and silent as before. It can never be known whether the explosion was intentional or not, but I have no doubt Somers deliberately blew up the vessel when he found it was a choice between that and being taken prisoner. Not a single one of the thirteen heroes lived to tell the story."

BRAVE ACT OF LIEUTENANT CUSHING.

That American ingenuity, no more than American bravery, is confined to no section, was abundantly demonstrated during the Civil War. While the North built monitors, the South was equally inventive in the construction of mighty floating fortresses, the most famous of which was the ram "Albemarle," that wrought a terrific slaughter among our shipping, defiant and victorious, until her career was arrested by the heroic exploit of Lieutenant William B. Cushing of the U. S. N., which made his name as imperishable as that of Hobson, Decatur and Somers.

The "Albemarle " was built under the greatest possible difficulties, such as proved the extraordinary resourcefulness and skill of her designers. Work of construction was done at Edward's Ferry, a point on the Roanoke a few miles above Plymouth, North Carolina, where there was small likelihood of interruption from the Union forces, but the place was likewise almost inaccessible for heavy material. The armor used was railroad iron, to secure which a hundred miles of country had to be scoured, the material having to be hauled by ox and mule teams over almost virgin territory, while the building plant was a common blacksmith shop. Notwithstanding these unexampled difficulties, the "Albemarle," when completed and armed with two 100-pounder Armstrong guns, was the most formidable war vessel afloat at the time. The Union forces knew that she was under construction, and to prevent her egress obstructions were placed across the river, but the very high water of April 19, 1863, enabled her to pass these successfully, at midnight. Her entrance into the sound was immediately discovered by the gunboats "Mattabesett, "Sassacus," "Wyalusing," "Southfield," "Miami," and three smaller boats which composed our fleet, the commanders of which, not being fully informed as to the character of their adversary, boldly attacked her. The "Albemarle" was so heavy as to be unwieldy and her engines were of small power, but she was handled with such skill that she succeeded in ramming the "Southfield" with a force that drove her iron prow into the vitals of the gunboat, but the blow came near destroying both vessels, for the "Albemarle " was unable to detach herself from the sinking "Southfield," and as the latter settled the bow of the "Albemarle" was drawn down with her victim. When the

A Death Wound to the "Southfield."'

water began rushing in at the bow porthole, the "Albemarle" was released by the "Southfield" turning over, whereupon the "Albemarle " righted without damage and engaged the "Miami," which was firing upon the ram at such close quarters that a shell rebounding from her iron sides burst and killed Lieutenant Flusser of the "Miami," and a dozen of his men. The "Albemarle" was excellent as a fortress, but nearly a failure as a vessel because of the insufficiency of her power, and having only two guns, at the bow and stern, her battery could not be used rapidly, which defect enabled the "Miami" and the other vessels to make their escape down the river. The "Albemarle " made no attempt to pursue the Union gunboats but turned to attack Plymouth, which she forced to surrender on the twentieth.

Plan to Destroy the "Albemarle."

The formidable character of the "Albemarle" and her manifest purpose and opportunity for inflicting great damage to the Union gunboats cooperating with Grant in the campaign for the reduction of Richmond, filled the Federal government with the greatest alarm. At this grave juncture, Lieutenant Cushing, who lacked one month of being twenty-two years of age, volunteered to undertake the destruction of the mighty leviathan of the Confederacy, which had come to be regarded in the north as an invulnerable minotaur demanding a sacrifice of the Union coast fleets. Anticipating an effort to capture or destroy the "Albemarle " while she lay at Plymouth, her officers sought to guard against torpedo attack by protecting her sides by placing a boom of cyprus logs, bound together with heavy chains, around her hull for a distance of thirty feet, while one of her guns was turned down the river to command the approach which an enemy must make from that direction. These precautions were known to the brave Cushing, who resolved upon a plan to effect his purpose despite them. Accordingly, on the night of October 26, he embarked in a small picket boat and began an ascent of Albemarle sound, destined for Plymouth, which is at the mouth of the Roanoke. He had proceeded only a short distance when his little vessel ran aground and action had to be deferred until the following night, which for his good fortune was very dark and stormy. Proceeding again at midnight of the twenty-seventh, Cushing halted a mile below Plymouth, where he reconnoitered until, finding that conditions favored his adventure, he boldly pushed on by the wreck of the "Southfield" and into the river mouth, until the barking of a dog betrayed his approach. This seemed to give the alarm to the Confederates, who for some reason had relaxed their vigilance and allowed the picket fires to smoulder under the drizzling rain. In a moment, however, the watch was fully aroused and the little launch was challenged, to which no reply being made a general alarm was sounded, and Cushing saw

Under the Ram's Hull.

that his attempt to surprise the "Albemarle's" crew had miscarried. Not to be deterred from his desperate purpose, he set fear at defiance and pushed his little boat ahead until his progress was arrested by the logs that surrounded the vessel. A volley of musketry from the ram riddled the launch but did not arrest its progress. A torpedo was A Torpedo Exploded attached to a long spar that was run out from the bow of the launch, and by parting the logs the boat was brought within a dozen feet of the "Albemarle's" sides, permitting Cushing to drop the torpedo, which was then brought against the hull of the now fated vessel, where it was promptly fired and with such effect that the bottom of the "Albemarle" was torn for a distance of fifty feet, and she settled quickly. Of the fourteen volunteers who accompanied Cushing, ten surrendered to the Confederates as the launch was fast on the logs, but the heroic commander, and John Woodman, acting master's mate, threw off their clothes and jumped into the water. They were fired upon by many of the shore guards, but were favored by the darkness and swam down the steam for a distance of half a mile without being once hit, though the bullets struck all around them. Woodman, less expert than Cushing, was unable, however, to gain the shore, and sank beneath the murky water, but Cushing succeeded in gaining the bank and hid himself in a swamp until morning, when he found refuge in a negro's hut and later put off in a skiff to the Union fleet in the sound, where he was joyfully received.

