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THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE WILMER COLLECTION 
 
 OF CIVIL WAR NOVELS 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 RICHARD H. WILMER, JR. 
 

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 c9 / 4 -iA'-MOuy-iit f^^U^^ 
 

Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cruisingbloGkadiOOwins 
 
A Naval Story of tte Late War. 
 
 £UhmKEiB\¥}M.2i^ 
 
 W. H. WINSLOW. M.D.,Ph.D. 
 
 ^Libera terra liherqite animus." 
 
 PITTSBURGH, PA.: 
 PUBLISHED BY J. R. WELDIN & CO. 
 
 1885. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, 
 
 By W. H. WINSLOW, 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
 SHERMAN" 4 CO., PRINTERS, 
 PHII.ADA. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This book contains an exact description of life in the United 
 States Navy during the rebellion, and traces the career of an 
 officer from midshipman to lieutenant. 
 
 The author believes that in other modern naval stories per- 
 sonal thoughts and actions and the minor matters of life in 
 the navy have not been adequately described, and he has en- 
 deavored from his experience and his diary of the war to make 
 an instructive, interesting and amusing story. 
 
 To his critics, the boys, both young and old, he offers the 
 labors of a winter's evenings, serenely confident that, if the 
 book is not a success, it will at least save him many repetitions 
 of the adventures therein to his own boys at home. 
 
 W. H. W. 
 
 956 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 50^1^6 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. Careswell's early life — Appointment to the Naval Academy, . 9 
 
 II. The Naval Academy before the war — The Practice Ship — 
 
 Ordered to the U. S. S. Nautilus, 16 
 
 III. Philadelphia in war times — ^The good ship Nautilus — Putting 
 
 the ship in commission, 26 
 
 IV. Sailing day — Sealed orders— Hampton Roads — The Congress 
 
 and Cumberland — Norfolk— Longstreet at Suffolk — War in 
 
 earnest, 40 
 
 V. The conquered city and people — Insults — Revived hopes — 
 Virginia money — Rebel literature — The Confederate alpha- 
 bet — Growlers, 49 
 
 VI. At sea— Confederate account of the Hampton Roads fight — 
 Cliase of the Florida— The first prize— The norther— Old 
 
 Brenneman, 64 
 
 VII. Land ho ! — Havana — Fights with blockade-runners — Moro 
 Castle — The mysterious shot— The blockade-runner Vic- 
 toria, 81 
 
 VIII. Stopped by Moro — The chase and capture -The Florida Keys 
 
 — Rio coffee — George Washington's cranium, ... 95 
 
 IX. Madam Fontana's party — Turtlers — How to eat an orange — 
 Kingfishers, conchs and sponges — The Queen of the Conchs 
 
 — Sailor's sports, 107 
 
 X. Chase of the Mississippi — Capture of the Fanchon — Gone to 
 Davy Jones' locker — The strange schooner — Careswell's 
 story— The Victoria Regia, 121 
 
 XI. The coast of Florida — A paradise for sportsmen — Florida 
 regulators — Sanlxirn's disaster — A cutting-out expedition — 
 Taking a fort — A midnight raid — Rough reception — The 
 supply steamer — Distributing the mail, .... 137 
 XII. A wardroom reception — Orange flowers — An Irishman's fall 
 — Bloss' aunt — A naval receipt — Steering a brig — Total 
 eclipse of the sun — An emetic— Buttons' whiskey — The 
 explosion — The ship's donkey — Fire in the fore-hold, . 159 
 
8 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 XIII. The tender, Rosalie — A rebel attack — Old Harrington's no- 
 
 tions — Trip to Key West — Promotion — The refugee soldiers 
 — Attack on Fort Myers — Quarter-deck gossip — Asleep on 
 watch, 170 
 
 XIV. Growling at the caterer — Pelican stew — Salvini's offer — 
 
 Struck by lightning — The Tampa expedition — Steerage 
 sport — Short, spirited drills — The stolen shoes — The court- 
 martial— Gophers, 183 
 
 XV. The relief— Key West again — The party aboard ship — Ave ' 
 
 Maria — General quarters — Good night, .... 195 
 XVI. Homeward bound — Water-spouts— Sunday inspection — My 
 native land — The Captain's speech — Out of commission — 
 Bitter-sweet thoughts on watch 203 
 
CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Harry Careswell was born on the New England sea- 
 coast. His paternal ancestors could be traced back in historic 
 pages to those hardy pilgrims, who established a home upon 
 the bleak hills of Plvniouth, in the piercing winds of Decem- 
 ber, 1620. 
 
 Harry's father had lived and worked upon a farm and 
 attended school during the winters, in a little yellow school- 
 house upon the hill a mile away, until his desire to know 
 more of books and men and the great world, induced him to 
 go to a neighboring town, where he found employment as a 
 clerk in a general store. Here he worked by day and studied 
 by night, saving his wages carefully, until he was able to enter 
 one of the New England colleges, from which he graduated 
 so well, that he was offered the chair of English Language and 
 Literature. He preferred to teach a country school during the 
 winter, and to pursue the study of architecture, for which he 
 had a great liking, during the rest of the year in the city of 
 Boston. After some years, he settled in the same town where 
 he had been a clerk, and carried on the business of an archi- 
 tect, though he still kept up his nomadic habit of teaching a 
 country school in winter when the heavy snows of that climate 
 prevented all buihling operations. 
 
 The leading merchant of this town was of pure Dutch de- 
 scent, an honest, able, courageous man, who had crossed and 
 recrossed the ocean many times upon his commercial ventures. 
 He was proud of his enterprise, his warehouses and ships, but 
 prouder still of his English wife and his seven beautiful chil- 
 dren. He felt that, " whosoever commands the sea, commands 
 the trade of the world ; who-ioever commands the trade of the 
 
10 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 world, commands tlie riches of the world, and consequently, 
 the world itself;" l>ut the sea, the riches of the world, and 
 the world itself, were only the means whereby he could edu- 
 cate his family and give them a luxurious home, and he lav- 
 ished his money for these objects. His children were given 
 the best education attainable, and his home was adorned by 
 curiosities and treasures of art, brought to him by his ships 
 irom distant parts of the world. 
 
 The young teacher-architect had been in this great mer- 
 chant's employment and confidence ; he had entered his charm- 
 ing family circle, and fallen deeply in love with one of the 
 daughters. He was looked kindly upon by her, but he felt 
 there was too great a difference between their positions in life, 
 that he must win fame and competence, before he could ask 
 her to be his wife. He worked, watched and waited. 
 
 A great commercial crisis came; business cares multiplied, 
 became oppressive, crushing; the great merchant's health gave 
 way ; he involved his affairs in confusion, and sank into a 
 fever which terminated his life. The former trusted clerk was 
 em|)loyed to take charge of the disordered business. He put 
 to fliglit the rascals, who had taken advantage of their princi- 
 pal's feebleness to rob him ; fought step by step the cormorants, 
 who had seized upon the assets by false and fraudulent claims, 
 and succeeded in clearing and saving a slender estate for the 
 family. 
 
 The eldest daughter had materially assisted the young archi- 
 tect in settling up affairs, as she had been her Other's favorite 
 and confidante. The daily intercourse had increased his love 
 and admiration for her, and revealed to her that she could not 
 be happy without him. It was a true love match, and, one 
 year later, they were married. 
 
 Harry Careswell was the first-born of this union. He grew 
 to be a well developed, shapely lad, with brown hair and 
 eyes, and a graceful and energetic movement, and took great 
 pleasure in all kinds of athletic sports. 
 
 Harry was not particularly brilliant at school. The objects 
 and incidents of the busy world attracted his attention, now 
 here, now there, and led his mind from the pursuit of knowl- 
 edge in books to studies in nature; but he managed to gradu- 
 ate at the High School at the age of sixteen years. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 11 
 
 His curriculum of studies embraced much more tlian those 
 ordaiue<l bv the very efficient school-boards of New England. 
 He knew every hill and valley, field and forest, brook and 
 lake, within ten miles of his native city. He knew where the 
 best berries and beech-nuts grew, the squirrels were most 
 numerous, the rabbits had their hiding ])laces, and the flocks 
 of partridges hid in the dark, damp copses. He could tell a 
 chub from a perch, a trout from a pickerel, and a flounder 
 from a sculpin, the moment one seized his hook. He had 
 rowed, sailed, fished and skated over all the neighboring ponds 
 and the beautiful bay near his home, and had followed every 
 stream around, from its source, through woods and fields, 
 until it broadened in the sunny meadows, and furnished poor 
 fishiug, but excellent wading-places for the lazy cows. He 
 delighted to roam along shore, to gather queer stones and 
 shells, to have clam-bakes by driftwood fires, and to spend 
 hours and days in swimming, and boating, and climbing over 
 the schooners, brigs and ships, that were always lying at the 
 wharves in the harbor. He had inherited one grandfather's 
 love of rural scenes, and the other's love of adventure and 
 fearlessness of the sea, and wished to become a sailor. It is 
 not surprising that the greatest business of his native city, 
 that of ship-building antl maritime commerce, attracted Harry's 
 attention. His parents had other hopes for him, however, 
 and set liim to work to prepare for college. He said all he 
 could against it, droned over his classics, and slipped away to 
 the woods or the vessels whenever he had an opportunity, but 
 his parents kept the one object in view, and made him very 
 unhappy. They were awakened to their folly one afternoon 
 rather painfully. A great ship was to sail for New Orleans, 
 and one of Harry's playmates brought them the intelligence 
 that Harry was going in her. His father went to the vessel 
 and learned that Harry had shipped as a boy before the mast, 
 and already had some of his clothes on board. The parents 
 were shocked and terribly grieved, and sought to change 
 Harry's desire to adopt such a rough life; but he was sullen 
 and rebellious, and told them, if they did not let him go then, 
 he would go some day ; so with many misgivings and tears, 
 they finally consented to let him make the voyage, and fitted 
 him out in a comfortable manner. 
 
12 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Harry was delighted, and showed his affection for his father 
 and mother in so many ways, that their forebodings and heart- 
 aclies were in part assuaged. When the time came for him to 
 leave, he felt so badly that he wished he could remain at home, 
 but he was too proud to recede, and, taking Good-bye kisses, 
 he choked back his sobs, pulled his hat down to hide his tears, 
 and went on board the good ship Heron. He immediately 
 joined the sailors in getting up anchor and making things 
 ready for sea. He knew all the gear of a ship and made him- 
 self "so useful, that he was soon upon good terms with the 
 sailors and officers. The sails were spread one by one, the 
 bowsprit was pointed seaward, a lively breeze filled the snowy 
 canvas, the noble ship sped on her course, and long before 
 sunset, the salt sea mists had blotted out the last headland that 
 marl^ed the bay before Harry's native city. ^ 
 
 Harry and another boy had a little room adjoining the 
 cook's galley where they kept their sea-chests and slept; but 
 they took their " grub " with the other sailors in the forecastle, 
 in the forward part of the same deck-house. One boy was 
 put in the port watch and the other in the starboard, and their 
 duties were many, onerous and perilous. The highest climb- 
 ing fell to their lot. The royals, the highest square sails upon 
 the masts, were loosed, furled and kept in order by them. 
 They were obliged to scrape, and grease or paint the highest 
 spars; to ride down in a boatswain's chair and tar the highest 
 ropes; to repair the chafings and secure mats upon the stays, 
 in the giddiest and most inaccessible places ; to accompany the 
 other sailors in loosing, reefing and furling the heavy sails; 
 to hold the turn or bear a hand in all pulling and hauling 
 ropes; to help wash the decks, paint the hull, steer'the ship, 
 row the boats in harbor, and pound the iron-rust from the 
 cables and anchors. When there was nothing else to do, 
 blocks had to be strapped, ropes knotted and spliced, and old 
 hemp rope picked into oakum — the latter, the usual employ- 
 ment for rainy days and Sundays. The sailor's command- 
 ment is different from the one in the Bible. It is, 
 
 "Six (lavs slialt thou labor and do all thou art able ; 
 The seventh day, wash down decks and scour the cable." 
 
 The merchant Sailor before the mast has a laborious, un- 
 comfortable and dangerous life. He swings through the air 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 13 
 
 high above the ship upon a slender spav or rope, sometimes tra- 
 versing an angle of forty-five degrees, as the ship rolls in a heavy 
 sea, clinging with feet and one hand for life, while the other 
 hand works for his master. He battles to secure stiflp, heavy, 
 })prhaps icy sails, that are slatting around before a rising gale, 
 ill imminent danger of being knocked overboard. He holds 
 on to rail and ropes, as the heavy seas dash over, and works 
 in wet clothes and sleeps in a wet bunk sometimes for weeks 
 together. He gets poor food and poor wages ; he is often 
 cursed and knocked about by the officers, and works as hard 
 in loading and discharging cargo as a dock laborer. He is 
 exposed to frigid, and pestilential climates; to the dangers of 
 the sea, and to the perils of immorality that surround him 
 whenever he sets his foot on shore. 
 
 These hardships and dangers are little considered by the 
 sentimental landsman, who sees a beautiful ship moving over 
 the shallow waves of a harbor, or watches her gentle rise and 
 fall upon the puny billows of the sea-coast on a summer's day. 
 
 Rough countries and climates develop sturdy, energetic 
 men, and* none other can endure the hardships and face the 
 dangers of the sea successfully. Harry was a product of the 
 New England sea-coast, whence come the best and bravest 
 sailors in the world, and he did not shirk his duty, nor suffer 
 his moral character to be contaminated by his associates. His 
 lessons of truth and virtue had been well taught by good 
 parents, and he passed unscathed through fourteen months of 
 life before the mast. The ship made several voyages during 
 this period, nearly foundered in a gale off Newfoundland, 
 lost a deck-load of timber in a hurrieane off Bermuda, spilled 
 a deck-load of molasses into the sea off the coast of Cuba, and 
 was finally wrecked u])on the iron-bound coast of Maine. 
 
 Harry was saved, and was greeted as a hero by his native 
 city. He had become wiser and better, and had lost his desire 
 to be a merchant sailor. He laid aside his blue shirt and pea- 
 jacket, cleaned the tar stains from his calloused hands, and 
 spent the next eight months in reading law. 
 
 A vacancy at the Naval Academy was to be filled by the 
 Congressman of Harry's district. The Hon. Mr. About said 
 one day to Mr. Cares well : " Your son has grit. I like his 
 ways. He has given evidence of courage and ability. He 
 
14 CKUISING AND BLOCKADIlsG. 
 
 fame liome after several voyages and a shijDwreok, laid aside 
 liis sailor dress, and settled down to quiet pursuits. He lias 
 no bad habits, and no one would know from his manners or 
 conversation that he had ever been a sailor. I should like to 
 appoint him to the Naval Academy." 
 
 Mr. Careswell thanked him for the good opinion of his son 
 and his kind offer, and said he would consult Harry upcm the 
 subject. Harry was delighted with the idea of being a mid- 
 shipman, and went to call upon his Congressman. 
 
 The matter was soon arranged, and Harry prepared for 
 examination. He received an official document, with a pon- 
 derous seal, from the Navy Department, in August, which 
 directed him to rei>ort on a certain date to the Commandant 
 of Midi-hipmen, at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 
 for examination. He presented himself there before a board 
 of naval officers, resj)leudent in gold lace, broiized and gray, 
 kind but critical, and passed the physical and mental exami- 
 nations easily and successfully. 
 
 He was assigned a room in Building No. 1, with a middy 
 from New York State; changed his civilian dress for the 
 cadet uniform; got his books from the store-keeper, and set- 
 tled down into the regular routine life of the Academy. 
 
 One day he received the following document: 
 
 " Navy Depaetjient, Seplember, I80-. 
 "Sir: 
 
 " You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in tlie Navy of the 
 United States from the 10th day of September, 185-. 
 
 "If, after the course of attendance at the Naval Academy, prescribed 
 by tlie Revised Regulations, approved .January 25, 1855. you shall satisfac- 
 torily pass the graduating examination, you will receive from the Academic 
 Board the 'certificate of graduation,' referred to in the 5th section of the 
 (Ith chapter of the above Regulations, which shall entitle you to a Warrant. 
 as a Midshipman in the United States Navy, bearing the date of the cer- 
 tificate. If, however, you shall fail to obtain such certificate, you will be 
 d)-op))ed from the list. 
 
 "Enclosed is a copy of the requisite oath, which when taken and sub- 
 scribed, you will transmit to the Department with your letter of accept- 
 ance, in which you will state your age. 
 
 " I am. respectfully, 
 
 " Your obedient servant, 
 " Isaac Toucey, 
 
 "Secretary of the Navy. 
 " Acting Midshipman 
 
 "Harry Careswell, 
 
 " From the Third Cong. Dist. of M." 
 
A ^AVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. J 5 
 
 Harry took the oath to support the Constitution of the 
 United States, and became a regular officer of the Navy. Tlie 
 four classes of the institution were divided into sections; the 
 professors arranged their recitations ; the hours for study, drill 
 and recreation were promulgated by the officers, and the new 
 life began in earnest. 
 
16 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The beautiful campus of the Academy lay upon the right 
 bank of the Severn river and fronted upon Chesapeake Bay. 
 The two sides towards the water were faced by a sea-wall at 
 the level of the ground. The two towards the city were 
 limited by a high wall, pierced by a guarded iron gate. Thus 
 middies were kept in and civilians out. Special permission 
 was necessary to pass the guard. Freedom gained by the 
 water way depended upon the tide or a boat, and was indulged 
 in at considerable danger of discovery. 
 
 The buildings within the walls consisted of dwellings for 
 the officers; dormitories for the middies; a large recitation- 
 hall of many rooms, including the mess-hall and kitchen ; an 
 astronomical observatory ; a hospital ; a chapel ; several store- 
 houses ; a boat-house; an armory ; a laboratory ; a gas manu- 
 factory, and several minor structures. A small fort of twelve 
 guns occupied the corner of the campus towards the bay, and 
 a wharf to its left projected out into the Severn river. The 
 grounds were smooth, and shaded along the walks by trees. 
 A beautiful monument near the observatory honored the 
 memory of the hero, Lieut. Ilerndon, who w-ent down with 
 his ship, after he had given every chance of rescue to his 
 passengers and crew. A fleet of boats and one yacht dimpled 
 the waters of the Severn at the boat house, and the distant 
 hanks of the river and bay fringed a beautiful country of val- 
 ley, hill and forest. 
 
 No lovelier or more salubrious spot could be selected for a 
 home for students, nor one better adapted to the requirements 
 of a naval school. Harry was in love with it from the first, 
 and performed all his duties with earnestness and zeal. These 
 were not light by any means, and they severely taxed him 
 physically and mentally. In those days, the middy arose at 
 sunrise to the stormy music of the drum and fife, calling the 
 "reveille;" swept his room; made his bed; finished his toilet; 
 reported at roll-call on parade upon the portico in front of the 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 17 
 
 mess-liall, and marched to prayers in the ehapel. He then 
 returned to the portico and marched into the mess-hall to 
 breakfast. Eaclf- table in the mess-hall was occupied by a 
 gun's crew, as detailed at the fort, and the captain of the gun, 
 a first classman, sat at the liead and kept order, A half hour 
 was allowed for the meal, and then a short time was spent in 
 any way the cadets chose. Study and recitations began at 8 
 A.M., and continued till 1 P.M. — the classes assembling at the 
 call of the bugle. 
 
 The drum and fife played the familiar tune of "roast beef" 
 at 1 o'clock, when the students formed parade quickly and 
 marched to dinner. Study and recitation began again at 2 
 and continued till 4.15 o'clock, then the drum and fife called 
 to quarters, and there was a drill in small-sword, broad-sword, 
 infantry or field artillery till 5.30 or 6 p.m. At 6.30, roll-call 
 and parade were followed by a half hour supper; study began 
 at 7 and ended at 9.30, and "taps" of the drum, at 10 P.M., 
 warned every midshipman to extinguish his lights and go to 
 l)ed. This was the regular routine every day except Saturday 
 and Sunday. 
 
 Saturday, study ceased at 10 A.M., the drum beat to quar- 
 ters at 10.15, the midshipmen manned the guns in the fort, 
 and fired at a target of timber and canvas, a mile distant out 
 in the bay, until 12 M. They spent the next hour in getting 
 new books, clothes, etc., at the store-house, went to dinner at 
 the usual time, and used the balance of the afternoon and 
 evening in recreation — half of them going out in the city on 
 leave alternate weeks. Saturday evening was the joUiest time 
 of the whole week. The band played in the fencing-hall for 
 the middies to dance with each other; leave fellows came in 
 from town with taffy, oyster-patties, cake, wine and cigars, 
 and inaugurated little sup|)er-|)arties in out-of-the way places, 
 and card-parties were formed and pipes lighted, while a faith- 
 ful watch was kept for the officer-of-the-day, who, in many 
 cases, be it said to his honor, kept him.self in his office. Taps 
 were not heard in the social din or were ignored ; darkness 
 reigned; but quiet stories, smothered laughter and glowing 
 pipes, showed where the groups were shrouded in their me- 
 phitic, nicotine vapors; shadowy forms moved around the 
 campus and sped swiftly away at the approach of a watch- 
 
18 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 man, and, down upon tlie sea-wall, a long line of dark, loung- 
 ing forms bordered the placid waters and shook their tell-tale 
 ashes into the briny river. 
 
 The Naval Academy was officially asleep at 10 p.m., but 
 the middies of the institution were communing with kindred 
 spirits and the stars, and building visionary fabrics of future 
 glory till long past midniglit. Who that has been there can 
 ever forget those hours wrenched from despotism and stolen 
 from sleep? Who can ever forget the officers-of-the-day, who 
 assumed the beds were all filled in the dormitories, and scorned 
 to play sneaking detectives with their subjects? Generations 
 of midshipmen remember and love them, and generations yet 
 to come will have the same debts to pay, for Yankee middies 
 change not as the world changes. 
 
 Sunday was well kept by the midshipmen. After break- 
 fast, every one dressed in full uniform, then the whole corps 
 was inspected by the executive lieutenant in charge, at 11 a.m., 
 and marched to chapel, where the cliaplain conducted the 
 beautiful service of the Episcopal Church. After dinner, 
 midsiii[)men, who had applied for the privilege, went out in 
 tlie city lor afternoon church ; a study hour was kept from 3 
 to 4 o'clock ; supper followed at the usual time, and the even- 
 ing study and taps were the same as on week days. The dis- 
 cipline and military training of midshipmen were excellent; 
 the coui-se of study was varied and thorough, though there 
 was a lamentable absence of natural history ; but the crowd- 
 ing of meals and study hours so closely together, the severe 
 demands made upon the minds of youths developing rapidly, 
 and the imprudence of many, released from parental control, 
 caused a large percentage of failures at examination and fail- 
 ures of health, and made an annual loss to the navy of men 
 who would have honored her. Some of the best officers of 
 the old navy were not remarkable for fine scholarship when 
 students at the academy. 
 
 Harry enjoyed his new life greatly and stood well in his 
 class. His practical knowledge of seamanship, gained in the 
 merchant service, permitted more time for the other studies, 
 and he needed it. Many a night he covered the windows and 
 the door of his room with quilts to hide the light and studie(! 
 till after midnight. He wrote to his father, on one occasion : 
 
A NAVAL STOnY OF THE LATE WAR. 19 
 
 *' You may imagine how we have to work, when I tell yoii 
 that we went through /)or?W Bourdon's Algebra tliree times in 
 five months, and JJacies' Legcndre's Geometry four times in 
 four months — the last time, taking a book at a lesson." 
 
 The Academy gave a technical education, and inculcated 
 morality and a high sense of honor. The middies belonged 
 to all parts of the United States, and were representatives of 
 the manners, thoughts and prejudices of the sections from 
 which they were appointed. The cool, logical humanitarian 
 from the North roomed and associated with the passionate 
 pro-slavery advocate from the South. Although politics were 
 tabooed by the regulations, there was more or less {)olitical 
 discussion among the middies, and this often led to personal 
 difficulties. These were settled by friends or fists. Among 
 men brtd to the profession of arms, it was natural that every 
 one should protect himself and resent insults by the only 
 means within his power. Not to do so was a disgrace which 
 few cared to endure, and some few timid or Christian charac- 
 ters were made miserable for years by taunts of cowardice, and 
 social ostracism, because they had not vindicated their honor 
 vi et onnis at the critical moment of trial. Yet, there was a 
 great deal of friendship and good feeling among the middies, 
 and they would rally in force to resent anv invasion of their 
 rights by the boys of Annapolis, their superior officei-s, or even 
 the Dejiartment at Washington. 
 
 The Commandant of midshipmen and his staff recognized 
 the rights of students, and were not too .strenuous in enforcing 
 the law against one who had defended his honor. At general 
 quarters on board ship, during a practice cruise, a middy, act- 
 ing as second sponger, accidentally dropped the sponire upon 
 the foot of a fastidious comrade, who was acting as train- 
 tackleman, and immediately said, "I beg ])ardon." 
 
 The latter mumbled, "You are no gentleman." 
 
 " What did you say?" asked the former. 
 
 " You are no gentleman," was the re})Iy, loud enough for 
 the whole gun's crew to hear. 
 
 The words were hardly out of his mouth before he was 
 knocked down by the aspersed middy. He was ordered to 
 report to the captain for fighting at quarters — a heinous offence 
 against discipline. The captain heard the story from the 
 
20 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 principals and witnesses, and placed both middies under arrest. 
 He told one of his officers, later, that he had punished one for 
 striking a comrade at quarters, and the other for insulting him 
 and not striking back. 
 
 The niost of the buildings of the Academy were heated by 
 steam, and, on cold winter days, the heat was not always 
 sufficient to go around. A number of midshipmen were sick 
 at the hospital, and appealed to the surgeon's steward to have 
 fire in the grates, that liad been painted and closed for a long 
 time. He refused. They took their newspapers, broke up 
 several chairs, and made a brisk fire. The smell of burning 
 paint soon penetrated to the office below and aroused the 
 olfactory organs and the ire of Monsieur B. Up he came 
 with haste, and demanded the reason for the act and the names 
 of those who had destroyed Government pro|)erty. Every 
 middy in the hospital had helped, and the honors were equally 
 divided. A second classman was the leader, and he defied the 
 steward and threatened to report the condition of the heating 
 apparatus to the Department. The affiiir was amicably set- 
 tled by an agreement to pay for the property used, and the 
 steward promised not to report to the surgeon. 
 
 The next morning the surgeon came to visit the patients 
 and said to Mr. C, " Put out your tongue ! Why did you 
 break those chairs last night?" 
 
 " To protect us all from cold," was the firm answer. 
 
 " Well, sir ; I shall report you to the commandant." 
 
 " Very well, sir ; 1 shall report you to the Department for 
 cruelty to sick midshipmen in freezing them in the hospital." 
 
 There was no report made upon either side, but the next 
 time that second classman went to the hospital with a head- 
 ache. Monsieur B. gave him a gobletful of a most villainous 
 compound of senna and salts. 
 
 The teachers of the Academy were lieutenants, lieutenant- 
 oonimanders and naval instructors — the latter in the minority. 
 Studies were recited in the rooms of the mess-hall. Every 
 Saturday noon, the bulletin-boards in the vestibule recorded 
 the standing of each middy in his section and class, and they 
 were the rallying points until each one had copied down his 
 averages. Here the professors were discussed freely, and ap- 
 proved or condemned according to their markings. Here 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF TEIE LATE WAR. 21 
 
 orders were posted and sundry epigrams and poetic eifusions 
 exhibited. One might read, " Through cramps to crown ;" 
 " Through straits the great and grand we reach, through study 
 touch the stars ;" " Per ardua ad astra ;" " Per ardua ad 
 augusta," etc. 
 
 The months flew by. The time was so fille<l by studies, 
 drilling, recreation and sleej), that the June examinations and 
 the Board of Examinei-s arrived too soon for the last sections 
 of the clai^ses. Regular order was changed, and new orders 
 were issued. 
 
 The examinations; the inspections; the exhibition drills 
 with swords, muskets, field-howitzers and heavy guns ; the 
 large number of civilians and officers coming and going; the 
 presence of beautiful ladies in squads and battalions; the 
 graduating exercises of the first class; the brilliant naval ball 
 in the mess-hall, to which many i)ersons came from Baltimore 
 and Washington ; the disgust and grief of those middies who 
 had "bilged" in examination; the joy of those who had 
 passed and were getting ready to go upon a practice cruise in 
 a real man-of-war, or upon leave to see their friends; the 
 good-bye suppers and smokes; the hearty cheers of the send- 
 offs; all these, contributed to make those June days exciting 
 and forever memorable. Discipline was relaxed in a measure, 
 and none but the meanest of men care<l to confine the middies 
 to their quarters after " taps," or to follow a suspicious smell 
 of smoke to its origin. 
 
 One night, the dormitories were prepared for a visitor. A 
 bombastic, martinet lieutenant, fond of whiskey, was on duty 
 as executive officer, and the middies knew he would come 
 around as a smelling committee about midnight. He came, 
 odorous and funny with wines, resplendent in a new uniform, 
 and accompanied by one of the half-dozen academy police. 
 He walked to the hall door of No. 1, pushed it incautiously 
 open and stepped in ; a ])ail of dirty water, gathered from the 
 rooms, had been poised upon the door, and it descended and 
 ducked hira thoroughly. He rushed through the rooms, 
 peered into each sleeping (?) middy's face, and then went 
 down to No. 2. Heedless and enraged, he pushed open the 
 door and received a second baptism. He would have had 
 others, had he not been cooled by his receptions, and ordered 
 
22 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 the policeman to make further investigations with a pole. 
 Tlie new uniform was ruined; the midshipmen were cross- 
 examined unskilfully by a sympathetic commander next day, 
 and no one was found guilty, so cunningly had the division of 
 labor been accom])lished. 
 
 The June examinations and festivities were soon over, and 
 half the middies went upon leave and waiting oixlers, and the 
 other half to sea in a regular man-of-war, for two months, to 
 learn practical seamanship and navigation. Plarry went with 
 his class on the practice cruise, and took a high standing in 
 nautical studies on account of his jirevious experience. The 
 sloop-of-war Plymouth, a full rigged ship, carrying eight 
 guns and a crew of about one hundred and fifty officers and 
 men, had been sent around to Annapolis early in June, and 
 lay in the middle of the Severn with yards squared, ropes 
 taut, guns frowning from her port-holes, and the flag of our 
 country floating from the spanker gaif. Two classes of mid- 
 shipmen with their luggage were transferred from the wharf 
 to the ship's spacious deck, and introduced to the steerage, 
 where they were domiciled during the voyage. It was im- 
 possible to stow over a hundrerl middies in such narrow quar- 
 ters for sleeping, except by swinging them in hammocks. 
 Each middy was allotted a number and two hooks for swing- 
 ing his hammock close up beneath the beams of the deck. 
 The hooks for each sleeper were near together laterally, but 
 the hammock slings at each end permitted one to introduce 
 liis legs between them and over the corner of his canvas, and, 
 by lifting himself by the arms, and working his body like a 
 corkscrew, he could finally worm himself into it. This was 
 probably as comfortable a way of getting aboard as any. 
 
 To land securely in a hammock at sea requires an amount 
 of dexterity that is found only in a sailor or an acrobat. If 
 you jump for it, you crack your head against the beams and 
 find it is not there. If you lay your body across it and 
 wrijrgle your legs, it takes your breath and interferes with 
 yuur neighbors. If you get a good hold and launch yourself 
 suddenly towards its middle, it slips away from you like an 
 eel in the grass and lands you down below. It is better to 
 stand alongside the hammock, take hold of the head with the 
 right hand, put the left leg over one side of the canvas, push 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE AVAR. 23 
 
 yourself cautiously and slowly between its two sides, watch 
 your chance, give a vigorous kick with the right leg and roll 
 right into bed. 
 
 The ventilation of the steerage was by the hatches and wind- 
 sails, and was not remarkably successful. There was an odor 
 similar to that of a zoological garden about four bells in the 
 mid- watch, but the excess of fresh air on deck fully compen- 
 sated for the foul below, and no one's health suffered. Occa- 
 sionally an asphyxiating middy would sling his hammock 
 between two guns upon the gun-deck above, or stretch out on 
 camp-stools, if the sea was quiet. This was against orders, 
 and bi'ought reprimand and ridicule sometimes, which did not 
 cause much suffering. Every middy lashed up his hammock, 
 took it upon deck, and had it stowed in the rack along the 
 rail in the morning, and thus the steerage was left free, with 
 its table and camp-stools, for meals, writing, studying and 
 lounging daring the day. The bull's-eyes let in enough light 
 for all purposes during pleasant weather, and the gun-deck 
 above was used amidships for reading and recitations. The 
 jiort side of the quarter-deck and the gangway, covered by 
 the blue sky or, in part, by an awning, furnished room for 
 exercise and ex|)osure to sunliglit. In these spaces over a 
 hundred midshipmen lived, moved, studied and worked during 
 two summer months at sea. 
 
 A i)ractice cruise in old times differed from every other kind 
 of cruise. There were more midilies to every square foot of 
 deck than could be found anywhere else afloat, and they were 
 obligeil to perform many of the duties of the common sailor 
 in order to familiarize themselves with everything practical 
 ptrtaining to their profession. Annapolis gave a liberal edu- 
 cation and taught theory ; the practice ships taught manipu- 
 lation and manoeuvres, and improved the mind by experience 
 and travel. 
 
 The midshipmen on the practice cruise were divided into 
 watches and stationed in different parts of the ship; they did 
 regular duty day and night, and acted now as sailors, now as 
 officers, according to command. They knotted and spliced 
 ropes; fitted rigging to spars ; bent, unbent, loosed, reefed and 
 furled sails; sent yards and topmasts up and down; cast the 
 lead; threw the log; had tricl<s (of steering) at the wheel; 
 
"24 CRUISIJSG AKB BLOCKADING, 
 
 itook time sights Avith the sextant for longitude; caught the 
 •sun at meridian for latitude; drilled in all the different 
 manoeuvres of sailing a man-of-war; exercised at fire quarters 
 with hose and boats, and at general quarters with small arras 
 and heavy guns. They had regular lessons in navigation; 
 found time to read some general literature; kept their clothes 
 in order, and attended service and Sabhath-school on Sunday. 
 The time was fully occupied and every hour brought its duties. 
 Many persons imagine there is little to do at sea except to trim 
 the sails and spin yarns. There never was a greater mistake. 
 Merchant sailors are kept busy enough upon ship work, but a 
 man-of-war with her large crew is a perfect hive of industry. 
 
 The good sloop-of-war carried her precious freight safely to 
 Europe and l)ack again without serious accident. When the 
 anchor was dropped in the Severn, and the Academy band 
 came down on the wharf and played " Home Again," starting 
 tears and loud hurrahs testified to the gladness of the impris- 
 oned midshipmen at their return. This was even more mani- 
 fest the next day, when they landed and took up their quarters 
 in rooms for the third aud first classes; the caterer, waiters, 
 policemen and room servants were greeted heartily; Dorsey, 
 Johnson, Simmons and other favorite colored men were given 
 commissions for the town, and the first few nights ashore were 
 celebrated merrily by music, dancing, suppers, smokes and 
 hazing the new fourth classmen, many of whom had already 
 arrived. 
 
 Hazing is looked upon by moralists and those who have 
 never been to college, as outrageous, nay, almost heinous ; but 
 those who have borne and done their share of it bear no malice 
 against any one. It is an experience of college life which few 
 care to invite, yet most persons are glad to have passed through. 
 It becomes sometimes cruel and illegal, and should be re- 
 -strained within reasonable limits. 
 
 It was midnight at the Academy, and a fourth classman 
 slept sweetly in his narrow iron bedstead by the wall, 'The 
 door of the room was opened stealthily, and two youths walked 
 on ti])toe, one to the foot, the other to the head of the bed. 
 They raised the bedstead steadily from the floor, turued it 
 rapidly over, and deposited the sleeper upon the floor, with 
 the mattress aud bedstead upon him. Shouts of laughter from 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 25 
 
 a dozen witnesses, and hastily retreating footsteps, informed 
 the buried, dazed middy of the perpetrators. He rubbed 
 arnica upon his bruises, made uj) his bed and went to sleep. 
 The next day he made no complaints, but gathered from the 
 significant looks of several Southerners that they were the 
 guilty hazers. He took the attack so quietly that they thought 
 this son of New England was afraid, and so tried their game 
 again a few weeks later. Two middies sought the ends of his 
 bed and were about to raise it, when the sleeper arose with a 
 broomstick, which he had hidden under the coverlet, and gave 
 them a mighty beating as far as the outer hall door. This 
 was the last time his bed was disturbed, 
 
 Harry went home on leave at the end of the second school 
 year ; made a short cruise along the coast as a second class- 
 man, the next summer; graduated the following June, as one 
 of the star members of his class, and received his commission 
 as midshipman. He was soon after ordered to the Charles- 
 town Navy Yard, where he was engaged some months drilling 
 volunteer officers in smallarms and infantry tactics. He then 
 made a cruise to Bermuda and Charleston ; returned to the 
 Brooklyn Navy Yard ; was examined and promoted to Ensign, 
 and ordered to the sloop-of-war Nautilus, fitting for sea at the 
 Philadelphia Navy Yard. 
 
26 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The great war for the preservation of the Union had gone 
 on with varying fortunes for several months. The Quaker 
 City was full of strange faces and uniforms. Squads of sol- 
 diers were marching here and there. The drum and fife were 
 heard in all parts. The Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloons 
 were besieged daily by car-loads of soldiers, who stopped only 
 long enough to satisfy urgent hunger with the gootl food jiro- 
 vided, and then hurried onward to the front. The jokes, 
 handkerchief flirtations, laughter, cheers and martial music of 
 the merry, rollicking soldiers, en route from the North, were 
 in strange contrast to the low sobs, the sad, earnest Good-byes 
 and the wailing anguish of women, with children clinging to 
 them, taking a last leave of their husbands who were under 
 marching orders. Strong men wrung each other's hands, and 
 parted in silence, unable to speak from emotion ; others cried 
 noisily to keep from unseemly laughter, or laughed hysteri- 
 cally to restrain unmanly tears. 
 
 The bulletin boards at the newspaper offices were surrounded 
 by crowds eagerly reading the latest news; newsboys were 
 shouting late editions with reports of the last battle, and 
 quietly dressed ladies, witli parcels and baskets, were flitting 
 about the hospitals and ministering to the wants of the 
 wounded. Everywhere one was met by strange scenes for the 
 staid city of Penn. Everybody talked war, read of battles, 
 dreamed of desperate adventures of arms, and walked the 
 streets with shoulders thrown back and feet keeping time with 
 the taps of the drum. The ladies by their home firesides were 
 scraping lint, cutting and rolling bandages, making haver- 
 sacks, and fitting out sewing-cases for the soldier boys. Even 
 the children forsook their tamer toys, donned paper cocked 
 hats, and strutted around the rooms with mimic swords and 
 painted guns. Never before did a Christian people lay down 
 the arts of peace and become so thoroughly and rapidly per- 
 meated by the martial spirit. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 27 
 
 Harry came over to Philadelphia by a morning train, and, 
 strolling about the city in the afternoon, he realized for the 
 firhit time that there was a great war in progress. He spent 
 the evening with a family which had long been associated with 
 others in aiding the escape of negro slaves from bondage, and 
 found the ladies, young and old, engaged in making bandages. 
 The lady of the house, a very intelligent woman, well read 
 upon all the phases of politics which had precipitated the war, 
 gave him a rapid sketch of the rise and progress of the free 
 spirit in the North, and the selfishness, arrogance and treason- 
 able acts of the South. Harry had not paid much attention 
 to politics, as in ante-bellum times political discussions were 
 avoided in the Government service, and he had been too busy 
 till then studying his profession, but he acquired upon this 
 visit and subsequent ones clear ideas of the justice of the cause 
 for which he was expectetl to fight, which his reading and re- 
 flection increased. Many a time afterwards, when destroying 
 property and attacking the soldiers of the South, did the con- 
 victions then formed satisfy his mind and strengthen his reso- 
 lution against the enemies of his country. 
 
 Harry went down to the old navy yard at the foot of Fed- 
 eral St., the next morning after his arrival, and attempted to 
 pass the sentinel at the gate. 
 
 " You can't go in here,'' said he. 
 
 " But I want to see the sloop-of-war Nautilus," said Harry. 
 
 "Stand back, sir; no admission without a permit." 
 
 " A permit, hey ? Take a cigar, old fellow ; I only want 
 to look over the yard a little." 
 
 This softened the marine, but he glanced over to the guard- 
 room, saw the conversation had been heard by the corporal, and 
 refused with some show of anger. The corporal came over to 
 see what was the matter. 
 
 Harry unbuttoned his light overcoat, exposed his naval 
 buttons, and said, " This stupid fellow will not let me in, 
 when I want to see the Nautilus and report to the Commo- 
 dore." 
 
 A glimpse of the beautiful naval buttons cleared the cloud 
 from the sentinel's brow, as the sun sometimes lifts a New- 
 foundland fog bank, and he said, " Why didn't you tell me 
 you were an officer ? I thought you were some blasted spy," 
 
28 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 They all laughed. Harry gave each marine a cigar and 
 passed in. 
 
 The Commodore endorsed Harry's orders; told him his 
 ship would not be ready for some weeks, and he could remain 
 ill the city and report at the yard every morning until further 
 notice. 
 
 The navy yard was thronged with busy men, fitting out gun- 
 boats, sloops-of-war and ironclads for sea service. Howitzers 
 and heavy broadside and pivot guns, with and without car- 
 riages, were mingled with piles of solid shot and unfilled 
 shell ; timbers, coils of rope, anchors, chains, Avater-casks and 
 accumulated stores, lay around everywhere, obstructing the 
 paths and making locomotion a task. The ship-houses were 
 full of monster vessels approaching completion; merchant 
 ships, redolent with the spices of India, were having their 
 bulwarks pierced for guns; pretty schooner-rigged gunboats 
 were receiving the last touches from the carpenters and paint- 
 ers; two l)eautiful bark-rigged sloops-of-war were taking in 
 cables, anchors, guns and heavy stores alongside the dock, and 
 the clean, trim, old receiving-ship Princeton, full of men, lay 
 at anchor a little way out in the stream, as if quietly survey- 
 ing the scene with the feelings of an old pensioner, whose 
 fighting days had long been past. Harry looked around with 
 feelings of satisfaction and pride. The yard men treated him 
 with deference; the sailors greeted him with smiles and lifted 
 caps, and officers exchanged the naval salute with him, as 
 they moved around the yard, important with the duties en- 
 trusted to them. 
 
 Harry found the N^autilus to be one of the bark-rigged, 
 steam sloops-of-war before mentioned, and walked aboard by 
 the gang-])lank. He inspected her from stem to stern and was 
 very much pleased with everything. At last he stood by the 
 engine-room hatch and looked down u})on the ponderous en- 
 gines. He noticed a gentleman, with spectacles and a slouch 
 hat, standing upon the opposite side of the hatch, and re- 
 marked, " Fine engines those." 
 
 "Yes, rather larger than I have seen before," replied his 
 vis- a- vis. 
 
 "I like the ship, but I would not like to do duty down 
 there," said Harrv. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. IV 
 
 " Wouldn't you ? Well, I shall be obliged to do it." 
 
 "You are going in the ship then?" said Harry. "So am 
 1," and he went around to the stranger, presented his oard, 
 and received one in return. He read, " llichard Dayton, 
 Brooklyn, N. Y." 
 
 " You are an engineer then ?" said Harry. 
 
 " Yes, a third-assistant on my first cruise." 
 
 "Is it possible? You'll have a nice time being sea-sick 
 down there among the piston-rods and crank-pins." 
 
 " Perhaps so, but I've never been sea-sick yachting around 
 New York. My brother has a yacht, and I have often been 
 out a hundred miles from Sandy Hook." 
 
 " Well, I hope you will not. It is disagreeable, not to say 
 disgusting, but I've never experienced it myself" 
 
 " You go in the wardroom, I suppose?" said Dayton, glanc- 
 ing at the gold band upon Harry's sleeve. 
 
 " Yes, they say so. I've had my cruise in the steerage. I'd 
 rather go in the steerage though. Steerage life is jolly. You 
 need not be so particular about dress, what you say, and how 
 you act there. We had lots of fun in the last ship. The 
 steerage is a democracy. Social, ship, and government aifairs 
 can be discussed freely and fully there. We had a warm time 
 talking down the greasers in the opposite steerage." 
 
 "The what?" said Dayton. 
 
 " I beg pardon, I said the greasers, a terra sometimes ap- 
 plied to the engineers. I meant no offense. You see, we 
 sometimes became excited, and, when they called us market- 
 boys, because one of us had to go in charge of the early 
 market-boat in port to bring off fresh provisions, we retaliated 
 by calling them greasers, though of course they had only sci- 
 entific work to do in the engine-room. One must be careful 
 of speech and action in the wardroom, because the First Luff 
 lives there and might take notes sometimes. They have their 
 own sport there, I suppose, and I hear our executive is a jolly 
 good fellow. We shall see." 
 
 Dayton looked quizzically at Harry and said, 
 
 "You graduated at Annapolis?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "I graduated at the Polytechnic Institute at Troy." 
 
 "The deuce vou did ! — the finest civil engineering school in 
 
30 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tlio country. What can possess you to go out as third-assist- 
 ant?" 
 
 " Piitriotisni, or a desire to be of some use to the country in 
 her time of need," said Dayton earnestly. 
 
 Harry smiled, but the deep brown eyes looked calmly into 
 his and lie became grave immediately. It was a revelation to 
 him. He ai)proved of patriotism, of course. He had been 
 bred to arms and was an officer in the line of promotion. 
 Patriotism was easy for him. Here was a man of his own age, 
 thoroughly educated in science, and occupying a good position 
 in life, forsaking everything pleasant and going out on rather 
 unremunerative, dangerous and disagreeable service for love 
 of country. Harry was touched. He held out his hand and 
 said, " My dear fellow, I am glad to know you. I am sure 
 we shall be friends, whether our lots are cast in the steerage or 
 the wardroom. I have known too many educated engineers 
 not to have the greatest respect for their acquirements and their 
 profession. We shall meet again on board ship, until then. 
 Good-bye." 
 
 "Good-bye," said Dayton calmly, "I shall be glad to 
 renew our acquaintance." 
 
 Harry hurried ashore and left him looking down upon the 
 monster engines of the Nautilus, 
 
 A few days after this conversation, the Nautilus was dropped 
 away from the dock and anchored in the stream, and the offi- 
 cers were notified to be on hand before meridian, on Wednes- 
 day, as the ship was going into commission. Harry came 
 down with his luggage and was taken on board by a cutter, 
 in charge of an officer and crew from the Receiving-ship. He 
 had a fine view of his future home, as he moved rapidly over 
 the dimj)led Delaware. Never had he seen a more beautiful 
 vessel, and his heart swelled with pride at the thought of being 
 an officer of such a noble craft. 
 
 The hull was constructed of the best oak and Southern pine, 
 and every brace, bar and bolt, wrought of the best Pennsyl- 
 vania iron, had been carefully put in place under the watchful 
 eyes of the master builder. The seams were well caulked to 
 resist the searching currents of the sea. The bow and stern 
 had those exquisite curves and water lines, which distinguish 
 a yacht from a coaster, or a clipper from a Chinese junk. The 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 31 
 
 masts and other spars had the delicate taper of a lady's finger, 
 and the shrouds, stays, lifts and running gear, shone in the 
 morning sun like a gossamer web spun on the dewy grass. 
 
 There were several boats hanging at the davits and a couple 
 floated alongside. A massive anchor hung from the port cat- 
 head, but the starboard one was at the bottom of the river at 
 one end of the heavy chain cable, which passed into the hawse- 
 pipe and kept the ship securely at anchor. A set of steps and 
 landings, shining white against the jet black hull, was placed 
 at the starboard gangway for convenience in getting on board 
 while in port, and the officers and sailors moving about the 
 deck showed that the crew had been already transferred from 
 the Princeton. 
 
 Harry stepped lightly down upon the deck, touched his cap 
 to the group of officers, and, seeking the executive officer, 
 Lieutenant-commander Felton, reported to him for duty. "J 
 am Ensign Careswell and I have come on board to report for 
 duty, sir," said he. " Commodore Paulding told me this was 
 a regular man-of-war, fitted out in the best style, and probably 
 going on special service." 
 
 " I am glad to see you, sir," was the reply. " I know sev- 
 eral of your family in the service, and have no doubt we shall 
 have pleasant cruising together." 
 
 Harry bowed and then went to look over the ship. What 
 a beauty she was! The spar-deck stretched in a gentle curve 
 from stem to stern. Upon each side, there was a row of 56- 
 pounder guns on their carriages, with their muzzles project- 
 ing slightly through the gun-ports. At each extremity of the 
 rows, there were some handsome brass 24-pounder howitzers, 
 holding the "black dogs of war," as it were, in golden corners. 
 Over the guns, cutlasses and boarding pikes were arranged 
 upon the bulwarks in symmetrical figures, and a long line of 
 snowy hammocks, snugly lashed, filled in the netting along 
 the rail from bow to stern. 
 
 An immense 200-pounder Parrott gun rested upon its com- 
 plicated carriage behind the foremast, and an Xl-inch Dahl- 
 gren gun and carriage occupied the space just forward of the 
 mizzen mast. Both were supj)lied with brass tracks, laid in 
 circles upon the deck, and removable sections of the bulwarks 
 showed that they were pivot guns, capable of being pointed to 
 
32 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 starboard or port, as the exigencies of war might demanfl. 
 Other places along the deck were occupied by hatches. Some 
 were for lowering and hoisting stores and ammunition; some 
 had steps and ladders leading to the main deck, and others 
 were covered by skylights and transmitted light and air to the 
 rooms below. 
 
 The forecastle-deck, raised about six feet above the spar- 
 deck, filled up the bow nearly flush with the bulwarks, and 
 was guarded by a chain and posts. It had the cat-heads and 
 knight-heads, the usual appliances for the anchors and forward 
 sails, and a 30-pounder Parrott gun upon a pivot carriage 
 amidships. The space below the deck contained numerous 
 lockers, or closets; a capstan amidships, and the chain-stoppers 
 and cables — the latter running out the hawse-pipes forward, 
 and backward through pipes in the deck to the chain lockers 
 at the foot of the foremast. 
 
 A small deck away aft, called the raonkey-poop, or mid- 
 shipman's quarter-deck, filled up the stern even with the bul- 
 warks, and was surrounded by a chain. A 30-pounder Parrott 
 gun on pivot carriage was secured amidships. A person stand- 
 ing upon this deck could look down upon the spar-deck, and 
 have, at the same time, a comprehensive view of the outside of 
 the ship and the surroundings. Here the quartermaster, with 
 a spy-glass in hand, was constantly on the lookout for shore 
 signals, ship signals, and the general movements of boats and 
 vessels around. Upon each quarter hung the life-saving ap- 
 paratus, with cork floats, coils of life lines, and a case of pyro- 
 technics, ready to drop into the sea and flash out its saving 
 light at the pulling of ,a lock-string. Beneath the monkey- 
 poop, there was a square well with hoisting gear for taking 
 the screw out of the water, when it was desirable to go under 
 sail alone. Upon each side of this box, there was a wide 
 passage-way, with a port opening astern — the port side being 
 in all ships a favorite smoking place for officers — and around 
 the walls were numerous lockers, containing the codes of sig- 
 nals, the flags of nations, rockets and signal lights, spy-glasses, 
 logs and other treasures of the quartermaster. 
 
