Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-11-02

the torpedo f1otilla off the coast and sent
instructions ON board to head back quietly
and surround us, with the idea of catch
ing us mapping. But not this time, eh?'
and the youngster grinned sardoncally.
Let's have the chief up, anyhow, | said.
i don't like the sound of that breech
block, and somehow feel uneasy
"The position was at once reported to
old Benbrace, who, as it happened, was
having final game of chess with the ad
miral. Both Immediately came on deck.
Admiral Culmore took one comprehensive
look through his night glass at the objects
revealed by the searchlight, emitted an
equally comprehensive sD-n!' and said
shortly to Benbrace, "A cruiser and tor
pedo boats-foreigners Captain, all hands
on deck and to quarters. Clear for action
and out torpedo nets. Signal the fleet
enemy in sight, clear for action and stand
by to weigh anchor. Culmore was senior
in command, and in the twinkling of an
eye it seemed, in response to our night
signals, the whole fleet was alive with
men. Bo'suns' whistles piped shrilly, the
steam windlass clattered merrily as it
coiled up the huge anchor cable, electric
lights flashed, and, from all the apparent
British lion 'on guard Thought them
bloomin alarms was off for the time be-
ing muttered brawny A. B. as he buc-
kled OH his cutlass and formed up in his
squad. They'll be the death O. me yet.
Mr.. Clyn, ,he, said the commander
when his preparations were complete,
take the gig and all armed boats crew.
Board that cruiser. Admiral Culmore's
compliments to the commander, and what
the devil does it all mean? Ask if ho
knows the International regulations and
the consequences of lying in British waters
under the nose of the fleet without lights.
In just minute and quarter was on
my way in full uniform to fulfill the cap
tain's mission. By this time lights were
twinkling from our mysterious visitants.
made for the black hull Of the cruiser.
In less than ten minutes l had the salts
faction Of hailing the quarterback of tho
formida BILE vessel. What ship are you?'
sang out. His imperial majesty's ship
Hoch und Hoch, came in reply in cultural
German. 'PhewP I whistled softly. My
instructions are to board you with mes
sage to your commander from the admiral
commanding her Britannia majestys re-
serve squadron SOP said voice. Come
aboard.
ga couple Of Teutons obligingly trotted
down the gangway which had been low
cred, and on reaching the deck was met
with clash of arms, as half squad Of
tars came to the present 'Umn l
thought, polite enough, anyhow, though
marveled if it were the custom of the
service to keep their men in review order
all the night through to be ready for casual
visitors like myself. My message is for
the commander of this ship, l said. Can
I see himp 'Ach, certainly and had
hardly time to look round before fat lit
tie man in tight fitting uniform stood
before me. Vas can 1 for you do?' he
murmured in Indifferent English. Com
pliments of Admiral Culmore on board her
majesty s ship Blaster, and what the devil
do you mean by surrounding the British
fleet in their own waters and without
lightsP' Very regret, but my orders
had,' responded my little friend, rather
shamefaoedly thought. 'OrdersP said,
But are you not in charge Of this ship and
those torpedo boats?' 'Ya wohl, yes; but
my orders haf, he repeated. Then, all
can say is that the bright specimen who
gave you your orders ought to thank his
stars that your whole armament has not
been blown out of the water. am not
sure that it Is too late yet and made
a motion as if to go. | rather enjoyed the
little mans evident discontinue. No,
no. he said vehemently, my superior is
aboard. will nit him speak. Show
the officer below, Schenken, interrupted
a commanding voice from the open COM
panion. descended as requested, preced
ed by the noble captain, who, as we en-
tered the cabin, abruptly turned round
and calculating The Emperor left mo
face to face with the far famed William. 1
saluted stiffly. He had evidently heard
what had passed, as, without waiting for
any explanation, he said, My compli-
ments to Admiral Culmore and I will do
myself the honor of boarding his ship
without delay and explaining this appar
ent breach of etiquette I will convey
your majesty's message, said, and made
for the deck AS went over the side lit
tie Schenken whispered: No notice take,
mine friendt. Only his leetle joke. Yes,
I whispered back, very pretty little joke,
only you din't carry it far enough. Why
didn't you fire your Barbette gun9 heard
you loading her 1t would have completed
the surprise, you know The little man
started. Hush, say nodings, say nodings,
mine friendt Only his leetle joke, and l
left the commander of the Hoch und Hoch
looking as uncomfortable as any man
could.
"As left the ship heard orders given
for the cutter to be launched, and before /
had we'll got back and delivered my mes
sage his imperial majesty was almost upon
us. We were able to receive him in regal
way, and the wonder Of the fleet must
have been amazing when they heard the
strains of the German national anthem
float across the water from our band. As
to the nature of the interview that fol-
lowed never knew precisely. 1t was Civ
en- out that, knowing the fleet lay in this
neighborhood, the emperor had suddenly
been seized with the idea Of paying sur
prise visit, and to show his old friend Gull
more what could be done by little STRAIT
egy had taken up his position by the
lights of the feet, just to see If the British
admiral could be caught mapping. From
the expression of his majesty's face as he
went over the side imagine that his old
friend Culmore had presented his little
whim in quite another light. OF course
the papers were full Of 1t, commenting on
the tireless activity of William and his un-
expected friendly visit. All the same"
said Cousin Clynche, throwing his cigar
over the side, ''you won't make me be-
lieyo but that, If the enterprising emperor
had remained undiscovered for half an
hour longer that evening each Of our iron
olads would have had torpedo under her
quarter, and without knowing the hand
that struck the blow, we should have been
wiped off the face Of the sea. Murphy
saved us. And William Oh, his fast
cruiser and her satellites would have been
hack before dawn In Calais harbor inno-
GENTLY practicing torpedo drill
All the same, I, Thomas Cutcliffe, jour