The record-union., 1898-12-20
Captain Dyer, Who Would Rather
Fight Than Eat.

Captain n. Mayo Dyer, whose name
has been advanced seven points on the
list Of Captains, placing him nearer
promotion over the heads of older Off
GERS. on account Of his gallant service
at Manila, is a native of Massachusetts.
He was not a graduate of the Naval
Academy, but prior to the war of the
rebellion was a second mate on board
a whaling vessel.
The crew of the Marion took pride
in eXcelling al spar -and-sail drill, never
allowing the vessels of another nation
ality to surpass them in dexterity. One
day, in the harbor of Yokohama, the
Executive Officer had been putting the
men through a prolonged exercise at
sending down the yards, and the whole
force was thoroughly exhausted. After
three hours of this arduous drill with
out intermission he mercilessly gave
the order to repeat the work of sending
up the yards and mast again. The
tired men discontentedly obeyed, but
at a certain point in the ascent of the
topgallant mast it stopped and obs1-
nately refused to move. The sailors
were apparently hauling with all their
might. the muscles were standing out
taut upon their arms, but in reality it
was a mock exhibit The enraged
Lieutenant was shouting out invective
which had no influence upon the NUT
tering conspirators, when Captain Dyer
walked out upon the deck with bis
halting step. (Iis limp is the result
of old wounds, and his brow is often
contracted with pain from these sources
of irritation)
"Well, Mr.. -, what's the matter?'
he demanded in his quick, sharp tones
for Dyer's speech is marked by a strong
nasal twang.
THE - rascals, Captain, won't
move a peg"
You don't know how to handle the
men, -" responded Dyer, quietly.
Just let me talk to them a minute
Now, then, men, l want you to drill for
me, and / want you to send up that
mast and yards as fast as the Old Nick
will let you. This is the last time, and
then you can go below. Now take
your stations and do your besti''
Stubbornness melted suddenly before
the words of the officer, who held the
affection Of the crew, and everything
flew into position with extraordinary
celerity, and the tired men lay down
full length upon the deck to rest
Captain Dyer's excellent seamanship
was proved on the return trip of the
Marion from Yokohama to San Fran
cisco. Her coal supply was low. and
the voyage was performed by getting
up steam for a while, and then running
the vessel by aid of the sails until COM
PEELED to use steam again, yet the YES
sci arrived on the date set by her Or
ders. It was during this trip, which
required so much skill and manage
ment, that Dyer, one day, on going be-
low. said to the officer who took his
place on the bridge, Now, report 20
me everything that occurs The
young Lieutenant was new to seafar-
ing life. and not discriminating in his
ideas of the Importance of events Soon
after taking his stand on guard a.
''booby," which is called by sailors the
LATEST bird on the wing, because il will
alight on the ship at any point perched
upon the fore yardarm. The Lieuten-
ant contemplated the BOBBY earnestly,
as if it had been an omen of fate. then
called the Captains orderly and said,
Go tell the Captain that there is
BOBBY on the fore yardarm."
"Tell the Captain what?' blurted out
the old marine.
"Tell Captain Dyer that there is