The San Francisco call., 1908-09-06
CHAPTER xIII-Continued

IT was determined that the midship-
men and officers celebration should
both be held the night before Christ
mas so as not 10 interfere with the
mems, which was TO take place Christ
mas night. On Christmas eve, there
fore. after supper, the last preparations
were made, and ar o'clock Dicky and
Roger were designated to escort Cap
tain Bainbridge to the place Of honor.
followed by the other officers. When
they entered and all were seated very
creditable exhibition of dancing was
given. although the midshipmen felt
themselves distinctly inferior to the
sailors in that respect. Then a little
French play, the joint composition of
the midshipmen. was acted. This was
followed by the distribution of Christ
mas stockings. Totten and Gray cere-
moniously presented a stocking to Cap
tain cambridge, out of which he drew
& flag officers commission.
This was loudly applauded, and Cap
tain cambridge formally thanked the
midshipmen for the honor bestowed
upon him Mr. Porter was the next
10 receive stocking, in which was
letter Of commendation signed by Ar
chimedes. Isosceles and Euclid, all ex-
pressing a desire to learn pure and ap-
piled mathematics from him. Mr. Matt
land drew out Of his stocking a letter
from William Shakespeare appointing
as his successor, as the greatest of
modern poets and playwrights, Lieuten-
ant LUcius Maitland. late of the United
States frigate Philadelphia. Each of
the officers received a similar commune
cation and all were greeted with the ut
most merriment. 1t was then supposed
that the entertainment was over, but
Totten, advancing and bowling to Cap
tain Bainbridge, announced that one
more feature remained upon the pro-
gram which, he felt assured. would
meet with the admiration of all pres
ent. At that he went toward the end
Of the room, where a large sheet, clev-
erIy arranged TO be withdrawn by
cords. was hung upon the wall.
The midshipmen, forming on each
side of il, stood at attention, ready to
salute. and Totten, drawing the cord.
revealed the mystery of the red and
blue paints. Upon the whitewashed
walls was painted with considerable
skill a large American flag, which was
saluted by the midshipmen the instant
il came into view. At the sight of 1t
every officer sprang TO his feet and sa-
luted and Captain cambridge led in the
wild cheering that followed.
Many Of the officers voices trembled
with emotion at the picture of the flag
which represented TO them life, liberty
and honor. and Dicky Falconer had TO
wink his eyes deep to keep the tears
back when he saw Captain Bainbridge
march up to the painted flag upon the
wall and kiss it reverently. Then the
captain asked:
Mr.. Totten. may ask which one of
you young gentlemen originated this
noble idea?"
"All of US had a hand in it, sir. and
hardly know which was first. but
claims the credit of having screwed the
paints out of Mr.. Maitland"
L think. gentlemen" said Captain
cambridge. that we ought to give the
warrant officers and the men an oppor-
tunity of seeing this admirable repre-
sentation of the flag of their country.
Mr.. Totten. will you kindly notify
them2"
Totten al once obeyed the captains
order and in few minutes the sailors,
headed by the warrant officers filed into
the great room. The first sight of the
painted flag upon the whitewashed wall
made them nearly wild with delight,
and the cheering was something deaf
ening. With IL was the deep and sacred
sentiment Of respect for the flag of
their country, and among these hardy
and weather beaten sailors were many
moist eyes and hoarse voices trembled
with emotion. The officers as well as
the sailors feasted their eyes upon the
flag and only departed upon the warn
ing from Captain cambridge, who
wished 70 avoid peremptory order for
the cheering to cease and the Ameri-
cans 70 return TO their quarters and TO
put out the lights The midshipmens
ingenuity. however. came near having
q tragic result in q way not expected
by any OF them.
CHAPTER XIV