The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-12-27
How Q Scandal IN the
Navy Was Prevented


Bob Backstay, midshipmnn during
the Spanish-American war, was Just
out Of the Naval academy. He had
been in more scrapes while at Annapo-
lis than any man there, and, though he
was a fair scholar, that he had sue.
ceeded in coming out with a commits
sion was a surprise to all. The truth
Is he was such n good fellow that the
faculty did not have the heart to re-
fuse to graduate him. Nevertheless It
was predicted that his love for esca-
pades would always keep him back In
his profession.
Backstay was sent to Cuban waters
on the Yellow Jacket, one of the many
small armed boats used to watch the
coming Of the Spanish feet, which was
daily expected. The Yellow Jacket
was commanded by Lieutenant Quack
enbos, a man abnormally anxious for
distinction. Indeed. he talked 90 much
about what he would do or try to do
II he got an opportunity mat his ON
GERS would exchange giances whenever
"the old man" touched upon the of
mentioned subject. OF course the main
topic OF conversation ON the Yellow
Jacket was the Spanish feet and the
opportunities Il would present for wide
awake Oflcers to give notice OF its ar
rival OF perhaps save the American
meet from attack Or possible destruc-
ton and thereby gain promotion.
The longer the spaniards were In
coming the keener the expectancy IN
at last Lieutenant Quackenbos was N
tremor OF excitement during each
and every twenty-four hours. Then
when It came to be understood that
the FIRST man to discover the hostile
heet would DO promoted the command.
Or Of the Yellow Jacket resolved to re-
quce bis quantum Of sleep to two
hours in the day and two In the night.
The Yellow Jacket was cruising on
the south Cuban coast and kept in
touch with other vessels Of the feet |
In order that none Of the others should |
get ahead Of him in announcing the |
arrival OF the enemy. II indeed the en-
envy came In those waters, Quackenbos |
ordered that all signal apparatus be |
kept on deck ready forsmmedlate use.
In all this Backstay saw a golden
opportunity for prank. On his glass
he painted or, rather, daubed with ink
something that looked like manor
war In the distance Then about 4
bells In the evening when the sun had
been set long enough to cast a slight
dusk over the ocean, he rushed down
to his commander, who was taking his
daily nap In his cabin, and shouted in
stentorlan tones:
THE fIeetw
Quackenbos, selzing his glass, bound
ed up the companionway and, bringing
the glass to bear on the horizon, swept
1t. Backstay handed him his own
glass. The lieutenant brought II to the
sky line and saw a Spanish man-of.
war. Without losing a moment he or
dered that a signal be sent to the near
est vessel stating that the feet had ar
rived. Backstay received his glass
from his commander. passed his tongue
over the object lens and wiped the lens
on his coat sleeve. The officer to whom
the signal had been sent signaled back
that the announcement had been for
warded to the admiral and asked In II
what quarter the enemy was TO be |
found since he had not discovered him.
Quackenbos looked again, but could
see nothing. Others looked. with the
same result. The man-of-war had van.
Ished.
We're Outdone." said Backstay, low
erlng his own glass. Some floating
torpedo has blown her up"
Handing his glass to his commander.
that officer saw clouds OF smoke. He
slgnaled that man-of.war had been
seen, but had disappeared Then the
officers got away from him as soon as
possible that he should not see that
they were laughing at him.
you'll have to pay for this, Back.
stay" said one of his mates. 'It'n all
come out, and they'll court martial /,
gou." II
Backstay looked a tribe uneasy. but
'aid nothing. He Rrinned; he was al.