Originally published in Short Stories 1899 The big battleship was rolling majestically to and fro several miles off the coast when the fiery sun appeared above the horizon and bathed in golden hues the stunted palms and deserted shores of Cuba. The bluejackets had been turned to earlier than usual, and the work of the morning watch was already completed. On the forecastle the idlers and marines were performing their morning ablutions, while the jackies who had been washing down decks and cleaning ship were gathered in picturesque groups forward of the big turrets, excitedly discussing the news which had been brought forward by some of the wardroom boys.