST
issue.
On his way down to the wharf who
the cambridge lay, he passed groups
officers eagerly discussing the late
news. All had some friendly or CO
gratulatory remark for him; bl
scarcely stopping to reply, he hurri
on board his new command. The Bal
bridge was one of the latest additio
to our fleet, and while it was anticipat
that she would accomplish great thing
the only real test had come sooner tn
anyone would have prophesied. WoI
men were swarming over her in su
numbers that she resembled hum