The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-02

scenes through which the transport was
forging her steady way.
1t was late in the morning when Capt
Ellison, who had been himself very much
worn OUT, and rose tardily, raped on
| their door and asked them to come ont
1t was much later before they succeeded
| in performing their toilet in the cramped
| space and amid the bewildering conditions,
and making themselves sufficiently pre-
sentable to obey his invitation to emerge
and take look around. When they did
they instantly forgot everything in the
| wonder and beauty of the scene spread
out before them.
April had come. and her first smiles
were far brighter than her mood at home
in Indiana. The bright, warm sun had
risen far above the shoreeSs eXpanse of
cleaning water stretching out toward him
between Capes Charles and Henry. The
transport lay the farthest out of the great
fleet which filled the spacious harbOr of
Hampton Roads. The lake expanse of
still water bore such naval pageant as
the world had rarely seen.
Until their eyes ached and their senses
whirled in the effort to take in all that
they were eager to see, the women gazed
on the great wooden frigates. with their
towering masts and clouds of canvas, their
yawning ports, with black-mouthed guns.
and their crews hurrying about the decks
on great ocean steamers. lifting their
white sides high above the water: on
soops and briggs. laden deep with hay
lumber and similar bulky stores; on
busting little tugs screeching and sputter-
ing about throwing up great white waves
in front of them as they sped from one
duty to another: on scores of rowboats.
with bright little flags in the stern and
impelled by brawny-armed sailors. carry
ing officers from one ship to another or
the shore; on wicked. sullen-looking mont
tors, with their decks almost awash, and
their turrets rising rigid. significant and
threatening.
On the shore rose the grim stone walls
of Fort Monroe. with scores of great black
cannon pointing over them toward the
sea. Wherever they could see the shore
it was marked by forts and works armed
with immense columbiads.
From far away to the west came low
rumble and roar, as of distant thunder.
'Tain't going to rain. is it," inquired |
Mrs. klegg, glancing up at the cloudless |
sky. rs that thunder we hear:"
It's the thunder of Grants guns at |
Petersburg. answered Capt. Ellison. |
Things are happening up there this morn
ing. | guess. Meade and the Army of the
Potomac are making the fur fly. The
storm has been brewing for some days.
think the backbone of the rebellion is |
likely to be getting that last fatal punch |
we've been hearing about for nearly four
years."
''Oh, my gracious, is that sou ex-
claimed Maria. "a battle going on up
there?"
Precisely"
"Just think of it. But we've already got
so much on our minds to think of, there
amt any room for more
Right over there" continued Capt.
Ellison, lis where the famous battle be-
tween the Monitor and the Merrimac
took place. The Minnesota lay over there,
and''-
Capt Ellison. what do you mean by
bringing these women aboard STRIP roared
Capt. Alexander McTwigg, coming up,
with his rugged features distorted by
anger.
Lower your tone. if you please. Capt.
AcTwigg,' replied the Quartermaster
presence of ladies'"
I'll speak in what tone suits me. sill"
roared the Captain. I'm master of this ,
vessel, and my Wills the law"
Unfortunately. you have too high an |
opinion of yourself. 1t is one of the many {
mistakes that you make" responded the c
luartermaster, with unruffled tones i
Seems to me that l have something to
say here" t
"Aye, about the cargo. But I'm ma ster {
# the vessel, and l hate women passen- S
,ers."
''Simply difference of tastes" replied q
he Quartermaster, calmly. II like them" f
Il never will sail with them,' rOared {
he Captain.
You are not prophet, Capt Nc a
Fwigg. You don't know what you'll do"
Il know that petticOats always bring "
ad luck to any craft that sails. I've had IS
ad luck ever since they come aboard. \