The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-13
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
BrOwnsOn's Smile.

CANA OF the insurgents was in the har-
Dor with several ships-of-war. The
government held the city, but while
the insurgent admiral held the water
no shipping could 60 up to the front as
long as he said it couldn't, and he said
no. Various governments were affect
ed by this mbargo--"blockade the
admiral called it. Great Britain was
concerned chiefly, but the United
States was good second, with Ger
many and other nations as well.
Europe looked to America to do
something in the matter and was nat
urally diffident 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 fleet in Rio harbor. The flag
ship was the San Francisco, and on
Sunday, January 29, Admiral Benham
called on his captains to come aboard.
Among them was Commander Brown
son of the Detroit. 1t is said that af-
ter the conference this commander
came back to his ship smiling. How
eyer that may be, he certainly smiled
next morning. Just after five o'clock
that evening-it was calm as could be,
almost--the Yankee naval ships were
seen to be in hustle. The 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
Goth there was change in the appear
ance of the Yankee feet. 1t had taken
off its coat, waistcoaL and shirt, 30 to
speak, and was just eying itself when
day dawned to see how good its train
ing had been.
The insurgent ships Aquidaban and
Tamandare were up the bay above vi
ana island with their cables short,
ready to trip. The Trajano and Guiana
bara, as we'll as the fleet of armed tugs,
were crowded with men from the gar
risons of Cobras and Villegaigon. The
Liberdale flew the little blue ensign for
Admiral de CANA was aboard her, ly-
ing with the Trajano and Guanabara
north of Enchados island, few yards
from the American bark Amy, one of
the boats kept out by the blockade. The
Parahyba was lying with its teeth, 80
to speak, at the throat of the Yankee
barkentine Good News.
Commander Brownson on the Detroit
got his ship under way, having hoisted
anchor at six o'clock, and headed toward
the city between Enchados and Cobras
islands. Her crew was at her guns,
and as eager lot of men as one could
see anywhere at that time. The anchor
got fouled in the Detroit's hawse hole,
and that was ample excuse for proceed.
ing slowly, which was convenient,
while couple of insurgent tugs made
sputter at the northern littoral of the
city, as they had been doing a long
time. After couple of men had been
killed aboard the tugs they drew back.
and the Detroit, with everything clear,
rounded Enchados island and came
along starboard side to starboard of the
Trajano. The men looked through
their sights and then up at Commander
Brownson on the bridge. The story of
what they saw is a tradition ia the
navy now and always will be 30 long as
men like Brownson are in command.
The commander was smiling.
A man on the Trajano raised a mus
ket and fred bullet over the heads Of
sailors pulling away in boat with a
line from the Amy to ship at anchor
that the Amy might Re warped TO the
forbidden docks. Two heavy insurgent
tugs came around with their rams
pointed at the side of the Detroit. On
the San Francisco the red flag of battle
had been run up to the fore truck in
stops. A quartermaster stood with his
hand on the halyards eager to break it
out, with 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 ardently
desired.
When the insurgent shot was fired,
Commander BrOwnsOn turned to the
gunner at a one FOUNDER, and with a
scarcely perceptible increase of the
smile ordered the man to shoot into the
Trajano at the water line six feet abaft
the stern. The order was misunder.
stood, and the shot went across the in.
surgents' bow. Thereupon Captain
Brownson hailed:
"Trsjano, ahoyl" he shouted. I'll
you fire again, will return the fire
and if you persist will sink you"
The Trajano's crews were excited.
If nervous finger had pulled a trigger
the fight would have been on.
But the shot did not sound. The
sailors on the Amy's yawl waited to see
what they were to do next.
"You 90 ahead :" Commander Brown
son shouted, "and I'll protect you'll"
The sailors went.
"Aim at the Guanabarar' ordered
Commander Brownson. And the
greasy black muzzles of the Detroit's
broadside and the two pivot guns
swung around, looking bigger and big
ger every moment, till they stopped
leveled at the cruiser. One particular
ly nervous gun crew aboard the insur
gent was conspicuous. Commando
Brownson waved his hand, with hal
smile, and this crew fell back.
Then the Yankee ships led the way
to the docks, with other ships crowdinl
in with them, and after awhile the re
bellion collapsed. But the sailors wht
were on the Detroit at that time hav,
told the story of Commander Brown
sons smile to other sailors, and thes,
to still others, till it has rippled to ever.
water where the starry flag flies, and /
is heard with marked interest by mel
on the ships of other natiOns-men witt
have seen smiling men fght.-Nev