The National tribune., 1902-08-07

1Oftn on tnat adventurous pliSFImaSe
round the world, but we We're weary of
suspense and all We're deSirOus of making
port, and learning the worst as soon as
possible.
Night, however closed around us, with
nothing but the hcaving sea with which
we had so long been familiar, in sight.
and the following morning dense fog was
hanging over the water, effectually con-
cealing everything from view at Il ships
length distance.
Extreme caution was now necessary, as
we had only our chronometers and the
patent log towing astern to rely upon for
showing us our position, but we steamed
slowly ahead with all sails furled, laying
our course for St Georges Channel.
Soon the fog lifted, revealing to our
view the green shores of Ireland, on our
port beam-the first land we had seen
since we lost sight Of the snow-clad bluffs
of Northern America, 132 days before.
Notwithstanding the uncertainty in
which our fate was still enshrouded. there
were many happy faces to be seen on the
ShenaIduahS S decks that memorable
morning. us we glided on toward TusSa
Rock Light. Soon we had that abeam.
and Were Steaming. at the rate of nine
knots an hour. to the northward and east,
ward toward Holyhead.
Thirteen months before we set sail
from that point in the steamer Laurel to
join our ship at Madeira, little anticipat-
ing such Il return. Shipwreek, capture
and disaster in many forms we were pre-
pared to look forward TO as things POS
sible, but the utter collapse of our Gov
ernmeait that had so long and so success
fully stood upon the defensive, leaving
our ship veritable Ishmael of the sea,
with none to claim or recognize her as
other than 4 lawless freebooter, was such
a elimination of misfortunes as none of
us had counted upon. And while from
full hearts more than one sincere thanks
giving, silent, but none the less accept
able, perhaps, went up to Almighty Ged
for our almost miraculous escape from
those who had gone forth to hunt us.
At midnight the pilot boat was seen ap-
preaching, and ere long that functi0nary
was on board. As soon as this was known
everyone was on the alert, anxious to see
him and learn what news he had to tell,
and perhaps gain some inkiiHg as to the
spirit in which the wanderers were to be
received.
As he came over the side he was met
by our First Lieutenant, who bade him
Coed morning."
Good morning." the pilot responded;
s.what ship is this?"
THE late Confederate steamer Shenan-
doah''
L
lows come from-last?'
.'From the Arctic Ocean
Haven't You stopped at any port since
you left there?"
mo; nor been in sight of land, either.
What news from the war in America"
1T has been over so long people have
got through talking about it JEFF Davis
is in Fortress Monroe, and the Yankees
have had a lot of cruisers out looking for
Law nf
Not unless a suspicious looking craft
we sighted off the Western Islands was
one"
A CHANGE IN ENGLISH SENTIMENT.
The pilot then took command of the
ship, which would have been received in
Liverpool with SO much eclat had our
cause triumphed in the late contest. In
that event We should have been the heroes
of the hour, sought after and feted as
we had been at Melbourne, and crowds
Of visitors would have besieged US from
morning till night.
But We bad returned under no such
auspices ana our glory WAS departed.
From no quarter did we receive word
of cordial welcome, and the journals once
most clamOrous for our cause We're the
first TO bestow upon US the epithets of
pirates" aud to querulously ask why We
had come there to get them into trouble
with the United States. So much for the
disinterested friendship Of Great Britain.
As long as their workshops were busy
turning out arms and munitions of war
for our armies in the field, and blockade
runners from Southern ports were arriv-
ing at Liverpool and London, laden with
the coveted cotton, they were loud in their
protestations Of sympathy and friendship;
but when the hour of adversely came,
when there was nothing more to be made
out of US, these fair weather friends cool
ly ignored our existence.
Before reaching the city, our pilot man.
aged TO run us aground on the bar, where
We were Obliged to remain until the fol
lowing morning. During the night the
First Lieutenant came around and
warned the officers to keep their revol-
vers about them, as he had seen enough
to make him apprehensive that plot
was on foot among the crew to secure
what yaluables there We're on board, and
decamp. The fear that their wages
would not be forthcoming had suggested
to them this desperate expedient.
The officers protted by the suggestion,
kept their arms within reach, and main
tanned q yigilant watch. The crew made
no demonstration, perhaps because they
perceived that their plans were discov-
cred, and that we were ready for any
emergency, and possibly because sober
second thought had led them to abandon
q shly-formed determination.
Soon after daylight we got clear Of the
bar and steamed up the river toward the
city, with the flag that had accompanied
us round the world flying at our peak for
the last time. The fog shut out the town
from our view, and we were not sorry
for it, for We did not care to have the
gaping crowd on shore witness the humil-
iation that was soon to befall our ship.
That afternoon we ranged astern Of
Her Britannia Majesty's ship Donegal,
and dropped anchor.
The First Lieutenant stood upon the
poop, his arms folded on his breast, gaz-
ing at the flag under which he had so
long done battle, and then turned away
with tears coursing down his bronzed
cheeks.
HAULING DOWN THE LAST CONFEDERATE
He was not alone in this exhibition of
weakness, il such it was, for more than
one eye unaccustomed to weep turned
aside to conceal the unwonted drops, as
at a silent signal the Quartermaster
hauled down the Stars and Bars. there
by surrendering the Shenandoah to the
British authorities.
Sorrowfully the Master rolled up the
old banner and carried it to the Captain
but he declined to cucumber himself with
1t, so he gave it to his Secretary, who
was only too anxious to become its pos
SCISSOR.
That same afternoon the Donegal sent
prize crew on board, consisting of q
marines and % sailors, who took posses