ghts was the consciousness that we carried several hundred tons of
deadly explosive that might shift any moment or be ignited by a spark
from a lamp and explode.

The sandbags stored about the steering gear broke loose and were heaped
in picturesque confusion. The scene aft was indescribable. A quantity of
debris of varying nature slid across the smooth surface of the gun deck
with a rush at every roll, making navigation a difficult, if not
perilous, task. Later, to add to the tumult, one man's hammock was cut
down by a falling mess table, but he escaped serious injury.

It was not until the following morning that the seas subsided, but the
day proved pleasant, and the mishaps of the preceding afternoon were
forgotten in the excitement of reaching Norfolk, which port was reached
by the "Yankee" shortly before dark. Later in the evening the ship was
taken to the navy yard.

"Which means that we are going to hustle more ammunition," observed
Tommy, as we made fast to a dock.

"And more stores," added "Dye."

"And coal," chimed in "Stump," with a grimace. "I am glad of it, too."

"Glad of it?" echoed "Dye," in surprise. "That's queer."

"Not at all, dear boy," was the second loader's calm reply. "D'ye see, I
am in training for the billet of chief deck hand on a tramp canal boat,
and this experience is just in my line."

Four days later the mooring hawsers were cast off and the "Yankee"
steamed out between the capes en route to Santiago. From the hour we
left Norfolk until the sighting of the Cuban coast, our time was taken
up with drills of every description. The following extract from the log
for July 18th, will suffice for an example:

"Cleared ship for action at three bells along with general quarters.
General quarters again half an hour after turn to at noon. Fire drill
and abandon ship at three bells in the afternoon. General quarters
again at two bells (9 p.m.)."

Under date of July 19th, one of the crew states in his private diary:
"Clear ship for action again. This is a very pretty drill, and is much
liked by the boys, as it includes sending all the mess gear and
provisions below, where most of them are usually 'pinched.' Clear ship
for action always means an exchange of undesirable mess gear, such as
broken benches, tables, etc. General quarters at 1:30; fired two shots
at an invisible target with smokeless powder. Great success, this new
powder. If we had only been provided with it before, every living