El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-05-04

taries were two Japanese and four
workers Every cabin and berth was
taken.
There we're American officers and
soldiers and sailors on their way to
join units. government employees, sew
eral war correspondents. French Of
ficers, a few business men and a de-
tachment of the Polish legion Of hon
or recruited in Canada, a soldierly
band.
Few ships have carried a stranger
list. On deck and at table, patented
life preservers. submarines and tor
pedoes were favOrite subjects OF con-
versation. a wealthy college girl
from the west bought suit guaran-
teed unsuitable and paid $50 for it.
hut it was not in her cabin when she
arrived.
The first life drill. when everybody
had TO strap on a lifebelt and take his
or her station. renewed this young
Woman's anxiety about the lost life
suit. The steward innOcently ISSUED
her that it must be buried deep in the
hold with the trunks. but that she
would be suret recover IL when port
was reached
What good will it be them" she
replied. Il want it now. Suppose we
are torpedoed2 I don't want to tote
it about on land"
Her baggage included a flivver with
n commercial body. which she is to
herself and she viii supply tires and
gasoline, in addition to acting as
chauffeur.
shocks the Religious Folk.
A New York society girl, who is to
drive an ambulance. shocked the
church folks by smoking cigarets as
she stroled the promenade deck She
held her pet brand in a long holder
with amber mouthpiece-
A naval band from the great lakes
nHmn
dances were held. Maurice, the New
York dancer, in the uniform OF pri-
vate in the infantry, danced with a
ballet dancer. Red Cross nurses
danced with Y. NJ c. A. secretaries,
and soldiers danced with bluejackets.
An all-star concert was held the sec
ond last day out
On Sunday. in a piping storm, when
the ship rocked like a rOwboat. an i'm
pressive service was held on the after
deck An army chaplain pulled vest
ments over his uniform and celebrated
mass. An American bluejacket
young giant. escorted the two nuns
the length of the slanting. slippery
deck. Eery sailor and soldier drew
beads or prayer book from his pocket
Kneeling on the steerage deck.
their bare heads swept by spry, the
Polish volunteers followed the service
with a gap OF 80 feet between. The
words Of the chaplain and congrega-
ton were drowned by the LuEE OF
wind and waves, but it was a pic
ture.
In the Night.
At night, the steamship followed
her course as mysterious as the dark
ness that envelOped her. Every win
dow was curtaiued and every port
hole locked and screened with wooden
covers.
Passengers. invisible. chatted in
subdued tones, as they reclined in
steamer chairs. swathed in blankets.
The more timid spent the night thus,
while others. a degree less timid.
turned in fully dressed
LifebOats were swung free Life
belts were kept handy. Passengers
consoled each other or tried TO. a
veteran skipper who is to do trans
pOrtation work. remarked that the
chill was the worst part OF il, and
advised taking along a swallow"
when boats were lowered
LOokouts. clad in canvas suits, post
ed in upper and lower crows nests,
reported every dot on the horizon and
gunners took their posts The atmos-
phere became tense Hours dragged.
Time unmasked the fears Of many.
Another critical day passed, a day
when lives hung in the balance
Black smudges appeared where sky
and water met The convoy Faces
frightened and hearts leaped- And
thence land ahoy,
As the ships company tripped down
the gangWay il was clear that COM
ing over had not been "a Joy ride"