The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-16

/ those offered But when YOU realize
/ that invitations in the navy are not ac-
cepted at a time like this just as YOU
happen to feel about it it's different.
The commander wants only to know
how many men are to be entertained
on such and such a trip.
Once that is settled he decides wheth-
er the fleet can spare that many. If so,
he announces that so many will be de-
tailed from each ship. And they go.
that is all there is to it, 1t Is very
nice for those who are arranging the
trip or diversion on shore because
there is no uncertainty about the num-
Der of guests who will be on hand.
Official orders have been issued, and
If the men are not there. there is an
investigation and possible court-mar-
tia1 over the one who dared to disobey
orders. But there is no denying that
the officers have a surfeit of attention,
and the Katcha Nappa fraternity,
which has sprung up on board, is a
reality and many are the humorous
tales told by it's members-how at
reception If an officer can but get be-
hind a pillar he takes a snooze stand
ing up, while a faithful officer keeps
watch to pipe a warning should any
of the higher officers or hosts Of the
occasion steer his way.
AS the last details were arranged we
stopped on deck a moment to speak
with some of the officers. We were
the last of the shore visitors on board,
and even most Of the officers from the
other ships had departed.
Quite unexpected it was when we
turned suddenly and saw Admiral
Evans coming 60 m the deck on
crutches. I had no zen him since he
spoke at a banqu the old Ha-
waiian Hotel, severa IS ago, at the
time the Asiatic squi was visiting
Honolulu. Then he robust man
now he is wreck. is no other
word that can be use My thing
that is the same is the face that has
changed but little, it is the same de-
termined bronzed countenance that
was seen in Honolulu years ago, with
perhaps few more wrinkles about the
mouth and across the cheeks.
The Admiral crept along on his
crutches his shoulders hunched up, and
one leg hanging as though twisted clear
out of shape. He was plainly dressed
in blue with ONLY bit Of gold braid
at the collar. but what Of that-no mat
ter where you saw him. he would stand
that face was seen, it could not very
well be forgotten. There was no halt
ing in his movements, racked ana
torn with pain as he was. He swung
straight for the gangway, and then
stopped and smiled as one of the ON
GERS stepped forward to say a few
words in his ear. He shook his head
and then stepped out on the gangway.
The sailors crowded to the side ana
affectionately watched the cold man
in silence as he slowly and carefully
made his way down the gangway'
Carefully the sailors lifted him into
the waiting launch. and his aids step
ped in after him. There was no cere-
mony, there was no official farewell.
The Admiral was leaving quietly, go
ing to the hotel. and it was desired TO
get him there as quickly as possible
That was next to his last visit to the
ship On Saturday he goes back 70
haul down his flag and that will surely
be the end.
The launch moved off few feet, ana
gathering Roadway turned the bow OF
the flagship Slowly the admiraFs flag
came futtering down from the peak
and quickly the small two-starred blue
flag was put up at the bow OF inc
launch AS the small boat pointed TO-
ward the city wharves, Admiral Evans
turned and looked long and steadily at
his ship.