The age-herald., 1898-01-16

he said, the British navy was indebted for aid and gallantry given in action. The duke undoubtedly thought he was conde- scendingly conferring an honor upon the American officer, as doubt any English officer would have regarded 1t. But the air and bearing of Pearson, though dig nified and courteous, at once impressed the representative of royalty that he stood in the presence of an equal Pearson was a tall, soldierly-built man of broad shoul- ders and very erect carriage. When the duke held out his hand Pearson met him from level of perfect equality.
 Pearson was at one time on the China station, and the vessel was served by one particular sampan. To designate her the officers had placed the jack on a staff in the stern sheets. One evening when Pear son and his brother officers came down to the landing to return on board, the Chi nese boatman was found crouched in his sampan crying bitterly. It was soon as- ceftained that party of English officers had demanded from the native that he pull them on board their vessel. This he de- clned to do, stating that he was engaged by the officers of the American man-of-war and pointed to the jack fluttering from the little staff. One of the officers jumped on board, threw the flag and staff contemp- tuousiy overheard, kicked and cuffed the Chinaman, amid the hoots and derisive cries of his boon companions
 Pearson listened to the story, gave the man handful of silver as balm for the pain he had endured, then told him to pull alongside the American ship. Not word was exchanged by Pearson to his friends on the subject and no reference to the af- fair was made to the commanding officer of the American man-of-war. But Pear son wrote note to the English officers de- tailing the affair, demanding an ample apology and reparation or he would horse- whip the offender, in addition to report ing him to the English admiral. The next morning, while the crew of the Yankee ves- sel were at quarters, man-of-war's boat dashed alongside a lieutenant in the full uniform of the English navy came over the gangway, inquired for Pearson and In presence of the officers and ships com pany made an ample apology for the insult that had been offered. It was the first intimation that Pearson's commanding of ficer had received of the affair.
 Capt. Craven, when in command of tho frigate Niagara during the closing scenes of the rebellion, was lying at Lisbon watch ing the movements of the confederate ram Stonewall. When the formidable craft was leaving the harbor, and appearances indl- cated, apparently, that the Niagara was about to follow, although international law exacted a delay of forty-eight hours, bang! came shot from the water battery, striking the Niagara on the quarter, in- fiicting more or less damage, but fully arousing the ire of Craven, who at once cleared decks for action, ran out his pow erful battery of twelve heavy rifled guns, and demanded an apology, together with salute of twenty-one guns. On the central tower of the fortress was lofty flagstaff, which was reserved solely for the royal standard, hoisted only when the king was present. Nothing would satisfy Craven but that the stars and stripes should float from that particular staff while homage was being rendered through the medium of Portugals saluting battery, and the de- termined old salt carried his point, remain ing on deck until the reverberating echoes of the heavy guns had died away.
 Commander Richard P. Leary, while in command of the Adams in Apia harbor, Samoa, during the year 1888, had an excit- ing experience in connection with the Ger man man-of-war Adler. The relations be- tween the two vessels (which were about equally matched in point of strength) had been strained for some time, the intensity of feeling eliminating Nov. 15 when the German commander ordered the na- lives to vacate a point shore which was under American protection, or failing to comply he would the battery of his vessel to enforce his demands. Hearing of the German officers action, Commander Leary watched every movement quietly making preparations to get under way at moments notice. Both vessels weighed at the same time, with decks cleared for ac- tion, and men standing silent and grim at their guns. Reaching the threatened spot, ledTy tOOh up d pOSltloll DtlWeeI lHe 1eT- man man-of-war and the shore, so that in the event of the German opening fire the shot would pass directly over the deck of the Adams. For some time the crews of the two vessels remained facing each other, but finally the Adler got under way, steam- ing slowly seaward, closely followed by the Adams, until the harbor of Apia was again reached, and without shot having been fired.
 What the result would have been in the nf hor- only be conjectured, but it may be safely assured that whatever the crisis, Com mander Leary would not for moment att tempt to evade the responsibility of his position.
 Such are few unrecorded incidents con- nected with the navy and our flag abroad; and 1t is safe to add that with officers and men actuated by pure love of country, to- gether with the well-tried devotion to flag and patriotism that has ever characterized the American sailor, the stars and stripes will be safe in their keeping, in all quar- ters of the Globe and under all circum-