The evening world., 1909-02-22

the mist or sneaklng to the wharves
with fog whistles blowing every few
seconds.
A heavy rain set In shortly after
o'clocK, and tie log thInned. Then The
excursion steamers got In and picked
UP their cargoes and a great feet OF
merchant craft set out for the rendez-
vous where the Mayflower with the
President was In waiting.
But all the time the excursion boats
were poking their noses through the fog
toward Norfolk and the trains from the
interior were dumping their human
freight at the railroad stations. the
officers and men of the war vessels
were attending strictly to business.
They had a schedule to follow and a
little thing like fog that pressed so
closely that II could almost be felt
along the whole coast could not be per-
mitted to interfere.
Schedule was Followed.
80 the schedule was followed. At the
appointed time the cruiser yacht May
flower. flying the eagle crested flag Of
blue Of President Roosevelt at her main,
dropped into the position she occupied
fourteen months ago when the sixteen
battleships Of the squadron started on
their cord-breaking cruise.
BY that time the fog was lifting and
those aboard the Maytower could make
out objects at considerable distance.
Every man aboard the Presidents flag
ship believed that the white world
voyaging battleships would come when
they We're due and they did.
"Home at Last" Gun,
While the leading ships were still
mile or more from the Mayhower. a
pun OF white srbke from the forward
bridge OF the Connecticut, followed by
muffled boom. was a signal to the
fleet that the flagship had made OUT
the Presidents flag on the Maytlower.
1t was also the signal OF ''home at
last" and II made the hearts of 1900
men and 600 officers beat quicker In
realization that the day that they have
looked forward to through all the lavish
hospitality abroad at last had arrived.
That first gun OF the Connecticut's ma
tlonal salute to the President found
every ship In the line with salutlng can
non ready, and the second powder puff
from the flagship had not sounded when
the guns Of all the other ships had be-
gun TO speak in unison the honors due
the Chief Executive.
The fleet was almost lost to view as
the saluting was at Its height but the
clearing veil Of smoke flashed the ships
into view In far more brilliant pic
turc than had been the first glimpse far
down on the horizon.
The President made his way to the
bridge Of the Mayfower while the sa-
luting was In progress. He had not
long to wait before the imposing line
was bearing down upon the reviewing
boat.
Scene N Impressive Ono.
The scene like that at the departure
of the fleet, set nerves tingling with |
pride. On either side OF the armada
were gathered scores Of excursion
steamers which grew constantly thicker !
rs the warships ploughed to home
anchorage. The excursion steamers, the |
Tugs and the launches kept up con-
tinuing roar Of saiutes from their
Whistles and the crowds aboard, as we'll
ms the one ashore, cheered in a chorus
which carried far across the water to
ears that had not heard so sweet a
sound in their 5000 miles cruising |
through the seven seas of the world.
All the ships were dressed In cruising
fashion for filing In review. At each |
masthead huge American flags stood |
out In the breeze. The Union Jack was |
a-futter at each stem and flags were at |
every lofty gaff.
1t was not until the ships had come |
TO anchor of the Old Point pier two |
hours later that the rainbow lines were
strung from stem to stern across the |
full dress which the presence OF the
President demands, and which were
hoisted as well to-day in honor OF the
memory Of George Washington. When
ever American ships OF war are at an
chor to-day the rainbow dressing lines
are futtering in the breeze.
Majesucally the fleet steamed toward
the Mlyf1ower, seven-mile line Of
fighters. Bugles called the sailors and
marines TO attention. Shoulder 10 shoul-
der they stood stiffly along the sides
OF the big ships, an almost unbroken
human line from forecastle to quarter
deck. on the quarterdecks the marine
guard was drawn up. officers on the
bridge and decks stood with swords
drawn and In full-drcss uniform.
Roosevelt Salu.ea Flag.
As the prov Of the Connecticut
reached the bridge Of the Mayfower the
band on board the flagship began to
play The Star-Spangled Banner" The
President dofed his silk hat and stood
at attention in salute to the flag. There
were no cheers, but lump was in the
throat OF every one aboard the Prcs-
dents yacht, and cheering would have
been a welcome relief AS the last
strains OF the national anthem died
away the roar Of another salute
shook the air. This time It was the
Connecticut alone that fired Formid-
able, self-reliant, bristling with guns.
and, withal, as graceful and immaculate
as yacht, she steamed by the May
flower, splendid example OF American
naval architecture
Following the Connecticut with the
precision OF clockwork. ship after ship
passed the trim Mayflower. The review