only three signals to the yard-arm of the
_Victory_.

In the darkness of a cloudy night one of the ships is detached with
secret orders. She is to indicate an enemy's force, and to fall upon the
fleet at some unexpected hour the next day. From the moment of her
departure the lookouts on the remaining ships doubly strain their eyes,
and not a spar rises above the horizon that is not studied with all a
seaman's skill. In the first dog-watch of the next afternoon, when the
sailors forward are amusing themselves with pipe and song, the lookout
in the foretop cries,

"Steamer ho!"

[Illustration: "All HANDS CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION!"]

In answer to the questions of the officer of the watch, he says the
smoke looks like that of a cruiser. The _New York_ has seen her too, and
the next minute signals fly at her yard-arm. The Captain nods, and the
hollows of the ship are filled with the sharp beating of a drum, the
shrill screeching of boatswains' pipes, and the sound of heavy voices
bawling, "All hands clear ship for action!" That is a thrilling cry,
even in time of peace, and half-slumbering sailors spring to their feet
with staring eyes and panting breath. Marines rush to the arm-racks to
get their rifles, belts, and bayonets. Officers buckle on swords and
revolvers, and spring to their stations.

[Illustration: LOADING A BIG GUN.]

And now begins a brief period of bustling activity, which to a landsman
would seem like confusion itself confounded. Boats are lashed around
with canvas to keep splinters from flying, extra slings are rigged on
yards and gaffs to keep them from falling to the deck if struck by shot,
breastworks of hammocks are made on bridges, forecastle, and poops,
stanchions and rails are sent below, and everything that can be removed
is taken from the deck so that the guns may have a clear sweep. The
magazines and fixed ammunition-rooms are thrown open, and the men of the
powder division take the stations allotted to them for keeping up a
continuous supply of ammunition to the whole battery. Hatch-covers are
lifted, shell-whips are rigged for hoisting away the heavy charges for
the big guns, and chutes are placed for sending empty cartridge-cases
below. The men belonging to the lighting-tops go aloft and hoist
ammunition for their guns. The crews of the main battery open the
breeches of their great weapons, sponge out the chambers, insert the big
steel shells and powder cartridges, and stand waiting for ord