her, puts into a neutral port for coal or provisions, it
is only allowed to buy enough to last it to its nearest home port. It
is not allowed to remain in a neutral port more than twenty-four
hours, either.

The purpose of a blockade is to cut off supplies and stop all
communication with the enemy by sea. When this is done, merchant
vessels of all nations are therefore forbidden to pass or even to
approach the line, and the penalty for disobedience is the
confiscation of both ship and cargo, whether the latter is contraband
or not. If a ship does not stop when hailed, she may be fired upon,
and if she is sunk while endeavoring to escape, it is her own fault.
Blockade running is perilous business, and is usually attempted under
cover of night, or in stormy weather, and it is as full of excitement
and adventure as war itself. The motive is usually either to take
advantage of famine prices, or to aid the enemy by bringing supplies
or carrying despatches. Neutral ships are entitled to some sort of
warning that a blockade exists, and in the case of Cuba, the United
States notified neutral Governments, announcing the fact, and stating
exactly the extent of coast covered.

Before we were at war with Spain, the Government restrained and
punished those who organized expeditions to help the Cubans. We were
obliged to do this because we were a neutral nation. But after our war
with Spain began, we sent all kinds of war material to the Cubans, so
as to help them to fight Spain. I will tell you about one of these
expeditions.

About the middle of May, the steamer Florida sailed from a port in the
State for which she was named, with supplies for the Cuban army. In
addition to a great quantity of provisions, clothing, shoes and
medicines, she carried several thousand rifles and an immense amount
of ammunition. Down in the hold were a hundred horses and mules, and
among the passengers were several hundred recruits for the Cuban army.

The Florida reached the Cuban coast in safety, and was met at the
appointed place by more than a thousand Cubans. It required three days
and one night to unload the cargo. Small boats conveyed the stores to
the eager hands that hurried them inland. The mules and horses swam
ashore. Women and children flocked to the scene, bringing fruit and
vegetables to exchange for coffee and meat--the first they had tasted
for a long time.

[Illustration: Searching for Contraband.]

When the cargo was all ashor