 Forward of the poop-deck, a large double wheel, with its 
 steering gear, was covered by a tarpaulin, having painted upon 
 its face the U. S. coat of arms and " U. S. S. Nautilus," and 
 
A XAVAI. STORY OF THE T.ATE WAR. 66 
 
 a liandsome Mniiacle forward of it contained two largo com- 
 passes and a lamp. 
 
 The whole ship was open for inspection, and Harry went 
 down the steps of the narrow gangway into the cabin. There 
 was a dining-room amidships, a small pantry forward of it, and 
 a state-room with bunks, upon each side, all well carpeted, 
 while the chairs and sofas were upholstered in blue velvet. A 
 table, a hanging rack for glasses, a compass, a barometer, toilet 
 requisites, bedding and curtains completed the furnishing. 
 Beneath the floor there wei'e places for storing provisions, etc. 
 A door opened forwards into the wardroom, the home of the 
 higher officers of the ship. This room was about fifteen feet 
 square, carpeted with oil-cloth, and lighted from above by a 
 large skylight in the deck. There was a row of state-rooms 
 upon each side, one for each officer, and a pair of steps aft led 
 upon deck. A door upon each side in the forward partition 
 communicated with an intermediate space between the steer- 
 ages, called the country. The state-rooms were to be occupied 
 by the executive officer, the lieutenant, two masters, the ensign, 
 the paymaster, chief-engineer and surgeon. Each state-room 
 was about six feet square, and had a wide, comfortable bunk, 
 with drawers beneath, a dead light in the outer wall, and the 
 usual toilet appurtenances. 
 
 A long table was secured across the forward part of the 
 wardroom, and the mizzenmast passed through the deck just 
 aft of it. A swinging shelf with glasses, a narrow sideboard, 
 and a few chairs and camp-stools comprised the outfit. A 
 small room aft served as a pantry, and was filled with dishes 
 and silver in box-like shelves. Two small hatches in the floor 
 opened into store rooms ; one contained the wardroom supj)lies, 
 and the other, the powder and shell for the quarter-deck how- 
 itzers. 
 
 The country was simply a passage-way, and had a hatch 
 above and one in the deck below, leading to a room for the 
 officer's provisions, and the paymaster's stores of clothing and 
 grog. A door opened forward into the engine-room ; one 
 on the right, into the midshipmen's steerage, and one on the 
 left, into the engineers' steerage. The midshipmen's steerage 
 contained half a dozen bunks, numerous closets, a table, two 
 swinging shelves and some camp-stools. Several dead-lights 
 
34 CEtriSING AKD BLOCKADING. 
 
 in the side of the ship let in light and, sometimes, air. The 
 engineers' steerage on the opposite side was an exact counter- 
 part of the midshipmen's. The intermediate was a sort ol 
 commons for steerage and wardroom officers, in wet and cold 
 weather, and many were the jokes and stories told there, during 
 the relaxation of official dignity. 
 
 The space from the country to the mainmast, from the spar- 
 deck to the very bottom of the ship, was occupied by the 
 powerful engines, the condensers, the cranks and forward end 
 of the shaft. The shaft ran along above the kelson and 
 underneath the wardroom and cabin to the two-bladed screw 
 at the stern. 
 
 The fire-room, boilers and coal bunkers filled another large 
 sectit)n of the entire hull just forward of the engine-room and 
 mainmast. A large hatch, covered by skylight and gratings, 
 let the light and air down through the spar-deck to this fier^ 
 region. The smoke-stack and escape-pipe came up through 
 the afterpart of this hatch, and, between these and the main- 
 mast, a narrow foot-bridge, with bell handles for signalling tc 
 the engineer below, extended across the ship upon a level with 
 the hammock nettings. The officer of the deck, and, at sta- 
 tions, an engineer, stood upon this bridge, which gave a com- 
 manding view of the whole ship and the waters around. 
 
 The space between decks, from the fire-room to beyond the 
 foremast, contained the galley and cooking utensils for the 
 whole ship's company, but the greater part was used by the 
 sailors for general purposes by day, and a sleeping place a1 
 night, when the snowy hammocks were unlashed anel swung 
 to the numerous hooks in the soliel beams overhead. Here 
 they spreael their mess-cloths anel ate their meals in bad 
 weather, but they were transferred to the spar-deck, when 
 pleasant weather and ship discipline permitted. Several rooms 
 upon each side were occupied by the boatswain, carpenter 
 sailmaker, gunner and apothecary. A space was set apart or 
 the starboarel side next the apothecary shop for the sick-bay 
 where the apothecary, nurses and surgeon remained eluring 
 action. 
 
 A triangular space in the bow was partitioned off for pris- 
 oners undergoing punishment, and was called the brig — a sad 
 place to visit or contemplate. A large store-room beneatli 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE AVAR. 35 
 
 this, in tlie very peak of the bow, was filled with oils, paints, 
 cordage and ironwork for ship's use, and was in charge of a 
 petty officer, called a yeoman — a very important man in his 
 own estimation. The whole space from the fire-room to the 
 yeoman's room, beneath the main-deck — the hold of the ship- 
 was filled with ship's stores, ammunition and chain cables. 
 The magazine, heavily walled, lined with zinc, and full of 
 powder and shell, was a little distance behind the foremast, 
 and the space around was stowed with barrels, boxes, bags, 
 etc., containing provisions for a long cruise. 
 
 The condensers of the boilers furnished water for general 
 use, and numerous butts of fresh water were lashed about the 
 ;par-deck to supply the daily consumption. 
 
 The ship was complete and beautiful from kelson to truck, 
 rrom jib-boom end to taffrail, and the hardy sailors and fine 
 looking officers who covered her deck, this brilliant day in 
 October, were evidence that great deeds were expected of her 
 by the Navy Department. 
 
 Harry made his tour of inspection and reached the group 
 Df officers upon the starboard side of the quarter-deck, as 
 Captain Prescott came up from his cabin, touched his cap to 
 the officers, who had saluted him, and said, " Mr. Felton,you 
 will have the crew mustered upon the port side and the officers 
 upon the starboard side of the quarter-deck; let the quarter- 
 master get the pennant and colors ready, and station men at 
 the halyards to put the ship in commission." 
 
 Lieutenant-commander Felton touched his cap, said, "Aye, 
 aye, sir!" gave his orders to the officers, and then to the 
 [quartermaster and the boatswain. 
 
 The shrill whistle of the boatswain rang through the ship 
 and his rough voice called, " All hands muster aft on the port 
 5ide of the quarter-deck !" The whistle and oi'der were re- 
 peated by the boatswain's mates ; a file of marines and the 
 sailors gathered quietly and respectfully upon the port side of 
 the quarter-deck and waist, and the officers, in uniform, wear- 
 ing their swords, stood in a line upon the starboard side. 
 Paymaster Horton was directed by Mr. Felton to muster the 
 jrew, and his clerk called the names of the men and officers, 
 3ach responding, " Here, sir !" The names of some of the 
 men were peculiar and often caused a smile among the audi- 
 
36 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tors. It is well known that the enlisted men of the navy are 
 from all classes of society and of all nationalities. Induced 
 by a desire for adventure, to see tlie world, to serve the country, 
 to obtain a livelihood, to gain promotion, to drown grief, to 
 escape persecution, or to avoid punishment for criminal of- 
 fences, they enter the navy under assumed names, and disap- 
 pear from the terrestrial places that knew them. Such names 
 then, as Sam Patch, Davy Crockett, Dan Rice, Napoleon 
 Bonaparte, George Washington, Timothy Ticklepitcher, etc., 
 were cak'ulated to excite amusement and philological interest. 
 Tlie full names were called, and the given ones were often as 
 curious as the surnames. Timothy Timpkius Ticklepitcher's 
 name was never mentioned without a sensation, and the man 
 who claimed it was as queer as his cognomen. 
 
 The paymaster's clerk told the ^^^y^aster the roll was 
 finished and all were present; the paymaster reported to Mr. 
 Felton, who reported to the captain. Captain Prescott then 
 said to Mr. Felton, " Hoist the colors, sir !" then, as they were 
 being run up, he stepped upon the midshipman's deck and 
 said: 
 
 " Officees and Men of the Nautilus — It is with 
 pleasure that I take command of this beautiful ship. No 
 finer or better equipped vessel sails the sea, and I expect noble 
 deeds from such a sturdy crew and gallant set of officers. I 
 shall exact implicit obedience from all. Naval discipline must 
 be maintained from stem to stern, but those who do their duty 
 faithfully will find me a kind and indulgent commander. The 
 part of the humblest among you is important for the welfare of 
 all, and it is only by each man doing his best that perfect 
 work will be accomplished. Let us then pull together, each 
 in his appointed sphere, in order that we may achieve a name 
 and fame for the good ship Nautilus and Our Country. Now, 
 by the power vested in me by the Navy Department, at Wash- 
 ington, I declare the United States Ship Nautilus in com- 
 mission." 
 
 The long naval pennant had reached the main truck and 
 floated out on the breeze, and the starry ensign curled and 
 waved in the bright sunlight at the end of the spanker gaff. 
 Then Mr. Felton sprang upon the steps and shouted, " Three 
 cheers for the good ship Nautilus and her gallant captain !" 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 37 
 
 The loud hurrahs rang out across the water from over a hun- 
 dred throats, and stopped the workmen in the yard by their 
 echoes around the great ship-liouses, while the naval band 
 upon the wharf struck up " The Star Spangled Banner." 
 The inspiriting music of the national anthem came, like the 
 sounds of an seolian harp upon the breeze, and caused hearts 
 to beat faster and eyes to shine brighter from the excitement 
 of the occasion. 
 
 The crew was now divided into a port and a starboard 
 watch ; the petty officers were sent to their duties ; the warrant 
 officers were instructed to take charge of their departments; 
 the commissioned officers were requested to see everything 
 ready for sea service, and were appointed to the watches. Mr. 
 Felton had already made out his " Watch, Quarter and Sta- 
 tion Bills," and had only to fill in the names. He proceeded 
 with the deck officer to organize the crew and instruct each 
 man in his place in the boats, in getting under way, tacking 
 ship, coming to anchor, putting out fire, and going into action. 
 
 Harry and the remainder of the officers busied themselves 
 in unpacking their trunks and boxes and arranging things in 
 their state-rooms, and introductions of one officer to another, 
 with friendly courtesies and occasional jokes, soon established 
 a brotherly feeling in steerages and ward-room. It was ru- 
 mored that the Nautilus was to be the Flag-ship of a fleet, 
 i.e., to have tiie commodore or admiral commanding a squad- 
 ron on board, in addition to her full complement of officers, 
 and that the latter had been selected with care because of the 
 social as well as professional duties that would be demanded 
 of them. 
 
 Though naval officers are all supposed to be gentlemen, and 
 the best sailors are the kindest and most honorable men, there 
 is some choice when one comes to consider social etiquette, 
 and a flag-ship needs and generally gets the best material. 
 Howbeit, the ])ersonnel of the Nautilus was generally excel- 
 lent, though events ]iroved that there were a few persons on 
 board whose characters were somewhat defective. The stew- 
 ards, cooks and waiters soon had their departments in good 
 order, and dinner was the first meal served on board. The 
 executive sat at the starboard, and the paymaster at the port 
 
38 CRUISIKG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 end of the long table ; the senior officers were next them to the 
 right and left, and the junior officers filled up the middle. 
 The eight officers, who formed the wardroom mess, had the 
 captain for a guest that day, and they discussed the viands 
 and wines, the ship, the prospective cruise, and the different 
 events of the war on land and sea in brotherly love, and con- 
 gratulated each other upon the prospect of glory and promo- 
 tion. In the port steerage, six assistant-engineers, in the 
 starboard steerage, two midshipmen, two master's-mates, the 
 paymaster's clerk, tiie captain's clerk and the apothecary, had 
 an equally pleasant time, to judge by the laughter that occa- 
 sionally came through the bulkheads. The boatswain, gunner, 
 sailmaker and carpenter dined in their room forward, and the 
 sailors and marines spread their square mess-cloths upon the 
 main-deck around the galley fire, and, sitting cross-legged by 
 their wooden and tin dishes, loaded with wholesome food, be- 
 gan those yarns for which they are famous. 
 
 Who can fitly describe the inauguration of a ship's com- 
 pany ? It would require the pen of a Hugo, and that he 
 should serve in each and every capacity. An official order, 
 signed by the Secretary of the Navy, and transmitted through 
 the Commandant of the navy yard to Captain Prescott, was 
 the instrument that brought all this life together into moving, 
 methodic system. The captain was on board, the pennant at 
 the main truck, and, henceforth, all was to move with that 
 beautiful precision and harmony seen on board of a well dis- 
 ciplined ship and in the workings of perfect machinery. 
 
 Every day at 9 a.m., the drum and fife called to quarters, 
 and the ship's company was drilled carefully and patiently in 
 handling the guns, boarding, repelling boarders, and in using 
 the broadswords, pikes and muskets. At other times, the 
 men were exercised in getting under way, tacking ship, wear- 
 ing ship, making sail, taking in sail, sending up and down 
 spars, coming to anchor, putting out imaginary fires, and get- 
 ting out the boats. Each man knew his number, his position 
 and duties ; each officer had his place and a particular routine 
 to accomplish with the men under his charge, and everything 
 went like clock-work. 
 
 In a few weeks the Nautilus was ready for sea; the sailing 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 39 
 
 day was appointed ; the Good-byes were said ; all the private 
 stores and knicknacks were stowed away ; the casks, guns 
 and other movable things were securely lashed ; the heavy 
 boats taken on board, and the others hoisted up to the 
 davits. 
 
40 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 It was a dear, cold December day, that steam was gotten 
 up; the pilot taken on board ; the anchor hove up, catted and 
 secured, and the Nautilus steamed down the Delaware, receiv- 
 ing cheers and salutes from the neighboring vessels and giving 
 hearty ones in return. The dense blocks of buildings faded 
 in the distance; the scattered cottages and imposing villas 
 along the banks and shores became less and less distinct ; the 
 men and officers were called from their stations ; the pilot, 
 officer-of-the-deck and executive held possession of the bridge; 
 two men at the wheel steered according to orders, watched by 
 a quartermaster; a lookout on the forecastle and another upon 
 the midshipman's deck walked forwards and backwards, and 
 all day long there was heard the hum of active men, the sharp 
 orders, the shrill Avhistle of the boatswain's mates, and the dull 
 thud and whirr of the screw, driving the Nautilus towards the 
 ojien sea. 
 
 The pilot was discharged at the Breakwater; Cape Hen- 
 lopen light w^as passed during the nigiit, and those who loved 
 the deep blue sea rejoiced at feeling the dancing billows be- 
 neath their feet and the saline breeze in their nostrils. When 
 morning dawned, a low line of sand upon the western horizon 
 showed that the Nautilus was running down the coast, and 
 even this remnant of mother earth was soon lost in the mist 
 and the blue haze of extreme distance. 
 
 Mr. Felton had turned in at midnight, and the watch officer 
 had taken to pacing the quarter-deck, glad to shield himself 
 behind the bulwarks from the piercing wind. The decks were 
 holystoned and washed down; the skylights, gratings and steps 
 scrubbed; the ashes hoisted overboard out of the fire-room ; 
 the running rigging hauled taut and coiled down in circles 
 and figures of eight; and all hammocks piped up and stowed, 
 as is usual on board ship before breaki\ist, and, when the ex- 
 ecutive came up on deck at seven-bells, the ship looked as trim 
 as a bride arrayed for a wedding. The watch below was then 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE AVAR. 41 
 
 piped to breakfast, and, at eight-bells, came on deck to relieve 
 the morning watch, and another wardroom officer, who had 
 jdst breakfasted, relieved the deck-officer, Master Sanborn, 
 
 Mr. Sanborn was a large, strong, blonde young man, with a 
 face as round as the sun and beaming with health and good 
 nature. He was conscientious in his duties, slow and methodi- 
 cal in action, rather firm in his opinions, kind and considerate 
 of others, and, withal, so full of good humor and a disposition 
 to look on the bright side of every thing, that he was a favorite 
 with both officers and men. Just as he came down the ward- 
 room steps, the ship gave a lurch, he missed a step and came 
 down flat on the deck, so easily, that the officers of the mess, 
 who were still at table, knew he was not hurt. 
 
 Several laughed. Mr. Felton said, " I hope you are not 
 hurt, Mr. Sanborn?" 
 
 " Oh, no, " said he, " I only came down on a run. " 
 
 " You'd better look out, " said Lieut. Ashton ; " the doc- 
 tor hasn't unpacked his splints yet." 
 
 " I'm not afraid of either splints or splinters, " was the re- 
 ply, as the victim of the faux p«s rubbed his elbow, " but I'm 
 as hungry as a shark. If any of you poor, thin staff officers 
 waTit to get an appetite, go on deck for an hour <n' two and 
 you'll want a second breakfast. It's lovely up there. The 
 wind is coming off" the shore in elegant puffs, and I smell old 
 Virginia as plain as a nosegay." With this speech, he took 
 his place at the table and began upon his breakfast, which one 
 of the colored wardroom boys had brought hot from the gal- 
 ley. 
 
 Mr. Felton said, " I think we're going to get fourteen knots 
 out of the ship after the engine gets well greased. How is the 
 machine working now, Mr. Lawson?" 
 
 " Very well indeed, sir. There is a little roughness here 
 and there in the valves and bearings, but I think a week's 
 run will make them as smooth as glass. These contract en- 
 gines are never up to the mark, as they used to be before the 
 war. I suppose the shops are too hard pushed, but it takes a 
 little while to find out the qualities of an engine, just as it does 
 those of a horse. A horse will make better speed one day 
 than another, when all the circumstances and conditions seem 
 the same, and it's just so with an engine; a man must study 
 4 
 
42 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 its mechanism, its movements, its whims, so to speak, and 
 then, when he gets his mind into harmony and sympathy with 
 it, he can get better work out of it than any one else. I try 
 to get my assistants to consider their duty in this way, but 
 they listen gravely and tlien Uiugh behind my back. I know 
 I'm right, sir, and I'll prove it before the cruise is over." 
 Having delivered this speech with an earnest voice, the chief- 
 engineer's face flushed and his eyes shone brilliantly as he 
 looked around the table. 
 
 " You are perhaps right," said Mi-. Felton, approvingly. 
 "Study and ex])erience can accomplish great things in the 
 world. Steam has properties that command respect. Watt 
 and Fulton would be astounded to go into our engine-rooul 
 and see the improvements there exhibited in the application of 
 steam as a motor." 
 
 Just then there was a loud report; Lawson turned pale and 
 rushed through the country to the engine-room, followed as 
 far as the door by the executive, while the officer-of-the-deck 
 leaned over the hatch coamings above and asked, " What's the 
 matter down there ?" 
 
 No steam M'as heard escaping, and the screw kept up its 
 steady action. The chief soon returned and rejjorted to the 
 ofli(!er-of-the-deck, the executive, the captain and others, that 
 little damage had been done — only one of the condenser bon- 
 nets had burst. After general quarters and some drill with 
 the guns, the wardroom officers assembled below, reading, 
 writing and talking. 
 
 '' I wonder where we are bound," said Mr. Ashton, with a 
 significant glance at Mr. Felton. 
 
 The executive looked up a moment, but said nothing. He 
 was intently studying a chart of the West Indies spread out 
 upon the table. He was a man of medium size and delicate 
 build; his face was of a pure Grecian type; wavy black hair 
 clustered around his high forehead and prominent temples; a 
 long moustache curled over the coroners of his sensitive mouth, 
 and his eyes were of that soft, deep black, which tells of ardent 
 atfections and passions. His graceful bearing, finished cour- 
 tesy, superior education and just discrimination, marked him 
 as one of nature's noblemen, who would be generous and just 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 43 
 
 to those who did right, and unfriendly, perliaps, to no one but 
 himself. 
 
 " The captain has sealed orders," said he at last. " They 
 will be opened when we get in the latitude of Cape Charles." 
 
 " I hope it will be a roving commission," said Sanborn. 
 " I would like to get a crack with our heavy Parrott at some 
 of those long, low, rakish privateers, that are picking up so 
 many of our merchantmen. My brother's ship was captured 
 off Bermuda, on her return voyage from Brazil, last month, 
 and the whole crew was set afloat in a long-boat and reached 
 St. Georges after much suffering." 
 
 " What vessel captured her?" asked Mr. Ashton. 
 
 " I did not learn her name ; I suppose it was the Florida or 
 Alabama," was the reply. 
 
 " Well, you'll have to catch them in a trap to get them 
 within range," spoke up Surgeon Willett. " We sighted them 
 several times last voyage, but they showed clean heels and ran 
 us out of sight in no time. It's my opinion they can steam 
 twenty knots an liour when they are pressed." 
 
 "Those English engines are the finest in the world," said 
 Mr. Law^son. " It is perfectly astonishing w^hat work can be 
 gotten out of them month after month. They seldom need 
 repairs, last a long time, and produce a uniform and high rate 
 of speed. It's mortifying to chase one of the English blockade- 
 runners, with even one of our best steamships, and have them 
 get hull doW'U in a few hours. It is my opinion our Govern- 
 ment ought either to remodel and improve our marine engines, 
 or else buy a few across the water." 
 
 Lawson's face flushed, as he delivered this speech and 
 noticed the earnest eyes of the executive fixed upon him. It 
 was not patriotic to talk in this manner, but all who had been 
 in service during the war felt the truth of his remarks. 
 
 Mr. Lawson was a remarkable man. His features were 
 regular; his eyes deep blue; his face was that pure pink and 
 white seen only in perfect blondes, and his fine yellow-brown 
 hair and whiskers clustered around his face and served to 
 partly hide the tell-tale expressions which were constantly 
 flitting over it from his lively thoughts. When he spoke, he 
 generally communicated something worth knowing, and all 
 were glad to listen to him. 
 
14 CRUISIXG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 "What can politicians know about marine engines?" said 
 Ashton snecringly. " The men who rule onr destinies come 
 from counters, warehouses and law offices, and know nothing 
 about the exigencies of a Navy Department. I heard the 
 other day, that our Honorable Secretary was walking through 
 one of the navy yards and stumbled over a bale of oakum. 
 ' What is that?' said he, to the officer who was showing him 
 around. 
 
 " ' A bale of oakum, sii\' 
 
 " ' A bale of oakum ? Where does that stuff grow?' 
 
 "The offi.^er explained that it was made from old hemp 
 rope." 
 
 Some of the officers laughed. Mr. Felton looked grave 
 and said, " Mr. Ashton, you will not forget that the Honorable 
 Secretary is your superior officer." 
 
 "No, sir, I will not forget it," said he, biting his lips to 
 keep from laughing. 
 
 Ashton was a brunette, with an unjdeasant countenance. 
 The expression of his eyes was restless and snaky. The lines 
 about his mouth, partly hidden by a thin moustache, showed 
 that sneering hatl been very frequent. He was insinuating, 
 servile and hypocritical to superiors; haughty, arrogant and 
 severe to inferiors. He was quiet, uncommunicative and 
 often morose; he seemed to be always on the watch for 
 something, and as sly and mysterious as a cat ; he did a great 
 deal of thinking, but rarely let any one know what he was 
 thinking about. A single incident will throw some light upon 
 his character. Careswell was stationed upon the forecastle, at 
 general quarters, and had charge of the Parrott gun. It was 
 found in exercising and pivoting the gun from side to side, 
 that the shifting tackles were not necessary, and a rope, with 
 a hook in one end to catch into a side eye-bolt, enabled the 
 gun's crew to handle the gun with great rapidity. Harry 
 reported the fact to Ashton, who was ordnance officer, and he 
 said, " Work the gun as you please, and take the tackles off." 
 Harry told one of the men to remove the tackles and to 
 deliver them to the yeoman. This was done and, a day or 
 two afterwards, Harry was surprised to learn that Ashton had 
 reported him to the executive for " giving two gun-tackles to 
 the boatswain." Mr. Felton asked Harry about the tackles, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE I.ATE WAR. 45 
 
 and was satisfied with tlie explanation. The technical mistake 
 was in not turning tiiem over to the gunner. 
 
 Ashton was guilty of little meannesses like this very fre- 
 quently, as much from his desire to harass others, as to advance 
 his own importance in the minds of his superiors, and, it is 
 needless to say, was held in general contempt. 
 
 Harry had been so busy since coming on board, that he had 
 not had much time to talk to Dayton, Avho was in the port 
 steerage, but he visited both steerages one evening and made 
 the acquaintance of all the officers. He found Dayton and 
 Webster discussing the proper translation of a phrase in Cfesar. 
 Dayton took it apart, gave the declension of this and the 
 conjugation of that word, and the relations of all the parts of 
 the sentences so clearly and rapidly, as to excite the surprise 
 of all. He repeated considerable of the first page of Csesar's 
 Commentaries verbatim, and exhibited great familiarity with 
 the writings of Cicero, Virgil and Horace. This was done in 
 the course of conversation with the different gentlemen, some 
 of whom aired their knowledge of the classics by referring to 
 one or the other of the authors named. It was developed 
 later, that Webster, who was a third-assistant engineer, was 
 secretly preparing for college, and Dayton hel|)ed him greatly, 
 not only in Latin, but in Greek, of which language he had, 
 also, a very considerable knowledge. This evening, however, 
 the conversation drifted on to the modern languages. Several 
 of the engineers and midshipmen spoke French and Spanish, 
 and one of the former, named Hanson, French and German. 
 Dayton knew the French better than most of them, and talked 
 German with Hanson, a native of Prussia, with the fluency 
 and ease of a Hanoverian. 
 
 Gardner was one of the best educated of the engineers, and 
 he expressed the opinion of all by saying, " Dayton, you are a 
 philological curiosity. How in the world have you ever 
 acquired these languages so well, and, yet, had time to master 
 the technical education required of a graduate of the Poly- 
 technic?" 
 
 "How? By beginning early, and by persistent digging. 
 I got my Greek, Latin and myopia before I was seventeen, 
 and took my moderns at Troy. I keep up a little reading in 
 all of the languages every week, so as to hold what I have 
 and make further progress. That is the secret of knowledge — 
 
46 CRUJSIXGt AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 hold and get. Any intelligent person can become a fair lin- 
 guist by persistent study." 
 
 Dayton became an authority in the steerage, and, by his 
 modest efforts, infused a desire for culture there which bore 
 rich fruits. 
 
 The next morning the ship was headed westward, and it 
 Avas soon known that the Nautilus was ordered to Norfolk. 
 Hampton Roads were reached in the afternoon, the anchor 
 was dropped, Captain Prescott reported to the Captain of the 
 Minnesota, and then went on shore and paid his respects to 
 the General in command of Fortress Monroe. 
 
 There was news that the Confederates were giving the 
 soldiers plenty of work at Suffolk and threatening an advance 
 upon Norfolk, and the naval force was needed for the defence 
 of the city. 
 
 How beautiful the land looked after the short voyage ! 
 The shores and trees still held their summer green, tinged 
 here and there by the brown footsteps of autumn. Fort 
 Monroe stood silent and sullen upon the right; sentinels 
 paced its parapet ; the flag of the Union upon its staff snapped 
 sharply in the wind, and great black guns frowned upon every 
 side. The light-house, the wharf and the great Union and 
 Floyd guns upon a heap of sand on the shore, relieved the eye 
 glancing seaward. Midway in the Roads stood the unfinished, 
 yet, formidable Rip Raps Fort, garrisoned by soldiers and 
 crowded by laborers, who were, busy working the huge der- 
 ricks and ponderous stones to complete the massive walls. 
 Just above, two English men-of-war and several wooden and 
 iron-clad U. S. vessels swung at their anchors, and a few small 
 craft were flitting across the haven. The little village of 
 Hampton lay in the cove above Monroe, and, uj)on the wooded 
 bluff, far up the shore, one could see the rude shanties and 
 tents and the long line of army wagons of an encampment, 
 with a little wharf and a transport-steamer in front. 
 
 The James river stretched away like a great bay beyond, 
 and the eye took up the misty outlines of the opposite shore 
 and traced them outwards past the entrance of Elizabeth 
 river and Norfolk, until it rested upon the wooded bluff of 
 Sewell's Point. 
 
 This was the scene of two of the most thrilling naval battles 
 of the war. Here the Congress and Cumberland were de-^ 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 47 
 
 stroyed by the Merrimac. Here the little Monitor fought a 
 fierce battle with that celebrated ironclad, and drove her, 
 shattered and defeated, back to her lair. 
 
 Mark yon there near the shore that rough, charred line of 
 oaken ribs projecting a few feet above the tide? Those are 
 the remains of the funeral pyre of brave men — the vestige of 
 the U. S. frigate Congress. Out beyond in deeper water lies 
 the sloop-of-war Cumberland, with only her tops and a little 
 of the lower masts above the surface — melancholy monuments 
 to the heroes, who fought her batteries until the hungry sea 
 lap|>ed up her decks and swallowed all. 
 
 The Nautilus was much admired by army men, and there 
 were a great many visitors on board whom it was necessary to 
 entertain. This interfered somewhat with discipline, but a 
 great deal of drilling was done daily. It was reported by a 
 dispatch-boat, that there were six Confederate ironclads below 
 the obstructions in James river. The small arms and heavy 
 guns were loaded ; a buoy was placed for slipi)ing the cable ; 
 steam was kept up, and a most vigilant watch was maintained. 
 During the day, only one boat at a time was permitted to go 
 ashore, and her officer had to look out for instant recall. The 
 English ships had music on board every night, and, on one 
 occasion, the crews sang the "Bonnie Blue Flag." The next 
 day some of the singers were soundly thrashed in Hampton 
 by a Nautilus boat's crew. Ashton was in chartre of the l)oat 
 and said he could not prevent the fight. He said, " the 
 English officer was a dandy and had a light cane. I asked 
 him why he carried it. He replied, 'Oh, it's so jolly, you 
 know.' That made me sick, and I left him in disgust." 
 
 No one was favorably impressed with the scions of nobility 
 belonging to the English navy, perhaj)s, because of their 
 known sympathy for the Southern cause; but the discipline 
 on board their vessels was fine, showing the advantage of 
 shipping men for a long term of service. 
 
 During the Avar, our naval vessels were manned partly by 
 farmer-boys, mechanics and longshore-men, all good men 
 after they had been trained, but it tried the patience of the 
 officers much to get them into fighting order. 
 
 Several times during the period the Nautilus lay in the 
 Roads, suspicious craft were seen in the James, and all hands 
 
48 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 were called to quarters, only to be dismissed again, when it 
 was found that no enemy was approaching. The Nautilus 
 went up to Norfolk iu a few days, anchored off the city, took 
 out a kedge-anchor and cable astern, swung round broadside 
 to the railroad bridge, and trained her guns upon it. 
 
 A council was held with the General commanding, and 
 instructions were received to destroy the bridge, if the enemy 
 approached, and, under certain circumstances, to bombard the 
 city. The dull boom of heavy guns day and night in the 
 direction of Suffolk; the departure of gunboats, and their 
 return, riddled by shot and shell, and bringing wounded and 
 dead to the Marine Hospital below Portsmouth ; the reports of 
 Longstreet's attempt to erect batteries upon the Nanseraond, 
 in order to drive supply vessels and gunboats out of the river ; 
 the sentinels all around the city ; the couriers riding hastily 
 over the hills, and the frequent communications with the fleet 
 below ; all indicated that it was war times, and kept the 
 officers and men of the Nautilus alert and anxious. 
 
 Though the occasion would have been deprecated, there 
 was a desire upon the part of many to try the guns upon the 
 bridge and to knock down a few houses, to repay the inhabi- 
 tants of Norfolk for their insulting and hostile conduct. 
 
 Portsmouth and Norfolk were in great contrast to the clean 
 and thriving cities of the North. War had paralyzed their 
 commerce; emptied their docks; taken away all the able- 
 bodied men, and left the women, the negroes and the crippled, 
 infirm, and sneaking white men behind. 
 
 Longstreet was finally repulsed at Suffolk ; the crisis passed, 
 and free communication was permitted with the shore. 
 
 The Gosport Navy Yard was a sad sight — a ruin of black- 
 ened timbers, charred and sunken ships, piles of bricks and 
 stone and ghostly, windowless walls. The sloop-of-war Ply- 
 mouth, dear to the hearts of midshipmen, showed only a line 
 of blackened ribs above the water. Patriotic hands had 
 l)urned and sunk her, and saved her from profanation. Would 
 they had been as completely successful with the Merrimac, 
 then she would not have been so formidable in the defence of 
 Norfolk, and, finally, laid her shattered frame u|)on the sand 
 beach below, like the skeleton of a warrior who has not 
 deserved burial. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 49 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The buildings upon botli sides of Elizabeth river had an 
 antiquated, substantial, quiet appearance, that reminded one 
 of the Wm. Penn district of Philadelphia. They seemed to 
 have been built for utility rather than show, and ornamenta- 
 tion, even upon the churches and public buildings, was reduced 
 to a minimum. Granby and Freemason streets, in Norfolk, 
 contained numerous portly mansions, belonging to the wealthier 
 people, and markedly in contrast with their surroundings, but 
 they could not be considered fine buildings. Throughout the 
 city a Sabbath quiet prevailed. Very many of the houses had 
 tlie curtains down, the shutters closed, the door-steps dusty, 
 and the yards full of dirty paths and untrimmed bushes, 
 showing the absence of care-takers, the lack of interest in 
 present things, the hopelessness of a conquered city. Some 
 residents let their property get in this unattractive state, so 
 that not a verdant shrub or tender flower should gladden the 
 hearts of the enemy patrolling the streets. Many persons, if 
 they had followed their inclinations, would have planted net- 
 tles and wormwood, only they were afraid there might be 
 some personal application made to themselves. 
 
 Here and there throughout the city of Norfolk, clean walks 
 and grounds, open shutters, drawn lace curtains and, some- 
 times, smiling faces, indicated the homes of Union families, 
 and such oases in the desert of rebel indiiference were exceed- 
 ingly pleasant to the hearts of Northern men. It is a pecu- 
 liar and decidedly unpleasant feeling that one experiences, 
 when surrounded by even helpless enemies. 
 
 Away from the main streets, very few people were seen, and 
 those mostly negroes, slouching along with bundles or baskets. 
 In the heart of the city, at the markets and stores, there was 
 a motley crowd of negroes, bilious, lank-faced white men, and 
 blue-coated soldiers of the U. S. array. The latter came and 
 went, saying little, but keeping sharp eyes upon the loungers. 
 
50 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 The prinoipal business of the otliers seemed to be to cliew to- 
 bacco, tell stories, and sleep in the shadows of the buildings. 
 
 Three-quarters of the stores were closed and their walls and 
 windows covered by jiosters of concerts, theaters and regi- 
 ments. The open stores did a poor business with the soldiers, 
 sailors and the few residents who had any money to spend. 
 There were several distinct castes noticeable in the streets at 
 all times. The negroes were most numerous and amusing. 
 They were dressed in all kinds of garments, the cast off clothes 
 of the higher classes. The men were partial to highly-colored, 
 variegated vests and broad-brimmed hats ; the women, to bright 
 calico and red bandanna handkerchiefs. Here and there, a 
 soldier's cast-otf cap, pants or overcoat helped out the civilian 
 rags. The great lips and j)ouchy cheeks, broad noses, densely- 
 curled, woolly hair, dirty bodies and lazy attitudes of these 
 contrabands, made them a striking contrast to the clean, in- 
 telligent negroes of the North and to the colored men of the 
 Nautilus. 
 
 Joshua, one of the wardroom boys, said, " Dem niggers 
 ashore is no good — all animals. I saw seberal ob dera wid de 
 teeth sharp like a shark's. I specs dey was cannibals 'fore dey 
 com'd here. I Mouldn't like to be alone wid dem in dedark, 
 if dey was hungry. Dey'd eat a fellar shuar!" This was 
 acute criticism upon the lowest of his race. 
 
 The poor white men, holding up the corners of the city, and 
 telling stories of their experience, formed a distinct class. 
 They were not much better dressed than the negroes, but wore 
 many garments of butternut, gray and blue colors, having brass 
 buttons and other unmistakable marks of the soldier. They 
 were not prepossessing in countenance ; their faces were lank 
 ■and sallow; the whiskers and moustache were thin, long and 
 wiry; the hair swept over low foreheads and behind the ears; 
 the necks craned forwards ; the shoulders were stooped, and 
 the limbs were flung out from the spare trunk, as if the mus- 
 cles were not developed sufficiently to handle them with pre- 
 cision. The wives of these men were very much like them in 
 build and attractiveness, and seemed always hard-worked and 
 disconsolate. 
 
 The men never cared for the future, worked only when it 
 was necessary, were said not to respect the rights of property 
 
A NAVAL STOUY OF THE LATE WAR. 51 
 
 in country districts, and considered it the height of felicity 
 to tell stories, drink whiskey, and consume tobacco. They 
 were ignorant, and knew almost nothing of the world outside 
 of their own county ; were miserably poor, having only the 
 fewest household goods, a gun and a dog, and depended upon 
 hunting, fishing, odd jobs and charity for a living. Tiiey had 
 little patriotism or love for the chivalry; were hard to kcpp 
 in the army, and were looked upon with suspicion by the 
 planters and with contempt by the negroes. 
 
 The "po' white trash " was fastened upon this class of hu- 
 manity by the latter, with whom they often came in conflict, 
 years ago, and seemed so appropriate that it has remained to 
 distinguisli a distinct class in the Sonthern States to this day. 
 
 The groups around the market-phuie of Norfolk had some 
 of the genuine sort, as one could determine by listening a 
 short time to the story telling and profanity, but mingled with 
 them were the longshore-men and laborers of the city who had 
 escaped enrollment into the Confederate army or had deserted 
 afterwards. 
 
 The negroes were always full of smiles and bows, when 
 U. S. officers passed them, and invarial)ly took off their hats 
 and said, ''Good mornin', Massa Captain," or "Good ebenin', 
 Massa Colonel." The white loungers generally cleared the 
 walks and a few touched their liats, but other salutations were 
 rare. Tlie storekee])ers were barely polite, and could not be 
 drawn into any war talk. One could not blame them. They 
 were in the power of the United States; the guns at Suffolk 
 and upon the Nansemond had been making sweet music in the 
 ears of every friend of the Confederacy, telling them their 
 army was near. Perhaps within a week, the stars and bars 
 of their country would wave over them again. Conservatism 
 under such circumstances was eminently wise. 
 
 Occasionally one would meet old men, with silvery hair 
 and moustache, erect and stately form, and that dignified cour- 
 tesy that distinguishes a gentleman. They invariably bowed 
 slightly to all otiicers, though they knew them as enemies, and 
 passed on in reflective mood. Tiie girls and young ladies 
 about the city could not restrain their curiosity to get good 
 views of the naval officers, and, though they would dodge 
 from the doors and windows, hide behind fences and corners, 
 
OZ CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 get entirely off the walk, turn tlieir faces away and even hold 
 their dresrses back, so that no touch of the North should pol- 
 lute them, they would relax their vigilance, when they thought 
 they were not observed, and look with the greatest eagerness. 
 
 Master Bloss was a large man, with brilliant black eyes, 
 black hair and moustache, and clean-cut lips that could roll 
 out the most exquisite English. He was an active and faith- 
 i'ul officer ; always up in professional studies and general lite- 
 rature, and exceedingly fond of a cigar, a bottle of wine, and 
 a good story. He averted threatening quarrels among his 
 messmates by a flash of wit or an apropos quotation, and was 
 a great favorite on board ship. Such men are the salt of 
 sea-life. 
 
 Ashton and Lawson had been ashore one afternoon, and 
 came on board just before sujiper not in pleasant mood. 
 
 " What's the matter, Mr. Ashton ; did you meet with any 
 mishap ashore?" asked Sanborn. 
 
 "Mishap! No; we were insulted repeatedly by the people 
 along the street. I don't see why the Provost Marshal allows 
 U. S. officers to be abused in his department. I'd blow the 
 place up first." 
 
 "Why, how was it?" a&iked several. 
 
 "Weil, we were going along to look at the crib, and three . 
 or four females yelled out of a window, 'See those nasty 
 Yankee officers !' We lifted our caps and went on." 
 
 " Nothing but giddy girls, I suppose," said Careswell. 
 
 " A little rosebud set in wilful thorns, 
 And sweet as English air could make her," 
 
 chimed in Bloss. 
 
 " Yes, sweet and dirty," replied Lawson. 
 
 " We went up the hill, and a lot of street loafers cried, ' See 
 them Lincolnites, nigger lovers, abolitionists!' I swear I 
 would have killed some of them, if I'd had a revolver along," 
 said Ashton, and his eyes flashed wickedly. 
 
 " To cap the climax," said Ijawson, " we met a very beau- 
 tiful young lady, handsomely dressed, near the Baptist church ; 
 she could not get off the walk into the dirty street, and so 
 stepped inside the walk near the fence, drew her skirts closely 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE I,ATE WAR. 53 
 
 around her legs, so as not to touch us, and when we went by 
 hissed at us like a venomous reptile." 
 
 "Well, you were particularly unfortunate; you must have 
 had the appearance of conquering heroes, or you would not 
 have awakened so much rebellion," remarked Felton. 
 
 "Mr. Dayton and I had some adventures last Sunday 
 which were almost as bad," said Careswell. "Several ladies 
 held their dresses away and got off the walk, as if we were 
 bales of small-pox. Some girls at the church entrance called 
 us ' Lincoln's hirelings,' ' Yankee abolitionists,' ' Nigger lovers.' 
 When we went into church, no one would give us a seat. We 
 marched well up front and took a pew, with an aristocratic 
 name on the door-plate, elegant cushions and finely gilded and 
 clasped prayer-books, and the congregation, mostly women 
 and old men, nearly all dressed in black, scowled upon us 
 from all sides. That's war Christianity. The minister prayed 
 covertly for the success of the South, exhorted slaves to obey 
 their masters, and preached a moderate doctrinal sermon. He 
 spoke of 'a barrier of steel dividing kindred,' and gave out 
 the hymn, ' When foes assail and tyrants frown.' " 
 
 " He meant foes of the Union, of course," said Paymaster 
 Horton. 
 
 " Not a bit," continued C;ireswell ; " he looked significantly 
 at our pew, and so did the congregation." 
 
 " The observed of all observers," remarked Bloss, " How 
 happy you must have been !" 
 
 " Well, we were not unhappy," replied Careswell, " we paid 
 more attention to the service than the rest of them. It was a 
 little funny to hear ourselves prayed against, but one must get 
 used to everything these times. These people are not chang- 
 ing our principles by their mockery and insults, only drying 
 up little by little the human sympathy which every Northern 
 man has for the unfortunate and distressed. The masses are 
 grossly ignorant of the character of Northern people; the 
 newspaper men, orators and leaders paint us in the blackest 
 characters, in order to excite the greatest opposition, and to 
 keep the slaves from fleeing to us. One dollar in greenbacks 
 is worth one dollar and sixty-two cents in Virginia scrip. 
 The goods are marked in the two currencies in the stores. 
 Now, that's a fair estimate of the relative value of a Northern 
 
54 CRUISING AND BLOCKADIXG. 
 
 and Southern man. In education, ability, integrity and moral 
 worth, one Northerner is worth about one Soutlierner plus 
 sixty-two one-hundredths of another one, and these deluded 
 people and chivalric humbugs will find it out before many 
 years." Having delivered this speech, which evoked hearty 
 laughter, Careswell took a drink of claret and said no more. 
 
 Lawson took up the thread of conversation as the supper 
 went on, and said, " We met several old gentlemen, whom we 
 knew to be rebels, and they bowed to us with cool politeness. 
 Gentlemen always bow to each other, in the South, whether 
 they have been introduced or not. We passed an old gentle- 
 man with his lovely daughter, on Freemason street; both 
 bowed and said 'Good morning' so heartily, and smiled so 
 pleasantly that we knew they must belong to the Union side. 
 It was awfully refreshing to meet the loyal and true after the 
 experience of the morning, and when we met some of Gen. 
 Viele's staff-officers, and talked over matters, we felt relieved." 
 
 "They said 'the citizens of Norfolk were bitter secession- 
 ists; had lost many relatives in late battles, and were greatly 
 disappointed at Longstreet's failing to retake Norfolk, and 
 this last fact accounted for the evidence of animosity, which 
 had slumbered quietly for some months. We have passed 
 through the same experience here. We have been cognizant 
 of these petty insults to officers of all grades in the services, 
 and have arrested some persons for their misbehavior, then let 
 them go, because it is not our duty to teach the people of Nor- 
 folk good manners. There are some people here, who are 
 ardent secessionists, yet are as polite and considerate as one 
 could wish. The educated, traveled people know us better 
 than the middle class, and respect us, though they believe us 
 to be fighting upon the wrong side in this 'Second American 
 Revolution,' as they like to call it.'" 
 
 " It is all owing to a fellow's bringing up, I suppose," said 
 Sanborn. "A city fellow don't know a squash from a pump- 
 kin, nor a countryman a brigadier-general from a New York 
 policeman." 
 
 This sally caused a laugh around the table, and made the 
 injured members of the mess feel more comfortable. Soon 
 after a few army officers came on board and spent the evening, 
 and the talk about the relations with the South was resumed. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 00 
 
 "I have brought you gentlemeu so:ne choice rebel litera- 
 ture, which we get through the Hues occasionally by deserters 
 and ca])tures," said Captain Brush. " You will see how the 
 Northern people are held up to execration in the most abomi- 
 nable language. Hear what this fellow says of us: 
 
 "' We have captured, in serviceable condition, seven of the 
 most formidable engines of war the enemy had ailoat, whicii 
 are now being turned to account in a good cause, serving in 
 the ' Confederate States ' navy against God-defying infidelity 
 and hell-deserving abolitionists, who, actuated l)y the basest 
 instincts of brute nature, confront us with lustful designs of 
 fiends incarnate.'" 
 
 " That fellow must have been chewing soap," said Bloss, 
 referring to a burlesque Othello, who chewed soap in order to 
 foam at the mouth with an appearance of rage, during tJie 
 smothering scene. 
 
 The captain read on : 
 
 " ' Let us put our hope and trust in the God of hosts, for 
 He hath set us apart as His chosen peoj)le, hence the scourg- 
 ing we are now receiving by the visitation of revolution and 
 war, which has deluged our fair land in blood and anguish. 
 If there is a people upon the face of the earth that cannot be 
 made slaves, but which He has appointed as His own people 
 and agents to perpetuate the work of civilization, it is the 
 people of the Confederate States of America, the descendants 
 of the Caucassiau and Jewish races, who are entrusted with 
 the fostering care and protection of the African race as an in- 
 stitution of servftude to civilization. We are commanded to 
 foster and perpetuate this institution for the benefit of future 
 ages. God has commanded us to buy our servants from the 
 heathen nations to be an inheritance to our children and our 
 children's children.'" 
 
 The captain paused. 
 
 "This is rather peculiar reasoning," remarked Mr. Felton. 
 " It must be comforting to believe the Lord chose the Southern- 
 ers in order that they might be thrashed, but I think we ought 
 to have the credit of doing it. These chosen people, who can 
 not be made slaves, are God's agents to perpetuate civilization 
 by perpetuating slavery. That is simply blasphemy according 
 to my ideas." 
 
56 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " Do yon remember the syllogism?" asked Sanborn, with a 
 twinkle in his eyes. 
 
 " 1 have heard of it," replied Felton smiling. 
 
 " One might apply it here," said Sanborn. 
 
 "All people who are scourged are the chosen people of 
 God. 
 
 The Southerners are scourged by the Yankees. 
 
 Therefore, the Southerners are the chosen people of God. 
 " Again, 
 
 " The chosen people of God always promote the highest 
 civilization. 
 
 But the Southerners seek to injure civilization by perpetu- 
 ating slavery. 
 
 Therefore, the Southerners are not the chosen people." 
 
 This diversion caused much merriment and Careswell said, 
 " That's enough tripods. We will take a dissertation upon the 
 nineteen moods of the syllogism some other time." 
 
 " Captain Brush, has that fellow anything else interesting?" 
 asked Lawson. 
 
 " Yes, I'll read you a little more," said the captain. " ' The 
 majority of our enemies .... are now being informed, by 
 the force of circumstances, by unaccustomed intercourse and 
 association with the negro, of their error in the course and 
 policy they have adopted with regard to the whole African 
 race, finding they can do nothing and accomplish less with 
 such as have been captured and others who were induced to 
 leave their good and kind masters and mistresses, they are 
 now- being prepared, drilled and armed for service and to be 
 placed in the front lines of battle (finding them an unwieldy 
 mass of helplessness and inferiority for the accomplishment of 
 any other purpose). First being placed in the front lines of 
 battle the negro will serve as a breastwork to shield the bodies 
 and preserve the lives of degraded and polluted Yankees. 
 Second having served such purpose and being slain upon 
 the field of battle, the Yankees have no more trouble with 
 Cuffee, and say he has been turned to good account. 
 
 " ' Thus it will be seen that the poor and deluded African 
 is to serve a two-fold purpose to the Abolition Yankees of the 
 East, whose principles must be corrupting to the most de- 
 praved and demoniac fiends of hell. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR, 57 
 
 "' Permit rae, kind reader, to ask does not a contemplation 
 of the Yankee character excite in you a feeling of condemna- 
 tion and scorn mingled with alternate pity and contempt for 
 our demented enemy whose every existence, being and to be 
 (now and forever) is qualified by the epithet Yankee, a terra 
 comprehensively expressive of all that is impure, inhuman, un- 
 charitable, unchristian and uncivilized (barbarian and heathen 
 is scarcely applicable in the case), demons of hell in the guise 
 of men. 
 
 " ' I have not done yet. If, indeed, there should be a dis- 
 crepancy it will be found in favor of language not containing 
 words of sufficient force to express the baseness of the character 
 and nature of the Yankees and the perverting influence of 
 their self established creed, which has given birth to all the 
 demoralizing, degrading, and hellish isms, including (the last 
 though not the least) equalityism or negrophilisra.' " 
 
 The captain ceased reading and looked around with a smile. 
 The expressions of the different faces were studies for an artist. 
 They gave evidence of amusement, curiosity, deep thought, 
 and indignation. There was a moment's silence, then Ashton 
 broke out, "The impudent scalawag! The diaphanous shal- 
 low-pate! The prognathous liar! Who is this fellow, who 
 slings such foul ink from a safe distance?" 
 
