And here a pretty incident, characteristic of the Yankee tar of '98, was noted. On board the Dolphin, the shield of the 6-pounder rapidfirer on the port side of the forecastie had been cracked while in action a few days previously, necessitating its removal, leaving the gun without this frail protection, which was of service only against small small arms. Noting its removal, the crew of the companion gun on the starboard side requested the removal of their shield, on the ostensible pretext of lack of symmetry. It was "not ship shape," they said, to have one gun without a shield, and its mate with

Waldon Fawcett, Photo.

one. They did not say that it was disagreeable to them to be protected when their neighbors were not. Of course, their divisional officer did not feel justified in complying with their request, but on the morning of the mine-dragging expedition the first thing that attracted his attention was a neat little barbette around the reserve ammunition boxes amidships-made of the starboard gunshield, which the determined men had surreptitiously removed during the night, gathering around their shieldless gun when called to "quarters" with solemn, innocent, though satisfied expressions. The divisional officer did not feel called upon to take any action in the matter. Neither did the ordnance officer, who observed the situation later. Indeed, the second day of dragging witnessed the absence even of the protecting hammocks, the men claiming that their presence interfered with the quick handling of the guns. As soon as the launches shoved off

seen

the Marblehead and Dolphin got underway, and proceeded slowly after them towards the river's mouth. It was one of those nearly cloudless, lazy calm days, sometimes during a Cuban a Cuban summer. The water was hardly ruffled by the occasional fleeting zephyrs. Nearly astern of the ships was Camp McCalla, on a bluff overlooking the bay, the Stars and Stripes hanging lazily from the flag-staff. Just below the camp a couple of colliers and the transport Panther lay peacefully at anchor. There was a general stillness over all, broken only by a faint bugle call from the camp and the clank of the anchor chains as the two cruisers got underway, with smoke pouring from their funnels, propellers monotonously thrum ming, and cool, silent, expectant men standing about their guns, which were kept trained on the ominous banks of the river, ready to pour

forth torrents of shell and shrapnel at the first hostile shot from shore.

The launches had hardly gone a quarter of a mile when they were seen to stop, then slowly come together. They had picked up the first mine. A few moments sufficed to bring it to the surface, unscrew the lid, and remove the deadly bursting charge. It required gingerly handling, for the least awkwardness, even a slight blow, would discharge it and blow the handlers and other boats to atoms. With care like that of a mother tending her babe, the dangerous machine was deposited in one of the dingheys and brought aboard the Dolphin, where its bursting charge was put securely below, and the mine itself put on the forecastle. It was a curious-looking affair, made of iron and surrounded with firing pins, impact upon any one of which would explode the charge. It was somewhat incrusted

mangrove trees, close to where the launches had ceased their work for the time being.

The Dolphin instantly got underway, and approaching closer, discovered that the Spaniards were industriously throwing up intrenchments, from which to fire on the launches when they resumed their work. The works were then thor. oughly shelled by the Dolphin, the Marblehead coming up shortly after and hurling round after round of shrapnel into the incompleted riflepits.

No further attempt was made to dispute the operations of the Americans, and during the two succeeding days the mine fields were completely swept away. The recovered mines were sent north, and now serve as