CHAPTER XI
A REPUBLIC IN DISTRESS
Christmas and the New Year"s holidays pa.s.sed by uneventfully, and the _Denver_ still remained at anchor in Guantanamo Bay. Other vessels arrived and departed, but no orders came for the cruiser, much to the disappointment of all hands.
Rumors of trouble at various points often reached their ears, but the crew finally began to lose hope of moving. The Department must have forgotten them! The Secretary of the Navy was going to make her a station ship! The Admiral of the Fleet had it in for the Captain, and wouldn"t let him move! All sorts and kinds of excuses and reasons were forthcoming, but they were as unsatisfactory as they were improbable.
Over six months of outdoor life, swimming, boating, fishing, riding horseback, taking a leading part in athletics, for which his days at Bankley High School and the healthy life in the New England seaport formed a splendid foundation, had developed Richard Comstock into a tall, broad-shouldered, small-waisted, powerful young man, one able to give an excellent account of himself, no matter what the situation. As bow oar of the winning marines" dinghy race-boat crew he had already given evidence of the strength and endurance of his well-knit muscles.
He was nearly as brown as the Cubans who plied their b.u.m-boat[#] trade at the port gangway during meal hours, and with his straight black hair and dark eyes he might easily have disguised himself as one of them.
[#] A sh.o.r.e boat which sells fruit, post-cards, curios, etc., to ships visiting the port.
The months had likewise worked a change in Henry Cabell, but his figure was much slighter and less robust than that of his boon companion. The boys were trying to master the Spanish language, and when ash.o.r.e on visits to Caimanera and Guantanamo City, as frequently they were, it became a practise to carry on all their conversation in that tongue, much to the amus.e.m.e.nt of themselves and particularly the natives with whom they came in contact. However, the practise was good for them, and they were able to converse quite fluently, and to chatter glibly with the Phillipino cooks and mess attendants, of whom a number were attached to the ship.
Usually their evenings were spent ash.o.r.e at the Marine Barracks on Fisherman"s Point, where a nightly programme, consisting of the best moving-picture plays, were shown on the screen or boxing and wrestling matches, in both of which d.i.c.k occasionally took part, helped pa.s.s the hours.
In the meantime Joe Choiniski and "Slugger" Williams, having completed their term of punishment in solitary confinement, were released and restored to duty. The long enforced diet seemingly wrought a change in Williams" att.i.tude towards the world in general; and the ship"s athletic officer, Lieutenant Robling, hearing of the "Slugger"s" reported prowess with the gloves, had interested him anew in boxing, and he had gone into training with a view of winning laurels when the Fleet should finally put in its appearance during the winter maneuvers and target practice.
Choiniski belonged to the "black gang,"[#] and his living s.p.a.ce was far removed from the marines" compartment, consequently the boys rarely came in contact with him, but if black looks could speak for anything it was certain that Joe"s feeling for them was still full of animosity.
[#] A nickname for the Engineer Division on shipboard.
Altogether Captain Bentley"s ship was having a peaceful, rather than a wildly exciting time.
Then like a bolt from the blue came a cable message--received at the little station near the lighthouse.
"Revolution in San Domingo. Proceed immediately to Monte Cristi and report to Senior Officer Present for further a.s.signment on arrival."
Thus ran the order.
It was Sat.u.r.day afternoon, and most of the crew were ash.o.r.e.
Immediately the "Cornet"[#] was hoisted at the foremast, which was a peremptory order for everybody to return on board at once regardless of length of leave. It told those on sh.o.r.e that the ship was under sailing orders and about to get under way.
[#] A signal flag used to recall all boats and liberty parties.
Conjectures were rife in the boats hurriedly returning from all the various places to which they had gone for the afternoon"s outing.
Swimming parties hardly waited to get into their clothes before shoving off for the cruiser; officers playing golf did not stop to look for the b.a.l.l.s they had sent flying along the "fairway" or bouncing into the "rough"; the baseball game in progress halted as a batsman in the act of making a "home run" cut swiftly across the diamond from second base and, grabbing his sweater, made his final spurt for the boat landing.
"Back to the good old U.S.A. for us, boys!"
"Hooray! Broadway and the white lights, fellers!"
"Philly"s good enough for me!" called out one enthusiast from the stern sheets of the loaded sailing launch.
These and many other such remarks filled the air.
"Whoop her up, boys, for ten days" leave in the old home town, no matter where it may be!" yelled one joyful youngster, and all who could lent a willing hand on the heavy oars.
Then came the disappointment!
Within an hour the gangways and boat booms were rigged in, awnings furled, cutters and steamers hoisted aboard, life-boats secured for sea, all the hundred and one things necessary to the departure of a man-of-war attended to.
Last of all the mail was sent ash.o.r.e, for this might be the only opportunity for days,--possibly weeks; who could tell?
Now came the peeping of the boatswains" whistles and raucous voices bellowing throughout the ship.
"All hands, Up anchor!"
Silently the divisions fell in at their proper stations. Slowly the propellers began their revolutions, which would not cease until the arrival at that island of trouble, San Domingo--the Hispaniola of the Spanish Main.
Ash.o.r.e the little garrison of marines lined the beach at Fisherman"s Point. They had heard the news and when the _Denver_ pa.s.sed, clouds of smoke issuing from her funnels, her ensign snapping in the breeze, and her crew drawn up on deck, the envious men ash.o.r.e gave her three rousing cheers to speed the parting guest. On past the lighthouse, out through the narrow entrance of the harbor into the deep indigo waters of the Caribbean, where, once the coral shoals were well astern, the course was changed to due east, and one by one, buildings, bay, and lighthouse were swallowed in the distance and the bluish haze which hovered over the terraced hills and sh.o.r.e of Cuba"s southern slopes.
