The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-22

wait until night before making the at
tempt but they did not know the UNI
bending determination OF the man.
As the sun arose over the dark swamps
of the laZoo, he gave the order Cast Off
Move out" Thousands Of soldiers on the
banks and the crews of the feet gathered
TO watch her, and as she swung grandIy
out into the current they saluted her with
a long. rolling cheer.
The officers of the army and Of the
fiotilla gathered on the decks Of the ir
boats and watched her movements with
their glasses.
She headed down the river and ran
straight for the mouths of the guns that
yawned at her from the SUBMITS OF the
hills Bronson ard Karl loaded their
rifles aI,si took their places 10 get shot at
any sharpshooters who might he visible.
The rebels seemed To- have no suspicion.
She passed several of the outlying works
the occupants Of which stared stupidity at
her as If not comprehending what a
Yankee gunboat could mean Suddenly
retel near the waters edge fired-spite-
fully, il seemed-at her side. Bronson
and Karl returned his shot At the same
instant a Tifed gun on the hill sent a
shot through the rams Smokestack.
Then the long line of hills became a
th2nderIDg volcano with hundreds of
craieTs. The line OF heavy artillery was
turned upon the plucky little steamer.
and belched forth its fire with satanic
energy. \ score cf the great shots struck
the vessel and around her. throwing UP
great sheets OF water, sending cotton
bales whirling into the river, and crashing
through the frail planking, and the boat
quINered like a frightened animal.
Then there was silence. The rebel
guns were being reloaded.
Nobody hurt, sir came the cheering
cry Of officers from various parts of the
boat, making their reports.
ihe engines pulled steadily on, and
aided by the powerful current the boat
went swiftly forward
Another. terrible volley from the rebel
artillery shook earth, sky and waters. but
their aim was not SO good and fewer
. shots struck near.
Nobody hurt shouted the officers.
Right ahead they saw their prey, the
vessel City Of Vicksburg
I've must strike her from below +" said
Col Ellet to his pilot; back of the port
WHEEL
The bells tinkled in the engine-room
and the Queen began turning around
Every instant brought her nearer her
object
Thousands OF rebels on the shore
shouted: She's disabled She's done
Tor. The artillery ceased firing
She was now below the vessel City of
ticksbuTg and had gained the distanc
she needed 10 give her blow the wished
Tor impetus. Four stalwart men were
grasplng the wheel 10 hold il firm when
the shock came, and they bent their
eyes upon Col. Eliet, whose thi face was
TRANSPORTED with the fierce anger OF bat
tie.
"All ready at the siarboard guard. me
said.
All ready, sir"
BE careful not 10 fire until we are well
alongside. Now, Mr. Pilot. put on all
steam and go into her side lust aft of the
wheel"
Very good. sir"
The bells again tinlkled in the engine
room. The exultant rebels were amazed
TO see the disabled" done for ram
spring forward like gallant race horse
and the Queens iron PROV crash through
the doomed boats guards and sides dash
the bales OF cotton of her decks. crush in
her hull and careen her up against The
wharf with torrent Of water pouring into
her hold.
The Queen recoiled from the blow. The
wind threw her alongside of her foe She
came up. The starboard gun, which had
been loaded, was fired directly into the
other boats inhammable woodwork, and
she was wrapped in flames.
Then the rebels realized what had ham
pened. The artillery burst forth with
devliish violence and sent storm of
prolectlles that crashed through and
around both boats. The Queen like some
massive lion that had stated his revenge
turned slowly away from the wreck.
The wind b.ew her again into the flames.
Again her crew and her engines forced
her out, and she slowly wheeled around