The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-07

the crews of the other guns looked up
anxiously eager 10 follow suit But the
warning note had its effect. The big
liner again stopped her engines and then
put them going asteTn, while columns
Of steam from her escape pipes telling
Of the high pressure below pleading ior
release
The Wilmington and the Morrill, had
already started across the Lafayette's
path, but their services were not neces-
sary. for the Frenchman no longer dared
TO make a run for IL.
Then followed long spell OF wlg-wag-
glng between the Annapolis and the VIII
mington in the dusk OF the evening. the
sun dropping behind the horizon and the
night falling over the sc<1e like drop
curtain. for there is no twilight In these
ATTITUDES. Later, electric signals sue
ceeded the flags. and there was nervous
period Of rigging and blinking red and
white questions and answers.
The signalling continued for almost an
hour. possibly longer while the puzzled
dispatch boats gathered in the weak
moonlight, impatiently awaited the solu-
ton of the signal consultation.
At 7:4j p. NJ, the Annapolis and tho
Wilmington lowered boats and the OF
ficers boarded the Frenchman. Inelr
visit was soon over and after the boats
had returned TO their respective ships
a prize crew from the Wilmington was
put on board the Lafayette ana az SD
last night the big Frenchman was mead
ed north and --.s escorted 10 Key West
under the guns OF the wilmington. The
prize anchored here this morning.
PEACEABLE SPANIARDS.
OF the l6S passengers on board the La
Favette. seventy-six are for Havana
nearly all being young Spaniards VINO
say they are going TO Cuba TO engage
I'm mercantile pursuits. When surprise
was displayed that such was their mis-
sion al this time, they merely struggled
their shoulders and vouchsafed no
further explanation.
one Cuban was aboard who was re-
turning to join the insurgent army. He
was banished from the island seven
months ago. but came within the terms
of General Blanco's armistice just before
the war begun. He was overjoyed when
told that he would be taken with the
regular United States troops when they
moved. The local junta took him IN
charge and he leaves for Tampa TO-
night. The United States authorities who
examined the la Fayette to-day, say that
so far as the ships manifest shows. she
carries no contraband of war: but with
such an immense cargo IL was impossible
TO make a thorough inspection They
saw nothing in the nature Of arms or am
munitfon on board Her release consti-
tutes the first official act OF Commodore
Watson In his new command OF this d.
vision OF Admiral Simpsons fleet. lie
arrived on the Ollvette to-day and i'm
mediately went on board the cruiser Gin
clnnati. where he hoisted his flag.
THE sPANIARDS SCARED.
The ships in the harbor doomed Com
modores salute of eleven guns this ar
ternoon. This customary act OF court
esy TO a new commanding officer had a
distressing effect on the Lafayette's pas
sengers. The Federal officials were din
ing with Captain Chapleta at the time
and suddenly found themselves In the
midst Of a panic. The Spanlards yelled
that the enemy had opened fire and they
scampered about the decks TO find places
Of shelter Some of them burst frani'
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