Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-29
CHASING A
FL YING BOAT.

Manila, April 49, Correspondence OF
the Associated Press. 1.-The small gun
boats that the United States bought or
captured from Spain. vessels Of the
Leyte, Samar, Mindoro and Pampanga
type, are commanded by young naval
officers and do patrol duty along the
coast. The Mindoro. Ensign Mccarthy
commanding, has just returned from
the northwest coast of Luzon, where
for two months she had been steaming
back and forth, looking for flibusters.
Such duty Is monotonous to degree, a
heavy sen or d hot sun being about the
only difference from one day to an
other. But now and then excitement
does come to this patrol, and the weary
work of months Is forgotten In the
hope of good capture or a good fight
Two weeks ago, at 2 o'clock of a
the N1indoro, cruising north of Apart
boat was headed to cross the strangers
bows. No especial interest was att
8tached to the strange vessel by the
crew of the gunboat. for the coastwise
traders are always shipping in and out
of Aparri. Still. 1t is the duty Of the
patrol to ascertain what all vessels are
doing, as any one may be on illegiti-
mate business. The Mndoro was run
ming without lights. She had come to
within a mile and u half Of the
stranger, when the latter suddenly
changed her course, and the heavy
clouds OF smoke that rolled from her
funnel told those on the gunboat that
she was going to run away. Then hope.
dawned in the hearts of the coast pa
ltrol. After waiting and watching for
two months perhaps they had at last
found an enemy. The Jingle bell rang
in the engine room and the Mindoro
gathered Roadway for the chase.
Fire shot well across her bow"
commanded Ensign Mccarthy. and the
ix-pounder parked its arbitrary orders
over to the stranger. She paid no at
tention.
Give her another well clear" came
the order from The bridge. But the
second summons was unheeded like the
first
Drop one over her this time. so
she'll hear 1t pass. ordered the en-
sign, and the gunner obeyed. The
stranger answered this third and de-
cisive summons by putting out her
lights and throwing back roll OF black
smoke that hid her from the view OF
the pursuing gunboat. To say the crew
of the Mindoro We're hopeful and jubi-g
liant but family expresses their en-
ithusasm The stranger had given
every proof of being an enemy. Her
disregard of the third summons to halt
&t,.,
tons given to the sea sentry are like
those given to the sentry on land: Fire
If the third order TO halt is disregard
ed. -
Here was prize In their very grasp.
She was surely a tilibuster trying to
land arms. or a steamer conveying the
fugitive Aguinaldo to Hong kong-nc6
such capture mad been made in a year.
and the patient waiting and watching
of the Mindoro We're ut last rewarded.
There were the best of good reasons to
believe this. Why should any honest
snip run from the third summons TO
halt. knowing. as all ships do. what
comes after?
The Mindoro was doing her eight and
a half knots and the stranger was a
mile ahead, hidden by the smoke from
her funnel.
Can you get sight on herr" asked
the bridge of the gunner.
No, sir: nothing but her smoke
open fire on her-3 600 Yards, and
following this order the 6-pounder sent
shot after shot into the cloud OF smoke
ahead. After the fifth shot there were,
three sharp reports from the direction.
of the stranger, and three bullets sang
over the gunboat's deck. Then the crew
of the Mindoro positively cheered, they
We're go happy. They cleared the ship
for action, brought on deck their twelve
Lee rifles and liberal supply OF ammu-
milton for all her guns.
There was no doubt Of it now; here
was the best chance that had ever come
to a coast patrol since the work began.
After the eighth shot from the g.
FOUNDER the stranger blew long blasts
on her steam whistle and then slowed
down. The Mindoro ran thru her trail
ing smoke. and In few minutes was
close to a black painted steamer her
lights again lighted and her decks
crowded with men. Ensign Mccarthy
called away a boat with an armed crew
and prepared to board. AS he left the
Mindoros side a voice from the stran-
ger called in good English: Are you an
American ship" Mccarthy, not wish
ing to give the supposed enemy the adj
vantage of any information concerning
his identity. especially when one third
of his available fighting force were an
easy mark In an open boat, replied. II
will speak with you when board you
AS the Mindoro's boat approached the
strange steamer the same question was
again shouted 1.-THE ensign. and he an
swered 1t az he had done the first time.
AT length Ensign Mccarthy mounted
the strangers gangway, and on reach
ing her decks he noticed they were
crowded with frightened and astonished
Filipinos.
Tell the captain of this ship want
to see him upon the bridge at once, or
dered the American officer. and he walk
! ed forward.
! AT ths moment a man in patamas
overlook him and Introduced himself as
Maj. Whitley, of the Sixteenth regi-
ment.
II am Ensign Mccarthy, commanding
the United States gunboat Mindoro,' Z
answered the naval officer. II am very
glad to meet you, cir"
Maj. Whitley, Ensign Mccarthy and
the Spanish captain OF the Compania
Martima,s steamer, Tarlac. for such the
I yessal proved TO ba then nrocna6ad tr