 "His name is — fiddlesticks — what matter what his name 
 is?" replied Brush. " He would only be too proud to have it 
 mentioned. Here, you can read it yourself. A man who 
 would use such language and tell such falsehoods is beneath 
 contempt. He hails from Georgia, far enough away from the 
 lines of battle to be perfectly safe, or he would not write such 
 bathos. For my part, I should be inclined to question his 
 loyalty to the Southern cause, he tries to be so very virulent. 
 I am sure that the better people of the South have little sym- 
 pathy with this sort of jaw-bone warfare, but it serves to give 
 many, who do not know better, very erroneous opinions of 
 our character, which accounts in part for our treatment in 
 Norfolk." 
 
 " I am of your opinion," said Mr. Felton, quietly pulling his 
 moustache between his fingers. " I know so many good fel- 
 lows, who have gone with the South in this unpleasantness, 
 
58 CEUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 that I cannot believe they hold such opinions as are ex{ 
 by this blackguard. The most pronounced abolitionists and 
 the most rabid pro-slavery men formed a band of brothers at 
 Annapolis. When the Academy was broken up and the 
 Southern students left, they were cheered by the loyal mid- 
 dies. When the fortunes of war have thrown naval officers 
 of one side into the power of the other, there has generally 
 been an interchange of friendly courtesies, though the officers 
 of the Cumberland refused to shake hands with their captors. 
 ,1 feel towards these rebels, as I should towards an erring 
 brother, who has sinned greatly, but vvhom I am ready to 
 forgive." 
 
 " Human nature is human nature, " said Careswell senten- 
 tiously. " These people are our enemies and we are theirs, 
 and we need not waste any sentiment upon them until they 
 deserve it. Peace and war make ditferent feelings in people, 
 and we may expect the most treacherous and deadly enmity 
 from former acquaintances in the South. There will be ex- 
 ceptions now and then, but it behooves us all to be on our 
 guard and to keep our side-arms ready." 
 
 " That is so!" said Ashton. " If I had only had my revolver 
 to-day!" 
 
 " You'd have shot one of those girls in the window, wouldn't 
 you?" asked Bloss, humming in a low tone, 
 
 '■ I have a tress of silken hair, 
 
 That was severed from thy brow ; 
 A truant curl most beautiful, 
 I'm gazing on it now." 
 
 Ashton scowled, and said, "No; a loafer whom the city 
 would not have missed." 
 
 " Would you have shot a defenseless man?" 
 
 "Well, no, but I would have arrested him and turned him 
 over to the army." 
 
 " Tres-bien, avez soin, vous n'eles pas le roi. Hello ! what 
 have we here?" continued Bloss, separating the Chattanooga 
 Rebel from the pile of Southern literature that Captain Brush 
 had brought on board. He then said, " Hearken to this : 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 59 
 
 "'A CONFEDEKATE ALPHABET.'" 
 
 "'A is for Anderson, foremost and least ; 
 B is for Betliel, or Butler the Beast; 
 (; is for Chase and also for Cheat, 
 D is for Darkies, Disaster, Defeat ; 
 E is for Eagle, transformed to a crow, 
 F is the Flag spreading ruin and woe ; 
 G is for Gibbet on which we will hang, 
 Hunter the Hound and all of his gang; 
 I is the infamy of which they are proud, 
 J Johnson the Jackall, the worst of the crowd; 
 K is the Kalendar of accidents dire, 
 L is for Lincoln, the Long Legged Liar; 
 M's for McClellan who Richmond would see, 
 N is for Never, when his it shall be; 
 O shows what Yankees will make by the war, 
 Q is for Query, " what is it all for ? " 
 P, which was passed, stands for Puppy and Pope, 
 R is for Rosecrans, Rascal and Rope ; 
 S stands for Seward, well surnamed the Snake, 
 T, the three months, the Rebellion will take; 
 U's for the Union of all that is base, 
 
 V for the Victories that never took place ; 
 \V for Winfield, whose victories great, 
 Xerxes-like ended in shameful defeat; 
 
 Y stands for Yankees that self-esteemed nation, 
 Z is for zero, their true valuation.' " 
 
 "There, gentlemen," said Bloss, "if that is not enough to 
 turn the milk of human kindness sour, I don't know what 
 would. I feel the gall rising in my throat now. When a 
 leading journal vilifies some of our best men in that scanda- 
 lous manner, we can readily understand what they think of 
 the rest of us. I'm going to have my sword ground to mor- 
 row." 
 
 " Come and join our cavalry. Lieutenant ; we'll give you a 
 longer blade," said Lieut. Hart. " You could not do much in 
 a hand to hand fight with your naval toad-sticker." 
 
 "Is this the fruit of war," asked Sanborn, "that one side 
 must abuse the other so shamefully? History is full of 
 atrocities perpetrated by armed men upon their enemies, but 
 she is silent about these personal outrages upon character. We 
 think the Southerners are chivalric and brave; ardent in love 
 of their section ; wrong in their support of state rights and 
 human slavery, and deficient in that finer sense of morality 
 that permeates society at the North. Bad as we know them 
 
60 CRUISIXG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 to be in some sections, you may search the entire press of the 
 North and you will not find as much misrepresentation and 
 billingsgate about them, as is condensed about us in this mis- 
 erable article." 
 
 " These are the utterances of policy and spitefulness," spoke 
 up Surgeon Willett. "They are welcome to the masses, be- 
 cause they feel impotent to avenge their fancied wrongs, but 
 passion past, the educated people of the South will repudiate 
 such stuff. I am sure the action of Major Anderson com- 
 mands the respect of the civilized world, and the other names 
 mentioned w'll stand high upon the pages of history. We 
 must fight these people into subjection ; educate them to an 
 understanding of moral purity, and prove that we are actuated 
 by principles of justice, not blinded by the mad partisanship 
 of the hour." 
 
 " Have another glass of sherry, gentlemen," said Lawsou, 
 as the doctor ceased speaking. 
 
 The doctor was as calm as a May morning. He was a me- 
 dium-sized, solidly-framed man, about twenty-five years of 
 age. His features were regular and expressive; his dark eyes 
 had a depth and steadiness in them which attracted attention, 
 and his brown hair and moustache and the poise of his head 
 gave him an aristocratic bearing. He was rather reticent, but 
 always expressed practical common sense when he spoke, to 
 which every one was glad to listen. 
 
 " I've had enough sherry to give me gout for a week," said 
 Lieut. Hart. 
 
 " Good wine don't give soldiers the gout," said Willett. 
 
 "That's because they seldom get it," said Brush, "We 
 poor devils have to put up with Commissary whiskey. I 
 sometimes think it's a fraud for us to drink your fine wines 
 and then set out army stuff when you visit us. Here's con- 
 fusion to our enemies and damnation to the man who wrote 
 that doggerel " said he, as he tossed off his glass of sherry with 
 the others. " Lieutenant Felton and gentlemen, we shall be 
 glad to see you at Headquarters any time." 
 
 " Come often, gentlemen," said Lieut. Hart, " we shall not 
 have these pleasant opportunities long." 
 
 "We shall all be glad to see you aboard any time," said 
 Mr. Felton. " Boy, tell the deck-officer to order the second 
 
A NAVAL STOEY OF THE LATE WAR. 61 
 
 cutter, with a midshipman in charge, to take the gentlemen 
 ashore." 
 
 The boat was ordered ; the officers shook hands all around, 
 said "Good-night," were accompanied to the gangway by 
 Felton and Willett, and then taken ashore. At ten o'clock, 
 the lights were put out, and all was quiet except the steady 
 tramp of the officers and men on deck, keeping the first watch 
 of the night. 
 
 The conversation of this evening and the rebel literature 
 made a deep impression upon the officers of the Nautilus, and 
 did much to strengthen their opinions upon the justice of their 
 cause, and the necessity for punishing those in rebellion against 
 the Government. Henceforth, things were named correctly ; 
 rebels were rebels, and Southern seceders from tne army and 
 navy were called traitors. 
 
 The immediate danger of attack from the enemy having 
 passed, a little more liberty was permitted, and a boat could 
 be obtained for excursions up the river, across to the Marine 
 Hospital, and down to Hampton. The surroundings of Nor- 
 folk were not very attractive, and, late in the season as it was, 
 there was a peculiar stuffy smell along the river, which was 
 anything but agreeal>le. The doctor said the atmosphere was 
 full of malaria, and he cautioned everybody to be careful of 
 exposure after sunset. 
 
 The Marine Hosjntal was clean and comfortable, but had 
 the admixture of odors which indicated suppurating wounds 
 and savage sufferings. Many of the pretty white beds con- 
 tained men badly shattered by bullets and gra|)e-shot, and, 
 though all tiiat was possible was being done by skilful sur- 
 geons, the death damp rested upon many a brow and shocked 
 visitors into a remembrance of the frailty of man and the hor- 
 rors of war. 
 
 The visits to Newport News, Hampton, Fortress Monroe, 
 and the naval vessels in the Roads, were very enjoyable, and 
 full reports of the incidents of a trip furnished topics of con- 
 versation in the evening and kept the mess lively. A vessel 
 arrived from the North nearly every day and brought letters 
 and late journals, so that everybody was kept informed of the 
 progress of the war, as papers were passed from officer to offi- 
 
62 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 cer and from man to man, until tlie smallest boy in the ship 
 had read their soiled and worn-out columns. 
 
 It was amusing to see the reports of affairs in the immediate 
 vicinity, and to read the misspelled names of those who de- 
 served and coveted fame. A N. Y. Tribune correspondent 
 came on board one day and was taken to task for his reports, 
 but he threw all the blame upon the compositors and proof- 
 readers, and claimed that he wrote a hand a thousand per cent, 
 better than Greeley's. He then began a direct, indirect, cir- 
 cumlocutory style of quizzing for facts, which was so persistent 
 and searching, that the officers were glad to fill him up with 
 sardines, cheese, hard-tack, sherry, &c. and to get rid of him, 
 feeling as exhausted and empty after he had gone, as he must 
 have felt replete and comfortable. Several had supposed prior 
 to this experience, that any one could be a newspaper corre- 
 spondent, but this indefatigable fellow caused a complete revo- 
 lution of opinion. 
 
 The next morning Bloss came down to breakfast " mad 
 clear through." He cursed the engineers because they would 
 not do their duty, in sending men from their department to 
 hoist up the ashes early and to wash and scour the engine-room 
 skylights and gratings, and ended by reporting one of the 
 assistant-engineers to Mr.'Felton for disobedience of orders. 
 Felton had a talk with the chief, and he disciplined the refrac- 
 tory officer by an extra watch. There is frequent trouble 
 between the engineers and officers-of-the-deck from this cause; 
 the former hinder the morning work and make themselves 
 obnoxious, because, having a special department, they do not 
 like to acknowledge the supremacy of the deck-officer, and 
 because they forget the golclen rule. If the engineers of a 
 ship are not held in esteem by the wardroom officers, it is be- 
 cause they are guilty of petty meanness unbecoming officers 
 and gentlemen. In conflicts of authority, the deck-officer is 
 supreme, because, while on duty, he has full charge of the 
 ship, is responsible for her condition, discipline and safety, 
 and represents the captain. The executive enforces his just 
 and of^ten his unjust orders, because orders must be obeyed 
 first and considered afterwards. 
 
 The morning watch from 4 to 8 a.m. is full of the miseries 
 of dashing water, wet decks, wet feet, wet clothes, flying 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 63 
 
 buckets, grinding holystones, flourishing brooms, dirty swabs, 
 and scrapers. Women clean house once or twice a year, but 
 Jack Tar cleans the ship every morning, in port or out, from 
 kelson to truck, from water line to midships. Then the run- 
 ning rigging must be hauled taut, yards braced, sails snugged 
 or trimmed, ropes coiled down, guns cleaned, brasswork 
 scoured bright, hammocks lashed and stowed, and the watch 
 below piped to breakfast. The steady grind of the holystones 
 and sand upon the deck, the rattle of buckets and other para- 
 phernalia, the shuffling footsteps, the sharp orders, and the 
 frequent zp-ze-ing of the boatswain's mate's whistle, make a 
 racket that awakens those unaccustomed to man-of-war life, 
 and causes considerable growling below and upon deck. The 
 officer-of-the-deck growls at the petty officers, the petty officers 
 at the men, the men at the boys, and the boys start a grumble 
 that goes back along the line, growing milder and milder un- 
 til it reaches the quarter-deck. The bulk of the work is done 
 at four-bells, or six o'clock ; the ship's cook gives the men 
 coffee ; a wardroom boy brings a cup of coffee and some hard- 
 tack to the deck-officer, and the respite and refreshments gen- 
 erally restore good humor. 
 
 Sailors are great growlers, and ominous muttering can be 
 heard in some part of the ship at all times of day and night. 
 Jack will curse the calm, the wind, the sky, the sea, the shij), 
 the shore, the officers, and the Government, but he don't mean 
 anything by it. He could not be hired to stay ashore, and 
 will defend the very things he has just maligned with the first 
 one who answers him. He is at one time misanthropic and 
 miserable; at another, the jolliest dog afloat ; he is careless of 
 self, fearless of danger, fond of adventure and full of gener- 
 osity ; he is proud of his ship and his sweetheart; faithful to 
 his flag and country, and regardless of the value of money, 
 often dissipating the wages of a two or three years' cruise in 
 the riotous debauchery of a month. Then he is ready for an- 
 other cruise, and goes cheerfully to work again. 
 
64 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Everybody on board the Nautilus had seen enough of 
 Norfolk and vicinity, and was glad when a dispatch-boat 
 brought orders from Wasliington, countei'signed by the flag- 
 officer of the station, to go to sea. The kedge was taken 
 aboard ; the anchor weighed ; the fleet passed with the cus- 
 toinarv cheers, and at meridian the gallant ship was breasting 
 the billows of the restless ocean, with the course directed 
 southward. The screw was hoisted up, the fires were banked, 
 all sail was made, and for several days the good bark went 
 bowling along at the rate of ten knots an hour, with a strong 
 southwest breeze. The sailors were kept busy setting up the 
 stays and shrouds, as they stretched in the warm sunlight; 
 the men of the watch oif duty sought snug spots between the 
 guns and, sheltered from the wind, opened their bags, over- 
 hauled their clothing, and stitched, mended and talked the 
 hours away; the steerage officers chatted in the lee gangway 
 and read papers and books in cosy places, and the wardroom 
 officers brought up camp-stools and sat under the midshipman's 
 deck, smoking, reading and talking, as they watched through 
 the open gun-port the rapid race of waters astern. 
 
 The conversation one forenoon was upon the destruction 
 caused by the rebel ironclad Merriraac, and the splendid ser- 
 vices rendered the country by Capt. Werden and the little 
 ^lonitor, in driving her back shattered and demoralized. 
 
 "It was not a fight between the Merrimac and Monitor at 
 all," said Careswell, " but between the Virginia and Monitor." 
 
 "You are mistaken," said Ashton ; " it was the old Merri- 
 mac that had been burned by us when we destroyed the navy 
 yard ; her upper works only were damaged ; the rebs built 
 her up, plated her with boiler-iron, and then knocked spots 
 out of our wooden vessels." 
 
 " You are correct," replied Careswell, " but she was renamed 
 the Virginia, and so figures in the Confederate Naml Register." 
 
 " That is true," said the doctor ; " that's the way history 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 65 
 
 gets falsified. While we remember her as the old Merrimac, 
 the Southerners know her as the Virginia." No one doubted 
 any longer, for the doctor had a phenomenal menaory upon 
 which his messmates had learned to rely. 
 
 " I don't wish to go to sea in any sui-h iron coffins as the 
 Monitors," said Careswell. "They pitch their noses under 
 and lift great seas upon them, which break around the turret 
 and rush off the sharp stern like Niagara. The seas roll right 
 across the deck, dash over the obstructions, and run in at every 
 opening. The hatches are all closed solidly at sea, the dead- 
 light holes on deck are full of water, and the only openings 
 from below are up through the smoke-stack and the turret. 
 The only escape in a heavy seaway is by a two feet by four 
 hatch in the grating-like, iron deck of the turret ; it would be 
 impossible to get at the boats, if they had not been swept 
 away, and next to impossible for any boats to approach for 
 rescue without being dashed to pieces. I don't see how the 
 Monitor's crew ever escaped. The heat from the furnaces and 
 the foul air accumulated below deck, owing to the imperfect 
 ventilation, are almost unendurable, and the duties and disci- 
 pline are more comparable to those of a machine-shop than to 
 a man-of-war." 
 
 " You are right," said Ashton. " I had a dose off Charles- 
 ton last fall. I couldn't stand it to live like a hot-house plant 
 and went home sick." 
 
 "Have you read the rebel account of the first fight?" 
 Careswell asked the doctor. 
 
 " No," said he; "but I suppose it is greatly exaggerated." 
 
 " Yes ; I have it down below in the Illustrated Keu's. I 
 will get it and read the article." 
 
 Careswell got the paper and read as follows: 
 
 "'On the 19th of April, when the Massachusetts troops 
 were attacked on their passage through Baltimore city, Capt. 
 Buchanan was in command of the navy yard at Washington. 
 He immediately resigned his commission, and, in a short time 
 thereafter, tendered his services to the Southern Confederacy, 
 which were promptly accepted, and he drew his sword in de- 
 fence of Southern independence. He was assigned to duty as 
 Chief of Orders and Detail, in the Confederate navy, then in 
 its infancy, and in February, 1862, hoisted his flag at Norfolk 
 
66 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 on board the iron-clad frigate Virginia, stich being the name 
 given by the Confederate Navy Department to the United 
 States frigate Merrimae, partially burnt and sunk by Commo- 
 dore Paulding, when the Federal forces evacuated the Norfolk 
 navy yard on the secession of Virginia, and on Saturday, the 
 8th of March, 1862, engaged the enemy off Newport's New>\ 
 It may not be uninteresting to the readers of our paper to give 
 here a short description of this the greatest naval engagement 
 that ever took place in American waters. 
 
 " 'The Virginia had been cut loose from her moorings, and 
 was on her way down the harbor, when Commodore Buchanan, 
 calling "all hands to muster," delivered the following brief 
 but spirited address to the crew: 
 
 " ' Men, the eyes of your country are upon you. You are 
 fighting for your rights — your liberties — your wives and chil- 
 dren. You must not be content with only doing your duty; 
 but do more than your duty! Those ships (pointing to the 
 Yankee vessels) mud be taken, and you shall not complain 
 that I do not take you close enough. Go to your guns !" 
 
 "'How well the officers and the gallant crew of that 
 " monster of the deep " performed their whole duty, we let an 
 eye-witness of that memorable engagement tell : 
 
 " ' The morning was still as that of a Sabbath. The two 
 Yankee frigates lay with their boats at the boom, and wash- 
 clothes in the rigging. Did they see the long, dark hull? 
 Had they made her out? Was it ignorance, apathy, or com- 
 posure ? These were the questions we discussed as we steamed 
 across the flats to the south of the frigates with the two gal- 
 lant little gun-boats well on our starboard beam heading up 
 for the enemy. Our doubts were solved by the heavy boom 
 of a gun from beyond Sewell's Point. The reverberation 
 rolled across the sun-lit water and died away, but still the 
 clothes hung in the rigging, still the boats lay at the booms. 
 Another gun (21 minutes past 1) broke on the air, and a tug 
 started for Newport's News, while at the same time two others 
 left Old Point, taking the channel inside Hampton bar. 
 Steadily, with a grim and ominous silence, the Virginia 
 glides through the water, steadily and with defiant valor the 
 Beaufort and Raleigh followed where she led. At ten min- 
 utes to two, a rifle gun from one of these little vessels rang out, 
 
A NAVAL STCRY OF THE LATE WAR. 67 
 
 then a white puff from her consort. Still the clothes in the 
 rigging, still the boats at the boom! Was this confidence? 
 It could not be ignorance. Did it mean torpedoes, submarine 
 batteries, infernal machines? The gun-boats have fired again, 
 and lo ! here away to the eastward were the Roanoke and 
 Minnesota rising like prodigious castles above the placid water, 
 the first under steam, the second in tow. Other puffs of 
 smoke, other shar|) reports from the gun-boats, but tlie Vir- 
 ginia goes on steadily, silently to do her work. Now the in- 
 shore frigate, the Cumberland, fires; now the Virginia close 
 aboard ; now Sewell's Point battery ; now the Minnesota; now 
 the Roanoke; now the air trembles with the cannonade. Now 
 the Virginia delivers both broadsides ; now she runs full against 
 the Cumberland's starboard bow; now the smoke clears away, 
 and she appears heading up James River. This at twenty- 
 two minutes to two. The Congress now lets fall foretopsail, 
 and then the main, and so with a tug alongside, starts down 
 the North channel, where the Minnesota has grounded, and 
 presently runs plump ashore. Meanwhile the Virginia opens 
 fire upon the Yankee fort, slowly she steams back, and the 
 Cumberland, sunk now to her white-streak, opens upon her 
 again. A gallant man fought that ship — a man worthy to 
 have maintained a better cause. Gun after gun he fired, 
 lower and lower sunk his ship, his last discharge comes from 
 his pivot-gun, the ship lurches to starboard, now to port, his 
 flag streams out wildly, and now the Cumberland goes down 
 on her beam ends, at once a monument and an epitaph of the 
 gallant man who fought her. The Virginia stops. Is she 
 •aground? And the gunboat? Raleigh and Beaufort! glori- 
 ous Parker! glorious Alexander! there they are on the quar- 
 ters of the Congress hammering away, and creeping up closer 
 and closer all the time. At ten minutes to four the Congress 
 struck. Parker hauled down the ensign, run up his own bat- 
 tle-flag in its place, there the heroic Taylor, who fought the 
 Fanny at Roanoke Island and Elizabeth City, got his wound 
 — there the gallant young Hutter fell, all shot by the dastards 
 who fired from the ship and shore when the white flag was 
 flying at the main and mizzCn of the Congress! Here too, 
 and in the same way. Flag Officer Buchanan and Flag Lieut. 
 R. D. Minor, were wounded. Now the James River gun- 
 
68 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 boats, whose dark stnoke had been seen against the bhie dis- 
 tance ever since three o'clock, came dashing along past the 
 shore batteries. Tucker, the courtly and chivalrous, leading 
 the van with the Jamestown, Lieutenant-Commanding Barney, 
 close aboard, and the little Teaser, Lieut. Webb, in her wake 
 — like a bow-legged bulldog in chase of the long, lean, stag- 
 hound. It was a gallant dash, and once past the batteries, 
 the two heavy vessels took position in line of battle, while the 
 Teaser dashed at the Minnesota, looking no larger than a cock 
 boat. And right well she maintained the honor of her flag 
 and the appropriateness of her name. Now the Roanoke puis 
 lier lielni up and declines the battle. Now the Virginia is 
 thundering away again. The Teaser is still closer in. We 
 are closer in — sizz comes a shell ahead, presently another 
 astern, finally a third with a clear, sharp whizz, just overhead, 
 to the great delight of the Commodore, who appreciated the 
 compliment of these good shots, which were the last of six 
 shots directed at the Harmony. Now the schooner Reindeer 
 comes foaming along, cut out from under the shore batteries ; 
 she reports, and is sent up in charge of Acting Master Gibbs. 
 
 " ' And next the gallant Beaufort runs down, Parker steps 
 and brings on board the great piece of bunting we saw hauled 
 down just now. He brings also some thirty prisoners and 
 some Avounded men — men wounded under that white flag 
 yonder desecrated by the Yankees. One of these lies stretched 
 out, decently covered over, gasping out his life on the deck — 
 a Yankee shot through the head, all bloody and ghastly, 
 killed by the inhuman fire of his own peoi)le. Another pale 
 and stern, the Captain of the Beaufort's gun, lies there too, a 
 noble specimen of a man, who has since gone where the weary 
 are at rest. A gallant man, a brave seaman ! 
 
 " ' We shake hands with Parker; he gets back to his vessel 
 slightly wounded, as is Alexander, and steams back gallantly 
 to the fight. The Patrick Henry, the Jamestown, the Teaser, 
 the Beaufort, the Raleigh, and the grand old Virginia, are all 
 thundering away. We steam down and speak the first. We 
 hear a report of casualties, we shake hands with friends, we 
 shove oiF, ciieer and steam towards the Swash channel. Pres- 
 ently through the thickening gloom we see a red glare, it 
 grows larger, and brighter, and redder. It creeps higher and 
 
A NAVAI. STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 69 
 
 higher, and now gun after gun booming on the still night as the 
 fire reaches them, the batteries of the Congress are discharged 
 across the water in harmless thunder. It was a grand sight 
 to see, and by the light of the burning ship, we made our way 
 back to Norfolk. At half-past eleven the act of retribution 
 was complete, for at that hour, with a great noise, she blew 
 up. 
 
 " ' When Commodore Buchanan was wounded and taken 
 below, a feeling of deep sadness pervaded the entire crew, but 
 they soon rallied when Flag Lieutenant Minor, himself wounded 
 and sent below, appeared on deck, and delivered to them the 
 following message from the noble flag officer: 
 
 '"Tell Mr. Jones to fight the ship to the last— tell the men 
 that I am not mortally wounded and hope to be with them 
 again very soon.' 
 
 "The cheers that greeted the delivery of this message re- 
 sounded far above the cannon's roar, and every man was again 
 quickly at his post, dealing death and destruction with their 
 heavy guns. 
 
 " ' Congress was in session when the engagement took place 
 and shortly thereafter passed a bill creating the grade of Ad- 
 miral in the Navy, to which position Buchanan was nominated 
 by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 
 
 " ' The news of the great naval victory fled over the country 
 with electric speed, and was received with wonder and aston- 
 ishment by the people of the South, who regarded it as the 
 turning point in our fortunes, then under a cloud from recent 
 disasters to our arms at Donaldson and other places. 
 
 " ' England and France, with all their powerful resources, 
 for two years had been endeavoring to solve the problem of 
 iron-clad ships, but it remained for the Southern Confederacy, 
 the youngest sister in the family of nations, to demonstrate 
 conclusively, by actual trial in battle, their great efficiency, 
 and thus to radically revolutionize the old system of naval 
 warfare, a fact still more wonderful when we consider that the 
 Virginia was cut down, mailed, armed, manned and fought 
 with unprecedented success, all within the brief space of six 
 months, by a people heretofore entirely dependent upon the 
 Yankee States for all commercial advantages.' " 
 
70 CRUISIKG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 The gentlemen smoked on in silence for a few moments, then 
 Ashton spoke up excitedly : 
 
 " It was a gallant fight and I wish I had been there. This 
 report is loose and unsatisfactory. It is easy to see that it is 
 not an official one. In a general fight, the surrender of one 
 vessel don't compel the rest of the fleet to cease firing. It was 
 very natural that some random shots should fly around the 
 Congress, and some persons should get hurt, even with the 
 white flag flying. The shots were not from under the flag of 
 truce, but from an infantry regiment on shore. Parker and 
 Buchanan knew the Congress was not responsible, yet they 
 opened fire upon her maimed heroes. 
 
 "The disaster to our fleet was unavoidable, because there 
 was no suspicion that the rebels had an ironclad that could 
 cope with the heavy guns and splendid ships we had in the 
 Roads," said Mr. Felton. " I am sorry that Buchanan and 
 Minor cast their lot with the enemy, and considered their 
 fealty to states more binding than to the Nation which they 
 had sworn to serve. They were good, brave fellows; it was a 
 pity to lose them and all the rest whom we knew so well." 
 
 "That states' rights question is a difficult one," said the 
 doctor. " It is my opinion, if a man were influenced by senti- 
 ment, he would go with his state, if by reason, with the Nation. 
 I have no doubt many officers left the United States' service 
 in haste and now repent at leisure; believing then they were 
 simply choosing between two Nations, whereas, they simply 
 allied themselves with a rebellious faction which can never 
 succeed." 
 
 " It is what might have been expected from the passionate 
 and illogical Southerners," said Careswell. "It is hard, how- 
 ever, to fight against one's blood relations. I am not so sure 
 we would all be here, had our states seceded. We should 
 have thought over the matter long, however, and probably 
 have most of us remained true to the central Government. 
 The funny thing about Buchanan's action is, that neither his 
 native, nor his adopted state, seceded, though he probably 
 thought the former would." 
 
 " Well," broke in Bloss, " the most of the naval officers who 
 went South have sea-ceded, that is, given up sea for land ser- 
 vice, for we know they have no navy." 
 
A XAVAL STOEY OF THE LATE WAR. 71 
 
 " What vessels they have are mighty fast, though," said the 
 doctor. " There's the Florida, the " — 
 
 "Sail ho!" rang out sharply from the lookout up in the 
 foretop-mast cross-trees. 
 
 "Where away?" hailed Sanborn, who was officer-of-the- 
 deck. 
 
 " One point on the port bow, sir !" came the answer. 
 
 " A^ery well. Keep a sharp lookout !" said the officer, who 
 went up on the pooj)-deck with the quartermaster and took a 
 good look with a spy-glass at the speck of ship and smoke 
 ahead. 
 
 The executive looked at her awhile, and summoned the 
 captain, who remarked, " It is probably the British mail- 
 steamer from the West Indies." 
 
 The group of officers scattered ; some went below, others got 
 private glasses and looked at the stranger, and soon after din- 
 ner was served. Careswell took the deck at meridian, and, 
 about four-bells, informed Mr. Felton that 'bethought the 
 stranger had changed her course more to the north'ard.' The 
 course of the Nautilus was altered a little more to the east- 
 ward, so as gradually to draw nearer to the steamer, which 
 was now about four miles away, steaming rapidly, and leaving 
 a long trail of characteristic, bituminous, black smoke behind 
 her. The flag of the Nautilus was hoisted, and the stranger 
 ran up the British ensign. 
 
 The officers and men were looking at the craft and specu- 
 lating upon her character. None of them had seen a blockade- 
 runner or a rebel cruiser at sea, and the captain seemed satis- 
 fied the vessel was a British steamer. At last Careswell said 
 'Sanborn had chased the Florida during a flying cruise.' 
 
 " Where is Mr. Sanborn ?" asked the executive. 
 
 "Down below, asleep," said several. 
 
 " Mr. Ashton, tell Mr. Sanborn I want to see him on deck 
 immediately," said Felton. 
 
 Sanborn soon came up, rubbing his eyes, and looked rather 
 sheepishly at the group of officers. He touched his cap to the 
 executive, who told him he wanted his opinion upon a sus- 
 picious sail. 
 
 "Where is she?" asked he. 
 
 " There, on the port bow," was the answer. 
 
72 CRUISING AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 He looked at the vessel, started, grasped a glass quickly and 
 looked again a moment, then uttered an oath and exclaimed, 
 " That's the Florida, sir, as sure as I'm a sinner. I chased 
 her last voyage. We almost caught her, and had a good long 
 spell looking at her during the chase, but she gave us the slip 
 after dark." 
 
 The captain's face flushed, and he ordered Mr. Felton to 
 make chase with all steam and sail. All was excitement now. 
 The executive took charge of the deck; "All hands make 
 sail!" rang through the ship from the boatswain's mate; the 
 course was changed directly for the Florida ; the royals and 
 several staysails were set ; the sails were trimmed carefully ; 
 the screw was lowered ; the fires were unban ked, coaled, and 
 stirred up, and the Nautilus flew through the water about 
 twelve knots an hour. 
 
 The instant the course of the Nautilus was changed, the 
 bow of the Florida swung around to the southeast, and her 
 smoke-stack began to belch forth great volumes of dense, black 
 smoke, showing that the fires were being fed freely, and she 
 sped over the water like a flying-fish. 
 
 The sails of the Nautilus drew beautifully, and the screw 
 revolved fast enough to add something to the speed, yet, it 
 was apparent, the first half hour of the chase, that the Flo- 
 rida was drawing away from her. No. 1 gun's crew was called 
 to quarters and the executive said, " Mr. Careswell, take charge 
 of your gun and see if you can't reach her with a shell !" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" was the reply. 
 
 Careswell and the crew soon had the 30-pounder rifled 
 Parrott on the forecastle cast loose and ready for action, and 
 reported, " All ready, sir !" 
 
 " Give her extreme elevation and fire as the ship goes off a 
 point !" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 " Quartermaster, keep her off one point and steady !" or- 
 dered Felton. 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir ! Off one point and steady it is, sir !" 
 
 All hands watched the discharge with anxiety. Careswell 
 aimed the pivot gun himself with great care and pulled the 
 lockstring. There was a flash, a puff of smoke, a sharp re- 
 port, a whizzing sound, and the shell flew high in the 
 
 air, 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 73 
 
 then curved downwards, struck the water, ricochetted a few 
 rods, and exploded within a hundred yards of the enemy's 
 stern. 
 
 " Well done, sir," said Felton. " Load with a heavy charge 
 and try her again." 
 
 The interest among the initiated and the excitement of the 
 green hands were intense. All were watching the stranger, and 
 noticed that she altered her course a little more to the south- 
 ward. The gun was loaded and another shell exploded, as it 
 seemed to the lookers-on, just under the stern of the Florida. 
 This caused a murmur of applause from the men. 
 
 " You are doing well, sir," said Felton. " Load and fire 
 as fast as you can !" 
 
 The ship was pointed for the Florida, during the intervals 
 of the discharges, and steered off a point when the gun was 
 ready. The Nautilus was shooting through the water; the 
 Florida was going like a bird, with her black smoke clouding 
 the sky; the shells were bursting just in her wake every few 
 minutes, and every one was hopeful of coming to close quar- 
 ters, when there was suddenly an ominous flapping overhead, 
 and the royals were quivering along their weather luffs. Every 
 sailor's hopes sank, for it was evident the ship was running 
 close to the wind which was changing, and the courses the ves- 
 sels were running would soon render the square sails useless. 
 
 In another half hour, the topgallant sails and topsails were 
 flapping against the masts, and orders were reluctantly given 
 to take in the square sails, which was accordingly done. The 
 Florida was slowly drawing away, and the officers and men 
 were frantic. The engines were driven at their fullest speed ; 
 several howitzers were moved from the forward spar-deck to 
 the quarter-deck, and many of the men were crowded aft to 
 keep the stern of the ship down and steady, so that the screw 
 might do its best, but the Nautilus could not keep up her former 
 speed. The Florida rapidly increased the distance from her 
 pursuer; the Parrott gun stopped talking and was secured; 
 the men stood around and cursed their luck, and the officers 
 listened to a lecture from Lawson upon the respective merits 
 of American contract and English engines. Everybody was 
 ill-humored and disgusted, and, when night fell and hid the 
 
74 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING, 
 
 distant speck from sight, there was a sullen gloom about the 
 ship that showed the bitter disappointment of all hands. 
 
 Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout were far behind, and 
 those stormy regions had smiled with beautiful weather. The 
 sailors say, 
 
 " If Cape Lookout lets you pass, 
 Then look out for Hatteras." 
 
 There was a delicious aroma in the breeze all night, a fruity, 
 flowery smell, most delicious in the nostrils of a brine-soaked 
 sailor, which told of land not far away. Early in the morn- 
 ing, the lighthouse and pretty island of Abaco were made out ; 
 the Nautilus steamed up Northwest Channel, past Stirrup Key 
 and the Hens and Chickens, and away southeast from Carrys- 
 fort light-house. The water was clear and shallow, showing 
 grayish green from the light sands of the Great Bahama Banks 
 below ; the deep-sea lead was frequently thrown to mark the 
 depth of water, and to bring up the sand and tiny shells to 
 conlirm the vessel's position upon the chart. 
 
 The next night was foggy, and the sea was as smooth as 
 glass; the ship rocked gently upon the lazy billows, and 
 steamed onward slowly. Suddenly in the still night came a 
 cry from the forecastle lookout, " Sail ho ! Hard a starboard ! 
 A schooner, sir, dead ahead !" 
 
 Careswell wa« deck-officer and upon the bridge. He imme- 
 diately yelled, " Hard a starboard, Quartermaster !" and, at 
 the same moment, pulled the bell to the engineer to "stop," 
 and another to " back," and the Nautilus almost touched the 
 schooner's side. 
 
 It was dead calm and the small vessel was helpless. The 
 Nautilus was turned around and run back near the schooner. 
 
 " Schooner ahoy ! What schooner is that ?" shouted Cares- 
 well. 
 
 " Schooner Harcourt, of Wilton, S. C. !" was the answer. 
 
 " Where are you from and where bound ?" 
 
 " From South Edisto, bound to Nassau !" 
 
 " What is your cargo?" 
 
 " Eighty-four bales of sea- island cotton !" 
 
 " Very well ; I will send a boat on board !" 
 
 The second cutter was piped away by the boatswain's mate 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. <0 
 
 the boat was manned with armed men, and Mr. Sanborn was 
 sent to board. He soon returned with the captain, the owner, 
 and first mate of the schooner, which he had seized as a prize, 
 and he had bronglit lier papers and a Confederate and an 
 English flag. 
 
 Capt. Prescott and Mr. Felton had been called, in the mean 
 time, and were ready to receive the prisoners and to hear their 
 story. The captain had run the blockade successfully, and 
 expected to reach Xassau easily, but he had only coasted along 
 shore, did not understand navigation well, had lost his reckon- 
 ing, owing to squally weather and strange currents, and was 
 glad to be captured and saved from shipwreck and danger. 
 The owner of the vessel and cargo, who had never been to sea 
 before, was equally rejoiced at his rescue from a watery grave, 
 but he thought he paid rather dear for the ransom. The offi- 
 cers and owner were messed with the warrant officers forwards, 
 and the sailors of the schooner were divided between the 
 watches, under the surveillance of the petty officers. 
 
 The Nautilus lay by the prize nearly all night, putting pro- 
 visions, water, luggage, instruments, charts, etc., on board, and 
 the senior midshipman, Mr. Osborne, and a crew of eight good 
 sailors were transferred to her, with orders to proceed to Phila- 
 delphia and report to the Commandant of the Navy Yard. 
 A breeze sprang up towards morning, the schooner sailed away 
 to the northward, with hearty cheers from both crews, and 
 arrived home safely. 
 
 The fog had not lifted yet, and twice during the night the 
 flapping of sails and the voices of men indicated the presence 
 of vessels, which, when pursued by the Nautilus, vanished in 
 the darkness like {)hantom ships. The escaping steam warned 
 them in time of the presence of a steaaier lying-to — a suspi- 
 cious circumstance in those waters — and they changed their 
 courses luckily in directions which the Nautilus did not happen 
 to strike. It was presumed they were blockade runners on 
 the way to or from Nassau, although they may have belonged 
 to the merchant marine of the North. 
 
 After the prize had cleared away, the Nautilus proceeded 
 on her course at a moderate rate of speed, and the officers and 
 men of the watch below, who had all been on deck assisting 
 in the work, turned in to their bunks and dream-bags. Hardly 
 
76 CRUISIXG AND BLOCKADIXa. 
 
 had they fallen asleep, before they were awakened by a shrill 
 cry of " Breakers ahead ! Hard a port !" and the violent 
 ringing of the signal bells in the engine-room. The officers 
 and men rushed upon deck, clothes in hand, and forward upon 
 the forecastle to see the threatening reef. 
 
 Here they saw, not jagged rocks, lashed by foaming, roar- 
 ing surf, but an enormous turtle, probably Sphargis coriacea, 
 fully ten feet in length, throwing out its enormous flippers and 
 sporting upon the surface of the rippled ocean. He seemed 
 for a time unconscious of any intruders upon his domain, but 
 the engine was started, the screw began to churn up the water 
 and drive the ship ahead, and this king of the Chelonia pad- 
 dled lazily away, and sank gradually below the surface and 
 out of sight. 
 
 Everybody had a good laugh at the scare, though it had 
 been so severe to a few that they felt more like crying — so near 
 are laughter and tears. Such a night of excitement had not 
 before been experienced on board ; there was little slumber in 
 the ship the remainder of the night, and everybody was glad 
 to turn out early and get a cup of matutinal coffee with hard- 
 tack. 
 
 The next day was warm and sultry and tlie men were or- 
 dered into straw hats and white shirts. Their black hat-bands 
 bore the name Nautilus in golden letters; the corners of their 
 shirt collars were embroidered with blue stars; the shirt 
 bosoms of some of the j)etty officers bore the national coat-of- 
 arms, the sleeves, the typical anchor, and the heavy shoes were 
 replaced by light slippers. The officers off duty donned straw 
 hats and white pants, and the whole ship appeared lively, 
 cheerful and summery. A sudden squall, with heavy thunder, 
 sharp lightning and cold rain, forced a change back to the ha- 
 biliments of winter, in the afternoon, and the wind hauled 
 around to the northward and increased to a gale. 
 
 A schooner under close reefs was sighted, overhauled, and 
 ordered to heave to, but either the captain did not hear, or was 
 too much frightened to give the proper orders, and a blank 
 cartridge was fired. This seemed to frighten him much, and 
 he paid off sheets and tried to run away. Then a 30-pounder 
 Parrott shell was fired through his mainsail and exploded be- 
 yond, and he hove to the wind, shivering upon the quarter- 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 77 
 
 deck, as much as his mainsail aloft. An officer was sent on 
 board the supposed prize, and great was the disgust of all to 
 learn, when he returned, that it was a Boston vessel, loaded 
 with molasses, having papers all right, just out of Matanzas 
 and bound to New York. The captain supposed the Nautilus 
 to be the Alabama, hence his perturbation. The vessels ex- 
 changed salutes by dipping colors and sped on their way, one 
 to the icy north, the other towards the region of perpetual 
 summer. 
 
 The next morning the sky was cloudy and angry ; the wind 
 was singing and roaring through the rigging ; the great waves 
 were jumping up the sides of the ship like a lap-dog for 
 caresses; the spray was flying over the forecastle with each 
 plunge of the rolling, struggling ship; the upper yards were 
 sent down and everything lashed securely; the men were 
 dressed in oil-jackets and sou'westers, and gathered in little 
 knots under the bulwarks, holding on by rail-pins and gun 
 tackles ; the two helmsmen and the quartermaster held the 
 wheel and glanced occasionally from the compass in the bin- 
 nacle to the bow of the uneasy vessel ; the officer-of-the-deck 
 had left the bridge and was walking up and down the quarter- 
 deck in the lee of the rail ; the Mother Carey's chickens were 
 darting and chirping astern ; the gulls were sailing around and 
 screaming sharply, and everything about was dismal and 
 threatening. 
 
 Down below it was not much more agreeable. The bunks, 
 tables and shelves were creaking and cracking; the chairs and 
 camp-stools made sudden and noisy excursions around the 
 rooms, when they worked loose from their lashings; tlie 
 crockery, china, glass and silver ware rattled, jingled and rang, 
 as it moved about in the pocketed shelves prepared for it; the 
 wardroom boys tumbled about, as they put the guards and 
 rails upon the table for breakfast, and the officers steadied 
 themselves by doors and partitions, put on their clothes with 
 difficulty, then ventured to show their faces above the com- 
 panion way, and shrank shivering back from the cold pelting 
 rain. 
 
 The Norther had come suddenly; the thermometer had 
 fallen from temperate to frigid ; the bodies and hopes of those, 
 who the day before had rejoiced in balmy, summer air, were 
 
78 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 chilled, and the storm necessitated slower speed towards the 
 coast of Cuba. 
 
 The Norther is well known and dreaded by the citizens and 
 sailors of the South. It drives the enervated to shelter; it 
 nips the tender buds of the orange and vine; it prostrates 
 poorly built houses and stately trees ; it splits sails, breaks off 
 topmasts, and strews the shores with wrecks. 
 
 Sailors like storms. There is something majestic in a fu- 
 rious gale. The spirit rises with the wind and waves. The 
 force and energy increase with the elemental war and the ne- 
 cessity for action. A sailor is obliged to exert his power, his 
 skill, his nautical knowledge to save himself and vessel from 
 destruction, and the very exercise of these makes him feel 
 proud that he can conquer often in the most adverse circum- 
 stances. He passes through manifold dangers; he has hun- 
 dreds of hairbreadth escapes in a lifetime, and thinks no more 
 of them than he would of the ordinary incidents of life in a 
 metropolis. He loves to talk about them. His mind is full 
 of oi't rej)eated experiences. His tongue is ever ready to tell 
 them to listeners. They are his literature, his library of use- 
 ful knowledge ; they are so strange, so startling, so extravagant 
 to the dwellers upon terra firma, that they are disbelieved by 
 the ignorant, the unimaginative and the untravelled. Jack is 
 said to spin yarns. He does sometimes draw upon his imagi- 
 nation ; but he tells not the half of what he might tell, in 
 truth, of his voyage of life, far surpassing in thrilling interest 
 that to which objection is made. Jack is a specialist, and 
 none who have not pursued a parallel course with him can be 
 fit judges of his character. Landsmen should not presume to 
 sit in judgment, or they may be as ridiculous as the old lady 
 whose son had made a voyage to the West Indies. He told 
 her that "out to sea, one night, he hung a lantern u|) in the 
 rigging, and so many flying-fish came on board that the crew 
 had enough for breakfast; and, down in Cuba, there were 
 hills of sugar and rivers of rum." 
 
 " I may well believe there are hills of sugar and rivers of 
 rum," said the wise old lady, " but fish that fly the good Lord 
 never did see." 
 
 "Tell that to marines " is an old saying, because they, of 
 all a ship's company, are generally the fresiiest and greenest. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 79 
 
 Jack ought to be credited with a fair presentation of facts, 
 except when he is talking to marines. It is undeniable that 
 he does sometimes lie to these unsophisticated and credulous 
 individuals. 
 
 Jack glories in a rousing gale off Hatteras or Cape Clear, 
 but he hates the sneaking, chilling, savage Norther, that 
 comes plunging into tiie pleasures of a warm, tropic day, like 
 a drunken loaler into an assembly of refined ladies, and any 
 one who has experienced one of these cruel blasts will feel as 
 he does. 
 
 Old Brenneman, one of the boatswain's mates, was particu- 
 larly grumpy upon this disagreeable day, and, if the men did 
 not jump quickly to obey orders when he blew his shrill 
 whistle, he would swear like a pirate. He was sixty-three 
 years old; his hair and whiskers were as white as snow; he 
 had only two teeth left, and was obliged to soak his hard-tack 
 in coffee or tea before eating it. He was broad shouldered, 
 gaunt and thin ; scarred by accidents and battered by long 
 service, and a fit subject for an easy chair and a chimney 
 corner, but woe to any one who hinted at his senility or scofTed 
 at his waning prowess. 
 
 Twenty-one years' service in the Navy entitles a man to a 
 snug and comfortable home the remainder of his days in 
 a Naval Asylum. This brave old man had been in constant 
 service for thirty-two years, and still preferred "a life on the 
 ocean wave," to repose in the sailor's snug harbor. 
 
 He said he had never been married — no soldier or sailor 
 had any right to marry. He had given a landsman brother 
 $1300 out of his savings and asked no interest or rej)ayment. 
 Uncle Sam was a good enough relation for him, and some 
 day, when he became old, he intended to retire and write a 
 book. He had a firm belief that the good Lord would not be 
 hard on poor Jack, but judge him according to his opportuni- 
 ties. He said one day, " the fellows who doubt the existence 
 of Deity always have badly shaped heads," and then quoted, 
 
 " No God ! the simplest flower, 
 That on the earth is found ; 
 Shrinks as it drinks its cup of dew, 
 And trembles at the sound." 
 
80 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 He would talk in the sweetest and most touching manner of 
 the Saviour's sacrifice for man, and say, 
 
 " There's a sweet little cherub sits way up aloft, 
 To keep watch o'er the life of poor Jack." 
 
 and, a few moments afterwards, get in a furious passion be- 
 cause some clumsy sailor would not do what was wanted 
 
 promptly, say "the landlubbers can't climb," and swear 
 
 in a way to make one shudder. Jack's sins are numerous, 
 and he is hardly capable of works of supererogation. May 
 his faith be strong and his good deeds count well up aloft. 
 
 The Norther was full of misery. Smoking and talking 
 upon deck were reduced to a minimum, owing to the wind 
 and rain. Writing at the mess-table was out of the question, 
 on account of the violeut movements of the vessel. Some 
 officers lay in their bunks and slept or read ; others gathered 
 with camp-stools in the country, which was warmed by the 
 heat that came through the open engine-room door, and dis- 
 cussed physics with the engineers, and told stories with the 
 middies; all were glad when the meals were served, as the 
 efforts to keep one's balance and to save the dishes and rations 
 from disaster led to misadventure and hilarity. 
 
 The storm abated somewhat in the afternoon, and a brig 
 was sighted and made to heave to. A boat was lowered and 
 Mr. Sanborn and a crew attempted to man her, but she nearly 
 swamped alongside, the officer lost his cap, and, as the vessel 
 hoisted French colors and looked like a Johnny Crapaud, she 
 was allowed to proceed and the boat was hoisted up. The 
 night was dark and threatening and many felt dismal fore- 
 bodings as they turned in to sleep. 
 
A ^■AVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 81 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The next morning the sun was shining brightly, the wind 
 was blowing soft and warm from the southwest, the sea was 
 going down, and the Nautilus was steaming rapidly to the 
 southward. Just after quarters, the lookout aloft shouted, 
 " Land ho! Dead ahead, sir!" and the Pan y Matanzus and 
 high, bold coast of Cuba soon after broke through the mist 
 and gladdened the hearts of everybody. The light-houses of 
 Santa Cruz and Moro Castle, the line of fortifications upon 
 the shore, and the narrow entrance to the haven, were soon 
 in plain view, and the Nautilus steamed boldly in among the 
 numerous sail, which always flit in and out among the buoys 
 that mark the channels of a great harbor, until a gun from 
 Moro Castle warned her to stop and submit to a visit from the 
 Health officers. 
 
 The engines were stopped, a boat flying the Spanish flag 
 pulled out from a pier and came alongside, two Spanish offi- 
 cers in full uniform, wearing their swords, were received at 
 the gangway by the officer-of-the-deck and Mr. Felton and 
 conducted below. A glass of sherry all around ; a few ques- 
 tions and answers between the strangers and Mr. Felton and 
 Surgeon Willett, and they all appeared upon deck again, 
 shook hands, touched their caps, and the visitors departed. 
 The engines were started, " All hands come to anchor !" was 
 called for the men to take their stations, the vessel moved 
 slowly through the channel into the basin, and dropped her 
 anchor near several men-of-war at the upper part of the har- 
 bor of Havana. 
 
 The narrow channel seaward and the nearly circular harbor, 
 surrounded by sloping hills, resembled a frying pan in shape, 
 and the stillness of the air and the heat of the afternoon sun 
 seemed to make frying a possibility. The green hillsides, 
 winding roads, little white-walled gardens and houses, foreign 
 architecture and green, feathery palm trees, made a picture 
 fair to look upon. 
 
