their leggings and to wear shoes to
midday quarters. And when we were arranged into companies, and had
haversacks, canteens, and knapsacks doled out to us, we concluded that a
landing party would be made up for Porto Rico.

"The 'old man' is going to show the 'Spinache' that the 'Yankee' boys
can fight on land as well as on sea," said Tommy, as he yanked at an
obstinate haversack strap.

We marched round and round the spar deck to the music of bugle and drum
till we got well into the swing of it, and felt very martial and
formidable indeed.

The "Dixie" hove in sight at this juncture, and after a long megaphone
conversation, we learned that the "Massachusetts," for which we had some
ammunition, was on her way to Guantanamo, so we reluctantly turned
around and retraced our way, the "Dixie" leading. Porto Rico was not for
us. Alas!

We felt like

"The King of France and his hundred thousand men
Drew their swords and put them up again."

The next morning we hove-to a Norwegian steamer, the "Marie," and before
we realized what was being done, we found that we had a prize at last. A
snug little steamer she was, well loaded down with coal for Cervera's
fleet.

"Cutlets" went over in a whaleboat, with a prize crew of six men.

"Well, well! this is almost too good to be true," said an after guard.
"This _is_ great luck. We capture a prize and get rid of 'Cutlets' at
the same time."

To which we all said, Amen.

We separated from the "Marie," and, as the "Yankee" was much the faster,
she was soon lost to sight.

The anchor had no sooner been dropped in Guantanamo Bay than our captain
went over to the "New York," and then signals began to be displayed, and
soon after all hands were hauling on the "cat falls."

The skipper returned; the gig was pulled up to its place, and very soon
we were ploughing the water in the open. As we went out, our prize came
in.

It seems the encounter with the "Burton" was told to the admiral, and he
at once ordered us to go out and get her.

We headed straight out. The black smoke poured out of the funnels; the
ship shook with the pounding of the strained engines. The land faded
from view.

About two o'clock we sighted the object of our chase, and it only
required a blank shot from the forward six-pounder to bring her to.

The prize crew, consisting of six seamen, some firemen and engineers,
and officered by Lieutenant Duncan, went over and took possession of
our secon