The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-09

that we were in readiness, then all hands
We're called to general quarters. AS we
hurried to our stations l saw the entire
blockading fleet moving slowly shoreward-
1--WE are going to lombard the Dagoes
this trip for sure" observed the first cap
tain of No. s as we lined up. II see their
finish"
Don't be too sure" said Stump.
There's many slip between the mug
zle and the target. Maybe we won't do
much after all. Just to make 1t interest
ing, I'll bet you a dinner at Ders that
we will only chuck a bluff. What dye
say?"
Done, If you make it for the whole
ships company" chuckled the first cap
tain.
Stump shook his head.
"A dinner at Dels for over two hun
dred hungry reservites, and on a salary
of SSS per month. Nope. Not on your
life"
Cast loose and provide" came the or
der.
There was a few moments Of rapid
work, then the battery was reported in
readiness for firing. Through the open
! port we could catch glimpse of the 9th
! er vessels of the fleet, and the spectacle
formed by the low-lying battleshfps, the
| massive cruisers and the smaller, but
equally defiant gunboats, was one long
| to be remembered.
| Livery snip was cleared IOr business.
| On the vessels of the Oregon class moth
| ing could be seen but the gray steel of
| turrets and superstructure The New
| York and the Brooklyn were similarly
| cleared. On the bridges could be seen
groups of officers, but the decks were
empty Every man was at his gun.
The ships steamed in to within short
distance of the beach and then formed
a semi-circle, the heavier vessels TAX
| ing the center where they could directly
face the forts. The little Dolphin vas
on the extreme right of the line, with the
Yankee next.
| When within easy range of the guns
| ashore there ensued a walt. No signal
/ to fire came from the flagship, and there
| did not seem to be any move toward
| opening the battle by the forts. We stood
| at our guns in silence awaiting the word,
until finally patience ceased to be a vir-
| tue.
Seems to me they ought to do some
| thing" muTmured Stump glancing
shoreward rather discontentedly. "Ain't
we fair targets?'
why don't the admiral tell US to sail
in?" queried the first captain in the
| same tone 1.-THE day Is fine and the
range is good. There's the beggars
| plain enough with their measly old forts
| What more Is wanted?"
wish, they would pipe down and light
| the smoking lamp" said the second
loader. TT would be a great deal more
| fun than standing here like a dummy"
The sun had passed beyond the top OF
the hills, but the light was sufficiently
strong to bring out in plain relief the
| batteries guarding the entrance to San
| tiago Grim MORO Castle appeared al
most deserted. The red and yellow ban
ner of Spain Haunted lazily from the ram
| parts, but only here and there could be
| distinguished the soldiers on guard. The
earthworks and smaller forts were equal
ly idle.
1--WE don't get anything out of them
to-day" remarked Stump decisively. ''It
must be one of their eternal feast days
when they won't even fight
There goes a signal on the flagship.
exclaimed the first loader, pointing ou'
the port "IH bet dollar it's"
''The signal to pull out again." groaned
Stump. Didn't l say SOP
1.-The admiral intends to postpone the
bombardment for some reason" 1 ven
tured. perhaps irs too late in the
day"
Whatever the cause it was now plair
that we would not engage the forts. lr
| obedience to the signals on the New York
which were repeated by the Brooklyn, the
whole fleet retreated to the former sta
ton several miles from shore. The wore
to secure was passed and presently tho
Yankee had resumed It's former condition
OF armed watchfulness.
That evening after supper there was g
gathering of the choice spirits of the crew
in the vicinity of the after wheel-house
sDye." the chief member of the Yankees
choir, started little song, which, al
though rendered very quietly in Difference
TO the rules observed on blockade, wa:
greatly enjoyed. The air was Tommy
Atkins" and the words ran as follows:
| ..1,t,o,, roa5a nc siey, our napers for a wear
And dressed us in natty's sailors suit
They taught us how to heave and lead ant
steer,
And how to handle guns and how t.
shoot
We fancied we'd be leaving right away
To capture prizes on the Spanish maid,
But we steamed along the coast
In search of a Spanish ghost,
And NAL de mer gave us many pain.
..In times of peace we do not have t
Or empty kits or stand on watch al
night;
We never scrubbed the decks or mao u
keep
Our toothbrush chained, or brassworl
) shining bright.
We'd never washed our faces in pail,
, We never heard the fog-horn's awful
shrek,
We never ate salt horse.
/ We oombed our hair, of course,
But we never stood on lookout for (
week."
"suppose you heroes pipe down there,
a carne from the darkness Just them. "Wha
! do YOU think this is, a concert hal?"
p ITS Outlets" muttered Stump. III
r would like to make the ship funera
5 barge"
We sat in silence for a while, WATCHING
the retreating form of the navigator pass
A | inc forward: then Dick" Lee, BIN s.
! greatest rival in the story telling line
= spoke up. .-,,.-
.Do you see those two lights twinklinl
{ | over there about where the Dolphin shout
be- fellows?'' he asked.
| eor,o ona vaWned and nodded,