82 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Vessels of many nationalities lay along the docks or were 
 anchored around, and rowboats, sailboats and little steamers 
 were shooting across the harbor in every direction. A man- 
 of-war boat, flying the Spanish ensign, came alongside; a 
 Spanish lieutenant came on board, presented the compliments 
 of the Spanish Admiral in command of the West India 
 Squadron, and offered Captain Prescott the hospitality of the 
 port and any as'^istance that might be needed. Lieutenant- 
 commander Felton and the deck-ofiicer received him, his card 
 was sent down to Captain Prescott, Mr. Felton conducted him 
 below and introduced him, and he delivered his message again, 
 after the trio had discussed a bottle of sherry. The captain 
 returned his compliments and thanks, and announced his in- 
 tention of paying his respects to the admiral upon the morrow, 
 then adieux were said and the officer was shown over the side 
 with the same punctilious regard to naval etiquette as upon 
 his ai'rival. 
 
 The awnings were spread, the windsails hoisted in the 
 hatchways, the ci'ew was ordered into summer clothing, and 
 the ship cleared up fore and aft. Then there was a call to 
 quarters, the Spanish flag was run up to the fore truck, the 
 magazine was opened, and an admiral's salute of thirteen guns 
 was fired from the 24-pounder howitzers. About an hour 
 later, the Spanish flag-ship returned the salute gun for gun, 
 with the American flag flying from her fore truck. This cus- 
 tomary etiquette being over, the captain ordered his gig, took 
 the doctor along, went ashore to pay his resj)ects to the Consul 
 General of the United States and to the Governor General of 
 Cuba, and returned after dark with a small mail-bag and some 
 news. 
 
 " Yellow fever is bad among the merchantmen and quite 
 prevalent on shore," said the doctor, after the few letters had 
 been read, some fine Havana Principe cigars had been dis- 
 tributed, and the wardroom mess had assembled in the accus- 
 tomed place on the port side for an evening smoke. " You 
 must take frequent baths, put on your merino underclothes, 
 drink little water and wine, eat little meat, beware of unripe 
 fruit, keep out of the sun as much as possible, and avoid get- 
 ting wet and then sitting around in the night air." 
 
 " All right, Doctor," said Careswell ; " I don't want to 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 83 
 
 leave my bones upon this island, beautiful as it is. I was 
 shocked by a merchant ship's boat passing near us this evening, 
 having six poor fellows laid out in the stern. They were cov- 
 ered with a tarpaulin, but it was not large enough and the 
 feet and heads could be plainly seen. They went across the 
 harbor to an out of the way cemetery, I suppose the potter's 
 field, where their friends will never be able to find them, 
 even if they can bear tlie expense of removal. They put 
 people out of the way here with short prayers and little cere- 
 mony, when they die of yellow fever, just as they do the pau- 
 pers in Paris." 
 
 "Bah! you make me shudder," said Ashton. "Do you 
 think we are in danger. Doctor?" 
 
 " We are always in danger," said the doctor gravely. 
 "Every naval man takes his life in his hand, when he goes 
 cruising about the world. The coast of Africa is our most 
 dangerous station. The vessels are not allowed up the rivers 
 unless absolutely necessary; do not communicate with the 
 shore between sunset and sunrise, and must anchor as far off 
 shore as possible to avoid the terrible malaria, which is deadly 
 to every foreigner. The native Kroomen are employed to do 
 all the boating necessary, and the crews of our vessels are often 
 sent to the Canaries or home to recuperate." 
 
 "I think this place is nearly as dangerous; it is much 
 worse than Rio de Janeiro for Yellow Jack, because of its 
 situation. Here we lie in the bottom of a tub ; the Avind can- 
 not blow much, owing to the surrounding hills; the water is 
 foul with the sewage of the city, and the tides and sea cannot 
 replace and purify it on account of the narrow channel in- 
 wards. We are floating upon a bay of filth ; the fish in it 
 are not fit to eat, and the vessels that wash decks are sure to 
 get the fever. We shall not wash our decks here, and not a 
 bucket of water should be drawn by the men for any pur- 
 pose." 
 
 " Will we have to stay aboard all the time?" asked Bloss. 
 
 " No. You can go ashore after five or six o'clock, but must 
 take care not to get overheated, nor to get wet by the sudden 
 showers." 
 
 "What's the news from home?" asked the paymaster. 
 
 " Oh, very little. The war goes on all right. We have 
 
84 CRUISIKG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 won a few battles, and every one thinks the war will soon be 
 ended." 
 
 "Yes? So everybody thought in 'Gl, but we are in for a 
 long struggle, I tliink." 
 
 " Did you see the Governor General ?" 
 
 " No ; he was away, but an aid-de-camp was very hos- 
 pitable." 
 
 " Did you meet our Consul General ?" 
 
 "Yes, and he will be aboard to-morrow. lie says there is 
 great curiosity to see the Nautilus. She has been the talk of 
 the place for weeks. The blockade-runners are here in force 
 and they are especially anxious." 
 
 " I saw half a dozen of them across the harbor, flying the 
 stars and bars," said Careswell. " The impudent scoundrels ! 
 One of them pulled down a small flag and hoisted a large one 
 just for our benefit, soon after we came to anchor. I'd like 
 to go over and scuttle her, if the captain would give me 
 leave." 
 
 " You'd have a nice time of it before you finished," said 
 Ashton. " We could read a newspaper through you in the 
 morning. You'd be riddled with bullets before you had bored 
 two auger holes." 
 
 " Well, I would try it anyway," said Careswell doggedly, 
 
 "The English are to blame for this state of affairs," said 
 Mr. Felton. "If they had not granted the South belligerent 
 rights, these vessels would be seized as pirates." 
 
 " The blockade-runners are swaggering around the city 
 every night and frequently attack American sailors," said 
 Willett. " The captain said to-night that every officer must 
 wear his side-arms ashore. The North is in high favor among 
 the Cuban merchants, but the slave-holders and the grandees 
 sympathize with the South. My greenbacks were taken for 
 only fifty cents on the dollar, however, which don't show much 
 respect for Northern finances." 
 
 " Is the Confederate money worth anything?" asked Bloss. 
 
 "No; the blockade-runners all pay with gold. The crews 
 are made up of English, Irish and Southerners, and they don't 
 like shinplasters. Money is advanced here on cotton, which 
 is to be delivered by the vessels in England, though some of 
 it is unloaded here and sent to Europe by regular European 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 85 
 
 st'^araers. All the cotton brought in here by small vessels is 
 sold outright, and the money invested in supplies for the re- 
 turn cargoes." 
 
 Night had fallen and the lights twinkled like stars among 
 the shipping and in the city and away over the surrounding 
 hills. A gentle breeze, perfumed by many flowers, came over 
 the placid bay and entered the gun-ports. The sounds of dip- 
 ping oars, the ship's bells striking the hours, the hum of the 
 city streets, and the tinkle of a guitar in a little easa upon the 
 hillside, invited to repose and revery. Nowhere in the world 
 does one experience such calm, delicious, soothing influences, 
 as in the tropics after the fervent heat of the day is passed. 
 No pleasure on board ship can compare to swinging in a ham- 
 mock beneath the awning upon the quarter-deck of a man-of- 
 war, in Havana, and adding perfume to the soft, sweet, even- 
 ing air from a prime Principe. 
 
 The contrast between the stormy night at sea and the fol- 
 lowing night in port was great and impressive, and every one 
 felt that it was almost like a transition from purgatory to 
 paradise. Tattoo had been sounded by the different men-of- 
 war in port, and all the wardroom lights had been extinguished, 
 long before the officers turned in to dream of orange groves 
 and seiioritas. 
 
 The next day the ship was cleaned up with extra care, an 
 early boat was sent to market for fresh vegetables and fruit, 
 the broad pennant and the large ensign were hoisted at nine 
 o'clock, the side steps were shipped at the gangway and draped 
 with bunting, and everything took on a holiday appearance. 
 
 At ten o'clock the Consul General of the United States came 
 on board and was received at tlie gangway by Capt. Prescott 
 and the officers of the ship, in full dress uniform, and a salute 
 of nine guns was fired in his honor. He was delighted with 
 the Nautilus, and enjoyed, as heartily as did the officers, the 
 running conversation of home and the social amenities of the 
 occasion. He extended the hospitalities of his establishment 
 to all, and proved that he was a noble representative of his 
 country. 
 
 He had no sooner gone, than a beautiful barge, flying the 
 Imperial flag of Spain, was reported approaching the ship, and 
 the Governor General of Cuba, with a brilliant staff", came 
 
86 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 alongside and up the gangway. He was received by the cap- 
 tain and some of the officers; the marines were in line upon 
 the port side of the quarter-deck ; the men were stationed at 
 quarters, and the Spanish ensign was run up to the fore truck. 
 As the visitors stepped upon deck, three ruffles of the drum 
 were heard, the officers and men raised their caps, the marines 
 presented arms, and a salute of fifteen guns was fired. The 
 gentlemen were conducted over the ship; spent half an hour 
 in the cabin and wardroom, conversing in passable English 
 and excellent French, and departed with many thanks, pro- 
 fuse offers of friendship and hospitality, and the customary 
 honors. One of the visitors gave Care.swell his card bearing 
 the following, " Juan Montalvo, No. 49 Calle dela Pense- 
 verancia. Una casa y un amlgo a su disposicion." The 
 gentleman meant ail he said and was a firm friend as long as 
 the Nautilus remained in the .squadron. 
 
 After dinner the Spanish Admiral came on board to pay his 
 respects and was received like the Governor General, except 
 that two ruffles of the drum were given, and only thirteen 
 guns were fired. He was entertained royally by Capt, Pres- 
 cott, and was greatly interested in a critical survey of the 
 ship. 
 
 "That fellow knows a 'belaying-pin from a marlin-spike," 
 said old Brenneman. "He'll go and copy all our Yankee in- 
 ventions in his old tub over there. " 
 
 The admiral departed with the usual formalities and every 
 one felt relieved. The offlcial visits were over, and the offlcers 
 and crew were tired of full dress and naval parade. Visitors, 
 military and civil, foreign and native, handsome and hideous, 
 kept coming on board till supper time, and they had to be 
 shown about, wined, and talked to in different languages, 
 until every part of the ship resounded with polyglots, and 
 one might have thought a school of Philology had been es- 
 tablished, or the Babylonic confusion was being rehearsed by 
 amateurs. Tongues and legs were .so tired after the exodus 
 of sight-.seers, that not an officer asked to go ashore ; the even- 
 ing smoke and conversation were interrupted by yawns and 
 cat-naps, and one after another took his camp-stool and went 
 silently to bed. 
 
 The next morning there was exercise sending up and down 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 87 
 
 the yards and topmasts, and, later, barges came alongside and 
 the men were put to work coaling ship. Scores of visitors, 
 including some American and Cuban ladies, came aljoard, and 
 the officers were busy entertaining them till the shatles of even- 
 ing fell. After supper several officers from the steerage and 
 wardroom went ashore in the second cutter and the captain 
 followed in his gig. 
 
 There is an excellent macadamized road leading through 
 pretty gardens and broad estates away from the city and over 
 the hills around the harbor. It is well shaded by palm, 
 mango and avacada trees, and is deliciously cool in the early 
 evening. It is a favorite resort of the elite of the city after 
 dinner, and is crowded for hours with the peculiar Cuban car- 
 riages, called volantes. A volante is a covered chaise with 
 extremely long shafts, and the driver, in top boots and livery, 
 rides the horse. He is about ten feet ahead of the occupants 
 of the carriage and can not hear the conversation behind, which 
 has its advantages. The chaise is lined with silk of a color to 
 harmonize with the complexions of the ladies, and their cos- 
 tumes are in harmony with it, so that a very agreeable tout 
 ensemble is produced. A blonde has a blue lining to the 
 chaise and wears a white dress; a brunette, a lining of crim- 
 son and wears pink ; a blonde and brunette in the same car- 
 riage would have a lining of black and wear blue and buflP, 
 The ladies generally have nothing upon the head except their 
 luxuriant hair in massive braids, but they carry a lace man- 
 tilla to throw over the head and shoulders when the air be- 
 comes cool. Gentlemen accompany their ladies on horseback, 
 and the long lines of carriages and gallant riders present a 
 fashionable procession of exceeding interest to natives and for- 
 eigners. 
 
 After the evening ride, the volantes are arranged around 
 the Plaza da Armaz, a park, full of beautiful flowers and 
 noble orange and palm trees situated in the heart of the city, 
 in front of the Governor General's palace and the Louvre and 
 Dominica restaurants, where the band plays all the evening, 
 and the people assemble to sip wines and eat ices and cakes. 
 
 The officers of the Nautilus arrived at the Plaza just in time 
 to see the volantes and their attendants returning from their 
 evening ride. The drivers dismounted and held the horses of 
 
88 CRUISINO AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 the carriages and their attendants. Some of the ladies re- 
 mained in their seats, partook of refreshments, and held sweet 
 converse with the attentive gentlemen. Others were escorted 
 around or through the walks of the park to the Dominica. 
 The seats, paths and restaurants were full of. well dressed, 
 happy people, eating, drinking, smoking and gossiping, while 
 the military band in the middle of the Plaza played exquisite 
 music for two hours. Here and there could be seen naval 
 officers of Denmark, Germany, France, England and the 
 United States; soldiers of the garrison, of diiferent grades and 
 uniforms ; sailors from the merchant ships and blockade-run- 
 ners, and ladies and gentlemen of the city, often accompanied 
 bv negro servants. 
 
 The soft evening breeze, the murmuring trees, the hum of 
 conversation, the rippling laughter and the strains of music, 
 were pleasant to the storm-tossed mariners, and they lingered 
 about the place until the band departed, and then went into 
 the Dominica. They took seats at one of the tables by an 
 open casement overlooking the park and ordered ices and 
 wines. While resting and discussing the events of the even- 
 ing with several resident Americans, half a dozen roughly 
 dressed blockade-runners took seats at a table upon the other 
 side of the room and began to talk in a boisterous tone of the 
 American war. Their remarks became pointed and offensive 
 to the Union men present, and their nods and scowling glances 
 towards them indicated plainly their desire to precipitate an 
 encounter. As it grew later, the wit went out as the wine 
 went down, and the whole party broke out into song and sang 
 "The Bonnie Blue Flag" with a great deal of enthusiasm, 
 clinking their glasses and pounding on the table in unison. 
 Then three cheers were given for Jeff. Davis and the Southern 
 Confederacy, and loud talk and boisterous oaths attracted the 
 attention of every one around the Dominica, but no attempt 
 was made by the proprietor or servants to restrain the ribald 
 folly. 
 
 The officers of the Nautilus were quiet and apparently un- 
 concerned, but they felt exceedingly comfortable that they had 
 their side-arms. The leader of the crowd, a ferocious looking 
 Southerner, rose from his chair, walked rapidly over to the 
 table of the Union officers and spat at Ashtou, who quick as 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 89 
 
 thought clashed a glass of claret in his face and, before t!ie 
 ruffian had recovered, drew his sword and gave him a blow 
 over the head with the back of it that caused him to stao-orer 
 and retreat. 
 
 The groups at both tables sprang to their feet, and the 
 rebels advanced a few steps, but when they saw a determined 
 front and the muzzles of several revolvers, they halted, and 
 several police appearing u])on the scene, they left the restaurant, 
 sending back all kinds of vile epithets and horrible curses. 
 The Union officers left soon after, proceeded cautiously through 
 the streets to the boats, and arrived on board ship in safety. 
 
 Every boat's crew went ashore armed after this adventure, 
 and the men were particularly careful to keep in groups and 
 not to get intoxicated. There was a native of Mississippi in 
 the crew, an ardent Union man, and in some way the blof^k- 
 ade-runners learned his history and watched for him. One 
 night, in company with two shipmates, he went into one of 
 those small, suspicious-looking drinking-houses near the dock, 
 and soon after four blockade-runners came in behind them. 
 The men fraternized, had several drinks together, and then 
 got into a discussion upon the war. They exchanged experi- 
 ences and grew quite confidential, then became excited and 
 angry, and, finally, the identity of the man from " Natchez 
 under the hill " was betrayed. The Southerners had sworn 
 they would capture him and send him back to the South in a 
 blockade-runner, and the opportunity was theirs. 
 
 Two of them seized him and the others each attacked his 
 man. The fight was a fierce one. The keeper of the place 
 ran out for the police. The Natchez man kept his assailants 
 busy, and the Yankee sailors were fast conquering their adver- 
 saries, when several police appeared upon the scene and 
 marched the whole party off to the calaboose. The man-of- 
 war's men had left their arms in the boat, and the Southerners 
 did not attempt to use any they may have had. They were all 
 liberated the next day through the intervention of their officers, 
 after the payment of light fines, and the Natchez man never 
 ventured on shore again in Havana. 
 
 The streets of Havana are narrow and paved with square 
 blocks of stone. The houses are built of white stone and 
 plaster; have small rooms and small barred windows, and the 
 
CO CRUISING AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 main entrance is a carriage way leading to an inner court-yard 
 and garden. The stores are much like tlie houses and have an 
 inner court where the employes lounge and smoke cigarettes 
 when there ai'e no customers about. Meals are generally 
 served in the court or garden behind, and the siesta is spent 
 there in bamboo chairs and hammocks. 
 
 Many of the public buildings are of white marble, and the 
 churches are rich in stained glass and interior decorations. 
 The low buildings, tiled roofs, narrow streets and peculiar 
 architecture, are essentially European in character, and the 
 city is in as marked contrast to one in the United States as 
 any in continental Europe. 
 
 The people do business in the cool of the morning and 
 evening, and abandon all exertion for several hours in the 
 middle of the day. Even the slaves are permitted to be lazy 
 then, partly because their masters are too indolent to look after 
 them. Coffee and bread is served early ; fruit, fish, yams, 
 meat and wine compose the breakflist, at 9 or 10 o'clock, and 
 a hearty dinner of many courses is enjoyed at any time from 
 4 to 7 P.M. Then a ride ; a visit to the theatre, opera, plaza 
 or ball, and social calls and gossiping, consume the time till 
 midnight and bedtime. 
 
 Colored and white women of the lower classes may be seen 
 in the streets at all hours, but ladies seldom go out till even- 
 ing, and never without a duenna or some member of the 
 family. A man must do his courting in the presence of a 
 third person, or through the grated windows, or surreptitiously, 
 during the evening ride and rest at the plaza. 
 
 One evening at seven, a handsome man, wearing a broad 
 sombrero, light cloak and sword, stood under a window and 
 clasped a lady's hand pushed through the bars. He looked 
 languishing, mysterious, cavalier-like, and the lady, dressed in 
 white, seemed a vision of loveliness in the dim shadow of the 
 casement. Three hours later the lady and gentleman occupied 
 the same respective places. The former had the same beau- 
 tiful arm protruding, the latter was standing on the same leg. 
 He was left there in the shadows and may be standing there 
 yet. It would have been too fatiguing to have watched and 
 vmited for the denouement. 
 
 The slaves dress in coffee bags ; the coolies and poor whites, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 91 
 
 in whatever they can get; and the well-to-do men, in Panama 
 hats and white or gray suits. The latter carry white um- 
 brellas. An umbrella in Cuba is a sign of ])ecuniary plethora. 
 All men and some women carry a cigarette or cigar in the 
 mouth. They are offered freely to acquaintances. No one is 
 ever expected to accept. Politeness thus costs very little. A 
 colored mother smokes a long cheroot, her three year old child, 
 a six for a cent. The white women wear an immense comb 
 in the back hair; the colored ones replace it with a toothpick. 
 A negress with a cheroot and a toothpick is inspiring to look 
 upon. 
 
 The right hand side of the entrance to Havana is a low, 
 sandy beach, stretching away to the westward and rising a 
 little southward to elevate the city above the tides. The 
 broken timbers of many a luckless vessel protrude along the 
 shore beyond the light-house, as the skeletons of animals and 
 men lie half buried in the desert. 
 
 The left side of the entrance is a solid wall of shelving 
 and perpendicular rock, rising several hundred feet, and cov- 
 ered by gardens and lawns, a light-house and the massive 
 towers and bastions of Moro Castle. Against the shelving 
 rock a frigate was dashed to splinters and not a soul was 
 saved. A cave runs inwards from the water's edge, makes a 
 sharp turn upwards and opens out upon the hill — a spouting 
 horn it is called. In heavy storms, the sea dashes inwards 
 and upwards upon the greensward with a melancholy roar. 
 
 Moro Castle is a vast fortification, heavily armed and gar- 
 risoned, and overlooking the city by the sea. It could only 
 be taken from the land side — its water approaches are so steep 
 and difficult. It frowns over the narrow entrance to the har- 
 bor, as many a robber's castle does above the lovely Rhine, 
 and demands a tribute of respect from every passing vessel. 
 An iron-clad would not be impregnable there, because shot 
 and shell could be pitched by hand down upon her thinly 
 armored deck. 
 
 An American man-of-war was detained in the channel 
 awhile, when trying to go to sea in chase of a blockade-runner 
 that had recently sailed. She got away too late to catch the 
 fleeing craft, and hei- captain and officers were angry. After 
 dark all lights were extinguished, and the man-of-war was 
 
92 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 turned about and run l)ack until Moro was barely visible 
 through the mist. Then the 11-inch pivot was loaded with 
 solid shot, the gun given extreme elevation, and the pointed 
 mass of iron fired directly at the offending fortification. There 
 was a flashing of lights, a roll of drums, and a manning of 
 the batteries, but the ship's helm was put to starboard and she 
 was soon far away to the eastward. The shot went entirely 
 over Moro and ploughed up the hill beyond, narrowly miss- 
 ing a human habitation. The garrison and the authorities 
 were very much surprised and exercised over the occurrence, 
 but no plausible explanation was reached. Some thought a 
 gun had gone oflF accidentally ; others, that a shot had been 
 fired at a vessel and gone astray. 
 
 The fruit of Cuba is delicious; the oranges are finer than 
 the apples of Hesperides ; the plums are delicate and luscious; 
 the bananas melt in the mouth like rich custard, and the cocoa- 
 nuts furnish a refreshing drink and snowy food. A couple of 
 oranges, a banana, a piece of bread and a cup of coflFee, make 
 an excellent breakfast. It is not considered safe to partake of 
 fruit and distilled liquor together. They do not agree in the 
 fervid climate. A banana and a glass of brandy have sent 
 many a sailor to Davy Jones' locker, i. e., to the place where 
 dead sailors are supposed to go. 
 
 The leather-skinned, moustached cavaliers of Cuba have 
 exquisite manners, and are hospitable and generous. They 
 are fearless and graceful riders, and would form a grand cru- 
 sading ])arty to rescue Jerusalem from the Mohammedans. 
 The young ladies are beautiful and generally dress with excel- 
 lent taste, but the middle aged and old present few traces of 
 early good looks. 
 
 The people of Cuba are religious in externals, at least, and 
 the churches are full upon the Sabbath day. It causes some 
 astonishment and awakens thought in an American Protestant 
 to find that the Roman Catholic church is there the church, 
 where all the fashion and wealth attend, and that the numer- 
 ous sects with which he is familiar at home are not represented. 
 
 A dozen negresses came on board the Nautilus one day. 
 Their hair was curled so tightly upon the head, it seemed, if 
 one could only cut a kink and get hold of an end, he might 
 unravel the whole coiffure like a yarn stocking. Some of them 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE AVAR. 93 
 
 had teeth filed to a point, probably to eat human beings in 
 their former home. All were as black as polished el)ony, and 
 had noses flat enough and lips thick enough to delight an 
 ethnologist. They wanted the officers' washing, and they re- 
 ceived a pile of dirty clothes almost as high as the turret of a 
 monitor. It was a month's accumulation. 
 
 Two important duties must be performed in port, to coal 
 ship and get the washing done. Enlisted men wash their 
 clothes themselves, either in a bucket, or towing at the end of 
 a line overboard out to sea. Officers are obliged to depend 
 upon the washwomen of the seaports for the purity of their 
 linen. Strange as it may seem to yachtmen and others who 
 rough it in colored shirts along the coast in summer, naval 
 officers invariably wear starched white shirts all the time. It 
 is considered infra dignitate to do otherwise. 
 
 The coal was all aboard ; the deficiency in stores was made 
 good ; the washing was returned ; the officers and men had 
 seen Havana; half the population of the city had seen the 
 Nautilus, and ship and officers were ready for sea. Not a 
 case of yellow fever had occurred on the Nautilus, though 
 there had been some deaths ashore and many on board the 
 merchant vessels. There was no fear, only an anxious watch- 
 fLdness of every morbid feeling by everybody. No one knew 
 when the dread scourge might inake an attack. It was like 
 being in front of a threatening enemy without power of 
 advance or retreat, and no one liked it. Everybody was 
 happy, therefore, when Mr. Felton gave out the news that the 
 ship would go to sea in the afternoon. It was apparent soon 
 after dinner that one of the six blockade-runners was getting 
 ready for sea. It had been learned on shore that she was 
 bound for Mobile. Capt. Prescott was informed that the 
 Nautilus would not be permitted to pass Moro in chase until 
 an hour after she had sailed. Thus safe escape was in a mea- 
 sure guaranteed by the Cuban authorities, because it was 
 hardly possible for the American man-of-war to steam as fast 
 as the fleet Clyde-built steamer, and, besides, a stern chase is 
 a long one, and darkness would soon hide her from view. 
 
 All of the blockade-runners carrying valuable cargoes were 
 of this class of steamers. They were long, low, narrow, iron 
 vessels, painted lead color or black, and had sharp bows, short 
 
9t CRUISING AKD BLOCKADING. 
 
 spars, large screws and powerful engines. They were captured 
 occasionally by running them ashore, catching them in a cor- 
 ner or narrow channel, or getting them within gunshot range 
 by their own miscalculations; but they were seldom caught 
 by a stern chase, when they had a few miles the start, because 
 they could outrun nearly all of the seagoing vessels of the 
 United States Navy. After a few of them had been captured 
 and turned into Yankee gunboats, luck changed, and blockade 
 running became so perilous and unproiitable that few men 
 would longer engage in it. 
 
 The blockade-runners were all covered with bunting this 
 afternoon, and some of the vessels had three and even four 
 Confederate flags flying, partly to cheer the departing vessels, 
 partly to signify their contemj)t for American men-of-war. 
 The Victoria hove up her anchor to the songs of "Dixie," 
 and "The Bonnie Blue Flag," in which her crew was joined 
 by the whole rebel fleet, and steamed out of the harbor, while 
 her men cheered and received cheers from the crews of sympa- 
 thizing vessels around. She had chosen her time for sailing 
 well. It was only about an hour to sunset, and no vessel was 
 allowed to go to sea after sunset. 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR, 95 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Nautilus liad been quietly preparing to sail ; the fires 
 had been started, the boats hoisted up, the anchor hove short, 
 and everything made ready. Finally, the order was received 
 with a glad shout from the men, " All hands up anchor !" and, 
 in a few moments, the anchor was up and catted, and the ship 
 was moving slowly through the shipping towards the open 
 sea. Great crowds had gathered all along the shore to see her 
 go out, and they sent up shout after shout of approbation and 
 admiration, as the noble craft spurned the waters with her 
 screw and moved like a living thing along. A lieutenant 
 came on board in a customs boat, in the channel near Moro, 
 and forbade the captain's going to sea until an hour had elapsed 
 since the Victoria had passed. Capt. Prescott and the officers 
 compared watches, talked, argued, drank a bottle of cham- 
 jiagne and smoked, but it was no use; the order was peremp- 
 tory, and must be obeyed. 
 
 Everybody felt like pitching the lieutenant overboard, defy- 
 ing Moro and the whole Spanish fleet, and going after the 
 steamer that was flying away to the northwest. Somebody 
 knew, however, that ]iort regulations must be respected and 
 International laws observed. It was not any fear of Moro's 
 batteries or the Spanish frigates inside, that deterred Capt. 
 Prescott from proceeding. It was the knowledge that he 
 must answer to his own government for disobedience of plain 
 instructions. 
 
 The Nautilus was kept backing and going aliead in the 
 chfinnel for half an hour, waiting for minutes to pass which 
 seemed days, and blowing oif steam like the roaring of an 
 enraged tiger robbed of its prey, while the officers and crew 
 were fretting, cursing and walking the decks, and wishing the 
 Island of Cuba would sink, and the magazine in Moro might 
 blow the whole garrison to kingdom come. 
 
 Permission was finally given to go ahead, the officer de- 
 parted, the ship sprang onwards under a full head of steam 
 
9G c^vUISJ^■G axd blockading. 
 
 -311(1 passed out to sea jiist as the setting siui tini^ecl the walls of 
 Moro with rose color and the sunset gun was fired. 
 
 Then a small schooner, flying the stars and bars, and loaded 
 clear up to the booms with bales of cotton, was seen creeping 
 along close to the shore to the left hand, and then going straight 
 into Havana in spite of Moro. She may have been boarded, 
 but she did not stop for it. The regulation of the port was, 
 that no vessel should pass either into or out of the harbor of 
 Havana after the sunset gun had been fired. The Nautilus 
 escaped outwards by a few minutes only ; the blockade-runner 
 entered some ten minutes afterwards. There was evidently 
 one law for vessels on Government service, and another for 
 blockade-runners. 
 
 Freebooters always were favored in the West Indies. The 
 islands are full of lurking places and easily defensible pas- 
 sages, and the inhabitants recruited pirate crews and protected 
 them not many years ago. There is a feeling of sympathy 
 with pirates still existing there, and plenty of men can be 
 found, who, scorning labor upon a merchant vessel or a man- 
 of-war, woukl jump at a chance to rob honest people on the 
 high seas. 
 
 It is contrary to International law for one vessel to capture 
 another within a marine league of the shore. The schooner 
 was inside of the arbitrary line, and the men of the Nautilus 
 could only grind their teeth and curse their luck. 
 
 The wind was easterly outside; the sea was rising; the 
 stars were hanging low and bright; the gulls were shrieking, 
 like a lot of hoydenish gii'ls just out of school, and storm 
 clouds were gathering in the orient. All sail was made on the 
 Nautilus; the engine was driven at its greatest speed, and the 
 course was shaped to the westward in order to intercept the 
 Victoria near Tortugas. All lights that could be seen outside 
 the ship were extinguished; the bow-chaser Par rott gun was 
 freshly loaded witii shell, and double lookouts were stationed 
 in all parts of the ship. The log was thrown just before eight- 
 bells of the second dog watch, and the quartermaster reported 
 the ship was going fourteen knots. This speed was increased 
 another knot during the next watch, and all night long the 
 vessel flew before the wind and sea and rapidly revolving 
 screw. Several sailing vessels were passed without questioning 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 97 
 
 them, appearing and vanishing like bats in a dismal cave, and 
 tlie "Sail ho!" of the lookouts was barely answered from the 
 quarter-deck before the vessels were tt)0 far away to give a 
 definite report of their direction. 
 
 At daybreak the course was altered more to the northward, 
 and, about two-bells in the morning watch, another cry of 
 "Sail ho! a steamer on the starboard bow, sir!" attracted 
 universal attention. When the sun had scattered the mists of 
 morning and good glasses were used, the sail was made out to 
 be a low, black steamer, showing black smoke, and heading 
 about northwest. All* sea-going United States steamers used 
 anthracite coal, giving off grayish smoke in moderate quanti- 
 ties. When dense black smoke trailed along the sky from a 
 steamer, she was aln)ost certain to be English or a blockade- 
 runner. These vessels were supplied with bituminous coal, 
 which burned like grease and smoked like a Pittsburgh fur- 
 nace. The course the stranger was steering made it reasonably 
 certain that she was not an English vessel — they had nothing 
 to do in those waters at that time. She was probably a block- 
 ade-runner and, perhaps, the good ship Victoria. Another 
 fact was apparent — the Nautilus was outsailing her, and she 
 was becoming larger and more distinct every hour. Such was 
 the gossip all around the decks, and the men could hardly go 
 on with the work of the ship from their desire to watch the 
 chase. Even the cooks slipped up the step-ladders and neg- 
 lected their boiling co{)pers to pass judgment upon the situ- 
 ation. 
 
 Captain Prescott determined to keep the wind behind him 
 this time, and not lose its influence by having to brace sharp 
 up, as in chasing the Florida, so the course was altered directly 
 for the strange steamer, and a sharp lookout kept upon her by 
 the quartermaster and the officer-of-the-deck. The steamer 
 was distant about three miles at noon ; the crew of the fore- 
 castle gun was called to quarters, the shi|i kept off a point, 
 and a blank cartridge fired towards her. She hoisted the Eng- 
 lish flag in answer to this compliment, but did not slacken 
 speed ; she appeared rather to increase it by piling the coal under 
 her boilers, as indicated by the greater volume of smoke that 
 poured out of her smoke-stack. A shell was then sent after 
 lier, but it fell short, and she sped onwards over the quieter 
 
yS CEUISIXG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 waters of the Gulf, with square sails hardly drawing and the 
 hull almost hidden by the clouds of smoke. Another shell 
 burst under her stern, but still she flew. The next shell pro- 
 duced a commotion on board both vessels. It caused the 
 Victoria, for she could now be plainly made out, to swing 
 around a little and the smoke to clear away, revealing a hole 
 through her smoke-stack. The movement was only momentary, 
 and she kept her course bravely, exciting the admiration of 
 every one on board the Nautilus. The gun was now loaded 
 with solid shot, that lives might not be sacrificed, and with the 
 hope that the vessel might be crippled and saved from fire. 
 Shot flew to the right and left several times, but, at last, one 
 entered her stern, there was a great cloud of escaping steam, 
 the vessel slowed perceptibly, the sails were clewed up, and the 
 British flag was hauled down. 
 
 The Nautilus was soon within hail, the men manned the 
 broadside guns for fear of treachery, and Mr. Felton shouted, 
 " Ship ahoy ! What ship is that?" 
 
 " The British steamer Victoria !" was the answer. 
 " Where are you from, and where bound ?" 
 " From Havana, bound to Vera Cruz !" 
 " Very well ! Lay by and I will send a boat aboard !" 
 The second cutter was- piped away by the boatswain's mate, 
 the boat was lowered, the crew armed, and Master Sanborn 
 went on board. He returned soon with a set of informal 
 ship's papers, a British and several Confederate flags, the cap- 
 tain, mates and chief-engineer of the vessel, and the informa- 
 tion that the cargo consisted of arms, ammunition, provisions 
 and clothing. The vessel was therefore seized as a lawful 
 prize of the United States; part of her crew, including six 
 wounded men, were transferred to the Nautilus, and part left 
 on board ; Mr. Sanborn, with an engineer and a picked crew, 
 was sent aboard to take command, and a careful examination 
 was made of the hull and machinery. The shell that pierced 
 the smoke stack had knocked down the men at the wheel and 
 exploded in the bow of the vessel. The shot that struck the 
 stern had gone through the cabin, traversed the hull beneath 
 the deck, cut a steam pipe, twisted and broken the engine in 
 such a way as to stop it instantly, and lodged in the cargo. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 99 
 
 Had it been a shell, it would undoubtedly have set the ship 
 on fire. 
 
 It was learned later, that the men had been kept at their 
 posts bv the officers with loaded revolvers, and their zeal and 
 courage were accounted for by the fact that they owned con- 
 siderable of the cargo. They made a brave attempt to save 
 their property, in great contrast to the conduct of officers of 
 some prize vessels, who gave up at the first fire. These men 
 were mostly citizens of the South, and they were respected for 
 their brave conduct. The wardroom officers were delighted 
 to find them the same persons who had acted so shamefully in 
 the Dominica at Havana, and Ashton and the rebel captain ex- 
 changed scowls on more than one occasion. Revenge is sweet, 
 especially in war times. 
 
 It was notorious during the war that Southerners always 
 did their best to save their vessels, and incurred great personal 
 peril running the blockade, while foreigners were scared at the 
 first crack of a Yankee gun, and surrendered valuable ships 
 and cargoes pusilhiniraously. 
 
 The Victoria's machinery was too badly damaged to be re- 
 paired at sea, and a hawser was taken to her bow from the 
 stern of the Nautilus and she was towed into Key West. 
 
 Considerable excitement was created by the procession of 
 these two vessels through the coral reefs into the snug little 
 roadstead at the Key, and the shore and wharves were covered 
 with cheering spectators, as they jiasscd by Fort Taylor a^id 
 dropped anchor near the naval headquarters. The captain 
 had his gig called away ; made an official visit to the Admiral 
 of the Squadron, and formally transferred the Victoria to the 
 Prize Court and the prisoners to the Colonel in command of 
 Fort Taylor. 
 
 There is no more remarkable or sudden transition in geo- 
 graphical characteristics in the world, than from those of the 
 West Indies to those of the Florida group of islands. The 
 West India islands are fertile, wooded, rugged and mountain- 
 ous. They are founded upon the azoic rock, that has been 
 raised by volcanic fury from the deep sea depths. Their shores 
 are precipitous; their channels deep, and their bordering reefs 
 few. They spring up suddenly, like pyramids from the desert 
 plain, and follow tlie trend of the northwest system. 
 
100 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING, 
 
 The Florida group, on the contrary, is composed of infertile 
 sand banks, sparsely wooded, flat and low lying. They rest 
 upon the ruined houses of coral polyps, that have died after 
 raising them to the level of the tide. Their shores are low 
 and shelving; their channels are shallow gaps in the reefs, and 
 tiieir fringing and harrier reefs are numerous. They rise slowly 
 above the surface, mere oases in the waste of waters, and follow 
 the trend of the northeast system. 
 
 From the southern end of the peninsula of Florida to the 
 Tortugas, a distance of 120 miles, a long, curving coral reef 
 extends. Narrow, shallow channels occur occasionally, and 
 there is a wide, deep passage between Key West and the Tor- 
 tugas. All along the reef small coral islands are scattered, 
 only a little above the sea level. They are sparsely covered 
 bv tufts of grass and herbs, hardy slirubs, and palmetto and 
 mangrove trees. The mangrove is King of the Key. It 
 drops down limbs from its branches, which take root and de- 
 velop into trunks nearly as large as the parent stem ; these 
 secondary trees increase and multiply in the same way, until 
 the family of one individual covers a great space, and makes 
 a living lattice-work through which nothing much larger than 
 a coon can ])ass. 
 
 The coral islands have no springs or streams of fresh water. 
 Surface pools and artificial wells contain brackish water, and 
 rain water is collected in casks and cisterns by the inhabitants. 
 The shores of the keys and the sea bottom for miles around 
 are covered by the snowy sand of comminuted corals, and, 
 from the shore outwards to a depth of 100 fet^t, many varie- 
 ties of coral polyps, with varying forms and exquisite colors, 
 grow from their limestone beds. 
 
 Tiie water is of a temperature above 66° F. ; it is clear 
 and shallow, and permits a good view of the shining bottom, 
 where the living corals grow in separate groups or thickly set 
 like a garden bed. The corallum, or solid limestone body, 
 with the polyps imbedded in its surface, presents different 
 forms similar to terrestrial vegetation, strongly reminding one 
 of the varieties of cactus, though algte and shrubs have their 
 representatives. The polyps extend and expand their delicate 
 pink and purple tentacles, like the petals of a flower, all over 
 the corallum, covering: it with bloom. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 101 
 
 Shells of every shape, size and color lie around in profusion. 
 Sponges grow here and there between the corals, making dark 
 thickets for the shuffling crabs. Fish of curious forms and 
 brilliant colors float quietly or dart quickly over the sul)aque- 
 ous garden. Lazy turtles, green and brown, paddle around, 
 safe in their imbricated armor, and sharks sneak warily like a 
 detective from coral caves to shallow banks in search of prey. 
 It is a beautiful and interesting sight to look down upon this 
 panorama of nature, and to mark the variety of animated 
 forms in the actual enjoyment of living. It excites wonder in 
 the mind of the spectator; impresses the thoughtful with a 
 fuller sense of the mystery of the universe, and awakens 
 greater veneration for the Almighty. 
 
 The coral islands rise so little above the sea, that they are 
 never seen as land until they are close aboard, and, were it not 
 for their vegetation, they would even be found with difficulty. 
 A heavy roller might jwss entirely across some of them, if it 
 were not hindered by the trees and the fringing and barrier 
 reefs. The fringing reef forms the shore line and flings back 
 the lazy seas, which have been shattered and broken into glit- 
 tering foam upon the outer barrier reef. Between the two 
 reefs, there is usually a sound of comparatively smooth water, 
 where vessels find safe anchorage, but it is necessary to know 
 where to find the gap in the barrier reef and to know the chan- 
 nel well, or the pretty coral banks, jagged, sharp and vengeful 
 as the teeth in a shark's mouth, may crunch the timbers like 
 an eggshell and let in the treacherous sea. High lands have 
 deep water near shore, and give warning of their presence by 
 odorous breezes, sudden squalls, and bold outlines that pene- 
 trate across the darkness of a tropic night made glorious by 
 stars. These low lands, with their outlying reefs, are under 
 the bow almost as soon as they are seen by tlie lookout, and 
 the cry of "Breakers ahead!" is often followed in coral seas 
 by the terrible crashing and crunching of timbers and coral. 
 
 Coral polyps die as soon as they are exposed to the sun ; 
 therefore, the coral growths do not reach above the low tide 
 level. This is favorable to small crafts at high tide in still 
 water, but the stormy seas break off" great masses of living 
 coral, hurl them hither and thither, grind some into shining 
 sands to sprinkle the shore and the bottom, and pile pieces 
 
102 CRUISING AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 higher and higher till the summer seas cannot cover them and 
 they remain ghostly stockades around the green islets. The 
 approaches to these coral islands are, therefore, often tortuotis 
 and dangerous, and the danger is greatly increased by rapid 
 currents, which sweep around Tortugas, through between it 
 and Key West, along and between the keys and reefs from 
 that key to Florida, and go to join the waters of the Gulf 
 Stream. 
 
 Coral islands present unique types of civilization. The 
 houses of Key West are built of wood or of white limestone 
 cut out of the consolidated coral sand; the streets are white 
 sand, darkened by the debris of adventitious seas and the 
 remains of vegetation ; the soil is a grayish sandy loam, and 
 the trees above the influence of percolating sea water, and 
 removed from surface accumulations, are dry and sickly, like 
 aged mendicants struggling to hold upon life to protect the 
 feebler life below them. The streets, the vegetation, the ani- 
 mals and the inhabitants are all dry most of the time at Key 
 West, and still dryer at the Dry Tortugas. 
 
 The population of Key West was somewhat mixed. The 
 lowest class was considerably increased by white refugees and 
 runaway negroes from "the main land. The native whites 
 were mostly engaged in fishing, turtling and piloting. A few 
 adventurers from the States kept shops, manufactured cigars, 
 and exported coral, shells, sponges and turtles. There was a 
 host of resident officials, with their families, clerks and ser- 
 vants, connected with the army, the customs and the courts. 
 The streets presented a busy spectacle at night, and the crowds 
 were augmented by the soldiers and sailors out for a frolic, 
 and by the officers of the fort and fleet. 
 
 The ladies of the city kept open house for the officers and 
 accredited civilians, and inaugurated picnics, sails, card parties 
 and balls. A Naval Club was established in a pretty villa 
 overlooking the harbor, and the officers at Headquarters and 
 on board the vessels were very hospitable. There was no dis- 
 lovalty to the United States apparent on the Key. Any first 
 tlioughts of rebellion had been stamped out early, and the iso- 
 lated people were only too happy to have the opportunity to 
 increase their worldly stores by the influx of strangers with 
 full pockets. 
 
A NAVAI, STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 103 
 
 The Admiral of the East Gulf Squadron made an official 
 visit; was received with the customary honors, and dined with 
 Captain Prescott. Then for many days tiiere was a stream of 
 naval officers, some of whom were old acquaintances, of armv 
 officers from the garrison, and citizens, including many ladies, 
 to entertain, making it a task for the officers aboard to show 
 them about, to answer numerous questions, and to furnish 
 refreshments. Many pleasant acquaintances were made, how- 
 ever, among the shore people, who were afterwards lavish of 
 their hospitality, and returned the favors that had been shown 
 them ten fold. The officers of the Nautilus were soon ac- 
 quainted with all the better families ashore, and received 
 numerous invitations to land and water excursions, and to tea, 
 card and dancing parties, of which they availed themselves 
 frequently. 
 
 The crew of the Nautilus enjoyed themselves swimming, 
 fishing and boat-racing in the harbor, and entered into all the 
 enjoyments of the shore in the way peculiar to sailors. Every 
 night some boats were ashore till nearly midnight, and the 
 men came aboard laughing and singing, full of happiness and 
 rum. The officers remained long upon deck, smoked their 
 cigars, and discussed the last rubber at whist, the singing of 
 Miss A., or the grace and beauty of Seflora Z. 
 
 " How we are suflTering for our country !" said Careswell 
 one evening after supper, when several officers had gathered 
 on deck for a smoke. 
 
 "Terribly!" answered Bloss. "I have not been in ray 
 bunk a night before one o'clock for a week. Our vessels 
 ought to be quarantined here, or these festivities will be the 
 death of brave men after awhile." 
 
 "Are you going to join the club?" 
 
 " No ; I can't stand the racket." 
 
 " Neither can I. Mackey wants me to join, but I can't 
 stand stimulants. I became nearly intoxicated on six demi 
 tasses of Mocha at the ' Cafe Francais,' at Rio de Janeiro, last 
 cruise. I did not take the cafe royal with brandy and sugar 
 either — merely coffee with a little milk and sugar and some 
 gateaux. The other fellows followed the fashion, and we had 
 a queer time getting down to the boat landing. I had to pull 
 them up off of door-steps, push them away from convenient 
 
lOi CRUrSING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 walls, and keep them moving;. Five times I took the bear- 
 ings and started out for the boat. Three times we ran against 
 hills and the streets ended abruptly. Once we climbed a hill 
 and brought up against a high double gate, iron-clad and firm 
 as the hills. Mj' friends wanted to climb it, batter it down, 
 blow it up, anything to remove this unjustifiable impediment 
 to progress towards the ship. I looked inside through a chink 
 and saw sentinels marching to and fro, just as my coffee topers 
 kicked against the gate. There was a quick call, a rattle of 
 chains and bolts and a little side gate opened, as we retreated 
 in good order around the next corner down the hill. This 
 livened up the party, we filed by a gen d'arm with bold front 
 and a military salute, started anew, and reached the l)oat at 8 
 A.M., after three hours' marching. 
 
 " Talk of the seven hills of Rome, I believe Rio has seven- 
 teen. If you get off of Rua Dirieta or Rua Imperatriz, you 
 are lost, and every time you think you have found the way, 
 you'll run against an unclimbable hill. I looked at those hills 
 in the day time and found the natives couldn't climb them 
 except by running a system of parallels, as soldiers do when 
 they advance to take a formidal)le fortification. I would 
 rather climb a jury-mast. It would be much easier." 
 
 " I am glad you are such a good observer," said Bloss. 
 Shakespeare says, 
 
 " All places that the eye of heaven visits 
 Are to a wise man ports and happy havens." 
 
 " You need not drink at the club unless you want to do so,*' 
 said Ash ton. 
 
 "That is true," replied Bloss; " but you know what a wet 
 blanket a fellow would be who wouldn't. ' When you are 
 Rome you must do as the Romans do.' The water here is 
 abominable that a fellow would have to drink in self defence: 
 
 " Well, take claret, and sip it as parsimoniously as a Ger 
 man. Then you can smoke; enjoy the cards, papers, maga^ 
 zines and books; have a pleasant time, and no harm done, 
 am satisfied the club is doing a good work, keeping the best ol 
 everything, preventing our patronizing the rapacious shop- 
 keepers, and promoting good fellowship among the officers oi 
 the squadron." 
 
A NAVAL STORY OP THE LATE WAR. 105 
 
 " Well, you ought to know." 
 
 "The club is all right," said the doctor. "You'll always 
 find a few imprudent men in every club." 
 
 "The club is all wrong!" spoke up Paymaster Horton, 
 who had been leaning quietly against the rail and listening. 
 "They ought not to have liquors in the place at all. They 
 are destructive to health and morals, and are at the bottom of 
 all mischief. The water here is not pleasant, but it is not in- 
 jurious. Liquors are the curse of the service; 'Wine is a 
 mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived 
 thereby is not wise.' " 
 
 "That's dogmatic enough," said the doctor. "Liquors 
 have their place; they should be used, not abused. In certain 
 conditions they contribute to the nourishment of the body." 
 
 " Keep them for the sick then. Don't let well men poison 
 themselves." 
 
 " Ah, you are too hard on us. Pay. You never knew the 
 goodly fellowship in a glass of old Madeira. You never ex- 
 perienced the delicious reverie in a fine cigar. Poor fellow, 
 you haven't half tasted life yet." 
 
 " I don't want to taste it, if it will make my mouth like a 
 smoked ham and my brain and stomach like a distillery." 
 
 The paymaster was one of those good men so rarely found 
 in the navy. He was a strong, handsome fellow, a little above 
 the average in stature, with regular features, a scholarly brow, 
 a moustache and goatee, and a strong, bold chin. He was 
 known to be a church member at his New England home, 
 and that fact, aside from his uniform kindness and conscien- 
 tiousness, made all respect him. A church member on a 
 man-of-war was considered a rm^a avis — a sort of unique speci- 
 men of the genus homo. He was (]|uiet and unassuming gen- 
 erally, but did not hesitate to administer restraining advice 
 and moral reproof when he saw an op()ortnnity. He was 
 rather vain, it was thought, of his personal appearance, and 
 rather susceptible to the charms of ladies' society, but he 
 shrank from the appearance of evil, as from a pestilence. 
 
 The starboard steerage was amusing itself one day in a 
 thoughtless way with a little negro boy named George Wash- 
 ington. George was fond of play as a kitten ; he had a hard 
 head, and was eager for quarter dollars. The middies slung 
 
106 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 a cannon ball in a piece of canvas, suspended it by a roj)e to 
 a beam in the steerage, and got George to see now far he could 
 butt it for a quarter. He had already knocked over a barrel 
 of bread and burst several closet doors with his head, and was 
 therefore somewhat seasoned. George butted the ball bravely 
 and swung it out a yard. The middies shouted and clapped 
 their hands, and told him, if he would butt it so it would 
 strike the beam, he should have a dollar. He butted it again 
 heavily, and, as the ball came back towards him, struck it 
 with head down a terrific blow, and then fell limp and appa- 
 rently lifeless upon the deck. There was great consternation; 
 he was put upon the table; some dashed him with water, 
 others douched him with vinegar, hartshorn and whiskey ; sev- 
 eral ran for the doctor, and all the steerage fellows were terri- 
 bly frightened. 
 
