Griggs courier., 1898-12-29

benham called on his captains to come
aboard. Among them was Commander
Brownson Of the Detroit. It is said that
after the conference this commander
came back to his ship smiling. However
that may be, he certainly smiled next
morning. Just after clock that even.
the Yankee naval ships were seen to be
in hustle. The canvas awnings faded
away, and in the night certain sounds
we're heard aboard them, at which vari.
ous listeners put their hands cup shaped
behind their ears to listen harder. On
the morning of the goth there was
change in the appearance Of the Yankee
feet. It had taken off its coat, waist
coat and shirt. so to speak, and was just
eying itself when day dawned to see
how good its training had been.
The insurgent ships Aquidaban and
Tamandare were up the bay above vi.
ana island with their cables short,
ready to trip. The Trajano and Guiana
bara, as we'll as the feet Of armed tugs,
were crowded with men from the gar
risons Of Cobras and Villegaigon. The
Liber1ade few the little blue ensign,
for Admiral de Cana was aboard her.
lying with the Trajano and Guanabara
north Of Enchados island, few yards
from the American bark Amy, one of
the boats kept out by tho blockade. The
Parahyba was lying with its teeth, SO
to speak, at the throat of the Yankee
barkentine Good News.
Commander Brownson on the Detroit
got his ship under way, having hoisted
anchor at 6 O'Clock, and headed toward
the city between Enchados and Cobras
islands. Her crew was at her guns,
and as eager O lot Of men as one could
see anywhere at that time. The anchor
got fouled in the Detroit's hawse hole,
and that was ample excuse for proceed.
ing slowly, which was convenient,
whilo couple Of insurgent tugs made
q sputter at the northern littoral of the
city, as they had been doing a long
time. After a couple of men had been
killed aboard the tugs they drew back,
and tho Detroit, with everything clear,
rounded Enchados island and came
along starboard side to starboard Of the
Trajano. The men looked through their
sights and then up at Commander
Brownson on the bridge. The story of
what they saw is a tradition in the
navy now and always will be SO long as
men like Brownson are in command
The commander was smiling.
A man on the Trajano raised mus.
ket and fred bullet over the heads Of
sailors pulling away in boat with a
line from the Amy to ship at anchor
that the Amy might be warped to the
forbidden docks. Two heavy insurgent
tugs came around with their rams
pointed at the side Of the Detroit. On
the San Francisco the red flag Of battle
had been run up to the fore truck in
stops. A quartermaster stood with his
hand on the halyards eager to break it
out, with his eyes fixed on the admiral,
who was looking at the Detroit for the
sign which would cause him to give the
quartermaster the order 60 ardently de.
sired.
When the insurgent shot was fired,
Commander Brownson turned to the
gunner at one FOUNDER, and with q
scarcely perceptible increase Of the
smile ordered the man to shoot into the
Trajano at the water line six feet abaft
the stern. The order was misunder.
stood, and the shot went across the H.
surgents' bow. Thereupon Captain
Brownson hailed:
''Trajano, ahoy!" he shouted. ''lf
you fire again, I will return the fire,
and il You persist will sink you.''
The Trajano's crews were excited. II
q nervous finger had pulled a trigger.
the fight would have been on.
But the shot did not sound The sail.
ors on the Amy's yawl waited to sec
what they were to do next.
"You 60 oahead, - Commander Brown.
son shouted, land I'll protect you!''
The sailors went.
calm at the Guanabara!'' ordered
Commander Brownson. And the greasy
black muzzles Of the Detroit's broadside
and the two pivot guns swung around,
looking bigger and bigger every mo.
ment. till they stopped. leveled at the
cruiser. One particularly nervous gun
crew aboard the insurgent was conspicu-
ous. Commander Brownson waved his
hand, with half smile, and this crew
fell back.
Then the Yankee ships led the way
to the docks, with other ships orowding
in with them, and after awhile the re.
bellion collapsed. But the sailors who
were on the Detroit at that time have
told the story Of Commander Brown.
sons smile to other sailors, and these
to still others. till it has rippled to ev-
cry water where the starry flag flies,
and it is heard with marked interest BY
men on tho ships Of other nations-men
who have seen smiling men fight.
York Sna.