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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/24911-h.zip b/24911-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c78f5f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/24911-h.zip diff --git a/24911-h/24911-h.htm b/24911-h/24911-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c51c0f --- /dev/null +++ b/24911-h/24911-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5645 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser, by Walter Fenton Mott. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .toc {text-align: center; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%;} + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser, by +Walter Fenton Mott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser + A Brave Fight Against Odds + +Author: Walter Fenton Mott + +Release Date: March 24, 2008 [EBook #24911] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG GLORY AND SPANISH CRUISER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>YOUNG GLORY.</h1> + +<h3>Patriotic War Stories.</h3> + +<p class="center" style="margin-left: 4%; margin-right: 4%;"><i>Issued Semi-Monthly—By Subscription $1.25 per year. Entered as Second +Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, March 26, 1898.</i></p> + +<p class="center" style="margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 8%;"><i>Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1898, in the office of +the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, 29 West +26th Street, New York.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: 1em;" /> + +<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" + style="table-layout: fixed;" summary="masthead"> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: left;"><b>No. 3.</b></td> +<td style="text-align: center;">New York, April 22, 1898.</td> +<td style="text-align: right;"><b>Price 5 Cents.</b></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;" /> + +<h1>Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser;</h1> + +<h2><span style="font-size: 70%;">—OR—</span><br /> +A BRAVE FIGHT AGAINST ODDS.</h2> + +<h2>BY AUTHOR OF YOUNG GLORY.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p class="toc">CHAPTER I.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_I">SHOOTING A PRISONER OF WAR—A COMRADE TO THE +RESCUE.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER II.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_II">FLYING FOR THEIR LIVES—A BOLD EXPEDIENT.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER III.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_III">MORE VISITORS TO THE HUT—DAN DALY ROWS DOWN +THE CREEK.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER IV.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">YOUNG GLORY AND CAPTAIN RUIZ CALDERON—IN THE +CAMP OF THE PATRIOTS.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER V.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_V">AT VALMOSA—YOUNG GLORY DENOUNCED.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER VI.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">FIGHTING IN THE BOATS—DAN DALY ARRIVES.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER VII.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">ARRIVAL AT THE BROOKLYN—DISCOVERING A RAFT.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER VIII.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">YOUNG GLORY ON THE NASHVILLE—AT SAN JUAN DE +PORTO RICO.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER IX.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">THE FIRST SHOT—A HOT FIGHT.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER X.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_X">BOARDING THE CRUISER—THE LAST STAND.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XI.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">YOUNG GLORY TO THE RESCUE—A SURPRISE FOR THE +BROOKLYN.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XII.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">THE SPANISH PLOT—YOUNG GLORY'S DANGER.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XIII.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">FORTUNE FAVORS YOUNG GLORY—CAPTURE OF THE +MAGAZINE.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XIV.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">JUAN AND LIEUT. TYLER—WHAT YOUNG GLORY DID.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XV.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">THE CRUISER IN DANGER—A PRICE ON YOUNG +GLORY'S HEAD.</a></p> +<p class="toc">CHAPTER XVI.<br /><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CONCLUSION.</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>SHOOTING A PRISONER OF WAR—A COMRADE TO THE +RESCUE.</h3> + + +<p>"Sorry to keep you waiting, senor."</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' it's a polite nation I always said ye were."</p> + +<p>The first speaker, a Spanish officer, laughed mockingly as he uttered +this apology.</p> + +<p>The man to whom he addressed his words was Dan Daly.</p> + +<p>Dan had been a boatswain's mate on the battle ship Indiana, then on the +Cruiser Columbia, and he was now filling a similar position on the +Cruiser Brooklyn. Dan Daly was Young Glory's bosom friend, and the +Irishman had been the companion of the gallant young hero in many of the +daring exploits that had given him world-wide fame.</p> + +<p>Dan's position now appeared desperate.</p> + +<p>A landing party from the Brooklyn had been surprised by a body of +Spaniards in a small village, not many miles from Matanzas, an important +town on the north coast of Cuba.</p> + +<p>After a short but desperate encounter, the American sailors, overwhelmed +by numbers had retired to their boats, leaving Dan Daly behind, a +prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards.</p> + +<p>A short, quick trial took place. Dan was denounced as a spy, and +instantly sentenced to death. It was ordered that the sentence should be +carried out at once. So now Dan stood looking death calmly in the face +as he had so often done before.</p> + +<p>A file of soldiers was rapidly marching to the place of execution, and +their heavy tread could be plainly heard as each moment they drew +nearer.</p> + +<p>The prisoner was standing against a wall, and immediately behind him was +a closed door, which was the rear entrance to a large house in the +village.</p> + +<p>The house itself was at least fifty yards from this wall.</p> + +<p>"Ah! how are the men?" said the Spanish officer. "So your waiting days +are over."</p> + +<p>The file of soldiers drew up about thirty yards from the doomed man, and +as they grounded arms the sound sent a sickening sensation through the +brave Irishman's heart.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's not war, but murther's your trade," said Dan. "It's the +haythins thimselves wouldn't be afther tratin' me this way."</p> + +<p>"Talk on," said the Spaniard, coolly, "if it does you any good. It won't +alter matters. You have been condemned, and must die."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but it's revenged I'll be."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"You won't ask when you see the Stars an' Stripes, the flag of the free, +floatin' over this island."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard laughed contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"That day will never come. Bah!" he added, stamping on the ground, "why +do I waste time talking to a miserable Yankee spy?"</p> + +<p>The man turned away. But in an instant he came back to the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Spy or not," he growled, rather than spoke, "I suppose you're a human +being."</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' if you are, I'm not."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard's face grew dark with passion.</p> + +<p>"Silence! I ask you if you have any request to make. If possible, it +shall be carried out."</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' I have, then."</p> + +<p>"Quick! my men are waiting. Speak!"</p> + +<p>"It's Young Glory I'd like to spake to. I'd like to shake his hand—" +Dan's voice faltered here—"before I die."</p> + +<p>"That young wretch!" cried the Spaniard, savagely. "So you're his +friend?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The truest he iver had."</p> + +<p>"Then, as Young Glory is not yet in our hands, your request is denied."</p> + +<p>Dan's eyes twinkled with fun. The nearness of death could not depress +him.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's in no hurry I am. I can wait till you catch him."</p> + +<p>The Spanish captain glared fiercely at Dan. Then he faced round towards +his men.</p> + +<p>"Are your rifles loaded?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, senor capitan!"</p> + +<p>"Shoulder arms, then. Wait for the word."</p> + +<p>Dan stared round, taking his last look of the earth.</p> + +<p>The brave fellow had refused to have his eyes bandaged, and now he was +staring defiantly at the men who were to be his executioners.</p> + +<p>"They may miss you, senor, the first time," said the Spaniard. "Our men +can't fire as straight as you Yankees."</p> + +<p>Dan Daly understood what this speech meant. It was virtually a command +to the firing party not to kill at the first volley. They intended to +prolong Dan's agony.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you tremble," cried the Spaniard, gleefully.</p> + +<p>Dan held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's not you can make my hand shake. It's firm as a rock."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard bit his lips with passion. He saw that he could not subdue +the proud spirit of the American sailor, and he had hoped to see him +writhing on the ground with fear, begging for mercy.</p> + +<p>"Yankees are animals, not men," he said, savagely. "No matter, the world +is about to be rid of one of them."</p> + +<p>"We shall see."</p> + +<p>The words were not spoken by Dan, yet they seemed to come from the spot +where he was standing.</p> + +<p>Instantly the door in the wall was thrown open, and a man dashed +through. He seemed to be a Spaniard, for he was wearing the Spanish +costume.</p> + +<p>Before the officer could raise a hand to defend himself, the stranger +was within a yard of him, holding a six-shooter at his head.</p> + +<p>Dan was paralyzed with astonishment.</p> + +<p>The firing party had lowered their rifles. They had broken their ranks, +and were talking together excitedly and rapidly.</p> + +<p>By this time the Spanish officer had somewhat recovered from his +surprise, and the color which had left his cheeks began to return.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he demanded, sternly.</p> + +<p>"Speak lower, senor, a little lower. I allow no one to address me thus."</p> + +<p>"Address you! Caramba! I speak as I please. I am master here!"</p> + +<p>The stranger laughed mockingly.</p> + +<p>"We won't discuss that point, for I see we shall not agree."</p> + +<p>"What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! That's a different question, and I'll give you an answer. You have +a prisoner here, an American sailor."</p> + +<p>"What of it?"</p> + +<p>"He is your prisoner no longer. He is mine."</p> + +<p>"You dare to interfere between me and an enemy of your country!"</p> + +<p>"I dare do even more than that, senor capitan."</p> + +<p>"I will soon put an end to this farce. Hold!"</p> + +<p>The officer called to his men, and instantly they were all attention.</p> + +<p>"Put a bullet into this impudent rascal."</p> + +<p>Quick as lightning the rifles went to the shoulders of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>But the stranger was quite prepared for this maneuver.</p> + +<p>Like lightning he grasped the Spanish officer and drew him towards +himself.</p> + +<p>"Now, senor capitan, you are between me and your soldiers. Your late +prisoner is behind me. If your men fire, whom will they hit?"</p> + +<p>The officer trembled. He saw that it was impossible for his assailant to +receive one bullet. The soldiers were also aware of this fact, and so +they stood motionless, not daring to fire.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard then assumed an air of bravado.</p> + +<p>"This is all childish," he said.</p> + +<p>"You think so?"</p> + +<p>"I know it. You have, by a trick, got me in your power, but for how +long?"</p> + +<p>"For a sufficient time."</p> + +<p>"You are foolish. You have sacrificed your life without helping the +prisoner."</p> + +<p>"We shall see."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and quickly. Supposing you kill me. What follows?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, you're dead!"</p> + +<p>It was the first word the Irishman had spoken.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard glanced ferociously at him.</p> + +<p>"I was not speaking to that fool, but to you. I ask, supposing you kill +me, what follows?"</p> + +<p>"Senor capitan, that won't happen, so we'll not talk of it. Come!"</p> + +<p>"Come!"</p> + +<p>"You heard me. Walk steadily forward. I'll step backwards keeping my eye +fixed on your soldiers. I don't want any harm to happen to you, and they +may fire without thinking."</p> + +<p>The stranger made a sign to Dan to go before him, so now the prisoner, +the stranger and the captain stood in single file, the last named being +nearest the soldiers and thus acting as a perfect shield.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you won't stir. Very well!"</p> + +<p>With these words, finding the officer did not move, the stranger held +his six-shooter a little nearer to him, and gave the Spaniard a +threatening look.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I thought so. Now you walk."</p> + +<p>"You have me in your power. I must, but I will have a bitter revenge. +Senor, you are cowardly!"</p> + +<p>"Cowardly! Ha! Ha! a pretty accusation from you. What! you talk about +cowardice! You, who don't know how to treat a brave enemy as a prisoner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +of war, but place him up against a wall to have him shot down as if he +was a dog. Senor capitan," continued the stranger, speaking very +sternly, "you have excited my hatred. Another such speech as your last +and you will earn my contempt."</p> + +<p>Dan Daly was moving along like one in a dream.</p> + +<p>By this time he had reached the door which still stood open.</p> + +<p>"Pass through," cried the stranger in a commanding tone.</p> + +<p>Instantly Dan did so.</p> + +<p>"And me?" asked the officer.</p> + +<p>"You will stay where you are."</p> + +<p>"And yourself, senor, where shall I find you?" asked the officer, +sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"That you will know when you discover me!" answered the stranger, +defiantly.</p> + +<p>With these words he grasped the Spanish officer by the shoulders, and +using all his strength to throw him backwards, sending him with such +force to the ground that he rolled many yards.</p> + +<p>Then like lightning he dashed through the doorway, closing the door +behind him, instantly.</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang!</p> + +<p>A volley of bullets came, burying themselves in the wood.</p> + +<p>They were too late to do any damage, for the door was closed before the +soldiers fired.</p> + +<p>"Now, Dan Daly," said the stranger, "if you value your life, follow me."</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!" cried the Irishman, astounded.</p> + +<p>"And who else did you think it was?" retorted Young Glory, as he led the +way through the garden.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>FLYING FOR THEIR LIVES—A BOLD EXPEDIENT.</h3> + + +<p>Behind, a furious rush was being made at the door.</p> + +<p>Even if this did not give way, it was an easy matter to scale the wall. +So Dan Daly and Young Glory had no time to lose.</p> + +<p>"Friends of yours live here?" questioned Dan.</p> + +<p>"No, no! Don't talk, but look about you!"</p> + +<p>A narrow passage led to the side of the house, and as the fugitives +reached it, a man stood in their way.</p> + +<p>"You cannot pass," he said.</p> + +<p>"But we do," retorted Young Glory, bounding forward, and giving the man +a furious blow in the face with his fist. Down he went like a log.</p> + +<p>"Shure, he's punished for not kapin' to the truth," laughed Dan.</p> + +<p>"Now our troubles commence," said Young Glory. "Across this court-yard, +or patis as they call it, Dan, and then we're in the street."</p> + +<p>Several people, evidently servants belonging to the house rushed into +the patis, but none of them attempted to interfere with the two +Americans. They seemed completely scared, and stood with startled looks +on their faces as the fugitives dashed past.</p> + +<p>Now they were in the road.</p> + +<p>This part of the village was deserted, for all the people had gone round +to the rear of the house where the execution of Dan Daly was to have +taken place. It was a sight they did not care to miss.</p> + +<p>So Young Glory and Dan crossed the road and then entered a thick wood, +which seemed to them to have no paths in it.</p> + +<p>Through it they pushed their way, listening intently for sounds of their +pursuers. Their progress was slow, but so would that be of the men who +were after them. The only advantage the latter possessed was that they +knew the country.</p> + +<p>"Water!" cried Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"It's a river, shure," said Dan.</p> + +<p>"No, there's no river in these parts. I'm certain of that. It must be a +creek—part of the sea, in fact."</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's small use talkin' about it. It's there, an', begorra, our +goose is cooked; we can niver get any further."</p> + +<p>"It's a bad lookout."</p> + +<p>"An' why shouldn't we swim, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"And be shot down. How long would it take us to get to the other side? +Why, if we escaped the bullets the Spaniards would send after us, we'd +find the enemy waiting for us when we landed. That's so, Dan; take my +word for it."</p> + +<p>Dan turned slowly round. Young Glory regarded him with amazement.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"It's savin' time I want to be. We can't escape. It's yourself said so, +an' shure I'll jist go back an' meet the Spaniards."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! We are not captured yet, Dan! There are more ways than one of +getting out of a difficulty. We'll keep along by the creek, close to the +trees, ready to get amongst them if anybody shows up."</p> + +<p>"It's in your hands, I am," said Dan Daly, resignedly.</p> + +<p>Now, Young Glory knew the position was very serious. He had not the +faintest notice how they were to escape.</p> + +<p>It might have been possible for him to have got away, but not for Dan. +The Irishman was wearing an American naval uniform. To desert Dan, of +course, never entered Young Glory's head.</p> + +<p>Dan put his hand on the boy's arm at this moment.</p> + +<p>"It's back ye must be kapin'."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, there's a house."</p> + +<p>"I see it."</p> + +<p>Young Glory's face brightened instantly.</p> + +<p>"By jingo, this may be our salvation!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"It's puzzled I am!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not. Stay where you are, Dan. That is to say, get amongst these +trees till you hear from me."</p> + +<p>"But where are ye goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Going to call on some friends of mine who live in that house."</p> + +<p>Before Dan could say a word, Young Glory was gone, and the Irishman, +mindful of his safety, hid himself amid the bushes, still keeping a +watch on the house to which his comrade was going.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>Young Glory walked boldly up to the hut, for it was no more, and +hammered sharply on the door.</p> + +<p>He had no cause for fear. He was dressed in the native costume, and +spoke the language perfectly.</p> + +<p>It was some few minutes before any one answered his summons, and then +the door was opened by as villainous-looking a man as Young Glory +thought he had ever set eyes on.</p> + +<p>The man was apparently about forty years old, not tall, but +broad-shouldered and strong.</p> + +<p>"Good-day, comrade," said Young Glory, gayly.</p> + +<p>The man growled forth a reply.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, that's not very civil. A drink and a rest is what I should +expect you to invite me to have."</p> + +<p>"Go on expecting," answered the man, savagely, showing his teeth as he +spoke. "It's all you'll get out of me, senor."</p> + +<p>"You're not polite. Caramba! it's living alone has made you like this."</p> + +<p>"If I want to live alone," answered the man, adopting a threatening +attitude as he spoke, "is it anybody's business but mine?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," said Young Glory, aloud.</p> + +<p>Then to himself he said: "Now, I know there's no one else in the house. +Good, that decides me."</p> + +<p>"Well, comrade," said Young Glory, smilingly, "people tell me that I've +a way with me there's no resisting."</p> + +<p>"It has no effect on me."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash, just as the words came from his lips, Young Glory drew +his six-shooter from his belt, and held it at the man's head.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" laughed Young Glory, "you change color. You see I was right. +Don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"What's your game?" asked the man, sullenly. "I've done you no harm, +never seen you in my life before, so you can't want to kill me. And as +for robbing me, well, try it. If you get enough to buy yourself a drink +I'll be surprised."</p> + +<p>"Get into the house," said Young Glory. "Back with you. Hi! Hi!"</p> + +<p>The last two cries were meant for Dan, who heard them, and was in time +to see Young Glory entering the hut. Dan noticed that his comrade had +signed to him, and he immediately ran towards the place.</p> + +<p>In a moment he was in the hut.</p> + +<p>"A friend of mine, Dan Daly," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"The top of the mornin' to ye, senor," cried Dan, taking off his cap, +gravely. "It's meself's plased to meet you."</p> + +<p>"You're an American?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Curse you!"</p> + +<p>"Our friend's not polite, Dan," said Young Glory. "I've found that out +already. But, to business."</p> + +<p>"Business!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dan. We've much to do. Take this man, gag him, and tie him up +securely."</p> + +<p>Dan rushed at the fellow without another word.</p> + +<p>"Quiet! or I'll shoot you," said Young Glory, seeing the man about to +resist.</p> + +<p>The sight of the pistol effectually settled the matter, and Dan did his +work so expeditiously that the man was lying at the rear of the hut +hidden under a heap of rubbish in a very few minutes.</p> + +<p>"Now, you must skip, Dan."</p> + +<p>"Me?"</p> + +<p>"I said so."</p> + +<p>"But you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I stay here," answered Young Glory, carelessly. "You see, the men +in pursuit of you will come up very soon, and I must be here to receive +them."</p> + +<p>"Begorra, it's murther!"</p> + +<p>"I think not."</p> + +<p>"Young Glory, it's throwin' your life away ye'll be; they'll know you at +once."</p> + +<p>"We shall see."</p> + +<p>"But where shall I hide?" cried Dan.</p> + +<p>"Rush to the woods and stay there."</p> + +<p>"They will search the woods."</p> + +<p>"Not after they've heard my story. I'll put them off the trail. Quick! +Get away!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory ran to the door of the hut. Then he came back with a look of +dismay on his face.</p> + +<p>"Too late!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"Too late, I said. The Spaniards are coming up by the creek. You can't +get away from this house now without being seen."</p> + +<p>It was Dan's turn to look scared now.</p> + +<p>"It's your own fault," answered Young Glory, impatiently. "You would +waste the precious moments by arguing the point, so see what you've +brought us to. There's only one thing for you to do now. Under with +you."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Get alongside our friend. Keep him company. Lie still, Dan. It's your +only chance."</p> + +<p>Young Glory assisted in covering Dan up, and this done, he threw off the +hat and cloak he was wearing, and secreted them. Then he hastily assumed +some old garments he found in the hut, rubbed some dirt over his face, +pulled his hat over his eyes, and with a cigarette between his lips took +his station at the door to wait for the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Spanish soldiers are not very ceremonious in their treatment of +civilians. So Young Glory found himself roughly addressed by the officer +in charge of the detachment.</p> + +<p>"You live here?" said the officer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, senor capitan," answered Young Glory, "this is my poor house."</p> + +<p>"Very well. You're the man I want. Have you seen anybody pass this way?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Have you been standing here long?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for an hour."</p> + +<p>"And you saw no one pass?"</p> + +<p>"I said no, senor capitan."</p> + +<p>"They must have passed this way," said the officer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> in a low voice, to +his sergeant. "The fellow's deceiving us."</p> + +<p>"Pardon, senor capitan," said Young Glory. "I have something to say. +Just now I saw two men."</p> + +<p>"Two men!" cried the captain, excitedly. "It must be they. Where! +Where!"</p> + +<p>"They came out of the wood about two hundred yards below, and seeing me +standing at the door they darted back again into the trees."</p> + +<p>"Ask him what they were like," whispered the sergeant. "That will test +his story."</p> + +<p>The officer, pleased with the suggestion, put the question.</p> + +<p>"Like! well, now, it wasn't as if I had many minutes to examine them, +and, besides it was too far off for me to tell the color of their hair +or eyes."</p> + +<p>"Fool!" exclaimed the captain, savagely. "Their dress! that's the +point."</p> + +<p>"One of them seemed to be a civilian, a Cuban I should say, capitan. The +other, was certainly a sailor, a navy man, the——"</p> + +<p>The captain waited for no more.</p> + +<p>"Our men," he cried enthusiastically. "They cannot escape us now."</p> + +<p>Young Glory threw away his cigarette and smiled as he looked after them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>MORE VISITORS TO THE HUT—DAN DALY ROWS DOWN +THE CREEK.</h3> + + +<p>"You can crawl out of your shell, Dan, now," said Young Glory, when the +last soldier had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Faith, that's a comfort. An' what did them sogers want?"</p> + +<p>"They were looking for you, Dan. They found me, but didn't know me."</p> + +<p>"It's great ye are, Young Glory. There's nobody but yourself could +decave them. It's time we have for talkin' now, an' it's mesilf 'd like +to know how ye stopped them spalpeens from shootin' me."</p> + +<p>"When I saw you taken prisoner, Dan, I determined to save you. The boats +went back to the cruiser, but I didn't."</p> + +<p>"Ye stayed on shore?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. By good luck I managed to get into a house while everyone was +away, and get a change of clothes. Then I came to look after you. Why, I +was present when they tried you."</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"But I was. It's not Young Glory's way to desert a comrade, Dan."</p> + +<p>The Irishman pressed his hand warmly.</p> + +<p>"It's the lucky man who has yourself for a friend, Young Glory."</p> + +<p>Dan began foraging about the hut now.</p> + +<p>"It's food an' drink I'm afther," he explained, "an' partic'larly the +last. Ha! what's this? Wine! Well, it can't be helped."</p> + +<p>"What did you expect to find?"</p> + +<p>"A drop of the craythur, shure. It's much I'd give for three fingers of +whisky."</p> + +<p>The two seamen made a good meal of some cold fish and bread and the +bottle of wine, most of which latter going down Dan's throat.</p> + +<p>Then Dan lit his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Hurroo! but it's great. It's happy as a king I'm feelin'."</p> + +<p>"For how long? We can't stay here, Dan; we must get out of this."</p> + +<p>"But not till it's dark."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not."</p> + +<p>"It's Captain Miles won't go away, Young Glory. He'll be afther kapin' +the cruiser near."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I feel certain he will. I've no doubt he's doing his best to +rescue you, Dan."</p> + +<p>And so the two talked on, Dan smoking and Young Glory thinking how they +might make their escape.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if night would come and find them chatting.</p> + +<p>An interruption took place.</p> + +<p>Young Glory from time to time went to the door of the hut and glanced up +and down the road. Now he came back quickly.</p> + +<p>"Your hiding-place again, Dan."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"There are more soldiers coming."</p> + +<p>"Murther!"</p> + +<p>"There will be if you don't hurry."</p> + +<p>The warning was enough. Dan was out of sight in a moment.</p> + +<p>This second visit to the hut alarmed Young Glory greatly.</p> + +<p>He saw that things were in a very critical position.</p> + +<p>In the event of a thorough search it was absolutely certain that Dan +would be discovered.</p> + +<p>As the soldiers approached the hut, Young Glory tried hard to maintain +his calm. He saw with surprise that all these men were officers. So much +he could tell from their uniforms.</p> + +<p>When they came to the hut they found Young Glory sitting at the table, +busily engaged in mending some fishing lines which he had found in the +hut.</p> + +<p>He sprang up quickly as the leader entered, and saluted him +respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, senor capitan."</p> + +<p>"My good fellow," answered the Spanish officer, "myself and my friends +here won't interfere with your work. Go on, I beg. We only seek a short +rest."</p> + +<p>Young Glory put the fishing lines away.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing," he said. "My friend who lives here is away to-day, and +I am keeping house for him, so I thought I would do a little work."</p> + +<p>"Has he anything in the drinking line?" cried a young lieutenant. +"That's more to the point."</p> + +<p>A shout of approval followed.</p> + +<p>"You don't speak very often, Ruiz," said one of the officers, "but when +you do, you display the wisdom of Solomon."</p> + +<p>The officers, making themselves quite at home, bustled about the hut, as +Dan had done, searching for drink.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>Young Glory was on thorns all the time. Detection seemed imminent.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, senores," he cried. "I will myself search for the wine."</p> + +<p>"But it's found," cried one of the officers, gayly. "Why, my good +fellow, your friend must be in the liquor business. He's a regular +cellar of wine here. Come on, gentlemen; take your choice. Here's claret +from France, Rhine wine, brandy, Amontillado from Spain, and whisky and +wine from America."</p> + +<p>"Nothing American for me!"</p> + +<p>"Good sense again, Ruiz. Let us try the Amontillado. It will remind us +of our country."</p> + +<p>The proposition found favor, and several bottles were opened, and the +soldiers helped themselves.</p> + +<p>"Your friend's a smuggler," said one of the officers to Young Glory.</p> + +<p>The latter shook his head.</p> + +<p>"My good fellow, it's a matter of indifference to us what he is. He's a +benefactor of his species, anyway. Don't you agree with me, gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>They all raised their glasses and shouted boisterously.</p> + +<p>Young Glory began to breathe more freely now. There was not a word said +as to the escape of Dan Daly and the search for him.</p> + +<p>Very soon he discovered from the talk that the officers were in complete +ignorance of it. They were posted with their regiment a considerable +distance from the village, and were now on their way to headquarters +there.</p> + +<p>What they had said was true. They had merely stopped at the hut in the +hope of obtaining refreshment. No doubt they would soon take their +departure.</p> + +<p>The wine loosened their tongues, and they began to talk freely. Young +Glory lost not a word of what was being said, for it seemed likely that +he would hear something that might prove valuable.</p> + +<p>"Where to to-night, Ruiz?" asked one man.</p> + +<p>"Why ask him? He'll be waiting for the fair Julia. Her eyes will glance +at him from the balcony."</p> + +<p>"Wrong for once, gentlemen," said Ruiz.</p> + +<p>"Captain Calderon is inconstant," laughed another officer.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Ruiz, I did not think that of you."</p> + +<p>"And if you did, you would be wrong. No, comrades, luck's against me +to-night. I'm on duty."</p> + +<p>"Garrison duty?"</p> + +<p>"Worse."</p> + +<p>"Can anything be worse?"</p> + +<p>"I said so."</p> + +<p>"Tell us, Ruiz."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to Valmosa."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"There is a lot of ammunition collected there."</p> + +<p>"I heard of it."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's to be moved to-night to this place."</p> + +<p>"You'll have hot work. The rebels are in force between here and +Valmosa."</p> + +<p>"Everybody knows that."</p> + +<p>"I wish you good-by, Ruiz," said one of the officers, solemnly. "Old +fellow, I pity you!"</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! there's no danger. It's only the discomfort I'm thinking of. We +are going to bring the ammunition to this place by water."</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"There's no cause for surprise. It's the simplest way."</p> + +<p>"But the American cruiser. Think of that, Ruiz. She's sure to be hanging +around."</p> + +<p>"And if she is, it's a matter of very little consequence."</p> + +<p>"But you'll be stopped."</p> + +<p>"No. We shall be in small boats and keep close in to shore. Now, the +Yankee cruiser must stay a good way out, for the water's not deep enough +to let her in. To-night will be dark. There's no moon till two o'clock, +and so it's simplicity itself to get the stuff through."</p> + +<p>"Why did they send you? You don't belong to those fellows at Valmosa."</p> + +<p>"Never saw one of them in my life. But the order was given me, and +that's enough."</p> + +<p>"The old general had had his dinner when he gave the order?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then we know what that means. He had more wine than wit in his body."</p> + +<p>"I must get away," said Ruiz.</p> + +<p>"There's no hurry."</p> + +<p>"Not for you. Stay, if you please."</p> + +<p>"No, no; we'll all go together."</p> + +<p>Ruiz Calderon rose.</p> + +<p>"I have to get a good horse. The most dangerous part of the business is +getting to Valmosa, because I must go near the rebel lines."</p> + +<p>"Good luck to Ruiz!" cried all his comrades, emptying their glasses as +they spoke.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, gentlemen, thank you. My good fellow, your wine was +excellent. If you should hear a horseman gallop past your hut to-night, +don't be alarmed. It will only be me."</p> + +<p>Scarcely had they gone, when Dan Daly rushed out.</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's more than flesh an' blood could stand. Arrah! but me mouth +watered when I heard the glasses clinkin'. The spalpeens!" he cried in +dismay, "they've not left a drop for me."</p> + +<p>"There's plenty."</p> + +<p>Dan gazed in amazement at the hoard of liquor that had been discovered.</p> + +<p>"What a find! It's meself could put in a week here in this blessed hut."</p> + +<p>"But you won't."</p> + +<p>"Eh?"</p> + +<p>"I say you won't. It will be dark, Dan, in one hour. There's a boat +lying down on the creek."</p> + +<p>"An' faith, what's that to me?"</p> + +<p>"Everything. You'll get on board that boat, go down the creek into the +sea, and try and find the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> cruiser. The Brooklyn won't be far off. You +must take a light with you and give a signal."</p> + +<p>Dan was astounded.</p> + +<p>"An' is it by mesilf I'm to go?"</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what it is, Dan. You're old enough to be trusted alone, +you know."</p> + +<p>"But you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have work on shore. Never mind me."</p> + +<p>"It's more danger ye're runnin' your head into."</p> + +<p>"Trust me to get it out again. Now, don't interrupt me. I've a letter to +write."</p> + +<p>Dan busily employed himself with the whisky whilst Young Glory was +writing his letter.</p> + +<p>"Here it is."</p> + +<p>"An' who's it for?"</p> + +<p>"Captain Miles."</p> + +<p>"Our skipper?"</p> + +<p>"He's the only Captain Miles I know. Now, Dan, it's very important that +that letter should reach Captain Miles as soon as possible. You +understand me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, an' if it's to be done I'll do it."</p> + +<p>"That I know. Now, to start you."</p> + +<p>The two men left the hut. The boat was moored immediately opposite, and +in it were a pair of sculls.</p> + +<p>Young Glory would not allow a moment to be wasted. He unhitched the +painter and pushed off the boat. Then, having seen Dan start on his +dangerous mission, he went back to the hut.