The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-02-19
The Consul's Visit.


boat.
Meantime the launch drew rapid
ly nearer, while Oh tie quar-. .erdeck
all was in hustle of preparation.
The trill of the bos'eu's shrill, pipe
and his stentorlan voice doomed
through, the ship. Lay, aft four side
boys"
In an almost incredible short space
of time the marine guard was drawn
up at attention. facing the star
board gangway, the four side-boys,
two on each side at the Top of the
ladder, and the officer Of the deck
stood by to do the "honors.''
With a geutle lunge the launch
swung alongside of the gangway,
the bugler sounded attention. the
marine guard came to, present
arms" and to trill of bo'seus pipe,
the consul general come over the
side.
With a precise, military salute to
the officer of the deck he said; Pre-
sent the compliments of the Consul
General to yonr commanding officer
and say that he desires to see him
on importants business"
The captains orderly went below;
returning, he reported, Captain
Hougan's compliments and he will
see the consul general IN his ward
room at once"
Speculation and conjecture ran
rife. The consul had paid his Off
cial visit only two days before and
many and various were the reasons
advanced for this second call.
They were not kept long in doubt.
The captain and the consul soon
re~appeared. The captains face
was very grave and they were in
earnest conversation as they moved
toward the gangway.
After hearty handshake and
parting salute the consul stepped in
to his boat and was soon drawing
rapidly up the stream.
Turning to the officer of the deck
the captain said. Mr. Robinson,
have quarter sounded. Weigh the
port anchor, heave short the star
board. and prepare everything for
sea. Set sea watches and tell the
chief engineer to fire all boilers.
stand by to pick up the pilot Mr..
Fuller is going to send off, and noti-
fy me when be Is alongside. Inform
the navigator that ! wish to see him
in my Office Immediately"
Already the clank of the anchor
wlnches could he heard, while all
over. the ship men were busy, furl-
ing awnings, lashiug boats. hosting
the steam launches, rigging in lower
booms, and storing all loose gear.
In the fire rooms could be heard
the roar of the forced draft and out
of the three immense tunnels rolled
volumes of black smoke, while a
rain of cinders covered the ships
We Sail Away.
Soon all was secure and all eyes
were turned down anxlously toward
the pilot station where sam pan
was seen putting off and heading for
the ship.
The captain was notified and with
the navigator, met the little weakened
Chinese pilot as he clambered up the
sea ladder and all three proceeded
Immediately to the forward bridge.
Picking up his speaking trumpet
the navigator sang out, Fo'csle
there; Mr.. Robinson you may up
anchor and as the. winches tore
the hook from the bottom he turned
to the bo'sen's mate; call the first
watch. Lay aloft the lookout" and
to the tune of the bo'sens piping the
U. s. s. Ohio swung with the tide
and headed out to sea.
About noon of the third day fol-
lowing, the Ohio was picking her
way cautiously over the mud flats at
the entrance of the Annoy river.
Standing in until directly opposite
the American Consulate she dropped
anchor and simultaneously the giant
electric crane swung the second cut
ter over the side,-and lowered her
into the swiftly ebbing tide.
At the quarterback sea-ladder she
picked up the captain and stood rap
idly off for the Legation Landing.
Aboard ship an air of mystery
and suppressed excitement prevail
ed. No one knew, as yet, just what
their mission was, further than that
the captain had been observed to
make all possible speed IN getting
there.
Annoy is a city of about one hun
lroJ thOroopd Tho o;rv rroror