The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18

The bowling of the wind through the
taut cordage of the foremost the sullen
plunging of the ships hun in the trough
of the sea, the rise to wave crest and
the posing there before falling once more,
the smell of the dank salt air, and the
occasional squirt of spray over the leaning
bow, all made a scene so novel to me
that l forgot Spanish ships and my duty
and stood almost entranced.
II was a dereliction for which 1 was to
suffer. In the midst Of my reverie a hand
was suddenly placed upon my shoulder,
and l heard a familiar voice exclaim
sternly:
Lookout. what do YOU mean by sleep
ing on post? Why did you not report that
light?"
i was Capt Brownson!
Asleep on post! The accusation was
grave enough to startle me, and I lost
no time in stammering a denial Luckily
the discovery of the strange light. which
was just family visible dead ahead, oc-
cupied The commanders attention for the
moment, and 1 escaped further rebuke
Capt, Brownson hurried TO the bridge
and presently word was passed 10 80 TO
quarters at once. The ports were opened
ammunition made ready for both the main
and the secondary batteries and the crew
stood at their guns in readiness for ac-
ton. ID was a very impressive sight, the
grim weapons just showing in the dim Ian
tern light, tho great cartridges standing
close 10 the breeches, the men quiet and
steady. their faces showing anxiety but
perfect self-control
was proud 10 belong TO such a crew, for
the majority thought that an action vas
imminent, and perhaps a superior foe 10
be fought, yet there was no Sign OF that
fear which is supposed to attack the nov
ice in battle. T. was a convincing proof of
American bravery and sef-reliance.
n he fIs 4
called On for fun speed and the ship
throbbed and swayed with the increased
power. Extra men were presently sent be-
low 10 the fire room, and il soon became
evident that We We're in actual chase of the
suspicious vessel. From my station at the
after port gun I was enabled to catch an
| occasional glimpse Of the sea through The
open port.
The squat had passed in part and the
night was growing lighter. The rain still
fell, though fitfully, and az times a dash
of water entered The port besprinklng gun
and crew and fighting tackle leaving great
drops that glistened like dew in the waning
light of the lanterns. Alongside. white
capped waves raced with the snip.
AS the gloom sligi4teDeds. the horizon
spread, and presently, away In the dis
lance, a dark spot, like a smudge upon
a gray background, became visible. Jack
Butter, attached TO my gun. leaned far
out the port with an exclamation of ex-
element.
by Georgel II is another ship" he added.
1--WE are in a nest of the Dagoes," cried
young Potter, rather wildly. eve have
run into an ambuscade."
you've got a great chance to become
a dead hero" remarked the first gun cap
tain, dryy.
Word was passed from above to break
out more shell, and presently the navi-
gator slipped down the ladder and made
| a close inspection Of the different 5-inch
guns. AS he went from crew to crew he
gave whispered instructions to the officers
in charge.
The old man expects trouble this trip"
whispered Butler. Il coolly stripped off
his shirt and stood. half-naked. the mus
cies of his athletic chest and arms gleam-
ing like white marble in the uncertain
| light. Most of as followed his example,
and the spectacle Of the swaying groups
Of men. barred for action, added a dra-
matte tinge to the scene.
Below the powerful engines throbbed
with a pu.sation that set every bolt and
Joint creaking the strident echoes of the
hremens shcVels could he heard scraplng
against tie iron floor, little whistlings Of
steam came like higher notes in the gen.
eral tune. Even the noises Of the ship
were strange and weird and impressive.
The crews had been standing In readi-
iltSS aN tHeII ttdltOile lot almost an nOuE
when il suddenly became noticeable that
the darkness Of night was giving way be-
| fore a gradual dawn. The glimmerjng
| dame i'm the lanterns FADED ana waned
| objects buried in gloom began to assume
| shape, and the edges Of the open ports
| grew sharp and more defined. Constant
| waiting brought a relaxation Of decipkne,
| and the members of the different crews
! grouped about the ports and eagerly
searched for the chase.
! The smudge on the horizon had long
| since disappeared, but directly ahead
| could be seen the faint outlines of a
| steamer. a dense cloud of smoke was
pouring from her funnel, and Il was
! plainly apparent that she was making
| every effort to escape. This in Itself was
enough to stamp her Identity and we
| shook our c.inched fists eXultantly after
her.
The night broke rapidly In the east
a rosy tinge proclaimed the coming sun.
Just as the first glitter Of the fiery rim
appeared above the horizon, a gray, damp
mist swept across the water coming Ike
an impenetrable wall between the Yankee
and the chase
A howl of disappointment went up from
the crew.
"Oh, IL she was only within range, "
cried Butler, shifting the muzzle OF the
hve-inch breeeh-loader with his hand.
Just one shot; just one shot"
"Guns' crews will remain a stations, -
ordered the first Lieutenant from near the
! ladder. Stand by, men. BE ready for in
slant action"
"Huray! the old man won't give it up"
cheered Pax, under his voice. That's the
stuff. Now, if only that measly fog IFS
and we get a triie nearer, wen do some
| thing for the old Flag
The minutes passed slowly. It was heart
| breaking work this waiting and watching
and there was moi one Of the Yankee -
crew but would have given a years ray
10 have seen the mist lift long enough &c
! bring us within range.
Suddenly, just as the fervent wish was
trembling on our lips, Butler, who was
near the port. cried out joyfully:
shes fading, fellows, she's fading!'
The last word had scarcely been uttered
when there came the sounds Of commodor
on deck A voice cried out in sharp com
mand. the rudder chains creaked loudly
the ship heeled over to starboard, then we
who were az the open port, saw long
! snaky object shoot out from The edge Of
the mist and bear down upon us.