CHAPTER XVII.
IN GOD'S COUNTRY.
The "Yankee's" stay in Key West was marked by one of the most melancholy incidents of the cruise.

Thomas Clinton LeValley, one of the first of the New York Naval Reserves to respond to the call for volunteers, died from appendicitis in the hospital ashore, to which he had been removed for treatment.

"Tom," as he was familiarly called by his shipmates, was on board the "Yankee" during the five engagements of that vessel, and proved himself loyal and steadfast on every occasion.

He was well liked by the officers and men of the crew, and his death was deeply regretted by all.

It was his fate to be the one member of the New York Naval Reserves to lose his life in the service of his country.
When a big barge heaped high with coal came alongside and was made fast, we began to doubt the assurances given us, that the coal would be put in by outside labor.