es down here, fellows.
They are capable, good writers, and there is not a branch of the whole
outfit that has been more faithful to duty. They were sent here to get
the news, and they get it every time. There has never been a war more
ably reported than this, and, although the correspondents have to hustle
day and night, they still find time to keep us informed, and to give us
an occasional paper from home. They are good fellows all."

"Amen!" said "Hay."

After a time, the press boat sheered off, and we continued on our
course. Later in the morning another steamer was sighted. The "Yankee"
was sent after her at full speed. The chase crowded on all steam, but
she was soon overhauled, and found to be a Norwegian trader. After a
satisfactory explanation she was permitted to go. Three hours later the
"Yankee" dropped anchor off Mole St. Nicholas, a Haytian seaport
brought into some prominence through the location of a cable station.

Mole St. Nicholas is a little collection of tropical-looking houses set
among palm trees at the foot of a large hill, which in places aspires to
the dignity of a mountain. The town itself is rather picturesquely
situated, the foliage-covered background and beautiful inlet of pure
clear water giving it a natural setting very attractive to our eyes.

After we had been anchored an hour or so, a bumboat came out, manned by
a crew of two coal-black negroes who spoke a French patois, intermingled
with comical English. The boat itself was a queer, stubby craft
propelled by home-made oars. Before the morning was well advanced the
ship was surrounded by boats carrying shells, limes, prickly pears,
green cocoanuts, bananas, fish, and "water monkeys." The latter were
jugs made of a porous clay, and they were eagerly purchased. The "water
monkey" is a natural cooler, and when placed in a draught of air will
keep water at a temperature delightful in a warm latitude.

We parted with our mysterious passenger, the army officer, and weighed
anchor just as the sun was setting. Lookouts were posted early, and
special instruction given by the captain to maintain a vigilant watch.
The fact that we were in the very theatre of war, and that several
Spanish cruisers, including the Spanish torpedo boat "Terror," were
reported as being in the vicinity, kept a number of us on deck.

"It is one thing lying off a port with a lot of other ships and
bombarding a few measly earthworks, and another to be sneaking about i