The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-01-19
Not a Graduate Blt a Gallant
Fighting Man.
WHALER BEFORE THE WAR
Bluff But kindiy-SOme Anecdotes
OF the Veteran-He Has a Style
All His Own.
Leslie WeeklyD

Captain n. Mayo Dyer, Whose name
has been advanced seven points on the
list of captains, placing him nearer
promotion over the heads of older Of
ficers, on account of the gallant SER
vice at Manila, is a native of Mas
sachusetts. He was not a graduate of
the Naval Academy, but prior 10 the
War Of the Rebellion was a second
mate on board a whaling vessel.
The crew of the Marion took pride
in eXcelling at spar-andsa drill, never
allowing the vessel of another nation
ality to surpass them in dexterity. One
day, in the harbor of Yokohama, the
executive officer had been putting the
men through a prolonged exercise at
sending down the yards, and the whole
force was thoroughly exhausted. After
three hours of this arduous drill with
out intermission he mercilesSly gave
the order to repeat the work of send
ing up the yards and mast again. The
tired men discontentedly obeyed, but
at certain point in the ascent of the
topgallant mast it stopped and obstin-
ately refused to move. The sailors were
apparently hauling with all their might
and the muscles were standing out taut
upon their arms. but in reality it was a
mock exhibit The enraged lieutenant
was shouting out invective which had
no influence upon the muttering con-
spiratOrs, when Captain Dyer walked
out upon the deck with his hating
step (His limp is the result OF old
wounds, and his brow is often con-
tracted with pain from these sources
Of irritation)
well, Mr.. --, what's the mat
ter?" he demanded in his quick, sharp
tones-for Dyer's speech is marked by
a strong nasal twang.
THE -- rascals, Captain, won't
move a peg,"
You don't know how to handle the
men, - responded Dyer, quietly.
Just let me talk TO them a minute.
Now. then, men, | want you to drill
for me, and | want you to send up
that mast and yards 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
affection of the crew, and everything
flew into position with extraordinary
celebrity, and the tired men lay down
full length upon the deck to rest.
Captain Dyer's excellent seaman
ship 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 get
ting up steam for a while, and then
running the vessel by aid of the sails
until compelled to use steam again,
yet the vessel arrived on the date set
by her orders. 1t was during this trip,
which required so much skill and man
agement, 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 discriminating in his ideas
of the Importance of events. Soon after
taking his stand on guard "booby,
which is called by sailors the LATEST
bird on the wing, because it will alight
on the ship at any point, perched upon
the fore yardarm. The lieutenant con-
templated the BOBBY earnestly, as If II
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 Captain Dyer that there is
booty on the foreyard," repeated the
officer.
Captain Dyer was seated reading