The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-06

ing up roll of white water forward as
she drives through the water with good
speed There seemed to be no doubt that
the stranger was bent on running through
the blockading squadron and getting an
der the guns of Morro Castle, II posslpie'
before being overhauled.
But, within five minutes, from as many
different directions, three of Uncle Sans
warships. which had been drifting idly
on the tropic sea, had been galvanized
into life, attracted by the chase. and
speedily Joined in the attempt to biock
the strangers entrance to Havana.
While the Annapolis was rushing down
upon the chase, in the distance the Will
mington and the Newport were also bear
ing down upon her, and the Morrill,, which
had been nosing up towards the Asso-
ciated Press despatch boat also saw
game afoot and swung around across the
path of the liner. sort Of David chal-
longing Goliath, for the Morrill, is only
a smart lirtle revenue cutter, now acting
as a despatch boat and member OF the
so-called Mosquito Fleet.
The Annapolis, however, had been DONG
such fine work with her engines that sne
overhauled the stranger two miles aheau
of the Morrill,. There was hash, a pun
of white smoke to the leeward followed
by the seemingly long delayed boom OF
gun. fired down the wind, which an
nounced that Uncle Sam had ordered the
stranger to heave to. The liner obeyed
and the Morrill, and the Associated Press
despatch boat started on neck-ano-necR
race for the big prize.
The sea, beyond the shelter OF the coast
was then running what would have been
big combers had they not been broken
rent of the Gulf. Therefore, both the
small boats raced along under smother
of white spray, the two crews exciteaiy
leaning out of the pilot house doors ana
windows and hanging on to the rigging
as the two, saucy small craft tossed ana
staggered along, side by side, through the
chopy water
In tho meantime a boat from the Anna
polls had boarded the Frenchman, as
the stranger was then made out by his
colors to be. On board the liner crowd
OF excited passengers pressed anxiously
about the vessels side. Up from the
south, the wicked gray hulk of the WI,
the delicately lined Newport were loom
ing up rapidly. A moment or so later
the three warships lay by till the boat
from the Annapolis started back from sne
The astonishment of all ON board the Wal
ships, the Frenchnan blew long, qucr-
ulous whistle and put on fuil steam
ahead pointing straight to the entrance
of Havana harbor
A sharp word of command rang out on
board the Annapolis, and in less time
crew were at quarters and the muzzie OF
every gun of her starboard broadside was
pointing in deadly earnest straight at
the runaway. Then the big after-gun
roared forth a horse order from over her
starboard quarter while the crews of the
other guns looked up anxiously, eager to
follow suit. But the warning note nad
its effect. The big liner again stopped
her engines and then put them going
astern. white columns of steam from her
escaping pipes telling of the high pres
sure below pleading for release
The Wilmington and the Morrill,, how
ever, had already started across the La
fayette's path. But their services We're
not necessary. for the Frenchman no
longer dared to make run for 1t.
Then there was long spell OF Wig-Wag-
ging between the Annapolis and the Will
mington in the dusk of the evening. the
sun dropping behind the horizon ana the
night falling over the scene like drop
curtain, for there is no twilight in these
latitudes Therefore. later, electric sig
nails succeeded the flags, and there was
nervous period Of rigging and blinking
red and white questions and answers.
The signalling continued for almost an
hour, possibly longer. while the puzzled
despatch boats gathered in the weak
almost rolling their boilers
out in the northeast swell. as they inn
patiently awaited the solution OF the sig
At 7:a5 P. Nj. the Annapolis and the
Wilmington lowered boats with oft1cers,
and boarded the Frenchman. Their ex-
animation OIL lne liner WdS SOoii ofci,
and. after the boats had returned to their
respective ships, prize crew from the
Wilmington was put on board the Lafay-
ette. and. at SIS last night, the big
Frenchman was headed north and was
escorted to Key West under the guns OF
the Wilmington. The prize anchored here
this morning, and the Prize Court Will
probably determine what is to be done
with her.
napolis, who is in charge OF the prize
crew on board the Lafayette. says the
latter's commander denies that he has
Spanish soldiers on board. But the
French commander admits he left Cor
unna on April %, after the declaration of
war and that he took on board many
male passengers. He feigns ignorance of
the nature of his ships cargo and says
he will be unable to ascertain what She
has on board until ne examines her mani
fest.
The Navy Department at Washington
has been communicated with, and in
structions as to the disposition OF the
French steamer are eagerly awaited.
The officers of the Lafayette pretend to
be very indignant and declare the deten-
+l,c foxr 10 will in