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>YOUNG GLORY AND CAPTAIN RUIZ CALDERON—IN THE +CAMP OF THE PATRIOTS.</h3> + + +<p>The project Young Glory had conceived was incredibly bold.</p> + +<p>If he had told Dan what it was, the Irishman would have done his best to +dissuade him from it.</p> + +<p>But Young Glory instead of changing his mind, became more fixed in his +purpose as the time flew by.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why it should fail," he said to himself, as he sat +listening intently. "Ah! there he is. Well, the die is cast, or will be +in a few minutes, anyway. I'll go through with it to the end."</p> + +<p>He passed his hand through his thick golden curls which his sombrero had +hitherto concealed. Then he hurriedly went out and posted himself behind +a large tree a few yards from the hut.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the noise that had attracted his attention. A +horseman was approaching at a rapid rate, that was clear.</p> + +<p>"Captain Calderon for certain," said Young Glory to himself. "There +won't be any time to see, so I must assume it's he and take my chances."</p> + +<p>It was so dark that he could not see the horseman, though he knew he +must be very near by the sound. Then, suddenly, out into the road he +sprang.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" he cried in ringing tones, "or I will put a bullet into you."</p> + +<p>The horseman seemed astounded. Many men could have dashed by regardless +of consequences, but this man reined in his steed instantly, drawing the +animal back on its haunches.</p> + +<p>As he did so Young Glory drew up close to him, still keeping him covered +with his six-shooter.</p> + +<p>"I must ask you to dismount," he said, "and at once."</p> + +<p>There was a light coming from the hut, for Young Glory had left the door +open, and by it both men were able to distinguish each other.</p> + +<p>Young Glory recognized Captain Calderon instantly.</p> + +<p>"My man!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"The fellow from the hut!" cried the officer.</p> + +<p>"I asked you to dismount, senor capitan," repeated Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"I heard you, and I demand to know the meaning of this insolence."</p> + +<p>"Demand! A strange word from a helpless man, senor. Are you aware that +you are in my power, senor. Come, come, don't drive me to extremities. I +should be sorry to have to injure a gallant young officer like yourself, +but I tell you plainly, captain, that if you hesitate, my duty will +compel me to kill you!"</p> + +<p>There was something in the tone with which these words were spoken, more +than in the words themselves, which impressed the officer.</p> + +<p>He realized now that he had not, as he had supposed at first, a drunkard +to deal with. But he was still completely at a loss to know what was +meant.</p> + +<p>However, he reasoned that a few minutes' chat in the hut, would +certainly lead to a satisfactory explanation.</p> + +<p>"The less time lost the better," said the Spanish captain.</p> + +<p>So he dismounted, and Young Glory took possession of his pistol and also +his horse. The latter he instantly hitched up to a hook driven in the +wall of the hut.</p> + +<p>"Now, fellow," said the captain, when the two men found themselves in +the hut, "what does this foolery mean?"</p> + +<p>"Take off your clothes!"</p> + +<p>The officer colored with passion.</p> + +<p>"My clothes," he gasped. "Never!"</p> + +<p>"I will make you."</p> + +<p>"What! are you a thief?"</p> + +<p>"Call me what you please, but do as I say or it will be worse for you."</p> + +<p>The Spanish captain made a dash at Young Glory.</p> + +<p>The latter stepped back quickly, raising his six-shooter as he did so, +and pointing it at his captive.</p> + +<p>"You are foolish," said Young Glory. "You cannot compete with me, and +you ought to understand that."</p> + +<p>What was causing the Spaniard to stare so? Not the fact that he was +threatened by Young Glory's six-shooter. No, but because when Young +Glory had moved backwards, his sombrero had dropped off his head, thus +exposing his thick yellow curls.</p> + +<p>"You are not a Spaniard," said Captain Calderon, astounded at the change +in his captor.</p> + +<p>"No."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Neither are you a Cuban."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Who are you, then?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you. I am Young Glory."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard dropped into a chair.</p> + +<p>"So you are the man who released the prisoner who was to be shot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And you've done terrible injury to the Spanish cause, both here and in +Spain."</p> + +<p>"You pay me a high compliment, senor."</p> + +<p>"We have a heavy debt against you, Young Glory," said the Spaniard, +gloomily.</p> + +<p>"You will when this night is over. My work has only just commenced. +Come, captain, you and I must not quarrel. You are a brave man, I know. +Don't drive me to extremities. I must have your uniform and I'll give +you—these."</p> + +<p>Young Glory laughed as he pointed to the rags he was wearing.</p> + +<p>A soldier soon recognizes the truth. A civilian is more disposed to +argue. So the result was that Captain Calderon yielded with the best +grace he could, and commenced to undress.</p> + +<p>Young Glory, meanwhile, was doing the same, and in a few minutes the +exchange had been effected.</p> + +<p>Captain Calderon was a Cuban fisherman. Young Glory was a Spanish +officer.</p> + +<p>"They fit me beautifully, capitan. Don't you think so? Why, really, I'm +not a conceited chap, but I don't think it would be well for you if the +fair Julia saw me to-night."</p> + +<p>"So you were listening to what I and my comrades were saying?" asked the +captain, with a black look on his face.</p> + +<p>"I heard every word. It's a way I have, and I find it extremely useful +sometimes. I shall to-night."</p> + +<p>"And now I suppose I can go?"</p> + +<p>Young Glory smiled pityingly.</p> + +<p>"For a man of your intelligence that is a very foolish question, senor. +No, you will stay here. I shall have to secure you, bind you up in fact, +and also gag you."</p> + +<p>"Gag me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you might raise an alarm. You have an excellent voice as I heard +when you were drinking."</p> + +<p>Young Glory, as a seaman, had no difficulty in fixing the cords so that +they would hold, and whilst he was talking, he went on with the work.</p> + +<p>The captain was trussed up like a chicken now.</p> + +<p>"You will repent this," hissed the captain, through his clinched teeth.</p> + +<p>"I am of a different opinion."</p> + +<p>"Some day I will have a bitter revenge."</p> + +<p>"Why? All is fair in war. You would do the same to me if it served you +and I was in your power. But we shall talk all night if we get on this +strain. You won't be lonely for I have provided a companion for you. +See!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory raised the clothes that covered the owner of the hut and +exposed him to view.</p> + +<p>Whilst the captain was staring in astonishment at what he saw, Young +Glory extinguished the light, left the hut, and closed the door securely +after him.</p> + +<p>Then he unhitched the horse, sprang into the saddle and galloped away.</p> + +<p>Sailors do not excel as horsemen, but Young Glory was an exception to +the rule. Before he had enlisted he had passed several years in the +west, and the animal who tried to unseat him had a very difficult task +to perform.</p> + +<p>"The road to Valmosa," he muttered. "Guess that won't be hard to find. I +know where Valmosa lies, and roads are not very plentiful in this +benighted land, so I won't have much trouble if I stick to the one I'm +on."</p> + +<p>Young Glory's danger was in falling into the hands of some Spaniards. +They might happen to be comrades of Ruiz, and it would be almost +impossible to deceive them. But this did not daunt him. He had +understood all these dangers before he took this desperate project in +hand, and he thought of them now, merely because he had nothing else to +do.</p> + +<p>The ride exhilarated him, and his spirits rose as he proceeded.</p> + +<p>Gradually the path—it was really little better than a mule +path—descended towards the sea, and Young Glory was pleased because he +knew Valmosa was on the coast, and this seemed to show him he was on the +right road.</p> + +<p>However, his reflections were cut short with startling rapidity.</p> + +<p>A dozen men sprang from the surrounding trees. Two men sprang forward +and seized his horse's bridle, the others, with threatening gestures, +threw themselves in his way, barring his further progress.</p> + +<p>"Caramba, senor, but you're in a hurry," said a man, who appeared to be +their leader.</p> + +<p>"You have judged rightly, senor," answered Young Glory, "I am in a +hurry. Let me proceed."</p> + +<p>The men laughed loudly.</p> + +<p>"You are a Spanish officer. You must be mad to talk in this way," was +the stern answer.</p> + +<p>"And who are you?" asked Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"We are Cuban patriots."</p> + +<p>"Patriots! Then I'm safe!" exclaimed the boy, softly.</p> + +<p>"He must die!" whispered several of the men. "We give no quarter now, +since those Spanish wretches have commenced shooting their prisoners in +cold blood."</p> + +<p>Half a dozen pistols were leveled at the boy, and as many machetes +flashed in the air.</p> + +<p>A crisis had come.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" cried Young Glory, boldly. "I am no Spaniard."</p> + +<p>"Then what are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am an American sailor."</p> + +<p>The weapons that had threatened Young Glory's life were at once lowered, +but the men seemed to receive his statement with great suspicion. They +con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>ferred together hastily, still retaining their hold on the young +hero's horse.</p> + +<p>At length the leader spoke.</p> + +<p>"We cannot decide this question. You may be an American sailor, or you +may be a spy. That is for others to determine. You must come with us to +the general."</p> + +<p>"Hurry, then, I beg. For, senors, a project I have in view for the +benefit of your cause will fail if I am long delayed."</p> + +<p>They pushed through the woods, the patriots finding paths that Young +Glory would have searched for in vain.</p> + +<p>Some half mile was traversed in this fashion, when a sentinel +challenged. The answer was satisfactory, and on they went.</p> + +<p>Then past one picket after another they went, showing what faithful +guard the patriots kept, until the order to halt was given, and Young +Glory found himself near a large fire around which were a number of +Cuban officers.</p> + +<p>"A prisoner, general!" said the leader of the party.</p> + +<p>"And a valuable one, too," was the answer, as the general glanced at +Young Glory. "A captain at the very least. Has he been searched?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Do so. He may be a bearer of despatches."</p> + +<p>"It is needless to search me," said Young Glory, advancing slightly +towards the general. "I am not what I seem. I am an American seaman. My +name is Young Glory."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>AT VALMOSA—YOUNG GLORY DENOUNCED.</h3> + + +<p>This startling announcement caused a sensation.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!" cried several of the officers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is my name."</p> + +<p>"Have you any proof?" said the general.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then we cannot let you proceed."</p> + +<p>Young Glory's face fell. Here he saw all his hopes dashed to the ground. +He determined to make one more effort.</p> + +<p>"But if you stop me, a certain scheme against the Spaniards that I can +carry through to success, will fail. I tell you it is so."</p> + +<p>"No matter. I have said before we do not know you, so we must detain you +for inquiries."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever heard of Young Glory, general?"</p> + +<p>"That is a foolish question. His name is a household word."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I again repeat I am Young Glory."</p> + +<p>"And again I ask for proof."</p> + +<p>Suddenly an idea occurred to the boy.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever heard of Captain Ruiz Calderon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He's a distinguished officer in the Spanish army. What of it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm Captain Calderon, or rather," said Young Glory, with a laugh, "I'm +supposed to be to-night."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I took him prisoner."</p> + +<p>"And released him?"</p> + +<p>"No. Made him change clothes with me, tied him securely, and left him in +a cottage on a creek belonging to a fisherman."</p> + +<p>"I know the place!" cried one of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>"You did this?" asked the general, incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. It was necessary for the success of my plans. Send to the +cottage, if it's possible to do so."</p> + +<p>"It can be done."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I entreat you to be quick, general. Much depends on it."</p> + +<p>It was rather dangerous work to venture so near the Spanish lines, but +four patriots volunteered at once, and the general, after giving them a +few brief instructions, sent them on their way.</p> + +<p>Well mounted, if no mischance happens to them, they would soon be back, +and Young Glory, who was in a boiling passion, quite ignored the +presence of the Cubans, and threw himself on the ground to rest while +awaiting the result.</p> + +<p>"I believe he is Young Glory," said the general to one of his officers. +"He doesn't look like an impostor."</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's in a temper because I've done my duty. Let him alone. His +young blood will soon cool."</p> + +<p>So it did, and Young Glory, on thinking calmly over the matter, saw that +he could not have expected any different treatment to what he had +received.</p> + +<p>"General," he said, going up to him, "I was hasty. You must pardon me."</p> + +<p>The general smiled.</p> + +<p>"I have thought no more of it. Have a cigar. You'll find them good. They +taste better perhaps to me," he added, with a laugh, "because the +tobacco was grown by a Spaniard, one of our bitterest enemies, and they +cost nothing."</p> + +<p>The time seemed long. In reality the men—or at least two of them—were +back in an incredibly short space of time.</p> + +<p>"Well?" questioned the general.</p> + +<p>"We have been there."</p> + +<p>"And your comrades?"</p> + +<p>"They are safe. We left them behind."</p> + +<p>"And this young man's story?"</p> + +<p>"Quite true, general, only he forgot to say that he had left two +prisoners in the hut."</p> + +<p>"Two!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, general," said Young Glory. "One of them is the man who lives in +the hut."</p> + +<p>"How did it all happen?"</p> + +<p>As Young Glory told the story of the marvelous escape of Dan Daly from +the firing party, with the subsequent details of the pursuit and +eventful safety, the men gathered round and listened with bated breath.</p> + +<p>"Senor, it is marvelous!" exclaimed the general, when the recital was +ended. "I had heard something of the extraordinary escape of the +American prisoner before. Now tell me of your future plans."</p> + +<p>"That is for your ear alone."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Stand back, senores," said the general, waving his hand, "except +Colonel Mendez, my chief."</p> + +<p>"That is the same as yourself, general," replied Young Glory, bowing to +the officer who had been named.</p> + +<p>When Young Glory had told them what his plan was, they were lost in +amazement.</p> + +<p>"And you mean to do it?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. That's what I'm here for."</p> + +<p>"Do you want any of my men?"</p> + +<p>"If you can send some of them on the road with me to point out the way I +shall be glad, but they must not go near Valmosa. If they were seen with +me that would spoil all."</p> + +<p>"Success to you, Young Glory," said the general, pressing his hand as he +was riding off.</p> + +<p>"Oh! then you believe I'm Young Glory now?"</p> + +<p>"Caramba! my friend, your deeds show that. There's not another man would +do such things. Adios."</p> + +<p>Once more Young Glory was in the saddle with two of the patriots riding +alongside him. Under their guidance he made rapid progress.</p> + +<p>"We must leave you now, senor," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Thank you for coming."</p> + +<p>"Yonder, where you see the lights is Valmosa. Goodness only knows how +you will reach it."</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me."</p> + +<p>Once more Young Glory was alone, riding rapidly to the scene of his +desperate undertaking.</p> + +<p>"Halt!"</p> + +<p>It was a challenge by the sentry. Young Glory had, of course, expected +this, and he was ready.</p> + +<p>"Dispatches from Monterey!" he cried, instantly, thinking by so doing +that the sentry would not demand the watch-word for the night.</p> + +<p>The scheme was successful. The sentry told him to advance, keeping his +rifle on him the while, until he had satisfied himself of the truth.</p> + +<p>One look seemed to give him confidence.</p> + +<p>"You are from Monterey, capitan?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I am Captain Ruiz Calderon."</p> + +<p>"Pass, capitan."</p> + +<p>One obstacle was surmounted. The rest was easy. In a few minutes Young +Glory found himself in Valmosa.</p> + +<p>There all was excitement.</p> + +<p>Instantly Young Glory went to the commandant of the garrison.</p> + +<p>"If he knows Ruiz Calderon, I'm lost," was Young Glory's reflection as +he entered the commandant's room.</p> + +<p>"A dispatch from General Lopez," said Young Glory, saluting.</p> + +<p>The commandant took the letter and tore it open, scarcely giving Young +Glory a glance.</p> + +<p>"So you are Captain Calderon?" he said, after reading the dispatch.</p> + +<p>"Yes, colonel."</p> + +<p>"General Lopez says you are a brave and energetic soldier."</p> + +<p>Young Glory bowed.</p> + +<p>"To-night you have work before you that will prove your strength. You +are to command the expedition that starts for Monterey."</p> + +<p>"So the general told me."</p> + +<p>"Everything is in readiness. There is no reason for delay."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, colonel. There seems to be every reason for +hurrying. You spoke of danger."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"From what quarter do you expect it?"</p> + +<p>"From the Americans. The rebels are on shore. They can do us no harm."</p> + +<p>"How can the Americans do so?"</p> + +<p>"They have a cruiser in these waters."</p> + +<p>"She will not see us."</p> + +<p>"Who knows? Those ships carry great searchlights now, and they can light +up the water."</p> + +<p>"Let them. They have to sink us after they find us and it's not easy to +hit a small boat at long range."</p> + +<p>"Good. That's the way to talk, capitan. You are a man after my own +heart."</p> + +<p>Young Glory was leaving the room when he passed a man he thought he +knew, but it was somewhat dark and he only had a mere glance.</p> + +<p>He heard a few words, though, that disquieted him somewhat.</p> + +<p>"That's Captain Calderon—" it was the commandant speaking—"he leads +the expedition."</p> + +<p>"Calderon of Lopez' division?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Caramba! but he's grown."</p> + +<p>With beating heart Young Glory hurried on.</p> + +<p>"I know that voice," he muttered. "Strange! where can I have heard it?"</p> + +<p>During the last few months he had been through so many scenes, and he +had met with so many strange faces, that he was quite unable to satisfy +himself as to the identity of the owner of the voice.</p> + +<p>The boats were all in readiness.</p> + +<p>Two large craft contained ammunition. A smaller one was in advance, +filled with sailors and soldiers, in order to tow the heavier craft +along.</p> + +<p>Young Glory speedily took in the whole of the arrangements. He might +have preferred to make some changes, but his object now was to get out +of Valmosa with all speed. Rapidly he gave his orders. The men seemed to +have no suspicion, and all was going smoothly. Yet Young Glory could not +get out of his mind the stranger who had passed him at the commandant's +headquarters.</p> + +<p>"Cast off!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Instantly the men on the pier let the boats loose, and the men bent to +their oars.</p> + +<p>"Row, my lads, long and steady. You've a hard pull before you," said +Young Glory, "and you'll need all your strength."</p> + +<p>The sailors showed at once they did not intend to overexert themselves.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Rather different to our blue jackets," was Young Glory's reflection. +"Why, Dan Daly and half a dozen of our fellows would lick the whole +crowd."</p> + +<p>There was commotion on shore at this instant. Anxiously Young Glory +looked towards the pier. He could see nothing on account of the +darkness, but he heard the pattering of feet. One man, if not more, was +hurrying towards the end of the pier.</p> + +<p>Then Young Glory heard some shouting, but the roar of the sea prevented +him from distinguishing the words.</p> + +<p>The shouting continued.</p> + +<p>"Traitor!"</p> + +<p>This word came distinctly across the water.</p> + +<p>"They've caught a spy," exclaimed Young Glory, quickly, to turn the +men's thoughts away from himself. "Hurry up, lads, and you may get back +in time to see the fun, for he'll have to die, that's sure."</p> + +<p>Not another word reached the boat. Yet, Young Glory felt by no means +safe. He knew that a boat might be sent off to overtake him, and then he +was lost entirely.</p> + +<p>But as the minutes passed, and he heard no sound of pursuing oars, he +became easier in his mind.</p> + +<p>To get out of possible danger from shore, he ordered the men to row out +towards the sea, but here he was beaten. The waves ran high and the +boats were in great danger of being swamped. Back to the shore again he +had to go, and adhere to the original plan of creeping along by the +beach.</p> + +<p>The coast was rocky hereabout.</p> + +<p>Suddenly above their heads a figure, which looked unnaturally tall in +the darkness, rose on a great bowlder which overshadowed the water.</p> + +<p>"You have a traitor in that boat!" cried this apparition. "The man with +you is not Captain Calderon. It is Young Glory!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>FIGHTING IN THE BOATS—DAN DALY ARRIVES.</h3> + + +<p>These words produced a panic.</p> + +<p>It was a wonder that the boats were not overturned. The men stopped +rowing, and so the craft containing the ammunition drifted up against +them, and they were all in a mass together.</p> + +<p>The actions of many of the men were most violent and threatening. They +uttered fierce cries, and assailed Young Glory with menaces.</p> + +<p>"To your work," he cried, bravely, thinking yet that he might overawe +them.</p> + +<p>But they took no notice.</p> + +<p>"I am your captain," said Young Glory. "Obey my orders!"</p> + +<p>"You are a traitor!"</p> + +<p>"Seize him! Kill him!"</p> + +<p>These were the cries that were now heard. But a clear voice came from +the shore. It was that of the man who had denounced Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Do not kill him," he said. "Traitors must be treated differently. Make +a prisoner of him."</p> + +<p>"Who are you who give your orders?" asked one of the men. "You seem to +own us!"</p> + +<p>"Own or not," was the stern answer, "it will be bad for those who refuse +to obey me. I am Jose Castro!"</p> + +<p>There was a buzz of astonishment.</p> + +<p>Everyone had heard of the famous Spanish spy, whose services to Spain in +the war had been immense.</p> + +<p>"Jose Castro!" muttered Young Glory. "And I thought I had seen his hated +face for the last time when he sank in the river at Seville. Such men +never die. I am lost," he added, "but I will die fighting!"</p> + +<p>Three men came towards him. They were bent on carrying out the spy's +orders, and were about to seize him.</p> + +<p>"Stand back!" he cried, defiantly.</p> + +<p>"Yield!"</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>"We are fifty to one. To fight is useless," said the Spanish soldier. +"You will be killed."</p> + +<p>"Then I will die fighting. Back! I say," he added, as the men pressed +forward. "I will never be taken alive!"</p> + +<p>"We shall see!"</p> + +<p>The three men rushed at Young Glory.</p> + +<p>Instantly he drew his sword. Around his head it flashed.</p> + +<p>Then down it came on the nearest man's head. He dropped. A moment later +one of his companions was lying in his blood. The third man hesitated.</p> + +<p>"This shall cost you dearly," said Young Glory, defiantly, as he faced +the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Shoot him!"</p> + +<p>"No, no! There must be no firing," said one of the sergeants. "A noise +will bring the guns of the American cruiser on us. Once more, will you +surrender?"</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"Rush at him, men. Cut him to pieces if he resists."</p> + +<p>Such an order is easier given than obeyed. Men cannot move about a boat +with perfect freedom, and Young Glory standing in the stern was a +desperate foe.</p> + +<p>The fight was renewed.</p> + +<p>It was a repetition of what had previously taken place.</p> + +<p>Two men fell before Young Glory's terrible sword, and the boy himself +was not hurt.</p> + +<p>But now a diversion took place.</p> + +<p>Young Glory heard the sound of oars behind him, and he saw on turning +his head, that one of the Spanish boats was hastily coming up. Attacked +on both sides the end was certain.</p> + +<p>It was necessary to do something at once. To jump into the water was no +good. The boats would row after him and capture him in a few minutes. In +the sea he would be quite powerless to defend himself.</p> + +<p>"Now will you surrender?" cried the sergeant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"The boat will be on you in a minute. You will be between two fires."</p> + +<p>"I care not."</p> + +<p>"He's a brave fellow!" cried the sergeant, tauntingly. "Look at him, +lads."</p> + +<p>"We can't see his face."</p> + +<p>"He'll keep this bluff up to the last, lads. Then he'll whine for +mercy."</p> + +<p>"But let's see him."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>The sergeant seized a torch, and instantly set fire to it.</p> + +<p>There was a glare of light.</p> + +<p>"Look at the hero!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Are you mad?" shouted Jose Castro, from the rock. "Do you want everyone +to know where you are? Out with that flame if you value your lives!"</p> + +<p>"Not yet!" cried Young Glory, springing forward like lightning. He +seized the burning torch, and with a quick movement tore it from the +sergeant's hand.</p> + +<p>Then he jumped back to his post on the stern seat of the boat, and +instantly he began to wave the torch above his head.</p> + +<p>Jose Castro was furious.</p> + +<p>"Kill him, kill him!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"He has a few minutes to live, that's all!"</p> + +<p>Still Young Glory waved the torch, hoping it might be seen by those on +the cruiser Brooklyn. Even then it was doubtful if they could do +anything.</p> + +<p>The boat that had been coming up at the stern missed its mark, and ran +in between the two ammunition boats.</p> + +<p>Then Young Glory saw that he was saved for a few minutes at all events. +The torch still waved, and Jose Castro stormed and raved at the men in +the boats.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I have a word to say."</p> + +<p>"Don't let the traitor speak!"</p> + +<p>"Be silent!" exclaimed the sergeant. "Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I will make terms with you."</p> + +<p>"You make terms?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I have the best of the situation now."</p> + +<p>The Spaniards roared with laughter at this view of the situation.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was really only seeking to gain time.</p> + +<p>"Put me on shore, and I will give up the torch."</p> + +<p>"The torch!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, don't you see that if I continue to wave it, the American cruisers +will fire and send you all to the bottom of the sea?"</p> + +<p>"You, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that doesn't matter! If I can take fifty Spaniards there with me, I +shall be satisfied."</p> + +<p>Jose Castro had heard enough of this talk to know what it meant.</p> + +<p>"Why parley with the dog?" he shouted. "If you are men, you will kill +him!"</p> + +<p>Now was the critical point. The end seemed at hand.</p> + +<p>The second boat rushed at Young Glory.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash he sprang from the stern of the boat where he had been +standing, into the nearest of the two boats that contained the +ammunition.</p> + +<p>The boat that was coming up, rushed in, locking itself between the other +two boats.</p> + +<p>"You will kill me, you say!" hissed Young Glory through his clenched +teeth. "Try it on! If you move one step, or one of you raises a finger I +will set fire to the powder, and blow you all up!"</p> + +<p>A fearful cry arose from the men.</p> + +<p>Many of them were so appalled that they sprang into the water and began +to swim to shore.</p> + +<p>The other men, afraid to move, stood motionless as statues.</p> + +<p>"Dan! Dan!" shouted Young Glory now. "I believe he's near. I heard a +noise."</p> + +<p>The men looked suspiciously at him.</p> + +<p>Jose Castro was very ready with his advice.</p> + +<p>"Cut your boats adrift!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"No," returned Young Glory. "No man must move or lift a finger, or I +fire the powder."</p> + +<p>Young Glory clearly commanded the situation, but how long would it last? +One of the men who had swam ashore might have a rifle, and if so, no +doubt he would fire at Young Glory.</p> + +<p>But the sergeant was not satisfied even with this. For he saw that if +Young Glory fell dead in the ammunition boat the torch would fall too, +and then what would happen? It was too dreadful to think about.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>It was Jose Castro who was firing. But as he was only possessed of a +six-shooter and the distance was great, Young Glory did not stand in +fear of any of the bullets the spy might send.</p> + +<p>However, he told him to desist, as it was quite possible he might do +some injury. Jose sternly declined, and when Young Glory threatened to +blow up the boats, he told him to do so.</p> + +<p>"Well, let him fire," muttered Young Glory. "He does good, really, for +he's making a noise, and that's what I want. Dan! Dan!"</p> + +<p>Here Young Glory began to shout again.</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's here I am!" said a well known voice, and immediately the +bow of a boat shot around the nearest point of land.</p> + +<p>"Alone!" cried Young Glory, in dismay. He had expected to see Dan come +with not less than three of the cruiser's boats.</p> + +<p>It was a terrible disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' it was your cries that brought me."</p> + +<p>"And you didn't see the light?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Where are the others?"</p> + +<p>"The skipper didn't send them."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Begorra, it's not near the cruiser I've been at all, at all."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for it," muttered Young Glory.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> "Well, I'm in a pretty +mess now, and I've dragged Dan into it, which is worse."</p> + +<p>"It's a great illumination ye have there, Young Glory."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"An' mebbe it's friends of yours these gentlemen are?"</p> + +<p>"Very good friends. See! there's not one of them will do anything to +hurt me."</p> + +<p>"An' why?"</p> + +<p>"Because, Dan, I'm standing with powder and shot all around me, and if I +happened to drop this torch—I threatened to do it—the consequence +would be very serious."</p> + +<p>"Is it here ye're afther stayin' the night?"</p> + +<p>"I can't go, Dan, an' I won't let these friends of mine leave me."</p> + +<p>"It's mighty awkward."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll go!" shouted Young Glory. "A good idea's just come into my +head."</p> + +<p>"It's the great head, is yours!"</p> + +<p>"Now, Dan, have you a six-shooter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then take it."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Go round the boats to each of the Spaniards you see sitting here."</p> + +<p>"An' thin?"</p> + +<p>"You'll make him hand over his arms, sword and gun, mind, and +six-shooter. Even a stilletto, if he has such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Faith, I won't be afther lavin' the spalpeens wid a pen-knife."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Do your work, and do it quickly. Every moment counts now."</p> + +<p>Dan went to work with a vengeance. Not a man offered resistance. What, +between Young Glory's torch and Dan's six-shooter the men were fairly +cowed, and one after another they handed over their weapons. Dan Daly +threw them carelessly at the bottom of his boat.</p> + +<p>"It's no arms they have, but fists now, Young Glory, an' shure they +don't count, for a Spaniard wants a knife in his hand, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Very good. Now take your oars," said Young Glory, sternly. "The boats' +heads are pointed to sea. Pull right out with all your strength. If any +man refuses, I'll shoot him dead!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>ARRIVAL AT THE BROOKLYN—DISCOVERING A RAFT.</h3> + + +<p>Not a man refused to obey.</p> + +<p>Young Glory's actions had terrorized them.</p> + +<p>Instantly they bent over their oars, and the boats once more began to +move. Young Glory, torch in hand, still stood in the bow of one of the +ammunition boats.</p> + +<p>Jose Castro danced about like a maniac on the shore.</p> + +<p>"You shall all be shot!" he cried. "The general will have you killed as +traitors."</p> + +<p>But the men rowed on, despite Jose's threats.</p> + +<p>Dan Daly had started up when he heard the noise.</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' I know the gentleman," he said, "though it's his name that's +not in my mind now."</p> + +<p>"It's Jose Castro."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"True, Dan. There's no killing him."</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' there's no tellin'."</p> + +<p>The Irishman took up one of the rifles that lay at the bottom of the +boat. It was loaded. He put it to his shoulder and fired.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Then he took another and fired.</p> + +<p>But by this time Jose had vanished. He had no desire to become a target +for Dan Daly's rifle practice.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the boats were rapidly nearing the shore behind, and +fortunately the waves had fallen, or it would have gone hard with +everybody.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was keenly searching the water for the cruiser. He thought +it possible that seeing the torch burning, he might show a light. This, +of course was doubtful, for war ships in an enemy's waters, never +display a light of any kind at night.</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>"The cruiser!" shouted Young Glory, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Arrah! but it's sinkin' us she'll be."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Dan. It's a shot across our bows. I'll wave the light again."</p> + +<p>"An' faith it's little good that'll do."</p> + +<p>"But it will. It shows we are not an enemy, for enemies don't give +notice of their coming."</p> + +<p>Young Glory continued to wave the torch, and the boats proceeded slowly.</p> + +<p>"I see it!"</p> + +<p>"What! Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"The cruiser. Look, Dan, you can just make it out in the darkness."</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' ye're right."</p> + +<p>"Give them a hail."</p> + +<p>"Ahoy there! Ship ahoy!"</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' it's Dan Daly's squadron arrivin'!"</p> + +<p>From the cruiser came a burst of laughter. Evidently the people there +had recognized the Irishman's voice.</p> + +<p>The boats were nearer to the cruiser than they appeared to be, and a few +minutes after this talk they were alongside the Brooklyn.</p> + +<p>Instantly Dan Daly bounded up the gangway.</p> + +<p>"Dan Daly!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," answered Dan, saluting. "It's back I'm glad to be."</p> + +<p>"And I'm very glad to see you, Daly," answered Captain Miles, for it was +he.</p> + +<p>There was a crowd of officers standing around him. Late though it was, +they were mostly on deck, for the light shown near the shore had excited +their curiosity, and for a long time past they had been watching it, and +discussing its meaning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's some friends of mine below, sir. It's meself wants to ask 'em +aboard."</p> + +<p>"Do so."</p> + +<p>"Arrah! an' ye'd betther be steppin' up lively, ye spalpeens. It's the +skipper himself's waitin' to see ye."</p> + +<p>Not a word of this speech did any of the Spaniards understand, but Young +Glory instantly translated it for their benefit.