The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-03

Chickasaw Bluffs like Queen on her throne
of beauty-shone out grandly In the bright
sunlight.
The high bluffs above the city were black
with thousands of citizens women
and children, afoot, on horseback and in
carriages-who had gathered there upon the
invitation of the rebel Commodore, TO wit
ness him destroy the Yankee fleet. From
| their position they could look down upon the
scene rs if looking upon the stage from the
gallery Of theater. The hight of the bluff
endered them safe from any Of the shots
fired during the conflict, unless the guns
were especially aimed at them and elevated
FOR the purpose Of reaching the top of the
bluff.
Below this summit not soul appeared.
The broad levee, ordinarily 50 busy and full
of life, was as quiet as cemetery. Not a
skiff appeared on the face of the rushing
waters, not man fingered around the huge
whari-boats-
The rams were a mile in the rear of the
| feet, and as Bronson and Karl stood by the
pilot-house on the hurricane deck the whole
scene spread out before them like piano.
rama.
in the pilot-house, his face drawn. his
mouth set and his eyes blazing with earnest
ness as the supreme moment drew near when
he should demonstrate the value of his ideas
or perish in defeat stood Col. Ellet. Two
bronze-faced pilots held the wheel and peered
forward through the lookout holes, with
sternly-resoiute gray eyes They took enor-
nous chews OF tobacco at rapid intervals, and
deluged the floor with spittie, but this was
the only sign OF their pent-up excitement
| that they suffered 10 become visible.
From the decks below came the varied
sounds of busy preparation. The infantry
Sergeants were inspecting the boxes of the
men, and dealing out an ample supply of
cartridges TO each. The men were then told
off to such stations as were likely to offer tie
best opportunities for the use Of their rifles.
The Engineers were adjusting the hose ma-
chnery with which they intended to deluge
the enemy's decks with scalding water at
the moment OF contact. The fires under the
boilers were flaming fiercely, and the heavy
| head OF steam forced itself with shrill shrieks
through the cocks and valves The boat
seemed TO share the desperate earnestness of
all on board, and quiyered with Unsurpassed
excitement.
The first line of our boats had passed the
upper end Of the city, and still there was no
sight of the rebel feet.
Why, where in heavens name can they
be? 2" said Col. Ellet, speaking for the first
time in long half hour.
They're layin' just below the bend there
Don't you see their smoke coming up over
the tops of them cotton woods ?'' said one of
the pilots, without taking his eyes away from
the direction in which he was steadily gazing
. There they come now, by !"--
| As he spoke three rebel gunboats swept
around the bend, below the city, with the
Stars and Bars flying bravely from fore and
aft, and decked out in a holiday suit of gay
bunting. A little ways behind them came
another line Of three boats, and behind these
one of two.
= 1T was magnificent sight, and the
watchers on the bank were well justified in
raising cheer that woke up the echoes on
the Arkansas shore. The boats whistled
shrilly in response to this greeting of their
friends, and our boats retorted with screams
of defiance from their whistles.
I" DE evenings performance is now about
to begin. Gentlemen in de front seats will
please remove DER hats, ;" said Karl, making
a sorry attempt to conceal his nervousness
with joke. His face was very white, as he
put cartridge between his teeth and bit it
off, and the end of his hammer ratified against
the muzzIe of his gun when he would force
the charge home.
. Somebody's time has come God Al
mighty send that it may be the rebels" said
Bronson solemnly, IS he loaded his rife