g search-lights pierce the
blackness in every direction with their shafts of dazzling white. Under
the shallow of the land, with every light extinguished, the
torpedo-boats, painted a color which blends with that of the sea, steal
noiselessly toward the fleet. Suddenly they separate, and with lightning
speed dash forward. See! a brilliant light falls on one. She is caught,
and the firing of rifles and Gatling-guns from the tops shows that she
is hotly received. The other two escape detection, and make their
presence known inside the circle. Red and while lights flash signals
along the main rigging of the _New York_. The day's work is over, and
erelong tired blue-jackets hear the bugles blow the welcome notes of the
tattoo.

[Illustration: A LANDING PARTY.]

The next morning the flag-ship hoists the signal for a landing-party.
Boats are lowered away, and Jack Tar prepares to go ashore as a
seaman-infantryman. With his brown canvas leggings, his brown belt and
knapsack, his formidable rifle and bayonet, the sailor makes a
serviceable coast soldier. At a signal from the flag-ship the boats are
hauled to the companion-ladders, and the men pour into them. Rifles are
laid down, and oars are taken up, for Jacky rows himself ashore. Another
signal, and the boats, shooting out from the sides of the ships, fall
into their allotted places. Again a signal, and they start for the
shore, the oars in the rowlocks beating time to a sort of sea-march. As
the boats strike the beach the bugle sounds the "assembly," and in a few
minutes the battalion of marines and seamen-infantry is formed. The band
from the flag-ship strikes up "Nancy Lee," and with that invigorating
swing that belongs to Jack Tar alone the battalion marches inland, where
it goes through all the evolutions of the street riot and battle drills,
and finishes with a dress parade to the delight of all the boys in that
part of the land.

And thus from day to day the work of the squadron runs on, the Admiral
constantly propounding new topics for its study; for no one knows better
than a naval officer the necessity of being ready for active service at
a moment's notice. That readiness can be attained only by obeying the
good old maxim: "In time of peace prepare for war."

[Illustration]

BUTTERFLY BOWS.

BY MILDRED HOWELLS.

Once a little girl existed
Who was fond of pomps and shows,
And upon her braids insisted
Tying two great scarlet bows.