"Go to New York with eighty bags of mail for the Santiago fleet! I can see us doing it." [Illustration: "THE SPAR DECK WAS COVERED WITH RED SHELLAC"] [Illustration: "THE MARINES AIRED THEIR HAMMOCKS ON THE FORECASTLE DECK"] "Taps" sounded at nine o'clock, and we were glad enough to turn in.
When all hands were called, I rubbed my eyes in astonishment, for as I glanced out of the deadlight near which my hammock swung, I saw that we were under way and well out to sea.

I put on my togs in a hurry, and after lashing and stowing my "dream bag," rushed on deck.
Yes, sure enough, we were at sea.
"Stump" came and grabbed me round the waist--he could hardly reach higher.

"We're bound for New York," said he.

"We met the 'St.Paul' going in and the signal boys say we signalled, 'We have urgent orders to proceed to New York.' What do you think of that ?" he added, breathlessly.
"With eighty bags of mail for the Santiago fleet," said I, thinking of the poor fellows who were longing with all their hearts for those same bags.
"Regular navy style," added "Stump." Though it was hard on our friends off Santiago we could not be cast down, and the near prospect of liberty--of an opportunity to see home and friends, of again setting foot on shore--transformed the entire crew.
Everywhere could be seen smiling faces.

Laughter and merry chatter filled the air, and the rollicking songs written by "Steve" and others were more in evidence than ever.