COLONEL STEINBERGER AND THE BARRACOUTA'S BLUE JACKETS.

Evening Star, Issue 4120, 11 May 1876, Page 3

COLONEL STEINBERGER AND THE BARRACOUTA'S BLUE JACKETS.

Colonel Steinberger appears to be amazingly popular with the blue jackets of the Barracouta. The ' New Zealand Herald' of the 2nd instant says: —On Saturday morning, as Colonel Steinberger, whose actions at Samoa have been before the public lately, was walking down Queen street, having arrived here on the previous evening from Fiji by the mail steamer, he was espied by about forty or fifty blue jackets, on general leave from H.M.S. Barracouta. "Here's Colonel Steinberger!" says one, and immediately the whole of the tars started in pursuit, and brought the Colonel up with a round turn. "How are you, Mr Steinberger ?" they all shouted, and forty or fifty hands were held out to the bewildered American to shake. " Well, you must drink to our health," a few chimed in, and the Colonel was dragged along back until the Cosmopolitan Hotel was reached, into which they good-humoredly forced their charge, for Colonel Steinberger was without doubt again in custody. _ Drinks were called for, and the late Premier of Samoa was toasted with three times three. " But why should you treat me thus?" asked the colonel. "Because, Mr Steinberger," answered a strapping young tar, "You never did us any harm. We always found you a gentleman." "But it is not through me that some of you men are now lying wounded, and some of your number killed?" "Not a bit of it," they all shouted, " That little brush we had down at Samoa was no fault of yours. If you'd anything to settle with them Samoans, darned if we wouldn't fight for you." ' 'Well, men," answered the Colonel warmly, "If I had a dozen such brave lads as you about me, I should'nt have been treated as I have." "My word, youwould'nt,"was the chorus, and three more cheers were given for the Colonel. After some further expressions of undying friendship towards the Colonel, a chair was obtained, and he was carried thereon shoulder-high to the Waitemata Hotel, amidst vociferous cheers.