</p> + +<p>One after another they slowly filed up the gangway.</p> + +<p>There were not less than forty of them, and it may be imagined that +their appearance created a great sensation.</p> + +<p>"Spaniards!" cried Captain Miles. "Why, it's a regular army."</p> + +<p>"Widout arms, Yer Honor," said Dan. "It's meself has their guns and +swords."</p> + +<p>"This is most extraordinary, and what's this?"</p> + +<p>"I report myself returned, sir."</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>The skipper staggered back a few paces, he was so astounded.</p> + +<p>"There are about forty rifles and as many cutlasses in the boats below, +sir."</p> + +<p>"They must be brought on board at once."</p> + +<p>"That is not all, sir."</p> + +<p>"Is there more, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. There are two large boats also filled with ammunition."</p> + +<p>"That must be brought aboard, too."</p> + +<p>The captain turned to the lieutenant-commander, and gave the necessary +orders.</p> + +<p>"Now, Young Glory, you and Dan Daly will come to my cabin at once. I +want to hear all that's happened."</p> + +<p>And he sat spellbound whilst Young Glory related the whole story, +beginning with Dan's escape, and ending with the capture of the boats.</p> + +<p>"It's a letter I had for you, sir," said Dan, "but faith, I couldn't get +out to sea."</p> + +<p>"The letter is no good now, Dan. Tear it up."</p> + +<p>"No, no!" exclaimed Captain Miles, eagerly, taking possession of it. +"This letter shall be preserved. It will be a memento of one of the +bravest actions ever done by an American seaman."</p> + +<p>It was little rest that Dan and Young Glory had that night.</p> + +<p>Their comrades insisted on hearing every detail of their marvelous +adventures, and the day had dawned before they sank to rest.</p> + +<p>Each of them was indulged with an unusual allowance of sleep that night, +on account of their great exertions, and when they awoke and went on +deck, the shores of Cuba had faded from sight, and the gallant Cruiser +Brooklyn was steaming through the Caribbean sea in an easterly +direction.</p> + +<p>"Where are we bound?" was the universal question now.</p> + +<p>"Ask Young Glory. He knows everything," laughingly said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"It's Porto Rico we're going to," cried one of the sailors. "I heard an +officer say so."</p> + +<p>"Porto Rico! That belongs to Spain, eh?" asked one of the sailors.</p> + +<p>"Spain! Why, no! China, of course!"</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>The men were in the highest spirits now. They had not enjoyed the work +of the past few days, cruising about off Valmosa and Monterey. Inaction +is the last thing a blue jacket appreciates.</p> + +<p>Now there was always something to do, and Captain Miles, a first-class +officer, saw that everything was done to perfection.</p> + +<p>"If we do go into action," he said, "it will not be our fault if we are +beaten!"</p> + +<p>The run to Porto Rico took some days.</p> + +<p>The lookout men were on the alert, expecting to sight land every minute.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a shout from one of them.</p> + +<p>"Porto Rico at last!" cried one of the sailors, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"A sail!" cried the lookout man.</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"On the port bow!"</p> + +<p>One of the officers instantly went to the top with his binocular, +bringing it to bear on a small, far distant speck on the ocean.</p> + +<p>"A sail, surely," he said, "but what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir?" shouted Captain Miles.</p> + +<p>"It is a sail, sir."</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it, Mr. Robson?"</p> + +<p>"Hard to say. Certainly not a battle ship, nor even a gun-boat."</p> + +<p>"What, then?"</p> + +<p>"Looks like a small boat, sir. Perhaps there may be people aboard, but +at present it's impossible to say."</p> + +<p>Mr. Robson was a lieutenant on the Brooklyn. He had been early in the +war on the battle ship Indiana. There Young Glory had served under him, +and had learned to appreciate the attention to duty and the bravery +displayed by this gallant officer.</p> + +<p>He and Captain Miles paced the deck now, talking over what should be +done.</p> + +<p>"I should send a boat, sir."</p> + +<p>"We shall see in a minute or two what is best to be done, Mr. Robson. +We're running directly for the sail."</p> + +<p>"It's not a boat, sir!" cried Mr. Robson, after a while.</p> + +<p>"Not a boat?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"What, then?"</p> + +<p>"A raft."</p> + +<p>"You're right," said the captain, after another look. "A raft, sure +enough, and what's more, is that there are people on it. Order out two +boats."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"They must start for the raft at once."</p> + +<p>"Instantly, sir."</p> + +<p>To lower the boats and man them does not take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> long on board a +man-of-war. Every man knows his place, and the operation proceeds like +clock work.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they were flying over the water towards the raft. Very +soon they saw it was crowded with people. Some of them raised their +hands as they saw the boats draw near.</p> + +<p>"Poor souls!" said Dan Daly. "It's shipwrecked they are, an' starvin' +too."</p> + +<p>"Well, it won't take many minutes to remedy that, Dan."</p> + +<p>"Pull hard, lads!" cried Mr. Robson. "Every minute counts in a case like +this."</p> + +<p>What a sight met the eyes of the blue jackets.</p> + +<p>Half of the occupants of the raft were dead men. The survivors seemed to +be, many of them, at the point of death. Very few had strength enough to +rise even to a sitting position.</p> + +<p>"No time for talking, lads," said Lieutenant Robson. "Get them back to +the ship at once."</p> + +<p>"And the dead, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Throw them over. It's all that can be done."</p> + +<p>Some stimulants had been taken with the boats, and by the time that the +Brooklyn was reached one of the men had recovered sufficiently to talk. +The others were carried below and given at once into the hands of the +surgeon.</p> + +<p>"You have suffered very much," said Captain Miles, kindly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but our troubles are over at last."</p> + +<p>"You feel strong enough to talk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, captain. I'm the mate of the Mary Parker, a fruit ship bound from +Rio Janeiro to New Orleans. We were attacked by the Spaniards, and our +ship was captured."</p> + +<p>"What was done with it?"</p> + +<p>"The cargo—that is, the valuable part of it—was taken by the Spaniard, +and our ship was sunk."</p> + +<p>"And how came you on the water?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is a terrible story. The Spaniards would not take us on board. +The captain said that he had too many mouths to feed as it was."</p> + +<p>"The wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Wait. Many of the Spanish officers proposed that we should be sunk with +the ship. It would save time, they said. Sometimes I think it would have +been better if they had carried out their intention, for my poor +comrades suffered torments before they died."</p> + +<p>"It was merciless!"</p> + +<p>"Then these men held a conference. After a lot of talk they came to a +decision. It was decided that the carpenter should rig out a raft in a +hasty fashion, and that we were to be put aboard it. And so we were. +They sent us adrift on a few timbers without a bite to eat, or one drop +of water."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>YOUNG GLORY ON THE NASHVILLE—AT SAN JUAN DE +PORTO RICO.</h3> + + +<p>Captain Miles was aghast.</p> + +<p>The officers of the Brooklyn who had drawn close to listen, were loud +in their expressions of indignation.</p> + +<p>"The brutes! the inhuman brutes!" said the skipper. "And these are the +men for whom some misguided people feel pity."</p> + +<p>"An object lesson like this," said the lieutenant-commander, "shows how +much pity they deserve."</p> + +<p>"As we left the Spaniard," continued the mate of the Mary Parker, "the +wretches on board hooted and jeered at us. We heard some of them propose +that they should have some rifle practice on us, but this was rejected, +because it was too merciful a death. Five days we passed beneath a +burning sun, suffering cruel thirst and hunger. Of twenty men who went +on the raft, but nine remain."</p> + +<p>"Poor creatures!"</p> + +<p>Captain Miles was silent. The horrors to which he had listened had +affected him deeply, it was some moments before he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, if you can, the name of the ship that captured you."</p> + +<p>"It was a Spanish cruiser, the Cristobal Colon."</p> + +<p>"The Cristobal Colon! That name will stick in my memory, my friend, +until I have revenged you and your shipmates. Do you think it's likely +that the Spanish cruiser is in these waters now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard enough while I was aboard of her to make me think so. Her +mission is to prey on American commerce."</p> + +<p>"We will catch her."</p> + +<p>"It's not easy. She does her work, then dashes into the harbor of San +Juan and finds safety."</p> + +<p>"We shall find a way, never fear."</p> + +<p>The treatment of the American sailors by the Spaniards had roused the +men's passions to the boiling point. The Cristobal Colon would have a +bad time if the two ships came to close quarters.</p> + +<p>For three days the Brooklyn cruised around Porto Rico. Not a sign did +she see of the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Faith, we'll never have a sight of her."</p> + +<p>"How's that, Dan?"</p> + +<p>"She knows we're around. It's one of their Spanish fishin' vessels has +seen us, and that's enough. It's out of San Juan she'll not be comin'."</p> + +<p>Captain Miles thought the same as Dan, but he determined to remain, +because even if he could not get near enough to the Cristobal Colon to +attack her, yet he was able by remaining, to prevent the Spanish cruiser +from leaving the port in order to prey on American commerce.</p> + +<p>The next day a ship was sighted.</p> + +<p>She evidently recognized the Brooklyn, for she flew the Stars and +Stripes in a very short time.</p> + +<p>"One of ours, boys!" cried a sailor, "and I know her, too."</p> + +<p>"You do?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. She's a gun-boat. She's the Nashville, and I was aboard her for +two years."</p> + +<p>"A good boat, Bill?"</p> + +<p>"A very smart craft."</p> + +<p>It was not long before the captains of the Nashville<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> and the Brooklyn +were exchanging compliments. The skipper of the gun-boat came aboard the +cruiser, and a long conference took place.</p> + +<p>"So you'd heard of the Cristobal Colon, then?" said Captain Miles.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Captain Long, of the gun-boat. "It was on her account I +was ordered here. Admiral Jackson thought I might be able to help you. +More than one ship has arrived in the gulf reporting a severe chase. +She's doing great damage as a commerce destroyer, and the admiral says +she must be checked."</p> + +<p>"It's all very well for Admiral Jackson to talk that way," said Captain +Miles, impatiently; "but just let him come here. He wouldn't be able to +do any more than I'm doing."</p> + +<p>"Of course, if she won't stir outside of San Juan it's difficult for us +to act."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What's to be done? A ship-load of wretches like that should not be at +large. They're no better than wild beasts."</p> + +<p>"I can't venture in shore."</p> + +<p>"But I can, Captain Miles. My boat's very light draft. Supposing I have +a look in at San Juan? I may find out something."</p> + +<p>"A good idea, but be careful. The Cristobal Colon's a fast boat, and if +she caught you, well, you know where you'd be, at the bottom of the sea +in a very few minutes."</p> + +<p>"I shall be cautious. My scheme will be to try and lure the Spaniards +out of port."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha! Try, by all means, but the fish won't always bite."</p> + +<p>"You can do something for me."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Spare me twenty men. That is, if you're not short-handed. I am."</p> + +<p>"I can lend you twenty, but they won't like it at all, for they're all +spoiling for a fight with this Spaniard, and they want to be here when +the fun begins."</p> + +<p>"But I must have them."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Mr. Robson!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Twenty men wanted for the Nashville. We can spare them, and Captain +Long is short-handed."</p> + +<p>"Now," laughed Captain Long, "give me a fair selection, Mr. Robson. No +cripple, mind."</p> + +<p>"All our men are up to the mark."</p> + +<p>"Good! The sooner you can send them aboard the better, for I want to +start."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Robson lost no time. He had twenty men paraded on deck. +Amongst them happened to be Young Glory and Dan Daly.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Robson passed his eye along them.</p> + +<p>"If he doesn't like them," he said to himself, "he's hard to please."</p> + +<p>In truth he would be, for a finer body of men never stepped the deck of +a ship.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" whispered one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's some fightin' for us!"</p> + +<p>"Hope so, Dan."</p> + +<p>"My men," said Lieutenant Robson, "the duty you are to be placed on, is +not given to you because you have displeased the captain. On the +contrary. But someone has to do it, and you have been chosen."</p> + +<p>The men's faces fell at this speech.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are lent to the Nashville. You will go aboard at once, and my +last word is—but I know it's unnecessary—that you will show your new +skipper what the men of the Brooklyn can do."</p> + +<p>The men were instantly dismissed. It took them a few minutes to collect +their belongings, during which they received much sympathy from their +comrades.</p> + +<p>"You'll miss this fight, Young Glory."</p> + +<p>"Don't talk about it," replied Young Glory, hotly. "It's enough to send +a man crazy!"</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's like desertin', I feel!"</p> + +<p>"Do. There's no one to stop you, Dan, and it's very easy. You have only +to step over the ship's sides into the mouth of the shark who's waiting +there for you."</p> + +<p>But Dan was too mad to reply.</p> + +<p>He and his comrades very soon found themselves on the Nashville.</p> + +<p>The first person they met aboard was Captain Long, whom they had not +seen when he paid his visit to Captain Miles on the Brooklyn.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory and Dan Daly!" cried Captain Long. "Well, this is a +surprise. I can't complain now that they've sent me a poor lot of men."</p> + +<p>Captain Long was a lieutenant of the Indiana, the first battle ship on +which Young Glory had served during the war. He was only a young man, +but he had on so many occasions displayed such conspicuous bravery, that +he had been promoted to the rank of captain and placed in command of the +gun-boat.</p> + +<p>"It might be worse, Dan," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because wherever Captain Long is there's fighting. That's a dead sure +thing, and I wouldn't be surprised but what we'll have enough of it."</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' it's plased I am to see an ould face."</p> + +<p>"Old! Captain Long's young."</p> + +<p>"Arrah! ye're a tasin' lad. It's yerself knows what I mane."</p> + +<p>The Brooklyn had faded from sight now. The Nashville was running towards +San Juan. The gun-boat did not mean to enter the harbor, but simply to +cruise about in the hope that something might be seen of the Spanish +cruiser.</p> + +<p>One night the weather was very thick.</p> + +<p>It was quite possible for a ship to leave the port without being seen, +or even heard, for the waves stifled any sound she might have made.</p> + +<p>Towards morning the weather cleared.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was on watch duty and Captain Long happened to be near him.</p> + +<p>"Can I have a word with you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Surely?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I may be mistaken, but I feel positive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> that the Cristobal +Colon went out of port during the night."</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out? You saw nothing."</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"And heard nothing?"</p> + +<p>"Very little. But this is what happened. I was looking over the ship's +sides during the night, and a little after midnight, when the fog was +thickest, there was a great rush of water towards our boat. The waves +rose high, almost to the deck. What caused that? I said to myself, and +there was only one explanation."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"It was the wash from a big steamer. I've no doubt of it."</p> + +<p>"You have spoken of this?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir. It was my duty. I drew the attention of the officer of +the watch to this, and he said he thought it was a tidal wave."</p> + +<p>"And you did not agree with him?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"Young Glory, I think your theory is the correct one. It seems +reasonable. That boat's waited for thick weather so as to give us the +slip. I must know."</p> + +<p>"How, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Why, if she's not in San Juan I must notify the Brooklyn at once, so +that she may look after her; we don't want any more ships destroyed."</p> + +<p>Captain Long lost not a moment.</p> + +<p>All hands were called instantly.</p> + +<p>The Nashville's course was changed, and she steered straight for the +harbor of San Juan.</p> + +<p>The men were all excited now. It was a desperate mission upon which they +were bound, and they knew it. The enterprise affected men differently. +Some of the sailors looked stern and determined. Dan Daly smiled the +first time for a week.</p> + +<p>As for Young Glory, he was in his element.</p> + +<p>The Nashville had now entered the harbor, quite regardless of the guns +or the forts. Captain Long held these antiquated weapons in contempt.</p> + +<p>Rapidly his eye scanned the horizon.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory was right," he exclaimed; "the Cristobal Colon has sailed +from Porto Rico."</p> + +<p>He ordered the ship put about, and the Nashville was once more steaming +towards the ocean, when a startling sight met all eyes.</p> + +<p>The Cristobal Colon hove in view. She was steaming into the harbor, +coming towards the Nashville.</p> + +<p>Everyone knew what it meant. There was no possibility of escape. The +Spaniard barred the way to the ocean, and there was no passing her.</p> + +<p>Cruiser against gun-boat! That was the situation.</p> + +<p>It was to be a fight against odds!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST SHOT—A HOT FIGHT.</h3> + + +<p>Instantly all was excitement on the Nashville.</p> + +<p>Captain Long saw how serious matters were.</p> + +<p>Single-handed he had to fight against the Spanish cruiser, for it was +certain that the Brooklyn could give no assistance.</p> + +<p>"My lads!" he said, "the odds against us are terrific. All the more +reason why we should fight bravely. Let us show the Spaniards to-day +what Americans can do."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah!" answered the crew, and a ringing cheer went up.</p> + +<p>The men knew no fear, and strong hearts count for much in a sea fight.</p> + +<p>"Clear the decks for action!" was the order now.</p> + +<p>Everything movable was instantly carried away. The decks were stripped +bare.</p> + +<p>"You have your wish now, Dan," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Yes, faith, it's all the fightin' I'll want. Begorra, but it's glad I +am I came."</p> + +<p>Dan went away and Young Glory was alone.</p> + +<p>On the deck of the ship stood Young Glory, ready for the fight, with his +eyes on the Spanish cruiser.</p> + +<p>Proudly the American flag flew, and when the men saw the Stars and +Stripes waving in the breeze, they realized that they had something to +die for.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard was coming slowly along now.</p> + +<p>The gun-boat had slackened speed, but had not changed its position.</p> + +<p>Captain Long was discussing the situation with his lieutenant, and the +men at the guns were busily doing the same thing.</p> + +<p>"It's a fine ship," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Which?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Dan, how in thunder can you ask such a question? The Spaniard, I +mean, of course."</p> + +<p>"An' it's a quare name it has."</p> + +<p>"Cristobal Colon! Oh! that's named after Columbus."</p> + +<p>"Ah! it's himself would be the sad man if he could see his own people +now."</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that, Dan, this is a fine ship, and don't you forget +it."</p> + +<p>Dan shrugged his shoulders scornfully, and put a plug of tobacco in his +mouth.</p> + +<p>"Arrah! it's the little boat for me."</p> + +<p>"But think of their guns."</p> + +<p>"What of them?"</p> + +<p>"Why, they've two ten-inch breech-loading rifles, and she has between +thirty and forty quick firing guns."</p> + +<p>"An' faith, we have eight."</p> + +<p>"That's so."</p> + +<p>"An' enough," answered Dan, obstinately. "One American equals ten +Spaniards. That's my way of looking at it, so, begorra, eight guns equal +eighty. Shure, an' it's all in our favor."</p> + +<p>Having made this wonderful calculation, Dan walked away with a satisfied +expression on his face.</p> + +<p>Captain Long had been speaking to Young Glory. It was an unusual thing +for an officer to take advice from a seaman, but then Young Glory was a +seaman of no common order. Everybody knew that his place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> was the +quarter deck, and that time and again he had refused the promotion which +had been offered him.</p> + +<p>"There can be only one result," said Captain Long.</p> + +<p>"True, sir."</p> + +<p>"And the fight won't last long."</p> + +<p>"You think not, sir?"</p> + +<p>"No, one shot from one of their big guns will put us out of the way if +it strikes."</p> + +<p>"Then it mustn't strike."</p> + +<p>"It can't be prevented. The Spaniards are poor gunners, that's our only +chance."</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>"Hulloa, she's opened fire!"</p> + +<p>The Spanish cruiser began the attack by firing one of her great guns +from the barbette in the bows.</p> + +<p>The shot went very wide of the mark, and the Yankee sailors shouted with +derision.</p> + +<p>They were all at the guns waiting the order to commence. But Captain +Long was in no hurry.</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>Another gun from the Spaniard.</p> + +<p>"You see, sir, they can't hit us," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"There's a heavy swell on, and it's almost impossible to train those big +guns on us."</p> + +<p>"We'll see if we can't do better. Her armor is only three inches thick, +steel it's true, but what of that. One good shot may smash through a +barbette, anyway."</p> + +<p>Then the fight really began.</p> + +<p>Boom! Boom!</p> + +<p>The rapid firing guns were at work now. Occasionally the deep boom of +one of the great ten-inch rifles would be heard, but these latter guns +can only be fired at long intervals. It takes time to clean them, load +again and fire.</p> + +<p>What was Young Glory doing?</p> + +<p>He was at one of the bow guns of the Nashville, the largest she was +carrying, an eight-inch breech-loader.</p> + +<p>Young Glory had for the time superseded the officer of this gun, for it +was a critical moment, and Captain Long knew that if Young Glory could +not do the required work, there was no one on board who could.</p> + +<p>The accuracy of the young hero had been proved in many a hard fight at +sea.</p> + +<p>Coolly he directed operations, with Dan Daly assisting him.</p> + +<p>"An' faith, it's a poor mark," said the latter.</p> + +<p>"I have my orders."</p> + +<p>"Shure ye have, Young Glory, but it's meself would rather be afther +firin' at the big ship herself."</p> + +<p>"Dan, you're a good fellow and I'm particularly fond of you, but you +wouldn't make a great general. Now, see here, Dan, if I can manage to +hit that turret I'll put one of their great guns out of action. That's a +tremendous gain."</p> + +<p>"It's yerself knows best," said Dan, and he added to himself, "or ye'd +prove to me ye knew best anyway."</p> + +<p>Dan was working like a hero.</p> + +<p>Two of his comrades at the gun had been carried below, badly wounded by +some splinters from a shell.</p> + +<p>The sight of his comrades' blood infuriated the Irishman, and it +animated the other men also.</p> + +<p>As for Young Glory, there was apparently no difference in him. He was as +cool as ever.</p> + +<p>It was his work to sight and train the gun, and each time that it was +fired, anxious eyes followed the shot to see whether it would be a +success.</p> + +<p>"Bah! I'll never hit it!" cried Young Glory, in disgust, after his last +unsuccessful shot. "It's the swell on the water. It's almost impossible +to take aim; you can't do it with any accuracy."</p> + +<p>"Murther!" cried Dan, "but those spalpeens can!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke a shot had come from the enemy's ship, and it tore away one +of the ship's boats, but doing no other damage. Several men had narrow +escapes from the splinters of the shell. Boats are invariably a source +of danger in naval fights, and it is the custom for battle ships to get +rid of most of their boats before the action begins.</p> + +<p>Captain Long was very anxious now.</p> + +<p>The last few shots from the Spanish cruiser showed that her gunners were +getting the range and elevation. At any moment a shot might come and +sink the gun-boat.</p> + +<p>Several times he cast anxious eyes seaward, hoping that the noise of the +fight might bring the Brooklyn to the port.</p> + +<p>Alas! this was not to be. The fine American cruiser was yet far away.</p> + +<p>The gun-boat had suffered a serious loss in men. A number of the seamen +had been struck by shots fired from the machine guns, and Captain Long +knew he could ill afford such losses.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"One good shot from you may give us a fighting chance."</p> + +<p>"I am doing all I can, sir."</p> + +<p>"That I know."</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>Young Glory had been almost ready to fire as Captain Long spoke to him. +Now he did so.</p> + +<p>"A hit!" cried the man. "A hit!"</p> + +<p>"A knock-out blow!" shouted Dan, excitedly. "It's yourself won't come up +to time."</p> + +<p>The wind blew the thick smoke away for a few minutes, and when it was +clear all eyes were fixed on the Spanish cruiser. It was seen at once +that Young Glory's last shot had been successful.</p> + +<p>The barbette was smashed.</p> + +<p>The eight-inch gun of the Nashville had sent a shot right against it. +Confusion reigned on the cruiser. Men were running hither and thither. +They were carrying off the wounded, and others, hastily summoned from +below, machinists, carpenters and the like, were busily engaged in +trying to make good the damage.</p> + +<p>"Ye may work yer hardest," said Dan, shaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> his fist at the enemy, +"but it's that gun won't bark any more this blessed day."</p> + +<p>"You never said a truer word, Dan!" exclaimed Captain Long, merrily.</p> + +<p>Young Glory's shot had put him in a good humor.</p> + +<p>"My lads," he cried, "the big do not always win in battle. First blood +is ours! Work your hardest, and the last blood will be ours, too!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" came from a hundred throats.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Young Glory was working busily at the gun again, having very +little to say, but listening intently to what was going on, and feeling +very much amazed at Dan's running comments on the progress of the fight.</p> + +<p>Captain Long was on deck in the conning tower. He called his lieutenant, +Mr. Tyler, over.</p> + +<p>"A new move on, Mr. Tyler."</p> + +<p>"Looks like it, sir."</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?"</p> + +<p>"They're trying to get at us with their broadside guns."</p> + +<p>"By jingo, but you're right! Well, that move must be stopped if +possible!"</p> + +<p>Captain Long gave the necessary orders, and as fast as the Spanish +cruiser tried to bring its broadside guns into play, so did the +Nashville maneuver so as to keep its bow head on to the Spaniard.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the guns of the Nashville were busily at work, and more +damage had been done to the cruiser. The din was terrific, and for the +most part the two ships were enveloped in such a thick cloud of smoke, +that it was quite impossible to see what they were doing.</p> + +<p>The Nashville had little steam on, for she had been lying to during the +fight. Suddenly the Cristobal Colon put on a great burst of speed, and +came dashing through the water toward the gun-boat.</p> + +<p>"She's going to ram us!"</p> + +<p>"Sink her! Stop her!"</p> + +<p>These cries came from all parts of the ship.</p> + +<p>The excitement was terrific. The Spaniard was firing her guns as she +came on, the Nashville was replying. Captain Long was working to stave +off the impending disaster. Hastily the engineer got up steam. The +gun-boat was well under way again.</p> + +<p>"This dodging about can have only one end, sir," said Young Glory to the +captain.</p> + +<p>"Yes, an end for us."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. There's only one way to save ourselves."</p> + +<p>"I know none. Once those broadside guns get into play on us it will soon +be over. They are bound to sink us at this distance. The worst gunners +in the world could not miss."</p> + +<p>"Don't give them the chance."</p> + +<p>"How, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"Run boldly up to her, sir."</p> + +<p>"What then?"</p> + +<p>"It's neck or nothing. Let all hands be ready, and once we're alongside +of the Spaniard, we must board her and take her by storm."</p> + +<p>The captain was thunderstruck. This audacious proposal fairly took his +breath away. It was difficult for him to reply. Meanwhile, Young Glory +respectfully awaited an answer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>BOARDING THE CRUISER—THE LAST STAND.</h3> + + +<p>"Mr. Tyler."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Listen. Young Glory proposes to run into the Spaniard and board her."</p> + +<p>"Great Heaven!"</p> + +<p>"It's the only way to save ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Save ourselves, Young Glory! Do you know what you're talking about?"</p> + +<p>"I generally do, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then take note of this. The Cristobal Colon has a complement of five +hundred officers and men. What have we?"</p> + +<p>"Two hundred."</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"And they are enough, sir."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tyler, it is not a question of whether we have enough, but what are +we to do. We shall be sunk for a certainty in a few minutes."</p> + +<p>"Board the Spaniard, sir. Board her. I'm with you heart and soul. We'll +die fighting."</p> + +<p>"No, we will live and triumph!"</p> + +<p>As Young Glory said these words his eyes flashed fire, and his looks +more than his words brought hope to each of his officers.</p> + +<p>Instantly the call for boarders was heard.</p> + +<p>The two ships were nearing each other now, the Spaniard rapidly getting +into a commanding position. Those on board of the Cristobal Colon were +astounded at the action of the gun-boat. Here she was coming at the +cruiser as if with the intention of ramming her.</p> + +<p>It seemed madness. What chance would such a small craft have against the +great Spanish cruiser?</p> + +<p>The Spaniards were in high glee.</p> + +<p>They anticipated an easy victory.</p> + +<p>"The ship will be sunk in a few minutes," said Captain Moret, who +commanded the Spaniard, "and those American pigs with her."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, captain," said a lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Well."</p> + +<p>"I wish to make a suggestion."</p> + +<p>"Do so."</p> + +<p>"If the ship is sunk, she is no use to us."</p> + +<p>"Quite so."</p> + +<p>"Whereas if we capture her, she will be a very valuable prize, in fact, +just the kind of a boat we want. Those men must know they have no +chance. Call on them to surrender. They are almost within earshot now. +Depend upon it if you offer them good treatment they will hand over +their boat, and think they've got out of the hole they're in very well."</p> + +<p>"Caramba! lieutenant, but you speak well. Ho! there!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>The captain spoke English, and as there was a lull in the firing he was +able to make himself heard.</p> + +<p>"Hold! there!"</p> + +<p>"I hear you!"</p> + +<p>It was Captain Long who answered.</p> + +<p>"Strike your flag and surrender, and you shall be treated as prisoners +of war."</p> + +<p>"Hear my answer?" exclaimed Captain Long, furiously.</p> + +<p>Boom! Boom!</p> + +<p>The guns of the Nashville poured in a broadside. That was the American +reply.</p> + +<p>"Sink the dogs!" roared Captain Moret, savagely. "Sink them, they +deserve no better fate."</p> + +<p>The last broadside of the Nashville had done some damage, but what could +not be seen for the clouds of smoke that obscured the view.</p> + +<p>The two ships were close to each other now.</p> + +<p>Boom! Boom!</p> + +<p>The guns of the cruiser were replying now. Here the size of the +Nashville was her safeguard. She lay low in the water, and being so near +to the cruiser the shot of the latter passed over her decks. One of the +topmasts was carried away, and two men were crushed by its fall, so the +gun-boat got off lightly.</p> + +<p>"Ready, men, ready."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tyler, as executive officer stood ready to lead the boarders. Young +Glory and Dan Daly, burning with impatience, were near him.</p> + +<p>Slowly, amid the smoke, the two ships drifted towards each other. Then +with a crash they met. Quick as lightning ladders were thrown from the +gun-boat on to the cruiser.</p> + +<p>The men swarmed up the sides of the Cristobal Colon like cats.</p> + +<p>Captain Moret was astounded. He had never dreamed that the Americans +would resort to such desperate tactics. Being completely surprised, he +had made no preparations to repel boarders, and such of his men who were +not at the guns were in the tops.</p> + +<p>The result was that the blue jackets of the Nashville obtained a secure +footing on the cruiser's deck.</p> + +<p>But Captain Moret was not idle.</p> + +<p>"Sweep these dogs from the deck!" he cried, savagely.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Dan fired and missed the captain by a hairbreadth.</p> + +<p>"It's a more civil tongue in your head I'd have ye kapin'!" cried the +Irishman.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards had formed to repel the attack now. By the hundred they +rushed on to the deck of the ship. From the tops Spanish riflemen kept +up a withering fire on the enemy.</p> + +<p>Captain Long saw this. Instantly he put his riflemen at work.</p> + +<p>With deadly aim the American riflemen fired. One by one the Spaniards +dropped dead in the tops, and those who did not, climbed down from their +elevated positions to seek a less dangerous spot.</p> + +<p>A hand to hand fight was going on.</p> + +<p>The Americans and Spaniards had met on the deck of the cruiser in a +fierce contest. Nothing was heard but the clash of steel, the firing of +pistols, and the shouts of the fighters.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards were three to one, for the Americans had left a large part +of their force on the gun-boat. It was quite impossible to employ all +the blue jackets in the attack on the cruiser.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was in the front of the battle, laying about him with his +cutlass. Mr. Tyler, leading the sailors, was fighting by his side. Dan +Daly was not far off, and Dan's quaint remarks could be heard above +everybody's voice.</p> + +<p>The Spanish officers kept somewhat in the background, urging their men +to the attack, by every means in their power.</p> + +<p>"Arrah! it's hidin' ye are!" shouted Dan. "It's here ye ought to be. +It's yer foine gold lace I'd be afther seein'!"</p> + +<p>But even this invitation did not tempt the officers of the cruiser to +come to closer quarters.</p> + +<p>One by one the men dropped. The enemy's loss was far the greater, but +they were able to sustain it better than the Americans.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tyler saw this, and wished to end matters.</p> + +<p>"Follow me!" he cried, bravely, turning to his men and waving his sword.</p> + +<p>With a cheer, led by Young Glory, the blue jackets sprang forward and +dashed at the Spaniards. The latter, appalled by the fury of the attack +gave way.</p> + +<p>But it was only for an instant. The Spanish officers struck their men +with the flat of their swords, compelling them to stand their ground. +More than one Spanish sailor was pistoled as an example to the others.