The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-30
AN EMPHATIC OFFICER.

Capt. N. Mayo Dyer, whose name has
been advanced seven points on the list of
captains, placing him nearer promotion
over the heads of older officers. on ac-
count Of his gallant service at Manila is
native of Massachusetts. He was not a
graduate of the naval academy, but prior
to the war of the rebellion was a second
mate on board whaling vessel
The crew of the Marion took pride in
excelling at spar and sail drill, never all
lowing the vessels of another nationality
to surpass them in dexterity One day, in
the haEbor of Yokohama, the executive
oincer mad been putting the men through
prolonged exercise of sending down the
yards, and the whole force was thorough
~ exhausted. After three hours of this
arduous drill without intermission he
mercilessly gave the order to repeat the
work of sending up the yards and mast
again. --sThe tired men diseontentedly
cent Of the top-gallant mast it stopped
and obstinately refused to move. The
sailors We're apparently hauling with all
their might, the muscles were standing
out taut upon their arms, but in reality
Il was mock exhibit. The enraged lieu
tenant Was shouting out invective which
mad no influence upon the muttering con-
Upon the deck with his haiting step. CHis
, limp is the result of old wounds and his
: brow is often contracted with pain from
these surces of irritation).
t"Well, Mr.. '--, what's the matter7'
he demanded, in his quick, sharp tones,
for Dyer's speech is marked by a strong
nasal twang.
1.-THE - - rascals, captain. won't
move peg!'
you don't know how to handle the
men. responded Dyer, quietly.
then, men, 1 want you to drill for me,
and I want you to send up that mast and
wards as fast as, the old Nick will let
YOU This is the last time and then you
can go below. Now, take your stations
and do your best"
Stubbornness melted suddenly before
the words of the officer who held the af-
iectfon CT the creW, and everything flew
into position with extraordinary CELEBRITY
and the tired men lay down full length
upon the deck to rest.
Capt. Dyer's excellent seamanship was
proved on the return trip of the Marion
from Yokohama to San Francisco Her
coal supply was low, and the voyage was
performed by getting up steam for awhile
and then running by aid of the sails until
compelled to use steam again; yet the
vessel arrived on the date set by her or
ders. 1t was during this trip, which re-
CURED so much skill and management
that Dyer one day, on going below, said
to the officer who took his place on the
bridge: Now, report to me everything
that occurs The young lieutenant was
new to seafaring life and not discriminate
Ing in his ideas Of the Importance Of
events vent Soon after taking his stand on
d DOOUy, WHICH is CdllGQ OX sal
lors the LATEST bird on the wing, because
1t will alight on the ship at any point
perched upon the fore yardarm The
lieutenant contemplated the BOBBY earn
estly, as If it had been an omen of fate
then called the captains orderly, and
said; go tell the captain that there is a
BOBBY on the fore yardarm.'
''Tell the captain what?" blurted out the
old marine.
Tell Capt. Dyer that there is a BOBBY
on the fore yard" reiterated the punctil-
ious officer.
Capt. Dyer was seated reading when
his orderly presented himself at the cabin
door.
Welt he asked. with nasal jerk,
looking up over his speotacles
Mr.. --- reports that there Is a BOBBY
on the fore yard
The captains face at this extraordinary
piece of information was a study, but as
he never scrupled to bestow what he CON
sidered an appropriate epithet upon any
person, he calculated in a tone a little
more nasal than usual, to express his
sarcasm: "A BOBBY on the yardarm, is
there? Go back and tell Mr.. that 1
say there is another one on the bridge!'
The grinning marine retired to deliver
this message, with the addition of a few
adjectives of his own manufacture.