Bands played national airs, and one man-of-war enveloped in a cloud of white smoke was engaged in target-practice with her secondary battery.

Every Government vessel in the harbor had on war paint of invisible lead color, not pretty, but most business-like in appearance.

All were also in fighting-trim, with topmasts lowered and every superfluity removed from their decks.

The whole scene was of exciting interest, and Ridge gazed eagerly upon it as Ensign Comly pointed out its various features, with explanatory remarks.
There were several reasons why the _Speedy_ should stop at Key West.
One was that she might receive mail and despatches for the blockading fleet.

Another was to procure a bale of hay and some corn for Senorita, since, in their hurried departure from Tampa, these had been forgotten, and thus far she had been fed on sea-biscuit.