</p> + +<p>Like desperate men they rallied. On they came, bearing back the +Americans by force of numbers.</p> + +<p>To the ground fell Mr. Tyler.</p> + +<p>A dozen Spaniards rushed at him.</p> + +<p>"Take him prisoner!" cried Captain Moret.</p> + +<p>Young Glory and Dan Daly flew to the rescue.</p> + +<p>By the time they had reached their leader he was on his feet again with +his face to the foe.</p> + +<p>"Unhurt!" he cried, with a smile; "slipped, that was all!"</p> + +<p>"An' that spalpeen slipped, too!" laughed Dan, as he cut a Spaniard down +with a furious blow from his cutlass.</p> + +<p>Two men rushed at Dan to avenge their fallen comrade. Just at this +instant, as Young Glory was going to Dan's assistance, his sword slipped +from his grasp falling to the deck, some distance away.</p> + +<p>If Dan was to be saved no time must be lost. Young Glory saw this, and +not an instant did he hesitate.</p> + +<p>He flew at the nearest Spaniard, without a weapon, and seizing the man +by the neck, Young Glory hurled him furiously away. The man rolled over +and over on the deck, finally landing against one of the turrets, and +lying there unconscious from the force of the blow.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards stood aghast at this exhibition of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> strength. By this time +Young Glory had obtained another cutlass, and Dan had relieved himself +of his remaining foe.</p> + +<p>The fight became general again. Mr. Tyler was acting on the defensive +now. If he could only sustain the contest, he felt convinced that he +could tire out the Spaniards.</p> + +<p>His men were shooting down the enemy rapidly, and, besides, the riflemen +on the Nashville were doing terrible damage.</p> + +<p>All at once there was a lull.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards called off their men. They got into shelter, and ceased to +attack the Americans.</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?"</p> + +<p>"Sir, it's enough they've had."</p> + +<p>"Looks like it, Dan."</p> + +<p>"It's givin' up they'll be in a minute."</p> + +<p>"No," said Young Glory, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Why, what d'you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I know what they're doing, sir. I heard the calls and caught some of +the orders given, and I understand them. We shall have the hottest time +of all."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"Captain Moret has rallied together all the men on the ship, every man +of them, and they'll come against us like an avalanche."</p> + +<p>"They will sweep us from the ship!" cried Mr. Tyler, aghast at the +prospect.</p> + +<p>Even Dan Daly was silent. For once the Irishman could not see a bit of +blue sky in the prospect.</p> + +<p>"It's retreatin' we ought to be!" cried the Irishman.</p> + +<p>"And have them attack our ship?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's there I want to lure the spalpeens; we'd have an aisy mark +on the Nashville. Shure, sir," asked Dan in an injured tone, "it wasn't +afraid you thought I was?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Dan."</p> + +<p>"Begorra, an' it's betther I feel. But where's Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"Young Glory! why, he's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone!"</p> + +<p>Yes, that was the fact. Young Glory had deserted in the thick of the +fight, and a blank look of despair came over every face when they saw +what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Deserted! shown the white feather!" muttered Lieutenant Tyler. "I +couldn't have believed it of Young Glory."</p> + +<p>"An' shure, if ye did, sir, ye'd be decavin' yourself," said Dan, hotly, +sticking up for his chum through thick and thin.</p> + +<p>"But he's gone!" was the cry.</p> + +<p>"Begorra! P'haps the poor lad's hurt. Faith, it's a Spanish bullet he +may have in him, worse luck. Fear and Young Glory can't be coupled +together, me lads. It's Dan Daly tells you so, an' it's himself that +knows."</p> + +<p>"They're forming for the attack, my men."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Stand firm, lads."</p> + +<p>"We will die where we stand."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk."</p> + +<p>The men, desperate though their situation was, were as defiant as ever. +The blue jacket who proposed making terms with the enemy would have had +a very hot time. But to the credit of these sailors, it may be said, +that they were all heroes, and not a man amongst them knew what fear +meant.</p> + +<p>Cutlass in hand, sternly they stood facing the foe.</p> + +<p>"No quarter!" cried a Spanish officer. "We have offered it once, and +they replied with a broadside. Forward to the attack for your king and +country!"</p> + +<p>Roused to a pitch of frenzy by this address, the Spaniards waved their +swords in the air. Then, in a close column, they thundered along the +deck to where the small, but devoted band of American blue jackets +awaited the attack.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>YOUNG GLORY TO THE RESCUE—A SURPRISE FOR THE +BROOKLYN.</h3> + + +<p>Lieutenant Tyler glanced round involuntarily. It was like a man taking +his last look at the earth.</p> + +<p>The lieutenant was as brave as a lion, but he saw only one issue to the +fight.</p> + +<p>"Would that Young Glory were here!" he cried. "He's equal to twenty +men!"</p> + +<p>Then the two forces closed in a fierce fight.</p> + +<p>Back the Americans retreated. Well they might do so.</p> + +<p>The enemy was more than four to one, and the weight of numbers was +irresistible. But the Nashville's blue jackets fought desperately, and +for every American sailor that fell, four Spaniards were stretched on +the deck.</p> + +<p>"The victory shall cost them dear!" hissed Mr. Tyler.</p> + +<p>He knew that his men would fight to the last.</p> + +<p>Captain Moret, entirely unmoved, saw his men falling like flies. What +did he care? A Spanish officer places no value on the lives of those +under him, and besides, he knew that his men must win.</p> + +<p>Ha! what was that?</p> + +<p>A terrific shout was heard now, above the clashing of steel.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory to the rescue!"</p> + +<p>That was the cry that came from fifty lips.</p> + +<p>Then in a moment all saw what had happened.</p> + +<p>Captain Moret had stripped the fore part of the ship bare of men in +order to concentrate them with the rest of his forces in making one +final attack on the enemy.</p> + +<p>The quick eye of Young Glory had detected the weak spot instantly.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory to the rescue!" shouted the blue jackets, and on they came, +taking the Spaniards in the rear.</p> + +<p>Even now the men of the Cristobal Colon had nothing to fear, for they +still vastly outnumbered the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Americans, but this sudden and unexpected +attack in the rear caused a panic.</p> + +<p>Young Glory's terrible sword aided to the fear that filled the breasts +of the Spaniards. All within reach of him dropped to the deck.</p> + +<p>"Forward, men!" cried Lieutenant Tyler, "the enemy weakens. Now is our +chance!"</p> + +<p>The Spaniards were a huddled and confused mass of human beings now. The +last vestige of discipline had gone, and the officers who yet remained, +struggled in vain with their men to inspire them with courage.</p> + +<p>"Dogs!" they cried, "the day is ours yet!"</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's sorry to contradict ye, I am!" shouted Dan Daly, still in +the front of the battle.</p> + +<p>"Halloa, Dan!" cried Young Glory, looking across the intervening foe. +"This is a great day!"</p> + +<p>"Great!"</p> + +<p>Dan could say no more. He could not find any expression that exactly +fitted the case.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards now were throwing down their arms.</p> + +<p>Captain Moret, in despair, rushed into the thick of the fight, +endeavoring to rally his men.</p> + +<p>"Cowards!" he cried, furiously. "This is a black day for Spain!"</p> + +<p>"Faith, old gentleman," said Dan, "she's had so many black days it won't +be noticed, an' it's black herself she is wid crime."</p> + +<p>Captain Moret made a furious rush at the author of this insulting +speech. The blades of the Irishman and the Spaniard crossed in fierce +fight.</p> + +<p>"Caramba! but you die!"</p> + +<p>"Some day!" answered Dan, coolly, as he parried a furious blow. "Ah! my +gold-laced don, you're beginnin' to see that Dan Daly's handled a sword +before."</p> + +<p>The two men were practically alone. Captain Moret had his back to the +mast, and Dan, agile as a cat, despite his age, was hopping merrily +round and round him.</p> + +<p>The tide of battle had passed them by.</p> + +<p>Such of the Spaniards as had not thrown down their arms had retreated in +a body towards Lieutenant Tyler's force, with Young Glory and his band +of fifty blue jackets in hot pursuit.</p> + +<p>"It's your beautiful uniform I'm afther spoilin'," said Dan, as he gave +a thrust. "Arrah! but that was a great stroke, though it's meself as +says it."</p> + +<p>The stroke in question was a severe cut on Captain Moret's sword arm, +which caused him instantly to pass his weapon into his left hand.</p> + +<p>"Ould gentleman," said Dan, "it's a poor chance ye have. Surrender!"</p> + +<p>"Never! While my men fight I will!"</p> + +<p>"Begorra, but it's a nuisance ye are. I'm bound to kape ye alive, an' +while I'm here I'm afther losin' all the great fight that's goin' on. +Ah! it's Dan Daly's the man was born under an unlucky star."</p> + +<p>It was perfectly clear that the Spanish captain was in Dan's power. +Every moment he weakened, though he continued from time to time to make +frantic thrusts at the Irishman. Faintness from loss of blood was +coming over him, and it was with difficulty that he kept on his feet.</p> + +<p>"Betther give up, captain dear," said Dan in a most insinuating voice.</p> + +<p>"What! I hand my sword over to a common sailor!"</p> + +<p>"To the last of the Dalys!" replied Dan, drawing himself up proudly as +the Spaniard had done. "It's a king I'd be if I had my rights."</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for King Dan!" shouted a voice.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>But Dan never turned his head. He was making passes at the Spanish +captain as if he meant to pin him to the mast.</p> + +<p>"Surrender!" cried Dan once more.</p> + +<p>"To you, never!"</p> + +<p>"But to me, captain," said a voice that caused Dan to start. "I am the +commander of the Nashville."</p> + +<p>Dan was completely astounded to find Captain Long beside him.</p> + +<p>The Spanish captain bowed, and without a word he handed his sword to +Captain Long.</p> + +<p>"Faith!" exclaimed Dan, "I'm not understandin' it at all. Young Glory, +why are you here when there's fightin' to be done?"</p> + +<p>"You don't understand, Dan. I do. Look!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory pointed to the masthead of the ship. There, Dan Daly, to his +astonishment saw the Stars and Stripes flying.</p> + +<p>"It means!" cried Young Glory, "that the fight is over. The Spanish +cruiser has struck her colors. Our men have surrendered. The Cristobal +Colon is ours!"</p> + +<p>The Nashville had won this great fight against odds, and it was all +owing to Young Glory's daring suggestion that the Spaniard should be +boarded.</p> + +<p>Instantly the prisoners were disarmed.</p> + +<p>"Place them below!" ordered Captain Long, "with a guard over them!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Tyler walked up.</p> + +<p>"Shall you navigate this ship, sir, entirely with our men?"</p> + +<p>"Have we enough?"</p> + +<p>"I think so until we get outside. Then we shall fall in with the +Brooklyn."</p> + +<p>"Very well."</p> + +<p>Young Glory dashed along the deck.</p> + +<p>"Sir! Sir!"</p> + +<p>"Well!"</p> + +<p>"Danger threatens us."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Some boats are putting off from San Juan."</p> + +<p>Instantly it was seen that quite a flotilla was approaching. No doubt +the reason they had not done so before was because they thought that the +Spanish cruiser stood in no need of aid.</p> + +<p>"The Stars and Stripes flying from this ship have brought them out," +said Captain Long.</p> + +<p>"Give them a broadside, sir. We'll fight them with their own guns, +sir."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, one of the big guns of this ship is in order. See what you can do +with it, Young Glory."</p> + +<p>The sailors of the Nashville took a keen delight in handling the Spanish +gun and turning it against the on-coming flotilla. Young Glory aimed +very carefully.</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>The first shot told. The great shell from the ten-inch rifle struck the +leading gun-boat of the flotilla.</p> + +<p>"She's done for!"</p> + +<p>"Wait!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is. Look, she's filling."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>The men cheered frantically as they saw that the gun-boat had heeled +over to the side, and was fast going down.</p> + +<p>The rest of the gun-boats lay to. They were afraid they might share the +same fate.</p> + +<p>"We'll be off with our prize," said Captain Long.</p> + +<p>"Who takes charge, sir?"</p> + +<p>"You. I'll get back to the Nashville. Let there be no delay."</p> + +<p>"There need be none. The engineers had orders some time back to spread +the fires."</p> + +<p>Back to the Nashville went Captain Long, taking a number of his men with +him. The wounded Americans had already been carried to the Nashville, +where they were receiving every attention from the surgeon.</p> + +<p>Such of the Spaniards as were injured in the fight were left on the +cruiser to the care of their own medical officers.</p> + +<p>The two boats were still lying side by side, when round the distant +headland appeared the bow of a battle ship.</p> + +<p>For a moment the men were aghast. It might mean the approach of a new +and stronger enemy. Then a great cheer rose from every throat. They saw +the Stars and Stripes bravely fluttering in the breeze, and knew what it +meant. It was the Cruiser Brooklyn entering the harbor.</p> + +<p>The cruiser fired her saluting guns.</p> + +<p>Boom! Boom!</p> + +<p>But the cheers from her men drowned the noise of the guns.</p> + +<p>The blue jackets were wild with delight when they saw the American flag +at the masthead of the Spanish cruiser.</p> + +<p>At this moment a diversion occurred.</p> + +<p>Overlooking the harbor was a fort. Now its guns began to fire at the two +ships, the cruiser and the gun-boat. Previously they had refrained, +because they were afraid they might do as much damage to friend as foe.</p> + +<p>Short-handed as he was, it was a difficult matter for Captain Long to +handle his guns. But there was no necessity for his doing so. The +Brooklyn took the work in hand instantly.</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>The first shot struck the fort. It was old. Its weapons were antique, +and it had no chance whatever against the great guns of the American +cruiser. Shot after shot struck it, crumbling the masonry to powder.</p> + +<p>"The batteries are silenced!" cried Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"But not our men!"</p> + +<p>The cheer that went up confirmed the last statement.</p> + +<p>Already the Nashville and the Cristobal Colon were under way, steaming +rapidly out of the harbor. A few distant guns from shore thundered at +them, but they made a noise, and that was all. They were quite powerless +to do any damage.</p> + +<p>Once more the vessels were in the open sea clear of San Juan de Porto +Rico. The Brooklyn lay to, and a boat put off. In obedience to a signal +from the cruiser, the gun-boat and her prize waited till the boat came +up. In the cutter was Captain Miles, the commander of the Brooklyn.</p> + +<p>"A great and glorious victory, Captain Long," said he, stepping aboard +the Nashville.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, thanks to the men you lent me, and especially Young Glory. +Through his advice, as I don't mind admitting, the Spaniard was taken."</p> + +<p>"Well, I congratulate you. The country will be crazy when they hear what +you've done. You will, of course, return home."</p> + +<p>"I want you to lend me some men, Captain Miles, to work the two ships."</p> + +<p>"I must do so. Such a valuable prize as the Spanish cruiser must be +taken care of."</p> + +<p>And Captain Miles went back to his ship, sending shortly after for the +necessary help.</p> + +<p>Then the ships parted company. The Brooklyn remained in the neighborhood +of San Juan, looking for Spanish ships, and the gun-boat and its prize +steamed away through the Caribbean Sea.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SPANISH PLOT—YOUNG GLORY'S DANGER.</h3> + + +<p>During the night the two ships parted company.</p> + +<p>The wind blew fiercely, and the gun-boat being of light draft went in +towards the land, the cruiser with its deeper draft preferring to +weather the storm in the open sea.</p> + +<p>In the morning nothing could be seen of the gun-boat, but this was no +reason for delay. Apparently the Spanish cruiser was well able to take +care of itself, and as the destination of the ships had been determined +upon, they might go there, either in company or separately, it mattered +not which.</p> + +<p>They were bound for Key West.</p> + +<p>The prisoners for the most part were kept below. They numbered over four +hundred, and it was not safe to allow such a number of men, even though +unarmed, to wander at large through the ship.</p> + +<p>The officers were free to do what they pleased.</p> + +<p>They passed the time on deck mostly, keeping strictly to themselves, and +wearing savage and sullen faces as they paced to and fro.</p> + +<p>"Faith, it's a handsome lot they are," muttered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> Dan. "It's myself'll be +glad when we've landed you. I'd rather sail in a cattle ship."</p> + +<p>"No accounting for tastes, Dan," laughed Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"It's an eye we must kape on the dons," said Dan.</p> + +<p>"An eye?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, two. It's the slippery spalpeens they are."</p> + +<p>"But they won't try to slip away."</p> + +<p>"Arrah, it's worse they'll do!"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's many they are to us. If we're not afther watchin' them +closely, they'll try an' take the ship!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory laughed.</p> + +<p>"Fists against rifles don't count for much. We're armed and they're not. +Don't forget that."</p> + +<p>"I don't, but it's yourself knows they're as full of treachery as a +sausage is of meat."</p> + +<p>"I have no fear of them, and I'm quite sure, Mr. Tyler feels the same. +Of course he's taking every precaution, but unless those four hundred +men below can get out of their quarters, what harm can the officers and +the few men who are at large do?"</p> + +<p>Dan scratched his head.</p> + +<p>"It's a warnin' I've given ye! Don't be afther blamin' me if it +happens!"</p> + +<p>"That's like Dan," said Young Glory, looking after him. "Prove to him +he's wrong, and he won't admit it. He only gets sulky. Well, this time +he's clearly out of it, and I'll make him say so when we reach Key +West."</p> + +<p>It was drawing towards evening now. Young Glory, having nothing better +to do, stood and looked over the rail at the setting sun, until it had +sunk below the horizon, and all was dark.</p> + +<p>Then he threw himself down near a boat which was on the deck, and the +lapping noise of the waves, coupled with the want of rest he was +suffering from, sent him to sleep.</p> + +<p>He had not the faintest idea how long he had been dozing, when he +suddenly woke with a start, as men will when aroused from a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>But he never uttered a cry, and at once he fell back intending to go to +sleep again. It was against the rules to do so, but in his tired state +he never thought of this.</p> + +<p>In a minute he would have been asleep but for the fact that he heard +some men talking, and out of mere curiosity he listened to what was +being said.</p> + +<p>"Some of the Spanish officers," he muttered. He knew this, for the +language they were using was Spanish.</p> + +<p>The young sailor was able to hear every word, and before the talk had +proceeded far, he was taking in every word, feeling as wide awake as +ever he had been in his life.</p> + +<p>"Juan," said one man, "I've interested you already by what I've said."</p> + +<p>"I confess it, Manuel."</p> + +<p>"And you would like to hear more?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"I can't understand, Juan, how it is you are ignorant of what is going +on. They know you're to be trusted."</p> + +<p>"I should hope so," was the indignant answer. "Perhaps it is because I +have kept myself away from the others. I have felt heart broken over our +defeat."</p> + +<p>"All the more reason why you should do what you can to repair it."</p> + +<p>"There is no repairing it."</p> + +<p>"Who knows?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"You speak confidently, Juan."</p> + +<p>"Because, Manuel, I know where our ships are. We shall meet none as we +sail through the Caribbean Sea. No, no, Manuel, dismiss such thoughts. +Reconcile yourself to spending the next few months as prisoners of war +in America."</p> + +<p>"A prospect I by no means fall in with. Help may be nearer than you +think, Juan."</p> + +<p>"Help?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Not unless it descends from the skies, and the age of miracles is +past."</p> + +<p>"The help is aboard this ship," said Manuel impressively.</p> + +<p>"What folly," was Juan's reply. "Have we not lost enough brave men +already? I thought of that, but dismissed it from my mind at once. +Unarmed men, however numerous they are, can do nothing against men armed +to the teeth."</p> + +<p>"Exactly my answer to Dan," muttered Young Glory. "This Spaniard is a +sensible man."</p> + +<p>"But the plan I have in view won't cost the loss of a single man."</p> + +<p>"Then it will fail."</p> + +<p>"No, it can't. Its success is certain. Don't look so surprised, Juan. +Have I a reputation for good sense or not? I'm telling you no fairy +tale."</p> + +<p>"From anybody but yourself, Manuel, if such a story came I should laugh +in their faces."</p> + +<p>"You won't laugh at me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Not when you've heard me through."</p> + +<p>"Proceed, proceed."</p> + +<p>"I weary you. Well, to the point as you say. You know when we handed up +our swords we surrendered the ship, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Why ask foolish questions or recall what pains me?"</p> + +<p>"But did we hand over everything?"</p> + +<p>"Surely."</p> + +<p>"There you're wrong."</p> + +<p>"I'm a very patient man, as you know, Manuel, but a little more of this +talk and I shall be getting up and leaving you."</p> + +<p>"I'm leading up to my story. No, Juan, we did not hand over everything. +Shall I tell you what was kept back?"</p> + +<p>"If you please."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The key of the forward magazine!"</p> + +<p>"Ha!"</p> + +<p>Juan was excited now. That was clear by the exclamation he had uttered.</p> + +<p>So was another listener, Young Glory. He kept as still as death, not +wishing to lose one syllable that was said, and waiting eagerly for the +talk to proceed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued Manuel, after what seemed a long silence, "we kept back +the key of the forward magazine, and those fools are ignorant of it."</p> + +<p>"But the keys were handed over?"</p> + +<p>"There are duplicates."</p> + +<p>"Go on! Go on!" exclaimed Juan, hastily. He was as excited now as he had +been indifferent before.</p> + +<p>"Now, Juan, to get into that magazine is quite an easy matter."</p> + +<p>"There are sentries!"</p> + +<p>"Who can be overpowered."</p> + +<p>"By whom?"</p> + +<p>"You, I, if necessary. We walk about the ship as we please, so do a few +of our sailors, who are kept at work. What's to prevent us from seizing +the sentries posted near the magazine, and stabbing them to death?"</p> + +<p>"You might leave the stabbing out."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if it's not necessary."</p> + +<p>"Having got rid of the sentries, Manuel, what follows?"</p> + +<p>"We enter the magazine."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so; I'm still wandering in the dark."</p> + +<p>"But surely you understand what will happen."</p> + +<p>"I haven't the faintest idea."</p> + +<p>"We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the ship."</p> + +<p>"Folly! Folly!"</p> + +<p>"You speak hastily," cried Manuel, angrily.</p> + +<p>"I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the ship is +blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the +next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to +pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've +not had enough of this world yet."</p> + +<p>Manuel laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us +to it."</p> + +<p>"What can he mean?" muttered Young Glory. "This is getting interesting."</p> + +<p>Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so.</p> + +<p>"I tell you," answers Manuel, sharply, "that there will not be any +blowing up. These Americans value their lives. This is the programme. +Once in the magazine, of course, it will be known to the American +officer commanding this ship."</p> + +<p>"There's not much doubt of that."</p> + +<p>"None, because he will be notified that we hold the magazine."</p> + +<p>"That's a kind attention on your part, Manuel."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha! You think so? Well, this is what happens. Lieutenant Tyler, +that's the fellow's name, I believe. You or I go to him, and say: +'Lieutenant Tyler, the forward magazine of this ship is in the hands of +the Spaniards. What do you propose to do about it?'"</p> + +<p>"He will be so scared he won't know what to say."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. Then we proceed. We offer terms. 'We give you five minutes to +decide, Lieutenant Tyler. Release the Spanish sailors you have made +prisoners. Surrender the Cristobal Colon back to Captain Moret or you +die!'"</p> + +<p>"You threaten to blow up the magazine?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Manuel, it is very daring."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of its success?"</p> + +<p>"Once get into the magazine, you can't fail."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would say so. The Americans love life even more than we do, +and placed in such a dilemma, there can't be any doubt what their choice +will be."</p> + +<p>"None!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory was fairly amazed at the boldness of the scheme, which was +of an entirely different nature to anything he had suspected. He +determined to hear the end of the story, for it was clear that the two +Spaniards had not yet finished.</p> + +<p>"And when do you propose to put this scheme into operation, Manuel?"</p> + +<p>"To-night!"</p> + +<p>"So soon?"</p> + +<p>"What use in waiting?"</p> + +<p>"None, if all is ready."</p> + +<p>"It is. The men all know their appointed posts. The instant I give the +word the sentries will be seized, and the rest will follow."</p> + +<p>"And once more the ship will be ours."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes."</p> + +<p>"For that I would do much. The plot will succeed, Manuel. I can see +victory in the air."</p> + +<p>"And I can't," muttered Young Glory, turning half round towards the two +men. "On the contrary, gentlemen, I see nothing but failure. Go on +talking till I've seen Mr. Tyler. Then I think the laugh will be all on +our side. Ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>"Silence!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory stared aghast. A man, a Spanish naval officer was bending +over him, holding a stilletto close against his breast.</p> + +<p>"I shall not hesitate to kill if you utter a sound," said the Spaniard, +"for the happiness of four hundred men depends on your silence!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>FORTUNE FAVORS YOUNG GLORY—CAPTURE OF THE +MAGAZINE.</h3> + + +<p>Young Glory felt that he was powerless.</p> + +<p>He knew that the threat of the Spaniard was not an empty one, and that +he would not hesitate to plunge his dagger into the young sailor's +breast in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> case the slightest resistance was attempted, or the least +sound was uttered.</p> + +<p>The man must have been keeping watch whilst his two comrades talked, so +as to secure them from interruption.</p> + +<p>"You threaten me," said Young Glory, quietly, hoping to conciliate the +Spaniard.</p> + +<p>"Take care," answered the latter, pressing the dagger a little closer; +"I warned you not to speak."</p> + +<p>"And I do not disobey you so far as making a noise is concerned. I only +ask the meaning of this."</p> + +<p>"You know."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. I also know that you are a prisoner on this ship, and that it +is dangerous for you to kill me."</p> + +<p>"Not so dangerous as to let you go. You have heard every word that +passed between my friends, and have their secret and their lives in your +hands. I need say no more to justify myself."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard tapped lightly on the boat, and instantly Juan and Manuel +rose. They walked round to the other side.</p> + +<p>"You here!" they cried, seeing their brother officer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and caramba! but it would have gone hard with your plot, but for +me. You seemed to forget that you are not the only people on this ship. +Look!"</p> + +<p>He pointed to Young Glory as he spoke.</p> + +<p>They were astounded.</p> + +<p>"Then he's heard what we said?"</p> + +<p>"Every word, Juan."</p> + +<p>"It means ruin."</p> + +<p>"No, fortunately no harm is done. I hold this sailor in my power. He +cannot escape me. You must carry out your plot instantly."</p> + +<p>"All is ready. We will do so."</p> + +<p>They knew there was no time to be lost, and leaving Young Glory to the +care of their friend, they turned away to carry into execution their +diabolical scheme.</p> + +<p>The Spanish officer who had Young Glory in his power, did not wish to be +noticed by any of the crew in a suspicious attitude. So he sat down +underneath the boat by the side of Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Don't move," he said, showing the sailor his glittering steel blade. +"It will be fatal to you if you do."</p> + +<p>Young Glory's position was a maddening one. He was in possession of a +secret, and was unable to disclose it in the proper quarter. But he +never lost sight of the fact that it might yet be possible for him to +get away from the Spaniard, and his brain was busily at work upon the +project.</p> + +<p>It is doubtful if he would have succeeded if fortune had not favored +him.</p> + +<p>Two sailors, coming along, were thrown nearly off their feet as the +vessel lurched, and in saving themselves they fell with outstretched +hands against the boat.</p> + +<p>The cutter toppled over on the Spaniard. Young Glory quicker than he in +moving, had rolled to one side.</p> + +<p>In a moment the Spaniard had recovered himself, and furiously threw +himself at Young Glory. But the latter was prepared now. He caught the +Spaniard by the arm, wrested the dagger from him, and then with a +tremendous effort he hurled the man backwards, throwing him off the deck +into the sea.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" screamed the poor wretch.</p> + +<p>But it was too late. The cruiser was sailing at a fast pace, the sea was +running high, and the night was dark. Long before a boat could have +reached him he would have sunk.</p> + +<p>Young Glory had no time to lose.</p> + +<p>He was rushing away when the two sailors barred his path, and one of +them handled him somewhat roughly.</p> + +<p>"Shiver me! you lubber, but you don't pass," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Bill, we don't allow murders on this ship."</p> + +<p>"Stand aside!" cried Young Glory, hotly, "or it will be the worse for +you. I must see Mr. Tyler instantly on a matter of life and death."</p> + +<p>"Young Glory!" the two sailors cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and now you know me, perhaps you will let me pass. If you have a +complaint to make against me do so, and I shall know how to defend +myself. You know where to find me when wanted, for I'm not likely to +leave the ship."</p> + +<p>The men let him go, and he tore along towards the cabin which Lieutenant +Tyler was using.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, let us see what was happening below.</p> + +<p>Manuel and Juan had not lost a moment.</p> + +<p>They had hurried below, and passing rapidly around, had given the word +to all their friends that the time had come to act.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen Spaniards who had been assisting in the work of the ship +collected together, so as to prevent any one getting near the magazine +to render help. The officers took charge of the more dangerous end of +the scheme.</p> + +<p>It was necessary that they should do so. For they were the only +prisoners who were allowed perfect freedom. The fact of their walking +about would not alarm the sentries, and so strolling carelessly along in +small groups, not less than six Spanish naval officers were within reach +of the sentries who were guarding the magazine.</p> + +<p>Manuel gave the signal.</p> + +<p>It was a faint whistle, but quite audible to ears that had waited +anxiously for the sound.</p> + +<p>Each man knew what to do, for all the details were prearranged.</p> + +<p>Juan sprang at the nearest sentry. Manuel dashed past him and flew at +the throat of the second sentry.</p> + +<p>Juan and another officer seized the first sentry without the least +difficulty. The man was taken completely by surprise, and not being able +to resist, he was instantly disarmed.</p> + +<p>The second sentry gave more trouble.</p> + +<p>He had had some time in which to resist the Spanish officers.</p> + +<p>Swiftly he raised his rifle to his shoulder to shoot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> down his foes, but +agile as a panther, Manuel sprang under the rifle, striking it up as he +rose.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>The weapon exploded, but the shot did no harm.</p> + +<p>Instantly three Spaniards threw themselves on the sentry, tearing his +rifle from his hands, and taking his cutlass from his side.</p> + +<p>"Hold him fast!" shouted Manuel, as he made for the magazine. "That shot +will arouse the entire ship, and there is no time to be lost!"</p> + +<p>"If they attack?"</p> + +<p>"Shoot them down. Keep them in check for two minutes. That is all I +ask!"</p> + +<p>It was no time to waste in talking. If this desperate plot was to +succeed, it must be carried out instantly. Already Manuel was at the +magazine.</p> + +<p>He took a key from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"They've not changed the locks, so this must fit. Ah!" he said, as he +inserted the key. "I thought so. Victory! Victory! We've played a bold +game and won!"</p> + +<p>Like lightning Manuel darted into the magazine, and without allowing a +second to elapse he took a carefully prepared fuse from his pocket, lit +it without delay, and placed it on a shelf, which was destitute of +explosives.</p> + +<p>"Now let them come!" he said, with a look of triumph on his swarthy +face. "They must agree to my terms, or we'll die together."</p> + +<p>There was a great rush outside.</p> + +<p>The sailors had rushed from all parts, and some of the American officers +had also been drawn to the spot.</p> + +<p>"Treachery! Treachery!" cried the sailors.</p> + +<p>"Shoot them down!" shouted an officer.</p> + +<p>Instantly a dozen six-shooters were raised. A crisis had arrived. Then +Juan stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"One moment, gentlemen," said he, speaking very politely, and in soft +tones. "You do not seem to understand the position of affairs."</p> + +<p>"We know you are traitors."</p> + +<p>Juan smiled.</p> + +<p>"It is not worth arguing such a point. Let us get to business. You +propose to kill us?"</p> + +<p>"Unless you surrender at once."</p> + +<p>"Senor, you don't understand how matters stand. We are not in your +power; it is you who are in ours."</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>A loud cry of derision burst forth.</p> + +<p>"You do not believe me yet. I speak the truth. You may fire and kill me, +but directly you do, there will be an end of you, your sailors and the +ship."</p> + +<p>"Absurd!"</p> + +<p>"Not so, senor. My comrade is even now in the forward magazine. You know +what a quantity of powder and gun-cotton is stored there. Very well, if +you fire one shot he will blow up the ship."</p> + +<p>This startling assertion caused intense surprise. Some were inclined to +attach importance to it, and to accept it as true, but the great +majority entirely refused to believe the Spaniard's statement.</p> + +<p>"Faith, Don Juan, or whativer ye call yourself," cried Dan Daly, "it's +to the marines ye must tell that yarn."</p> + +<p>"And they wouldn't swallow it, Dan," retorted a marine, who was standing +by.</p> + +<p>"It is a fairy story you have given us," said an American officer.</p> + +<p>"There's an easy way to determine it, senor."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Let one of your men step forward and see."