 The doctor and paymaster came, the lad had concussion of 
 the brain, and was carried to the sick-bay. The paymaster 
 seized the opportunity and administered to those pale, demor- 
 alized youths a reproof and a moral tongue lashing, which 
 kept theui spellbound for some minutes. Not till he was in 
 the wardroom, did they breatiie easily ; then some of them 
 went up on deck to smoke and thiidi, others got in their bunks 
 sorrowfully and went to sleep, and there was nothing but rou- 
 tine and gloom in their mess till George came back safe and 
 sound to wait upon them. George did no more butting; he 
 looked askance at the split closet doors, and told the wardroom 
 privately, " them midsliipmuus is a wicked set." 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 107 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 One day a shore boat brought off notes of invitation to a 
 ball at Madam Fontana's. The note to Bloss was accom- 
 panied by a bouquet. The lady was a wealthy Spaniard's 
 widow, and she had taken quite a fancy to Mr. Bloss. Bloss 
 placed the flowers upon the wardroom table, with an appended 
 card, containing : 
 
 " He who does these flowers displace, 
 Must meet the owner face to face."_ 
 
 There was a great overhauling, brushing up, and repairing 
 of uniforms. Gold bands had to be sewed on sleeves, shoulder- 
 straps required fastening at the ends, white pants demanded 
 repair of seams and buttons, and kid gloves needed cleaning 
 from dirt and mildew. The officers got out their sewing cases 
 and boxes, provided by loving hands at home, and set to work 
 in their rooms to refurbish and beautify their wardrobes. 
 They went about it as handy as journeymen tailors. Every 
 seafaring man makes a virtue of necessity and learns a little 
 of back stitching and setting on buttons. If he did not, he 
 would soon be as dilapidated as a ship after a storm, as it is 
 impossible to get men about the ship to repair damages to 
 clothing in an emergency. 
 
 After supper the dressing began, and one would have 
 thought the mess was going en masse to a royal reception at 
 the court of the Russian Emperor, so much time and care 
 were expended in personal adornment. Several practical jokes 
 were played during the melee. One man found his boots 
 chalked ; another had mucilage in his hair-oil bottle, and 
 another discovered that somebody had put a few drops of car- 
 bolic acid in his cologne. At last Sanborn had his hair jmrted 
 and brushed to perfection ; Horton had his moustache and 
 goatee pointed sharply; Lawson had chalked the iron rust 
 from his shirt front ; Careswell liad borrowed a more becom- 
 
108 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 ing necktie, and Bloss had succeeded in crowding his corpu- 
 lence inside his outgrown frock coat to the imminent danger 
 of buttons. Then occurred a magnanimous act, only equalled 
 by Diocletian's division of the Roman Empire. Bloss took 
 the bouquet, his souvenir of affection, deliberately cut it apart, 
 and gave each of his messmates a boutonniere, retaining the 
 red rose for his own lappel. 
 
 The officer-of-the-deck was notified; a cutter was called 
 away, and the gallant band was soon carried ashore. It was 
 nine o'clock ; the moon shone brightly over the white beach 
 and the whiter walls of Fort Taylor; the small vessels and 
 the ponderous men-of-war were pictured upon a bay of dappled 
 silver, and a soft breeze rustled the trees and cooled the brows 
 of the aniuiated officers. They made their way through 
 groups of noisy, picturesque negroes, slouching, broad-hatted 
 sailors and quiet, well-clad citizens, to the farther suburb of 
 the town ; entered a garden along a shell walk; mounted the 
 steps of a brilliantly illuminated mansion ; gave their cards 
 to a negro servant, and were escorted tq the dressing-room. 
 Then they descended to the parlors and were presented to 
 Madam Fontana and the guests by Colonel Gordon. 
 
 The rooms were large and modern ; the carpets and lace 
 curtains were costly and" beautiful ; the furniture was heavy 
 mahogany and cane-work in peculiar patterns ; the walls were 
 covered with engravings, paintings and pieces of shell work ; 
 a Spanish and an American flag draped a large mirror, and 
 exquisitely tinted shells, magnificent bunches of snowy coral, 
 and stuffed birds of brilliant plumage, were placed upon the 
 mantels, brackets and tables. The windows were open, and 
 the soft breeze lifted the lace curtains gently and mingled with 
 the sweet music of violins, flutes and guitars, which floated 
 through the rooms from unseen quarters iii the hall. 
 
 A merry company of fair women and brave men filled the 
 rooms, the windows, and the ])iazza around the house. The 
 gentlemen included the best citizens of the place. Government 
 officials and army and navy officers. The ladies were some of 
 them wives of the gentlemen present, but the larger number 
 were young, single ladies belonging to Key West. The civil- 
 ians were in evening dress, and the officers were in full uni- 
 form. To have appeared otherwise, would have been to have 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 109 
 
 mii(lt> a faux pas, even upon that little dry key in the ^u\L 
 Many of the ladies were dressed in white, especially those 
 "native to the manor born;" a few, however, rivalled their 
 Northern sisters in silks of delicate i-hades of pink, huff, pearl 
 and blue. 
 
 Madame Fontana was dressed in gray silk and wore a tiara 
 of diamonds. She was about twenty-five years of age, and 
 had lost little of the beauty which had made her a belle in 
 her Cuban home at Matanzas. Slie greeted the officers of the 
 Nautilus with particular warmth of manner, and introduced 
 them with delicate compliments lo some of her favorite lady 
 friends. They were soon engaged walking about the piazza 
 or strolling through the garden. The main parlors were full, 
 and many were dancing, while others, who had just finished a 
 quadrille or a polka, had sought the moonlit walks and the 
 evening air for conversation. Careswell soon tired of dancing, 
 and walked up and down the front piazza with his partner, a 
 Miss Good, who was one of the most beautiful and graceful 
 young ladies of the company, and whom he thought just then 
 good enough for any one. 
 
 "It is a lovely night," said he. "How softly the wind 
 murmurs through the trees." 
 
 " Yes," she replied, "it is very soft." 
 
 " How delicately the moonlight tints the wavelets of the 
 Gulf and paints the winding shore with bands of snowy white- 
 ness." 
 
 " Yes, it looks delicate." 
 
 "Do not the massive walls of Fort Taylor look beautiful, 
 with the lights and shades so harmoniously blended ?" 
 
 "Yes, it looks beautiful." 
 
 " It stands there with its guns frowning upon the harbor, a 
 representative of the dignity and power of the United States, 
 and a menace to her foes." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Do you like the officers of the fort?" 
 
 "Oh, yes! Colonel Gordon is such a gallant man; and 
 Lieutenant Long is so good looking." 
 
 " Do you think him handsome?" 
 
 "Oh, yes; his moustache is so pretty." 
 
 " It's tafFy color, isn't it ?" 
 
110 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " No, it — it i.s sort of yellowish auburn." 
 
 " Do you like to live in Key West?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " It is a delightful home, isn't it?" 
 
 "Yes, I think it the best place I know." 
 
 " Have you ever travelled ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Have you been North ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Where have you travelled ?" 
 
 " I have been to Habana." 
 
 " Ah ! that's a long journey ; a hundred miles, isn't it ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Did you like Habana ?" 
 
 " Only a little — it is too hot." 
 
 " Did you go into the interior of Cuba ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " What particularly impressed you in the ancient city ?" 
 
 " Nothing. The ladies wear very high combs, and the 
 gentlemen smoke all the time. Papa bought me a comb, but 
 I never would wear it." 
 
 " Do you like parties and balls?" 
 
 "Oh, ever so much !'' 
 
 " You find society different here now from what it was be- 
 fore the war ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Do you like to visit the men-of-war ?" 
 
 " Yes, indeed !" 
 
 " You must come aboard the Nautilus some day." 
 
 " Yes, thank you." 
 
 MissGrood opened and shut her fan several times and looked 
 .through the window at the dancers. Careswell was exhausted. 
 He had tried hard to awaken interest and enthusiasm, and had 
 met with poor success. He could not do all the talking. He 
 did not want to cross-question like a prosecuting attorney, and 
 this efforts in some directions had not produced pleasant results. 
 Miss Good was charming to look upon, and several officers 
 had been presented to her, who looked with envious eyes upon 
 his monopolizing her so long. Just then Madam Fontana 
 came along with Mr. Bloss. " You naughty girl," she said to 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. Ill 
 
 ]\Iiss Good, "to keep Mr. Caresvvell so long to yourself. I 
 have been watching you. Lieutenant Long has been talking 
 in monosyllables to the Misses Garver, and I believe he has 
 pulled half his moustache out by the roots." 
 
 "Let him pull," said Oareswell coolly; "its yellowish 
 auburn luxuriance will soon return." 
 
 " Now, no sarcasm, Lieutenant," said Madam; "no rivalry. 
 You ought to be very happy for the favor that has been shown 
 you to-night. Come with me, I have something to say to you. 
 Laura take Mr. Bloss' arm." 
 
 Careswell said " Au revoir, Senorita," and walked down a 
 garden path with Madam. 
 
 " You find her charming, don't you now. Lieutenant?" said 
 she. Naval officers were all lieutenants or captains to the 
 ladies. 
 
 " Very charming." 
 
 "She's a sweet girl, Lieutenant, and belongs to one of our 
 best families." 
 
 "Does she?" 
 
 " Yes, and her father is rich." 
 
 " How much is he worth ?" 
 
 " Oh, many thousands." 
 
 " What is his business?" 
 
 " He owns turtlers." 
 
 " Turtlers ! What are turtlers ?" 
 
 "Don't you know? Turtlers are vessels that go along the 
 keys and catch turtles." 
 
 " What does he do with them ?" 
 
 "He sells them to the market men, and ships them to 
 Habana and New York." 
 
 " He is a sort of fisherman then ?" 
 
 " No, indeed ! Fishermen go out in boats, and fish with 
 lines and draw seines. He never does that." 
 
 " Does he go in a vessel ?" 
 
 "Yes, but he owns parts of vessels that go without- him." 
 
 " Do the parts of vessels go ?" 
 
 " No ; how foolish ! You know better than that." 
 
 " Do turtles coo ?" 
 
 " Not that I know of." 
 
 " The Bible says they do in Palestine." 
 
112 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " Does it ?" 
 
 '' Do they bite ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " I have seen theiii bite." 
 
 " Have you ? They don't bite hooks. The men find a 
 turtle in shallow water, and throw a long pole pointed with 
 iron at him; the iron sticks into his shell, and they draw hira 
 in by a line fastened to the iron." 
 
 " Oh, I understand. Mr. Good is a turtler and catches and 
 deals in turtles. I thought some one was at the business. 
 We have had turtle souped, boiled, fried and roasted, aboard 
 the Nautilus, till I begin to feel like a Testudo." 
 . "What is that?" 
 
 "A stuffed and animated carapax." 
 
 " What do you mean. Lieutenant?" 
 
 "I mean I am sick of turtle meat. It may do for intoxi- 
 cated aldermen and isolated islanders, but I prefer beef." 
 
 " Yes, beef is very good, but it is all jerked down here." 
 
 " Well, jerked beef is very good as they cook it in Havana." 
 
 " Mr. Bloss seems to be a favorite with the ladies to-night." 
 
 " Yes, he is a favorite everywhere. He is the life of the 
 ship." 
 
 " How is that ?" 
 
 " Why, he is so jolly. He always has a kind word for 
 every one. He smooths over our differences; keeps all his 
 messmates in good humor by his jokes and stories, and is as 
 full of poetry as the sea is full of fish. He is a talented fellow. 
 I don't know how he will like the smell of powder, he has 
 never been under fire." 
 
 "Are you going into danger, Lieutenant? Do you expect 
 to go into battle soon ?" 
 
 " Not at present that I know of. You know we must go 
 where duty calls us, and we-may be ordered against the enemy's 
 forts any day." 
 
 " Oh, I think war is terrible. It is awful to have men shot, 
 and I should be sorry to have any of ray friends on the Nauti- 
 lus hurt." 
 
 " Thank you. So should I." 
 
 They walked along the piazza and met Col. Gordon. 
 
 " Ah ! Careswell, my boy," said he, " beware of bright eyes 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 113 
 
 and the moonbeams. The Key West ladies are great heart- 
 breakers.'' 
 
 " Has any one broken yonrs, Colonel?" asked Madam. 
 
 "Oh, no; only battered it a little," said he, laughing. 
 
 Dr. Willett carae along just tlien with the regimental sur- 
 geon's wife, and joined in the conversation. Careswell was 
 introduced to one of the Misses Garver and danced awliile, 
 then supper was announced and he escorted her to tlie table. 
 
 The supper consisted of all the delicacies obtainable there. 
 The waiters served the party rai)idly and skilfully, showing 
 that they had l)een well trained at many similar entertain- 
 ments. Madam sat at the head of the table with Bloss upon 
 her right. Paymaster Horton was upon her left, with Miss 
 Lizzie Garver, to whom he had been very attentive, and 
 Careswell and his lady were near the middle of the table oppo- 
 site Lieut. Tjong and Miss Good. 
 
 Colonel Gordon graced the foot of the table by his command- 
 ing presence, having civilians and officers with their ladies 
 upon either hand. 
 
 The Misses Garver were different from the other Key West 
 ladies. They were large, strong, red cheeked girls, rather 
 self assertive in manner, and dressed with an extravagant dis- 
 play of ribbons and colors. The quiet and pious paymaster 
 was quite subdued by the manner and tone of his companion, 
 and listened to her volubility amazed and uneasy. Careswell 
 sat demurely attentive to the communications of his lady, and, 
 when she showed signs of stopping talking, encouraged her by 
 an appropriate show of interest and well considered questions. 
 He anticipated her every want, had her plate kept full of 
 good things and her wine glass replenished, noted her extraor- 
 dinary appetite, and wondered at the difference between her 
 and Miss Good, who spoke little, kept her eyes cast down, 
 and nibbled at the feast as if merely to keep up appearances. 
 
 There was a wide social chasm between the young ladies. 
 Miss Good had been born into her set, the highest upon the 
 island. Miss Garver had gradually worked herself into it 
 through her manoeuvering and dash, and by means of enter- 
 tainments which she had lately been able to give, owing to her 
 father's accumulations in the pilotage business. Capt. Garver 
 was a kind, generous, honest, hard-working man, ignorant of 
 
114 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 book knowledge, and he fully appreciated his deficiencies. 
 After he had accumulated some money, he said ' his darters 
 should have an etlication ;' so he sent them to the North, where 
 they were duly instructed in a flimsy boarding school, from 
 which they returned with a smattering of French and music 
 to delight the declining years of their parents. The old gen- 
 tleman kept open house for all the officers at the Key, sup- 
 plied excellent wines and genuine Havana cigars to his guests, 
 presented his daughters, and had them exhibit their accom- 
 plishments, and tried to use their large words with becom- 
 ing gravity and most nonsensical consequences. His house 
 was much frequented by naval officers, and there are few 
 who served in the East Gulf Squadron who do not remember 
 his kindness, his daughters, and his mal-apropos use of Eng- 
 lish. 
 
 Miss Garver rattled on quite careless of all around her, 
 casting a glance of impudent defiance at Miss Good occasionally, 
 ■while the latter lady curled her lip disdainfully and watched 
 Careswell stealthily. If Careswell had found in Miss Good 
 an intellectual desert, he had now struck a perfect oasis of 
 richness. 
 
 " Lieutenant," said Miss Garver, " you don't knovv how 
 to eat an orange. Here,'give it to me, I'll show you, and you 
 can introduce the fashion up North. Take the orange by the 
 ends between your forefinger and thumb, then cut it this way 
 clear across, now put the halves in your plate so, sweep out all 
 the seeds, sprinkle it with sugar, if you want to, and eat with 
 a spoon or gnaw out the pulp with your upper teeth — your 
 little moustache won't hurt. 
 
 " Some people quarter an orange peel as if they wanted a 
 pattern to cover a ball. That's no way. Just peel it round 
 and round like you would an apple, then you don't get your 
 finger-nails full and can cut it across as before. I can always 
 tell a Yankee by the way he eats an orange, unless he has 
 been educated by some of us." 
 
 "Well, that is an improvement," said Careswell. "Did 
 you know Senor Fontana?" 
 
 " Yes, a little. He was a proud, haughty man, and claimed 
 to belong to one of the best families of Spain. He held a 
 Government appointment in Habana, and used to come over 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 115 
 
 here in his yacht. He took his American wife to Europe, 
 established a home in a pretty villa back of Matanzas on his 
 return, and ?oon after died of yellow fever. Madam did not 
 like her adopted country, so she gathered up her piasters and 
 moved over here." 
 
 " Do you think she loved him?" 
 
 " I suppose so; she was respectful, obedient and all that." 
 
 " She doesn't seem very unhappy to-night." 
 
 " She is not ; she is as gay as any of us. Who is that officer 
 next to Miss Mixon ?" 
 
 "That is Lieut. Ashton." 
 
 ''Well, I hope he doesn't belong to your ship. I don't 
 like his looks. He and that engineer seem determined to get 
 
 Careswell glanced around uneasily. Horton was fingering 
 a full glass and drinking nothing; Willett was pledging the 
 health of Surgeon Eldwards, and the army officers and civilians 
 were engaged in an animated discussion upon the Mason and 
 Slidell affair. Conversation became more general with the 
 fruits and ices, a few patriotic toasts were drunk and the party 
 arose and sauntered about the garden. 
 
 Careswell had seen quite enough of Miss Garver by this 
 time, and soon managed to drop her and get into the vicinity 
 of Laura, who excused herself to Lieut. Long and took his 
 arm for a promenade. 
 
 " Miss Garver wants an escort," said Careswell to Long 
 lightly. Long turned red, scowled and walked away. 
 
 " How did you enjoy your supper and your companion ?" 
 was Careswell's first question. 
 
 " Very well," answered Laura. "How ean you fancy Miss 
 Garver ?" 
 
 "Who said I fancied her? She is lively, intelligent and 
 kind hearted. That's more than one can say of some Key 
 Westers." 
 
 " She's a Conch !" 
 
 "A what?" 
 
 " A Conch. Don't you know what that is?" 
 
 "Yes; a conch is a shell of the genus Strombus. Conch- 
 ology, the science of shells, is derived from it. Did you ever 
 study conchology ?" 
 
116 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 *' Xo, but Key West conchs are not shells." 
 
 " What are they?" asked Careswell with a puzzled air. 
 
 "A class in society. Society is rather mixed here, but 
 there are three distinct sets, called Kingfishers, Conchs, and 
 Sponges." 
 
 " Why, that is as bad as the Brahminical castes in India." 
 
 " Is it ? Have you been to India?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " How do you know about them then ?" 
 
 "I have read about them in history." 
 
 "Oh, have you? Well, we have these castes here. The 
 Kingfishers are all fine people, with plenty of money, and are 
 the true aristocracy. They dress well, live well, have nice 
 houses, give |)arties and balls, and do very little work. Madam 
 Fontana is the Queen of the Kingfishers, and many of the 
 ladies here to-night are her subjects." 
 
 " I suppose you are a Kingfisher?" 
 
 "Oh, yes; I always was. The Conchs are not educated, 
 they dress in bad taste, rarely give parties, and are obliged to 
 work all the time. They are always trying to become King- 
 fishers and to get into our society. There are so few ladies on 
 the island that some of them are occasionally invited into our 
 set. Miss Garver is a c'onch, so is her sister, and that tall 
 woman in buff — she is the Queen of the Conchs." 
 
 Careswell and Laura moved nearer to the window to have a 
 good look at the queen. Just then Mr. Lawson appeared, 
 looking rather flushed and excited, spoke to Miss Sanders, the 
 queen, and they were soon whirling around the room in a 
 waltz, "^he music was fast and their movements rapid, and 
 everybody hastened to see their grace and skill. Suddenly 
 Lawson turned pale, let go of his partner, staggered and sank 
 into a chair. Dr. Willett was at his side iu a moment, had 
 him taken into the air outside, and announced that it was 
 merely an attack of vertigo. 
 
 The music, dancing, promenading and gossiping went on as 
 before, and few thought anything more of the accident. 
 
 " I want to hear about the Sponges," said Careswell. " You 
 finished your description of the Conchs, didn't you?" 
 
 "Yes," said J^aura. "The Sponges are the lowest and 
 poorest class upon the Key, and include the laborers, the sailors 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 117 
 
 and the nefi;roes. A few of them sometimes get to be Conclis, 
 but never Kingfishers." 
 
 " Some of the negroes?" 
 
 "No; they never bleach as some of the others do. Now 
 you know all about us and will be able to understand, that, if 
 you associate with Conchs, you will not have many friends 
 among the Kinijfishers." 
 
 '' All right. Miss Kingfisher, I understand. Shall we go in 
 and dance that polka?" 
 
 " If you please." 
 
 Careswell and Laura went into the parlor and were soon 
 moving around the room to the delicious music. Madam 
 Fontana was the centre of a group of ladies and gentlemen 
 near a window. 
 
 " How graceful she is !" 
 
 " What pretty nut-brown hair and eyes !" 
 
 " What delicate hands and feet !" 
 
 "How well they dance!" 
 
 " They are a fine looking couple." 
 
 "Who is she?" 
 
 "Where does she live?" 
 
 "Who is he?" 
 
 " What vessel does he belong to ?" 
 
 These exclamations and questions were addressed to Madam, 
 who took pleasure in giving the party all the information de- 
 sired and joined in their admiration. 
 
 Soon after this the dancing ceased, the musicians went to 
 sup])er, and the guests began to depart. Careswell stood upon 
 the piazza cap in hand among the ladies, when Ijieut. Long 
 brushed rudely by, went up to Laura and said, "Shall I have 
 the pleasure of escorting you home?" 
 
 " No, thank you ; I stay with Madam," said she icily. 
 
 liong bowed his adieux and departed. 
 
 Laura held out her hand to Careswell and said, "Good 
 night; I hope we shall see you soon again." 
 
 " Good night," said he, kissing her hand, which action 
 caused her to shrink within the door. 
 
 "A Dios, Sefior," said Madam ; "we shall always be glad 
 to see you when you come ashore." 
 
 " Thank you. Good night," said he, bowing and going away. 
 
118 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Bloss was the last officer of the Nautilus to leave, and he 
 came away in company with Col. Gordon. The officers were 
 all waiting at the boat-landing when he came down and had 
 many jokes at his long tarrying. He laughed heartily at the 
 sallies of wit at his expense, and had his rose still safe in his 
 lappel. 
 
 " It took you a long time to say adieu, Bloss. What did 
 you have to talk about?" asked the paymaster. 
 
 " Nothing. I remarked, 
 
 ' Tlie stars their early vigils keep, 
 The silent hours are near.' " 
 
 "Always poetic. Did that take you half an hour?" 
 
 " Three-quarters, you mean," said the doctor. " I have no 
 doubt he hung by the eyelids and talked sweet till Madam 
 grew sleepy." 
 
 " 1 did not rush down here like a locomotive. Great bodies 
 move slowly. I came with the ease and dignity of an officer 
 on half-pay." 
 
 "Did you kiss her hand and vow eternal fidelity?" asked 
 Careswell. 
 
 " No, but I saw you do it to another lady." 
 
 Everybody laughed and Careswell said no more. 
 
 " I might have said," continued Bloss, 
 
 ' I ninst leave thee lady sweet ! 
 Months shall waste before we meet; 
 Winds are fair and sails are spread, 
 Anchors leave their ocean bed ;' — 
 
 but I did not, because I expect to see her again to-morrow 
 afternoon and we are not going to sea just yet." 
 
 "Will you gentlemen get into the boat?" growled the 
 sleepy midshipman in the stern sheets of the cutter. 
 
 " When we get ready, sir," replied Felton. 
 
 "Very well, sir; I've been waiting here an hour already, 
 and I protest against any longer delay." 
 
 "Well, protest you may, but wait you must, my son of 
 Neptune. This is your share of the party, and it would be a 
 pity to rob you of it." 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 119 
 
 " Let's go aboard, Felton," said the doctor persuasively. 
 
 " All right; let's get aboard, gentlemen," he answered. 
 
 Tlie party got into the boat; the bow oarsman pushed off; 
 the men let their oars fall, and they were soon on board ship. 
 Ashton was rather lively and explained over and over again 
 how Long happened to get " half seas over," and Lawson 
 kept asking, " Did vou know I danced with the Queen of the 
 Conchs?" 
 
 The tired officers sought their bunks, but occasionally they 
 could hear the words, sung to a popular air, 
 
 " I danced with the Queen of the Conchs, Conchs, Conchs ; 
 I danced with the Queen of the Conchs.". 
 
 ♦Thus ended one of the most enjoyable entertainments at Key 
 West. 
 
 There was queer work going on aboard the Nautilus. The 
 hull was given another coat of black paint; the topgallant 
 masts were sent down and replaced by thicker ones, with 
 short stubby poles ; covers were made for the lower masts and 
 smoke-stack and painted yellow, and barrels of tar were stored 
 in the coal-bunkers to burn in the furnaces and make black 
 smoke. Thus the vessel could be changed into the semblance 
 of an English steamer at short notice, and blockade-runners 
 perhaps enticed within gun-shot. The ship was coaled to her 
 full capacity and a good supply of stores was stowed below. 
 
 The men worked very hard, and were permitted to enjoy 
 themselves after supper, during the second dog-watch, between 
 six and eight o'clock, which is regarded as sailor's holiday. 
 They went in swimming, and had foot-races on the beach and 
 rowing races in the cutters. They had concertinas, accordi- 
 ons, violins, banjos, guitars, flutes, harmonicas, jewsharps and 
 bones, which they played with a good deal of skill and taste. 
 Quite a number formed a vocal club and sang all the nautical 
 and popular songs with animation and spirit. They danced 
 many of the shuffles peculiar to the stage, and formed sets and 
 went through reels, quadrilles and hornpipes vigorously. 
 They rehearsed condensed comedies and tragedies, and gave 
 excellent representations, dressed in such costumes as they 
 could improvise from their clothing. They held civil and 
 
120 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 military courts and punished their criminals in comical ways 
 that caused boisterous laughter. The space between two guns 
 served for a dressing-room and stage; a gun-carriage made a 
 judge's bench, a parlor sofa or a royal tlirone ; the ship's pikes 
 and cutlasses were used to arm a band of robbers or an impe- 
 rial guard; the tarpaulins and swabs were fashioned into 
 jackasses, camels and elephants, and ropes were stretched to 
 divide the deck into boxes, parquet and gallery, where the 
 officers and men gathered as spectators. Every ])leasant eve- 
 ning something was prepared for the amusement, if not for the 
 instruction, of the audience, and visitors from other vessels 
 were glad to join the company, to enjoy the entertainment, and 
 to add to the merriment. The officers liked the sport almost as 
 well as the sailors, and the latter preferred generally to remain 
 aboard ship and take part in the fun, rather than to w^ander 
 around the grog shops and waste their money ashore. The 
 evenings w'ere so refreshing after the hot days, that everybody 
 remained on deck far into the night, and the sailors were per- 
 mitted to follow their sports till nine and sometimes ten o'clock. 
 There never was a more generous and liberal executive than 
 Mr. Felton, nor a happier or better contented ship's crew than 
 that of the K"autilus. 
 
A NAVAL SfORY OF THE LATE WAR. 121 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 These pleasant times could not go on forever, and one day 
 the news spread through the ship tliat she would sail the fol- 
 lowing morning. The officers made haste ashore to bid adieu 
 to their friends, and letters were written by many to leave by 
 the next mail l^orth. The U. S. supply steamer Union ar- 
 rived and delivered her mail ami fresh provisions to the fleet, 
 just in time, and then departed for stations up the coast. 
 
 The next morning at eight o'clock, steam was gotten up ; a 
 rough-looking pilot came aboard and took charge of the bridge, 
 with Mr. Felton alongside of him; the anchor was weighed, 
 and the Nautilus steamed out of the reef-guarded anchorage 
 (if the Key and shaj^ed her course for the west end of Cuba. 
 She went all day under a full head of steam and slowed down 
 during the night, keeping a sharp lookout for all suspicious 
 sail. The next forenoon a steamer was seen, heading to the 
 westward, and chase was made. After a sharp run of several 
 hours, a gun brought her to, and slie proved to be the Missis- 
 sippi, bound from New York to New Orleans. The persons 
 on board were badly frightened, as the Nautilus had put on her 
 disguise and looked every bit like an English vessel. They 
 thought she was the Alabama, and were so delighted at find- 
 ing their mistake that they sent several hampers of wine 
 aboard, which Captain Prescott shared very liberally with the 
 wardroom and steerage. It was a great gratification to the 
 captain and his crew, that the Nautilus had been able to over- 
 haul, in a fair race, so fine a merchant steamer as the Missis- 
 sippi, and hearty cheers were given on both vessels as they 
 separated. 
 
 The course of the Nautilus was altered more to the south- 
 ward, and, in the afternoon, the high, bold coast of Cuba was 
 seen ; then the vessel was turned to the eastward and she 
 steamed slowly along towards Havana. 
 
 Towards evening a small schooner was reported upon tht 
 port bow, standing to the northward. As soon as the men 
 
122 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 aboard of her sjjied the Nautilus, tliey turned about and made 
 all haste towards Cuban waters. The Nautilus was headed 
 more in shore and put at full speed, while the forecastle gun was 
 cleared for action, but, before she could get within gun-shot 
 range, the little craft had crossed the bow and was fast getting 
 into shoal water. A blank cartridge did not stop her, and a 
 shell was sent whizzing over lier, then she lowered her foresail 
 and hove to. A boat was being made ready to board her, 
 when a sudden squall of wind and rain hid her from sight. 
 The forecastle was crowded with officers, the Parrott gun 
 loaded and trained, the wind howling, the rain coming down 
 in torrents, and the water shoaling rapidly, making it danger- 
 ous for the Nautilus to proceed in shore much farther. Sud- 
 denly the wind diminished, the rain ceased, the mist lifted, 
 the sun shone brightly, and there, three miles away, the little 
 schooner was scudding directly for the beach and not two 
 miles away from it, with the stars and bars flying from her 
 main peak. A shell was sent after her and burst in her wake, 
 and the Nautilus was headed more in shore, while leadsmen 
 were placed in the chains to report the soundings. The next 
 shell i)urst nearer to her and had the effect of bringing her to 
 again. 
 
 " She is in neutral waters and thinks herself safe," said 
 Ashton ; " we shall get into trouble with the Spanish authori- 
 ties if we take her now." 
 
 " She is more than a league off shore," said Sanborn. " I 
 would capture her anyhow just for her impudence; there are 
 no inhabitants along here to know the difference." 
 
 " She looks to me about eight miles out," said Careswell, 
 looking through the large end of his marine glasses. 
 
 "The shore is bold and the hills high inland, which makes 
 the island seem nearer. I think she is outside neutrality," 
 said the captain. " What do you think, Mr. Felton ?" 
 
 " I think we should have the benefit of the doubt and take 
 her," was the answer. 
 
 A boat was lowered, manned, armed, and sent on board the 
 schooner, in charge of Mr. Bloss. He met with no resistance, 
 took the prize, ran her oft' near the Nautilus, left some of his 
 men on bjard, and returned with the vessel's papers and five 
 prisoners. She was the blockade-runner Fanchon, of Mobile, 
 
A NAVAL .STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 123 
 
 1)ouik1 liome, one day out from Havana, with a cargo of salt, 
 soda-ash, dry goods and aguardiente, and the very craft that 
 liad so impudently hoisted the Confederate flag over her deck- 
 load of cotton, as she sailed jauntily into Havana, when the 
 Nautilus came out. Revenge again was sweet. 
 
 Mr. Bloss reported that the prize was well supplied with 
 provisions, water, instruments and charts, and there was no 
 necessity of taking anything aboard except bedding. It was 
 getting squally and dark, so Careswell and a crew of five men, 
 well armed and equipped, with the rebel cajjtain and mate as 
 prisoners, were hastily transferred to the schooner. Orders to 
 take her into Key West and report to the Prize Commission- 
 ers and the Admiral were handed to CareswelT by Captain 
 Prescott, as he passed through the gangway and down into the 
 cutter. In a few minutes he was on board the schooner, sur- 
 rounded by the crew, the unwelcome prisoners, the bedding, 
 the carbines and their accoutrements. The men in charge 
 were quickly embarked in the cutter; the officer said " Good 
 night! Bon voyage!" and returned to the Nautilus. Before 
 Careswell had an opportunity to make a single observation of 
 the condition of the craft and her outfit, his ship had disap- 
 peared in the darkness, and he found himself forsaken upon a 
 little vessel of untried qualities, in the midst of rising, threat- 
 ening seas and violent squalls of wind and rain. His heart 
 sank, and he stood irresolute upon the spray-washed deck, 
 looking out into the darkness where the Nautilus had van 
 ished. 
 
 Squall succeeded squall all night, and the rain-drops rushed 
 in regiments and battalions against the faces and forms of those 
 who kept watch aboard the Nautilus, until the morning sun 
 shamed Neptune out of countenance and stilled the angry 
 tumult. The ship had buffeted the seas and rolled heavily 
 all night, and the uneasy sleepers awoke to the rushing sounds 
 of the storm and shuddered, when they thought of the fate of 
 the Fanchon and of those who had been so hastily abandoned. 
 The course was changed in the morning, and an attempt was 
 made to find the little schooner, but no trace of her could be 
 discovered, and, in the afternoon, the ship turned around and 
 pursued her course along the coast to the eastward, while the 
 
12 4 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 officers and men talked in sorrowful tones of the good quali- 
 ties of their messmates who had gone to Davy Jones' locker. 
 
 During the next few days, a French frigate was spoken, 
 bound for Vera Cruz ; a small schooner was overhauled, which 
 hoisted the Sardinian flag and proved her right to its protec- 
 tion, and several American vessels, with proper clearance pa- 
 pers, were boarded and allowed to proceed upon their voyages. 
 The Xautilus then ran into Havana and dropped anchor in 
 her former anchorage; a little Spanish midshipman, with a 
 star upon his cap front, came aboard and presented the com- 
 pliments of the Spanish admiral and offers of assistance; the 
 American consul sent off a bag of letters, and Captain Pres- 
 cott received an order to return to Key West. The anchor 
 was immediately weighed and the ship put to sea in the after- 
 noon, and, the next day, five days from the separation from 
 the Fanchon, she arrived at Key West and anchored near 
 Fort Taylor. The prjze was not to be seen ; she had not been 
 heard from, and all gave her up for lost. 
 
 A strong breeze was blowing from the southwest, the white- 
 capped waves were chasing each other madly across the harbor, 
 the pilot-boats were scudding under bonnetless jibs and single 
 reefed mainsails in the offing, and boats had trouble in landing 
 at the wharves. Away in the northwest channel near the 
 light-house, four or five miles from the Key, a small vessel 
 lay at anchor waiting for high tide. Several vessels were an- 
 chored near her, fishing or waiting for deeper water, and there 
 was nothing about her to attract particular attention. At 
 noon her anchor was weighed, her sails were set one by one, 
 and she began to beat up the channel. Nearer and nearer she 
 came, all her sails recklessly spread, her rail under the waves 
 half the time, and the water foaming under her bow from 
 her great speed. 
 
 The contrast between her broad spread of canvas, and the 
 snngly reefed vessels around her, attracted attention to her 
 from persons afloat and ashore, and the quartermaster and 
 some of the officers of the Xautilus watched her closely with 
 glasses, but could not make out who was on board, because 
 she had cleared the channel and was bearing down head on for 
 the Nautilus. She came onwards rapidly, rounded the stern 
 of the Nautilus, came up head to wind with everything shiver- 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR, 125 
 
 ing, and drojiped anchor near the shore, before those on board 
 the man-of-war liad seen the stars and stripes above the stars 
 and bars, floating from the main peak, and Careswell at tlie 
 hehn. When surprise had turned to exultation, the crew of 
 the Nautilus crowded the hammock nettings and rigging and 
 gave three rousing cheers, which were repeated by the men of 
 the other U. S. vessels and answered by the crew of the Fan- 
 ohon. Then a great crowd gathered upon the shore and 
 cheered ; the news of the safe arrival sjiread like fire through 
 the town, and the whole population came down and took a 
 look at the little craft that had weathered such a wild strtrm. 
 
 Careswell delivered the Fanchon to the Prize Court, trans- 
 ferred his prisoners to Colonel Gordon, in Fort Taylor, and 
 returned with liis men to the Nautilus, where they were 
 received with the greatest enthusiasm and demonstrations of 
 aflfection. After a day's rest and recuperation, he related his 
 adventures. He said : 
 
 "I never felt so desolate and homesick as I did when the 
 Nautilus disappeared in the darkness, but the feeling was only 
 momentary, for the movements of the vessel and the rushing 
 of the storm told me I must work, if I wished ever to see dry 
 land again. I ordered the bedding and arms put below in the 
 little cabin, took the helm myself, gave orders for shortening 
 sail, and kej)t the vessel in the wind and head to the sea. The 
 bonnet was taken out of the jib, the foresail furled, and a 
 close reef put in the mainsail. The men worked lively, as 
 there were several Cape Cod sailors aboard who knew all about 
 schooners, but the running gear was out of order, there was 
 trouble in finding things in the darkness, and the seas were 
 sweeping right across the forward |)art of the vessel. In the 
 emergency, the ])risoners offered their servi(!es with an appear- 
 ance of good will, though actuated by sinister motives, and 
 the cajjtain said, ' I will look after the main reef-earing, as it is 
 not in its proper place.' It was necessary for him to pass be- 
 hind me, where I stood at the helm, in order to reach over the 
 rail out u|)on the boom, and he stepped back and began to 
 fumble at the rope. Suddenly I felt a strong tug at my Colt's 
 revolver, which was strapped in its frog on my sword-belt and 
 hanging over the back part of my right hip. Fortunately the 
 strap held, I grasped the handle of the pistol, struck the cap- 
 
126 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tain's hand, and turned around upon liim. He busied himself 
 again with the reef-earing, apparently not noticing me. I 
 drew my revolver, cocked it, ordered him and liis mate for- 
 ward of the foremast in the drenching seas and kept them 
 there. 
 
 " I called Sylvester, the young man whom you remember 
 as the first one to go aloft to secure the foretopsail yard, when 
 it broke loose from the mast, in the gale we had near the Ba- 
 hamas, in whom I had implicit confidence, and told him what 
 had happened. He said lie had noticed the two prisoners 
 talking together in a low voice, and had his suspicions that 
 they had some sort of an understanding with the Dago, the 
 Portuguese half-breed, whom we had taken along for cook. 
 I concluded the attempt to seize my pistol had I.cen premedi- 
 tated ; that, had it been accomplished, the captain was to give 
 a signal, perhaps, by shooting me and others; the other two 
 men were to rush into the cabin and seize the arms, and then 
 the remainder of the crew were to be driven overboard or 
 shot. In the darkness and disorder aboard, the plan could 
 have been executed easily, because, if Sylvester and I had 
 been shot, the other men, without a leader, would have fallen 
 easy victims to the pirates. Tiie plot failed by the holding of 
 a narrow leather strap and button. 
 
 " I told Sylvester (hat he and I must remain aft and take 
 turn about in steering, watching and sleeping. I informed the 
 three other American sailors, that the prisoners and the Dago 
 could not be trusted ; that they should keep a sharp lookout 
 upon their actions day and night, have their revolvers ready 
 for instant use, and remain upon the top of the cabin aft as 
 much as possible, particularly at niijht. I took the revolvers 
 of the Dago and the young sailor, Gardner; kept one myself, 
 and gave the other to Sylvester. I instructed Gardner to 
 attend the forecastle, to keep his eyes upon the Dago, espe- 
 cially when he was cooking the meals, and to prevent by liis 
 ])resence, as much as possible, any private conversation between 
 him and the prisoners. I told the crew that Sylvester was to 
 act as executive, and his orders must be obeyed, and instructed 
 him not to allow any one to go down into the cabin where the 
 arms were upon any pretense. Sylvester and the three other 
 sailors were all Northern men, who perceived the gravity of 
 
A XAYAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 127 
 
 tlie situation, appreciated the confidence I reposed in them, 
 and relieved me of much anxiety by their vigilance and hearty 
 co-operation. 
 
 "The gangway to the cabin served as a binnacle; a cheap 
 box-compass was placed upon one of the steps, and a lantern 
 was hung on a nail opposite to illumine it. The little craft 
 pitched fearfully; the seas knocked her about like a feather 
 and half buried her occasionally; the rain came down heavily, 
 and all I could do was to keep her head to the seas to ease her, 
 and as close to the wind as she would lie. During a heavy 
 lurch, the compass and lantern broke loose, tumbled down 
 upon the cabin floor and were broken, leaving us in darkness, 
 without anything to indicate the course. All hands were kept 
 on watch; everybody was wet and miserable; the vessel's bow 
 pitched into the seas frightfully, and there was two feet of 
 water in the hold, which increased steadily in spite of two 
 men working constantly at the pumps. The vessel was 
 trimmed too much by tlie head, and I asked the captain about 
 the stowage of the cargo. He said the forward part of the 
 hold was full of soda-ash in casks, the midships contained the 
 salt in bags, and the aguardiente and dry goods were in and 
 around the cabin. A hasty survey through a bulkhead in the 
 cabin showed the salt greatly diminished by the water in the 
 vessel. It was being dissolved and pumped overboard ; the 
 after part of the vessel was being lightened, and the heavier 
 cargo forward was pressing the bow under water. Still nothing 
 could be done to alter the stowage in such a storm, and we 
 watched, waited and hoped for morning and milder weatlier, 
 in greater anxiety now that we knew the true condition of 
 affairs below. 
 
 " It was a long and anxious night, but the sun came at last 
 to dry our clothes and cheer us, the sea went down gradually, 
 a fire was started in the galley, and coffee and hard-tack were 
 served. The coffee had a foul odor and taste and no one could 
 drink it. Gardner had watched its preparation and was sure 
 that nothing but coffee, sugar and water had been jiut in the 
 pot. The water was examined and found as filthy as sewage. 
 It was in a cask that had held aguardiente, and had a putrid, 
 sickening taste difficult to imagine. If the coffee was undrink- 
 able, the water w-as more so, and there was no other beverage 
 
128 CRUISIXCr AXD BLOCKADIXG. 
 
 aboard but fiery Spanish rum. This was a great disappoint- 
 ment, because there is nothing so greatly relished by sailors as 
 the early pot of coffee, and it was hard to do without it after 
 the exposure and fatigue of the night. We were well water- 
 soaked and not very thirsty, so concluded we could do with- 
 out water until the short run of 175 miles was made to Key 
 West. 
 
 " About three o'clock in the afternoon, the sea had become 
 smooth enough to make it safe to take off the hatches, and 
 most of the water in the hold had been pumped overboard ; 
 so I set the men to work under Sylvester's supervision, had 
 the soda-ash stowed amidships and the remainder of the salt 
 placed forward of it, thus lightening the bow of the vessel, 
 bringing the stern down into the water, and fixing her in ex- 
 cellent trim for sailing. The bonnet was bent on the jib, the 
 foresail hoisted, the reef shaken out of the mainsail, the gaff- 
 topsail set, the deck cleared up generally, and we went bowl- 
 ing along right merrily and felt quite comfortable. The pro- 
 visions were of the coarsest and meanest kind, and the only 
 bread we had was the bag of hard-tack brought from the Nau- 
 tilus, but we could endure privations for the glory of taking 
 in a prize, and only longed for a good drink of water. There 
 was, 
 
 'Water, water evervwliere, and not a drop to drink,' 
 
 because the nauseous contents of the rum-cask we could not 
 call water, much less drink it. 
 
 "The men were divided into watches which wei'e set at 6 
 o'clock. I took the starboard watch from six till midnight; 
 placed the rebel captain and Gardner, as lookouts forward, 
 and let Sylvester and the port watch get some sleep. Sylvester 
 took the helm and the port watch, with one of the sailors and 
 the rebel mate on lookout, from midnight till six o'clock in 
 the morning. The lazy Dago was permitted to sleep all night 
 among his pots and pans in the little galley behind the fore- 
 mast, but the trusted men slept upon the top of the cabin 
 where they would be ready in an emergency. A pleasant 
 breeze from the westward drove us on our course; the night 
 jmssed uneventfully, and everybody felt rested and refreshed 
 in the morning. Only our thirst began to be troublesome, and 
 we were obliged to drink some of the filthy water to assuage 
 
A ^AVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR, 129 
 
 it, for we coukl not bear the coffee. I had an opportunity to 
 examine my orders and accompanying papers, which liad been 
 wet through in my coat pocket, and had remained there un- 
 opened till this time. The orders read as follows : 
 
 ' U. S. Steamer Nautilus, 
 
 Off the Island of Cuba, 
 
 June ]3th, I86-. 
 'Sir: 
 
 ' Proceed witli the Prize Schooner Fanchon nnfler j-oiir charge to the 
 port of Key West, and there deliver lier, to]s;etlier witli the accorupanyins; 
 papers (wliich are all that were found on board) and the persons retained 
 as witnesses, to the Judge of the U. S. District Court or to the U. S. Prize 
 Commissioners at tliat place, taking his or their receipt for the same. You 
 will not deliver lier, the papers, or the witnesses, to the order of any other 
 person or parties unless directed to act otherwise by the Navy Department 
 or Flag-Officer commanding the Squadron. * 
 
 ' The Fanchon was seized by this vessel, under my command, on the 13(h 
 day of June, 186-, ofl" the Island of Cuba, for violating the rules governing 
 the blockade at present instituted by the United States; and, of the circum- 
 stances attending the case, you are sufficiently aware, and will communi- 
 cate them when required to do so by competent authority. 
 
 'On your arrival at Key West, and immediately after you have visited 
 the Judge or Prize Commissioners, you will call upon the U. S. District 
 Attorney thereat, show him these instructions, and give him any informa- 
 tion concerning the seizure he may solicit. Then you will next report 
 yourself in person to the Commanding Officer of the Navy Y'ard thereat, 
 show him also these instructions, and ask his directions, when needed, as to 
 the disposition of yourself and the rest constituting the prize crew. Finally, 
 when duly notified by the Judge, Prize Commissioners, or District Attor- 
 ney, that your services are no longer wanted by the Court, you will at once 
 return to your vessel, taking with yon the men under your command and 
 the receipt above alluded to, unless otherwise ordered by superior authority. 
 
 'You will receive herewith a communication for the Secretary of the 
 Navy, giving him a detailed account of the seizure. This you will mail 
 immediately on your arrival at Key West. 
 
 'Your attention is called to the annexed 'Circular,' lately issued from 
 the Navy Department, to which have been added, since it was issued, the 
 words in the last paragraph, beginning with, 'together with a descri])tive 
 list,' etc. ; which you will see is complied with, in every particular, before 
 sailing with your prize. 
 
 ' Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Amasa Prescott, 
 
 Commander. 
 Commanding U. S. Steamer Nautilus.' 
 
 ' To Ensign Harry Carkswell. 
 
 U. S. Navy.' 
 
 "Statements of the men's accounts alluded to in the * Cir- 
 cular,' the Fanchou's papers, a letter to the Secretary of the 
 
130 CKUISIJs'G AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Navy and another to Admiral Bailey, accompanied the orders. 
 It was jilainly my duty to get to Key West, but with only the 
 sun and stars to steer by, the course could only be approxi- 
 mated. I had set my watch by the ship's chronometer before 
 leaving the Nautilus, and, as it was getting towards eight 
 o'clock, I prepared to take a time sight for longitude. What 
 was my chagrin to find nothing but an old fashioned quadrant 
 with no screw to fasten the index and vernier scale. I took 
 several sets of sights, holding the index with my fingers, and 
 worked them up carefully. The first series placed us in the 
 longitude of the Azores ; the second, in that of Texas. I 
 tried several times and, in sj)ite of the utmost care, could not 
 get correct altitudes of the sun. It was just as difficult at 
 meridian. The latitude from my observation was that of New 
 York. Time sights at four o'clock were equally erroneous, 
 and I gave up in disgust and threw the * pig-yoke' into a 
 bunk below. 
 
 " If there had been no sails, we could liave made some out 
 of clothing and i)agging; if no rudder or spars, we could 
 have fashioned rude ones from the top works of the schooner ; 
 but without compass courses from which to work up the dead 
 reckoning, without a g.ood instrument to take altitudes and 
 determine the latitude and longitude, scientific sailing was out 
 of the question. I knew the swift currents of the Gulf would 
 carry us to the eastward, and, with only the heavenly bodies 
 to help us guess at a course, the chance of making a straight 
 run for Key West was slight. I knew we could reach the 
 line of keys, extending from Florida to the Tortugas, some- 
 where, and the schooner was kept due north all day and night, 
 still not a sign of land. 
 
 "Tlie bedding, clothing and arms were dried during the 
 day; the revolvers and carbines were fired off, cleaned and 
 reloaded; the hold was pumped dry, and some necessary re- 
 pairs were made to the vessel's running rigging. The watches 
 were kept in regular man-of-war fashion, during the second 
 nigiit and afterwards, and nothing broke the monotony of the 
 summer sailing until six o'clock the second morning, when I 
 was awakened by a cry of 'Sail ho!' 
 
 " ' Where away ?' asked Sylvester. 
 
 '* ' Four points on the port bow, sir !' 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 131 
 
 " I was up in a moment, and made out with a glass a small 
 schooner standing to the southward. She was jnst the size, 
 shape and general appearance of a blockade-runner, and I 
 determined to overhaul her for two reasons: I wished to get 
 some fresh water, and I hoped, if she was a dodger, to eapture 
 her and take in two prizes instead of one, though this was not 
 in my orders. 
 
 " The Fanchon was brought to the wind and the sails 
 trimmed on the port tack, which made her head nearly for the 
 sti-anger. The latter kept on her course until she was only 
 two miles distant, and we could see an unusual number of 
 men upon her deck ; then, when she had probably made out 
 our few blue-jackets, the course was changed, her sails were 
 trimmed on the starboard tack, and she began to run away 
 from us. We tacked ship, crowded all sail in pursuit, and 
 got the carbines up from below ready for a fight if necessary. 
 The difficulties of navigating to Key West, the treachery of 
 the prisoners, and the disloyalty of the Dago, were all forgot- 
 ten for a time, and every effort was luade, by trimming the 
 sails and wetting them with buckets of salt-water, to get the 
 greatest speed possible out of the Fanchon. She skimmed 
 over the water and dashed into the moderate seas like a sport- 
 ive sea-gull, and, for a time, it seemed she was gaining upon 
 the chase, but, on board the stranger, the people were watchful 
 of the sails and steering, and her admirable movements excited 
 our approbation and envy. 
 
 " A stern chase is generally a long one, and it became evi- 
 dent towards noon, that the vessels were well matched and the 
 result of the race would be doubtful. I thought I would try a 
 ruse, so I had the Confederate flag hoisted to the main truck, 
 where it could be plainly seen by those aboard the fleeing 
 vessel. Though it was kept flying an hour, no notice was 
 apparently taken of it. It was then hauled down and the 
 stars and stripes run up in its place. This did not have the 
 desired effect, but the flag was kept aloft till sunset. 
 
