where and do us up. we all expect
they will if they can, But the pruf of the Puding is the eating of it
and we will have something to say about that. And after telling us
about the fleet that was going to whip the socks off us he made a
little speach to us; he said of corse it was his duty to the Goverment
to get the ship around on the other side and stear clear of the fleet
if posable. But in case he did meet the fleet he was sure Spain's
fighting efficiency on the sea would be demineshed. So we all gave him
three rousen Cheers and the old man Blushed, but he is a dandy Just the
same.

_May_ 8. got to Bahia, Bra. at 8.30 P.M. after making a good run and
having Targate practis with full charges of Powder, don some fine
shooting with the Big Guns. I dont think it will be a bit too healthy
for the Spanish to bump up against us, for we have a good eye. We put
in hear as an excuse to put on War paint saying our engines wer Brok
down and at the same time to get more coal if we can.

_May_ 9. Put on War paint to day and we are out for it now. we have the
ship cleared for action now for keeps. got some coal and fresh water,
filed up with every thing we wanted. at 8 P.M. the old man got telagram
and at 10 P.M. we wer on our corse for the West Indias.

_May_ 10. going along smooth and nothing doing.

_May_ 11. still expect to meet that fleet and if we do meet them there
is going to be a "Hot time in the old town to night."

_May_ 12. Every thing the same, some of us think we past through the
fleet last night, there wer several lights all around and acted Mighty
quer.

_May_ 13. Nothing doing and will wate untill we get in Port.

_May_ 18. got into Barbadoes at 4 A.M. this morning and found lots of
war talk going on; we are puting on coal Just now, expect to go out of
hear to morrow morning erly. 8 P.M. up anchor once more after geting
250 tons of coal on and ready for buisness. Guess the Spanish dont want
any of this craft, it seems we will get there without firering a shot.

_May_ 24. arived at Jupiter light house after making a flank movement
to the northard and not a ship to be seen.

_May_ 25. up anchor once more for Key West, got there on the 26th; of
corse the Capt dident know how things stud so he had to go slow. About
4.30 A.M. the man on the life Bouy gave the alarm, saying there was a
small dark objict coming this way; the Officer of the Deck roused up
the Capt and the next thing we knew Gen Quarters sounded