</p> + +<p>"Who would trust himself?"</p> + +<p>"I give you my word," said Juan, hotly, "as an officer and a gentleman, +that he will not be hurt, but he must come without arms."</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's meself's the boy to do it!" cried Dan, handing his +six-shooter and cutlass to a comrade as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"You go at your own risk, Dan," said the officer; "nobody asks you to do +so."</p> + +<p>"Arrah, it's not a finger they'll lift against me! It's Young Glory +would fix them for it if they did!"</p> + +<p>Dan's faith in Young Glory was unbounded. He little knew how desperate +his young friend's own position was at the moment he was speaking.</p> + +<p>A buzz of admiration went round as the brave Irishman left his comrades, +for there was no denying that it was a courageous act.</p> + +<p>However, Dan walked boldly past the Spanish officer and the two disarmed +sentries until he came to the magazine.</p> + +<p>To find the door open astounded him, for he certainly had not believed +one word that had been said.</p> + +<p>"Now, do you believe, fellow?" asked Manuel.</p> + +<p>"Seein's belavin', Yer Honor."</p> + +<p>"Very well; go and tell your friends so."</p> + +<p>Dan reached forward towards the fuse which was still burning.</p> + +<p>"Lay a hand on that, and I kill you," said the Spaniard, savagely.</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' it was only my pipe I was afther lightin'."</p> + +<p>"Get out of this," answered Manuel, hotly. "I am in no humor for +trifling."</p> + +<p>"Well, boys, it's as true as gospel."</p> + +<p>"You saw it, Dan?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, yes, he's in the magazine, wid a great fuse lighted, an' shure +it's mighty little between us and eternity."</p> + +<p>Juan spoke again.</p> + +<p>"I must see your captain," he said.</p> + +<p>"For what?"</p> + +<p>"To propose certain terms to him."</p> + +<p>"He will refuse."</p> + +<p>"Let him. At least, you have no right to do so for him. Recollect that +my friend, Manuel, has you all in his power still."</p> + +<p>"Senor, no one will harm you; you are free to pass to Lieutenant Tyler's +room. I believe you know where it is."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Through the close ranks of the American seamen Juan threaded his way, +smiling pleasantly at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> scowling faces and threatening looks he saw +on all sides of him.</p> + +<p>"I can afford to smile," he said to himself, "for I hold all the tricks +in my hand!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>JUAN AND LIEUT. TYLER—WHAT YOUNG GLORY DID.</h3> + + +<p>Lieutenant Tyler knew what was happening.</p> + +<p>He had been roused from sleep a few minutes before Juan made his +appearance, and he was busily getting into such parts of his uniform as +he had discarded before lying down.</p> + +<p>"You are a bold man!" he said to Juan, "to present yourself to me on +such a mission."</p> + +<p>"I claim no credit for audacity, senor. The merit of the plot lies with +my friend, Manuel."</p> + +<p>"Well, what have you to say?"</p> + +<p>"Very few words. The ship is in our power."</p> + +<p>"Your treacherous comrade has obtained possession of the magazine, you +mean?"</p> + +<p>"It is the same thing. I will tell you my terms."</p> + +<p>"Terms!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, terms!" assured Juan, haughtily. "Every dog has his day, as I +believe an English proverb says. It was yours yesterday. It is ours now. +You must release the Spanish prisoners."</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>"And hand back the ship," Juan went on, without noticing the +interruption, "to Captain Moret."</p> + +<p>"And if I decline?"</p> + +<p>"I make the same answer as I made just now. We shall blow up the ship. +If we can't obtain our cruiser again, at least we can prevent it from +being of any use to you, and we will sacrifice our lives gladly for such +a purpose."</p> + +<p>"This is insanity."</p> + +<p>"Call it what you please, senor. I call it patriotism."</p> + +<p>The responsibility now thrown on Lieutenant Tyler was great, and he had +but a short time in which to decide, for Manuel told him he was to +hasten matters.</p> + +<p>Up and down the room strode the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Surrender the ship!" he muttered. "An eternal disgrace if I do, and +death for all if I don't. What am I to do? This is terrible, terrible!"</p> + +<p>"You answer, senor. Be quick!"</p> + +<p>"I am in your power. You have broken your words, given as officers and +gentlemen——"</p> + +<p>"All is fair in war."</p> + +<p>"And," continued the lieutenant, "by foul treachery you have gained an +advantage. I cannot doom all my men to death. Senor, I must——"</p> + +<p>"Refuse your terms!" cried a familiar voice, as the door was thrust +open, and without a particle of respect Young Glory rushed in.</p> + +<p>"One word and I'll kill you!" shouted the boy, as he held a pistol at +Juan.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Tyler and Juan were both amazed.</p> + +<p>"May I speak?" asked the latter, insolently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, so long as you make no noise."</p> + +<p>"My young friend, I have made a great error. I really believed that +Lieutenant Tyler commanded this ship. I must ask pardon for the mistake +into which I have fallen—I must indeed."</p> + +<p>"Sir, I hope you don't suppose me guilty of any disrespect," asked Young +Glory of the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"No, no, but I am surprised."</p> + +<p>"I must excuse myself, sir. I heard what had taken place before on my +way here. I saw this man enter, and I have listened to all that has been +said."</p> + +<p>"Eavesdropping is a habit of yours!" sneered Juan.</p> + +<p>"For which your friend thought to punish me, but found out his mistake. +I threw him over to the fishes," said Young Glory, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Wretch! I will avenge him," cried Juan.</p> + +<p>"Quiet! quiet," said Young Glory, calmly, pointing very significantly to +his six-shooter, "you seem to forget that you are in great danger."</p> + +<p>"I am in none," answered Juan, instantly. "Lieutenant Tyler, this farce +must end. My comrades will be impatient for my return. You were about to +give an answer when this fellow thrust himself in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said the lieutenant, sadly. "There is no escape, Young +Glory. This man—traitor as he is—has the right to exact terms from +me."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"How? you say no, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"I do, and I will show you why, sir. Leave him to me. I will deal with +him. Do you give me power, sir? You may trust me."</p> + +<p>"Do what you like, Young Glory."</p> + +<p>"Saved! saved!" cried the boy.</p> + +<p>Instantly he sprang on Juan. The latter thought he was about to be +killed.</p> + +<p>"You have no right to slay me. I came here under a safe conduct. This is +infamous!"</p> + +<p>"Senor, you will not be hurt. Now, to business. Strip that uniform off +you quickly!"</p> + +<p>"You insult me."</p> + +<p>"Off with it, or I will tear it from your back!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory seized the officer's tunic, and tore open the front of it.</p> + +<p>"It must be, sir," he said to Lieutenant Tyler, who watched these +extraordinary proceedings in silence. "Stand guard over him, sir. Compel +him instantly to do what I have said, for we have no time to lose."</p> + +<p>As the Spaniard was stripped of his naval uniform, instantly Young Glory +put it on.</p> + +<p>"I shall take back your answer," he said to Mr. Tyler.</p> + +<p>"You!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Why not?"</p> + +<p>"You will be killed, or they will know there has been treachery, and +that will ruin us!"</p> + +<p>"They will not know me, sir. They will take me for this Spaniard. We are +of the same height, and in the semi-darkness, near the magazine, I shall +pass through."</p> + +<p>"But you are sure to be discovered when you reach Manuel, this officer's +friend."</p> + +<p>"Certain," said Juan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That may be, but by that time my work will be done. I shall have no +fear of Manuel."</p> + +<p>"Beggar!" cried Juan; "we shall see!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you don't!" exclaimed Young Glory, as Juan was slipping out of +the cabin. "Here you stay until the work is through."</p> + +<p>"I will guard him."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, you must come with me."</p> + +<p>"With you, Young Glory? Why is that?"</p> + +<p>"Because it will seem as if you have given way. When you hear what I say +you will know the reason, and agree with me, sir."</p> + +<p>"But this is all treacherous."</p> + +<p>"Traitors must be fought with their own weapons, sir," answered Young +Glory, sternly, as he and Lieutenant Tyler left the cabin.</p> + +<p>Juan laughed mockingly as the door closed on him.</p> + +<p>"He thinks you will fail, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler, "and I think the +same."</p> + +<p>"Let us wait."</p> + +<p>The news that Juan was returning speedily circulated. All heads were +turned in his direction. Mr. Tyler was some yards behind, having kept at +a distance, to better assist Young Glory in carrying out his plans.</p> + +<p>"Well?" was the question. "Did you bluff the lieutenant?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about bluffing," was Young Glory's answer, delivered in +haughty tones. "All I know is that he accepted the terms I offered. He +could do nothing else."</p> + +<p>"Faith, an' it's meself that's sorry."</p> + +<p>"You wanted to be blown up?" asked Young Glory, quickly.</p> + +<p>"It's betther than givin' up the ship, senor," answered Dan Daly.</p> + +<p>"Good!" muttered Young Glory. "I shall succeed now, for even Dan Daly +doesn't recognize me."</p> + +<p>"He gives way!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," answered Young Glory, in Spanish.</p> + +<p>"Come and tell me all about it."</p> + +<p>"I am coming, Manuel."</p> + +<p>"But the captain of this ship, where is he? He must hand it over to us +instantly. Let the sailors give up their arms!"</p> + +<p>"I will talk to you of all these details, Manuel."</p> + +<p>"But where is the captain?" cried Manuel, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Here! He will come forward as soon as you and I have fixed things up."</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Tyler!" shouted Manuel.</p> + +<p>"Yes, senor, I am here!"</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>At this moment Young Glory joined him.</p> + +<p>"Confess," said Manuel, in triumphant tones, "that it was a great plan +of mine!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory was silent.</p> + +<p>"What! Too jealous to speak! Be honest and admit that I'm a genius!"</p> + +<p>"A scoundrel!" cried Young Glory, hotly. "A villainous traitor!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! What's this?"</p> + +<p>"You're getting your deserts, you wretch!" shouted Young Glory, seizing +him instantly, and grappling with him.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" cried the Spaniard.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Tyler heard the noise, and he had a suspicion what it meant. +He rushed to the front through the men.</p> + +<p>"Forward, lads," he shouted, waving his sword in the air, "or Young +Glory will be killed, and the ship will be blown up!"</p> + +<p>"Back! Back!" cried some of the Spanish officers, as the men were +advancing. "You are sealing your own doom!"</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang!</p> + +<p>Shots were interchanged now, and undeterred by what they had heard the +sailors pressed forward.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Young Glory and Manuel were engaged in a deadly struggle. +Each man had been trying, without success, to draw a pistol from his +belt, and as they could not do so they reeled from one side to another, +locked in each other's arms.</p> + +<p>"You cannot avert your doom!" hissed Young Glory. "Listen! the sailors +are rushing to the rescue."</p> + +<p>"I can take you with me."</p> + +<p>Quick as lightning Manuel thrust forth his hand towards the burning fuse +which Young Glory had not previously noticed.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Manuel, fiendishly, as his fingers grasped it. "We all +go together."</p> + +<p>There was a great heap of powder lying in the far corner of the +magazine, a striking testimony to the carelessness of the Spanish +officers.</p> + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation Manuel hurled the still lighted fuse +towards this powder.</p> + +<p>A cold chill ran through Young Glory at this murderous act.</p> + +<p>By a supreme effort he tore himself loose, and with one blow of his fist +he struck Manuel to the ground.</p> + +<p>Then past him he sprang towards the fuse, and with a great leap he +landed with both feet on the fuse.</p> + +<p>"Saved!" he cried, perceiving that the fuse had fallen a few inches from +the powder.</p> + +<p>"Not yet!" shouted Manuel.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard was on his feet again, and was coming at Young Glory. He +had a dagger in his hand, and on his face was the look of a wild animal.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was unarmed now, and it seemed as if he was a doomed man.</p> + +<p>"There is time to kill him, or to fire the ship yet!" muttered Manuel as +he dashed forward.</p> + +<p>The fuse was extinct, so there was no danger from that. Young Glory +stood ready to spring aside when Manuel made his attack, for it was his +only chance.</p> + +<p>"This time you shall die!" hissed Manuel, glaring at his enemy.</p> + +<p>Young Glory saw the weapon flash in the air, and as it descended he +jumped out of the way. It was only safety for a moment though, for +Manuel, agile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> as a cat, turned on him and with the speed of lightning +thrust again.</p> + +<p>There was a rush of feet.</p> + +<p>"Young Glory! Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>"Here!"</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>Dan Daly, pistol in hand, had reached the magazine just in time to save +Young Glory. He saw the Spaniard in the act of stabbing the brave young +sailor, and instantly he raised his six-shooter and fired.</p> + +<p>Manuel was struck by the bullet between the shoulders. He staggered +wildly, threw up his hands, dropping his stilletto as he did so, and +then sank on the floor of the magazine.</p> + +<p>When they went to him they found he was dead.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE CRUISER IN DANGER—A PRICE ON YOUNG +GLORY'S HEAD.</h3> + + +<p>The ship was saved.</p> + +<p>Thanks to Young Glory, the plot of the Spanish officers was defeated.</p> + +<p>It may be imagined how heartily Lieutenant Tyler thanked the young hero, +and also how grateful Young Glory was to Dan Daly for the shot that +disposed of Manuel.</p> + +<p>Henceforth, the Spanish officers were treated the same as the men. They +had shown that they were not to be trusted, and for security's sake they +were held as prisoners.</p> + +<p>"So you didn't know me, Dan?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, no, why it's a great detective ye'd be afther making."</p> + +<p>"It was easy work, Dan. Well, we've had a hot time of it lately. I +suppose we'll run now to Key West without a hitch."</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' I hope not. It's the beautiful ship we have now. If we're +afther meetin' a Spaniard it's a great time we'll be havin'."</p> + +<p>"You'll be disappointed, Dan. Spanish ships are tired of showing +themselves in these waters."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if Young Glory was right.</p> + +<p>The time passed, and though a good lookout was kept, not one of the +enemy's fleet hove in sight.</p> + +<p>The Cristobal Colon was running along the northern coast of Cuba now. +Since she had parted with the gun-boat she had seen nothing of the +latter. No doubt the Nashville was on its way to Key West.</p> + +<p>The third day from Porto Rico found the cruiser lying off Mulas. The +island jutted out prominently here, and the water being deep, the prize +steamed along close in to shore.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Dan.</p> + +<p>"A town, to be sure."</p> + +<p>"An' it's a quare flag that's flying!"</p> + +<p>"It's the Cuban flag. All this coast is in the hands of the insurgents."</p> + +<p>"More power to them!"</p> + +<p>"So say I, but what are we doing?"</p> + +<p>"Running in to shore, Young Glory, though it's meself can't say why."</p> + +<p>"It's water we want," said Lieutenant Tyler. "There's a good landing +place here, deep water, and water, too, and as the town is in the hands +of the insurgents, it's too good a chance to lose. Put her right in," he +cried. "We run no risk."</p> + +<p>The seamen were delighted at the prospect. Very few of them had stepped +on dry land for many weeks, and it seemed certain that they would have a +few hours ashore at any rate.</p> + +<p>"The patriots will be delighted when they find we've taken the Spanish +cruiser, sir."</p> + +<p>"I expect they know it. This boat's a different build to anything in our +navy."</p> + +<p>Boom! At this point a gun was fired from shore.</p> + +<p>"Giving us a salute!" cried a young officer.</p> + +<p>"Of a kind I don't like," answered the lieutenant in a sharp tone. +"Salutes are all very well, but not when given in the form of a shell."</p> + +<p>The cruiser replied by firing one of its saluting guns.</p> + +<p>"No doubt a mistake," was the lieutenant's comment, "but very careless +not to know that the gun was shotted."</p> + +<p>Boom!</p> + +<p>There was a furious shout on the cruiser now. For another gun was fired, +and this time a great shell passed over the deck, landing in the water +about three hundred yards away.</p> + +<p>"No mistake this time!" cried Young Glory, savagely.</p> + +<p>"Must be. Up with our colors. Show them another American flag. Then +there can't be any excuse."</p> + +<p>Up went the Stars and Stripes, amid the cheers of the sailors.</p> + +<p>The instant it did the firing on shore began in real earnest.</p> + +<p>A number of masked batteries opened fire on the cruiser, and shot and +shell flew to the right and left of it.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Tyler was beside himself with rage.</p> + +<p>What did it mean?</p> + +<p>"It's a trap, sir, and we've fallen into it," said Young Glory. "That +town is in Spanish hands, and the Cuban flag was run up to deceive us."</p> + +<p>"Open fire, lads!" cried Mr. Tyler. "We'll show them that two can play +at that game."</p> + +<p>Crash!</p> + +<p>"The ship's aground!"</p> + +<p>This was the cry now, and it turned out to be true.</p> + +<p>The Cristobal Colon was on a shoal.</p> + +<p>Boom! Boom!</p> + +<p>Her guns were being fired furiously, but Lieutenant Tyler saw with a +face of concern that the shore batteries were situated at such a height, +that it was quite impossible for him to train his guns on them.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, there the cruiser stuck, a target for the enemy to practice +upon.</p> + +<p>The engines were reversed. It was no good. The bottom of the cruiser was +embedded in a bank of sand, and it was quite immovable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + +<p>The men were aghast.</p> + +<p>"They'll come out and board us!" said one.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's not such fools they'll be."</p> + +<p>"Why not, Dan?"</p> + +<p>"Because they've all day to fire at us. Begorra, it's sunk we'll be."</p> + +<p>"We can't get off, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler to the young sailor.</p> + +<p>"So I see, sir. But we shall."</p> + +<p>"Not for two hours."</p> + +<p>"Two hours, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the tide's flowing now. I estimate in two hours' time there'll be +enough depth of water to float us off that bank."</p> + +<p>"If we're here to be floated," answered Young Glory, gloomily.</p> + +<p>"That is so. A shot may send us to the bottom at any time."</p> + +<p>"It's a case for desperate measures, sir."</p> + +<p>"Desperate! I see nothing."</p> + +<p>"Sir, let us land and storm the batteries."</p> + +<p>"What! with our small force?"</p> + +<p>"Enough, sir, if we take them all."</p> + +<p>"And the ship, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>"The men are not wanted here, sir. It's useless working the guns, +because we can't do any damage with them, and the Spaniards won't +attempt to board us."</p> + +<p>"It must be done. There's nothing else left."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tyler shouted forth his orders. All was excitement now. When the men +knew what decision had been come to they were delighted, for desperate +though the undertaking appeared to be, it was better than staying on the +ship to be sunk with it.</p> + +<p>On the weather side of the ship the boats were manned.</p> + +<p>Lieut. Tyler, in person, led the attack, and his forces counted, all +told, about one hundred and fifty men.</p> + +<p>"A handful," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"Maybe," said Dan, laughing, "but, begorra! the hand isn't made that'll +squeeze us."</p> + +<p>The Spaniards, strangely enough, made no effort to oppose the landing. +Probably they thought the prey so easy of capture that they wished to +tackle them at close quarters. Not a shot was fired as the boats rowed +towards the shore.</p> + +<p>"This means an ambush," said Young Glory.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tyler thought the same, and he was actively on the alert.</p> + +<p>The boats were drawn up on the beach, and the men were so eager to get +to close quarters with the enemy that they dashed at a furious pace +towards the steep and rugged path that led to the batteries.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was at their head. Dan was a few paces behind him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, from a wood to the left dashed a body of Spanish soldiers, +over a hundred strong, and at the same time nearly two hundred of the +enemy came rushing down the hill to the right.</p> + +<p>"Between two fires!" cried Young Glory.</p> + +<p>Round he glanced quickly, and as he did so, he saw not far away a number +of great rocks, forming almost a semi-circle, with the sea in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Forward, lads!" he shouted loudly.</p> + +<p>The men dashed after him, Mr. Tyler in vain trying to check them.</p> + +<p>It looked as if Young Glory was about to charge the great force that was +rushing down the hill, but such was not Young Glory's intention. The +Spaniards speedily discovered what his plan was. Then a mad race took +place to see which party should first arrive at the group of rocks.</p> + +<p>"We are safe, sir!" cried Young Glory breathlessly, as he and his +comrades reached the haven.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a natural fortress. We can hold out against five hundred men. +Let them have it, lads!"</p> + +<p>"It's hail Columbia we'll give them!"</p> + +<p>Hurrah! Crack! Crack!</p> + +<p>The sailors fired furiously now. The Spaniards fell at every shot. But +they did not retreat. Instead of doing so the two forces joined, and +together they came with a mad rush at the rocks, behind which stood the +seamen, awaiting the enemy's attack.</p> + +<p>"Don't waste a shot now!" cried Mr. Tyler, and his men waited till the +enemy were quite near.</p> + +<p>Then a terrific volley was poured forth. Not less than thirty men fell, +but their comrades came on just the same. Crack! Crack!</p> + +<p>Again the seamen fired, and then such of the Spaniards as survived +bounded like deer at the rocks, trying to scale them.</p> + +<p>It was a hand to hand fight now, in which the advantage lay almost +entirely with the defenders.</p> + +<p>The cutlass and pistol did great work at close quarters.</p> + +<p>Not more than ten Spaniards got inside the inclosure, and they never got +out again.</p> + +<p>Dan was fighting furiously by Young Glory's side, and the two men seemed +to bear charmed lives.</p> + +<p>"Kill that yellow-haired dog!" cried a voice in the Spanish ranks; "it's +Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory!</p> + +<p>How savagely the Spaniards echoed the name.</p> + +<p>"One thousand dollars to the man who kills him!" shouted the same voice.</p> + +<p>And then a dozen men, burning to be able to claim the reward, sprang at +the rock behind which Young Glory stood.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p>"Shure, an' it's more than I'd give for ye," laughed Dan Daly. "A +thousand dollars! Begorra, it's yourself won't be afther getting it."</p> + +<p>And with these words Dan launched a terrific blow at the Spaniard +nearest to him. The man dropped.</p> + +<p>"Shure, it's right I was."</p> + +<p>Dan turned his attention elsewhere, and Young Glory was defending +himself bravely.</p> + +<p>His comrades had heard the Spanish officer put a price upon the young +hero's head, and the horrible proceeding infuriated them. They flew to +his assistance, clustering around him to protect him from harm.</p> + +<p>It was a terrible struggle. It must be said for the Spaniards that they +fought bravely. They vastly outnumbered the Americans, and this may have +given them courage. However, the end was near.</p> + +<p>One after another the leading men in the Spanish ranks were shot down +and killed with the cutlass. The survivors began to falter.</p> + +<p>"Courage!" cried an officer, dashing up and waving his sword. "Courage! +Stand your ground! Help is at hand!"</p> + +<p>Those words stayed the retreat. Back to the rocks at the charge rushed +the Spaniards, some of them looking anxiously around for the promised +aid.</p> + +<p>There was a wild cheer from the Spanish ranks now. Three large boats, +each filled with soldiers, swept round the point.</p> + +<p>The Americans were taken in the rear now. Between them and the sea there +was no shelter.</p> + +<p>Bang! Bang!</p> + +<p>It was the Spaniards in the boats firing.</p> + +<p>Up rushed Mr. Tyler.</p> + +<p>"Lads," he said, "this place can be held no longer. We are between two +fires. There is but one thing to do. We must dash out of here, cut our +way through the enemy and storm the fort."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>The men shouted wildly. It was a bold plan, quite suited to the +audacious nature of these reckless sailors.</p> + +<p>Over the rocks, led by the lieutenant, they rushed. Their coming had not +been expected by the Spaniards, and the consequence was, that they gave +way in face of the sudden attack.</p> + +<p>In all directions they turned and fled, the sailors in their eagerness +dashing after them and cutting them down. The scene of the fight was a +ghastly sight now. All around lay the dead and dying, and every minute +added fresh victims to the list.</p> + +<p>But now the men were recalled from the pursuit of the flying enemy to +resume the main purpose for which they had landed. This was to attack +and capture the fort and silence the guns.</p> + +<p>Up the steep ascent they toiled, protected from harm by the trees which +covered the slope. As they drew nearer the batteries, they saw that an +almost impossible task was before them.</p> + +<p>The walls of the fort were steep and high. The sailors had no scaling +ladder with them. How, then, could they hope to make a successful +attack?</p> + +<p>This was the problem that confronted Lieut. Tyler.</p> + +<p>"Faith, we can jump it!" cried Dan.</p> + +<p>"Then you're wasting your time in the navy if that's so, Dan," laughed +Young Glory. "A man who can clear fifteen feet ought to go in for +athletics."</p> + +<p>There was no holding the men back.</p> + +<p>Furiously they rushed forward, leaving the shelter of the trees to +assail the fort.</p> + +<p>Bang, bang!</p> + +<p>The Spaniards had them at their mercy now. They fired from the rampart +at the helpless men below.</p> + +<p>"Back!" shouted Lieutenant Tyler. "Back, I say! This is folly!"</p> + +<p>It needed no more talking to show this. Already in this brief attack the +men had sustained a heavier loss than in all the fighting of the day.</p> + +<p>"Where's Young Glory?" was the cry.</p> + +<p>There was a look of dismay on everyone's face as they glanced round and +saw that he was missing.</p> + +<p>"The boy gone!" cried Dan, frantically. "Arrah, then, it's meself's +goin' too!"</p> + +<p>And breaking away from those who tried to hold him, Dan fairly flew till +he came to the spot beneath the fort where his comrades had just fallen.</p> + +<p>"Not there!" he cried. "It's a prisoner he is! An' shure, how could they +take him prisoner? It's not one of them Spaniards has ventured out. An', +begorra, he wouldn't be afther takin' himself prisoner!"</p> + +<p>Dismissing this last idea as unreasonable, Dan, who had miraculously +escaped the enemy's bullets, ran back to his comrades.</p> + +<p>"It's the last we've seen of him."</p> + +<p>Now, where was Young Glory?</p> + +<p>In the attack that had been made on the fort the boy had been at the +extreme right—that is, the point of view nearest the sea. Whilst his +comrades were aimlessly throwing themselves against the walls of the +fort, Young Glory was otherwise engaged.</p> + +<p>He had seen a figure emerge from the fort and glide amongst the trees at +some distance away. Quick as lightning Young Glory did the same. He +stole along towards the spot where the Spaniard had secreted himself, +and there was a look on the boy's face that spoke volumes.</p> + +<p>"It is he!" he muttered. "I only saw him for an instant, but it's a face +I never forgot."</p> + +<p>Bang! A man sprang forth, pistol in hand, and fired.</p> + +<p>As he did so he laughed defiantly.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Young Glory!"</p> + +<p>"You villain, I am not dead yet, as you shall see, Jose Castro!"</p> + +<p>For it was the famous Spanish spy.</p> + +<p>Quick as lightning, before Jose could fire again, Young Glory had sprung +on him.</p> + +<p>"Give me the key!" he cried, holding the spy in an iron grasp. "Give me +the key, or I will kill you!"</p> + +<p>"What key?" gasped Jose.</p> + +<p>"The key of the door by which you have just left the fort. I saw you do +so. You cannot deceive me."</p> + +<p>"And this is my answer!"</p> + +<p>With these words Jose tore himself loose, and then an instant later, he +flew at Young Glory, knife in hand. But his foot caught in some +vegetation, and he fell forward.</p> + +<p>As he did so, a large key dropped from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"The key!" shouted Young Glory, making for it, with a glad look on his +face.</p> + +<p>"You shall not have it!" cried Jose. "Death first!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, death for you!"</p> + +<p>Young Glory seized the frantic Spaniard as he struggled to reach the +key. For a moment or so, they swayed about on the bluff. Then Young +Glory, exerting all his strength, tossed the spy backwards, releasing +his hold so as to save himself from going with him.</p> + +<p>Jose Castro went crashing down the bluff towards the sea and the jagged +rocks which lay below.</p> + +<p>"The last of the spy!" cried Young Glory.</p> + +<p>He did not press forward to inquire further into Jose's fate, but flying +through the wood at full speed, he burst in on his astonished comrades.</p> + +<p>"Saved!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Saved, Young Glory! What does this mean?"</p> + +<p>"That I will lead you into the fort, sir. Follow me!"</p> + +<p>Stealthily the entire band, hidden from view by the trees, reached the +door.</p> + +<p>"When it is open, dash in!" said Young Glory. "Not a moment must be +lost!"</p> + +<p>The men were astounded to see him walk up to the door in the rampart, +insert the key in the lock, and open it. Madly they rushed through into +the fort.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards were standing at the guns when this sudden attack took +place, thinking that the enemy was in front. They had no time to rally.</p> + +<p>Young Glory leading, the American sailors pressed forward, cutting down +all in their path. A few of the Spaniards resisted for a few minutes. +Then they threw down their arms in token of surrender.</p> + +<p>A number of them saved themselves by jumping off the rampart and flying +through the woods.</p> + +<p>"The fort is ours!" cried Young Glory.</p> + +<p>"The guns must be destroyed," shouted Mr. Tyler. "My lads, those +breech-loaders can be easily rendered unfit for use. To the work!"</p> + +<p>Rapidly the destruction went on. When it was finished the American tars +poured down the hill again, took to their boats, and departed without +opposition.</p> + +<p>When they reached the cruiser they found that the tide had flowed so +fast that the ship was no longer aground.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the vessel left the shores of Cuba behind, and was +steaming with all speed for Key West.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The gun-boat having already arrived at the last named place, the story +of the gallant fight at San Juan de Porto Rico was already public +property. A great reception was given to the Cristobal Colon as she +steamed into port.</p> + +<p>Young Glory was fairly worshiped, for he was justly regarded as the hero +of the battle.</p> + +<p>However, he was not inactive long.</p> + +<p>In a few days he sailed with an expedition.</p> + +<p>His daring deeds will be related under the title of <span class="smcap">Young Glory in Cuba</span>.</p> + + +<h3>[THE END.]</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>[Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors in the original +edition have been corrected.</p> + +<p>In Chapter I, "to whom he addresed" has been replaced with "to whom he +addressed"; and "talking together exciteedly" has been replaced with +"talking together excitedly".</p> + +<p>In Chapter III, "He's the only Captan Miles" has been replaced with +"He's the only Captain Miles".</p> + +<p>In Chapter IV, "severl years in the west" has been replaced with +"several years in the west".</p> + +<p>In Chapter V, "as the minutes past" has been replaced with "as the +minutes passed".</p> + +<p>In Chapter IX, "fast as the Spanish crusier" has been replaced with +"fast as the Spanish cruiser"; and "damage had been done to the crusier" +has been replaced with "damage had been done to the cruiser".</p> + +<p>In Chapter X, a missing quotation mark has been added after "treated as +prisoners of war".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XII, "keeping trictly to themselves" has been replaced with +"keeping strictly to themselves"; an extra quotation mark has been +deleted after "what you can to repair it"; a missing quotation mark has +been added after "those fools are ignorant of it".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XIII, "loud cry of derison" has been replaced with "loud cry +of derision".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XIV, a missing quotation mark has been added after "you say +no, Young Glory?"</p> + +<p>In Chapter XV, a missing quotation has been added after "on its way to +Key West"; "crusier lying off Mulas" has been replaced with "cruiser +lying off Mulas"; and "flag that's flying'!" has been replaced with +"flag that's flying!".</p> + +<p>Also, the table of contents has been created for this electronic +edition. It was not present in the original work.]</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser, by +Walter Fenton Mott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG GLORY AND SPANISH CRUISER *** + +***** This file should be named 24911-h.htm or 24911-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/9/1/24911/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser + A Brave Fight Against Odds + +Author: Walter Fenton Mott + +Release Date: March 24, 2008 [EBook #24911] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG GLORY AND SPANISH CRUISER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +YOUNG GLORY. + +Patriotic War Stories. + +_Issued Semi-Monthly--By Subscription $1.25 per year. Entered as Second +Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, March 26, 1898._ + +_Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1898, in the office of +the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by Frank Tousey, 29 West +26th Street, New York._ + +No. 3. New York, April 22, 1898. Price 5 Cents. + + + + +Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser; + +--OR-- + +A BRAVE FIGHT AGAINST ODDS. + +BY AUTHOR OF YOUNG GLORY. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +SHOOTING A PRISONER OF WAR--A COMRADE TO THE +RESCUE. + + +CHAPTER II. + +FLYING FOR THEIR LIVES--A BOLD EXPEDIENT. + + +CHAPTER III. + +MORE VISITORS TO THE HUT--DAN DALY ROWS DOWN +THE CREEK. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +YOUNG GLORY AND CAPTAIN RUIZ CALDERON--IN THE +CAMP OF THE PATRIOTS. + + +CHAPTER V. + +AT VALMOSA--YOUNG GLORY DENOUNCED. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +FIGHTING IN THE BOATS--DAN DALY ARRIVES. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ARRIVAL AT THE BROOKLYN--DISCOVERING A RAFT. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +YOUNG GLORY ON THE NASHVILLE--AT SAN JUAN DE +PORTO RICO. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE FIRST SHOT--A HOT FIGHT. + + +CHAPTER X. + +BOARDING THE CRUISER--THE LAST STAND. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +YOUNG GLORY TO THE RESCUE--A SURPRISE FOR THE +BROOKLYN. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE SPANISH PLOT--YOUNG GLORY'S DANGER. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +FORTUNE FAVORS YOUNG GLORY--CAPTURE OF THE +MAGAZINE. