Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-08-17
CHAPTER. VI.

CHAPTER VI.
When Vinton's fotilla drew out
into that wonderful bay, and the
crowded transports rode at anchor
or the tide, there came swarming
about them an manner of harbor
craft, some laden with comforts for
the departing soldiery, some with
curiosity seekers, some with contra
band of war in the shape of fruits
and fluids, but all were warned to
keep a cables length at least away.
The commanding general, with
other officers of rank, was darling
from ship to ship in a swift steam
launch, holding brief conference with
the colonel in command of each, and
finally repairing to his own-the flag
ship-where the final adieuX were eX-
changed.
The general and his aides nimbly
mounted the steep stairway to the
bridge, the launch swung loose, and
then, up to the masthead flew lit
tie bunch of bunting that broke as
it reached the truck, and there f1ut-
tered in the strong salt wind whis-
ting in from sea the eagerly awaited
signal to 'up anchor and follow"
And then at the stern of the Van
guard the. waves were churned into
foam as the massive screw began its
spin, and slowly, steadily the flag
ship forged ahead TO the accompani-
ment of deafening din of steam
whistles and sirens all over the bay.
Promptly the other transports fol-
lowed the movements of the leader,
and presently, in trailing column, five
big black steamships, thronged with
cheering soldiery, were slowly plow-
ing their way towards the grand en-
trance of that spacious harbor, the
matchless Golden Gate.
Coming abreast of rocll-ribbed AL
catraz, still moving at less than half
speed, the flagship was greeted by
the thunder of the parting salute,
and the commanding general, stand
ing with his staff upon the bridge,
dotted his cap and barred his hand
some head in acknowledgment.
''The next guns we're apt TO. hear
will be the Spaniards' at Manila, and
shotted guns instead of blanks" said
a staff officer to the tall, fair-haired
aide-de-camp. e"What's the matter,
Stuyvesant? Beginning to feel wab-
bly, already? There's no sea here to
speak Of"
81 was watching that boat" was
the quiet reply, as the young officer
pointed to small white steamer
that appeared coming in pursuit,
carefully picking a way through the
host of harbor craft still screeching
and steaming along as escort to the
feet.
There was an eager light in the
bright blue eyes, but the high color
had fed. Stuyvesant looked as
though he had not slept as much
or as we'll of late as perfect health
required, and his questioner gazed
keenly into his face, then turned
away with smile.
Only three days before on the regis
ter CT the Occidental appeared amo<g
the arrivals the entry: Mrs. VIII
liam P. Ray, Miss Ray, Fort Leaven-
WORTH" and that evening at least a
dozen officers called and sent up their
cards, and Lieut.. Ray came in from
the Preside and was with his mother
and sister an hour or more.
The ladies held quite little levee
in the parlor of the familiar old army
hostelry, and Mr.. Stuyvesant, after a
long and fatiguing days duty at
camp, accompanied his general to
their very handsome apartments at
the Palace, and then falteringly
asked if he might be excused awhile
he had call or two to make.
! The evening papers had announced
the arrival of the wife and daugh-
ter of "the gallant officer SO well
gone by to many of our citizens
Capt. Billy Ray, now colonel of the
til Kentucky" and Stuyvesant
had determined to make an effort to
meet them. But he was a stranger
to the officers who called and sent
up their cards-all old regulars.
Lieut.. Ray was with the party in
the parlor, and Stuyvesant felt a
strange shyness when striving to peY-
suade himself to send his card to
that young officer and boldly ask to
be presented. Surely it was the
proper thing to seek and meet her
and thank her for her deft ministra-
tons the night of the fire. Surely
man Of his distinguished family and
connections need not shrink from ask
ing to be introduced to any house
hold il all our broad domain, and yet
StuyveSant found himself nervous and
hesitaf.t, wandering about the crowd
ed Office, making pretense of interest
in posters and pictures, wistfully re-
gardinS, the jovial knots of regulars
who seemed so thoroughly at home.
ITO Be Continued