The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-07

siderably to the gravity of the interna-
tional aspect of the case.
The Kate Spencer, dispatch boat of the
Associated Press. just before the chase
began, had spoken the Annapolis little
east of the Cojimar battery, and five miles
off shore. The Annapolis, with canvas
venulators spread, had come up lazily
from the east and after having spoken the
Spencer. had gone about to follow her
down the coast. The Cuban shore line,
gray with the hot atmosphere of the after
noon, never looked more peaceful. The
big Krupp guns on the battery were ST.
lent and a pretty effect was caused by
the white smoke wreaths curling up from
the settlement of Cojimar, showing up
daintily against the gray-green slopes OF
the Cuban hills. Four miles down the
coast the. grim old tower, Of Moro stood
frowning, a silent guardian of the Cuban
capital, whose roofs already reflected the
red glow of the declining sun. 1t was a
fine picture Of Cuba in siesta.
Suddenly the feeling of calm was broken
by the electric call of "a chase" which
echoed to the Spencer. The Annapolis
had put her helm hard a-starboard and
was putting on full steam and cleaving
the waters in a northeast direction.
Her black tunnels belched out clouds
of black smoke as the stokers piled coal
in the furnaces and every effort was made
to drive the gunboat at a higher speed
On the horizon could be seen the falntest
trace Of smoke. This was the quarry of |
the American warship and circIing swift |
ly. she was off at full speed after her |
prey.
The stranger came rapidly up even with |
the stay line, and the marine glasses soon |
made her out to be big liner. with red |
tunnels. headed straight for Havana. On
she came. under fun steam, carrying a
bone in her teeth" as the sailors say
when a steamer or other vessel is throw
ng up a roll of white water forward
Is she drives through the water with
good speed. There seemed to be no doubt
hat the stranger was bent on running
through the blockading squadron and get
ing under the guns OF MORO Castle, If
possible, before being overhauled. But
within Ave minutes. from as many diff
erent directions, three of Uncle Sans
varships, which had been drilling idly
IA A-4O AiDPAI SCeAf 44elQ DSCl = 1lN elllL6u
nto life. attracted by the chase, and
peedly Joined in the attempt to block
he strangers entrance TO Havana
While the Annapolis was rushing down
lpon the chase, in the distance the Will
nington and the Newport were also bear
ng down upon her. and the Morrill,, which
lad been nosing up towards the Assoc |
lated Press dispatch boat. also saw game
foot and swung around across the path
f the liner, a sort Of David challenging |
Goliath for the Morrill, is a smart lit
lie revenue cutter. now acting as a dis
atch boat, and member of the so-cal1ed
Iosquito fleet.
The Annapolis. however, had been doing
UGH fine work with her engines that she
verhauled the stranger two miles ahead
{ the Morrill,. There was a flash, pun
{ white smoke to the lee, followed by !
he boom of a gun flred down the wind,
hitch announced that Uncle Sam had or
cred the stranger TO heave TO.
The liner obeyed. and the NORTH and
le Associated Press dispatch boat started
n neck-and race for the big prize.
In the meantime, boat from the An
apolis had boarded the Frenchman, as
lie stranger proved TO be. On board the .
ner q crowd of excited passengers
ressed anxiousIy about the vessels side
p from the south the wicked. gray hulk
Z the Wilmington. with her men at guar
ITS, and the delcately lined Newport.
ere looming up rapidly. A moment or
later the three warships lay by ill the 4
BAT from the Annapolis started back :
ON from the liner 10 the gunboat Then
iddenly. to the establishment of all on
>ard the warshlps. the Frenchman blew
long querolous whistle and put on fun
cam ahead. pointing straight to the en- Z
ance OF Havana harbor.
A sharp word OF command rang out on
Q