The age-herald., 1898-05-20
Fighting Bob and the Kaiser


 Fighting Bob and the Kaiser
 At the celebrations attending the opening of the Kiel Canal, which connects the North sea and the Baltic, by cutting across the schleswig- -Holstein peninsula, says the Buff falo News, the United States was repre- scented by one of the crack cruisers, com manded by Captain Robley D. Evans. One evening, as the cruiser lay serenely at an- chor. the imperial yacht Hohenzollern came alongside with Emperor William on board. A conversation was opened, and soon the emperor and a dozen of his suite came on board the American criuser as a result of an iyftation of Captain Evans
 They stayed to dinner on the cruiser and the evening was a merry one. As is well known the German potentate Is jolly diner and good fellow in company of army and navy officers. There were wine and cigars, toasts and songs, and all sorts of fun until considerably after midnight, the American and German officers hobnobbfng in the most amicable fashion.
 The hour approached o'clock and the Americans began to feel tired and think of going to bed, but their Teutolic guests seemed to have no idea of anything of that kind. Three o'clock came and the western- CTS began heartily to wish that their wis., ftors would go, but they-the visitors were as fresh as at the outset and kept
  characterized the beginning of the festivi- ties.
 But worse blow was fin store for the Americans. little before a. m. the Ger man emperor sudden expressed desire to inspect the ship This made Bob" tired, but what could he do? His guest, and the nations guest, in a sense, was a powerful monarch, whom it would be unwise as well as discourteous, to disoblige. And so tour of the vessel was begun. The em- peror went all over the cruiser with char acteristic military thoroughness, examining everything thoroughly, poking into every nook and cranny, and even getting down on his stomach and wiggling under some part of the machinery in order to see something invisible from the out side.
 But at last the end came, and about o'clock the Germans said goodnight and went back to the Hohenzoern. The weared Americans gladly went to their beds Captain Evans had enjoyed about two hours rest when, at o'clock in the morning, he was aroused by humping on his door,
 'sWhat is it he called out.
 "Sir," replied the voice from the outside, "the German emperor is approaching on the imperial yacht Hohenzollern."
 The adamantine Germans had had all the rest they needed and were ready for an- other days festivities.
 This was too much for Evans, and he roared out to the subaltern at the door:
 "You tell the German emperor to go to thunder. mean to have my sleep" Once When Admiral Sampson Used Cap
 italD.
 Only once in his naval career was Samp- son heard to use oath, and the expletive was called forth by an excess of the emu lation he had himself inspired among his opd cnninp a ary disregard of orders. From the first the captain had encouraged boat-racing, and the record made by both the barge and the gig of the Frisco was exceptionally fine. Two of the men who composed the crews which won the prize at the international regatta held at Norfolk in 1893 now lie buried beneath the wreck of the Maine, says Leslies Weekly. One of the numer- ous trial races which the captain encour- aged was in process off Mare Island be- tween the captains gig and boat belong ing to the United States steamer Alert, when orders were received for bringing the San Francisco into dock for claning. The tide was strong, and it was only by hard pulling against it that the operation of bringing the vessel in could be accom- plished. In vain the captain reiterated the orders to Pull in!" There was no time to be lost: but excitement over the race was at high pitch, and all hands were leaning over the ships rail, watching a@i cheering on the battle of oars. The imperturbable captains patience was at length exhaust ed: ID it." he exclaimed. "the ship is athwart the tide and I cannot get a man to pull or an officer to give an order" Just then a shout was borne to his ears. ''The Alert's boat Is aheadi"
 'Whatv' exclaimed Sampson, his own deep interest in the race breaking through his irritation at the prevalent lack of dis cipline, q don't believe it!
 And when the joyous applause on board told that the San Francisco again held the palm of victory, the captain turned to his first lieutenant, proud and exultant say ing: "I told you so; knew our men would win"