The National tribune., 1903-05-21

fense with only our small arms, except
in case of some possible stratagem, would
be wholly out of the question.
The Colonel now very thoughtfully
sends the band forward 10 divert the at
tention and allay the excitement among
the boys.
1t is interesting to note how different
men will act in an emergency of danger;
some of the boys went below for greater
safety, and few of them packed their
knapsacks. ready to 20 somewhere.
My bunkmate, Comrade A. S. Walker.
is about the only one of the boys devoid
of interest. He sits squat on deck under
the bulwarks forward, reading one of
our library books, the "Life of Deacon
pist," wholly absorbed. unheeding the ex-
citement everywhere aboard ship.
Some of the boys are up in the ratlines,
which we found the best place to overlook
the scene, and take it all in; having no
voice in the affair, curiosity rules.
There she goes again; good line shot,
throwing up the spray not half mile
astern.
She soon signals: "Heave to or prepare
for action" coming to herself, ready to
give us broadside.
All doubts as to her belligel at intent
now vanish, and the Captain, from his
perch in the lookout, calls down orders:
"Wheel a-port; stop the engine" The
ship Immediately comes to; the race is
over, and we are at the mercy of the en-
envy.
He now comes down on deck, and, see
ing the anxious faces of the boys as he
passes to the pilot house, he says: snow,
boys; stand by" and adds with a grim
smile: "There's no use for your pOp-guns"
referring to our rifles, boxed up down in
the hold.
In II minutes the stranger lays close
alongside. She seems to be another one
of our gunboats; her men and officers, as
yesterday, wear our naval uniform, and
the Stars and Stripes hang from the gaff.
If a rebel privateer, she must be mas
querading; but no, she is what she seems
The boys, now crowding our deck. are
wild, so sudden is the revulsion of feeling.
They shout, and cheer the old flag. Never
did it look so dear to us.
These noisy greetings being over, the
officer on the bridge made the usual in
quiries: Where from; how many days
out; destination, and what troops aboard,
etc.
whats your ship, sir?" asks Capt.
Baxter.
"The United States gunboat Magnolia"
The latest news from the North, and
any papers to spare are asked for.
They now wish us pleasant voyage,
from the fore peak. dipping their colors
three times, parting salute, and bear
away toward the Keys again.
We respond with cheers. and the band
gives them lively send-of with yankee
Doodle"
No allusion was made to the belliger-
ent manner of our Overhauling. They
may have been short of coal, and resorted
to powder and ball to bring us to.
Can't. Baxter was in doubt as to the
character or intent of the stranger; and
decided to keep out of her way if possible
1t now appears that the Magnolia and
the Santiago de Cuba. both belonging to
Orleans packets, were confscated by the
rebels, and later captured by US.
Since the departure of the Magnolia n
fire, cool breeze has sprung up, for which
we were famishing, drying off the damp
decks. and sending us bounding on our
way to Ship Island, further orders, and
New Orleans.
The boys have quieted down, after the
fake scare Of our forced overhauling, many
of them writing up their account of the
affair.
But trifling incident, as recalled later,
it was one of the tightest places III which
we found ourselves; we We're so helpless.
1t was with no little satisfaction in later
years to know that Mother England had
to come down with her millions of Eng
lish gold to the owners, for shutting her
eyes to the outftting in her ports of these
Confederate privateers to prey upon our
commerce.
Hope these brief notes of two days in
cidents of our voyage of 10 days, other
wise uneventful. may reach the eyes, and
peril rs draw the fire Of some of the old
comrades.