Captain Bentley, unlike most naval officers of his day, believed in informing his officers of all the reasons underlying his official actions and the movements of the vessel he commanded. The idea which so many officers held,--divulge nothing, keep officers and crew in ignorance of situations, destinations and intentions until the last possible moment, was not in accord with his conception of good management, executive ability and coordination, therefore, unless absolutely forbidden by his instructions, he made it a point to explain fully all orders which would sooner or later affect them, so that they might familiarize themselves with all the ramifications of the probable events.
Following out this policy he summoned the heads of all departments to his cabin after supper, and there being no officer in charge of the marines, he included First Sergeant Dougla.s.s among those present, and furnished them with a short resume of all the messages he had received since the first one ordering him to sea so unexpectedly.
"Gentlemen, for some months the political situation in the Dominican Republic has been hovering on the brink of another revolution, and from these despatches received to-day, armed conflict has at last become a fact. Our government antic.i.p.ated this state of affairs, but owing to various causes we have not sufficient ships in San Domingan waters adequately to guard the interests of American citizens nor protect the customs, which as you are aware, are under the supervision of the United States. The situation is so acute, in the belief of the Department, that already marines are embarking on board the _Dixie_ at Philadelphia, and by morning will be on their way to Monte Cristi, where the greatest activity against the organized government seems centered. It will be five days at best before the marines will reach here. I have been ordered to proceed there also and report to the S.O.P. for a.s.signment.
Barring unforeseen accidents we should arrive at our destination on Monday morning. It is advisable for us under the circ.u.mstances to make ourselves acquainted with such facts as are available regarding the political, economical and geographical features of the unfortunate republic. Our duties may take us to any one of its ports; therefore a study of the charts and a glimpse at the island"s history will be beneficial to all. I believe the day is not far distant when San Domingo will become a territory of ours, or at least a protectorate under us."
"If you have time and inclination, sir, I believe all present would appreciate a short talk along the lines you indicate," said Lieutenant Commander Ogden.
"Very gladly, and I will not waste time on preliminaries," said Captain Bentley. "Of course, you all know Christopher Columbus discovered Santo Domingo on his first voyage, and by his direction his brother Bartholomew founded the first European settlement in the New World on August 4, 1494, naming it New Isabella. From this time to the present the island has been the scene of more continual fighting, and strife, and dissension, than any other portion of the globe of equal size. The Spaniards were the first people to believe in the policy that "a good Indian is a dead one," and they proceeded to make them "good." English, French, and Spanish armies and navies have fought along and on its sh.o.r.es. Revolution has succeeded revolution. The French end of the island was declared a republic in 1801 after an uprising of the blacks under Toussant L"Ouverture, who incidentally was the son of a Royal African King. The French and Spanish long disputed certain portions of the island, and a treaty establishing the boundary was made January 3, 1777, but with the independence of Haiti the whole island came under the rule of the negroes. Soon the Spanish element revolted against the blacks and formed an independent republic, and the old boundary lines were reestablished in 1844. In 1849 President Baez endeavored to lease Samana Bay to the United States, but our President, Mr. Pierce, did not succeed in putting the measure through. The countries of Europe were fearful of our securing a base in the West Indies of such prime importance, and a revolution against Baez, incited so it is claimed by the English, overthrew the government.
"Strife was again rampant, and finally Spain was invited to take over her former colony by the people in 1861.
"This lasted till 1865, when the Spanish yoke was again thrown off and another futile attempt made to interest us in Samana Bay. Hardly a year has pa.s.sed since without dissension and bloodshed. In the interests of our own and foreign citizens, and to carry out the policy of the Monroe Doctrine, the United States has at all times endeavored to settle these sanguinary conflicts, and with some success; but never has a permanent peace resulted.
"About 1905 we agreed to manage their customs for San Domingo, and to a.s.sist them to liquidate many of the enormous financial claims against their government by various foreign and domestic concerns. Germany, ever on the alert to expand her power, was only too anxious to establish herself in the Western Hemisphere, and in order to continue our stated policy of protection against such invasion, some such act on our part was absolutely necessary. Deprived of the rich benefits of custom dues, revolutions did not prove profitable, and a period of comparative quiet ensued. But it seems that a Latin-American people cannot long remain stable, and now they are again on the rampage. European influence is undoubtedly behind it, but I do not feel free to divulge that phase of the matter. I hope I have not bored you."
"Are you able to give us the present situation regarding the contending forces?" asked Lieutenant Robling, the engineer officer.
"Only in a general way. The rebels seem to hold the interior towns and country, and with the exception of Monte Cristi the seaports are all in the hands of the government troops. A great amount of smuggling is being carried on between the rebels and Haitians, and the officials are powerless to prevent it."
"Do you believe we shall land?" inquired the Executive Officer.
"That I cannot say; however, we must be prepared for any emergency."
"I will make all arrangements for the landing force to be ready for instant service. To-morrow is Sunday, but with your permission I will "turn to" in the morning, go over the details, and break out and stow on deck our equipment."
"Go ahead with the work as you see fit, Mr. Ogden, and be sure that the gunner gets his small-arms ammunition ready for issue. Turn over to First Sergeant Dougla.s.s enough rifle and pistol ammunition to equip the guard. The marines may be needed immediately on arrival for service ash.o.r.e. If that is all, gentlemen, I will bid you good-evening."