but only here and there could be distinguished the little black dots
representing the soldiers on guard. The earthworks and smaller forts
were equally idle.

"We won't get anything out of them to-day," remarked "Stump" decisively.
"It must be one of their eternal feast days when they won't even fight."

"There goes a signal on the flagship," exclaimed the first loader,
pointing out the port. "I'll bet a dollar it's--"

"The signal to pull out again," groaned "Stump." "Didn't I say so?"

"The admiral intends to postpone the bombardment for some reason," I
ventured. "Perhaps it's too late in the day."

Whatever the cause, it was now plain that we would not engage the forts.
In obedience to the signals on the "New York," which were repeated by
the "Brooklyn," the whole fleet returned to the former station several
miles from shore. The word to "secure" was passed and presently the
"Yankee" had resumed its former condition of armed watchfulness.

That evening after supper there was a gathering of the choice spirits of
the crew in the vicinity of the after wheel-house. "Dye," the chief
member of the "Yankee's" choir, started one of "Steve's" little songs,
which, although rendered very quietly in deference to the rules observed
on blockade, was greatly enjoyed. The air was "Tommy Atkins," and the
words ran as follows:

"They made us sign our papers for a year,
And dressed us in a natty sailor's suit;