The National tribune., 1901-11-07
The Boys Rave Go at Naval wartare-At-
tack Upon the Rebel Ironclad.


der, 81 and Shorty took a comprehensive
survey of the situation.
, The SunboatS were ordinary harbof
tugs with Il 32-peund SmoothbOre mount
cd on the bow of each. They were stout
little craft, built throughout of solid oak.
'ihe rebels had tried to destroy them
by making piles of kindlings on their
decks and setting them on fire. The
Lighter works had caught and burned CON
sideraby, but before the fire could get a
fair hold ON the solid decks 81 and the
rest had jumped aboard, kicked off the
blazing lightwood and drowned the fires.
Therefore, though the boats looked IN
very had shape, they were about as eff
fcctive as ever.
In the midst of their jubiation over
| their success each one of the squad in
stinctively turned his thoughts toward
that feature for which he had IL natural
aptitude.
81 stood on the bow, studied the IRON
clad, noted the number and probable
sweep of her guns, calculated the dis
tance across the river to her, estimated
the number of her crew, and pOndered
over the possibilities OF making rush
in such "A way as TO avoid her guns, or
get over in the intervals of firing.
Shorty, with his Mississippi River train
ing, looked critically at the hulis exam
ined the pumps, and sounded them to
see how much water there was in the
holds
Harry eagerly inspected the 32-pOund-
eIs and their appurtenances and supply
/ Of ammunition.
Sandy examined the steering apparatus.
/ Gid Mackall went down below to see
what they had to eat and how they
| cooked it.
| Alf Russell hunted for hospital appli-
ances.
Tom Radbone and Abe Grimstead went
/ a into tln pnpinp-rapmG and scanned
the machinery.
Monty wanted to find the quarterback,
where the Captain .strutted and gave or.
ders. He found n trumpet, and began
bawling challenges through it ut the peo-
pie Oh the ironclad.
Pete simply wandered around trying to
find something that he had no business
with, and which would make him trouble.
Engines III bad shape, but they'll run,
reported Tom and Abe. Been cOOpered
up by nigger blacksmiths; rough as job
o mud-plastering. Boilers leaking and
badly burned, but they'll hold together
for a while, If not pushed too hard
Bottoms seem tight" remarked Shorty.
Only an inch or two of water III the
holds. Probably we poured the most of
that in. Fr
Wheels and ruddrr all right" reported
Sandy. Work hard but they work.
Nothing to eat down there" said Gid
Maciall, as his thin, hthy form came up
through the chaIred frame of the stair
way, except some cold curnpone and
roasted sweet potato chips for coffee
NO sign of Il cockpit or hospital
aboard grumbcd Alf Russell. Must
have intended to throw man overheard
when he got hurt. Very inhuman."
The guns are all right, for smooth
Eores,' said Harry Joslyn. They're good
smashers when they hit anything. The
trouble is TO get them to hit anything.
I'd like to try one of them on that old
swapping turtle over there
IF you're certain you know how an
swered 81, load her up, but don't shoot
till | give you the word. Look out for
yourself. | don't want you to lose an
arm or a leg by your projecking.''
Hi! Monty, Sandy, Pete, come here,
and help me stuff this old shotgun" glee
fully called Harry. Les say Merry
Christmas to those fellows over there in a
way that they can understand
Here, boys, be mighty careful with
that old blowhard," warned Shorty, look
ing up from the pump he was working.
Pete, you keep away from there. GOu'll
get rammed into the muZZle. or sit down
on the tOuch-hole, or something else'Il
happen to you. Don't try to load her till
| come over and look at it,
why, we're all right, Corporal" pro-
tested Harry JOslyn. I've watched the
guuners drilling in the forts, and drilled
with 'em till | know all about how to do
it. The guns all solid, and won't burst.
Monty and I'll sponge and ram, and we'll
do it very carefully
Il have the shell here" said Sandy.
ITS al right. All yOu have to do is 10
put the fuse next the powder.
And have the cartridge here whiS-
pcred Pete, fearful that he was going to
be shut out of the fun and holding out
the flannel bag. ITS all right; you can
see. It's one the rebels made for them
selves. There can't be no danger about
And here's the primer, and sticking
needle. and lanyard said Sandy. produc-
ing them. I'm to stick and prime, and
pull her of when Harry gives the sig
nal.'
Well, 20 ahead, and sponge her out
said Shorty, walking forward to the gun
and giving it an inspection. "Turn your
sponge-staif several times. She's likely |
very dirty. Everything in the Southern
C0nfederacy Is
He saw the gun sponged out to his |
satisfaction, gratitied Pete by allowing him |
TO put the cartridge in, when it was !
rammcd home. the shell following il, and |
Sandy pricked the cartridge. inserted the |
primer and attached the lanyard.
Steady, now, boys; place rest said !
Shorty, much to the disappointment of |
the boys, who were eager to blaze away |
at anything or nothing. Don't fire till |
me or 81 gives you orders. There's no
use shooting ut her sides. That shell ID |
burst on them like an egg against brick |
wall. When you shoot you want to put
that shell into one of them portfolios,
where it'll do some good. You'd better
study the sights and practice aiming,
Harry, until you feel sure you can do
that"
And Shorty turned away to help Tom
and Abe start the fires and get up steam.
What are you proposing to do, Ser
geant!" inquired the Colonel, coming down
on to the dock, near by.
I'VE are waiting your orders, Colonel
answered 81, saluting; but in the mean
while we've been getting these boats ready
tC do anything you might direct. | guessed
that you'd want to get us over there some
how, and jump that ripsnorting old bio
viator, that's tlouiing his rebel flag in our
faces. | thought that we'd get these
beats ready for anything that you may
have III mind"
You guessed right, Sergeant. as usual"
answered the Colonel, quietly and sweetiy
as he always spoke, but with the light
of angry determination showing in his
eyes. That fellow over there is an in
solent scoundrel, who should be severely
punished. He has no justification what
ever III keeping up the fight after the army
has evacuated and the Mayor has surren-
dered the city. Every time he fires on
our flag is Il burning insult to us. He
intends it as such. He is not hurting us.
but he is destroying the property of his
own people. He is villain. Some of
Al. 4.