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +JUAN AND LIEUT. TYLER--WHAT YOUNG GLORY DID. + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE CRUISER IN DANGER--A PRICE ON YOUNG +GLORY'S HEAD. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CONCLUSION. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +SHOOTING A PRISONER OF WAR--A COMRADE TO THE +RESCUE. + + +"Sorry to keep you waiting, senor." + +"Faith, an' it's a polite nation I always said ye were." + +The first speaker, a Spanish officer, laughed mockingly as he uttered +this apology. + +The man to whom he addressed his words was Dan Daly. + +Dan had been a boatswain's mate on the battle ship Indiana, then on the +Cruiser Columbia, and he was now filling a similar position on the +Cruiser Brooklyn. Dan Daly was Young Glory's bosom friend, and the +Irishman had been the companion of the gallant young hero in many of the +daring exploits that had given him world-wide fame. + +Dan's position now appeared desperate. + +A landing party from the Brooklyn had been surprised by a body of +Spaniards in a small village, not many miles from Matanzas, an important +town on the north coast of Cuba. + +After a short but desperate encounter, the American sailors, overwhelmed +by numbers had retired to their boats, leaving Dan Daly behind, a +prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards. + +A short, quick trial took place. Dan was denounced as a spy, and +instantly sentenced to death. It was ordered that the sentence should be +carried out at once. So now Dan stood looking death calmly in the face +as he had so often done before. + +A file of soldiers was rapidly marching to the place of execution, and +their heavy tread could be plainly heard as each moment they drew +nearer. + +The prisoner was standing against a wall, and immediately behind him was +a closed door, which was the rear entrance to a large house in the +village. + +The house itself was at least fifty yards from this wall. + +"Ah! how are the men?" said the Spanish officer. "So your waiting days +are over." + +The file of soldiers drew up about thirty yards from the doomed man, and +as they grounded arms the sound sent a sickening sensation through the +brave Irishman's heart. + +"Shure, it's not war, but murther's your trade," said Dan. "It's the +haythins thimselves wouldn't be afther tratin' me this way." + +"Talk on," said the Spaniard, coolly, "if it does you any good. It won't +alter matters. You have been condemned, and must die." + +"Ah, but it's revenged I'll be." + +"How?" + +"You won't ask when you see the Stars an' Stripes, the flag of the free, +floatin' over this island." + +The Spaniard laughed contemptuously. + +"That day will never come. Bah!" he added, stamping on the ground, "why +do I waste time talking to a miserable Yankee spy?" + +The man turned away. But in an instant he came back to the prisoner. + +"Spy or not," he growled, rather than spoke, "I suppose you're a human +being." + +"Faith, an' if you are, I'm not." + +The Spaniard's face grew dark with passion. + +"Silence! I ask you if you have any request to make. If possible, it +shall be carried out." + +"Shure, an' I have, then." + +"Quick! my men are waiting. Speak!" + +"It's Young Glory I'd like to spake to. I'd like to shake his hand--" +Dan's voice faltered here--"before I die." + +"That young wretch!" cried the Spaniard, savagely. "So you're his +friend?" + +"The truest he iver had." + +"Then, as Young Glory is not yet in our hands, your request is denied." + +Dan's eyes twinkled with fun. The nearness of death could not depress +him. + +"Shure, it's in no hurry I am. I can wait till you catch him." + +The Spanish captain glared fiercely at Dan. Then he faced round towards +his men. + +"Are your rifles loaded?" he cried. + +"Yes, yes, senor capitan!" + +"Shoulder arms, then. Wait for the word." + +Dan stared round, taking his last look of the earth. + +The brave fellow had refused to have his eyes bandaged, and now he was +staring defiantly at the men who were to be his executioners. + +"They may miss you, senor, the first time," said the Spaniard. "Our men +can't fire as straight as you Yankees." + +Dan Daly understood what this speech meant. It was virtually a command +to the firing party not to kill at the first volley. They intended to +prolong Dan's agony. + +"Ah! you tremble," cried the Spaniard, gleefully. + +Dan held out his hand. + +"Faith, it's not you can make my hand shake. It's firm as a rock." + +The Spaniard bit his lips with passion. He saw that he could not subdue +the proud spirit of the American sailor, and he had hoped to see him +writhing on the ground with fear, begging for mercy. + +"Yankees are animals, not men," he said, savagely. "No matter, the world +is about to be rid of one of them." + +"We shall see." + +The words were not spoken by Dan, yet they seemed to come from the spot +where he was standing. + +Instantly the door in the wall was thrown open, and a man dashed +through. He seemed to be a Spaniard, for he was wearing the Spanish +costume. + +Before the officer could raise a hand to defend himself, the stranger +was within a yard of him, holding a six-shooter at his head. + +Dan was paralyzed with astonishment. + +The firing party had lowered their rifles. They had broken their ranks, +and were talking together excitedly and rapidly. + +By this time the Spanish officer had somewhat recovered from his +surprise, and the color which had left his cheeks began to return. + +"Who are you?" he demanded, sternly. + +"Speak lower, senor, a little lower. I allow no one to address me thus." + +"Address you! Caramba! I speak as I please. I am master here!" + +The stranger laughed mockingly. + +"We won't discuss that point, for I see we shall not agree." + +"What do you want?" + +"Ah! That's a different question, and I'll give you an answer. You have +a prisoner here, an American sailor." + +"What of it?" + +"He is your prisoner no longer. He is mine." + +"You dare to interfere between me and an enemy of your country!" + +"I dare do even more than that, senor capitan." + +"I will soon put an end to this farce. Hold!" + +The officer called to his men, and instantly they were all attention. + +"Put a bullet into this impudent rascal." + +Quick as lightning the rifles went to the shoulders of the soldiers. + +But the stranger was quite prepared for this maneuver. + +Like lightning he grasped the Spanish officer and drew him towards +himself. + +"Now, senor capitan, you are between me and your soldiers. Your late +prisoner is behind me. If your men fire, whom will they hit?" + +The officer trembled. He saw that it was impossible for his assailant to +receive one bullet. The soldiers were also aware of this fact, and so +they stood motionless, not daring to fire. + +The Spaniard then assumed an air of bravado. + +"This is all childish," he said. + +"You think so?" + +"I know it. You have, by a trick, got me in your power, but for how +long?" + +"For a sufficient time." + +"You are foolish. You have sacrificed your life without helping the +prisoner." + +"We shall see." + +"Yes, and quickly. Supposing you kill me. What follows?" + +"Faith, you're dead!" + +It was the first word the Irishman had spoken. + +The Spaniard glanced ferociously at him. + +"I was not speaking to that fool, but to you. I ask, supposing you kill +me, what follows?" + +"Senor capitan, that won't happen, so we'll not talk of it. Come!" + +"Come!" + +"You heard me. Walk steadily forward. I'll step backwards keeping my eye +fixed on your soldiers. I don't want any harm to happen to you, and they +may fire without thinking." + +The stranger made a sign to Dan to go before him, so now the prisoner, +the stranger and the captain stood in single file, the last named being +nearest the soldiers and thus acting as a perfect shield. + +"Oh, you won't stir. Very well!" + +With these words, finding the officer did not move, the stranger held +his six-shooter a little nearer to him, and gave the Spaniard a +threatening look. + +"Ah, I thought so. Now you walk." + +"You have me in your power. I must, but I will have a bitter revenge. +Senor, you are cowardly!" + +"Cowardly! Ha! Ha! a pretty accusation from you. What! you talk about +cowardice! You, who don't know how to treat a brave enemy as a prisoner +of war, but place him up against a wall to have him shot down as if he +was a dog. Senor capitan," continued the stranger, speaking very +sternly, "you have excited my hatred. Another such speech as your last +and you will earn my contempt." + +Dan Daly was moving along like one in a dream. + +By this time he had reached the door which still stood open. + +"Pass through," cried the stranger in a commanding tone. + +Instantly Dan did so. + +"And me?" asked the officer. + +"You will stay where you are." + +"And yourself, senor, where shall I find you?" asked the officer, +sarcastically. + +"That you will know when you discover me!" answered the stranger, +defiantly. + +With these words he grasped the Spanish officer by the shoulders, and +using all his strength to throw him backwards, sending him with such +force to the ground that he rolled many yards. + +Then like lightning he dashed through the doorway, closing the door +behind him, instantly. + +Bang! Bang! + +A volley of bullets came, burying themselves in the wood. + +They were too late to do any damage, for the door was closed before the +soldiers fired. + +"Now, Dan Daly," said the stranger, "if you value your life, follow me." + +"Young Glory!" cried the Irishman, astounded. + +"And who else did you think it was?" retorted Young Glory, as he led the +way through the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +FLYING FOR THEIR LIVES--A BOLD EXPEDIENT. + + +Behind, a furious rush was being made at the door. + +Even if this did not give way, it was an easy matter to scale the wall. +So Dan Daly and Young Glory had no time to lose. + +"Friends of yours live here?" questioned Dan. + +"No, no! Don't talk, but look about you!" + +A narrow passage led to the side of the house, and as the fugitives +reached it, a man stood in their way. + +"You cannot pass," he said. + +"But we do," retorted Young Glory, bounding forward, and giving the man +a furious blow in the face with his fist. Down he went like a log. + +"Shure, he's punished for not kapin' to the truth," laughed Dan. + +"Now our troubles commence," said Young Glory. "Across this court-yard, +or patis as they call it, Dan, and then we're in the street." + +Several people, evidently servants belonging to the house rushed into +the patis, but none of them attempted to interfere with the two +Americans. They seemed completely scared, and stood with startled looks +on their faces as the fugitives dashed past. + +Now they were in the road. + +This part of the village was deserted, for all the people had gone round +to the rear of the house where the execution of Dan Daly was to have +taken place. It was a sight they did not care to miss. + +So Young Glory and Dan crossed the road and then entered a thick wood, +which seemed to them to have no paths in it. + +Through it they pushed their way, listening intently for sounds of their +pursuers. Their progress was slow, but so would that be of the men who +were after them. The only advantage the latter possessed was that they +knew the country. + +"Water!" cried Young Glory. + +"It's a river, shure," said Dan. + +"No, there's no river in these parts. I'm certain of that. It must be a +creek--part of the sea, in fact." + +"Faith, it's small use talkin' about it. It's there, an', begorra, our +goose is cooked; we can niver get any further." + +"It's a bad lookout." + +"An' why shouldn't we swim, Young Glory?" + +"And be shot down. How long would it take us to get to the other side? +Why, if we escaped the bullets the Spaniards would send after us, we'd +find the enemy waiting for us when we landed. That's so, Dan; take my +word for it." + +Dan turned slowly round. Young Glory regarded him with amazement. + +"Where are you going?" + +"It's savin' time I want to be. We can't escape. It's yourself said so, +an' shure I'll jist go back an' meet the Spaniards." + +"Pshaw! We are not captured yet, Dan! There are more ways than one of +getting out of a difficulty. We'll keep along by the creek, close to the +trees, ready to get amongst them if anybody shows up." + +"It's in your hands, I am," said Dan Daly, resignedly. + +Now, Young Glory knew the position was very serious. He had not the +faintest notice how they were to escape. + +It might have been possible for him to have got away, but not for Dan. +The Irishman was wearing an American naval uniform. To desert Dan, of +course, never entered Young Glory's head. + +Dan put his hand on the boy's arm at this moment. + +"It's back ye must be kapin'." + +"Why?" + +"Shure, there's a house." + +"I see it." + +Young Glory's face brightened instantly. + +"By jingo, this may be our salvation!" he cried. + +"It's puzzled I am!" + +"I'm not. Stay where you are, Dan. That is to say, get amongst these +trees till you hear from me." + +"But where are ye goin'?" + +"Going to call on some friends of mine who live in that house." + +Before Dan could say a word, Young Glory was gone, and the Irishman, +mindful of his safety, hid himself amid the bushes, still keeping a +watch on the house to which his comrade was going. + +Young Glory walked boldly up to the hut, for it was no more, and +hammered sharply on the door. + +He had no cause for fear. He was dressed in the native costume, and +spoke the language perfectly. + +It was some few minutes before any one answered his summons, and then +the door was opened by as villainous-looking a man as Young Glory +thought he had ever set eyes on. + +The man was apparently about forty years old, not tall, but +broad-shouldered and strong. + +"Good-day, comrade," said Young Glory, gayly. + +The man growled forth a reply. + +"Come, come, that's not very civil. A drink and a rest is what I should +expect you to invite me to have." + +"Go on expecting," answered the man, savagely, showing his teeth as he +spoke. "It's all you'll get out of me, senor." + +"You're not polite. Caramba! it's living alone has made you like this." + +"If I want to live alone," answered the man, adopting a threatening +attitude as he spoke, "is it anybody's business but mine?" + +"Certainly not," said Young Glory, aloud. + +Then to himself he said: "Now, I know there's no one else in the house. +Good, that decides me." + +"Well, comrade," said Young Glory, smilingly, "people tell me that I've +a way with me there's no resisting." + +"It has no effect on me." + +"Are you sure?" + +Quick as a flash, just as the words came from his lips, Young Glory drew +his six-shooter from his belt, and held it at the man's head. + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed Young Glory, "you change color. You see I was right. +Don't you think so?" + +"What's your game?" asked the man, sullenly. "I've done you no harm, +never seen you in my life before, so you can't want to kill me. And as +for robbing me, well, try it. If you get enough to buy yourself a drink +I'll be surprised." + +"Get into the house," said Young Glory. "Back with you. Hi! Hi!" + +The last two cries were meant for Dan, who heard them, and was in time +to see Young Glory entering the hut. Dan noticed that his comrade had +signed to him, and he immediately ran towards the place. + +In a moment he was in the hut. + +"A friend of mine, Dan Daly," said Young Glory. + +"The top of the mornin' to ye, senor," cried Dan, taking off his cap, +gravely. "It's meself's plased to meet you." + +"You're an American?" + +"Yes." + +"Curse you!" + +"Our friend's not polite, Dan," said Young Glory. "I've found that out +already. But, to business." + +"Business!" + +"Yes, Dan. We've much to do. Take this man, gag him, and tie him up +securely." + +Dan rushed at the fellow without another word. + +"Quiet! or I'll shoot you," said Young Glory, seeing the man about to +resist. + +The sight of the pistol effectually settled the matter, and Dan did his +work so expeditiously that the man was lying at the rear of the hut +hidden under a heap of rubbish in a very few minutes. + +"Now, you must skip, Dan." + +"Me?" + +"I said so." + +"But you?" + +"Oh! I stay here," answered Young Glory, carelessly. "You see, the men +in pursuit of you will come up very soon, and I must be here to receive +them." + +"Begorra, it's murther!" + +"I think not." + +"Young Glory, it's throwin' your life away ye'll be; they'll know you at +once." + +"We shall see." + +"But where shall I hide?" cried Dan. + +"Rush to the woods and stay there." + +"They will search the woods." + +"Not after they've heard my story. I'll put them off the trail. Quick! +Get away!" + +Young Glory ran to the door of the hut. Then he came back with a look of +dismay on his face. + +"Too late!" he cried. + +"What!" + +"Too late, I said. The Spaniards are coming up by the creek. You can't +get away from this house now without being seen." + +It was Dan's turn to look scared now. + +"It's your own fault," answered Young Glory, impatiently. "You would +waste the precious moments by arguing the point, so see what you've +brought us to. There's only one thing for you to do now. Under with +you." + +"Where?" + +"Get alongside our friend. Keep him company. Lie still, Dan. It's your +only chance." + +Young Glory assisted in covering Dan up, and this done, he threw off the +hat and cloak he was wearing, and secreted them. Then he hastily assumed +some old garments he found in the hut, rubbed some dirt over his face, +pulled his hat over his eyes, and with a cigarette between his lips took +his station at the door to wait for the soldiers. + +Spanish soldiers are not very ceremonious in their treatment of +civilians. So Young Glory found himself roughly addressed by the officer +in charge of the detachment. + +"You live here?" said the officer. + +"Yes, senor capitan," answered Young Glory, "this is my poor house." + +"Very well. You're the man I want. Have you seen anybody pass this way?" + +"No." + +"Have you been standing here long?" + +"Yes, for an hour." + +"And you saw no one pass?" + +"I said no, senor capitan." + +"They must have passed this way," said the officer, in a low voice, to +his sergeant. "The fellow's deceiving us." + +"Pardon, senor capitan," said Young Glory. "I have something to say. +Just now I saw two men." + +"Two men!" cried the captain, excitedly. "It must be they. Where! +Where!" + +"They came out of the wood about two hundred yards below, and seeing me +standing at the door they darted back again into the trees." + +"Ask him what they were like," whispered the sergeant. "That will test +his story." + +The officer, pleased with the suggestion, put the question. + +"Like! well, now, it wasn't as if I had many minutes to examine them, +and, besides it was too far off for me to tell the color of their hair +or eyes." + +"Fool!" exclaimed the captain, savagely. "Their dress! that's the +point." + +"One of them seemed to be a civilian, a Cuban I should say, capitan. The +other, was certainly a sailor, a navy man, the----" + +The captain waited for no more. + +"Our men," he cried enthusiastically. "They cannot escape us now." + +Young Glory threw away his cigarette and smiled as he looked after them. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +MORE VISITORS TO THE HUT--DAN DALY ROWS DOWN +THE CREEK. + + +"You can crawl out of your shell, Dan, now," said Young Glory, when the +last soldier had disappeared. + +"Faith, that's a comfort. An' what did them sogers want?" + +"They were looking for you, Dan. They found me, but didn't know me." + +"It's great ye are, Young Glory. There's nobody but yourself could +decave them. It's time we have for talkin' now, an' it's mesilf 'd like +to know how ye stopped them spalpeens from shootin' me." + +"When I saw you taken prisoner, Dan, I determined to save you. The boats +went back to the cruiser, but I didn't." + +"Ye stayed on shore?" + +"Yes. By good luck I managed to get into a house while everyone was +away, and get a change of clothes. Then I came to look after you. Why, I +was present when they tried you." + +"No!" + +"But I was. It's not Young Glory's way to desert a comrade, Dan." + +The Irishman pressed his hand warmly. + +"It's the lucky man who has yourself for a friend, Young Glory." + +Dan began foraging about the hut now. + +"It's food an' drink I'm afther," he explained, "an' partic'larly the +last. Ha! what's this? Wine! Well, it can't be helped." + +"What did you expect to find?" + +"A drop of the craythur, shure. It's much I'd give for three fingers of +whisky." + +The two seamen made a good meal of some cold fish and bread and the +bottle of wine, most of which latter going down Dan's throat. + +Then Dan lit his pipe. + +"Hurroo! but it's great. It's happy as a king I'm feelin'." + +"For how long? We can't stay here, Dan; we must get out of this." + +"But not till it's dark." + +"Perhaps not." + +"It's Captain Miles won't go away, Young Glory. He'll be afther kapin' +the cruiser near." + +"Yes, I feel certain he will. I've no doubt he's doing his best to +rescue you, Dan." + +And so the two talked on, Dan smoking and Young Glory thinking how they +might make their escape. + +It seemed as if night would come and find them chatting. + +An interruption took place. + +Young Glory from time to time went to the door of the hut and glanced up +and down the road. Now he came back quickly. + +"Your hiding-place again, Dan." + +"Why?" + +"There are more soldiers coming." + +"Murther!" + +"There will be if you don't hurry." + +The warning was enough. Dan was out of sight in a moment. + +This second visit to the hut alarmed Young Glory greatly. + +He saw that things were in a very critical position. + +In the event of a thorough search it was absolutely certain that Dan +would be discovered. + +As the soldiers approached the hut, Young Glory tried hard to maintain +his calm. He saw with surprise that all these men were officers. So much +he could tell from their uniforms. + +When they came to the hut they found Young Glory sitting at the table, +busily engaged in mending some fishing lines which he had found in the +hut. + +He sprang up quickly as the leader entered, and saluted him +respectfully. + +"Welcome, senor capitan." + +"My good fellow," answered the Spanish officer, "myself and my friends +here won't interfere with your work. Go on, I beg. We only seek a short +rest." + +Young Glory put the fishing lines away. + +"It is nothing," he said. "My friend who lives here is away to-day, and +I am keeping house for him, so I thought I would do a little work." + +"Has he anything in the drinking line?" cried a young lieutenant. +"That's more to the point." + +A shout of approval followed. + +"You don't speak very often, Ruiz," said one of the officers, "but when +you do, you display the wisdom of Solomon." + +The officers, making themselves quite at home, bustled about the hut, as +Dan had done, searching for drink. + +Young Glory was on thorns all the time. Detection seemed imminent. + +"Sit down, senores," he cried. "I will myself search for the wine." + +"But it's found," cried one of the officers, gayly. "Why, my good +fellow, your friend must be in the liquor business. He's a regular +cellar of wine here. Come on, gentlemen; take your choice. Here's claret +from France, Rhine wine, brandy, Amontillado from Spain, and whisky and +wine from America." + +"Nothing American for me!" + +"Good sense again, Ruiz. Let us try the Amontillado. It will remind us +of our country." + +The proposition found favor, and several bottles were opened, and the +soldiers helped themselves. + +"Your friend's a smuggler," said one of the officers to Young Glory. + +The latter shook his head. + +"My good fellow, it's a matter of indifference to us what he is. He's a +benefactor of his species, anyway. Don't you agree with me, gentlemen?" + +They all raised their glasses and shouted boisterously. + +Young Glory began to breathe more freely now. There was not a word said +as to the escape of Dan Daly and the search for him. + +Very soon he discovered from the talk that the officers were in complete +ignorance of it. They were posted with their regiment a considerable +distance from the village, and were now on their way to headquarters +there. + +What they had said was true. They had merely stopped at the hut in the +hope of obtaining refreshment. No doubt they would soon take their +departure. + +The wine loosened their tongues, and they began to talk freely. Young +Glory lost not a word of what was being said, for it seemed likely that +he would hear something that might prove valuable. + +"Where to to-night, Ruiz?" asked one man. + +"Why ask him? He'll be waiting for the fair Julia. Her eyes will glance +at him from the balcony." + +"Wrong for once, gentlemen," said Ruiz. + +"Captain Calderon is inconstant," laughed another officer. + +"Oh! Ruiz, I did not think that of you." + +"And if you did, you would be wrong. No, comrades, luck's against me +to-night. I'm on duty." + +"Garrison duty?" + +"Worse." + +"Can anything be worse?" + +"I said so." + +"Tell us, Ruiz." + +"I'm going to Valmosa." + +"What for?" + +"There is a lot of ammunition collected there." + +"I heard of it." + +"Well, it's to be moved to-night to this place." + +"You'll have hot work. The rebels are in force between here and +Valmosa." + +"Everybody knows that." + +"I wish you good-by, Ruiz," said one of the officers, solemnly. "Old +fellow, I pity you!" + +"Pshaw! there's no danger. It's only the discomfort I'm thinking of. We +are going to bring the ammunition to this place by water." + +"What!" + +"There's no cause for surprise. It's the simplest way." + +"But the American cruiser. Think of that, Ruiz. She's sure to be hanging +around." + +"And if she is, it's a matter of very little consequence." + +"But you'll be stopped." + +"No. We shall be in small boats and keep close in to shore. Now, the +Yankee cruiser must stay a good way out, for the water's not deep enough +to let her in. To-night will be dark. There's no moon till two o'clock, +and so it's simplicity itself to get the stuff through." + +"Why did they send you? You don't belong to those fellows at Valmosa." + +"Never saw one of them in my life. But the order was given me, and +that's enough." + +"The old general had had his dinner when he gave the order?" + +"Yes." + +"Then we know what that means. He had more wine than wit in his body." + +"I must get away," said Ruiz. + +"There's no hurry." + +"Not for you. Stay, if you please." + +"No, no; we'll all go together." + +Ruiz Calderon rose. + +"I have to get a good horse. The most dangerous part of the business is +getting to Valmosa, because I must go near the rebel lines." + +"Good luck to Ruiz!" cried all his comrades, emptying their glasses as +they spoke. + +"Thank you, gentlemen, thank you. My good fellow, your wine was +excellent. If you should hear a horseman gallop past your hut to-night, +don't be alarmed. It will only be me." + +Scarcely had they gone, when Dan Daly rushed out. + +"Faith, it's more than flesh an' blood could stand. Arrah! but me mouth +watered when I heard the glasses clinkin'. The spalpeens!" he cried in +dismay, "they've not left a drop for me." + +"There's plenty." + +Dan gazed in amazement at the hoard of liquor that had been discovered. + +"What a find! It's meself could put in a week here in this blessed hut." + +"But you won't." + +"Eh?" + +"I say you won't. It will be dark, Dan, in one hour. There's a boat +lying down on the creek." + +"An' faith, what's that to me?" + +"Everything. You'll get on board that boat, go down the creek into the +sea, and try and find the cruiser. The Brooklyn won't be far off. You +must take a light with you and give a signal." + +Dan was astounded. + +"An' is it by mesilf I'm to go?" + +"That's exactly what it is, Dan. You're old enough to be trusted alone, +you know." + +"But you?" + +"Oh, I have work on shore. Never mind me." + +"It's more danger ye're runnin' your head into." + +"Trust me to get it out again. Now, don't interrupt me. I've a letter to +write." + +Dan busily employed himself with the whisky whilst Young Glory was +writing his letter. + +"Here it is." + +"An' who's it for?" + +"Captain Miles." + +"Our skipper?" + +"He's the only Captain Miles I know. Now, Dan, it's very important that +that letter should reach Captain Miles as soon as possible. You +understand me?" + +"Yes, an' if it's to be done I'll do it." + +"That I know. Now, to start you." + +The two men left the hut. The boat was moored immediately opposite, and +in it were a pair of sculls. + +Young Glory would not allow a moment to be wasted. He unhitched the +painter and pushed off the boat. Then, having seen Dan start on his +dangerous mission, he went back to the hut. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +YOUNG GLORY AND CAPTAIN RUIZ CALDERON--IN THE +CAMP OF THE PATRIOTS. + + +The project Young Glory had conceived was incredibly bold. + +If he had told Dan what it was, the Irishman would have done his best to +dissuade him from it. + +But Young Glory instead of changing his mind, became more fixed in his +purpose as the time flew by. + +"I don't see why it should fail," he said to himself, as he sat +listening intently. "Ah! there he is. Well, the die is cast, or will be +in a few minutes, anyway. I'll go through with it to the end." + +He passed his hand through his thick golden curls which his sombrero had +hitherto concealed. Then he hurriedly went out and posted himself behind +a large tree a few yards from the hut. + +Nearer and nearer came the noise that had attracted his attention. A +horseman was approaching at a rapid rate, that was clear. + +"Captain Calderon for certain," said Young Glory to himself. "There +won't be any time to see, so I must assume it's he and take my chances." + +It was so dark that he could not see the horseman, though he knew he +must be very near by the sound. Then, suddenly, out into the road he +sprang. + +"Halt!" he cried in ringing tones, "or I will put a bullet into you." + +The horseman seemed astounded. Many men could have dashed by regardless +of consequences, but this man reined in his steed instantly, drawing the +animal back on its haunches. + +As he did so Young Glory drew up close to him, still keeping him covered +with his six-shooter. + +"I must ask you to dismount," he said, "and at once." + +There was a light coming from the hut, for Young Glory had left the door +open, and by it both men were able to distinguish each other. + +Young Glory recognized Captain Calderon instantly. + +"My man!" he muttered. + +"The fellow from the hut!" cried the officer. + +"I asked you to dismount, senor capitan," repeated Young Glory. + +"I heard you, and I demand to know the meaning of this insolence." + +"Demand! A strange word from a helpless man, senor. Are you aware that +you are in my power, senor. Come, come, don't drive me to extremities. I +should be sorry to have to injure a gallant young officer like yourself, +but I tell you plainly, captain, that if you hesitate, my duty will +compel me to kill you!" + +There was something in the tone with which these words were spoken, more +than in the words themselves, which impressed the officer. + +He realized now that he had not, as he had supposed at first, a drunkard +to deal with. But he was still completely at a loss to know what was +meant. + +However, he reasoned that a few minutes' chat in the hut, would +certainly lead to a satisfactory explanation. + +"The less time lost the better," said the Spanish captain. + +So he dismounted, and Young Glory took possession of his pistol and also +his horse. The latter he instantly hitched up to a hook driven in the +wall of the hut. + +"Now, fellow," said the captain, when the two men found themselves in +the hut, "what does this foolery mean?" + +"Take off your clothes!" + +The officer colored with passion. + +"My clothes," he gasped. "Never!" + +"I will make you." + +"What! are you a thief?" + +"Call me what you please, but do as I say or it will be worse for you." + +The Spanish captain made a dash at Young Glory. + +The latter stepped back quickly, raising his six-shooter as he did so, +and pointing it at his captive. + +"You are foolish," said Young Glory. "You cannot compete with me, and +you ought to understand that." + +What was causing the Spaniard to stare so? Not the fact that he was +threatened by Young Glory's six-shooter. No, but because when Young +Glory had moved backwards, his sombrero had dropped off his head, thus +exposing his thick yellow curls. + +"You are not a Spaniard," said Captain Calderon, astounded at the change +in his captor. + +"No." + +"Neither are you a Cuban." + +"No." + +"Who are you, then?" + +"I will tell you. I am Young Glory." + +The Spaniard dropped into a chair. + +"So you are the man who released the prisoner who was to be shot?" + +"Yes." + +"And you've done terrible injury to the Spanish cause, both here and in +Spain." + +"You pay me a high compliment, senor." + +"We have a heavy debt against you, Young Glory," said the Spaniard, +gloomily. + +"You will when this night is over. My work has only just commenced. +Come, captain, you and I must not quarrel. You are a brave man, I know. +Don't drive me to extremities. I must have your uniform and I'll give +you--these." + +Young Glory laughed as he pointed to the rags he was wearing. + +A soldier soon recognizes the truth. A civilian is more disposed to +argue. So the result was that Captain Calderon yielded with the best +grace he could, and commenced to undress. + +Young Glory, meanwhile, was doing the same, and in a few minutes the +exchange had been effected. + +Captain Calderon was a Cuban fisherman. Young Glory was a Spanish +officer. + +"They fit me beautifully, capitan. Don't you think so? Why, really, I'm +not a conceited chap, but I don't think it would be well for you if the +fair Julia saw me to-night." + +"So you were listening to what I and my comrades were saying?" asked the +captain, with a black look on his face. + +"I heard every word. It's a way I have, and I find it extremely useful +sometimes. I shall to-night." + +"And now I suppose I can go?" + +Young Glory smiled pityingly. + +"For a man of your intelligence that is a very foolish question, senor. +No, you will stay here. I shall have to secure you, bind you up in fact, +and also gag you." + +"Gag me?" + +"Yes, you might raise an alarm. You have an excellent voice as I heard +when you were drinking." + +Young Glory, as a seaman, had no difficulty in fixing the cords so that +they would hold, and whilst he was talking, he went on with the work. + +The captain was trussed up like a chicken now. + +"You will repent this," hissed the captain, through his clinched teeth. + +"I am of a different opinion." + +"Some day I will have a bitter revenge." + +"Why? All is fair in war. You would do the same to me if it served you +and I was in your power. But we shall talk all night if we get on this +strain. You won't be lonely for I have provided a companion for you. +See!" + +Young Glory raised the clothes that covered the owner of the hut and +exposed him to view. + +Whilst the captain was staring in astonishment at what he saw, Young +Glory extinguished the light, left the hut, and closed the door securely +after him. + +Then he unhitched the horse, sprang into the saddle and galloped away. + +Sailors do not excel as horsemen, but Young Glory was an exception to +the rule. Before he had enlisted he had passed several years in the +west, and the animal who tried to unseat him had a very difficult task +to perform. + +"The road to Valmosa," he muttered. "Guess that won't be hard to find. I +know where Valmosa lies, and roads are not very plentiful in this +benighted land, so I won't have much trouble if I stick to the one I'm +on." + +Young Glory's danger was in falling into the hands of some Spaniards. +They might happen to be comrades of Ruiz, and it would be almost +impossible to deceive them. But this did not daunt him. He had +understood all these dangers before he took this desperate project in +hand, and he thought of them now, merely because he had nothing else to +do. + +The ride exhilarated him, and his spirits rose as he proceeded. + +Gradually the path--it was really little better than a mule +path--descended towards the sea, and Young Glory was pleased because he +knew Valmosa was on the coast, and this seemed to show him he was on the +right road. + +However, his reflections were cut short with startling rapidity. + +A dozen men sprang from the surrounding trees. Two men sprang forward +and seized his horse's bridle, the others, with threatening gestures, +threw themselves in his way, barring his further progress. + +"Caramba, senor, but you're in a hurry," said a man, who appeared to be +their leader. + +"You have judged rightly, senor," answered Young Glory, "I am in a +hurry. Let me proceed." + +The men laughed loudly. + +"You are a Spanish officer. You must be mad to talk in this way," was +the stern answer. + +"And who are you?" asked Young Glory. + +"We are Cuban patriots." + +"Patriots! Then I'm safe!" exclaimed the boy, softly. + +"He must die!" whispered several of the men. "We give no quarter now, +since those Spanish wretches have commenced shooting their prisoners in +cold blood." + +Half a dozen pistols were leveled at the boy, and as many machetes +flashed in the air. + +A crisis had come. + +"Stop!" cried Young Glory, boldly. "I am no Spaniard." + +"Then what are you?" + +"I am an American sailor." + +The weapons that had threatened Young Glory's life were at once lowered, +but the men seemed to receive his statement with great suspicion. They +conferred together hastily, still retaining their hold on the young +hero's horse. + +At length the leader spoke. + +"We cannot decide this question. You may be an American sailor, or you +may be a spy. That is for others to determine. You must come with us to +the general." + +"Hurry, then, I beg. For, senors, a project I have in view for the +benefit of your cause will fail if I am long delayed." + +They pushed through the woods, the patriots finding paths that Young +Glory would have searched for in vain. + +Some half mile was traversed in this fashion, when a sentinel +challenged. The answer was satisfactory, and on they went. + +Then past one picket after another they went, showing what faithful +guard the patriots kept, until the order to halt was given, and Young +Glory found himself near a large fire around which were a number of +Cuban officers. + +"A prisoner, general!" said the leader of the party. + +"And a valuable one, too," was the answer, as the general glanced at +Young Glory. "A captain at the very least. Has he been searched?" + +"No." + +"Do so. He may be a bearer of despatches." + +"It is needless to search me," said Young Glory, advancing slightly +towards the general. "I am not what I seem. I am an American seaman. My +name is Young Glory." