Life — October 10, 1907 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

os ie oie The Boy President Or Rollo in the White House VI The Flag-Ship. R. GEORGE retired to the seclusion which the cabin of a flag-ship grants as soon as he could after getting on board, and Rollo made his excuses to the Admiral. utes,” said Roll get a dose of banging wherever he goes.” “Tr is so easy to salute nowad the Admiral, “that I often wish that they would double the number of salutes for all high officials.” “Tt does make one feel merry,” continued Rollo, “to hear It reminds me of the two greatest joy: Did you ever kill a Rocky the report of guns. of life, the Chase and War. Mountain lion, Admiral?” “No; [haven’t,” said the Admiral “Very well,” said Rollo, “order the fleet under way and in e of our trip I shall have time to tell you all about ig Rocky Mountain lions.” “Very well,” said the Admiral, “but if the fleet is to go under it must have a destination.” “It is to sail under sealed orders,” said Rollo. “It has always appealed to me, the idea of sailing under scaled orders. The Admiral gave the necessary command, and very soon many flags of all colors were hoisted on the flag-ship. Each flag denoted a letter and each combination of letters had its meaning in a code-book. At once all the other ships hoisted answering pennants, and pretty soon the whole fiect following the flag-ship out of the bay, down the Sound Rollo, the Admiral and the Captain stood upon the bridge and the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.” “You may open these orders off Sandy Hook,” said Rollo, as he handed a sealed envelope to the Admiral. It blowing half a gale from the southeast and the flag-ship rolled heavily. “Your sea legs are remarkably good,” said the Admiral to Rollo. “Ah, but look at the Secretary of State,” said Rollo, pointing to Mr. George, who had just then appeared upon the deck “What does this mean?” asked Mr. George, as he tottered across the deck, grasping nervously at every projection which offered him a support. “Tt means that we are sailing under sealed orders,” Rollo. “Where are we sailing to?” asked the Secretary of State. “You will know when the seal is broken,” said the President “But I do not wish to go on a long voyage,” said Mr. George. “I have very important business to attend to at home, not to mention that I am feeling far from well this morning, and, besides, I am not prepared to undertake a journey.” “Oh, we can find all the clothes and toilet articles we will need on board this ship,” said Rollo, “and we can com- ” said “The Secretary of State is unused to “As he is also Secretary of the Treasury, he does s with our rapid-fire guns,” said “You may open these orders off Sandy Hook” municate with the shore by wireless telegraphy any little last message which you desire to leave.” “But,” interposed Mr. George, “there is a precedent against the Chief Magistrate of the United States leaving the territory of his country during the term of office.” “I do not intend to be a prisoner even in a Vatican as large as the United States,” said Rollo, ‘‘and, besides, you, as Secretary of State, should know that this ship is American territory. Be sure to open your orders as soon as you get to Sandy Hook, Admiral.” And so the fleet sailed on until it got to Sandy Hook, when dmiral broke the seal and read the following order: ‘o the Panama Canal zone by way of Santo Domingo, fetching up at Porto Rico.” “You hear the orders, Uncle George,” said the President. “Tam going to drop you at Santo Domingo so that you can inspect our officials who are collecting customs for foreign creditors on that island. It is a good idea to guard the guards. Leaving you there, I shall dash on to Colon to inspect the Panama Canal. I shall have a busy cruise. After T have inspected the Canal, I shall sail to Santo Domingo for you and we shall proceed to Porto Rico together. Meanwhile, Admiral, signal all of the fleet but two battleships to return to New York. Then, ho! for the Spanish Main.” The Admiral turned to give the necessary orders to the fleet, and the Captain and Rollo descended to the deck to join Mr. George, whom they found in great misery. It is well known that the roughness of the waves and the uneasy motion of the ship often make travelers feel very comicbooks.com