to hail us."

A bell clanged in the engine room, then the throbbing of the machinery
slackened to a slow pulsation. The rudder chains rattled in their
fair-leaders, and presently we were steaming along, with the torpedo
craft a score of yards off our midships.

On the forward deck of the latter stood two officers clad in the uniform
of the commissioned service. One placed a speaking trumpet to his lips
and called out:

"Cruiser ahoy! Is that the 'Yankee'?"

"You have made a good guess," shouted Captain Brownson. "What boat is
that?"

"'Talbot' from Newport. Any news? Sighted you and thought we would speak
you."

Our commander assured them that we were in search of news ourselves. The
"Talbot's" officers saluted and then waved a farewell.

The narrow, low-lying craft spun about in almost her own length, a
series of quick puffs of dense black smoke came from the funnels, and
then the haze swallowed up the whole fabric.

We were left to take our discomfiture with what philosophy we could
muster. When "secure" was sounded we left our guns with a sense of great
danger averted and a feeling of relief.

CHAPTER VI.

WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS.

The little strip of North American coast between Delaware Breakwater and
Block Island is very interesting, and, in places, beautiful. The long
beaches and bare sand dunes have a solemn beauty all their own.

Though the boys on the "Yankee" took in and appreciated the loveliness
of this bit of coast, they were getting rather familiar with it and
somewhat bored. They longed for "pastures new."

Summer had almost begun, but still the fog and rain held sway. The ship
crept through the night like a big gray ghost--dark, swift, and, except
in the densest fogs, silent. Pea-coats were an absolute necessity, and
woolen gloves would have been a great comfort. All this in the blooming,
beautiful month of May!

One bleak morning the starboard watch was on duty. We of the port watch
had turned in at four (or, according to ship's time, eight bells). We
were glad to be between decks, and got under way for the land of Nod
without delay. It seemed as if we had been asleep but a few minutes,
when "Scully," chief boatswain's mate, came down the gun deck gangway,
shouting loud enough to be heard a mile away: "All hands, up all
hammocks;" then, as the disposition to get up was not very evident,
"Show a leg there; ham and eggs for breakfast." This last was a little
pleasantry that never mate