 "Slowly and surely the unsociable schooner drew away 
 from us ; she was five or six miles off at dark, when we gave 
 up the chase and tacked ship to the northward. A whole day 
 had been lost in a futile effort ; we were now farther away 
 from port than ever, and felt deeply chagrined at being beaten. 
 
lo2 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Even the rebel ca|)tain liad taken nuich interest in the affair, 
 perhaps, thinking a fight might give him a chance to snatch a 
 weapon and win back liis vessel. The night was clear and 
 starry ; the men slept abont the deck comfortably notwith- 
 standing tlie dampness, and the Fanchon made an excellent 
 rnn which continned all the next day. We noticed before 
 dark the next night that the water was changing color ; the 
 deep blue had become a yellowish-green, but no bottom was 
 found by a cast of the lead at fifteen fathoms. The vessel 
 was kept about northeast; the flying jib and gaff-topsail were 
 taken in and furled, and everybody kept a sharp lookout for 
 land. A light was seen at ten o'clock, and, at twelve, the 
 white walls of a fortification, which I knew from its appear- 
 ance must be Fort .Jefferson, on the Dry Tortugas, were plainly 
 in sight. It was dangerous to cruise in these unknown waters 
 without compass and bearings, so I kept the vessel to the 
 northward under easy sail till four o'clock, and then tacked 
 and ran back, with the intention of calling at the settlement 
 for water, a compass and sextant. No land was in sight at 
 daylight, nor at noon, and, believing the current had swept 
 us past the islands to the eastward, and the wind having 
 changed, the course was_ made due east, and we went along 
 lively. Several small, wooded, uninhabited keys were seen 
 in the afternoon, none of which looked like the one we were 
 in search of, but we approached the larger one in order to get 
 some water, and, at five o'clock, ran ashore upon a snowy bank 
 of coral sand. 
 
 "I had an anchor taken off immediately into deep water 
 and tried to kedge the vessel off the bank, but could not, and 
 the tide went down and left us fast. Fortunately the wind fell 
 and the water became smooth, so that the vessel did not pound 
 any. I sent the boat away to the keys for water, but she vq- 
 turned without any. This was a bitter disappointment to all. 
 The men reported that the islands were mere piles of sand, 
 covered by starving shrubs and mangrov^e trees, and contain- 
 ing central lagorms of salt water. 
 
 "The water in the casks had grown steadily worse bv ex- 
 posure to the sun, and the lapse of time. Eating salt provi- 
 sions, washing in salt-water, breathing salt air, sprinkled by 
 salt spray, blistered by the fierce heat of the sun, exposed to 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 133 
 
 the wind day and night, and depressed by anxiety and loss of 
 sleep, our thirst had become overpowering, and we had been 
 obliged to drink the filthy fluid. It had early caused nausea 
 and diarrhoea, and, to mitigate the evil, I had broached one 
 of the casks of aguardiente and mixed it sparingly with the 
 water. This compound was unsatisfactory, iri-itating and ag- 
 gravating. It quenched tliirst for a time, only to increase it 
 tenfold later. It checked the diarrhoea, but burned our very 
 vitals. It gave a buoyancy and support to our flagging ener- 
 gies, but fevered our blood and scorched our brains. We were 
 conscious of our responsibilities, but moved, acted and thought 
 in a mild delirium. Things around us took fantastic shapes; 
 the islands seemed to rise and fall in the mist of evening ; 
 the trees appeared like dark spectres, stretching out their arms 
 to seize us; the line leading away to the hedge anchor looked 
 like a monstrous sea-serpent, wriggling and writhing towards 
 us; the shallow waves became tongues of flame, chasing each 
 other restlessly onwards ; the gentle ripples along the vessel's 
 side and under the stern sounded harsh and discordant; the 
 footfalls upon the deck smote the oars like the blows of a 
 sledge-hammer, and the fall of an oar made a sound like a 
 clap of til under. 
 
 " Ever and anon a school of fish would rush into the shal- 
 lows around the vessel and spatter, clatter and beat the water, 
 until it shone like a shower of diamonds in a flash of sheet 
 lightning; a floundering turtle of gigantic size, would crawl, 
 flop and swim over the white sand, seeming like a nightmare, 
 until he worked into deeper water; a dark triangular fin 
 would cut the surface of the water like a razor, and a long, 
 slim, treacherous shark steal by without a sound, and make 
 us shudder at the thought that he might soon be tearing our 
 flesh down in a coral cave, surroun<led by waving sponges. 
 The prisoners, fearful of our revolvers, and suffering and 
 sympathizing, made no more suspicious or seditious move- 
 ments. 
 
 " The night was bright with stars that winked as if in 
 mockery of our misery, and it was only by a supi'eme effort 
 of the will that we could shake off the illusions of our over- 
 wrought and fevered senses and keep from going mad. Sick 
 in body and mind ; far from human help; not knowing with 
 
134 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 certainty which way to go; with ouly the heavenly bodies to 
 guide us, and our vessel hard and fast ashore, it was enough 
 to try strong souls and cause despair. I think some of us 
 prayed a little, but not aloud. Still hope did not forsake us, 
 and energy and courage kept us though that dreadful night. 
 
 "When the clouds seemed darkest, the silver lining shone; 
 the white sails of a vessel were seen in the distance, and the 
 rattle of her cable told us she had come to anchor. I sent 
 three men with a cask in the boat for fresh water, and they 
 returned before midnight with an ample supply of what seemed 
 to us the most delicious beverage in the world. The captain 
 and several men from the schooner, which was a turtler, came 
 on board soon after, and I made an arrangement with him to 
 lighten the Fanchon and help get her afloat, provided we 
 could not warp her off the next high tide. . He informed me, 
 to my great surprise, that we were ninety miles east of Key 
 West. He said the currents along and between the Tortugas 
 and the different keys were rapid, and it required considerable 
 experience to estimate them. When we had stood to the 
 northward of Tortugas and then run back south to find the 
 islands, the strong easterly current had struck the vessel upon 
 the broadside, and swept her east almost as fast as she had 
 gone ahead. When I fhought we were sailing south, we were 
 going southeast, and had been carried beyond Key West, prob- 
 ably in the early morning. This explained the mysterious 
 disappearance of the Tortugas from the face of the waters and 
 our non-success in reaching port. 
 
 " I shall always have respect for turtlers. If I had not 
 met this honest captain, I should probably have followed the 
 line of keys around the coast of Florida and perhaps lost the 
 vessel. I thanked him heartily for his information; gave hira 
 a demijohn of the Cuban fire-water and some Havana cigars, 
 and he went aboard his own vessel. 
 
 "There was a high tide and spanking breeze early in the 
 morning, and, to our great joy, we succeeded in getting the 
 Fanchon afloat, and shaped our course for Key West. We 
 reached the light-house at dark and attempted to beat up the 
 channel according to the indications of a miserable chart, 
 feeling the water with the lead, but we nearly ran aground 
 several times, and at last considered it .safer to anchor for the 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 135 
 
 night. In the morning the anchor was down, when we saw 
 the Nautilus creep in past Fort Taylor and come to anchor. I 
 knew you would give us up for lost and concluded to surprise 
 you. You know the rest. Here I am, with tawny hands 
 and a peeling nose, hungry as a wolf for all the good things 
 of the wardroom mess." 
 
 Everybody agreed the experience was unique and ])erilous. 
 Careswell had to repeat the story, with modifications, explana- 
 tions and embellishments, to the people of Key West, and the 
 ladies greeted him with their sweetest smiles and best cakes 
 and wines. Madam Fontana called him a hero, and Laura 
 looked upon him with admiration, but had little to say. They 
 were in the garden one afternoon looking at a Victoria Regia, 
 that Madam had nursed carefully into full bloom. It was 
 growing in a tank of water; its large, lustrous green leaves 
 floated around the snowy petals of this most magnificent flower 
 in the world. 
 
 "How pure and sweet! How grandly beautiful it is!" 
 ejaculated Careswell in his enthusiasm. 
 
 "Yes, Lientenant," Madam said, "you can appreciate it 
 and express sentiment over it, but most of the people about 
 town think I was foolish to spend so much time and labor in 
 bringing it to perfection. They say, ' it will last but a few 
 days, then what is the gain?' My northern education has 
 just destroyed my patience with some of these people. I long 
 for the society of those who appreciate beautiful things, who 
 like art, music and literature." 
 
 " I think I understand your feelings," said Careswell. " My 
 mother was fond of flowers, and had a garden that attracted 
 and deserved admiration. When I was a boy, I had to do a 
 stint of weeding and digging every day before going to play. 
 She considered flowers the glory of the earth, and always in- 
 sisted upon their elevating and ennobling influence. Those 
 who do not admire flowers have little taste for the refinements 
 of life, and flowers may therefore be made touchstones for 
 testing individuals." 
 
 " I love flowers," said Laura timidly. 
 
 "Yes, my dear, I know you do," said Madam, "you know 
 there are exceptions to all rules. We are speaking of the 
 masses. Mr. Bloss loves flowers, does he not, Lieutenant ?" 
 
136 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " Certainly. He has the red rose you gave him, pressed in 
 his diary." 
 
 Alachim looked pleased at this evidence of remembrance, 
 and said, " Why does he not come ashore oftener ?" 
 
 " I think he is not very well." 
 
 "Not well ? Then I must send him some guava jelly. It 
 is delicious when one has not much appetite." 
 
 "Thank you. He will, no doubt, appreciate it." 
 
 "I wondered why he did not come to see my lily." 
 
 "Which one?" said Careswell, looking at Laura. 
 
 " Oh, the Victoria, of course. Lilies do not last forever, 
 and this one already begins to show signs of decay. Look at 
 those little spots on this snowy leaf. See how rusty they are. 
 In a short time this pretty white will be shrivelled brown, 
 and I must remove the blossom to save the strength of the 
 plant." 
 
 " Well, I shall tell Mr, Bloss to come immediately." 
 
 Clearly ]\Iadam was much interested in Mr. Bloss. It was 
 not so certain that Bloss cared much for Madam. A day had 
 been set for the ladies to visit the Nautilus, but she had gone 
 to sea before the time. Careswell now appointed another day 
 and then took leave. When he arrived on board, he learned 
 that the ship was to saiTat daylight for Charlotte Harbor, and 
 he was therefore obliged to send his regrets and f\ire wells 
 ashore by letter. 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 137 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Nautilus got underway at daybreak ; steamed slowly 
 up the coast, and, the next day, arrived and came to anchor in 
 Charlotte Harlwr upon the west coast of Florida. 
 
 A great number of islands of all shapes and sizes lie along 
 this coast of Florida. The passages between these islands 
 make an extensive network of inland waters, navigable by 
 small craft, and, with the numerous broad, shallow rivers in 
 the main land, furnish muddy homes for thousands of alli- 
 gators, and gave, in war times, countless hiding places for 
 l)lockade-runners. It was the boast of the men engaged in 
 blockade-running from this region, that they could pole their 
 vessels all the way inland around Florida until they reached 
 the latitude of Nassau, when they could run across to British 
 waters in one night. 
 
 The islands are composed of sand and the muck of vegeta- 
 ble decomposition ; they are covered by stunted growths of 
 mangrove, pine, cypress, palmetto and lime trees, and many of 
 them contain pools of brackish water and swamps in the inte- 
 rior. The islands and coast are little above sea level, and the 
 tide sweeps through all the passages and up all the rivei's for 
 many miles. Charlotte Harbor is land-locked by these islands. 
 It is in reality a beautiful bay eight to ten miles wide and 
 twenty-five miles long. Pease Creek enters its head, a narrow 
 passage leads south and receives the great Caloosahatchie, and 
 its principal outlet is towards the west. The rivers are broad, 
 shallow, muddy and sluggish. Their bottoms are a slimy 
 ooze, furnishing no support for the feet, and their banks are 
 the homes of voracious alligators, so that fording was danger- 
 ous and alost impossible. 
 
 There were few inhabitants in this part of Florida during 
 
 the war. An old Italian refugee, named Salvini, lived with 
 
 his son and daughter upon Pine Island to the south, and a 
 
 Mr. Bruno and wife had a small clearing upon the adjacent 
 
 10 
 
138 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 main land. Tliey claimed to be Union refugees and were 
 supplied by the naval vessels with regular rations. Being tar 
 from Confederate recruiting officers, they were very friendly 
 and instructed the officers how to fish and" hunt and were very 
 hospitable to visitors. They did considerable bartering with 
 the sailors, exchanging corn, sweet potatoes, melons, lemons, 
 limes and venison, tor coffee, sugar, salt, flour, hard-bread, 
 clothing and tobacco. There were few people along the banks 
 of the Caloosahatchie. Fort Myers, tiie old defence against 
 the Indians, twenty-five miles up the river, with its stockade, 
 block-house-s, barracks, officers' quarters and hospital, was de- 
 serted and in ruins. The large fish-curing house and wharf 
 near tiie mouth of the river, belonging to a Connecticut com- 
 pany, were in a fair state of preservation, though unprotected 
 by their owners; numberless coons were running boUlly along 
 the river's banks, and flocks of curlew were piping shrilly about 
 the marshes. 
 
 There were a few families residing upon clearings away from 
 the banks, far up Pease creek, and a small guard of "Florida 
 Regulators," having two field-pieces, was camjied behind a 
 rude earth-work upon the right bank at the junction of the 
 stream with the head waters of the bay. 
 
 Many wild cattle roamed over the meadows; red deer darted 
 about in the forests; coons rushed in packs from place to place; 
 sea turtles crawled up the sandy beaches to lay their eggs ; land 
 turtle, called gophers, dragged slowly over the sandy soil from 
 hole to hole; black and green snakes wriggled in the tall 
 marsh-gra.ss; alligators sunned upon the mud flats, or floated 
 with only their noses out of water; pelicans flew in long lines 
 across the bay to roost upon the mangroves; blue and black 
 herons flapped lazily from shallow to shallow, or stood in 
 silent astonishment ar tlie appearance of man, and clouds of 
 pink and white curlew fed upon the marshes and, at night, 
 whitened the trees along the shores of the islands. There 
 were myriads of snipe, scarlet flamingoes, marsh-hens, quail, 
 plover, pigeons, ducks, blackbirds, sliags, boobies, quacks, 
 gulls, owls, eagles and mocking birds. Muscles, quahaug and 
 oysters were plentiful on the island banks; tiger and shovel- 
 nosed shark.s, porpoises, .saw-fish, jew-fish, skate, sheeps-head, 
 cat-fish, toad-fish, sand-fish, red-fish, red grouper and mullet, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OP THE LATE WAR. 139 
 
 made the waters of the bay fairly alive with flashing fins and 
 glittering scales. 
 
 Charlotte Harbor was a paradise for sportsmen, and the 
 officers of the Nautilus had little to do, but watch the chan- 
 nels by night and fish and hunt by day. A single draught of 
 the seine would feed the whole crew a day, and two hunters 
 could shoot enough curlew in an evening to give all hands 
 pot-pie for breakfast. There was only one dangerous animal 
 in this Eden — it was the mosquito. Tropical heat develops 
 the harmless hundred-legs of the North into the venomous 
 centipeile. The moist, warm climate of Florida changes the 
 mosquito into a demon of persecution. It augments his size, 
 elongates and sharpens his instrument of torture, increases the 
 virulence of his venom, and elevates his musical hum to 
 clarion tones. It was necessary to close up the bunks with 
 nettings and to seek for each intruder with a club. The 
 wardroom after dark sounded as if it contained a liliputian 
 brass-band; the lamps were clogged with victims; the deck 
 was so thronged that tlie insects struck against the face like 
 rain drops, and the sand beaches were covered by clouds of 
 voracious blood-suckers. Before measures had been taken for 
 protection, the suffering from mosquitoes, when there was 
 little wind, was almost unendurable. Officers and men climbed 
 about in the boats, tops and cross-trees, vainly seeking escape 
 and needed sleep. Some men were nearly smothered beneath 
 head wrappings and improvised tents; others dressed in com- 
 plete suits of oil-clothes or rubber, and a few covered their 
 faces and hands with petroleum and shrouded themselves in 
 tobacco smoke. The loss of sleep made the men unfit for duty ; 
 discipline was relaxed, and the daily drills were for a time 
 suspended. 
 
 The Nautilus had been ordered to the Florida coast to relieve 
 
 temporarily the sloop-of-war R , which sailed for home 
 
 the next day after her arrival. The rebels at Tampa Bay had 
 been sending expeditions to Pease creek and Charlotte Harbor 
 to forage and to capture refugees and man-of-war's-men. 
 They had already caught several refugees from the main land 
 and shot them as deserters. They were guarding the creek, 
 protecting blockade-runners while discharging and loading 
 cargoes, and accompanying them in force until they were well 
 
J 40 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 started upon their voyages. It was supposed that there were 
 many boats and some vessels far up the creek ; that there were 
 depots of cotton and stores in houses back in tlie woods; and 
 that an old Indian fort at the forks of the creek was held by 
 a small force, in frequent communication with the fortified 
 works at the head of the bay. 
 
 It was resolved to strike a blow at the Florida Regulators, 
 who were not regularly enlisted men, and, therefore, did not 
 expect quarter nor give any. They were mostly cattle-drivers, 
 who knew every foot of the country, and were supplied with 
 fleet horses. It would have been madness to have followed 
 them into the forests and attacked them where they chose 
 to make a stand. It was necessary to go up the river in boats 
 in order to clean it out, and the service was particularly dan- 
 gerous, because the bush-whackers could shield themselves by 
 bushes and trees and have the sailors, crowded in a small space, 
 at a disadvantage. 
 
 It was reported by a refugee, who came down to the ship in 
 a dug-out, about a week after the arrival of the Nautilus, that 
 a sloop up the creek was nearly loaded with cotton and getting 
 ready to sail for Nassau. One of the cutters was manned, 
 armed and equipped, and sent in charge of Master Sanborn to 
 reconnoitre and blockade the mouth of the creek. The next 
 afternoon, the boat returned with two men wounded, which 
 caused considerable excitement aboard the Nautilus, as this 
 was her first real war casualty. 
 
 JNIr. Sanborn reported that he had reached the head of the 
 bay after dark and laid at anchor in the mouth of the creek 
 all night without seeing or hearing anything of the enemy. 
 Just before daybreak he landed ujwn the point of what he 
 supposed was an island near the right bank of the river to 
 make cotfee and dry the clothes of the men, wet by a light 
 shower. He posted four men on picket across the point, two 
 hundred yards inland, and left two in charge of the boat, while 
 the remainder proceeded to make a fire and cook breakfast. 
 Nothing happened till ten o'clock to disturb the comfort of the 
 bivouac, and Sanborn was congratulating himself that he had 
 found a secure hiding-place for his boat during the day, when 
 the coxswain of the boat, who had strolled out near the picket 
 line, called to him that one of the pickets wanted to see him. 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 141 
 
 He went out immediately, after ordering the men to take 
 their rifles and gather near a clump of bushes. The land be- 
 yond the jiickets was covered by tufts of grass and small 
 bushes, and beyond these, there was a meadow of tall grass. 
 The picket reported that he had seen cattle moving about in 
 the latter, and that they were approaching the camp. San- 
 born used his marine glasses and caught occasional glimpses 
 of dark forms which he decided were horses. He reasoned 
 quickly that, if these were horses, their riders were with them, 
 and, as there was not a stump nor tree upon the point for 
 shelter, it would be better to embark and get out of range as 
 soon as possible. He moved the pickets within fifty yards of 
 the boat; ordered them to fire upon the first ap|)earance of an 
 enemy, and set the coxswain to getting everything into the 
 boat as soon as possible. This was soon accomplished; the 
 j)ickets were called in, and sturdy arms soon sent the Iwat over 
 the water, just as twenty men, each one leading his horse, 
 came obliquely over the sand hill and discharged a volley of 
 rifle balls and buckshot after her. Their weapons were poor 
 and their aims hasty, but two of the sailors received slight 
 wounds, one in the shoulder and the other in the groin. Four 
 men were kept at the oars and the remainder of the crew fired 
 their Sharp's rifles and soon drove the enemy from the hill, 
 killing one horse and wounding two of the riders, one mor- 
 tally. There was nothing to be gained by remaining in the 
 region during the day, and Sanborn had returned aboard for 
 the sake of the wounded. The affair showed lack of discre- 
 tion in Sanborn, in landing and building a fire that would by 
 its smoke betray his position, l)iit no one doubted his courage, 
 and he was complimented upon his management in bringing 
 his men away withoiK serious loss. 
 
 Everybody was full of revengeful feelings and wanted to 
 have a chance at these Florida Regulators, as was abundantly 
 proved when Lieutenant-commander Felton had the officer-of- 
 the-deck pass the word forward by the boatswain's mate : 
 "All who wish to volunteer for an expedition lay aft to the 
 mainmast!" The whole crew% boys and men, cooks, stewards 
 and petty officers, came in a hurrying crowd, each anxious to 
 be first accepted. A careful selection of tried and experienced 
 men was made for two boats ; the first and second cutters were 
 
142 CRUISING AND BI.OCKADI^"U. 
 
 provisioned and armed ; Ensign Careswell and Midshipman 
 Edgewood were ordered to take command, and instructions 
 Avere given them to lie iu the channels and capture any boats 
 or vessels that might appear. Mr. Weston, a refugee from the 
 region, was taken as a pilot, the boats cleared away with three 
 cheers from the ship, spread their sails and at dark w^ere far 
 up the bay. 
 
 Careswell stationed Edgtwood's boat in a channel behind 
 the islands to the sontli, and anchored his own in the entrance 
 of the creek. The camp-fire of the rebel guard upon the right 
 bank was seen with men moving about it, but nothing hap- 
 })ened to di.-tiub the serenity of the night, except the occasional 
 jumping of a fish out of water and the splashing of alligators 
 along the muddy shores. Before daylight the boats Avere 
 pulled to a small, wooded island, drawn well into the weeds, 
 and covered with l>ranches of trees, while the crews made a 
 camp back among the mangroves, and a lookout was sent into 
 the top of a tall pine. Loud sounds were not permitted and 
 the day passed uneventfully. The boats were anchored out at 
 night as before, and tiie next day was spent in the snug retreat 
 upon the island. The third evening, Careswell, Edgewood 
 and Weston discussed the situation, and concluded, as the 
 sloop had not appeared, they would go up river and find her. 
 The oars and rowlocks were wound with strips of canvas to 
 nniffle their sounds; the arms were carefully examined, and, 
 at eight o'clock, a long course was pulled down the bay and 
 around to the right shore below the guard at Fort Winder, in 
 order that they might ascend the stream in the shadow of the 
 bank. 
 
 Cautiously and quietly the boats crept along, the oars not 
 making much more noise than the ripples, and the dark 
 shadows of the bank and trees enveloping them in obscurity. 
 They passed the fort at the mouth of the river so near that the 
 voices of the men around the camp-fire were heard, and went 
 onwards hour after hour, struggling against a strong current, 
 and, with rifles in hand, scrutinizing anxiously every stump, 
 bush and prominent tree along the bank. A dozen times were 
 rifles cocked and revolvers grasped to fire at some compact 
 bush or decaying stump, that, in the general apprehension of 
 danger, took the rough semblance of a man. An image passed, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 143 
 
 all felt relieved and half ashamed of their fears, but the next 
 suspicious object excited them again. It was a new experience 
 for all aboard the boats. They were men who had been bred 
 to arms and were ready to face any danger, yet, they shrank 
 from this exposure in open boats to a fire from a concealed foe. 
 The uncertainty of where and when they might be attacked ; 
 the ignorance of the country and the forces along the river; the 
 silence maintained aboard, and the deep darkness along the 
 shore, all added to the general uneasiness. 
 
 Careswell's boat led the advance, and, in the struggle with 
 the current, the other boat dropped far behind. Suddenly, in 
 turning a bend in the river about ten miles from its mouth, a 
 fire was seen ujion Hickory Bluff, on the right bank, and men 
 were moving around it. The boat was stopped and Careswell 
 and the pilot held a consultation. It was decided to wait 
 awhile for the other boat before proceeding. After a delay of 
 half an hour, the boat not appearing, they pulled cautiously 
 along to reconnoitre and soon discovered a sloop anchored in 
 the stream about a luindred yards from the bank. The people 
 ashore were evidently having a jollification. They were eating, 
 drinking, dancing, laughing and singing, and their movements 
 could be plainly seen by all aboard the cutter. Weston said 
 it was customary for friends and a guard to accompany a vessel 
 down to this place, and have a good time with the crew just 
 before sailing. He thought there were not many aboard the 
 sloop, and that the officers and men were in the crowd around 
 the camp-fire. 
 
 Careswell resolved to take the sloop without waiting for 
 Edgewood. Four men were kept at the oars and ordered to 
 remain in the boat with the pilot; the rest were detailed by 
 Careswell to follow him aboard the vessel with rifles in hand. 
 The boat was run along the outer side of the sloop, thus mak- 
 ing her a bulwark for protection from a fire from shore, and 
 Careswell, with revolver in hand, sprang upon the deck of the 
 vessel followed by the men. Not a man was on deck. Cares- 
 well rushed to the cabin gangway, pushed back the slide, 
 opened the doors and shouted, " Come up out of there!" A 
 negro rushed up, ran his woolly head against the cold muzzle 
 of Careswell's revolver, dro])ped on his knees upon the stairs 
 and cried in piteous tones: "Mercy! Massa! Mercy! Lord 'a 
 
144 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 mercy ! Don't shoot, Oh, Massa Linkum, dou't shoot ! Massa 
 Linkura, don't shoot a poo' nigger!" 
 
 " Tell me the truth then and I will spare you," said Cares- 
 well sternly. 
 
 "Yes, massa! Oh don't shoot, massa! I'll tell de whole 
 truf." 
 
 " Is there anybody else aboard this vessel ?" 
 
 " No, Massa.'' 
 
 " Where is the crew?" 
 
 " On shore, Massa, sayin' Good-bye to de women folks." 
 
 "How many men are there?" 
 
 " There's Captain Money, and Massa Brown, and Massa — " 
 
 "Never mind their names. How many are there?" 
 
 " Five, Massa." 
 
 " Who else is on shore?" 
 
 "De women folks, Massa." 
 
 "Who else?" 
 
 " Some ob de regerlaters." 
 
 " How many men altogether ?" 
 
 "Dunno, Massa, spects 'bout fourteen." 
 
 "Have they guns?" 
 
 " Yes, Massa," 
 
 " What is the name of this vessel ?" 
 
 "De Record, Massa." 
 
 " What have you aboard ?" 
 
 "Eight and a half bales ob cotton and some pertaters, 
 Massa." 
 
 "Have you any guns?" 
 
 " Yes, Massa, seberal rifles an' shot guns." 
 
 " Where are they ?" 
 
 " In the cabin, Massa." 
 
 " Very well, get into that boat and keep quiet and you shall 
 not be hurt." 
 
 The poor darkey was ash color; he trembled for some time 
 violently, and watched everybody anxiously. 
 
 Careswell took the helm ; onlered two men to slip the rope 
 cable and hoist the jib, and the remainder to lie down upon 
 the deck. The rattle of the hanks, as the jib ran up the stay, 
 made a noise that was heard ashore, and then only the rebels 
 discovered that something was wrong aboard the sloop. Sev- 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 145 
 
 eral yelled, "Here you nigger! what yon doin' thar?" No 
 answer was returned, but the jib was hoisted and drawn over 
 to windward, there being a light breeze off shore. The keel 
 of the vessel just scraped the muddy bottom ; she payed off 
 very slowly, and, for a few anxious moments, it was a question 
 whether she could be floated off. The mainsail was quickly 
 hoisted ; a few puffs of stronger air came opportunely and 
 turned the sloop faster; she swung off into deeper water, and 
 began to move towards the middle of the stream. In the 
 mean time, the crew upon the bank had rushed into a small 
 boat and started to paddle out to the sloop, but when they saw 
 the heavy mainsail hoisted so quickly, they knew the negro 
 was not alone in running away with the sloop, and went ashore 
 again. Then the whole party opened fire with rifles and shot- 
 guns upon the receding vessel, and the bullets and buckshot 
 sang through the air and whistled across the sloop's deck, 
 cutting the rigging and wounding several men. Coxswain 
 Wilcox was shot in the neck ; seaman Smith got a bullet 
 through his hand, and Careswell received a slight flesh wound 
 in his side. The men were now ordered out of the cutter and 
 she was towed astern. Then Careswell shouted, " Now, my 
 lads, give it to them ! Ijoad and fire as fast as possible, and 
 aim low !" The flash of ten rifles ansAvered him, and, still 
 holding the tiller, he emptied his Colt's revolver upon the 
 enemy. The shore fire ceased immediately ; the camp-fire 
 was deserted, and the rebels rushed to the cover of the trees. 
 A few more volleys were fired from the sloop, then the com- 
 mand was given to cease firing, as she had struck the strong 
 current in the middle of the river and was fast getting out of 
 range. 
 
 The Record went rapidly down river; the wounds were 
 dressed, and a sharp lookout was kept for the missing boat. 
 Fort Winder was passed safely before daylight, a good run 
 was made down the bay, and the sloo]) was brought to anchor 
 near the Nautilus late in the afternoon. Nothing had been 
 seen of Edgewood's boat. Her disappearance was incompre- 
 hensible. 
 
 Careswell and his men were congratulated heartily upon the 
 success of the expedition ; the two wounded seamen were 
 placed in snowy cots down in the sick-bay and tenderly cared 
 
146 CEUISJKG AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 for by Dr. Willett and his assistants : the arms were cleaned, 
 and the cutter was prepared for an immediate return to the 
 liead of the bay in search of the missing boat. Every one 
 felt anxious for her safety, as the country was aroused by the 
 capture of the sloop, and it was feared, not knowing this, 
 Edgewood might go on up river in search of the first cutter 
 and meet with disaster. Careswell said nothing about his 
 slight wound, and insisted uj)on his right to go in charge of 
 the boat, though the captain was inclined to send Mr. Bioss. 
 A call was made for volunteers. Every one of the previous 
 crew, except the wounded men, came aft and was accepted, 
 and the vacancies were filled by selecting two men from the 
 dozens who offered their services. The boat got away at four 
 bells, and reached the head of the bay about nine o'clock. 
 The right shore was searched to Fort Winder, then the boat 
 was pulled across to the left bank of tiie creek, where there 
 was a wharf, and there the missing cutter lay, with ihe whole 
 crew sound asleep. It did not lake long to awaken them and 
 to hear their e.^^planation. They had pulled against the cur- 
 rent half the night, but not seeing anything of the other boat, 
 concluded it had been passed in the darkness or had been 
 captured, as they heard .the firing far up the river, and had 
 returned to the wharf on the safer side, where they had kept 
 guard all day, until overcome by fatigue, even the man left 
 on watch had succumbed to the drowsy god. 
 
 Edgewood and his men were much chagrined, when they 
 learned that the sloop had been cut out and taken down to 
 the ship, and they were eager to proceed up the river and wipe 
 out their failure of the previous night. Careswell and Weston 
 thought the capture of the sloop and her sailing down the 
 bay would lead the people along the creek to think the object 
 of the expedition had been accomplished, and they would be 
 off their guard, so that a further exploration might be made 
 without much risk. It was decided to go up the river; the 
 muffling of the oars was repaired, and the boats advanced 
 cautiously along the left bank until near morning; theu Wes- 
 ton conducted them to an island, where they were pulled up 
 and completely covered by branches of trees, and a camp was 
 formed among the mangroves. A fire was started immediately 
 in a dense thicket, \\hich prevented its light being seen from 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 147 
 
 the shore, and thus early, because the men were suffering for 
 hot coffee, and it was necessary to have the fire out and the 
 rising smoke dissipated before tlie dawn, otherwise it would 
 attract attention to the hiding j)lace. Pickets were posted 
 after breakfast, and the day was spent in rest and sleep. The 
 camp was broken up and the boats were manned at dark, and 
 the ascent of the river was continued slowly and cautiously. 
 When they came to a branch, one boat would remain at its 
 mouth, and the other go up to its landings and destroy with 
 axes, sink or take in tow all the boats which could be found. 
 This was done upon both sides of the stream by the boats' 
 crews in alternation, until they approached Fort Morgan, the 
 remains of an old Indian fort, situated upon a point of land 
 in the fork formed by the two largest branches which united 
 to make the creek. This was considered the head of naviga- 
 tion for blockade-runners, though they could be poled up the 
 branches and half over the peninsula of Florida if necessary. 
 Here they were loaded with cotton, hauled in from tlie country 
 upon a fairly good road. A guard of regulators occupied the 
 log houses of the old military post. The point Mas firm, 
 arable land, considerably elevated above the level of the creek,- 
 and, therefore, could be easily defended from an attack by 
 boats. It was easily reached from all parts of the adjacent 
 country by boats and teams, and a force of bush-whackers 
 could l)e assembled there at short notice. Weston thought it 
 probable there might be several vessels by the bank and twenty 
 or thirty men guarding them. The boats were run in to a 
 fallen tree and the plan of attack was determined. 
 
 It M'as very dark along the river. The stars were veiled 
 by clouds. The gentle night breeze hardly stirred the mossy 
 boughs of the cypress and pine or the l)road leaves of the pal- 
 metto. Not a sound w^as heard save the crackling of leaves 
 and sticks beneath the feet of stealthy animals, and the occa- 
 sional grunts and splashes of alligators. The officers and men 
 examined their revolvers and rifles, girded their sword-belts 
 tighter, and piled their overcoats beneath the seats. The two 
 bow oarsmen in each boat crouched down with their rifles 
 ready; the officers and coxswains grasped their revolvers, and 
 Careswell gave the order, " Give way !" The boats moved 
 along, Careswell upon the right, and Edgewood upon the left 
 
148 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 bank of the river. Careswell ran his boat up the right branch 
 two hundred yards and landed liis men quietly, leaving three 
 to guard the boat ; Edgewood proceeded up tlie left branch 
 the same distance, landed, and left three men with his boat. 
 Unfortunately one of the men let his oar fall upon the gun- 
 wale, which made a noise that was heard across the point. 
 Then both landing parties, led by their officers, ran in single 
 file towards each other, leaving a man behind every ten paces 
 as a picket, until the officers met and exchanged the counter- 
 sign, " Lincoln." Then the pickets faced the log huts and 
 advanced upon them, gradually closing the line as they 
 marched, and the fort was captured. Not a man was seen, 
 not a gun was fired. The camp-fire was a bed of live coals; 
 the rude beds upon the floors of the cabins were warm from 
 their recent occupants; men's and women's clothing was scat- 
 tered all about; provisions, camp utensils and ammunition, 
 even, were abandoned ; all indicated the recent and hasty flight 
 of the garrison. There was not a bale of cotton nor a vessel 
 at the landing. The disappointment and chagrin at this fruit- 
 less and bloodless victory were universal. The clumsy lubber, 
 who had dropped the oar, had awakened the rebels, and they 
 had had time to get out of the trap set for them before the 
 picket line had been completed. They were far up the road, 
 and pursuit of them would have been useless and dangerous. 
 Tigers fight best in their own jungles. 
 
 A council was now held with Edgewood and "Weston, and 
 the latter made a singular proposal. He said, " Lieutenant, I 
 have a sister living up the road about a mile whom I am very 
 anxious to see. I have heard but little from her since the war 
 commenced. She is loyal to the United States, and can give 
 us information of everything in this section. If you will let 
 me have two men, I will go and see her and return within an 
 hour. I know all the cowpaths, and think there will be little 
 danger in the attempt. If we are discovered, we can hold a 
 whole company back with these excellent arms. These fellows 
 around here are not soldiers ; though they are good shots at a 
 deer, they are afraid as death of the crack of a Yankee gun." 
 
 Careswell and Edgewood were much astonished at this 
 proposition. They could not question Weston's loyalty, be- 
 cause he had run away from this country and had served the 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 149 
 
 naval forces well. He was known as a refugee by his former 
 neighbors, and his life would last only while they were hunt- 
 ing a rope, should he be captured by them. He knew the 
 danger he would incur, yet, love for his sister and a desire to 
 serve his country prompted him to run the risk. Careswell 
 was anxious to learn if there were any more vessels up the 
 river, and his sympathies were aroused for Weston, but he was 
 cautious and suspicious, and hesitated to give his consent to so 
 desperate an undertaking. He did not like to order two men 
 upon a perilous mission that was not strictly a part of their 
 duty. While he was considering the conflicting impulses of 
 his mind, Carey, the coxswain of his boat, touched his cap and 
 said, "I will go with him, sir." Then several other men 
 offered their services and tl)e case was decided. Carey and 
 Ferguson were ordered to accompany Weston, and to obey all 
 reasonable and proper orders from him. Careswell was still 
 uneasy, and took Carey aside and said to him, " Keep a sharp 
 lookout upon the way you go, so as to be able to find your 
 way back alone. Keep your eyes upon Weston's actions, and, 
 if you see any treachery in his conduct, shoot him immedi- 
 ately ; then return here as quickly as you can. We will wait 
 for you." The countersign "Lincoln "was given, the men 
 passed through the pickets and were out of sight in a moment. 
 
 It was a dreary watch that night, forty miles from the ship 
 and far into the enemy's country, and Careswell made the 
 rounds from boat to boat along the picket line several times, 
 anxious and impatient at the slow passage of time. Once 
 there came from inland the deep baying of hounds, and the 
 melancholy sound served to make the night more dismal and 
 the picket-guard more alert. 
 
 " What is the time?" asked Edgewood of Careswell. 
 
 "One o'clock, and they have been gone an hour." 
 
 " Halt ! Who comes there ?" called a picket sharply. 
 
 The officers drew their revolvers, and the sharp click of 
 cocking rifles was heard along the line. 
 
 " A friend !" was the answer. 
 
 " Advance, friend, and give the countersign !" 
 
 "Lincoln !" Weston and his escort passed into the camp 
 and were greeted heartily. 
 
 " Lieutenant, we must get out of here as soon as possible," 
 
150 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING, 
 
 said Weston. " There is hard riding up the road. A mes- 
 senger has gone to Tampa Bay where tliere is a comjjany of 
 cavalry. The whole country will be alive by daylight, and 
 we may have trouble getting out of the river. I will tell you 
 more aboard the boat " 
 
 The stores and ammunition were seized ; the fort was left 
 as it had been found ; the pic^kets were marched to the boats ; 
 the men embarked and bent to their oars, and they were soon 
 going down river at a lively rate. 
 
 Careswell and Weston conversed in low tones for some 
 time. Weston said there were no blockade-runners in the 
 creek and very few boats of any kind al)ove Fort Morgan. 
 The dozen regulators, wiio had l)een in the fort, had retreated 
 to a house three miles back from the landing. The whole 
 country had been excited by the capture of the sloop in home 
 waters, and sixty regulators, comprising all the active men 
 about, had been notified to meet at Jackson's plantation, at 7 
 A.M. that very day to organize and settle upon some plan for 
 more effectually guarding the river. The meeting would be a 
 failure, because most of the boats had been destroyed or 
 removed, the muddy branches were full of alligators and could 
 not be crossed without them, and it would take many days to 
 ride around their head waters. Jackson's plantation was two 
 miles below the fort and a mile and a half back from the river. 
 It was a place of storage for all the supplies brought into that 
 part of the country by the blockade-runners. It was the 
 headquarters of the regulators, and a rendezvous for all the 
 rough riders of the region. There, deeds of valor were related 
 and acts of treason hatched and nourished. Its destruction 
 was justifiable as an act of war, and it would be a fitting 
 climax to the expedition. 
 
 Careswell resolved to make the attempt, and was encouraged 
 by the ready assent of Edge wood and Weston. The seven 
 captured boats, which had been fastened to a tree upon the 
 bank, were towed down to the entrance of a little inlet that 
 led to Jackson's landing, passed without examination in going 
 u])tlie stream, and anchored some distance off shore. The two 
 cutters entered the inlet and their crews were landed quietly. 
 A large boat that lay high up the bank was stove with axes. 
 Five men were left in charge of coxswain Ferguson to guard 
 
A Js^\VAT. STOUY OF THE LATE WAR. 151 
 
 the cutters and protect the retreat, "Nautilus" was given as 
 the countersign, and seventeen men took up the line ot* march 
 along a miserable road, sometimes in water a foot deep, lead- 
 ing through tall pine trees hack to the clearing. Careswell 
 and Weston led the advance, the men followed in single file, 
 keeping a shar[) lookout to the right and left, and Etlgewood 
 brought up the rear. Just before reaching the opening, the 
 men were halted and the plan of attack was explained. Wes- 
 ton and six men were detailed to surround the clearing and 
 let no person escape; Edgewood and four men were ordered 
 to search the outbuildings, ascertain their contents, and cap- 
 ture any person found ; and Careswell and four men were to 
 enter the mansion, seize the occupants and then join Edgewood. 
 The force marched on again, and as it approached the clearing, 
 three bloodhounds burst down the road and were beaten back 
 by the sailors' cutlasses. The clearing, perhaps a hundred 
 yards square, was reached and quickly surrounded by the 
 pickets; the remainder of the force ran to the buildings in the 
 centre. Edgewood entered the smoke-house and kitchen 
 without opposition, took three men prisoners who were sleep- 
 ing in a corner, noted the quantity of provisions, salt, matches 
 and dry goods stored within, and then withdrew his men to the 
 front of the house. Careswell ordered two men to enter the 
 mansion by the back, and he with two men went in at the 
 front door. The doors were fastened and it was necessary to 
 force them open. A heavy piece of timber was used as a bat- 
 tering-ram ; the front door flew inwards, and Careswell and 
 his men rushed immediately into the dwelling with revolvers 
 in hand, and saw by the light of a bull's eye lantern, carried 
 by one of the sailors, two men sitting up in bed. They 
 reached under their pillows for their revolvers, but the stern 
 command of Careswell to get out of bed at the peril of their 
 lives, and the persuasion of three revolvers pointed at them, 
 induced them to surrender. They arose, dressed, and were 
 placed with the other prisoners under guard of two men upon 
 the edge of the clearing towards the boats. 
 
 There were no other persons at the plantation ; the prisoners 
 were of the opinion a few more men would be there during 
 the day, but it was not deemed advisable to wait for them. A 
 few revolvers and guns were taken from the buildings ; two 
 
I'y2 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 horses, discovered under a shed, were turned loose; some 
 women's clothing was placed in trunks and left in the road, 
 and Careswell ordered the three buildings to be given to the 
 Hames. Edgewood set fire to the two log outbuildings, and 
 Careswell and his men ignited the more pretentious, match- 
 boarded dwelling. The men gathered kindlings and a quan- 
 tity of tallow in one corner and set fire to the pile, while 
 Careswell, impatient at the delay, lit the cotton curtains and 
 straw of the bed with a candle, anil the smoke and flames soon 
 drove the legal incendiaries out into the night. The pine 
 structures and their contents burned furiously; the flames 
 curled, leaped, crackled and shot upwards a hundred feet in 
 the still air; the light illuminated the whole clearing like the 
 sun, and danced upon the sun-browned faces, the blue uni- 
 forms and the polished arms with a weird glamour, while the 
 men stood silent and awe-struuk at the magnificent spectacle. 
 The pickets were called in and the men were formed in the 
 road in double file with the prisoners and Weston ahead, still 
 no order was given to march — every face was turned towards 
 the burning buildings. The log houses were pictured in 
 flames; the frame of the dwelling was nearly denuded of its 
 covering, and still spread its fiery network of beams across the 
 dark background of pines. Suddenly a column of flame shot 
 upwards; a loud explosion smote upon the senses; the burn- 
 ing timbers flew high in the air and to the remotest parts of 
 the clearing, and not even the foundations of the house 
 remained. All was level with the ground. Careswell looked 
 at the prisoners for an explanation. They said a magazine of 
 powder beneath the floor of the house had exploded. 
 
 The order was given to march ; the boats were reached 
 without accident, and the party embarked immediately. The 
 streaks of dawn were creeping up the eastern sky. Fort 
 Winder was still below, and it was advisable to get out of the 
 river as soon as possible. The captured boats were taken in 
 tow ; the men bent to their oars ; the boats fairly flew down 
 the current, and before daylight were past the fort and far out 
 in the bay. The guard had left the fort — at least there were 
 no signs of life about it — and had probably gone to swell the 
 martial array at the ruins of Jackson's plantation. Then the 
 sails were set, vigilance was relaxed, a cold breakfast was 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 153 
 
 eatoii, the breaker was tapped and a tot of whiskey served to 
 every man, not forgetting the prisoners, and, with story and 
 song, the day was spent in sailing down the bay, so that it was 
 dark when the boats drew near the Nautihis. 
 
 The nine boats approaching the ship made a formidable 
 appearance. 
 
 " Boats ahoy !" came the sharp hail of Mr. Felton. 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" answered Careswell, the usual reply of a 
 wardroom officer to indicate his rank, when he is the senior 
 aboard a boat. 
 
 "Keep otf or I will fire into you !" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" was the reply. 
 
 Careswell and his comrades were astonished. What did 
 this rough greeting mean ? The oars backed water and the 
 boats were stopped. 
 
 " What boats are those?" Felton asked. 
 
 "Two naval cutters and seven river boats," Careswell 
 answered. 
 
 "How many men are there aboard?" 
 
 "Twenty-eight, sir; twenty -three belonging to the Nautilus 
 and five prisoners of the United States." 
 
 " Very well, sir ; you can come alongside in the cutter, and 
 leave the other boats in charge of Mr. Edgewood." 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 The first cutter was pulled to the starboard gangway, and 
 Careswell climbed up the ladder and stepped gaily down 
 upon deck. He touched his cap to Mr. Felton and said, " I 
 report myself aboard, sii\" He noticed that Felton had his 
 sword on, all the men were at quarters, and the guns were run 
 out and depressed. 
 
 " You will report to the captain, sir," said Felton severely. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir!" Careswell walked aft where Captain 
 Prescott stood, saluted him and said, " I report myself and 
 crews returned, sir !" 
 
 The captain returned the salute and answered sternly, " Con- 
 sider yourself under arrest, sir! Go to your room !" 
 
 Poor Careswell was struck dumb by this extraordinary 
 reception, and looked for comfort at some of the officers sta- 
 tioned near, but all maintained a cold demeanor, and he went 
 down to his room with an aching heart. He could not uu- 
 11 
 
154 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 derstand the matter at all, and the more he thought over it, 
 the more he was puzzled. He heard the battery secured, the 
 men dismissed from general quarters and the boats hoisted up, 
 but the wardroom officers did not come below, and, weary and 
 wretched, he fell into a feverish sleep. How long he had 
 slept, he did not know, when a knock at his door awakened 
 him. " Who is there ?" he called. 
 
 " It is I, the doctor," was the reply. " Open the door, I 
 want to see you." 
 
 Careswell leaned out of his bunk and turned back the bolt. 
 Dr. Willett came in, shook hands and said, " My dear fellow, 
 lam glad to see you back safe. You have given us quite a 
 scare. Here is something you must take right away. It's a 
 dose of quinine and whiskey. You can't knock around in 
 these Florida rivers without an antidote to their malaria. 
 Drink it down, and then I'll open this bottle of sherry. Y''ou 
 poor lad, you are feverish now." The doctor passed his hand 
 softly over Careswell's forehead and then felt his pulse. Tears 
 came into Careswell's eyes, and a choking sensation in the 
 throat nearly prevented his swallowing the potion. The doc- 
 tor was busy drawing the cork from the sherry bottle. He 
 poured out half a- tumblerful of the wine and handed it to 
 Careswell, saying, " There ! that's the stuff for you ; that will 
 take the bitter taste out of your mouth ; now you will feel 
 better, and wake up all right in the morning." 
 
 " Thank you. Doctor. How are the wounded getting 
 along?" 
 
 " Very well. I was obliged to amputate Smith's hand." 
 
 "Were you? Poor fellow! I'm so sorry for him. Will 
 he get well?" 
 
 " Yes, but we will be obliged to send him North." 
 
 " Is Wilcox hurt much ?" 
 
 " No, only a flesh wound, but it is in a bad place and very 
 painful. He will come out all right." 
 
 " That's a comfort. I've a little scratch myself for you to 
 patch up to-morrow." 
 
 "You? Where?" 
 
 " Here in my side, only through the skin. I got several 
 bullet-holes in my coat." 
 
 " And you went back with that hole in you? Y''ou careless 
 
A NAV^AL STORY OF THE LATE WAR 155 
 
 frllnvv! If that ball had gone half an inch deeper, it would 
 have killed you." 
 
 " ' A miss is as good as a mile/ Doctor. I tipped the ball 
 out with my knife-blade and kept a little oakum over the 
 place." 
 
 " Why didn't you tell me of this before?" 
 
 " I forgot ail abi)ut it in my anxiety to get EdgewooJ out 
 of his danger." 
 
 " Well, you're a trump." 
 
 " You say I have given you a scare. What do you mean ?" 
 
 " Why, we thought you and your boats had been captured, 
 and the flotilla }0u brought down to-night was full of rebels 
 coming to take the ship. We watched for you all yesterday 
 and last night and to-day gave you up for lost. We saw the 
 boats coming down the bay before dark, but they were too far 
 off to make out who was aboard of them, and we went to 
 quarters at dark. The ship was bristling with arms when you 
 arrived, and, if you had been rebels, you would have got ' Hail 
 Columbia.'" 
 
 " Didn't you hear ray men singing ' Landlord fill the flow- 
 ing bowl,' etc., just as they have so many times aboard the 
 Nautilus?" 
 
 " Yes, but we considered that a ruse of the enemy to throw 
 us off our guard." 
 
 ''Pshaw! You must have been scared to so lose your 
 judgment. It would have taken more than a million rebels 
 to have made my men sing when prisoners. Am I under 
 arrest for scaring you ?" 
 . "No, not exactly; but for disobeying orders." 
 
 "How did the captain know I had disobeyed orders?" 
 
 " He knew you must have done so, because you were gone 
 so long and brought down so many boats. You mustn't 
 mind being under arrest; it will not last long. The whole 
 ship's com})any knows the history of your expedition now from 
 your comrades, and it is too much credit to the Nautilus for 
 the captain to ignore it and punish the commander. He 
 can't ignore it; it must be reported, and Admiral Bailey 
 will not permit you to be punished for your brave conduct." 
 
 " I would like to know what the Navy is going to do, if its 
 officers are not to be governed by circumstances and to act in 
 
156 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 emergencies. There was an excellent opportunity to clear out 
 the river, as the result proved. I should like to see any one 
 daring enough to attempt it to-morrow. The whole country 
 is in arms, and a hundred cavalry from Tampa Bay are now 
 patrolling the banks of the river. This conservatism and 
 servility to tradition are the curse of the service. If an offi- 
 cer is only to follow the letter of the law, and not its spirit; 
 if he is only to do what he is ordered to do, like a machine; 
 farewell all ambition, all hope of glory !" 
 
 " Yes, there is too much old fogyism. The powers will 
 blame you for assuming responsibility in one instance, and 
 reprimand you for not assuming it in another. There is too 
 much red-tape; too much jealousy of the high prerogatives 
 of rank." 
 
 Just then a form in night-shirt appeared at the door. It 
 was the paymaster. 
 
 " I came in to give you a good shake, Careswell," whis- 
 pered he. "I heard you talking and I couldn't sleep till I 
 saw you and told 30U how unjustly I think the captain has 
 used you. Edgewood and Weston have told us all about the 
 expedition, and you deserve praise instead of blame. The 
 officers all think so too, except Ashton, who .seems to have a 
 special spite against you. I judge it is jealousy on his part. 
 The captain took Weston below and had a long confabulation, 
 and I think he is sorry for his hasty action," 
 
 " All right. Pay., I've done my duty, let the consequences 
 be what they may." 
 