For his heroic act Cushing received a vote of thanks from Congress and was promoted to be lieutenant-commander, but shortly after the close of the war he was seized of a brain malady that destroyed his mind, which soon led to his death.

STRANGE CUSTOMS OF OUR WEST INDIES NEIGHBORS.

S

BY AN AMERICAN PORTO RICAN.

INCE the achievement of Cuban Independence, through United States intervention, and the acquisition of Porto Rico as a war indemnity, the habits, beliefs and singular customs of these island people have become subjects of large interest to Americans. Though lying so near our coast as to give evidence of having at one time been a part of the North American continent, these islands are distinct in their climatic conditions and natural productions, as their inhabitants are alien, in manner, to the civilization of our country. Speaking another tongue than ours, the West Indian is characteristically foreign in everything that appertains to our customs, social, domestic and political, and years of intimate intercourse will be required to accomplish their assimilation with the American people. A few of their remarkable habits here given will suffice to justify this conclusion: Coffins are rented by the day in Cuba and Porto Rico. When a member of a family dies, one of the relatives or a friend goes to a "Casa de Funebras," or public undertaker, and enters into negotiations for a coffin. He does not buy it, but stipulates for the temporary use. The age and height of the late lamented are given, particulars arranged for certain trimmings, and as many mutes as the family purse will permit are engaged.

The price charged ranges from five dollars to twenty, according to the size of the coffin, the decorations and the number of mourning mutes. Burials must take place within twenty-four hours of death under penalty of a heavy fine. Horses. are seldom used, save by the wealthy. When the time set for the funeral arrives, a short service, which the immediate family does not attend, is held; then the coffin is lifted upon the shoulders of four mutes, who are generally clad in white trousers, long black coats, ancient silk hats and high collars. Huge bouquets of artificial flowers are worn in the buttonhole, but in many cases the coffin-bearers are barefooted.

At a word given by the master of ceremonies, also furnished by the undertaker, the procession starts for the cemetery, which may be three or four miles distant. The spectacle furnished by four grotesque negroes swaying and lurching through the uneven streets under the burden of a broad, shallow, black-draped coffin, and the thin line of native friends and mourners following in the rear, all puffing away at cigarettes or chattering gayly over some mot of the day, is remarkable. Haste seems to be the main

object. At times the procession moves at a trot, never at less speed than a rapid walk. Spectators uncover as the coffin passes, and some make the sign of the cross. The followers lessen as the cemetery is neared, and when the grave is reached there are seldom more than three or four besides the paid mourners. The grave is deep, and at the bottom is a thin layer of quicklime. The body, robed in tawdry finery, is taken from the coffin and literally dumped in. More lime is used, then the mutes return to their employer with the coffin.

Every Cuban and Porto Rican cemetery is surrounded by immensely thick walls containing rows of niches. These niches are sold to the wealthy for five years, the price ranging from forty to two hundred dollars, according to the situation. When a body is placed inside a niche the opening is bricked up and plastered. Then the services of a cemetery "artist" are secured, and a suitable inscription painted upon the white plastered end. At the conclusion of five years the niche must be paid for again, or the remains will be removed to the common burying corner.

Beggars Ride on
Horseback.

Beggars

Visitors to our new possessions will find a multitude of other queer trades. In fact, almost every trade or profession is conducted differently from the methods pursued in the United States. ride on horseback and block your way upon a crossing to importune you for a peseta. One day recently, while riding in Santiago de Cuba, I noticed a wee native boy following me upon a sorry-looking burro. As I passed the Plaza de Armas another boy similarly mounted fell in behind. Near the cathedral still another joined the procession. As I spurred up I heard a clattering in the rear and noticed that my escort was plying whips in an effort to keep up. Reining in near the Administration Building, I asked them what they wanted.

"To hold your horse, senor," they replied in chorus.

They would have followed me ten miles for the sake of earning a fivecent piece.

Carried a Piano on Their Heads.

One of the officers on General Guy V. Henry's staff in San Juan, Porto Rico, rented a house in the pretty little capital, and sent for his family. A brother officer, ordered home, sold him his furniture, and the moving was placed in the hands of a native hanger-on about the palace. The following morning the staff officer went to his new abode to receive the furniture. It arrived as he reached the house. Coming down the narrow street he saw a strange procession consisting of twelve or more men. The first six were carrying a piano perched upon their heads, and each of the others "toted" a chair or a washstand. A moment later another procession came in sight. There were two heavy