The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-13
COMMANDER BRoWNSoN,S SMILE
A story or tho Brazilian Rebellion That Sailor.
mon Lovo TO Tell.

A story OF tho BRAZILIAN Hebet1ion That sailor.
mon Love TO Tell.
Tho going abroad Of Capt. Brownson on hs
mission for the United States Government re-
calls an episode In his life showing exactly tho
kind of a man he Is. 1t was in January, 1904,
that the civil war in Brazil was coming to a
climax In the harbor ut Rio. Admiral da CANA
of the insurgents was in the harbor with sew.
eral ships-of-war. Tho Government held tho
city. but while the insurgont Admiral held the
water no shipping could go up to the front 40
long as he said 1t couldn't. and he said no.
Various Governments were affected by this EN-.
barge. blockade" the Admiral called 1t. Great
Britain was concerned chiefly. but the United
States were a good second, with Germany and
other nations as we'll.
Europe looked to America to do something In
the matter. and was naturally difldent about
interfering in family rows on this side OF the
water. At last Admiral Benham was sent down
to take charge of the United States feet In Rio
harbor. Tho flagship was the San Francisco.
and on, Sunday. Jan. %. Admiral Benham
called on his Captains to come aboard. Among
them was Commander Brownson of the Detroit
1t is said that after the conference this Com.
mander came back to his ship smiling. However
that may be. he certainly smiled next morn
ing. Just after 5 o'clock that evening
it was calm as could be, almost-tho
Yankee naval ships were seen to be in q hustle.
Tho canvas awnings faded away, and in the
night certain sounds were heard aboard them.
at which various listeners put their hands cup.
shaped behind their ears to listen harder. On
the morning of the 29th there was q change in
the appearance of tho Yankee fleet. 1t had
taken of Its coat, waistcoat and shirt, SO to
speak. and was just eying itself when day
dawned to see how good its training had been.
The insurgent ships Aquidaban and Taman.
dare were up tho bay above viana Island. with
their cables short ready to trip. Tho Trajano
and Guanabara. as we'll as the fleet Of armed
tugs. were crowded with men from the gar
erdade flew tho little blue ensign, for ADMIRAL
da Cana was aboard her, lying with the Trateno
boats kept out by the blockade. The parahyna
throat of the Yankee barkentine Good News,
Commander Brownson on the Detroit got hiS
O'clock. and headed toWsar 1pt the city ng0p Between
Enchados and Cobras islands. Her crew were
e CO her s eehs niy Sna as at eaf ihat . t iDs OF T msn a as fGS
got fouled in the Detroit's hawse hole, and that
WAS s emRls asGps S6 6GF ! Pe coSnIs ot i sl0Mis; Eh tnS,
made a sputter at the northern littoralSf tho
city, as they had been doing a long time: After
tugs they drew back and tho Detroit, with every.
thing clear. rounded Enchados Island and came
along starDoard side to stRrboard of the Trajano.
up at Commander Brownson on tho bridge. Tho
" VI "Liop thOy b" ~ n uiti IL WIG navy
Brownson nre in m Tie Commander
was smiling.
A man on the Trajano raised q musket and
Aired a bullet over the heads of sailor, pulling
ship at anchor that the Amy might be warped to
tho forbidden docks. Two heavy insurcsnb
tugs came around with their rams pointed at
the red flag OF battle had been run up to tho fore
srIsf ON in ' ,Ss s.l 4 aSS%st asssp IS Srs s,cG q o Nth b,
his eyes fixed on the Admiral. who was looking
at the Detroit for the sign which would cause
him to give the quartermaster the order so ar
When the insurGent shot was fred Com
mander Brownson turned TO tho gunner alta
crease of the smile ordered the man TO shoot
INTO the TraISno at tho water line elk feet aoats
tho shot went across the Insurgents bow.
Thereupon Capt. BIownson hailed:
mIra,an9. ehoyf, he shouted. III you Ar1
again. VIII return the fire. and IL you persistl
The Trajano's crews were excited. II a ner:
yons nnger had pulled a trigger the hight would
But the shot did not sound. Tho sailors on
the Amy's yawl waited to see what they woret to
You go ahead" Commander BrownsOn
SHOUTED. and III protect YOU"
Aim at the Gusnabara!" ordered Commander
BroTnson, and TIE greasy black mua5lss OF
swung around. looking bigger and bigger every
moment, till they stopped. lcvclled at the cruiser.
one pSrtiSnlarly nervous gun crew nGoHTd %.
son waved his hand. with a half smile. and th''
Then the Yankee ships led tho way to tho
docks, with other ships crowding in with Then,
and nftcra while The rebellion collapsed, bltthe
sailors who were on the Detroit at that time have
told tho story OF Commander Brownson : sm.!s
TO other sailors, and these to still others, NJ "
mas rippied to every water where TIC starry nv
HOS, ana IL Is heard with marked interest ~
men on the ships of otncr naIions-mcn who
have seen smiling men tight.