 " Pay., we mustn't keep Careswell awake any longer; he is 
 weak and wounded, and needs rest and sleep, or he will be 
 on the sick-list. We can talk matters over to-morrow." 
 
 " Wounded ? You don't say so !" 
 
 "Yes, but only slightly." 
 
 " I am sorry to hear it, and I'll not disturb him a minute 
 longer." 
 
 Good nights were said and the gentlemen retired. 
 
 Careswell went to sleep immediately and, by the doctor's 
 orders, was left undisturbed till ten o'clock the next morning. 
 He turned out feeling a little stiff and stupid, but pretty well 
 considering what he had passed through, and was greeted 
 warmly by most of his brother officers. After he had eaten 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 157 
 
 breakfast, his colored boy told him the captain had sent down 
 word that he wanted to see him as soon as he was about. 
 Careswell went into tlie cabin and Captain Prescott shook his 
 hand heartily and said, "Mr. Careswell, I relieve you from 
 ariest. I was hasty last night and am sorry for it. Take a 
 seat. Steward, open a bottle of sherry." 
 
 Careswell said coldly, " I think you were hasty, but I for- 
 give you." 
 
 The gentlemen sat down at the table, sipped the excellent 
 wine, and had a long talk about the expedition. The captain's 
 manner was so frank and friendly that Careswell soon forgot 
 his resentment, and, when he arose to go on deck, he thought 
 his commander one of the best of men. It was decided that 
 a boat should be stationed in the channel behind the island, 
 south of Pease creek, to intercept any inward bound vessel, 
 and that Careswell should, in a few days, take the Record to 
 Key West with dispatches for Admiral Bailey. 
 
 The following day a sail was discovered outside and the 
 armed launch was sent in pursuit. She had a long chase but 
 finally caught the craft oflf the southern end of Uzeppa Key. 
 She was a boat the size of a ship's cutter; the cargo consisted 
 of one barrel of turpentine; the crew of two men, and the 
 destination was Nassau. She was probably the smallest block- 
 ade-runner of the war. 
 
 The U. S. supply steamer Union arrived in the afternoon, 
 and two boats were sent out for the usual supply of fresh beef, 
 potatoes, canned goods, wine, ice, and the mail. The day of 
 her arrival was always a red letter day for blockaders. The 
 good things she brought were doled out sparingly and made 
 to last until she came again; the newspapers were read and 
 re-read by officers and men until they were worn out, and 
 letters were perused over and over and parts of general in- 
 terest made common ]>roperty. The supply steamer was the 
 link that connected the isolated and weather-beaten sailors 
 with the dear ones at home, and when she was delayed beyond 
 her regular time, complaints along the coast were loud and 
 bitter. 
 
 Occasionally a vessel on her way to some up coast station, 
 or a cruiser with a roving commission, would stop off the coast 
 and signal for a boat, or come into the harbor and drop anchor 
 
158 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 for a day or two, sometimes bringing a little later news and 
 the gossip of the fleet, but besides these angel-like visits, there 
 was little to interrupt the daily routine of a station. An oc- 
 casional chase, an expedition to the mainland, the appearance 
 of some hungry refugee from the interior, and fishing and 
 hunting, lessened the monotony at times, but the interest and 
 excitement passed quickly and the old machine-like life was 
 continueil. The large amount of leisure permitted much reading 
 and writing, and the officers were busy when off duty in keep- 
 ing diaries, getting up letters for home, studying science and 
 languages, and devouring every novel aboard. Even the men 
 forward developeil quite a taste for literature, and were well 
 supplied with books by their sympathizing superiors. 
 
 The boats came back from the Union at dark, the stores 
 were taken aboard, the large mail-bag was carried down into 
 the wardroom and emptied upon the table, and the paymaster 
 and his clerk proceeded to distribute the mail. First came a 
 small bag for the captain, which was immediately sent into the 
 cabin. Then the newspapers and letters were gone over care- 
 fully. Those for the men forward were put in one pile; 
 tho-!e for the steerage officers in another, and those for the 
 wardroom officers were delivered immediately. The paymas- 
 ter's clerk took the sailors' mail to the officer-of-the-deck, who 
 sent for the master-at-arms, the chief-of-police of the berth- 
 deck, who distributed it below. A steerage officer was gener- 
 ally waiting in the country, and to him was given the precious 
 package for his shipmates. 
 
 When sailors get letters at long intervals, they do not tear 
 them open roughly and read them hastily. That is too sum- 
 mary treatment for such precious missives. They slip away 
 quietly to their state-rooms, or, if they have none, get in some 
 out of the way place where they may remain undisturbed, and 
 read them slowly, carefully, thoughtfully, having each sentence 
 and phrase ' like sweetness long drawn out.' After the letters 
 are read, the newspapers are gone through hastily, and, per- 
 haps, an hour after the mail has been given out, if no bad news 
 has been received, all the officers assemble in their quarters, 
 and the men gather in little knots, and all talk of home and 
 what has happened during the last month. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 159 
 
 CHAPTER Xir. 
 
 The wardroom officers gatliered below after the mail ha<l 
 been disposed of and discussed the war news and indulged in 
 jokes and general hilarity. The U. S. army had been success- 
 ful in several im])ortant battles; the cordon militair had been 
 . drawn closer around the rebellious states; the blockade had 
 become more effective; a number of new vessels had been put 
 in commission ; the Vanderbilt had gone after the Alabama ; 
 many valuable prizes had been taken by the navy ; promotions 
 were becoming frequent, and there were rumors that the Nau- 
 tilus would soon go home. This was enough to make every- 
 body rejoice, and the sailors on the spar and berth decks and 
 the gentlemen in the two steerages and the wardroom were 
 having a jolly time. 
 
 The paymaster had received a bunch of ripe bananas from 
 Miss Garver ; Mr. Bloss, a basket of fine oranges fi-om Madam 
 Fontana, and Careswell, a large, rich fruit-cake from home. 
 These were placed upon the table, a gallon of iced claret 
 punch M-as made, and the captain and the gentlemen of the 
 two steerages were invited into the wardroom. The good 
 things disappeared rapidly and were praised extravagantly. 
 It was hard to determine which was appreciated most : the 
 luscious fruit of the South, the familiar cake from home, or 
 the delicious ice-cold punch. All were the greatest luxuries 
 to the weather-beaten blockaders, who exchanged scraps of 
 news, cracked jokes, told stories and sang songs till nearly 
 midnight. The captain withdrew early; the wardroom offi- 
 cers contributed their share to the sport with easy dignity, and 
 the steerage gentlemen just let themselves loose for a good 
 time. Mr. Bloss was in his element. He had a joke, a gibe, 
 a piece of poetry or a story evei*y few minutes. 
 
 Careswell had received twenty letters; sixteen of these had 
 accumulated at Havana and been forwarded to the fleet, two 
 had come directly from the North, and two were from Key 
 West. He had long grieved over the apparent neglect of his 
 
160 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 Northern frienc!s,but now he rejoiced in the knowledoje that tliey 
 had written to him regularly, and the Post Office officials were 
 responsible for the non-delivery. This miscarriage of letters 
 was very common on the blockade, and men sometimes vA'ere 
 months without any news from home. When letters did 
 finally arrive, they occasionally contained news that near and 
 dear relatives had died months before. One expects such 
 things on a foreign station, but the blockaders could hardly 
 realize at first, being on their own coast, that they were as 
 much removed from loved ones, as if the broad ocean rolled 
 between. Lawson had, also, received a large mail, and Bloss 
 said to him, " Lawson, I am glad to see industry has its re- 
 ward." 
 
 " What do you mean?" asked the chief-engineer. 
 
 " Why, that your indefatigable letter writing has brought 
 fruit in return." 
 
 " I don't write any more than the rest of you." 
 
 "You don't? There's not an hour in the day that you 
 don't jot down an item for your inamorata." The ward- 
 room officers smiled and Lawson looked confused. 
 
 "Well, that's the way to write," said he; "put down all 
 your ideas just when they come into your mind. I could not 
 sit down and write a letter all at once that would be read- 
 able." 
 
 Lawson ke])t a sheet of foolscap fastened to his desk and 
 filled one daily. He would come in from the engine-room 
 and make a note, lay down his cigar, come below and make 
 another, and even leave the mess-table to crystallize a thought 
 u])on the paper. His letters were copious and ponderous. 
 What he found to write so much about was a marvel, and he 
 was frequently quizzed by his brother officers upon his idio- 
 syncrasy. 
 
 " It's a mistake to say too much in a letter," said Bloss. 
 " One should give a bold outline of the situation, and not fill 
 in details. Leave something to the imagination. Girls don't 
 write much. Careswell's letters are all thin. I'll bet they 
 contain a heap of sweet things." This caused a laugh. Bloss 
 continued, " Do you remember what Byron says of a woman's 
 letter, Careswell?" 
 
 " No. What does he say ?" 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 161 
 
 " He wrote, 
 
 " ' I love the mystery of a female missal, 
 
 Which like a creed ne'er says all it intends, 
 
 But full of cunning like Ulysses' whistle, 
 
 When he allured pure Dolon : you had better, 
 
 Take care what you reply to such a letter.' " 
 
 " Well ! take care what you reply to Madam then, for I 
 saw her handwriting on one of your letters," said Careswell. 
 Every one laughed and Bloss replied lightly, 
 
 " ' I'll write her a sonnet, 
 Upon anew bonnet; 
 I'll let free my muse, 
 And speak of her shoes; 
 I'll enclose a caress. 
 For her beautiful dress.' " 
 
 "That puts me in mind of an excursion through an orange 
 grove with a party of ladies," said Asliton. 
 
 " I was sauntering along with one of the young ladies 
 somewhat behind the rest, and we came under a fine tree 
 loaded with fragrant blossoms. I plucked a sprig and handed 
 it to the lady. She took it, placed it over her forehead and 
 said, ' How do you think I would look under a wreath of 
 them ?' ' Lovely, of course,' said I. ' I suppose I shall never 
 wear them,' she said sadly. I did not continue the subject. 
 I thought it was getting a little too confidential." 
 
 " Your conceit matched her sentiment," said Mr. Felton. 
 " Some men think the ladies are all in love with them. 
 Women are not such fools. They are like quail, shy and 
 easily frightened. They wait until a man shows some interest 
 in them before they are attracted. Then they make up their 
 minds in regard to a fellow, and repel or accept his attentions 
 according to circumstances." 
 
 "It is certain that quite a number of our army and navy 
 men are finding their affinities down South," said the doctor. 
 "I know several very improper alliances already. Some 
 finely educated officers of excellent family have married 
 Southern women whom they will be ashamed to take home 
 with them. I have no doubt some of the gentlemen have 
 broken their vows to Northern sweethearts." 
 
1(!2 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " They might have broken them if they had stayed at liome," 
 said Bloss. " Holmes says, 
 
 'Ah ! that's the way delusion comes, a glass of old Madeira, 
 A pair of visual diaphragms revolved by Jane or Sarah, 
 And down gn vows and promises without the slightest question. 
 If eating words won't compromise the organs of digestion.' " 
 
 " Forever harping upon love and marriage and woman ! I 
 do wish you'd find something else to talk about," said Pay- 
 master Horton impatiently. 
 
 "What shall we talk about? We are deprived of the 
 charming society of ladies and must have some recompense," 
 said Sanborn. 
 
 " Better talk of the S|ihinx, the Exodus from Egypt, and 
 the Holy Sepulchre," said Ashton sneeringly, hinting at the 
 paymaster's love for ancient history and the Bible. 
 
 " I have a story," said Careswell. 
 
 " Let us have it then," said several. 
 
 "An Irish sailor fell off of the mizzen topgallant yard; he 
 plunged down a little way and struck a stay which turned him 
 over, then he caught upon some of the running rigging which 
 helped to break his fall, and when he reached the quarter- 
 deck, he came dov,-n rather forcibly bolt upright upon his feet 
 before the captain, who was walking up and down. 
 
 " The captiiin started back in alarm and shouted, ' Where 
 did you come from, sir?' 
 
 "The Irishman, stunned and dazed, saluted his commander 
 and replied, 'From the north of Ireland, sir.'" 
 
 When the laughter had subsided, Bloss said that reminded 
 him of one. 
 
 "Mr. Bloss! Mr. Bloss!" called out the middies. Bloss 
 began : 
 
 " I had a maiden aunt, who went from Portland to Boston 
 in a small schooner. The wind was dead ahead going up 
 Massachusetts Bay, and the vessel beat in during the entire 
 night. The violence of the wind and sea, the noise upon deck 
 tacking ship, and the strangeness of her surroundings, made 
 the old lady so anxious that she could not sleep. She had a 
 great story of the dangerous journey to tell her friends after 
 slie arrived home. She said, ' A sailor's life is a terrible one, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 163 
 
 and I rlo not want any of my kin to go to sea. Every little 
 while, during that awful night, the poor sailors were called to 
 turn the vessel around, but there were two who must have 
 been worked nearly to death, poor fellows, they were named 
 * Ready About,' and ' Hard A. Lee.' " 
 
 Shouts of laughter greeted this good yarn, and everybody 
 drank to the health of Bloss' aunt. Then Bloss repeated, 
 
 " ' My aunt ! my poor deluded aunt ! 
 
 Her hair is almost gray ; 
 Why will she train that winter curl 
 
 In such a spring-like way? 
 How can she lay her glasses down, 
 
 And say she reads as well, 
 When, through a double convex lens, 
 
 She just makes out to spell ?' " 
 
 The mirth over this appropriate quotation subsided, and 
 then Captain Presoott said, 
 
 "Commodore Pearson was on his way to China in one of 
 our frigates and stopped in at Cape Town for suj)plies. The 
 English admiral requested him to take the mail to China and 
 he consented. The mail-bags were delivered and the messen- 
 ger requested Pearson to sign a receipt for them. "Take your 
 receipt back,' said the commodore, 'and tell your admiral that 
 flag which floats over us is sufficient guaranty that his mail 
 will be safely delivered.' The admiral apologized immediately, 
 and laid the blame upon the messenger." 
 
 The officers applauded by clapping hands, and the captain 
 soon after retired to his cabin. 
 
 Sanborn then related the following: 
 
 " A square-rigged brig was running with all sail set and 
 the wind and sea on her quarter. You know these vessels 
 are exceedingly difficult to steer before the wind, because the 
 few fore and aft sails draw little and cannot counteract the 
 yawing caused by the square sails upon the mainmast. The 
 man at the wheel had worked so hard to keep the vessel on 
 her compass course, that he had discarded all his clothes ex- 
 cept his shirt and pants, and stood bareheaded and barefooted, 
 rolling the wheel to the right and left rapidly and laboriously, 
 as a puff of wind came or a sea struck the brig under the 
 counter and pitched her round. 
 
164 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 "The captain came up iu his nightshirt and took a look at 
 the compass ju.«t as the vessel had been knocked oflFher course 
 three points. He looked into the binnacle sharply, noted the 
 deviation from the course, and yelled at the helmsman, 'Why 
 don't you keep her on her course, you lubber?' The helms- 
 man, worn out and dripping with sweat, responded, ' How can 
 I keep her on her course, when every few minutes she turns 
 around and looks me in the face?'" 
 
 This yarn was appreciated and heartily applauded. Then 
 Mr. Felton described a total eclipse of the sun, which he had 
 witnessed when he was cruising in the Caribbean sea. 
 
 "I was coming home from a four years' cruise in the China 
 seas, and the ship touched at Rio de Janeiro for fresh provi- 
 sions and water. After a few days' delay, we put to sea, 
 crept away to the northward in sight of the beautiful coast, 
 passed to the eastward of Trinidad, and entered the blue Car- 
 ibbean between Antigua and Montserrat, two of the loveliest 
 isles of the Caribees. 
 
 " It was one of those clear, balmy days that make the lati- 
 tude of the southeast trade winds so delightful. The softly- 
 shaded, feathery clouds were piled drift upon drift in endless 
 banks of silvery gray ; the sun shone brightly down upon the 
 deep blue of the island sea, and the stately ship moved quietly 
 along, rolling slightly to starboard and port, as if making 
 courtesies to the summer billows. A flying-fish would occa- 
 sionally slip from a wave crest, dart sportively along the rip- 
 pling surface of the waters and bury himself when weary in 
 his ocean home. The sea gulls floated lazily around in circles 
 and parabolas, now near, now far away, and the chirping 
 Mother Carey's chickens flitted in the wake of the vessel, catch- 
 ing the food that the lolling boys of the ship always saved from 
 their allowance to feed to them. 
 
 " About ten o'clock in the morning, a lurid red glamour of 
 light and shade fell upon the waters; the clouds and sky be- 
 came of a deep dark purple color, and, looking upwards to 
 the source of all light and heat and life, we noticed for the 
 first time a dark body partly covering the face of the sun. 
 Little by little it crept onwards until the bright orb became a 
 dull leaden ball, surrounded by a broad halo, or corona, of 
 silver and gold, with fiery radiating needles and rose-pink 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 165 
 
 flumes, shading into outer circles of gray and terminating in 
 blackness. A dark shadow swept across the ship and sea so 
 rapidly, as to make us feel we were moving sideways at terrific 
 speed. We were in the hundred and fifty mile wide path of 
 the moon's shadow. The stars came out suddenly and twin- 
 kled with their old midnight glimmer; the birds ceased their 
 chirping; the gulls settled upon the waves with folded wings, 
 and something awful seemed impending. 
 
 " The sailors, impressed by feelings of awe and reverence 
 for unseen power, stood motionless in groups about the deck, 
 with their livid white faces and anxious eyes turned heaven- 
 ward. The clanking of the engine, and the dull thud of the 
 screw blades seemed frightful sounds to the painfully acute 
 ears, and the plash of the waves, as they broke against the 
 wooden walls cf the ship, had a mournful sound. It was a 
 solemn moment, and everyone felt his insignificance in the 
 presence of this phenomenon of nature. 
 
 '* Then the leaden moon moved across the face of old Sol ; 
 lay in his crescent arms awhile, both bodies showing a most 
 exquisite play of colors, and was finally pushed off by fiery 
 darts into invisibility, while the stars faded quickly away, and 
 the glorious sunlight chased the melancholy shadows from the 
 tropic sea. A weight seemed lifted from our throbbing hearts; 
 speech returned in subdued tones which seemed harsh in con- 
 trast with the previous stillness; the chickens began to flit and 
 chirp astern, and the bewildered gulls commenced another day 
 of ceaseless soaring. 
 
 "I had watched through childhood and youth, with bits of 
 smoked glass, upon cloudy and disappointing days, for partial 
 eclipses of the sun. There, in the Caribbean sea, I was grati- 
 fied by the sight of a total eclipse — a great movement of nature 
 — observed under circumstances which greatly increased its 
 magnificence and grandeur." 
 
 The gentlemen were greatly pleased at this recital and 
 clapped their hands and stamped noisily. After some conver- 
 sation, the doctor was called upon for a story and related the 
 following: 
 
 "A poor Irishman, who lived on an estate some distance 
 from Dublin, was taken sick in the night and the village 
 doctor was called. He found the patient suffering from crapu- 
 
166 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 lent colic, the effect of an overindulgence at supper, told him 
 lie must take an emetic, administered it with his own hands 
 and returned home. 
 
 " Patric^k vomited freely, became very weak and fearful, and 
 had his friends send to Dublin for the city doctor. 
 
 " The latter came, examined the patient, looked grave, shook 
 his head, wrote a prescription, and was about to depart, when 
 Patrick called him. 'Doctor dear,' said he, 'do vou think 
 I'll get well?' 
 
 ' I hope so, Patrick,' was the reply. 
 
 * Doctor, what is that ye's a givin' me ?' 
 
 ' It is an emetic' 
 
 'Och ! Doctor dear; it's no use to be a givin' me that; the 
 other doctor gave me one and it wouldn't stay on my stomach 
 at all, at all !'" 
 
 When the laughter and fun over this story had quieted, 
 everybody looked at the paymaster and he told his story. 
 
 "I made a cruise in the Practice Ship with a hundred or 
 more middies once, and a livelier set of mischief makers I never 
 saw. We were serving grog one day. You know how it is 
 done. A rope was led across the port side from the mainmast 
 to the rail about three feet above the deck ; the tub of spirits 
 and pile of little tin cups were placed just aft of it; Mr. But- 
 tons, my clerk, stood l)y them and Jack-o'-the Dust gave each 
 man his tot, as he came under the rope and went around the 
 mainmast forward. Mr. Buttons took a pint pot full of 
 whiskey out of the tub for his own use, before lie began serv- 
 ing, and set it under a gun-carriage to his left hand. There 
 was always a crowd of middies on the port side, watching the 
 grog drinking, and they gathered close about Buttons and be- 
 tween him and the gun on this occasion apparently much in- 
 terested. 
 
 " Several of the men had been detected in doubling, that is, 
 coming under the rope and getting an extra tot on several 
 former occasions, and Buttons watched his list and the faces 
 shar|)ly to catch the rascals. 
 
 " When he had served all hands, he and Jack lowered the 
 tub down through the hatchway into the store-room, put on the 
 padlock and returned to the deck. He stooped down, reached 
 under the gnn, seized his dipper and went below. The mid- 
 
A NAVAI. STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 167 
 
 dies had all disappeared, and I saw them down in the steerage 
 below the berth-deck passing something around and keeping 
 very quiet. 
 
 " Pretty soon Buttons came from his quarters forward, look- 
 ing as dark as a Creole, and began to question everybody about 
 deck in regard to who had been in proximity to the gun. No 
 one knew anything. There had been a numl)er of midship- 
 men about, but no one could say who they were. Finally 
 Buttons let out the secret of his wrath. He had found after 
 he arrived at his mess-room that his dipper contained good 
 ship's water. Some one had smuggled the dipper below, 
 emptied out its precious contents and filled it with water. 
 
 " The store-room could not be opened again ; there was no 
 help for it, and Buttons and his messmates had to do without 
 their whiskey that day. No one except myself ever knew who 
 were the guilty parties, and I never told anybody." 
 
 " Three cheers for the paymaster !'' cried an excited middy. 
 All enjoyed the tale exceedingly. 
 
 " Now, who do you suppose took Buttons' whiskey?" asked 
 the paymaster, turning to the midshipmen. 
 
 " The engineers, of course," answered one. 
 
 " The ship's cat," said another. 
 
 " Some powder-monkey," said a third. 
 
 "The poor middies always have to bear the blame of every 
 mishap in the ship," said a fourth. 
 
 The engineers were silent. Indignation prevented utterance. 
 The majority of the gentlemen present affirmed the ship's cat 
 was the guilty party. 
 
 Mr. Lawson was called upon for a yarn and responded 
 readily. 
 
 "Two boats were racing on the Mississippi river; one of 
 them exploded her boilers and threw passengers, pilot-house, 
 hurricane deck and timbers high up in the air. The pilot 
 went up some distance and, during his fall downward into the 
 water, met the clerk going up. 'It's no use to try to find 
 safety in that direction,' he shouted, 'there's too much un- 
 claimed machinery and too many lumber-yards flying around 
 up there !' " 
 
 This raised a laugh, but all complained the story was too 
 short. 
 
168 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " Well, I'll tell you a true one," said the chief. 
 
 " We had a new clerk in the steerage last voyage who was 
 exceedingly gullible. We were pumping out the bilge one 
 day and the measured sounds of the pump attracted his atten- 
 tion. 
 
 "'What makes that noise?' he asked of a third-assistant. 
 
 " ' That's the donkey.' 
 
 " ' The donkey ! Have you a donkey down there?' 
 
 '" Yes, of course. Don't you hear him stamping?' 
 
 "' Ye-s; but what do you keep him down there for?' 
 
 " 'To drink up the bilge-water.' 
 
 " ' You do? What do you feed him on ?' 
 
 "'Oh, the cook gives him the potato peelings and other 
 waste.' 
 
 "'I'd like to see him,' 
 
 " ' Well, you may sometime.' 
 
 " The verdant one looked thoughtful, and asked several 
 engineers if there was a real donkey down below. They were 
 all in the secret and swore it was true. 
 
 " We crossed the equator a few days later, and the sailors 
 celebrated the event by bringing Neptune over the bow, shav- 
 ing the uninitiated with a piece of iron barrel-hoop, and 
 marching about the ship. They had in the parade an elephant, 
 a donkey and several monkeys made for the occasion. Men 
 were covered by tarpaulins, rigged out witli leather, rope yarns 
 and swabs, and the two men who personated the donkey had 
 belaying-pins in their hands, which they struck upon the deck 
 as they went along to imitate the tramp of the jack. The 
 curious cortege, led by a band of music, marched all round 
 the ship, and in the darkness made a deceptive appearance and 
 a great deal of fun. 
 
 "The unsophisticated clerk was very curious; he exam- 
 ined tlie animals closely, and took hold of the donkey's swab 
 tail, but he received such a kick from the hinder belaying- 
 pins, that his investigations suddenly came to an end. The 
 next day I took him down into the fire-room and showed him 
 the donkey-engine used for pumping the ship." 
 
 While everyone was laughing and quizzing the chief about 
 his made-up yarn, the bell upon the forecastle and the one by 
 the binnacle began to strike rapidly — ding — ding — ding, and 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 169 
 
 a sliout rang tlirougli the sliip, " Fire in the fore-hold !" The 
 gentlemen turned pale, sprang from their seats, ran to their 
 rooms, grasped their side-arms and rushed to their several 
 stations. The sailors poured up the hatchways, joined the 
 watch on deck, and all hastened to their duties. The captain 
 and executive were already upon the bridge, the latter giving 
 orders in quick, firm tones. Each officer and squad of men 
 had a division of labor to perform. Hose were led out, 
 pumps manned, and streams of water sent forward ; the mag- 
 azine was ilooded ; (?; the boats were lowered and manned ; 
 provisions and water were hoisted out and lowered into them, 
 and nautical instruments, log-books, charts and flags passed 
 down by hand ; the smoke and flames drove the men aft ; (?) 
 it was found impossible to save the ship; (?) the officers and 
 men were ordered to the boats ; the executive took charge of 
 the first cutter; the captain stood in the gangway a moment, 
 took a last look at the vessel, raised his cap, descended into 
 his gig, and asked the executive, "Are all embarked, sir?" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" was the reply. 
 
 Then he gave the order, "Shove off!" This was repeated 
 by the officer in charge of each boat ; the oars fell, and strong 
 strokes sent the boats twenty fathoms from the ship, when an 
 order was given to stop rowing. The stars were shining 
 brightly; there was not a breath of wind, and the Nautilus 
 lay motionless and deserted upon the water. 
 
 The whole time consumed, from the moment the bells had 
 rung out their terrible alarm, until the boats had reached a 
 safe distance from the vessel, was only eight minutes. 
 
 The Nautilus was not on fire; the men had only made be- 
 lieve flood the magazine; no smoke and flames had been seen; 
 it was not impossible to save the ship ; but it was several 
 minutes before the men found out that tlie alarm of fire had 
 been made simply to test their efficiency in the " Fire Drill." 
 The captain thought it would be a good opportunity, as most 
 of the officers were awake and dressed, and he had ordered 
 the deck-officer to sound the alarm. The boats returned to 
 the ship before eight bells (midnight), and were unloaded and 
 hoisted up; the decks were cleared up, and all except the 
 mid-watch turned in. 
 
170 CliUISIXG AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The ])retty, little sloop-yacht Rosalie, carrying a 12-pounder 
 howitzer and a crew of twelve men, had been sent to Charlotte 
 Harbor to act as a tender to the vessel upon the station. She 
 was commanded by Acting Master Cotfer, a thorough Massa- 
 chusetts sailor from " behint Nantucket pint," and was sta- 
 tioned by Captain Prescott inside of Punta Rassa, in the estu- 
 ary made by the Caloosahatchie River. The Rosalie had not 
 been long upon the station before she gave a good account of 
 herself. The rebels far up the river put thirty regulators 
 below the deck of a small schooner, called the Georgie, dropped 
 her down to Fort Myers, and anchored near the shore. The 
 Rosalie frequently ran up to the fort and stayed a day or two 
 in order to get early news of any blockade-runner loading up 
 river from the refugee families which had been transferred 
 from the harbor to the barracks, and the rebels thought they 
 might get an opportunity to board the little craft and capture 
 her. They had not long to wait. The Rosalie was seen com- 
 ing up the river one afternoon, but she anchored at dark half 
 a mile below the fort without having discovered the Georgie. 
 The rebels got underway about ten o'clock, sailed close along 
 the right bank of the river until just above the Rosalie, and 
 then steered directly for her. The wind was light and the 
 current strong, and, unfortunately for the well-planned attack, 
 the Georgie was swept below the other vessel almost as soon 
 as she came out from the shadows of the trees. At the same 
 time she was discovered by the Rosalie; a rattle was sprung ; 
 all hands were on deck in a moment, and the volley of the 
 attacking party was answered by the sharp music of several 
 revolvers and rifles. The Georgie was a long musket-shot 
 away before her men could reload, and their second discharge 
 went wild. Coifer answered it with a shower of canister from 
 his howitzer, which hurt several rebels, drove most of them 
 below, and scared the captain so badly that he ran the schooner 
 ashore. Another quart of canister flew around the schooner, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAK, 171 
 
 and the captain and his men took to the woods and scattered. 
 Coifer dropped his vessel down abreast of the schooner, shelled 
 the bank awhile, then sent in a boat and brought the prize out 
 to anchor. 
 
 The next day he returned to the mouth of the river ; the 
 following day, sailed his two vessels up to the harbor and 
 came on board the Nautilus to report, looking as proud as the 
 captain of a sixty-four gun frigate. He was congratulated 
 by the wardroom mess over a bottle of sherry, dined by Cap- 
 tain Prescott, and, after two wounded men had been trans- 
 ferred to the Nautilus, he took the Rosalie back to her station 
 in the afternoon. 
 
 Coffer's exploit was the talk of the ship for several days. 
 It was the first time he had been under fire, and, although he 
 was a volunteer officer, a so-called mustang, he had acted with 
 the coolness, energy and circumspection of a regular. Such 
 conduct was expected of a regularly educated naval officer, 
 but some surprise was expressed that a man who had been all 
 his life in the merchant marine should be able in a trying 
 emergency to handle his vessel and crew so skilfully. 
 
 All along the blockaded coast from Norfolk to the Rio 
 Grande, the volunteer officers were distinguishing themselves 
 by their efficiency and courage, in blockading, cutting out 
 vessels, and actual fighting upon sea and land, and the feelings 
 of superiority, contempt and hauteur with which the regulars 
 at first regarded them, soon gave place to respect and admira- 
 tion. After the first year of the war, the volunteer and regular 
 naval officers were a band of brothers, vying with each other 
 in honorable ways, as to who could serve the country best. 
 
 Coffer had a good time upon his independent station and 
 everybody envied him. In the day-time, his men raked oysters, 
 dug quahaugs, fished with lines, drew the seine, and shot 
 curlew upon the marsh behind the Connecticut fish-house, 
 which Coffer, in memory of a famous Boston hotel, had named 
 in large black letters across the front, " Parker House." Some 
 days he would run up the Caloosahatchie and search its 
 branches for a blockade-runner, and others, put to sea in chase 
 of a passing sail. 
 
 The west coast of Florida was a fine place for sportsmen ; 
 the rivers, inlets and smooth waters of the Gulf made a safe 
 
172 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 and pleasant cruising ground ; the islands and coast furnished 
 firewood, camping places and some supplies ; the heat was 
 tempered by delicious breezes ; the storms were mostly of rain 
 and rarely violent ; the mail came so seldom that everybody 
 was isolated from the cares and troubles of the world, and 
 man was left face to face with nature and the mosquitoes. 
 
 " By ray tarry tojj-lights and top-gallant eyebrows !" said old 
 Harrington, the senior quartermaster, one night on watch, " I 
 never saw such blood-thirsty villains as these mosquitoes. 
 There's no getting away from them. If a fellow was up to 
 his neck in salt water, they'd cover his head like the front of 
 a bee-hive and dive for the bottom of his trousers. The men 
 below sleep half the time and fight mosquitoes the other half, 
 and look as if they were just getting over small-pox." 
 
 " You don't think this is a happy life then?" asked Cares well, 
 who had the deck. 
 
 " Not much, sir! There's no such thing as happiness on a 
 ship. It is simple endurance of misery." 
 
 " You seem to like misery pretty well, old fellow, since you 
 have come back to it every time you've been paid off." 
 
 "I had to come back. An old barnacle like me can't get 
 anything to do ashore. .About all an old sailor could do on 
 land would be to work along the docks, and to get in coal for 
 gentlemen. There are too many longshore-men now, and the 
 niggers do all the rest of the work. We are going to free the 
 niggers to make the white men slaves. That's ray opinion. 
 If I was only twenty years younger, I'd live, I would." 
 
 " Well, you live now. How would you live?" 
 
 " I'd make a long cruise to China, save ray pay, come home 
 and buy a farm. Then I would get some snug, clipper-built, 
 little woman to be Mrs. Harrington, and settle down to raising 
 potatoes and pigs." 
 
 "You would give up salt water?" 
 
 " Not exactly ; I should have a water front to ray place, 
 where I could keep a sail-boat, do some fishing, and see the big 
 ships going to sea." 
 
 "You'd get mighty homesick with no smell of tar and 
 bilge water, and wish yourself aboard every vessel that 
 
 " 'No I wouldn't, sir, begging your pardon." 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE AVAR. 173 
 
 " I think you would. Every sailor longs for a farm, and 
 plans what he will do when the cruise is over. It seems as if 
 the deprivation of some emanations from the land makes him 
 eager to possess some, and, if long continued, brings on scurvy. 
 I have seen a sailor after a long voyage rush on shore, drop 
 on his knees, smell the fresh soil eagerly, fill his hands and 
 mouth with it, and even swallow some. When a sailor gets 
 ashore with a pocket full of hard-earned dollars, he forgets 
 all about the country life he has longed for wiien on the ocean, 
 gets into bad company, spends his money recklessly, soon finds 
 himself hard up, and is obliged to ship again." 
 
 "Some sailors do that, but there are others who look after 
 their kin, help educate a sister, set a brother up in business, 
 support a widowed mother, or give the old man a lift." 
 
 " They are mighty few, Harrington," said Henderson, the 
 captain of the afterguard, touching his cap to Careswell. 
 " The Tiieutenant is right. Everybody in this world is made 
 for something, and we are made for the sea. When we get 
 ashore we are like fish out of water, with l)leared eyes, livid 
 gills and rough scales. We can't breathe freely in the dirty 
 roads and narrow streets. Tiiere's no use kicking against 
 nature. It's our ])art to take the ships around the world, and 
 it's the j)art of other men to plow, sow, reap and look after 
 cattle. I am satisfied where I'm put. I'd rather weigh an- 
 chor, than pry out a stump ; tar down a stay, than hoe a row 
 of corn ; and reef topsails in a gale of sweet wind, than feed 
 the pigs and be poisoned by their stink." 
 
 " Oh, go away, young man ! wait till you've been to sea as 
 long as I have; then you may talk," replied Harrington. 
 
 " That reminds me of an old doctor, who was a poor logi- 
 cian and very proud of his diploma," said Careswell. "Occa- 
 sionally some sharp fellow would corner him in argument, 
 then he would close the conversation by saying, ' It is very 
 plain to me you have not had a regular medical education.' 
 How long have you been to sea, Henderson ?" 
 
 " Going on nineteen years, sir; twelve years in Her Majesty's 
 Navy and seven years in ours." 
 
 " Ours? You claim the United States as your home then ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir; I have taken the oath and I mean to stand by 
 it." 
 
174 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 "You are a Scotchman, I believe?" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; I am a native of Glasgow." 
 
 " Why did you change your country ?" 
 
 " Well, the truth is, Lieutenant, I was tired of a country 
 where the poor are trodden under foot, and of a service in 
 which the sailors are treated like dogs." 
 
 " It looks very much as if we were going to have war with 
 Great Britain. Which side would you fight with in such an 
 event?" 
 
 " Which side, sir, ? Why, on the side of the United States, 
 of course. I don't owe the English navy anything. They 
 fed us poorly, watered our grog, and flogged us for the slightest 
 offences. They never tried the cat on nie but once, the scoun- 
 drels ! I did not deserve it, and I deserted a few days after- 
 wards." 
 
 " We have many British sailors in our navy. Do you think 
 they all feel as you do?" 
 
 " Yes, sir; to a man. I have talked with many of them, 
 and I know it. Treat them like human beings; give them 
 good grub and plenty of grog, and they will fight as long as 
 the ship will hold together." 
 
 " Eight-bells, sir !" said the quartermaster, touching his 
 cap. ■ 
 
 " Very well, make it so. Tell the boatswain's mate to call 
 the watch, and you wake up Mr. Bloss," said Careswell. 
 
 The after bell was struck, the bell on the forecastle an- 
 swered, the lookouts called their stations, " Starboard cathead," 
 " Port gangway," etc., the boatswain's mate's whistle sounded 
 in the hatchway, and his voice was heard calling, "All the 
 starboard watch !" Then the men came on deck grumbling 
 and cursing; the port watch went quickly below; Mr. Bloss 
 relieved Careswell, who turned in, and all became quiet except 
 the steady tramp of the men on duty. 
 
 The next day Careswell was relieved from watch and was 
 busy putting provisions, water, instruments, baggage and crew 
 aboard the prize sloop Record, and getting her ready for sea. 
 He started early the next morning for Key W^est, with orders 
 to turn the vessel and cargo over to the Prize Court and to 
 return to the ship by the first conveyance. He had a bundle 
 of dispatches for Admiral Bailey, including his own report of 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 175 
 
 the expedition up Pease Creek, Coffer's report of the fight and 
 capture upon the Caloosahatchie, and a general report from 
 Captain Prescott. The run to Key West was made in thirty- 
 six liours, the sloop delivered to the prize commissioners, the 
 evidence given to the district attorney, and the dispatches 
 handed to the admiral. The sailors were sent aboard the 
 Tahoma, and Careswell took up his quarters at the Russell 
 House, which was anything but comfortable. 
 
 Madam Fontana and Laura were very glad to see him, and 
 had numerous questions to ask about the coast, the service, 
 the danger, Mr. Bloss and the Nautilus. Careswell visited 
 the ladies and went to ride with them frequently ; dined aboard 
 the different naval vessels in port and with the officers of the 
 garrison; supped with Captain Temple and the admiral; 
 smoked, played cards and read the papers at the Naval Club, 
 and managed to fill up the time so well that he was almost 
 sorry when the Union came along after three weeks to take 
 him back to the Nautilus. He visited the admiral to say 
 good-bye, received a bundle of dispatches for Captain Prescott, 
 and was given a fine double-barreled shotgun, captured on the 
 Record, as a memento of the fight up the creek. 
 
 "Tell the gentlemen up the coast, if they want promotion, 
 they must fight for it ; there's a document for you in the cap- 
 tain's package," said the kind old admiral with twinkling eyes 
 and a significant smile at Captain Temple. 
 
 Careswell bade adieu, went aboard the Union, and arrived 
 on board his own ship without mishap. The mail was deliv- 
 ered, and soon after he was summoned to the cabin. 
 
 " I have the honor to present to you your promotion to the 
 grade of Master, with my hearty approval and congratula- 
 tions," said Captain Prescott, handing Careswell an open en- 
 velope containing a folded document and shaking his hand 
 cordially. 
 
 "Thank you, sir!" he answered joyfully. 
 
 " T want you to dine with me to-day, sir, and tell me the 
 news and all about Key West." 
 
 "I shall be most happy, sir; but I would like to go and 
 read this now." 
 
 " Very well ; two o'clock, remember !" 
 
 Careswell retired, opened the envelope in his room and read : 
 
176 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 "U. S. Flag Ship Dale, 
 
 "Key West, September 12tli, 186-. 
 "Sir: 
 
 " In consequence of tlie special recommendation of your commanding 
 officer, Captain Prescott, you are hereby promoted to be a Master in tlie 
 Navy of the United States ; subject, however, to the approval of the Secre- 
 tary of the Navy. 
 
 " Eespectfully, 
 
 "Theodorus Bailey, 
 
 " Rear Admiral. 
 " Commanding E. G. B Squadron. 
 "Master Harry Careswell, U. S. N, 
 " U. S. S. Nautilus." 
 
 Naval officers serve their country from patriotism and a 
 sense of duty, but they look for reward in promotion. It is 
 the incentive to study, to drill, to battle with the elements and 
 to face the cannon's roar. It adds insignia to the uniform, 
 importance to one's position, and more money to the pay. It 
 is the goal of honorable ambition, and the sheet of parchment 
 that conveys the official news is a precious document to the 
 owner. If there is anything dearer than a love letter, it is a 
 commission of higher rank to an officer. 
 
 Careswell read his commission over and over again, now 
 stopping to note the wor^ls carefully, now looking at the page 
 with satisfaction and delight. He had his reward for faithful 
 service; the news was too good to keep; he sought his brother 
 officers, and showed them the document. He was, of course, 
 congratulated, and it was impressed upon him immediately, 
 that, according to an old naval custom, he must " wet his 
 commission," So he ordered out some sherry and submitted 
 gracefully to the toasts of his shipmates, wishing him " health, 
 long life and frequent promotion." 
 
 Considerable change had occurred in and about Charlotte 
 Harbor during Careswell's brief "absence. Many families of 
 refugees, men, women and children, had come down from the 
 main land and squatted upon the islands. They claimed to be 
 loyal to the United States, and affirmed they had always been 
 loyal, but had been obliged to remain at home on account of 
 the ditKculty of getting transportation and the vigilant watch 
 kept over them by the rebel forces. They had finally escaped 
 in dug-outs and upon rafts, and had poled and paddled from 
 island to island, until they had been seen from the ship and 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 177 
 
 rescued. They took the oath of allegiance to the United 
 States, and were, thereafter, supplied with regular ship's ra- 
 tions. They cleared some of the fertile spots upon the islands ; 
 planted sweet potatoes, beans and melons ; built huts with 
 poles, grass and palmetto leaves; bartered fish and game with 
 the sailors for tobacco, and settled down into the indolent life 
 of the Southern cracker. They cooked the tops of young 
 palmetto trees, caught gophers and fish, shot curlew, drew 
 their rations, and lived better than they ever had before. 
 Their clothing was ragged and variegated. As piece after 
 piece disappeared before the thorns of the thickets and the 
 tooth of time, they were supplied with the cast-off garments 
 of the sailors, which were worn indifferently by both sexes 
 and all ages. The effect of this mingling of Florida styles 
 and naval fashions was exceedingly grotesque. 
 
 These people were thin, yellow and tough; of a low order 
 of intellect; unable to read or write; ignorant of the world 
 and its inhabitants; licentious, indolent, selfish and filthy. 
 They represented the lowest order of crackers. They had no 
 conception of the nature of an oath or of fealty to the Gov- 
 ernment. They were starving upon the main land ; they 
 heard the naval vessels would feed even the slaves, and, there- 
 fore, made their way as rapidly as possible to the source of 
 such extraordinary and munificent bounty. 
 
 The settlements were not intended to be permanent ; they 
 depended upon the blockading vessels for support and protec- 
 tion, and, without them, the choice would have been starvation 
 or emigration. 
 
 Uzeppa Key (Lacosta Island) lies just south of the principal 
 entrance (Boca Grande) to Charlotte Harbor. It is legendary 
 among the natives of Florida, that it was formerly a rendez- 
 vous and hiding-place for pirates of the West Indies. The 
 largest squatter camp was located upon its inner shore ; a small 
 one was upon a little island near Punta Rassa ; another was 
 at Fort Myers; a few huts were scattered at other convenient 
 points, and Salvini remained monarch of his own little realm. 
 
 A Captain Crine had been in command of a company of 
 volunteers during the Seminole war and knew every foot of 
 the west coast country. He had lived at Tampa Bay with 
 his family before the war, and had entered the United States 
 
J ( O CRUISING AXD BLOCKADING. 
 
 service early as a pilot. He knew all the crackers by name 
 and reputation, and his services were valuable in regulating 
 them and settling their differences. He was looked upon by 
 them, as chief of the nomads, and they were ready to do his 
 slightest bidding. The refugees were numerous at every 
 blockading station and at Key West, and had become a great 
 burden upon the resources of the squadron. It was resolved 
 to organize the able-bodied men into a company; uniform, 
 equip and drill them, and make them useful upon the rivers 
 of the peninsula in enticing rebels to desert and in catching 
 wild cattle. They were sent to Key West, the old men and 
 boys were left to care for the families, and Captain Crine was 
 selected for the command. He had a difficult task, but after 
 some weeks the force was considered able to take care of a post, 
 and was sent to Fort Myers. 
 
 There were several families already at the fort ; some others 
 were permitted to remove there from Charlotte Harbor, and 
 these, with the garrison, made the most important settlement 
 on the coast south of Tampa. 
 
 The block-houses in the angles of the stockaded fort were 
 occupied by squads of men; the river bank was patrolled, and 
 the Rosalie was brought up and anchored off the fort to 
 cover it with her single gun. Captain Crine took up his 
 quarters in the old hospital and maintained martial law. 
 Nothing occurred to disturb the serenity of the garrison ; few 
 deserters came in; no cattle were found near, and the whole 
 region seemed abandoned by the Confederates. This inaction 
 did not suit a man of such ardent and energetic character as 
 Captain Crine, and he made raids far away from the fort in 
 search of cattle and rebels. Some cattle were shot and several 
 men captured, but he met with no resistance. The news of 
 his doings finally reached Tallahassee, and a company of 
 mounted infantry was gathered in the interior and sent down 
 the Caloosahatchie to check his operations and drive him from 
 the fort. The refugee soldiers knew the fate that awaited 
 them if they should be beaten, as some of their neighbors had 
 been captured awhile before upon Pease Creek and shot. It 
 was supposed they would fight, not only for themselves, but 
 for their families. 
 
 The rebels made an unexpected night attack, captured some 
 
A NAVAL, STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 179 
 
 of the block -houses, tore down a part of the stockade, drove 
 the soldiers into the buildings along the river, and endeavored 
 to fire them. Captain Crine rushed here and there, urged the 
 men to resistance, stormed at their cowardice, cursed the women 
 and children who were clinging to the men, and exposed him- 
 self recklessly to the fire of the enemy. A boat was sent to 
 the Rosalie with an order to fire ov^er the houses; a shower of 
 canister rattled through the woods; the refugees took courage 
 and began a brisk fire of-rausketry, and the rebels were finally 
 forced to retire, having lost several men and horses. A few 
 refugees were killed and wounded and one man was missing. 
 This was a man who had spied all along the coast, gathered 
 up all the information he could, and deserted to the enemy. 
 
 After this example of rebel courage and refugee cowardice, 
 Captain Crine, who, upon the same ground, had helped to 
 whip the Seminoles years before, did not take much interest 
 in raiding, but kept his men within the stockade and repaired 
 the breaches. The post had been garrisoned by the enthusi- 
 astic and brave captain for a specific purpose, and his great 
 expectations had not been realized. He informed the admiral 
 of the attack and narrow escape, and of the unreliability of 
 his raw recruits, and advised the abandonment of the fort. 
 
 A few weeks afterwards the place was evacuated ; the soldiers 
 were distributed to the different stations and permitted to re- 
 lapse into cracker barbarism ; the Rosalie returned to her sta- 
 tion at the mouth of the river, and no further attempt was 
 made to establish an armv of occupation. 
 
 "Shiver my timbers, if I see any sense in painting the 
 Nautilus lead color?" growled old Brenneman one night by 
 the mainmast to Mr. Bloss who was on watch. 
 
 "Paint the ship lead color? Who ever mentioned such an 
 idea?" asked Bloss. 
 
 " The executive told me to-day the order came up by the 
 last mail." 
 
 " Well, well ! the ways of the Department are past finding 
 out. Here we are fitted up to imitate an Englishman at short 
 notice, and now they want to paint us like the bummers 
 that lie against the mud-banks of the Mississippi. The next 
 thing will be to paint vessels that sail among verdant islands, 
 green ; those that skirt rocky coasts, brown, and the open sea 
 
180 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 cniij-ers, dark blue. We shall have a picturesque fleet, and 
 care must be exercised in selecting their crews to have their 
 complexions agreeing. You can then sing, 
 
 " I once sailed in an old lime-juicer, 
 Now I belong to a dark blue cruiser ; 
 I receive good grub and excellent grog, 
 And I'm a merry old sea-dog." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! but you are a poet, Lieutenant. Do you 
 think we shall stay here much longer, sir?" 
 
 " I think not. They have built many new ships at the 
 North ; Richmond is pretty well scared ; the war must soon 
 be over, and we need repairs greatly." 
 
 "If we stay here much longer, we will ground on the beef 
 bones, sir. When the cook brought the men's beef in the 
 skid to the mainmast to-day at seven-bells, to be inspected by 
 the deck-officer, he said it was the last chunk of the old Texas 
 bull. Mr. Sanborn tasted it and said it came from Portland. 
 What did he mean by that, sir?" 
 
 " Why, did you never hear about the old horse, Brenne?" 
 
 " No, sir ; what abouthim ?" 
 
 " Why this, a sailor asked his junk of beef, 
 
 " ' Old horse, old horse, how came you here ?' 
 " The beef answered, 
 
 ■' ' FVom Saco Head to Portland Pier, 
 
 I've carted stone this many a year, 
 Till killed by sorrow and sore abuse, 
 
 They've salted ine down for sailor's use.' " 
 
 "Ha! ha! that's good! I've eaten a great deal cf salt- 
 horse in my time, but I never thought it was real horse uieal," 
 said Brenneraan. 
 
 " Neither is it, but horse meat ought to be good." 
 " I suppose it is as good as the alligator steaks you had in 
 camp last week, sir," 
 
 " Yes, and the porpoise cutlets we tried off Hatteras." 
 Mr. Bloss walked away aft, took a look all round the ship, 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 181 
 
 and noticed the lookout on the midshipman's deck leaning 
 across the spanker boom fast asleep. 
 
 Did he report him, have him court-martialed and put on 
 bread and water, or order him triced up in the rigging? Not 
 at all ; he picked up the end of a rope and laid it across his 
 legs vigorously, so that the youngster danced a hornpipe. 
 
 "Sleep on watch, will yon, you vagabond?" said Bloss. 
 " Take advantage of my back being turned and neglect your 
 duty ? Lay across that boom in this heavy dew and dream 
 of home, and let the rebels come up astern and blow the ship 
 out of water ?" 
 
 " Couldn't sleep below, sir, on account of mosquitoes." 
 
 " You couldn't, hey ? Well, you'll get your-death of cold 
 and give the doctor a job. You'll be sent to Davy Jones' 
 locker the first thing you know. You lazy, good-for-nothing 
 lubber ! Get up on the boom now and straddle it, and stay 
 there till eight-bells ! Do you hear ?" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 " Keep a sharp lookout then !" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 Mr. Bloss walked the quarter-deck for half an hour, think- 
 ing of the difference between moral suasion and the persuasion 
 of a rope's-end, and between colored and white slaves, occa- 
 sionally humming an air from Faust or II Trovatore. 
 
