The Forrest City times., 1900-05-11
4 TALE OF THE SEA.
,v WRIGHT A. PATTERSON.

Treat vessel ghded slowly along
n ,sroush the blue waters Of the At
-. a few miles to the westward of the
stands. when the century was yet
From it's sides protruded the black
-. Of wars weapons; the Tag of a
- and naughty nation huttered from
o..heal: across its decks trod sea-
= ard marines OF a nations naval force.
OCCASIONALLY its commander scanned the
80 4xpanse OF water eagerly seeking the
~ he awaited That commander had a
.ropd record TO uphold; he saw in the con-
a.. which he SO impatlently awaited an
.,,,ort1Inity TO brighten the luster of an
.ir.sdv brilliant name il naval history. No
.houpht Of defeat passed through his mind !;
,bs men. the ship, the training were all
i. With which 20 wrest victory from an
sDemy.
,srs of the same ocean towards the east was
ether great vessel from whose sides grim
vars weapons also protruded; from whose
n,sstbead there huetered the glorious en-
hem OF a young but valiant nation; upon
sbose decks there trod men as brave as
any who ever sailed the seas. As the good
.bip plunged through the waves, her bi-
lowy canvas catching every zephyr Of the
gentle breeze, her commander stood upon
his Quarterback aud scanned the ocean for
he enemy lying in wait. He, too, had no
lear for the result OF the conflict which be
was seeking: he knew the men who served
bs guns; be knew the ship of which he
vas so capable a master: he knew that
mutiny urked aboard the decks of his en-.
emy because Of unjust imprcssmert into an
unwilling service. and he knew that his cause
was just.
"Sail ahoy!" called the lookout a. the
masthead OF The waiting vessel.
where away is the sail!" asked the
waiting captain.
"To the northwest, CIR" replied the saao.
aloit.
What does she look Ike?" again queried
The captain.
81 large ship, sir, standing toward u.s." re-
Piled the sailor.
All was excitement aboard the waiting
vessel Were the grim weapons OF war 20
speak defiance to a young nation, or was the
oncoming vessel but a peaceful merchant
man of another country? The waiting cap
LdlE GlluiDtAA dlOlL NAdb suIOuBu Ills kldsStS
he might get better view OF the oncoming
ship, but her colors had been lowered for
The moment, and nothing could be told. But
he would not be taken unawares
Clear ship for action!" rang IRON the
quarterback.
The hoarse call Of the boatswain's mate
rang through the waiting vessel; the drum
and fife beat 20 quarters; the careful train
ing of long years told in every quarter, even
though mutiny was aboard. the great guns
we're released from their iashings; buisheads
were knocked away; pistols, cutasses,
boarding pixies battle axes and ammunition
were piled upon the decks. Buckets Of sand
were placed at convenient points 70 take the
curse from mems blood when il should be
spilled upon the polished decks, and guards
were set to watch those serving in for.
eign navy against their wishes, in order to
shoot the first man who shirked his work
The scenes OF confusion ceased, the prep
arations were made, and all awaited the
oncoming of the strange vessel. Would it
prove friend or foe2
Across the waters the waiting captain
watched the oncoming vessel, graceful as
whlte-winged bird, answering to the slight
est wish OF her commander. His years OF
seamanship forced from him an exclama-
ton OF admiration as the ship which he was
TO hight lutted and tackled so beautifully.
But still the flag he was waiting for, the
nag that would tell him whether he faced
Trend or fee, was not displayed. Then sud
denly il tiuttered from the masthead, the
nag CT a nation al war with his own, and he
knew that the enemy :or whom be had wait
ed was before him.
Boom! Boom Boom" Three iron mes
sensers OF hate shot out from the sides of the
waiting vessel and travelled across the wa
ter, only to fall short OF the mark for which
they were intended.
On came the other vessel, and soon a
tongue of fame leaped from It's side and al
iron ball sped through the rigging of the
waiting enemy.
The battle was on; shot swiftly followed
shot, and the iron messengers sped backward
and forward seeking a nations vengeance.
As the great ships poured forth their VOL
ieys; as the tongues of flame lsaped from
the sides; as the iron balls shot across the
waters seeking human targets, the great
shlps treinbied in every timber and rolled
Backward and forward IN the waters which
We're soon to run with blood.
Aioft the iron balls were crushing through
the masts and sails; beneath they were
crashing through the great timbers OF the
ships sides and through the ranks of the
men.
At the guns men were working with might
aAc main; coats, waistcoats, and even shirts
hsd been discarded in an effort to gain great
ssrr freedom; powder boys were scampering
nither and thither with needed ammunition
mat the guns might not be stopped; Off
GERS trod the decks behind the gunners,
speaking words of encouragement, or offer
ing sharp criticisms, or giving harsh or
Gers; from the main tops marines and sail
org were picking off the foe with rifles when
opportunity offered.
The decks of the vessel that had lain in
wait ran thick with the blood Of her sailors.
beneath her decks the surgeons were hur-
nedly dressing the wounds of the stricken.
Dead men, or those for whom there was no
nope Of life, were thrown into the sea, to
make room for Others. The cries of the
wounded and dying rang out above the roar
Oh the guns, and still the battle ragged.
ihe captain who had SO confidently
awaited tha co,ntn, of ha faa al M, fnupI