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +AT VALMOSA--YOUNG GLORY DENOUNCED. + + +This startling announcement caused a sensation. + +"Young Glory!" cried several of the officers. + +"Yes, that is my name." + +"Have you any proof?" said the general. + +"No." + +"Then we cannot let you proceed." + +Young Glory's face fell. Here he saw all his hopes dashed to the ground. +He determined to make one more effort. + +"But if you stop me, a certain scheme against the Spaniards that I can +carry through to success, will fail. I tell you it is so." + +"No matter. I have said before we do not know you, so we must detain you +for inquiries." + +"Have you ever heard of Young Glory, general?" + +"That is a foolish question. His name is a household word." + +"Very well; I again repeat I am Young Glory." + +"And again I ask for proof." + +Suddenly an idea occurred to the boy. + +"Have you ever heard of Captain Ruiz Calderon?" + +"Yes. He's a distinguished officer in the Spanish army. What of it?" + +"I'm Captain Calderon, or rather," said Young Glory, with a laugh, "I'm +supposed to be to-night." + +"How?" + +"I took him prisoner." + +"And released him?" + +"No. Made him change clothes with me, tied him securely, and left him in +a cottage on a creek belonging to a fisherman." + +"I know the place!" cried one of the soldiers. + +"You did this?" asked the general, incredulously. + +"Certainly. It was necessary for the success of my plans. Send to the +cottage, if it's possible to do so." + +"It can be done." + +"Very well. I entreat you to be quick, general. Much depends on it." + +It was rather dangerous work to venture so near the Spanish lines, but +four patriots volunteered at once, and the general, after giving them a +few brief instructions, sent them on their way. + +Well mounted, if no mischance happens to them, they would soon be back, +and Young Glory, who was in a boiling passion, quite ignored the +presence of the Cubans, and threw himself on the ground to rest while +awaiting the result. + +"I believe he is Young Glory," said the general to one of his officers. +"He doesn't look like an impostor." + +"No, sir." + +"Well, he's in a temper because I've done my duty. Let him alone. His +young blood will soon cool." + +So it did, and Young Glory, on thinking calmly over the matter, saw that +he could not have expected any different treatment to what he had +received. + +"General," he said, going up to him, "I was hasty. You must pardon me." + +The general smiled. + +"I have thought no more of it. Have a cigar. You'll find them good. They +taste better perhaps to me," he added, with a laugh, "because the +tobacco was grown by a Spaniard, one of our bitterest enemies, and they +cost nothing." + +The time seemed long. In reality the men--or at least two of them--were +back in an incredibly short space of time. + +"Well?" questioned the general. + +"We have been there." + +"And your comrades?" + +"They are safe. We left them behind." + +"And this young man's story?" + +"Quite true, general, only he forgot to say that he had left two +prisoners in the hut." + +"Two!" + +"Yes, general," said Young Glory. "One of them is the man who lives in +the hut." + +"How did it all happen?" + +As Young Glory told the story of the marvelous escape of Dan Daly from +the firing party, with the subsequent details of the pursuit and +eventful safety, the men gathered round and listened with bated breath. + +"Senor, it is marvelous!" exclaimed the general, when the recital was +ended. "I had heard something of the extraordinary escape of the +American prisoner before. Now tell me of your future plans." + +"That is for your ear alone." + +"Stand back, senores," said the general, waving his hand, "except +Colonel Mendez, my chief." + +"That is the same as yourself, general," replied Young Glory, bowing to +the officer who had been named. + +When Young Glory had told them what his plan was, they were lost in +amazement. + +"And you mean to do it?" + +"Certainly. That's what I'm here for." + +"Do you want any of my men?" + +"If you can send some of them on the road with me to point out the way I +shall be glad, but they must not go near Valmosa. If they were seen with +me that would spoil all." + +"Success to you, Young Glory," said the general, pressing his hand as he +was riding off. + +"Oh! then you believe I'm Young Glory now?" + +"Caramba! my friend, your deeds show that. There's not another man would +do such things. Adios." + +Once more Young Glory was in the saddle with two of the patriots riding +alongside him. Under their guidance he made rapid progress. + +"We must leave you now, senor," said one of the men. + +"Thank you for coming." + +"Yonder, where you see the lights is Valmosa. Goodness only knows how +you will reach it." + +"Leave that to me." + +Once more Young Glory was alone, riding rapidly to the scene of his +desperate undertaking. + +"Halt!" + +It was a challenge by the sentry. Young Glory had, of course, expected +this, and he was ready. + +"Dispatches from Monterey!" he cried, instantly, thinking by so doing +that the sentry would not demand the watch-word for the night. + +The scheme was successful. The sentry told him to advance, keeping his +rifle on him the while, until he had satisfied himself of the truth. + +One look seemed to give him confidence. + +"You are from Monterey, capitan?" + +"Yes. I am Captain Ruiz Calderon." + +"Pass, capitan." + +One obstacle was surmounted. The rest was easy. In a few minutes Young +Glory found himself in Valmosa. + +There all was excitement. + +Instantly Young Glory went to the commandant of the garrison. + +"If he knows Ruiz Calderon, I'm lost," was Young Glory's reflection as +he entered the commandant's room. + +"A dispatch from General Lopez," said Young Glory, saluting. + +The commandant took the letter and tore it open, scarcely giving Young +Glory a glance. + +"So you are Captain Calderon?" he said, after reading the dispatch. + +"Yes, colonel." + +"General Lopez says you are a brave and energetic soldier." + +Young Glory bowed. + +"To-night you have work before you that will prove your strength. You +are to command the expedition that starts for Monterey." + +"So the general told me." + +"Everything is in readiness. There is no reason for delay." + +"I think you are right, colonel. There seems to be every reason for +hurrying. You spoke of danger." + +"Yes." + +"From what quarter do you expect it?" + +"From the Americans. The rebels are on shore. They can do us no harm." + +"How can the Americans do so?" + +"They have a cruiser in these waters." + +"She will not see us." + +"Who knows? Those ships carry great searchlights now, and they can light +up the water." + +"Let them. They have to sink us after they find us and it's not easy to +hit a small boat at long range." + +"Good. That's the way to talk, capitan. You are a man after my own +heart." + +Young Glory was leaving the room when he passed a man he thought he +knew, but it was somewhat dark and he only had a mere glance. + +He heard a few words, though, that disquieted him somewhat. + +"That's Captain Calderon--" it was the commandant speaking--"he leads +the expedition." + +"Calderon of Lopez' division?" + +"Yes." + +"Caramba! but he's grown." + +With beating heart Young Glory hurried on. + +"I know that voice," he muttered. "Strange! where can I have heard it?" + +During the last few months he had been through so many scenes, and he +had met with so many strange faces, that he was quite unable to satisfy +himself as to the identity of the owner of the voice. + +The boats were all in readiness. + +Two large craft contained ammunition. A smaller one was in advance, +filled with sailors and soldiers, in order to tow the heavier craft +along. + +Young Glory speedily took in the whole of the arrangements. He might +have preferred to make some changes, but his object now was to get out +of Valmosa with all speed. Rapidly he gave his orders. The men seemed to +have no suspicion, and all was going smoothly. Yet Young Glory could not +get out of his mind the stranger who had passed him at the commandant's +headquarters. + +"Cast off!" he cried. + +Instantly the men on the pier let the boats loose, and the men bent to +their oars. + +"Row, my lads, long and steady. You've a hard pull before you," said +Young Glory, "and you'll need all your strength." + +The sailors showed at once they did not intend to overexert themselves. + +"Rather different to our blue jackets," was Young Glory's reflection. +"Why, Dan Daly and half a dozen of our fellows would lick the whole +crowd." + +There was commotion on shore at this instant. Anxiously Young Glory +looked towards the pier. He could see nothing on account of the +darkness, but he heard the pattering of feet. One man, if not more, was +hurrying towards the end of the pier. + +Then Young Glory heard some shouting, but the roar of the sea prevented +him from distinguishing the words. + +The shouting continued. + +"Traitor!" + +This word came distinctly across the water. + +"They've caught a spy," exclaimed Young Glory, quickly, to turn the +men's thoughts away from himself. "Hurry up, lads, and you may get back +in time to see the fun, for he'll have to die, that's sure." + +Not another word reached the boat. Yet, Young Glory felt by no means +safe. He knew that a boat might be sent off to overtake him, and then he +was lost entirely. + +But as the minutes passed, and he heard no sound of pursuing oars, he +became easier in his mind. + +To get out of possible danger from shore, he ordered the men to row out +towards the sea, but here he was beaten. The waves ran high and the +boats were in great danger of being swamped. Back to the shore again he +had to go, and adhere to the original plan of creeping along by the +beach. + +The coast was rocky hereabout. + +Suddenly above their heads a figure, which looked unnaturally tall in +the darkness, rose on a great bowlder which overshadowed the water. + +"You have a traitor in that boat!" cried this apparition. "The man with +you is not Captain Calderon. It is Young Glory!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +FIGHTING IN THE BOATS--DAN DALY ARRIVES. + + +These words produced a panic. + +It was a wonder that the boats were not overturned. The men stopped +rowing, and so the craft containing the ammunition drifted up against +them, and they were all in a mass together. + +The actions of many of the men were most violent and threatening. They +uttered fierce cries, and assailed Young Glory with menaces. + +"To your work," he cried, bravely, thinking yet that he might overawe +them. + +But they took no notice. + +"I am your captain," said Young Glory. "Obey my orders!" + +"You are a traitor!" + +"Seize him! Kill him!" + +These were the cries that were now heard. But a clear voice came from +the shore. It was that of the man who had denounced Young Glory. + +"Do not kill him," he said. "Traitors must be treated differently. Make +a prisoner of him." + +"Who are you who give your orders?" asked one of the men. "You seem to +own us!" + +"Own or not," was the stern answer, "it will be bad for those who refuse +to obey me. I am Jose Castro!" + +There was a buzz of astonishment. + +Everyone had heard of the famous Spanish spy, whose services to Spain in +the war had been immense. + +"Jose Castro!" muttered Young Glory. "And I thought I had seen his hated +face for the last time when he sank in the river at Seville. Such men +never die. I am lost," he added, "but I will die fighting!" + +Three men came towards him. They were bent on carrying out the spy's +orders, and were about to seize him. + +"Stand back!" he cried, defiantly. + +"Yield!" + +"Never!" + +"We are fifty to one. To fight is useless," said the Spanish soldier. +"You will be killed." + +"Then I will die fighting. Back! I say," he added, as the men pressed +forward. "I will never be taken alive!" + +"We shall see!" + +The three men rushed at Young Glory. + +Instantly he drew his sword. Around his head it flashed. + +Then down it came on the nearest man's head. He dropped. A moment later +one of his companions was lying in his blood. The third man hesitated. + +"This shall cost you dearly," said Young Glory, defiantly, as he faced +the crowd. + +"Shoot him!" + +"No, no! There must be no firing," said one of the sergeants. "A noise +will bring the guns of the American cruiser on us. Once more, will you +surrender?" + +"No!" + +"Rush at him, men. Cut him to pieces if he resists." + +Such an order is easier given than obeyed. Men cannot move about a boat +with perfect freedom, and Young Glory standing in the stern was a +desperate foe. + +The fight was renewed. + +It was a repetition of what had previously taken place. + +Two men fell before Young Glory's terrible sword, and the boy himself +was not hurt. + +But now a diversion took place. + +Young Glory heard the sound of oars behind him, and he saw on turning +his head, that one of the Spanish boats was hastily coming up. Attacked +on both sides the end was certain. + +It was necessary to do something at once. To jump into the water was no +good. The boats would row after him and capture him in a few minutes. In +the sea he would be quite powerless to defend himself. + +"Now will you surrender?" cried the sergeant. + +"No!" + +"The boat will be on you in a minute. You will be between two fires." + +"I care not." + +"He's a brave fellow!" cried the sergeant, tauntingly. "Look at him, +lads." + +"We can't see his face." + +"He'll keep this bluff up to the last, lads. Then he'll whine for +mercy." + +"But let's see him." + +"Good!" + +The sergeant seized a torch, and instantly set fire to it. + +There was a glare of light. + +"Look at the hero!" he cried. + +"Are you mad?" shouted Jose Castro, from the rock. "Do you want everyone +to know where you are? Out with that flame if you value your lives!" + +"Not yet!" cried Young Glory, springing forward like lightning. He +seized the burning torch, and with a quick movement tore it from the +sergeant's hand. + +Then he jumped back to his post on the stern seat of the boat, and +instantly he began to wave the torch above his head. + +Jose Castro was furious. + +"Kill him, kill him!" he shouted. + +"He has a few minutes to live, that's all!" + +Still Young Glory waved the torch, hoping it might be seen by those on +the cruiser Brooklyn. Even then it was doubtful if they could do +anything. + +The boat that had been coming up at the stern missed its mark, and ran +in between the two ammunition boats. + +Then Young Glory saw that he was saved for a few minutes at all events. +The torch still waved, and Jose Castro stormed and raved at the men in +the boats. + +"Listen," said Young Glory. + +"Well?" + +"I have a word to say." + +"Don't let the traitor speak!" + +"Be silent!" exclaimed the sergeant. "Well, what is it?" + +"I will make terms with you." + +"You make terms?" + +"Yes. I have the best of the situation now." + +The Spaniards roared with laughter at this view of the situation. + +Young Glory was really only seeking to gain time. + +"Put me on shore, and I will give up the torch." + +"The torch!" + +"Yes, don't you see that if I continue to wave it, the American cruisers +will fire and send you all to the bottom of the sea?" + +"You, too." + +"Oh, that doesn't matter! If I can take fifty Spaniards there with me, I +shall be satisfied." + +Jose Castro had heard enough of this talk to know what it meant. + +"Why parley with the dog?" he shouted. "If you are men, you will kill +him!" + +Now was the critical point. The end seemed at hand. + +The second boat rushed at Young Glory. + +Quick as a flash he sprang from the stern of the boat where he had been +standing, into the nearest of the two boats that contained the +ammunition. + +The boat that was coming up, rushed in, locking itself between the other +two boats. + +"You will kill me, you say!" hissed Young Glory through his clenched +teeth. "Try it on! If you move one step, or one of you raises a finger I +will set fire to the powder, and blow you all up!" + +A fearful cry arose from the men. + +Many of them were so appalled that they sprang into the water and began +to swim to shore. + +The other men, afraid to move, stood motionless as statues. + +"Dan! Dan!" shouted Young Glory now. "I believe he's near. I heard a +noise." + +The men looked suspiciously at him. + +Jose Castro was very ready with his advice. + +"Cut your boats adrift!" he cried. + +"No," returned Young Glory. "No man must move or lift a finger, or I +fire the powder." + +Young Glory clearly commanded the situation, but how long would it last? +One of the men who had swam ashore might have a rifle, and if so, no +doubt he would fire at Young Glory. + +But the sergeant was not satisfied even with this. For he saw that if +Young Glory fell dead in the ammunition boat the torch would fall too, +and then what would happen? It was too dreadful to think about. + +Bang! + +It was Jose Castro who was firing. But as he was only possessed of a +six-shooter and the distance was great, Young Glory did not stand in +fear of any of the bullets the spy might send. + +However, he told him to desist, as it was quite possible he might do +some injury. Jose sternly declined, and when Young Glory threatened to +blow up the boats, he told him to do so. + +"Well, let him fire," muttered Young Glory. "He does good, really, for +he's making a noise, and that's what I want. Dan! Dan!" + +Here Young Glory began to shout again. + +"Faith, it's here I am!" said a well known voice, and immediately the +bow of a boat shot around the nearest point of land. + +"Alone!" cried Young Glory, in dismay. He had expected to see Dan come +with not less than three of the cruiser's boats. + +It was a terrible disappointment. + +"Shure, an' it was your cries that brought me." + +"And you didn't see the light?" + +"No." + +"Where are the others?" + +"The skipper didn't send them." + +"Why not?" + +"Begorra, it's not near the cruiser I've been at all, at all." + +"That accounts for it," muttered Young Glory. "Well, I'm in a pretty +mess now, and I've dragged Dan into it, which is worse." + +"It's a great illumination ye have there, Young Glory." + +"Yes." + +"An' mebbe it's friends of yours these gentlemen are?" + +"Very good friends. See! there's not one of them will do anything to +hurt me." + +"An' why?" + +"Because, Dan, I'm standing with powder and shot all around me, and if I +happened to drop this torch--I threatened to do it--the consequence +would be very serious." + +"Is it here ye're afther stayin' the night?" + +"I can't go, Dan, an' I won't let these friends of mine leave me." + +"It's mighty awkward." + +"Yes, we'll go!" shouted Young Glory. "A good idea's just come into my +head." + +"It's the great head, is yours!" + +"Now, Dan, have you a six-shooter?" + +"Yes." + +"Then take it." + +"What for?" + +"Go round the boats to each of the Spaniards you see sitting here." + +"An' thin?" + +"You'll make him hand over his arms, sword and gun, mind, and +six-shooter. Even a stilletto, if he has such a thing." + +"Faith, I won't be afther lavin' the spalpeens wid a pen-knife." + +"Very well. Do your work, and do it quickly. Every moment counts now." + +Dan went to work with a vengeance. Not a man offered resistance. What, +between Young Glory's torch and Dan's six-shooter the men were fairly +cowed, and one after another they handed over their weapons. Dan Daly +threw them carelessly at the bottom of his boat. + +"It's no arms they have, but fists now, Young Glory, an' shure they +don't count, for a Spaniard wants a knife in his hand, anyway." + +"Very good. Now take your oars," said Young Glory, sternly. "The boats' +heads are pointed to sea. Pull right out with all your strength. If any +man refuses, I'll shoot him dead!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ARRIVAL AT THE BROOKLYN--DISCOVERING A RAFT. + + +Not a man refused to obey. + +Young Glory's actions had terrorized them. + +Instantly they bent over their oars, and the boats once more began to +move. Young Glory, torch in hand, still stood in the bow of one of the +ammunition boats. + +Jose Castro danced about like a maniac on the shore. + +"You shall all be shot!" he cried. "The general will have you killed as +traitors." + +But the men rowed on, despite Jose's threats. + +Dan Daly had started up when he heard the noise. + +"Faith, an' I know the gentleman," he said, "though it's his name that's +not in my mind now." + +"It's Jose Castro." + +"What?" + +"True, Dan. There's no killing him." + +"Shure, an' there's no tellin'." + +The Irishman took up one of the rifles that lay at the bottom of the +boat. It was loaded. He put it to his shoulder and fired. + +Bang! + +Then he took another and fired. + +But by this time Jose had vanished. He had no desire to become a target +for Dan Daly's rifle practice. + +Meanwhile, the boats were rapidly nearing the shore behind, and +fortunately the waves had fallen, or it would have gone hard with +everybody. + +Young Glory was keenly searching the water for the cruiser. He thought +it possible that seeing the torch burning, he might show a light. This, +of course was doubtful, for war ships in an enemy's waters, never +display a light of any kind at night. + +Boom! + +"The cruiser!" shouted Young Glory, joyfully. + +"Arrah! but it's sinkin' us she'll be." + +"No, no, Dan. It's a shot across our bows. I'll wave the light again." + +"An' faith it's little good that'll do." + +"But it will. It shows we are not an enemy, for enemies don't give +notice of their coming." + +Young Glory continued to wave the torch, and the boats proceeded slowly. + +"I see it!" + +"What! Young Glory?" + +"The cruiser. Look, Dan, you can just make it out in the darkness." + +"Shure, an' ye're right." + +"Give them a hail." + +"Ahoy there! Ship ahoy!" + +"Who are you?" + +"Faith, an' it's Dan Daly's squadron arrivin'!" + +From the cruiser came a burst of laughter. Evidently the people there +had recognized the Irishman's voice. + +The boats were nearer to the cruiser than they appeared to be, and a few +minutes after this talk they were alongside the Brooklyn. + +Instantly Dan Daly bounded up the gangway. + +"Dan Daly!" + +"Yes, sir," answered Dan, saluting. "It's back I'm glad to be." + +"And I'm very glad to see you, Daly," answered Captain Miles, for it was +he. + +There was a crowd of officers standing around him. Late though it was, +they were mostly on deck, for the light shown near the shore had excited +their curiosity, and for a long time past they had been watching it, and +discussing its meaning. + +"It's some friends of mine below, sir. It's meself wants to ask 'em +aboard." + +"Do so." + +"Arrah! an' ye'd betther be steppin' up lively, ye spalpeens. It's the +skipper himself's waitin' to see ye." + +Not a word of this speech did any of the Spaniards understand, but Young +Glory instantly translated it for their benefit. + +One after another they slowly filed up the gangway. + +There were not less than forty of them, and it may be imagined that +their appearance created a great sensation. + +"Spaniards!" cried Captain Miles. "Why, it's a regular army." + +"Widout arms, Yer Honor," said Dan. "It's meself has their guns and +swords." + +"This is most extraordinary, and what's this?" + +"I report myself returned, sir." + +"Young Glory!" + +The skipper staggered back a few paces, he was so astounded. + +"There are about forty rifles and as many cutlasses in the boats below, +sir." + +"They must be brought on board at once." + +"That is not all, sir." + +"Is there more, Young Glory?" + +"Yes, sir. There are two large boats also filled with ammunition." + +"That must be brought aboard, too." + +The captain turned to the lieutenant-commander, and gave the necessary +orders. + +"Now, Young Glory, you and Dan Daly will come to my cabin at once. I +want to hear all that's happened." + +And he sat spellbound whilst Young Glory related the whole story, +beginning with Dan's escape, and ending with the capture of the boats. + +"It's a letter I had for you, sir," said Dan, "but faith, I couldn't get +out to sea." + +"The letter is no good now, Dan. Tear it up." + +"No, no!" exclaimed Captain Miles, eagerly, taking possession of it. +"This letter shall be preserved. It will be a memento of one of the +bravest actions ever done by an American seaman." + +It was little rest that Dan and Young Glory had that night. + +Their comrades insisted on hearing every detail of their marvelous +adventures, and the day had dawned before they sank to rest. + +Each of them was indulged with an unusual allowance of sleep that night, +on account of their great exertions, and when they awoke and went on +deck, the shores of Cuba had faded from sight, and the gallant Cruiser +Brooklyn was steaming through the Caribbean sea in an easterly +direction. + +"Where are we bound?" was the universal question now. + +"Ask Young Glory. He knows everything," laughingly said one of the men. + +"It's Porto Rico we're going to," cried one of the sailors. "I heard an +officer say so." + +"Porto Rico! That belongs to Spain, eh?" asked one of the sailors. + +"Spain! Why, no! China, of course!" + +"Ha, ha!" + +The men were in the highest spirits now. They had not enjoyed the work +of the past few days, cruising about off Valmosa and Monterey. Inaction +is the last thing a blue jacket appreciates. + +Now there was always something to do, and Captain Miles, a first-class +officer, saw that everything was done to perfection. + +"If we do go into action," he said, "it will not be our fault if we are +beaten!" + +The run to Porto Rico took some days. + +The lookout men were on the alert, expecting to sight land every minute. + +Suddenly there was a shout from one of them. + +"Porto Rico at last!" cried one of the sailors, joyfully. + +"A sail!" cried the lookout man. + +"Where?" + +"On the port bow!" + +One of the officers instantly went to the top with his binocular, +bringing it to bear on a small, far distant speck on the ocean. + +"A sail, surely," he said, "but what is it?" + +"Well, sir?" shouted Captain Miles. + +"It is a sail, sir." + +"What do you make of it, Mr. Robson?" + +"Hard to say. Certainly not a battle ship, nor even a gun-boat." + +"What, then?" + +"Looks like a small boat, sir. Perhaps there may be people aboard, but +at present it's impossible to say." + +Mr. Robson was a lieutenant on the Brooklyn. He had been early in the +war on the battle ship Indiana. There Young Glory had served under him, +and had learned to appreciate the attention to duty and the bravery +displayed by this gallant officer. + +He and Captain Miles paced the deck now, talking over what should be +done. + +"I should send a boat, sir." + +"We shall see in a minute or two what is best to be done, Mr. Robson. +We're running directly for the sail." + +"It's not a boat, sir!" cried Mr. Robson, after a while. + +"Not a boat?" + +"No." + +"What, then?" + +"A raft." + +"You're right," said the captain, after another look. "A raft, sure +enough, and what's more, is that there are people on it. Order out two +boats." + +"Yes, sir." + +"They must start for the raft at once." + +"Instantly, sir." + +To lower the boats and man them does not take long on board a +man-of-war. Every man knows his place, and the operation proceeds like +clock work. + +In a few minutes they were flying over the water towards the raft. Very +soon they saw it was crowded with people. Some of them raised their +hands as they saw the boats draw near. + +"Poor souls!" said Dan Daly. "It's shipwrecked they are, an' starvin' +too." + +"Well, it won't take many minutes to remedy that, Dan." + +"Pull hard, lads!" cried Mr. Robson. "Every minute counts in a case like +this." + +What a sight met the eyes of the blue jackets. + +Half of the occupants of the raft were dead men. The survivors seemed to +be, many of them, at the point of death. Very few had strength enough to +rise even to a sitting position. + +"No time for talking, lads," said Lieutenant Robson. "Get them back to +the ship at once." + +"And the dead, sir?" + +"Throw them over. It's all that can be done." + +Some stimulants had been taken with the boats, and by the time that the +Brooklyn was reached one of the men had recovered sufficiently to talk. +The others were carried below and given at once into the hands of the +surgeon. + +"You have suffered very much," said Captain Miles, kindly. + +"Yes, but our troubles are over at last." + +"You feel strong enough to talk?" + +"Yes, captain. I'm the mate of the Mary Parker, a fruit ship bound from +Rio Janeiro to New Orleans. We were attacked by the Spaniards, and our +ship was captured." + +"What was done with it?" + +"The cargo--that is, the valuable part of it--was taken by the Spaniard, +and our ship was sunk." + +"And how came you on the water?" + +"Oh, that is a terrible story. The Spaniards would not take us on board. +The captain said that he had too many mouths to feed as it was." + +"The wretch!" + +"Wait. Many of the Spanish officers proposed that we should be sunk with +the ship. It would save time, they said. Sometimes I think it would have +been better if they had carried out their intention, for my poor +comrades suffered torments before they died." + +"It was merciless!" + +"Then these men held a conference. After a lot of talk they came to a +decision. It was decided that the carpenter should rig out a raft in a +hasty fashion, and that we were to be put aboard it. And so we were. +They sent us adrift on a few timbers without a bite to eat, or one drop +of water." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +YOUNG GLORY ON THE NASHVILLE--AT SAN JUAN DE +PORTO RICO. + + +Captain Miles was aghast. + +The officers of the Brooklyn who had drawn close to listen, were loud +in their expressions of indignation. + +"The brutes! the inhuman brutes!" said the skipper. "And these are the +men for whom some misguided people feel pity." + +"An object lesson like this," said the lieutenant-commander, "shows how +much pity they deserve." + +"As we left the Spaniard," continued the mate of the Mary Parker, "the +wretches on board hooted and jeered at us. We heard some of them propose +that they should have some rifle practice on us, but this was rejected, +because it was too merciful a death. Five days we passed beneath a +burning sun, suffering cruel thirst and hunger. Of twenty men who went +on the raft, but nine remain." + +"Poor creatures!" + +Captain Miles was silent. The horrors to which he had listened had +affected him deeply, it was some moments before he spoke. + +"Tell me, if you can, the name of the ship that captured you." + +"It was a Spanish cruiser, the Cristobal Colon." + +"The Cristobal Colon! That name will stick in my memory, my friend, +until I have revenged you and your shipmates. Do you think it's likely +that the Spanish cruiser is in these waters now?" + +"Yes, I heard enough while I was aboard of her to make me think so. Her +mission is to prey on American commerce." + +"We will catch her." + +"It's not easy. She does her work, then dashes into the harbor of San +Juan and finds safety." + +"We shall find a way, never fear." + +The treatment of the American sailors by the Spaniards had roused the +men's passions to the boiling point. The Cristobal Colon would have a +bad time if the two ships came to close quarters. + +For three days the Brooklyn cruised around Porto Rico. Not a sign did +she see of the enemy. + +"Faith, we'll never have a sight of her." + +"How's that, Dan?" + +"She knows we're around. It's one of their Spanish fishin' vessels has +seen us, and that's enough. It's out of San Juan she'll not be comin'." + +Captain Miles thought the same as Dan, but he determined to remain, +because even if he could not get near enough to the Cristobal Colon to +attack her, yet he was able by remaining, to prevent the Spanish cruiser +from leaving the port in order to prey on American commerce. + +The next day a ship was sighted. + +She evidently recognized the Brooklyn, for she flew the Stars and +Stripes in a very short time. + +"One of ours, boys!" cried a sailor, "and I know her, too." + +"You do?" + +"Yes. She's a gun-boat. She's the Nashville, and I was aboard her for +two years." + +"A good boat, Bill?" + +"A very smart craft." + +It was not long before the captains of the Nashville and the Brooklyn +were exchanging compliments. The skipper of the gun-boat came aboard the +cruiser, and a long conference took place. + +"So you'd heard of the Cristobal Colon, then?" said Captain Miles. + +"Yes," answered Captain Long, of the gun-boat. "It was on her account I +was ordered here. Admiral Jackson thought I might be able to help you. +More than one ship has arrived in the gulf reporting a severe chase. +She's doing great damage as a commerce destroyer, and the admiral says +she must be checked." + +"It's all very well for Admiral Jackson to talk that way," said Captain +Miles, impatiently; "but just let him come here. He wouldn't be able to +do any more than I'm doing." + +"Of course, if she won't stir outside of San Juan it's difficult for us +to act." + +"Yes." + +"What's to be done? A ship-load of wretches like that should not be at +large. They're no better than wild beasts." + +"I can't venture in shore." + +"But I can, Captain Miles. My boat's very light draft. Supposing I have +a look in at San Juan? I may find out something." + +"A good idea, but be careful. The Cristobal Colon's a fast boat, and if +she caught you, well, you know where you'd be, at the bottom of the sea +in a very few minutes." + +"I shall be cautious. My scheme will be to try and lure the Spaniards +out of port." + +"Ha! Ha! Try, by all means, but the fish won't always bite." + +"You can do something for me." + +"What?" + +"Spare me twenty men. That is, if you're not short-handed. I am." + +"I can lend you twenty, but they won't like it at all, for they're all +spoiling for a fight with this Spaniard, and they want to be here when +the fun begins." + +"But I must have them." + +"Very well. Mr. Robson!" