The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-21

Embassy. Life was often made miserab BILE
for the Japs when they ventured forward
into the midshipmen's watch. Now that
the then lnidshipman Schley has beoo me
a Comomdore and Is in command of a
powerful feet, he may not appreciate this
of his youth, but his fellow
citizens may enjoy 1t. The Niagara on
her way around Good Hope, stopped on
the coast of Africa. where the Japanese
laid in stock of monkeys. Old Capt.
Mexican and the officers did not object,
for it was public policy then to gratlfy
every wish of the Japanese. 1t was only
Midshipman Schley and his deck scrub
bers who objected The monkeys were
allowed to roam about the ship us they
pleased. There were all kinds of monkeys
big and little. Several huge ringtails
would almost live in the rigging, making
flying leaps from footrope to backstay,
always catching firmly by their tails.
The monkeys were not pleasant creatures
about the decks, and were subject of
especial aversion to Midshipman Schley,
who on his watch was responsible for the
decks wilderness and cleanliness.
One morning Sohley had the early
watch, and with gang of men was
scrubbing down. The monkeys were full
of mischief, and were making the rigging
ring with their chattering mockery.
Bring me bucket of slush,'' said
ECnlGy 10 u ChpUdlA vi bOp, anu TO
another he gave orders that two of the
big monkeys should be caught.
1t was in the China Sea, and the big
ship, with every thread of canvas on, was
bowling along with the wind beam and
heavy sea on. She was making fifteen
knots. Schley took the two captive mon.
keys ana carefully creased their tails,
then with savage whoop at them,
struck both with q ropes end. Both
monkeys broke for the fore weather rig
ging. and made wild leap for the lower
studding, sail sheet, which was over the
water and thirty feet from the ships
side. Swish went the tails around the
quiye1ing sheet. Alas, the tails slipped
and two sons of Africa went shrieking
into the sea. The Japs ran screaming
from their cabins, but the officer of the
years ago as Rear Admiral, told them
the ship could not be put about or her
sail shortened in time to save the mon
keys, so there was mourning in the
Japanese cabin that day.
Midshipman Schley's messmates were
not all so prankish as he, nor has any of
them developed into so dashing an Off
GER. DE was not especially studious, as
is shown by the fnct that he was grad
uated near the foot of his class. But he
was thorough sailor from the start.
Having returned home and the Niagara
being sent to the blockade off Charleston,
Schley, being still midshipman, was
sent by Capt MoKean as master of the
first prize taken by the navy in the war
Of the rebellion. 1t was a British cotton
ship, the General Parkhill.
Another. episode in Schley's early career
is worth mentioning, for it illustrates
how often destinies are guided or careers
checked by trivial incidents. When the
Niagara returned from Japan and sighted
Minot's Ledge light, off Boston, the men
aboard had learned about Sumter and the
great uprising of the North. In fact they
had heard at Alden, Arabia, that Mr..
States had seeded. Capt. McKean knew
that his ship was full of Southern Off
GERS, number Of whom had openly pro-
claimed themselves. He was sturdy old
Pennsylvania himse and loyal to the
core, but timid in the last degree about
taking responsibility. Somehow he got
1T into his head, in the excitement, that
the disloyal element on shjpboard might
seek TO capture the Niagara and sail her
away into Southern waters. He resolved
upon an instant separation of sheep and
goats. Down went the ships anchor at
the entrance to Boston harbor, and all
hands were ordered to march around the
capstan and take the oath. The officers
were mustered in group on the quarter
ueck. Knowing Inat uls rlfsU Alou-
tenant, Isaac N. Brown of Mississippi,
afterward Capt. Brown Of the rebel ram
Arkansas, intended to go with the South,
the old man graciously excused him from
participation in the ceremony, but the
others had to show their colors. There
were quite number who refused to take
the oath-Lieut. D. P. McCorkle of Vir-
ginia, Passed Assistant Surgeon Conrad
of Virginia, Capt. Israel 6. Greene .of
4Lo vuhn or HorparJc
a year and half before, under Col
Robert E. Lee, had helped to capture and
hang John Brown; Assistant Engineer
Fl. Ashton Ramsay Of Maryland, and
Paymaster Thomas r. Ware of Virginia.
A small number of lesser lights refused
to stand the test, and Capt. McKean told
all the gentlemen to retire to their quar-.
when she reached her anchorage.
Then it came to the nidshipmen, and
every body laughed. The idea of mid
shipinan being anything but true to his
ship and his mess and his hope of pro-
motion was amusing. But to the sur
prise Of the 500 men mustered at the cap
stan, three valiant rebels stood forth.
They were e. u. Read Of Virginia. who
was in earnest, and Thomas L. Swami of
Baltimore, and Winfield Scott Schley of
Frederick, Nd, who did not know what
they ought to do, and 80 did just what
they ough not to. Capt. Mexican looked
at the two latter desperadoes and address.
ing Mr.. Swami said:
EDO understand that you two young
gentlemen from Maryland intend to be
disloyal? 1 know your father, Mr..
Swami. He is Governor Of Maryland,
and l don't think he intends you to take
this step. To you, Mr.. Schley, 1 will
only say that if your father, who is one
Of the most powerful Union men in
Maryland, could see you in your present
hurniliating position he would read you
a lecture, and I intend he shall have the
opportunity of doing so. will not &C.
cept your implied designations; but when
we get into Boston harbor will permit
you to ask advice from your respective
families"
A few days later two very contrite mid
shipmen entered the captains cabin and
with much shamefacedness said that they
were ready to take the oath.
II thought so,'' said the old captain,
beaming benevolently on the repenting
pair. Then he proceeded to administer
the oath with great impressiveness, and
at 1t conclusion congratulated the United
Statas NAVY 1yDon having retained the