facetiously remarked the officer in charge.

"Humph! as if I meant to do it," grunted Potter, wringing the East River
from his duck shirt.

We caught our first view of the "Yankee" as we steamed past the cob dock
at the yard. We were favorably impressed at once. She is a fine-looking
ship, large, roomy, and comfortable, with lines which show that she is
built for speed. As her record is twenty knots an hour, the latter
promise is carried out. The "Yankee" was formerly the "El Norte," one of
the Morgan Line's crack ships, and, when it was found necessary to
increase the navy, she was purchased, together with other vessels of the
same company, and ordered converted into an auxiliary cruiser. Gun
mounts were placed in the cargo ports, beams strengthened, magazines
inserted, and interior arrangements made to accommodate a large crew.
The "Yankee's" tonnage is 4,695 tons; length, 408 feet; beam, 48 feet.
The battery carried consists of ten five-inch quick-firing
breechloaders, six six-pounders, and two Colt automatic guns. After
events proved conclusively the efficiency of the "Yankee's" armament.

The detail was taken alongside the "Yankee" by the tug. We had our first
meeting with our new captain, Commander W.H. Brownson, of the regular
navy. His appearance and his kindly greeting bore out the reputation he
holds in the service as a gentleman and a capable officer. It is well to
say right here that Commander Brownson, although a strict
disciplinarian, was ever fair and just in his treatment of the crew. Our
pedigrees were taken for the enlistment papers, and the questions asked
us in regard to our ages, occupations, etc., proved that the Government
requires the family history of its fighters. The following day each man
was subjected to a rigid physical examination. The latter ceremony is so