loud which had hung dark
and threatening over the shores of Mexico was about to burst upon that
devoted land. But where? The enemy could not tell, and were preparing
to receive us on the adjacent shore.

The black cylinder began to smoke, and the murky cloud rolled down upon
the water, half obscuring the fleet. Here and there a broad sail,
freshly unfurled, hung stiffly from the yard; the canvas, escaping from
its gasket fastenings, had not yet been braced round to the breeze.

Soldiers were seen standing along the decks; some in full equipments,
clutching the bright barrels of their muskets, while others were
buckling on their white belts, or cramming their cartouche-boxes.

Officers, in sash and sword, paced the polished quarter-decks, or talked
earnestly in groups, or watched with eager eyes the motions of the
various ships.

Unusual sounds were heard on all sides. The deep-toned chorus of the
sailor, the creaking of the capstan, and the clanking of the iron cogs;
the "heave-ho!" at the windlass, and the grating of the huge
anchor-chain, as link after link rasped through the rusty ring--sounds
that warned us to make ready for a change.

In the midst of these came the brisk rolling of a drum. It was answered
by another, and another, and still another, until all voices were
drowned by the deafening noise. Then followed the mingling shouts of
command, a rushing over the decks, and streams of blue-clad men poured
down the dark sides, and seated themselves in the surf-boats. These
were filled in a twinkling, and all was silent as before. Every voice
was hushed in expectation, and every eye bent upon the little black
steamer which carried the commander-in-chief.

Suddenly a cloud of smoke rose up from her quarter; a sheet of flame
shot out horizontally; and the report of a heavy gun shook the
atmosphere like an earthquake. Before its echoes had subsided, a
deafening cheer ran simultaneously through the fleet; and the ships, all
together, as if impelled by some hidden and supernatural power, broke
from their moorings, and dashed through the water with the velocity of
the wind. Away to the north-west, in an exciting race; away for the
island of Sacrificios!

On struggled the ships, bending to the breeze and cleaving the crystal
water with their bold bows; on the steamers, beating the blue waves into
a milky way, and dragging the laden boats in their foamy track. On
followed the boats through the hissing an