The North Pacific

the Osprey opened his sealed instructions, and, having glanced over

ngton,

S

his flagship should be at Manila, Shanghai, or any other port at the time of your arrival, you will follow him to that port without delay, and report as above. In view of the present critical state of affairs in the East, and the attitude of Russia and Japan, the Os

respec

, Secr

Commander Da

ng U. S.

ndant, Navy Yar

cle of blue-coated officers around the cab

ut ammunition," observed

provided," said Rexdale. "I reported on all classe

the question," put in the young midshipman

aymaster Ross with emphasis. "How can there be a fight? We'

here's war coming," exclaimed Dr. Cutter hear

now enough of the situation to be sure which to sympathise with, big, sturdy Russia with all Asia betwe

rising. "Probably all our ship will have to do will be

r, as the group filed out of the cabin, while the commander

om. A heated discussion arose, forward, as to the merits of the two nations which were supposed to be preparing for war. In the midst of the excited talk a black-and-white kitten made her way into the group and ga

enly that he almost rolled over; then, vexed at the laughter which greeted him, he

eing the danger of the animal, and flung himself bodily upon Sam, who went over

the deck, scattering kits and boxes and bringing up against the shins of more than one of their comrades. "Come off, Sam, and let th

arious than that of any man on board. He is an enlisted man, rated a chief petty officer, and wears the eagle rating-badge. Forward of the

y, but he must be a natural "master of the situation," and of men, in an emergency as well as in the routine of navy life. The Legs is privileged to take matters into hi

erior ratings of the enlisted men. He is a man whose blue-jacket experience has taught him every trick of the naval sailor, every phase of fo

tswain's mate is nominally the "boss" of the job, but it is Legs who sees that the me

of the bluejacket who is shoeless. Biff-bang! The Legs may be 'way aft on the poop watching the after-gua

ak away, and when the Legs shows up they are seated side b

men's wearing-gear all stowed away in ditty bags. It never is. There is always to be found a shirt hastily thrown here, a shoe lying loose there, a neckerchief and lanyard hanging over a ditty-box. T

officer, for remissness in stowing gear, which means, generally, a lopping off of liberty privileges. Every month t

ty-breakers carousing in town regardless of the fact that their services aboard are needed, and that punishment awaits them whe

returns with them. He may be gone for some hours, or for a day, but when he comes of

aried duties Hiram Deering, a grizzled old man-o

gings when a commotion was observed among the officers on the bridge. They were gazing through their glasses at a

rved Ensign Dobson, with his binocular at his eyes. "H

n stron

twenty," added the officer. "Ca

r, readjusting the lenses of his glass. "It's a rathe

n to a man who stood n

s,

the e

aye,

flag!" said Do

l I slow down a bit, sir?" he asked the lieutenant-comm

every fellow that wants to speak us. Let him come up.

lwarks. There was no apprehension, as the United States had no enemies afloat; still the appearance, so far out at sea, of an

uite forgotten, as the m

ction of the stranger, "w'ot a pity it ain't war-toimes now! Sure

in' to keep me arms and legs on fur a while longe

?" growled another of the cre

blows straight out forrard on this west wind he's comin' afo

d no such easy task. They scrutinised th

said Dobson, lowering the gl

aw before-a sort of twenty-legged spider in the centre. It's like no

among the men, quartermaste

ir, them Japs can

marine on duty, "find one of the cabin st

fore Oto glided gracefully

if you can make out that fel

e approaching steamer gave it a swift glance. A moment sufficed

id simply. "That the f

ot his dignity as

well enough now. What on earth can a Jap

t of his own navy so near. Stand by for signals, Mr. Dobson. Have your man ready, and get out

Osprey, showing her long, vicious hull, black and low in the water; and slowed down to keep from

"One-three-seven-five-here she is-the Kiku-that's Jap for Chrysanthemum, isn't i

performed, the Kiku, first answering the Os

tain. 'Wish to communicate. Have message for-' for whom I wonder? Answer, signalman. There goes the

like to stop, but the message may be important. I suppose it's for me, o

the indicator s

f sp

speed,

full

nd the engines of t

res, and changing her course, ap

ul precision. The oars fell together as the boat l

s' lengths distant, and turning, rowed a slow stroke to keep abreast the gangway of the gunboat,

on board, sir, name

ir. Wha

in wish t

ur message for the boy," he shouted. "He's my cabin

Rexdale's answer he called out a few rapid words in his own language to the officer in the boat. The latter answered, and the boat lay up alongside. Be

THE RAIL LI

"What are you about? Bring back

d his hat most courteously, and spoke to his men;

ed out Rexdale,

phlegmatic quartermaster, throw

speed

eed ahea

our helm! L

t, s

rten the distance, had picked up her boat and was pouring volumes of black smoke

n her bridge

ch was plainly running away from them. The jackies looked up eagerly at him, with their hands on the breach of the four

id to his subordinates, who were standing at his side

ir. East by south

ken out of his regularly calm demeanour. "It's abduct

ess-gang," said D

n will have to apologise for that little p

ican citizen?"

ever heard him speak

ing his usual dignity of speech. "Perhaps the boy is an escaped criminal. At w

at the first opportunity," said the commander d

g he was waited upon, to his utter bewilderment, by