 ''Poor fellows," thought he, "they do have a hard time of 
 it. When they were freezing up North, we had a red-hot shot 
 to toast our shins by in the wardroom. When they were 
 sweltering on the berth deck north of Cuba, or nearly roast- 
 ing at the furnaces in a temperature of 134° F., we were fan- 
 ning ourselves under the windsails and sipping iced claret and 
 sherry. Now they are pestered and deprived of sleep by the 
 mosquitoes, while we get in behind our nets and slumber 
 peacefully." 
 
 He stopped by the after howitzer and said, " Dyer, come 
 down out of that and come here !" 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" said the youngster, hastening down. 
 
 "Are you sorry you slept on watch ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Will you promise never to do it again ? " 
 
 "I'll try, sir." 
 
182 CRUISING AKD BLOCKADING. 
 
 " Very well. Go and call the ship's cook and the stewards, 
 it's nearly four-bells." 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 " Four-bells, sir," said the quartermaster. 
 
 "Make it so. Pierce, tell the boatswain's mate to get out 
 the buckets, brooms and holystones, and wash down the decks 
 and scrub the paint." 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir !" 
 
 Mr. Bloss took off his shoes and stockings, turned up his 
 pants, and pattered around the deck looking after the work. 
 The firemen hoisted up and dumped the ashes overboard ; 
 the gunner's mate cleaned the guns ; the boys scoured the 
 brasswork, and the watch dashed water, sprinkled sand, dragged 
 the holystones back and forth, and scrubbed the decks and 
 bulwarks till they were as clean as a dresser in a Pennsylvania 
 farm-house. About six-bells work was temporarily suspended, 
 the men got some coffee, and Mr. Bloss had a cupful with 
 some hard-tack brought to him by his colored wanlroom boy; 
 then the cleaning up was finished ; the ropes were hauled taut 
 and coiled down ; the boatswain went out ahead of the ship 
 in one of the cutters and whistled and made signals with a 
 flag to one of his mates, who squared the yards ; the ham- 
 mocks were piped up and stowed in the netting ; the watch 
 below was j)iped to breakfast; the executive came on deck and 
 relieved Bloss to make his toilet, and the booby, that roosted 
 nightly on the starboard foretopsail yard-arm, flew away to 
 get his breakfast. When the colors were hoisted at eight-bells, 
 there was not a cleaner or trimmer ship than the Nautilus in 
 the United States Navy. 
 
 And this beautiful vessel was to be painted lead color. 
 That fact made all the officers groan. She was painted, never- 
 theless, the next week, and her inhabitants could not recognize 
 their home afterwards, so great was the change in her appear- 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 183 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 There was considerable growling amongst the wardroom 
 officers at the caterer, who had served ever since leaving 
 Philadelphia, because of his heavy assessments. The pay- 
 master had that honorable and lucrative office, and had charged 
 each member of the mess fifty-five dollars a month for grub 
 and wines. He said the wine bill was heavier than the food 
 bill, because so many officers and other visitors had been 
 entertained from the very start. This was true; there was no 
 redress for the entertainers except to growl, and growl some- 
 body did at every meal. A sailor who cannot growl has 
 something serious the matter with him. 
 
 The doctor started the talk one day at dinner by saying, 
 " The paymaster calls himself a Christian and charges the 
 mess for pickles." 
 
 " Well, pickles cost, and I don't know anyone who eats 
 more of them than you do," was the paymaster's reply. 
 
 " You promised to keep run of the wines ordered, and to 
 credit those who did not drink and charge those who did," 
 said Lawson. 
 
 " I have been trying to do that, but haven't found anyone 
 yet who belongs to the credit side." 
 
 " We're a band of brothers," observed Bloss. 
 
 " Seriously, Pay., you do give us too many beans," said 
 Careswell. "Now, for my part, I can stand them often, but 
 when we get them twenty-one times a week, it's a little 
 monotonous." 
 
 " You ought not to complain, Careswell ; you know you 
 were brought up on them. Beans and codfish are the usual 
 aliment of New Englanders," answered the paymaster. 
 
 " Well, give us some codfish occasionally for a change ; I've 
 not seen a Cape Cod turkey for a year." 
 
 " No, but you've had lots of Florida chickens." 
 
 "Chickens? Not one." 
 
 " Yes, sir ; Florida chickens are gophers alias terrapin." 
 
181 CRUISING AND BI-OCKADIKG. 
 
 " They are the first foiir-legged chickens I ever saw." 
 
 "You know that large one tlie captain had running around 
 the deck ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I harnessed him to a camp-stool and he drew it all about. 
 He raised himself with George Washington, who weighs a 
 hundred pounds, standing upon his shell, and moved ahead a 
 little. If an elephant had proportionate strength, he could 
 haul a meeting-house. One of the boys, I guess it was 
 George, painted C. S. on his shell in lead color. He said it 
 was for Confederate States. The captain was wrathy when be 
 saw the decoration." 
 
 " It will not hurt him for soup," said Bloss. 
 
 "What time does the evening train pass?" asked Ashton. 
 
 " About sunset," answered Bldss. 
 
 " What is the evening train ?" inquired the payinaster. 
 
 "The pelicans that cross the harbor to roost in the trees on 
 Mangrove Island," said Bloss. "They fly in a straight line 
 near together, and go so regularly that we call them the eve- 
 ning express train." 
 
 " Oh, yes, I have seen them." 
 
 " When in camp the o^her day, I shot one through the bill 
 with my revolver at a hundred yards distance," said Careswell. 
 "He was on the river, and just swam round and round in a 
 circle until I went out in the boat and caught him. We kept 
 him in camp some hours and then he flew away. The hole 
 will not prevent his catching fish." 
 
 " Which side did the bullet enter?" asked the doctor. 
 
 "The right side." 
 
 " Which way did he turn ?" 
 
 "To the left." 
 
 " That's correct ; the concussion caused agitation and a cur- 
 rent in the horizontal semicircular canal of the internal ear; 
 disturbed the equilibrium and sense of space, and induced the 
 peculiar gyrations." 
 
 " All right, Doctor," said Bloss. " The hypothenuse of the 
 diatom came in collision with the diaeresis of the ventriculum, 
 and caused a parallax of the proboscis." 
 
 Everybody laughed heartily, and Ashton said, " It's my 
 opinion, he swam around to the left to get away from the in- 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 185 
 
 jury that he felt from the right, and I think he was right in 
 going to the left." 
 
 This unexpected play from so stern a man as Ashton 
 evoked applause. 
 
 "Why don't you give us a pelican stew, Pay.?" asked 
 Bloss. 
 
 " Are they good to eat?" 
 
 "Certainly; they are excellent, only a little fishy." 
 
 " Don't do it, Pay.," said Careswell ; " he's joking. Peli- 
 can stew ! If you feed this crowd on such stuff, you'll be 
 impeached. They are worse than crow." 
 
 "Have you tried them?" asked Bloss. 
 
 " Yes ; we cooked one in camp, when fresh grub was scarce. 
 He did not need seasoning." 
 
 " How about alligator steak ?" 
 
 "Oh, it is delicious and smoky, especially if old. Young 
 ones ought to be tolerable." 
 
 " What a blessing it is to have canned things. I think the 
 blueberry pies our steward makes are delicious." 
 
 " So say we all of us," said Lawson. 
 
 " There are too many necks in the canned chicken," said 
 Careswell. 
 
 " Yes," replied Bloss, " it is often neck or nothing." 
 
 " Joshua, give Mr. Bloss a glass of my sherry, he has been 
 to a necropsy," said the doctor. 
 
 " All right. Doctor ; here's your health, and I hope you'll 
 not have any on us fellows," said Bloss. 
 
 " Your health, Bloss," said the doctor, emptying his glass. 
 
 " What do you think of Quaker color for a fighting man- 
 of-war, Mr. Felton?" asked Ashton. 
 
 " I don't like it. It's a notion put into the Secretary's head 
 by some of the Mississippi captains. I don't like Quaker 
 colors or Quaker principles. Quakers are a set of religious 
 fanatics, who stick to their colors, but would not fight for the 
 flag." 
 
 " No, but they are doing as much good at home as they 
 could in the service. They are taking care of the sick in the 
 hospitals, and contributing largely to the support of the Sani- 
 tary Commission. If they are not in arms, they are giving 
 aid and comfort to those who are." 
 
186 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 " That's a fact," observed Careswell ; " I saw many Quaker 
 ladies visiting the Cherry St. and Catherine St, hospitals, in 
 Philadelphia, and carrying in baskets filled with dainties for 
 the poor wounded fellows." 
 
 " Well, I suppose they are useful there," said Felton, "but 
 I am opposed to so much sectarianism in religion. Why can't 
 all the people belong to the Episcopal church? It is the old 
 historic church purified, and its service is beautiful and 
 satisfying." 
 
 "Just because that church requires decided convictions of 
 sin and a belief in fixed formulas," remarked the paymaster. 
 
 " That's all right. It is better to have formulas fixed by 
 the Apostles, than to let sinners fix them to suit themselves, 
 and then get ministers with elastic consciences to rehearse for 
 them. I believe in one church." 
 
 "So we all do, except Lawson, and he's going to perdition 
 anyhow," said Bloss. 
 
 " Come, let's go and smoke," said the doctor ; " I don't eat 
 dinner because I want it, but in order to have a smoke after- 
 wards." The gentlemen pushed back their camp-stools and 
 chairs and went up on deck. 
 
 " Did you hear about the captain's tishing, Lawson ?" asked 
 Careswell. 
 
 "]So; was he fishing?" 
 
 " Yes, over the stern, and he had a bite that nearly pulled 
 him overboard." 
 
 "Did he? What was it?" 
 
 "A Jew-fish. He got him aboard with the help of a har- 
 poon and a boat-hook. Guess what he weighed." 
 
 " Fifty pounds." 
 
 " No, sir ! He weighed exactly two hundred and thirty-one 
 pounds." 
 
 " The dickens ! What did he do with him ?" 
 
 " Threw him overboard. Jew-fish are coarse and not good 
 eating." 
 
 " Is that a fish story ?" 
 
 '• No, the absolute truth, isn't it, Pay. ?" 
 
 " Yes " 
 
 "Lawson, how did you catch that lovely sheepshead to- 
 day ?" asked the paymaster. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 187 
 
 " I pitclied him a piece of pork on a hook, just off the point 
 of Uzeppa Key, and he took it like a gourmand." 
 
 " Did you fisii from the shore?" 
 
 "Yes; I just walked along and threw the line out as far 
 as possible." 
 
 " Is that all you caught?" 
 
 " Yes, but 1 had lots of bites from mosquitoes and sand- 
 fleas." 
 
 " He will make a delicious breakfast for the whole mess." 
 
 " Yes, and I won't charge you for him. Did you ever see 
 fish so ])lenty as they are in this harbor? It is alive with 
 them, and, when porpoises, sharks and dog-fish come swim- 
 ming in, they rush in such shoals as to make the water fairly 
 boil. I never thought I should like fish so well. I prefer 
 the mullet to all others, they are so delicate and juicy. They 
 can be fried in their own fat, but a little pork improves the 
 flavor." 
 
 " Yes ; they are to my taste better than trout or salmon, 
 and a single cast of the seine is sufficient to load the boat half 
 fidl of them. The men enjoy them very much ; all the messes 
 have commuted some of their rations this month. Salvini 
 says they used to ship large quantities of them to Havana be- 
 fore the war, and the principal business done at the fish-house 
 on the Caloosahatchie was in salting and ])acking them in 
 barrels for the New York and West India trade." 
 
 "That pig Salvini gave us jumped through a gun-port to- 
 day and swam a mile before he was caught," said the doctor. 
 
 "Did he cut his throat?" asked Bloss. 
 
 "No; I don't believe they hurt themselves swimming. 
 It's all moonshine. This pig swam almost as fast as the boat 
 went, and hadn't a scratch.'' 
 
 "He evidently don't like man-of-war life." 
 
 "No; swill is scarce and there's no dirt aboard." 
 
 " You always see everything. Doctor. I wish I had 
 nothing to do but loaf about decks as you do." 
 
 " Loafing is sorry work, Bloss. I'd rather be a watch- . 
 officer than a surgeon, as far as work is concerned." 
 
 " Well, I'll trade professions with you." 
 
 "Salvini has taken quite a fancy to Careswell because he 
 talked French with him." said the doctor. "The old man 
 
188 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 has not lieard tlie familiar tongue since he came away from 
 Corsica, twenty-eight years ago." 
 
 "He wants me to buy a schooner," said Careswell, "and 
 come down here after the war and carry fish to Havana. He 
 says he and his son will help, and I can clear two or three 
 thousand dollars a year. What a prospect for a naval officer!" 
 
 "And what about the daughter?" asked Bloss. 
 
 "The lovely creature was not mentioned." 
 
 " He expects you will marry Marie." 
 
 " Of course, he does," said tlie doctor, " and there's your 
 fate and fortune all mapped out for you." 
 
 " Yes, but I don't fancy the life nor the alliance. 
 
 " ' Better twenty years of Europe, 
 Than a cycle of Cathay.' " 
 
 "Ah ! Careswell, you know the girl is lovely," said Bloss, 
 "and rather more intelligent than the average Floridian, yet, 
 you turn up your aristocratic nose at such prospects. 
 
 " ' A simple maiden in her flower 
 Is worth a hundred coats of arms.' " 
 
 "The offer is open to any of you who can navigate," 
 replied Careswell. 
 
 "Your heart is not your own," said the doctor ; "it's my 
 opinion you are engaged to that Philadelphia girl or else dead 
 in love with Laura." 
 
 " Oh, it is Laura, of course," said Bloss. 
 
 "Well, have it your own way," said Careswell coolly, 
 knocking the ashes off of his cigar. " It's my opinion from 
 sundry billets doux that I have seen come and go, not to men- 
 tion the basket of oranges, that madam has struck you in a 
 vital part." 
 
 "That's in his stomach," said the paymaster; which allu- 
 sion to Bloss' corpulence and love of good living caused shouts 
 of laughter. 
 
 That night everyone in the wardroom had turned in except 
 the Paymaster and Careswell, who were writing letters upon 
 the table and conversing in low tones about their friends in 
 the North. It had been very sultry during the evening, and 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 189 
 
 the black clouds of one of those sudden squalls so common in 
 the latitude began to pile up in the west and blot out the stars. 
 The blackness soon spread across the heavens; the wind 
 rushed over the waters in violent gusts that made the ship's 
 rigging vibrate in mournful tones; the lightning flashed in 
 broad sheets behind the clouds and darted from cloud to cloud 
 and earthward in fiery lines, and a few large rain-drops pat- 
 tered upon the deck — the advance guard of the torrent to 
 follow. 
 
 Suddenly a vivid flash of light filled the ship, a smell of 
 ozone was in the air, a terrific crash smote the ear, and the two 
 gentlemen, stunned and terrified, rushed upon deck, followed 
 by the awakened sleepers. The bells rang the fire-alarm, and 
 all the officers and men were soon at their posts prepared to 
 fight the flames. An examination showed that the lightning 
 had shivered the foretopgallant mast into splinters, run down 
 the foremast, and scattered upon the chain cables upon deck 
 and in the l)Oxes below, but had not started any fire. Just 
 behind the boxes was the magazine, containing several tons of 
 powder and loaded shell. 
 
 The escape from instant destruction was miraculous, and 
 there were many pale faces and trembling voices both forward 
 and aft, as the men were ])ij)ed below. 
 
 The first death in the ship occurred the next day. A poor, 
 decr'epit negro, named Jacob, who had come down to the sta- 
 tion in search of food and freedom, succumbed to debility, 
 occasioned by many exposures and an untreated ague. The 
 carpenter made him a neat pine coffin, and he was taken 
 ashore and buried on the sandy point, where Mr. Sanborn 
 read the Episcopal burial service and the boat's crew acted as 
 chief mourners. 
 
 He had not been long on board and was not much missed, 
 but the event caused a general sadness that lasted several 
 days. Death on board a ship is like death in a little village, 
 where neighbors are knit together by the strongest ties of in- 
 terest and brotherhood, and departure leaves a void which is 
 painfully apparent. 
 
 The U. S. S. James Battles was signaled outside the next 
 morning, and quite a communication was held with her by 
 
190 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 means of the signal flags and book. She was bound up the 
 coast and soon disappeared. 
 
 In the afternoon the Tahoma and the Honduras came in 
 from Key West and borrowed Mr. Crine, as pilot for an ex- 
 pedition against the rebels at Tampa Bay. 
 
 They sailed the next morning, and cheers were given aboard 
 the Nautilus and returned by them as they passed out to sea. 
 
 The next week the U. S. schooner Sea Bird, Capt. Clark, 
 dropped anchor for a day, and brought the news that the ex- 
 pedition to Tampa had captured a steamer loaded with cotton, 
 burned a steamer and a slooji, and whipped the rebels badly, 
 with a loss of seven men, ten being killed on the other side — 
 a small loss, considering the danger of cutting out vessels pro- 
 tected by shore batteries. 
 
 Everybody aboard the Nautilus envied the men who had 
 taken part in the fight. They lamented their inactivity and 
 "inglorious ease" upon a dull blockading station, and would 
 have preferred a fight with all its attendant risks to life to the 
 humdrum of the daily routine. 
 
 "'I thought to stand where banners waved,'" said Cares- 
 well one day at the dinner-table, "and I find nothing but the 
 wash-clothes drying in the rigging. 1 think I'll apply for an 
 ironclad." 
 
 " Well, you're a queer one, anyway !" said Bloss. "Here 
 we live on the fat of the land with home trimmings; get our 
 regular mail and sleep; drill a little; shoot, fish, swim and 
 boat to our heart's content; have little to do but fan ourselves 
 and smoke good cigars, and you are not satisfied. You wish 
 to be on the go. You want excitement, and danger, and bul- 
 let-holes in your bread-basket. Byron .says, 
 
 " ' The path of glory leads but to the grave.' 
 
 Why can't you be content and settle down to steady habits?" 
 " I don't know, old man. ' What's bred in the bone — ' " 
 " What are you gentlemen doing with Brenneman's coon on 
 
 deck in the nigiit watches?" asked Mr. Felton. 
 
 " Letting him tear our trou.sers to keep us awake, sir," 
 
 answered Blo.ss. 
 "Does l.e bite?" 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 191 
 
 " Well, I should say he did. Zip is not vicious, but he is 
 the most persistent little rascal you ever saw. He will jump 
 at you and chew your shoestrings and clothes every time you 
 poke a foot at him. If it were not for him, I don't know 
 how we could keep awake these warm nights." 
 
 " He ought to be promoted to midshipman then, as the 
 chief service of a middy on watch is to keep the deck-officer 
 awake." 
 
 "They had a lively time in the starboard steerage to-day," 
 said Careswell. " The gentlemen put Zip and one of the cap- 
 tain's roosters in there and laid wagers as to which would 
 whip. It was a good fight, but Zip chewed his opponent's 
 head off in about fifteen minutes. They are a queer lot in 
 there and indulge in much chaff. 
 
 " * I'll bet a broadside of grog on Zip,' said Cozzens. 
 
 " ' Whiskey is dead,' answered Hanson. 
 
 " 'The mourners are sincere,' observed Edgewood. 
 
 " ' I must tell Jan^ about this,' said Webster. 
 
 " ' Who's Jane?' I asked. 
 
 " ' Oh, she's my Dulce, my Future. Jane and I are en- 
 
 No fellow has a right to be engaged till he can raise a 
 moustache,' said White. 
 
 '" May you never know the sorrow of an unthrifty whis- 
 ker,' answered Webster sadly. 
 
 " ' White has been eating peanuts to make his voice short,' 
 observed Cozzens. 
 
 " ' Go in Zip !' yelled his backers. 
 
 "'Give it to him Shanghai!' cried the opponents. 
 
 "' Who wouldn't be a soldier laddie?' asked Gardner. 
 
 '"I wouldn't,' answered Cozzens. 
 
 " ' Why not, my salt-water sonny ?' 
 
 " ' Don't like the pay and jirospects.' 
 
 " ' Pay is good and promotion rapid.' 
 
 " ' Yes, thirteen dollars and found. Found with your head 
 off in the morning.' 
 
 " ' Oh, go away; that's too sanguinary.' 
 
 " ' Why didn't you invite the captain in ?' I asked. 
 
 '"Oh, he'd take too much interest in the affair.' 
 
 " ' This being captain, sitting alone in regal state and having 
 
1.92 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 nobody but the servants to talk with, is not much comfort. I 
 have no doubt he would enjoy the sport,' said I. 
 
 "'Perhaps. Don't you tell him, Mr. Careswell.' 
 
 *"Of course not,' I answered." 
 
 " What did they do with the rooster?" asked Felton. 
 
 "Pushed him out the dead-light. They said the captain 
 might see him floating away and think he had been drowned, 
 but probably would never miss him." 
 
 "How did they get him?" 
 
 " Bought him from the captain's steward for a dollar. 
 Don't you tell the captain, Mr. Felton." 
 
 " Xot I ; I've been in the steerage myself, but I must keep 
 an eye on that steward." 
 
 " Short, spirited drills are to be encouraged," says the Naval 
 Manual, but the executive generally forgot the advice and 
 made them long and exhausting. The principal drill of a 
 man-of-war, and the one in which everybody took the most 
 interest, was General Quarters. This included many of the 
 other exercises, and the men had been brought to a rare degree 
 of perfection in performing their duties. The captain loved 
 surprises and did not always inform Mr. Felton what he 
 wished to do. Everybody except the watch on deck was fast 
 asleep one night, when at midnight the drum and fife called 
 to quarters. The officers sprang into their clothes, thinking 
 an enemy was at hand, grasped their side-arms and l)uckled 
 their belt-*, as they hastened to their stations, where the men 
 were already gathering. The ship's company went through 
 the following drill : the battery was cast loose; the guns were 
 loaded and fired rapidly ; the pivot guns were pivoted to star- 
 board and port ; disabled guns were removed and replaced by 
 others; wounded men were taken to the cockpit on stretchers; 
 fires were extinguished; boarders were repelled, and boarders 
 rushed over the rail with pistols, cutlasses and pikes; the 
 sharpshooters and marines kept up a rattling fire; spars were 
 fished; shot-holes were plugged; the pumps were manned; 
 the cable was slipped ; sails were loosed, trimmed and furled; 
 tacking and wearing ship were accomplished ; a train was laid 
 to blow up the magazine, and the ship was abandoned in the 
 boats. 
 
 The whole drill occupied an hour and a half, and the exer- 
 
A KAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 103 
 
 cise of firing seventeen shell to a gun was performed in fifteen 
 minutes. The night was cool and pleasant ; every one entered 
 into the spirit of the occasion and did his best work, and the 
 officers were highly pleased with the result. If there had been 
 an enemy about, he would have fared badly. 
 
 "Up all bags!" shouted the boatswain's mate one forenoon, 
 and the spar deck was soon covered with men, each one having 
 his long, black, numbered bag with him. The master-at-arms 
 was ordered to search each bag for a pair of shoes that had 
 been stolen from one of the cooks. 
 
 A sailor's bag is his dressing-case, tool-chest, bureau and 
 trunk all together. He keeps in it everything that belongs to 
 him except his bedding, which is slung up in his hammock at 
 night, and lashed up and stowed in the netting during the 
 day. 
 
 The master-at-arms made every man empty his bag and ex- 
 hibit his shoes. The missing ones were found at last in the 
 possession of a man named Pennock, who boasted of having 
 been many years in one of the merchant ships of the famous 
 Black Ball lino, running between New York and Liverpool. 
 He was a lazy, sulky fellow, who had made considerable 
 trouble already in the ship, and had been several times in 
 double-irons, on bread and water, for various offences. 
 
 He was brought to the mainmast by the master-at-arms, and 
 Mr. Felton asked for an explanation. He said tiie shoes be- 
 longed to him, and he had received them from the paymaster 
 the previous month. The paymaster examined the books and 
 reported that he had not delivered them. The man affirmed 
 the truth of his statement with several oaths and much loud 
 talk. Mr. Felton ordered him to be quiet, and the master-at- 
 arms took hold of his arm, when he sprang at him and knocked 
 him down. Several men were calleil, who assisted the master- 
 at-arms to put him in irons and take him below to the brig. 
 Some days afterwards, five of the wardroom officers were or- 
 dered by the captain on a court-martial for his trial. The 
 specifications were, theft, insubordination, and mutinous con- 
 duct towards his superior officers. The court was held in the 
 wardroom during the forenoon ; the evidence for and against 
 the prisoner was presented and considered carefully ; a verdict 
 of guilty was rendered, and a sentence to one month's confine- 
 
194 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 ment in donble-ironp, in the brig, upon bread and water, and 
 loss of pay for the time, was pronounced. The prisoner said 
 nothing, but scowled his hatred ; he was conducted below, and 
 a marine was posted before the grating of the brig to keep 
 watch over him, and see that the sentence was properly exe- 
 cuted. When he was released at the expiration of a month, 
 he was delicate and white, and was ever afterwards a respect- 
 ful, obedient and efficient seaman. 
 
 An unstimulating beverage and vegetable diet, taken with 
 manacUd hands in the narrow confines of the brig, have a 
 wonderful influence upcm hot blood and a rebellious spirit, and 
 are a much more humane and effective punishment, than tricing 
 up in tlic rigging or the application of a cat-o'-nine-tails. 
 
 Minor oflences in the navy were punished by setting the 
 culprit to walking the deck with a handspike or a heavy shot, 
 sending him up aloft, putting him astride a boom or yard, 
 giving him extra duty, or reducing his rating and pay. Se- 
 rious oftences were atoned by confinement in the brig, single 
 or double-irons, and restricted diet. Very grave offences 
 brought imprisonment in a penitentiary, or death by shooting 
 or hanging at the yard-arm. It speaks well for the esjyrit de 
 corps of the United States Navy, that grave offences were 
 almost unknown in it, during the entire period of the war of 
 the rebellion. 
 
 All over the sandy islands of the west coast of Florida the 
 gophers were numerous, and had as many holes to run into as 
 the blockade-runners. The most successful way to secure 
 them was, not to seek them through the weeds and underbrush, 
 but to hunt their holes and close them up. When a certain 
 area had its holes blocked, a drive was organized and the 
 clumsy walkers were taken before their own doors. The offi- 
 cers and men were always eager for a gopher hunt and often 
 secured forty or fifty in an afternoon. Terrapin stew is the 
 delight of the gourmand at the North and is certainly a most 
 delicious food anywhere. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE I.ATE WAR. 195 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Rumor had reached the Nautilus by several visiting men- 
 of-war that she was soon to be relieved. Blockade-running 
 upon the station had ceased ; the regulators along the river 
 banks had withdrawn inland ; the sports of the region had 
 become tiresome; the gophers were fewer; the curlew and 
 snipe were wilder ; the deer had been frightened away by 
 target firing with heavy guns; the alligators had learned to 
 drop their noses beneath the water whenever they heard the 
 rhythm of oars, and everybody was weary of watching when 
 there was nobody to watch, and desirous of leaving the peace- 
 ful scenes for more active service. It was just when everyone 
 was so tired of the monotony that he would have engaged in 
 the most desperate undertaking for a change, and when the 
 long separation from loved ones had begun to make the heart 
 ache with ceaseless longings, that the whole ship's company 
 was excited by the aj)pearance of a bark in the offing. She 
 came boldly into the harbor with all of her sails spread and 
 shining in the sunlight, flying her signal number, the long 
 pennant, and the starry flag, and dropped anchor a few cable's 
 lengths from the Nautilus. 
 
 It was the U. S. S. R , carrying eight long 32-pounders, 
 
 two 24-pounder howitzers, and a .30-pounder Parrott. Her 
 captain came on board and was received at the gangway by 
 Capt. Prescott, Mr. Felton and the officer-of-the-deck, and 
 conducted to the cabin, where there was a long conversation 
 over a bottle of sherry and sundry dispatches from the admi- 
 ral. The good news soon spread through the ship that the 
 vessel had come to relieve the Nautilus, which was ordered to 
 Key West and was there to prepare to go North. Its effect 
 upon everybody, from the captain to the smallest powder- 
 monkey in the ship, was remarkable. It seemed as if all 
 hands had just been let out of a minstrel show. There was 
 lively movement, animated conversation, much joking and 
 general hilarity. Every one felt a kindlier interest in his 
 
196 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 pliipmates, and all rejoieed at the prospect of speedy departure. 
 In the evening the sailors danced, sang and played instru- 
 mental music till ten o'clock, and the officers cracked several 
 bottles of wine with their visitors and smoked and talked till 
 midnight. 
 
 The next day the Nautilus was prepared for sea, and, the 
 following day when the tide served, she steamed gaily out 
 of the harbor with her flags flying, receiving and giving 
 cheer after cheer till she was beyond hearing distance. The 
 run to Key West was made without notable incident, and, the 
 next afternoon, she came to anchor under the guns of Fort 
 Taylor. Captain Prescott made his official visit to the admi- 
 ral and returned with a confirmation of the report that the 
 Nautilus was ordered home. Active preparation of the vessel 
 for the voyage was made; the bunkers were filled with coal; 
 the water casks were emptied and filled ; the stores were re- 
 plenished, and some of the officers and men were allowed a 
 run on shore every afternoon and evening. 
 
 The officers were received by their army and civilian friends 
 with the greatest cordiality, and it seemed almost like getting 
 home again to meet old acquaintances with whom so many 
 pleasant hours had been whiled away. 
 
 Key West had received a large accession of citizens during 
 the period the Nautilus had been up the coast, and business 
 was flourishing and social life very gay. 
 
 The officers of the Nautilus had wished for some time to 
 make a worthy acknowledgment of the kind attentions they 
 had received on shore, and, after much discussion, it was de- 
 cided to give a party on board of the ship. Captain Prescott 
 gave his permission cheerfully ; Mr. Felton promised to do all 
 in his power, and a committee on refreshments was given carte 
 hlanehe to provide the good things. The steerage officers sub- 
 mitted the names of the friends they desired to invite; the 
 wardroom officers revised and approved a list, and the pay- 
 master wrote the invitations and sent them ashore. The event 
 was fixed for Thursday evening, and the announcement made 
 a great sensation in society circles on the Key. 
 
 Preparations were commenced the next morning, and the 
 whole crew was employed in beautifying the ship. The paint 
 was scrubbed clean and touched up here and there ; the brass- 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 197 
 
 Avork was scoured bright; the guns and arms received a care- 
 ful overhauling; the decks were holystoned clean and white; 
 the awnings were spread over the quarter-deck; the running 
 gear was coiled and flaked in fancy figures; the dishes were 
 arranged with care ; the silver plate was given an extra bur- 
 nish ; the rooms were all put in good order ; colored and battle 
 lanterns were hung all about the rails and rigging; signals and 
 the flags of all nations were draped about the gangways and 
 steps, and large flags se{)arated the quarter-deck from the for- 
 ward part of the ship. A place between two guns was then 
 set apart for the musicians ; the starboard steerage was ar- 
 ranged for the gentlemen's dressing-room; the captain gave 
 up his cabin for the ladies; the wardroom was devoted to the 
 refreshments ; the boats were cushioned and carpeted to bring off 
 the people from shore, and all hands were dressed in full uniform. 
 
 The guests from the ships and the shore began to arrive at 
 7 o'clock, and the quarter-deck was soon covered with a merry 
 party of ladies and gentlemen. There was great curiosity to 
 see all parts of the ship, and groups of visitors were conducted 
 around by the officers, who answered all the questions, entered 
 into elaborate descriptions, and displayed their familiarity with 
 naval technology. 
 
 A lady said the figure-head was so named because it was 
 placed ahead, and the cutwater was not sharp enough to cut 
 anything. Another knew there was a cat-o'-nine-tails for 
 whipping sailors, and asked, if the catheads upon the forecastle 
 belonged to cats that had nine tails. Some could not see the 
 sense of calling the forward deck the forecastle, as there was 
 no castle there, and observed if it had been made level, the 
 pivot gun could have been moved around easier. Others thought 
 the brig was a chicken-coop, and were much surprised to learn 
 that it was a prison ; the apothecary's room was too small, and 
 the sick-bay did not resemble a bay at all ; it was too bad to 
 make the sailors hang up under the deck to the iron hooks; 
 the magazine was too far away from the guns, making too 
 hard work for the poor, little powder-monkeys; the galley 
 was the biggest stove they had ever seen, and the kettles were 
 large enough for a sugar-house; the engine was awfully com- 
 plicated, and the fire-room was a dreadful place to work in ; 
 the guns were much better than those on the fort, but they 
 
198 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 must split the ears when fired ; the state-rooms were very cosy, 
 and the officers must be dreadful flirts, if the pictures upon 
 the walls were all sweethearts; the cabin was too pretty for 
 anything, and even women might go to sea in such elegant 
 apartments. 
 
 Such innocent observations were heard upon every side, and 
 the old salts, who were standing around with their caps in 
 their hands, smiled secretly and shifted their quids in silent 
 derision. It was as amusing to listen to the chatter of the 
 land-lubbers, as it was interesting to them to learn the object 
 and use of everything that attracted their attention. 
 
 "Why do you call that semi-circular thing up there the 
 top?" asked Mrs. Dr. Edwards. 
 
 " It is near the top of the mast," replied Mr. Bloss. 
 
 " But the top of the mast is away up there." 
 
 " No, that is called the truck." 
 
 " Does anybody ever go up there?" 
 
 "Certainly; the pole must be painted, and sometimes the 
 halyards must be rove. The ship's boys often climb up and 
 hang their caps over it for fun and to see who can do it the 
 quickest." 
 
 " Is it possible! It looks very dangerous." 
 
 "Do you keep all the powder and shell in the great maga- 
 zine?" asked Mrs. Fortescue of Lieut. Ashton. 
 
 "No; there is a smaller magazine under the wardroom for 
 these howitzers," was the reply. 
 
 " Isn't it dangerous to have powder so near the stove?" 
 
 " No; the fires are all put out before the magazine is opened. 
 The men in the magazine wear canvas slippers without nails, 
 and have no metal about their persons, not even a button." 
 
 " Do you officers have any stoves in the winter?" 
 
 "No; they are not allowed." 
 
 " How do you keep warm when you are in a cold climate?" 
 
 " We heat a solid shot in the furnaces and keep it in a tub of 
 sand. It throws out heat for a long time and warms the 
 rooms well enough." 
 
 " That's a queer way. Suppose the ship should get on fire, 
 with all this powder aboard, what would you do?" 
 
 " Put the fire out." 
 
 " Suppose you couldn't ?" 
 
A NAVAL, STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 190 
 
 " We would flood tlie magazine with water. There are 
 stop-cocks outside to turn water into them." 
 
 " Wouldn't it be dangerous, with so many loaded shell?" 
 
 " Yes, rather ; but the fire would probably drive us into the 
 boats before it had reached the magazine." 
 
 " Do your men cook nice things?" inquired Miss Peterson 
 of the paymaster. 
 
 " Of course. Do you think we live on salt-horse and hard- 
 tack ?" 
 
 " No; but you have so many to cook for and so little room, 
 I thought you couldn't have pies and cakes and such things." 
 
 "Well, we do; we have lots of them. I am caterer, and 
 I would be keel-hauled, if the stewards did not supply our 
 aristocratic crowd with regular desserts." 
 
 " Keel-hauled ? What is that ?" 
 
 " Dragged along under tlie ship's bottom — a nautical way 
 of drowning a man for punishment." 
 
 " How terrible !" 
 
 " Pay. has charge of the tea-kettle halyards," observed San- 
 born, laughing. 
 
 "Oh, belay your jaw-tackle," answered the paymaster. 
 
 "How do you load one of these guns, Mr. Careswell?" asked 
 Madam Foutana. 
 
 " Two midshipmen and a master's mate, 
 Two round shot and a stand of grape ; 
 Ram home the charge," 
 
 was the reply. 
 
 "A pretty heavy charge that, Careswell," observed Col. 
 Gordon. " I would rather stand before the gun, than behind 
 it, in such a case." 
 
 " Oh, pshaw ! That is only some of the Lieutenant's non- 
 sense ; he likes to tease me," said Madam. 
 
 " Do you ever allow shore people to see you drill?" asked 
 Mrs. Loudon of Captain Prescott. 
 
 " Not often ; they would be in the way," was the reply. 
 
 "Oh, I should so like to see the sailors work the guns." 
 
 "Would you? Well, wait awhile," said the captain sig- 
 nificantly. 
 
 The men composing the band had taken their places be- 
 tween the guns and now commenced to play a quadrille, and 
 
200 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tlie gentlemen and ladies formed sets and danced for some 
 time. Then two of the sailors danced a hornpipe in the gang- 
 way, and, afterwards, several of the men danced singly a great 
 variety of peculiar steps, which excited the admiration and 
 apj)lause of the visitors. Then there were more dances by the 
 guests and officers, interspersed with instrumental solos and 
 nautical songs by the sailors, followed by a march around the 
 deck, pensive watching of the waves through the gun-ports, 
 enthusiastic study of the constellations through the spy- 
 glasses, and romantic tete-a-tetes, sitting upon the gun-car- 
 riages. 
 
 The discipline of the ship was still maintained; men were 
 on watch as usual ; lookouts and marines were stationed ; Mr. 
 Sanborn was in charge of the deck, and the bells were struck 
 regularly. This continuanceof order enhanced the interest of 
 the shore people, and they were much pleased to see ham- 
 mocks piped down, and the men take their snugly-lashed rolls 
 of bedding from the netting and march below. 
 
 Supper was announced at 10 o'clock, and the wardroom 
 and cabin were filled with guests and their attendants. The 
 paymaster took charge of the table and the stewards and 
 waiters distributed the ^bountiftd repast. The handsome 
 dresses of the ladies, the plain suits of the civilians, and the 
 showy, gold-ornamented uniforms of the army and navy offi- 
 cers, formed striking contrasts in colors, which were heightened 
 and beautified by the green, blue and red signal lanterns that 
 illuminated the scene. ' It is little that makes the glad laugh,' 
 and witty speeches, happy repartees, and short stories, caused 
 merry laughter, that awoke the solemn echoes of the broad- 
 sides and went rippling from gun to gun to the forward part 
 of the ship. 
 
 The band upon deck played appropriate selections from its 
 naval repertoire ; several of the ladies sang solos and duets to 
 guitar accompaniments, and some of the gentlemen repeated 
 humorous, sentimental and declamatory pieces of poetry. 
 
 The event of the evening was the singing of " Ave Maria" 
 by Miss Laura. Madam Fontana had been talking to her 
 earnestly and, assisted by Careswell, had gained her consent to 
 favor the company. She took up the guitar and swept her 
 fingers rapidly over the strings. Her expression had been one 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 201 
 
 of timid reserve, but now it became sad, her eyes seemed to 
 look far away, her head was thrown slightly back, her lips 
 parted, and the full rich tones of her voice filled the listeners 
 with such emotion, that they could hear nothing but their own 
 heart throbs and the delicious harmony. 
 
 When the last sweet tone had ended and the tinkle of the 
 guitar was stilled, a storm of applause arose that filled the 
 ship, the captain said it was the finest song he had ever heard, 
 and everybody crowded around and offered thanks and praises. 
 Laura was urged to sing something else, but her feelings were 
 too profoundly stirred, her mind was too full of busy thought. 
 She yielded to the clamor, however, and played an exquisite 
 fantasie upon the guitar which w'as heartily applauded, and 
 then busied herself looking over an album of photographs, 
 seeking to withdraw from the conspicuous position in which 
 her musical talent had placed her. 
 
 Toasts were drunk in sherry and champagne, pretty compli- 
 ments were passed between the guests and their hosts, the cap- 
 tain and lieutenant-commander excused themselves and went 
 upon deck, and the ladies began to think it was time to de- 
 part, when suddenly the sharp whistle of the fife and the rattle 
 of the drum shocked the night air and spread consternation 
 below. 
 
 " Jt is a call to General Quarters," said the paymaster ; " you 
 had better all go up and see the manoeuvers." 
 
 The visitors were escorted upon deck ; the officers of the ship 
 seized their arms and hastened to their posts ; the men rushed 
 to their stations; the battery was cast loose, and the motions of 
 loading and firing, transporting guns, boarding and repelling 
 boarders, putting out fire and handling the sails, were per- 
 formed with precision and rajiidity, while the guests looked 
 on with astonishment and pleasure, receiving explanations 
 from the naval officers belonging to the other vessels. Then 
 rockets were sent up; different colored Coston signals were 
 burned, in communicating with the other ships, which an- 
 swered in the same way, and, lastly, while the ladies were in- 
 tently watching the fire-works and the whole harbor was 
 illuminated, one of the quarter-deck howitzers was discharged. 
 It was so unexpected and so near, that the ladies shrank into 
 a .compact crowd and uttered cries of alarm, and then asked 
 
202 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tlieir attenclants if the magazine had exploded or what was 
 the matter. They soon saw and learned the cause of their 
 fright, and feeling ashamed of their timidity, laughed hysteri- 
 cally and chatted with more volubility than ever. The bat- 
 tery was secured ; the music sounded the Retreat; the officers 
 clustered around ; the captain asked Mrs. Loudon with a sly 
 smile how she liked the drill, and the visitors were profuse in 
 their thanks to him for the fine exhibition that he had afforded 
 tiiem. Then the boats were called away ; good nights were 
 said, and the precious freight was taken ashore safely just as 
 eight-bells, midnight, struck. Never had a naval vessel given 
 so generous a party. Never had the people of Key West en- 
 joyed themselves so much. 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 203 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The next few days tlie officers remained ahoard ship getting 
 lier ready for sea, and receiving flowers, fruit, notes and fare- 
 well visits from their many friends. Then a day or two was 
 devoted to leave-taking ashore, and one evening tiie captain 
 announced that the Nautilus would sail for New York the 
 next day. 
 
 In the morning some discharged men were received as pas- 
 sengers, the boats were hoisted up, numerous signals were 
 made with the vessels of the squadron, the anchor was weighed 
 and catted, and the good ship turned her bow seaward. 
 
 As she steamed slowly out of the harbor, the fl:ig of Fort Tay- 
 lor was dipped, the crews upon the men-of-war cheered, and a 
 crowd of people along the shore waved handkerchiefs, hats and 
 umbrellas. The happy men of the Nautilus responded to 
 these tokens of regard by lusty cheers and swinging their caps, 
 and a group of officers upon tlie midshipman's deck shook 
 their handkerchiefs and watched their friends with glasses. 
 
 As soon as the Nautilus was fairly at sea, the sails were set 
 and the fires banked, the screw was hoisted up, a lookout was 
 sent up into the fore-topmast cross-trees, and everything was 
 made snug. 
 
 Three strange looking objects were seen ahead during the 
 afternoon, which upon close acquaintance proved to be water- 
 spouts. Their summits were enveloped in storm clouds, their 
 bases in cones of foam, and the great columns of water tui'ned 
 and twisted and swayed about like monstrous j)ythons in 
 agony. They approached the ship for awhile, and a gun was 
 cast loose and loaded with solid shot to fire at them should 
 they come too near, but the precaution was needless, as the 
 cyclones soon lost their force, the upper parts of the water- 
 spouts were drawn up into the clouds, and the lower cones set- 
 tled down to the sea level in great masses of foam. 
 
 The Nautilus was homeward bound, and the knowledge 
 sent a thrill of gladness through the crew, which far surpassed 
 
204 ^ CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 tliat occasioned by a double allowance of grog or the capture 
 of a valuable prize, 
 
 " Home, whispered in some foreign scene, 
 Sweetly it falls upon the ear; 
 Like fairj' visions that Iiave been, 
 Or mournful music floating near." 
 
 As a general thing Jack Tar does not care much where he 
 is, provided he has plenty of money and a free run ashore, 
 thougii he has a preference for a seaport in his own country. 
 Many of the sailors of the Nautilus were ditferent, however, 
 from the usual type. They had homes by the rivers, around 
 the great lakes, and in the smaller places upon the coast, apd 
 had left them to fight for the preservation of the Union. Now 
 they were going home, intending to resume the occupations 
 from which they had been driven by necessity and patriotism, 
 and their iiopes and anticipations made them active in their 
 duiies and merry in their pastimes. Every evening there was 
 music and dancing; the officers sat about the deck listening 
 and looking on, and all planned what they would do when the 
 ship went out of commission. 
 
 The Nautilus was kept under sail when the wind was favor- 
 able, and under steam wlien unfavorable, and, aided by the 
 current of the Gulf Stream, made north latitude rapidly. 
 There was little to break the monotony of the homeward pas- 
 sage, and it seemed interminably long to everybody. Occa- 
 sionally some merchant vessel would be overhauled and 
 boarded, only to find that she belonged to a neutral power or 
 the United States, and a cruiser or blockader would chase 
 and challenge the Nautilus to give an account of herself, 
 then bring aboard a bag of letters for home and wish her 
 " bon voyage." 
 
 The Sunday inspection was rigid, that a good appearance 
 might be presented in port, but the long service and the sea 
 air had made the uniforms look seedy and taken the shine 
 off of the buttons and gold lace of the officer's coats. It 
 was apparent to even a casual observer that all were veterans. 
 At 9 A.M., the ship was as clean as a new pin, and word was 
 passed, "All hands to mu.ster!" The officers formed a line 
 on the starboard side of the quarter-deck, the marines on the 
 
A NAVAL STORY OF THE LATE WAR 205 
 
 j)ort, and the sailors gathered in the port waist. The execu- 
 tive read some of the Articles of War, and the paymaster, se- 
 lections from the Episcopal Prayer Book. The |)aymaster's 
 clerk then called the roll, and each sailor passed around the 
 mainmast to the starboard side and forward, under the critical 
 eyes of the captain and executive. The marines and officers 
 answered to their names and were inspected and all were dis- 
 missed. The captain and executive then examined the ship 
 from stem to stern, alow and aloft. 
 
 Sunday in the service is an off day after inspection ; there 
 is little ship's work done, and the sailors get up their bags, 
 overhaul and repair clothes, read, write, and spin yarns all 
 day. The officers read, write, talk, smoke and get extra sleep. 
 This is the manner of observing the fourth commandment in 
 the U. S. Navy. 
 
 A New York pilot-boat was spoken Monday morning; a 
 l>ilot with a pocket full of newspapers was taken aboard, and 
 the course was shaped for Sandy Hook. During the night, 
 the Highland Lights were made and passed, and the Nautilus 
 came to anchor before daylight off Staten Island Quarantine 
 Station. 
 
 When the morning dawned, all eyes and hearts were glad- 
 dened by the rugged hills, the rich green verdure and foliage, 
 and the lovely forts and villas of the Narrows. A brief visit 
 was made by the officers of the port; the anchor was weighed ; 
 the ship's signal number was hoisted ; the vessel proceeded 
 slowly up the magnificent harbor, and came to anchor off the 
 Brooklyn Navy Yard. 
 
 How indescribable the feelings of a wanderer upon his 
 arrival in his native land ! How the hearts of these heroes of 
 the war swelled with emotion and pride, when they thought 
 of the perils they had passed and of the glory of their common 
 country. No one can have a proper conception of what love 
 of country is, and how much he has of it, until he has been 
 abroad awhile. 
 
 The Nautilus was home again, and all was excitement and 
 anxiety to get the ship's mail, and to learn the latest news of 
 the war, though some had been gained from the pilot and his 
 papers. Everybody was desirous of stepping upon a shore 
 not pressed by traitor's feet, and of getting into the well filled 
 
206 CRUISING AND BLOCKADING. 
 
 stores, where money would bring its worth of honest merchan- 
 dise, but there were certain formalities to be_ observed before 
 the prisoners of the sea could be liberated. 
 
 The gig was called away, Captain Prescott made his official 
 visit to Admiral Paulding, and kindly brought the mail back 
 with him. Then there was a call to quarters; the broadside 
 guns were cast loose, and the customary admiral's salute of 
 thirteen guns was fired. The discharged men were then trans- 
 ferred to the receiving-ship North Carolina; the sails were 
 loosed, dried, unbent and stowed away below ; the gangways 
 shipped ; the booms swung out ; the boats put overboard ; the 
 awnings spread; the windsails hoisted in the hatchways;, the 
 yards squared, and all the ropes hauled taut. These duties 
 kept every one busy all day, and the tired crew was glad to 
 turn in early without giving the usual musical entertainment. 
 
 The next few days tiiere was free communication with the 
 shore ; leave parties scattered about the two cities, gazed with 
 delight u})on the splendors of tlie great metropolis, and tasted 
 once more the pleasures of nineteenth century civilization. 
 Orders came the second week to put the Nautilus out of com- 
 mission preparatory to docking her; to transfer the crew to 
 the North Carolina, and for the officers to await orders at the 
 yard. 
 
 All hands were called to muster and the captain made a 
 speech : 
 
 " Men of the Nautilus. — It is with feelings of sadness 
 that I announce to you the time has come for separation. The 
 Nautilus goes out of commission to-day. I thank you for 
 your observance of the regulations of the ship, and for your 
 efficiency and courage in times of danger. You have the 
 proud consciousness of having served your country in her 
 need, and she will reward you for your patriotism. I shall 
 always be glad to hear of your welfare. And to you, my offi- 
 cers, I owe much. You have ably performed the duties re- 
 quired of you, and have been industrious, zealous and brave 
 throughout the cruise. Such conduct will bring its reward in 
 consciousness of rectitude and in deserved promotion. The 
 naval examining board is in session. I shall ever be ready to 
 advance your interests, and trust that the ties of affection that 
 bind us may never be loosened. Farewell!" 
 
A XAVAL STORY OF THE LATE W^R. 207 
 
 "Tliree cheers for Captain Prescott!" shouted Mr. Felton, 
 jumping upon a gun-carriage. The loud hurrahs burst from 
 more than a hundred lusty throats and swept across the river. 
 
 "Three cheers for the Nautilus I" he cried, and they were 
 given with a will. 
 
 " Pipe down !" he said to the boatswain. The shrill whis- 
 tles sounded and the men retired. At meridian, the flag and 
 pennant were hauled down — the official life of the Nautilus 
 ■was ended. 
 
 The ship was hauled alongside the dock and delivered to 
 the ship-keej)ers; the stores were formally turned over to the 
 yard officials; the men were sent to the receiving-ship, and the 
 officers took carriages and went to their hotels. A week or 
 two later, some of tlie officers found the Nautilus a dismantled, 
 disordered hulk. The hatches were off and the hull was 
 empty ; the anchurs and guns were on the dock ; the yards and 
 topmasts were down, and the rigging was lying about in snarls. 
 The ship was nearly ready to go into the dry-dock. The offi- 
 cers were given a month's leave and then ordered to different 
 ships. Careswell was promoted to lieutenant, made another 
 cruise, and captured several valuable prizes. The war went 
 on furiously and every man was needed upon the blockade, 
 and he was not one to neglect his duty or to remain inactive, 
 but in the lonely watches of the night his thoughts often turned 
 to the little island in the gulf and he longed fur peace. 
 
RARE BOOK 
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