over the country; but instead of a steady, even floor,
upon which it would be quite easy to stand tiptoe, on one foot, or
crouched with bended knees, it was quite a different matter to do these
"stunts" on the constantly rolling deck.

At the order, "Knee stoop, one," we bent our knees till we sat on our
heels. "Heads up, hands on the hips, there!" said Mr. Greene of our
division, as some one obeyed an almost irresistible impulse to keep his
balance by putting out his hand. The man obeyed, but at that instant the
ship gave a lurch, and the poor chap fell over on his head and almost
rolled down the berth-deck hatch.

The laugh that followed was promptly suppressed, and though the exercise
was not carried out with a great deal of grace or ease, Mr. Greene
seemed to be satisfied with the first attempt.

We steamed along all the afternoon past the coast of Cuba and within
plain sight of the beautiful, surf-rimmed beach. We looked for signs of
the enemy, but not a living thing could be seen. Not a sign of human
habitation; not an indication that any human being had ever set foot on
this desolate land. So beautiful, so grand, so lonely was it that we
longed to go ashore and shout, just to set a few echoes reverberating in
the hills.

Toward night, we turned seaward, and the land was lost to view; at the
same time the "Yosemite," manned by the Michigan Naval Reserves, who
had accompanied us thus far, dropped out of sight in the haze. She was
bound for Jamaica.

A ship painted the "war color" now in vogue in the United States navy,
will disappear as if by magic when dusk comes on. The lead color makes
any object covered with it invisible in half light or a haze.

There had been much speculation during the day and evening as to our
probable destination, but we remained in ignorance until the next
morning, when it became known that our orders were to call at the port
of Cienfuegos, a prominent city of southern Cuba, some three hundred and
thirty miles from Santiago.

It was reported that the object of our visit was to intercept and
capture a blockade runner said to be aiming for that port. The news
received an enthusiastic welcome fore and aft. The billet of "fleet
messenger" was becoming tiresome.

The land had been sighted at two bells (nine o'clock), and all hands
were looking for Cienfuegos, but it was past one before the mouth of the
harbor was gained. The "Yankee's" crew were at regular quarters at the
time, but