EVENING COLORS.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 4, 17 January 1905, Page 2

EVENING COLORS.

Tbe Beautiful Ceremony of Hauling Down the Ensign of the Navy. A few minutes before sundown a bugle-call sounded from the Hag-ship, and the call was immediately repeatec by the buglers of the other ships of the i squadron, writes W. J. Henderson in St. Nicholas. "What is that?" I asked. "That's- 'Stand by the odors,' " saic one of the officers. Two sailors came aft, cast off the ensign halyards, and stood by with theii eyes on the flag-ship. In a few moments we heard bugles sounding again for you must know that on board shiy many of the commands are convoyed by a few musical notes upon the bugle. A marine came aft and, saluting, said: "Haul down, sir?" "All right," said tho officer of the deck. ''Stand off." At that order the bugler of the Yantic blew the lovely call: "Evening Colors." The moment he sounded the first! note, the officers rose from their chairs, faced the colors, took off their caps, and stood silent,' in respectful attitudes, while the two seamen slowly hauled down the colors, bringing them in over the rail as the call came to an end. When the colors reached the deck and were gathered in by the seamen, and the last note of the bugle died away, the officers put pn their caps, resumed their seats, and went on with their conversation. i Removing the cap in honor of the - colors is the common form of salute in : the navy. When an officer comes iip from below he always lifts his cap in the direction of the quarter-deck; and all boys should remember, when visiting a man-of-war, that the proper thing to do when you go on board is to turn toward the stern of the ship, where the j ensign always flies at the taffra.il staff, j and raise the hat. If the officer of the deck sees you, he will return the salute: but. whether anyone is on the quarter- ' deck 'or not, always raise your hat when von go aboard The salute- is to the ) Gag. not to any person, and surely! Vvery American boy ought to be proud; to lift his hat to the flag of his oountry.

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