The age-herald., 1898-05-13

 rigid expressions of conntenance: T never make practice of selecting my officers. and those I get on board have to do their duty"
 Only once in his naval career was Samp- son herd to use an oath, and then the. expletive was called forth by an excess of the emulation he had himself inspired among his commmand which was occa- sioning temporary disregard of orders. From the first the captain had encouraged boat racing, and the record made by both the barge and the gig of the San Francisco was exceptionally fine. Two of the men who composed the crews which won the prizes at the International regatta held at Norfolk in 1893 now lie buried beneath the wreck of the Maine. One of the numerous trial races which the captain encouraged was in process off Mare Island between the captains gig and a boat belonging to the United States steamer Alert, when orders were received to bring the San Francisco into dock for cleaning. The tide was strong and it was only by hard pulling against 1t that the operation of bringing the vessel in could be accomplished. In vain the captain reiterated the orders to Pull in!' There was no time to be lost; but excite ment over the race was at high pitcn, and all hands were leaning over the ship rail, watching and cheering on the battle of oars. The imperturable captains pa-
  he exclaimed, "the ship is athwart the tide and cannot get man to pull or an ofh- cer to give an order" Just then shout was borne to his ears. 'The Alert's boat is aheadl'
 "whati'' exclaimed Sampson, his own deep interest in the race breaking through his irritation at the prevalent lack of dis ciplne, "I don't believe itr
 And when the joyous applause on board told that the San Francisco again held the palm of victory, the captain turned to his first lieutenant, proud and exultant, saying: ''I told you so I knew our men would win!'
 Another incident which evidenced his in- terest in these trials of speed occurred while the San Francisco was stationed at Coquimbo, chili. The Fourth of July had been celebrated by regatta, and the crew of Captain Sampsons gig had beaten the English boatmen of her majesty's ships Melpoment and Loffey. A few weeks af- ter, the Garnet, another English vessel, arrived, and it was determined to take the Americans down. 1ittle The Garnet carried boat of superior equipment, built in Malta for racing purposes, which had never been beaten; but as if to make the victory more certain, the crew practiced daily, and the challenge to the San Fran cisco was not extended until the very morning before the English vessel was to sail, thus leaving no time for practice to the intended antagonists.
 But the challenge was accepted, with the stipulation that the rase was to extend as far as Peuicanos island, around it, and back again to shore-a distance of four miles. After some hesitation the English boats crew agreed On the afternoon of the day of challenge Captain Sampson was seated in bis cabin when his coxswain en- tered.
 Captain he began, with deep earnest ness, do you want us to win this racer?
 -s..T.. .<JA1 Cpffa
 Well, captain one of my men is under arrest. I have spoken to the first lieu tenant. and he says he can't be re- leased" .Iai-ss
 '.Tat being the case-the man a pris- oner-I don't see what can do for you, returned the captain gravely.
 But I can't do without him. pleaded the coxswain, with an insistence rarely shown to a naval commander.a5''f you don't let that man go captain, the English will beat us!'
 Sampson turned suddenly and touched his bell and, as his orderly entered, he said, briefly: ''Tell Lieutenant - that I release the prisoner until this race is won" And the race was won, though the British racer looked extremely formidable, and a ringing shout went Hp from the Garnet at the splendid drill of the rowers and their fine appearance in holiday attire. It was Americas plain boats crew in every day working garb, who, dropping into posi- tion without a cheer of admiration. waited silently till the signal shot, then did their utmost, struggled through the rough water around the island goal and returned to the shore leaving the English racer far behind, even out of sight. The United States steamer Baltimore signifed her ap- probation by firing her Gatling
 It is little wonder that an officer who was unf1nichingly just, as Sampson was, should inspire enthusiastic affection. When the order was received recalling him from Honolulu to take charge of the ordnance bureau at Washington, and the gig left the vessel, bearing her commander away, the sides of the San Francisco suddenly swarmed with men and cry of '"Three cheers for Captain Sampson!" went up. All sea-faring men know that the proper response in etiquette to such an ovation is to give the order, .'Oars!" which means that every oar must spread out and hold the boat still in quick attention. But no order came from the lips of the iron-faced captain, and, looking at him in surprise, his coxswain (who fairly idolized him) saw that the chief was choked with emotion.
 Oars, boys!" cried the sympathetic cox swain, land three cheers for the San Francisco!' and the shouts were given with will.
 While chief of the ordnance bureau Cap-. tain Sampsons health suffered severely from the close, sedentary habits which his duties imposed, and he tried to coun- teract the bad effects by all sorts of ath- letic exercises at home, swinging clubs punching the bag, etc He was exceed ingly fond of lawn-tennis and was often seen playing this game with Secretary Olney.
 hr.&x