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Twenty men wanted for the Nashville. We can spare them, and Captain +Long is short-handed." + +"Now," laughed Captain Long, "give me a fair selection, Mr. Robson. No +cripple, mind." + +"All our men are up to the mark." + +"Good! The sooner you can send them aboard the better, for I want to +start." + +Lieutenant Robson lost no time. He had twenty men paraded on deck. +Amongst them happened to be Young Glory and Dan Daly. + +Lieutenant Robson passed his eye along them. + +"If he doesn't like them," he said to himself, "he's hard to please." + +In truth he would be, for a finer body of men never stepped the deck of +a ship. + +"What's up?" whispered one of the men. + +"Shure, it's some fightin' for us!" + +"Hope so, Dan." + +"My men," said Lieutenant Robson, "the duty you are to be placed on, is +not given to you because you have displeased the captain. On the +contrary. But someone has to do it, and you have been chosen." + +The men's faces fell at this speech. + +"Yes, you are lent to the Nashville. You will go aboard at once, and my +last word is--but I know it's unnecessary--that you will show your new +skipper what the men of the Brooklyn can do." + +The men were instantly dismissed. It took them a few minutes to collect +their belongings, during which they received much sympathy from their +comrades. + +"You'll miss this fight, Young Glory." + +"Don't talk about it," replied Young Glory, hotly. "It's enough to send +a man crazy!" + +"Shure, it's like desertin', I feel!" + +"Do. There's no one to stop you, Dan, and it's very easy. You have only +to step over the ship's sides into the mouth of the shark who's waiting +there for you." + +But Dan was too mad to reply. + +He and his comrades very soon found themselves on the Nashville. + +The first person they met aboard was Captain Long, whom they had not +seen when he paid his visit to Captain Miles on the Brooklyn. + +"Young Glory and Dan Daly!" cried Captain Long. "Well, this is a +surprise. I can't complain now that they've sent me a poor lot of men." + +Captain Long was a lieutenant of the Indiana, the first battle ship on +which Young Glory had served during the war. He was only a young man, +but he had on so many occasions displayed such conspicuous bravery, that +he had been promoted to the rank of captain and placed in command of the +gun-boat. + +"It might be worse, Dan," said Young Glory. + +"Why?" + +"Because wherever Captain Long is there's fighting. That's a dead sure +thing, and I wouldn't be surprised but what we'll have enough of it." + +"Faith, an' it's plased I am to see an ould face." + +"Old! Captain Long's young." + +"Arrah! ye're a tasin' lad. It's yerself knows what I mane." + +The Brooklyn had faded from sight now. The Nashville was running towards +San Juan. The gun-boat did not mean to enter the harbor, but simply to +cruise about in the hope that something might be seen of the Spanish +cruiser. + +One night the weather was very thick. + +It was quite possible for a ship to leave the port without being seen, +or even heard, for the waves stifled any sound she might have made. + +Towards morning the weather cleared. + +Young Glory was on watch duty and Captain Long happened to be near him. + +"Can I have a word with you, sir?" + +"Surely?" + +"Well, sir, I may be mistaken, but I feel positive that the Cristobal +Colon went out of port during the night." + +"How do you make that out? You saw nothing." + +"No, sir." + +"And heard nothing?" + +"Very little. But this is what happened. I was looking over the ship's +sides during the night, and a little after midnight, when the fog was +thickest, there was a great rush of water towards our boat. The waves +rose high, almost to the deck. What caused that? I said to myself, and +there was only one explanation." + +"Well?" + +"It was the wash from a big steamer. I've no doubt of it." + +"You have spoken of this?" + +"Certainly, sir. It was my duty. I drew the attention of the officer of +the watch to this, and he said he thought it was a tidal wave." + +"And you did not agree with him?" + +"No, sir." + +"Young Glory, I think your theory is the correct one. It seems +reasonable. That boat's waited for thick weather so as to give us the +slip. I must know." + +"How, sir?" + +"Why, if she's not in San Juan I must notify the Brooklyn at once, so +that she may look after her; we don't want any more ships destroyed." + +Captain Long lost not a moment. + +All hands were called instantly. + +The Nashville's course was changed, and she steered straight for the +harbor of San Juan. + +The men were all excited now. It was a desperate mission upon which they +were bound, and they knew it. The enterprise affected men differently. +Some of the sailors looked stern and determined. Dan Daly smiled the +first time for a week. + +As for Young Glory, he was in his element. + +The Nashville had now entered the harbor, quite regardless of the guns +or the forts. Captain Long held these antiquated weapons in contempt. + +Rapidly his eye scanned the horizon. + +"Young Glory was right," he exclaimed; "the Cristobal Colon has sailed +from Porto Rico." + +He ordered the ship put about, and the Nashville was once more steaming +towards the ocean, when a startling sight met all eyes. + +The Cristobal Colon hove in view. She was steaming into the harbor, +coming towards the Nashville. + +Everyone knew what it meant. There was no possibility of escape. The +Spaniard barred the way to the ocean, and there was no passing her. + +Cruiser against gun-boat! That was the situation. + +It was to be a fight against odds! + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE FIRST SHOT--A HOT FIGHT. + + +Instantly all was excitement on the Nashville. + +Captain Long saw how serious matters were. + +Single-handed he had to fight against the Spanish cruiser, for it was +certain that the Brooklyn could give no assistance. + +"My lads!" he said, "the odds against us are terrific. All the more +reason why we should fight bravely. Let us show the Spaniards to-day +what Americans can do." + +"Hurrah! Hurrah!" answered the crew, and a ringing cheer went up. + +The men knew no fear, and strong hearts count for much in a sea fight. + +"Clear the decks for action!" was the order now. + +Everything movable was instantly carried away. The decks were stripped +bare. + +"You have your wish now, Dan," said Young Glory. + +"Yes, faith, it's all the fightin' I'll want. Begorra, but it's glad I +am I came." + +Dan went away and Young Glory was alone. + +On the deck of the ship stood Young Glory, ready for the fight, with his +eyes on the Spanish cruiser. + +Proudly the American flag flew, and when the men saw the Stars and +Stripes waving in the breeze, they realized that they had something to +die for. + +The Spaniard was coming slowly along now. + +The gun-boat had slackened speed, but had not changed its position. + +Captain Long was discussing the situation with his lieutenant, and the +men at the guns were busily doing the same thing. + +"It's a fine ship," said one of the men. + +"Which?" + +"Why, Dan, how in thunder can you ask such a question? The Spaniard, I +mean, of course." + +"An' it's a quare name it has." + +"Cristobal Colon! Oh! that's named after Columbus." + +"Ah! it's himself would be the sad man if he could see his own people +now." + +"Never mind about that, Dan, this is a fine ship, and don't you forget +it." + +Dan shrugged his shoulders scornfully, and put a plug of tobacco in his +mouth. + +"Arrah! it's the little boat for me." + +"But think of their guns." + +"What of them?" + +"Why, they've two ten-inch breech-loading rifles, and she has between +thirty and forty quick firing guns." + +"An' faith, we have eight." + +"That's so." + +"An' enough," answered Dan, obstinately. "One American equals ten +Spaniards. That's my way of looking at it, so, begorra, eight guns equal +eighty. Shure, an' it's all in our favor." + +Having made this wonderful calculation, Dan walked away with a satisfied +expression on his face. + +Captain Long had been speaking to Young Glory. It was an unusual thing +for an officer to take advice from a seaman, but then Young Glory was a +seaman of no common order. Everybody knew that his place was the +quarter deck, and that time and again he had refused the promotion which +had been offered him. + +"There can be only one result," said Captain Long. + +"True, sir." + +"And the fight won't last long." + +"You think not, sir?" + +"No, one shot from one of their big guns will put us out of the way if +it strikes." + +"Then it mustn't strike." + +"It can't be prevented. The Spaniards are poor gunners, that's our only +chance." + +Boom! + +"Hulloa, she's opened fire!" + +The Spanish cruiser began the attack by firing one of her great guns +from the barbette in the bows. + +The shot went very wide of the mark, and the Yankee sailors shouted with +derision. + +They were all at the guns waiting the order to commence. But Captain +Long was in no hurry. + +Boom! + +Another gun from the Spaniard. + +"You see, sir, they can't hit us," said Young Glory. + +"There's a heavy swell on, and it's almost impossible to train those big +guns on us." + +"We'll see if we can't do better. Her armor is only three inches thick, +steel it's true, but what of that. One good shot may smash through a +barbette, anyway." + +Then the fight really began. + +Boom! Boom! + +The rapid firing guns were at work now. Occasionally the deep boom of +one of the great ten-inch rifles would be heard, but these latter guns +can only be fired at long intervals. It takes time to clean them, load +again and fire. + +What was Young Glory doing? + +He was at one of the bow guns of the Nashville, the largest she was +carrying, an eight-inch breech-loader. + +Young Glory had for the time superseded the officer of this gun, for it +was a critical moment, and Captain Long knew that if Young Glory could +not do the required work, there was no one on board who could. + +The accuracy of the young hero had been proved in many a hard fight at +sea. + +Coolly he directed operations, with Dan Daly assisting him. + +"An' faith, it's a poor mark," said the latter. + +"I have my orders." + +"Shure ye have, Young Glory, but it's meself would rather be afther +firin' at the big ship herself." + +"Dan, you're a good fellow and I'm particularly fond of you, but you +wouldn't make a great general. Now, see here, Dan, if I can manage to +hit that turret I'll put one of their great guns out of action. That's a +tremendous gain." + +"It's yerself knows best," said Dan, and he added to himself, "or ye'd +prove to me ye knew best anyway." + +Dan was working like a hero. + +Two of his comrades at the gun had been carried below, badly wounded by +some splinters from a shell. + +The sight of his comrades' blood infuriated the Irishman, and it +animated the other men also. + +As for Young Glory, there was apparently no difference in him. He was as +cool as ever. + +It was his work to sight and train the gun, and each time that it was +fired, anxious eyes followed the shot to see whether it would be a +success. + +"Bah! I'll never hit it!" cried Young Glory, in disgust, after his last +unsuccessful shot. "It's the swell on the water. It's almost impossible +to take aim; you can't do it with any accuracy." + +"Murther!" cried Dan, "but those spalpeens can!" + +As he spoke a shot had come from the enemy's ship, and it tore away one +of the ship's boats, but doing no other damage. Several men had narrow +escapes from the splinters of the shell. Boats are invariably a source +of danger in naval fights, and it is the custom for battle ships to get +rid of most of their boats before the action begins. + +Captain Long was very anxious now. + +The last few shots from the Spanish cruiser showed that her gunners were +getting the range and elevation. At any moment a shot might come and +sink the gun-boat. + +Several times he cast anxious eyes seaward, hoping that the noise of the +fight might bring the Brooklyn to the port. + +Alas! this was not to be. The fine American cruiser was yet far away. + +The gun-boat had suffered a serious loss in men. A number of the seamen +had been struck by shots fired from the machine guns, and Captain Long +knew he could ill afford such losses. + +"Young Glory!" + +"Yes, sir." + +"One good shot from you may give us a fighting chance." + +"I am doing all I can, sir." + +"That I know." + +Boom! + +Young Glory had been almost ready to fire as Captain Long spoke to him. +Now he did so. + +"A hit!" cried the man. "A hit!" + +"A knock-out blow!" shouted Dan, excitedly. "It's yourself won't come up +to time." + +The wind blew the thick smoke away for a few minutes, and when it was +clear all eyes were fixed on the Spanish cruiser. It was seen at once +that Young Glory's last shot had been successful. + +The barbette was smashed. + +The eight-inch gun of the Nashville had sent a shot right against it. +Confusion reigned on the cruiser. Men were running hither and thither. +They were carrying off the wounded, and others, hastily summoned from +below, machinists, carpenters and the like, were busily engaged in +trying to make good the damage. + +"Ye may work yer hardest," said Dan, shaking his fist at the enemy, +"but it's that gun won't bark any more this blessed day." + +"You never said a truer word, Dan!" exclaimed Captain Long, merrily. + +Young Glory's shot had put him in a good humor. + +"My lads," he cried, "the big do not always win in battle. First blood +is ours! Work your hardest, and the last blood will be ours, too!" + +"Hurrah!" came from a hundred throats. + +Meanwhile, Young Glory was working busily at the gun again, having very +little to say, but listening intently to what was going on, and feeling +very much amazed at Dan's running comments on the progress of the fight. + +Captain Long was on deck in the conning tower. He called his lieutenant, +Mr. Tyler, over. + +"A new move on, Mr. Tyler." + +"Looks like it, sir." + +"What does it mean?" + +"They're trying to get at us with their broadside guns." + +"By jingo, but you're right! Well, that move must be stopped if +possible!" + +Captain Long gave the necessary orders, and as fast as the Spanish +cruiser tried to bring its broadside guns into play, so did the +Nashville maneuver so as to keep its bow head on to the Spaniard. + +Meanwhile, the guns of the Nashville were busily at work, and more +damage had been done to the cruiser. The din was terrific, and for the +most part the two ships were enveloped in such a thick cloud of smoke, +that it was quite impossible to see what they were doing. + +The Nashville had little steam on, for she had been lying to during the +fight. Suddenly the Cristobal Colon put on a great burst of speed, and +came dashing through the water toward the gun-boat. + +"She's going to ram us!" + +"Sink her! Stop her!" + +These cries came from all parts of the ship. + +The excitement was terrific. The Spaniard was firing her guns as she +came on, the Nashville was replying. Captain Long was working to stave +off the impending disaster. Hastily the engineer got up steam. The +gun-boat was well under way again. + +"This dodging about can have only one end, sir," said Young Glory to the +captain. + +"Yes, an end for us." + +"Exactly. There's only one way to save ourselves." + +"I know none. Once those broadside guns get into play on us it will soon +be over. They are bound to sink us at this distance. The worst gunners +in the world could not miss." + +"Don't give them the chance." + +"How, Young Glory?" + +"Run boldly up to her, sir." + +"What then?" + +"It's neck or nothing. Let all hands be ready, and once we're alongside +of the Spaniard, we must board her and take her by storm." + +The captain was thunderstruck. This audacious proposal fairly took his +breath away. It was difficult for him to reply. Meanwhile, Young Glory +respectfully awaited an answer. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +BOARDING THE CRUISER--THE LAST STAND. + + +"Mr. Tyler." + +"Yes, sir." + +"Listen. Young Glory proposes to run into the Spaniard and board her." + +"Great Heaven!" + +"It's the only way to save ourselves." + +"Save ourselves, Young Glory! Do you know what you're talking about?" + +"I generally do, sir." + +"Then take note of this. The Cristobal Colon has a complement of five +hundred officers and men. What have we?" + +"Two hundred." + +"Exactly." + +"And they are enough, sir." + +"Mr. Tyler, it is not a question of whether we have enough, but what are +we to do. We shall be sunk for a certainty in a few minutes." + +"Board the Spaniard, sir. Board her. I'm with you heart and soul. We'll +die fighting." + +"No, we will live and triumph!" + +As Young Glory said these words his eyes flashed fire, and his looks +more than his words brought hope to each of his officers. + +Instantly the call for boarders was heard. + +The two ships were nearing each other now, the Spaniard rapidly getting +into a commanding position. Those on board of the Cristobal Colon were +astounded at the action of the gun-boat. Here she was coming at the +cruiser as if with the intention of ramming her. + +It seemed madness. What chance would such a small craft have against the +great Spanish cruiser? + +The Spaniards were in high glee. + +They anticipated an easy victory. + +"The ship will be sunk in a few minutes," said Captain Moret, who +commanded the Spaniard, "and those American pigs with her." + +"Pardon me, captain," said a lieutenant. + +"Well." + +"I wish to make a suggestion." + +"Do so." + +"If the ship is sunk, she is no use to us." + +"Quite so." + +"Whereas if we capture her, she will be a very valuable prize, in fact, +just the kind of a boat we want. Those men must know they have no +chance. Call on them to surrender. They are almost within earshot now. +Depend upon it if you offer them good treatment they will hand over +their boat, and think they've got out of the hole they're in very well." + +"Caramba! lieutenant, but you speak well. Ho! there!" + +The captain spoke English, and as there was a lull in the firing he was +able to make himself heard. + +"Hold! there!" + +"I hear you!" + +It was Captain Long who answered. + +"Strike your flag and surrender, and you shall be treated as prisoners +of war." + +"Hear my answer?" exclaimed Captain Long, furiously. + +Boom! Boom! + +The guns of the Nashville poured in a broadside. That was the American +reply. + +"Sink the dogs!" roared Captain Moret, savagely. "Sink them, they +deserve no better fate." + +The last broadside of the Nashville had done some damage, but what could +not be seen for the clouds of smoke that obscured the view. + +The two ships were close to each other now. + +Boom! Boom! + +The guns of the cruiser were replying now. Here the size of the +Nashville was her safeguard. She lay low in the water, and being so near +to the cruiser the shot of the latter passed over her decks. One of the +topmasts was carried away, and two men were crushed by its fall, so the +gun-boat got off lightly. + +"Ready, men, ready." + +Mr. Tyler, as executive officer stood ready to lead the boarders. Young +Glory and Dan Daly, burning with impatience, were near him. + +Slowly, amid the smoke, the two ships drifted towards each other. Then +with a crash they met. Quick as lightning ladders were thrown from the +gun-boat on to the cruiser. + +The men swarmed up the sides of the Cristobal Colon like cats. + +Captain Moret was astounded. He had never dreamed that the Americans +would resort to such desperate tactics. Being completely surprised, he +had made no preparations to repel boarders, and such of his men who were +not at the guns were in the tops. + +The result was that the blue jackets of the Nashville obtained a secure +footing on the cruiser's deck. + +But Captain Moret was not idle. + +"Sweep these dogs from the deck!" he cried, savagely. + +Bang! + +Dan fired and missed the captain by a hairbreadth. + +"It's a more civil tongue in your head I'd have ye kapin'!" cried the +Irishman. + +The Spaniards had formed to repel the attack now. By the hundred they +rushed on to the deck of the ship. From the tops Spanish riflemen kept +up a withering fire on the enemy. + +Captain Long saw this. Instantly he put his riflemen at work. + +With deadly aim the American riflemen fired. One by one the Spaniards +dropped dead in the tops, and those who did not, climbed down from their +elevated positions to seek a less dangerous spot. + +A hand to hand fight was going on. + +The Americans and Spaniards had met on the deck of the cruiser in a +fierce contest. Nothing was heard but the clash of steel, the firing of +pistols, and the shouts of the fighters. + +The Spaniards were three to one, for the Americans had left a large part +of their force on the gun-boat. It was quite impossible to employ all +the blue jackets in the attack on the cruiser. + +Young Glory was in the front of the battle, laying about him with his +cutlass. Mr. Tyler, leading the sailors, was fighting by his side. Dan +Daly was not far off, and Dan's quaint remarks could be heard above +everybody's voice. + +The Spanish officers kept somewhat in the background, urging their men +to the attack, by every means in their power. + +"Arrah! it's hidin' ye are!" shouted Dan. "It's here ye ought to be. +It's yer foine gold lace I'd be afther seein'!" + +But even this invitation did not tempt the officers of the cruiser to +come to closer quarters. + +One by one the men dropped. The enemy's loss was far the greater, but +they were able to sustain it better than the Americans. + +Mr. Tyler saw this, and wished to end matters. + +"Follow me!" he cried, bravely, turning to his men and waving his sword. + +With a cheer, led by Young Glory, the blue jackets sprang forward and +dashed at the Spaniards. The latter, appalled by the fury of the attack +gave way. + +But it was only for an instant. The Spanish officers struck their men +with the flat of their swords, compelling them to stand their ground. +More than one Spanish sailor was pistoled as an example to the others. + +Like desperate men they rallied. On they came, bearing back the +Americans by force of numbers. + +To the ground fell Mr. Tyler. + +A dozen Spaniards rushed at him. + +"Take him prisoner!" cried Captain Moret. + +Young Glory and Dan Daly flew to the rescue. + +By the time they had reached their leader he was on his feet again with +his face to the foe. + +"Unhurt!" he cried, with a smile; "slipped, that was all!" + +"An' that spalpeen slipped, too!" laughed Dan, as he cut a Spaniard down +with a furious blow from his cutlass. + +Two men rushed at Dan to avenge their fallen comrade. Just at this +instant, as Young Glory was going to Dan's assistance, his sword slipped +from his grasp falling to the deck, some distance away. + +If Dan was to be saved no time must be lost. Young Glory saw this, and +not an instant did he hesitate. + +He flew at the nearest Spaniard, without a weapon, and seizing the man +by the neck, Young Glory hurled him furiously away. The man rolled over +and over on the deck, finally landing against one of the turrets, and +lying there unconscious from the force of the blow. + +The Spaniards stood aghast at this exhibition of strength. By this time +Young Glory had obtained another cutlass, and Dan had relieved himself +of his remaining foe. + +The fight became general again. Mr. Tyler was acting on the defensive +now. If he could only sustain the contest, he felt convinced that he +could tire out the Spaniards. + +His men were shooting down the enemy rapidly, and, besides, the riflemen +on the Nashville were doing terrible damage. + +All at once there was a lull. + +The Spaniards called off their men. They got into shelter, and ceased to +attack the Americans. + +"What does it mean?" + +"Sir, it's enough they've had." + +"Looks like it, Dan." + +"It's givin' up they'll be in a minute." + +"No," said Young Glory, decidedly. + +"Why, what d'you mean?" + +"I know what they're doing, sir. I heard the calls and caught some of +the orders given, and I understand them. We shall have the hottest time +of all." + +"How so?" + +"Captain Moret has rallied together all the men on the ship, every man +of them, and they'll come against us like an avalanche." + +"They will sweep us from the ship!" cried Mr. Tyler, aghast at the +prospect. + +Even Dan Daly was silent. For once the Irishman could not see a bit of +blue sky in the prospect. + +"It's retreatin' we ought to be!" cried the Irishman. + +"And have them attack our ship?" + +"Faith, it's there I want to lure the spalpeens; we'd have an aisy mark +on the Nashville. Shure, sir," asked Dan in an injured tone, "it wasn't +afraid you thought I was?" + +"No, no, Dan." + +"Begorra, an' it's betther I feel. But where's Young Glory?" + +"Young Glory! why, he's gone!" + +"Gone!" + +Yes, that was the fact. Young Glory had deserted in the thick of the +fight, and a blank look of despair came over every face when they saw +what had happened. + +"Deserted! shown the white feather!" muttered Lieutenant Tyler. "I +couldn't have believed it of Young Glory." + +"An' shure, if ye did, sir, ye'd be decavin' yourself," said Dan, hotly, +sticking up for his chum through thick and thin. + +"But he's gone!" was the cry. + +"Begorra! P'haps the poor lad's hurt. Faith, it's a Spanish bullet he +may have in him, worse luck. Fear and Young Glory can't be coupled +together, me lads. It's Dan Daly tells you so, an' it's himself that +knows." + +"They're forming for the attack, my men." + +"Yes, sir." + +"Stand firm, lads." + +"We will die where we stand." + +"Hurrah!" + +"That's the way to talk." + +The men, desperate though their situation was, were as defiant as ever. +The blue jacket who proposed making terms with the enemy would have had +a very hot time. But to the credit of these sailors, it may be said, +that they were all heroes, and not a man amongst them knew what fear +meant. + +Cutlass in hand, sternly they stood facing the foe. + +"No quarter!" cried a Spanish officer. "We have offered it once, and +they replied with a broadside. Forward to the attack for your king and +country!" + +Roused to a pitch of frenzy by this address, the Spaniards waved their +swords in the air. Then, in a close column, they thundered along the +deck to where the small, but devoted band of American blue jackets +awaited the attack. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +YOUNG GLORY TO THE RESCUE--A SURPRISE FOR THE +BROOKLYN. + + +Lieutenant Tyler glanced round involuntarily. It was like a man taking +his last look at the earth. + +The lieutenant was as brave as a lion, but he saw only one issue to the +fight. + +"Would that Young Glory were here!" he cried. "He's equal to twenty +men!" + +Then the two forces closed in a fierce fight. + +Back the Americans retreated. Well they might do so. + +The enemy was more than four to one, and the weight of numbers was +irresistible. But the Nashville's blue jackets fought desperately, and +for every American sailor that fell, four Spaniards were stretched on +the deck. + +"The victory shall cost them dear!" hissed Mr. Tyler. + +He knew that his men would fight to the last. + +Captain Moret, entirely unmoved, saw his men falling like flies. What +did he care? A Spanish officer places no value on the lives of those +under him, and besides, he knew that his men must win. + +Ha! what was that? + +A terrific shout was heard now, above the clashing of steel. + +"Young Glory to the rescue!" + +That was the cry that came from fifty lips. + +Then in a moment all saw what had happened. + +Captain Moret had stripped the fore part of the ship bare of men in +order to concentrate them with the rest of his forces in making one +final attack on the enemy. + +The quick eye of Young Glory had detected the weak spot instantly. + +"Young Glory to the rescue!" shouted the blue jackets, and on they came, +taking the Spaniards in the rear. + +Even now the men of the Cristobal Colon had nothing to fear, for they +still vastly outnumbered the Americans, but this sudden and unexpected +attack in the rear caused a panic. + +Young Glory's terrible sword aided to the fear that filled the breasts +of the Spaniards. All within reach of him dropped to the deck. + +"Forward, men!" cried Lieutenant Tyler, "the enemy weakens. Now is our +chance!" + +The Spaniards were a huddled and confused mass of human beings now. The +last vestige of discipline had gone, and the officers who yet remained, +struggled in vain with their men to inspire them with courage. + +"Dogs!" they cried, "the day is ours yet!" + +"Faith, it's sorry to contradict ye, I am!" shouted Dan Daly, still in +the front of the battle. + +"Halloa, Dan!" cried Young Glory, looking across the intervening foe. +"This is a great day!" + +"Great!" + +Dan could say no more. He could not find any expression that exactly +fitted the case. + +The Spaniards now were throwing down their arms. + +Captain Moret, in despair, rushed into the thick of the fight, +endeavoring to rally his men. + +"Cowards!" he cried, furiously. "This is a black day for Spain!" + +"Faith, old gentleman," said Dan, "she's had so many black days it won't +be noticed, an' it's black herself she is wid crime." + +Captain Moret made a furious rush at the author of this insulting +speech. The blades of the Irishman and the Spaniard crossed in fierce +fight. + +"Caramba! but you die!" + +"Some day!" answered Dan, coolly, as he parried a furious blow. "Ah! my +gold-laced don, you're beginnin' to see that Dan Daly's handled a sword +before." + +The two men were practically alone. Captain Moret had his back to the +mast, and Dan, agile as a cat, despite his age, was hopping merrily +round and round him. + +The tide of battle had passed them by. + +Such of the Spaniards as had not thrown down their arms had retreated in +a body towards Lieutenant Tyler's force, with Young Glory and his band +of fifty blue jackets in hot pursuit. + +"It's your beautiful uniform I'm afther spoilin'," said Dan, as he gave +a thrust. "Arrah! but that was a great stroke, though it's meself as +says it." + +The stroke in question was a severe cut on Captain Moret's sword arm, +which caused him instantly to pass his weapon into his left hand. + +"Ould gentleman," said Dan, "it's a poor chance ye have. Surrender!" + +"Never! While my men fight I will!" + +"Begorra, but it's a nuisance ye are. I'm bound to kape ye alive, an' +while I'm here I'm afther losin' all the great fight that's goin' on. +Ah! it's Dan Daly's the man was born under an unlucky star." + +It was perfectly clear that the Spanish captain was in Dan's power. +Every moment he weakened, though he continued from time to time to make +frantic thrusts at the Irishman. Faintness from loss of blood was +coming over him, and it was with difficulty that he kept on his feet. + +"Betther give up, captain dear," said Dan in a most insinuating voice. + +"What! I hand my sword over to a common sailor!" + +"To the last of the Dalys!" replied Dan, drawing himself up proudly as +the Spaniard had done. "It's a king I'd be if I had my rights." + +"Three cheers for King Dan!" shouted a voice. + +"Young Glory!" + +But Dan never turned his head. He was making passes at the Spanish +captain as if he meant to pin him to the mast. + +"Surrender!" cried Dan once more. + +"To you, never!" + +"But to me, captain," said a voice that caused Dan to start. "I am the +commander of the Nashville." + +Dan was completely astounded to find Captain Long beside him. + +The Spanish captain bowed, and without a word he handed his sword to +Captain Long. + +"Faith!" exclaimed Dan, "I'm not understandin' it at all. Young Glory, +why are you here when there's fightin' to be done?" + +"You don't understand, Dan. I do. Look!" + +Young Glory pointed to the masthead of the ship. There, Dan Daly, to his +astonishment saw the Stars and Stripes flying. + +"It means!" cried Young Glory, "that the fight is over. The Spanish +cruiser has struck her colors. Our men have surrendered. The Cristobal +Colon is ours!" + +The Nashville had won this great fight against odds, and it was all +owing to Young Glory's daring suggestion that the Spaniard should be +boarded. + +Instantly the prisoners were disarmed. + +"Place them below!" ordered Captain Long, "with a guard over them!" + +Mr. Tyler walked up. + +"Shall you navigate this ship, sir, entirely with our men?" + +"Have we enough?" + +"I think so until we get outside. Then we shall fall in with the +Brooklyn." + +"Very well." + +Young Glory dashed along the deck. + +"Sir! Sir!" + +"Well!" + +"Danger threatens us." + +"Where?" + +"Some boats are putting off from San Juan." + +Instantly it was seen that quite a flotilla was approaching. No doubt +the reason they had not done so before was because they thought that the +Spanish cruiser stood in no need of aid. + +"The Stars and Stripes flying from this ship have brought them out," +said Captain Long. + +"Give them a broadside, sir. We'll fight them with their own guns, +sir." + +"Yes, one of the big guns of this ship is in order. See what you can do +with it, Young Glory." + +The sailors of the Nashville took a keen delight in handling the Spanish +gun and turning it against the on-coming flotilla. Young Glory aimed +very carefully. + +Boom! + +The first shot told. The great shell from the ten-inch rifle struck the +leading gun-boat of the flotilla. + +"She's done for!" + +"Wait!" + +"Yes, she is. Look, she's filling." + +"Hurrah!" + +The men cheered frantically as they saw that the gun-boat had heeled +over to the side, and was fast going down. + +The rest of the gun-boats lay to. They were afraid they might share the +same fate. + +"We'll be off with our prize," said Captain Long. + +"Who takes charge, sir?" + +"You. I'll get back to the Nashville. Let there be no delay." + +"There need be none. The engineers had orders some time back to spread +the fires." + +Back to the Nashville went Captain Long, taking a number of his men with +him. The wounded Americans had already been carried to the Nashville, +where they were receiving every attention from the surgeon. + +Such of the Spaniards as were injured in the fight were left on the +cruiser to the care of their own medical officers. + +The two boats were still lying side by side, when round the distant +headland appeared the bow of a battle ship. + +For a moment the men were aghast. It might mean the approach of a new +and stronger enemy. Then a great cheer rose from every throat. They saw +the Stars and Stripes bravely fluttering in the breeze, and knew what it +meant. It was the Cruiser Brooklyn entering the harbor. + +The cruiser fired her saluting guns. + +Boom! Boom! + +But the cheers from her men drowned the noise of the guns. + +The blue jackets were wild with delight when they saw the American flag +at the masthead of the Spanish cruiser. + +At this moment a diversion occurred. + +Overlooking the harbor was a fort. Now its guns began to fire at the two +ships, the cruiser and the gun-boat. Previously they had refrained, +because they were afraid they might do as much damage to friend as foe. + +Short-handed as he was, it was a difficult matter for Captain Long to +handle his guns. But there was no necessity for his doing so. The +Brooklyn took the work in hand instantly. + +Boom! + +The first shot struck the fort. It was old. Its weapons were antique, +and it had no chance whatever against the great guns of the American +cruiser. Shot after shot struck it, crumbling the masonry to powder. + +"The batteries are silenced!" cried Young Glory. + +"But not our men!" + +The cheer that went up confirmed the last statement. + +Already the Nashville and the Cristobal Colon were under way, steaming +rapidly out of the harbor. A few distant guns from shore thundered at +them, but they made a noise, and that was all. They were quite powerless +to do any damage. + +Once more the vessels were in the open sea clear of San Juan de Porto +Rico. The Brooklyn lay to, and a boat put off. In obedience to a signal +from the cruiser, the gun-boat and her prize waited till the boat came +up. In the cutter was Captain Miles, the commander of the Brooklyn. + +"A great and glorious victory, Captain Long," said he, stepping aboard +the Nashville. + +"Yes, sir, thanks to the men you lent me, and especially Young Glory. +Through his advice, as I don't mind admitting, the Spaniard was taken." + +"Well, I congratulate you. The country will be crazy when they hear what +you've done. You will, of course, return home." + +"I want you to lend me some men, Captain Miles, to work the two ships." + +"I must do so. Such a valuable prize as the Spanish cruiser must be +taken care of." + +And Captain Miles went back to his ship, sending shortly after for the +necessary help. + +Then the ships parted company. The Brooklyn remained in the neighborhood +of San Juan, looking for Spanish ships, and the gun-boat and its prize +steamed away through the Caribbean Sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE SPANISH PLOT--YOUNG GLORY'S DANGER. + + +During the night the two ships parted company. + +The wind blew fiercely, and the gun-boat being of light draft went in +towards the land, the cruiser with its deeper draft preferring to +weather the storm in the open sea. + +In the morning nothing could be seen of the gun-boat, but this was no +reason for delay. Apparently the Spanish cruiser was well able to take +care of itself, and as the destination of the ships had been determined +upon, they might go there, either in company or separately, it mattered +not which. + +They were bound for Key West. + +The prisoners for the most part were kept below. They numbered over four +hundred, and it was not safe to allow such a number of men, even though +unarmed, to wander at large through the ship. + +The officers were free to do what they pleased. + +They passed the time on deck mostly, keeping strictly to themselves, and +wearing savage and sullen faces as they paced to and fro. + +"Faith, it's a handsome lot they are," muttered Dan. "It's myself'll be +glad when we've landed you. I'd rather sail in a cattle ship." + +"No accounting for tastes, Dan," laughed Young Glory. + +"It's an eye we must kape on the dons," said Dan. + +"An eye?" + +"Faith, two. It's the slippery spalpeens they are." + +"But they won't try to slip away." + +"Arrah, it's worse they'll do!" + +"What?" + +"Shure, it's many they are to us. If we're not afther watchin' them +closely, they'll try an' take the ship!" + +Young Glory laughed. + +"Fists against rifles don't count for much. We're armed and they're not. +Don't forget that." + +"I don't, but it's yourself knows they're as full of treachery as a +sausage is of meat." + +"I have no fear of them, and I'm quite sure, Mr. Tyler feels the same. +Of course he's taking every precaution, but unless those four hundred +men below can get out of their quarters, what harm can the officers and +the few men who are at large do?" + +Dan scratched his head. + +"It's a warnin' I've given ye! Don't be afther blamin' me if it +happens!" + +"That's like Dan," said Young Glory, looking after him. "Prove to him +he's wrong, and he won't admit it. He only gets sulky. Well, this time +he's clearly out of it, and I'll make him say so when we reach Key +West." + +It was drawing towards evening now. Young Glory, having nothing better +to do, stood and looked over the rail at the setting sun, until it had +sunk below the horizon, and all was dark. + +Then he threw himself down near a boat which was on the deck, and the +lapping noise of the waves, coupled with the want of rest he was +suffering from, sent him to sleep. + +He had not the faintest idea how long he had been dozing, when he +suddenly woke with a start, as men will when aroused from a deep sleep. + +But he never uttered a cry, and at once he fell back intending to go to +sleep again. It was against the rules to do so, but in his tired state +he never thought of this. + +In a minute he would have been asleep but for the fact that he heard +some men talking, and out of mere curiosity he listened to what was +being said. + +"Some of the Spanish officers," he muttered. He knew this, for the +language they were using was Spanish. + +The young sailor was able to hear every word, and before the talk had +proceeded far, he was taking in every word, feeling as wide awake as +ever he had been in his life. + +"Juan," said one man, "I've interested you already by what I've said." + +"I confess it, Manuel." + +"And you would like to hear more?" + +"Of course." + +"I can't understand, Juan, how it is you are ignorant of what is going +on. They know you're to be trusted." + +"I should hope so," was the indignant answer. "Perhaps it is because I +have kept myself away from the others. I have felt heart broken over our +defeat." + +"All the more reason why you should do what you can to repair it." + +"There is no repairing it." + +"Who knows?" + +"I do." + +"You speak confidently, Juan." + +"Because, Manuel, I know where our ships are. We shall meet none as we +sail through the Caribbean Sea. No, no, Manuel, dismiss such thoughts. +Reconcile yourself to spending the next few months as prisoners of war +in America." + +"A prospect I by no means fall in with. Help may be nearer than you +think, Juan." + +"Help?" + +"Yes." + +"Not unless it descends from the skies, and the age of miracles is +past." + +"The help is aboard this ship," said Manuel impressively. + +"What folly," was Juan's reply. "Have we not lost enough brave men +already? I thought of that, but dismissed it from my mind at once. +Unarmed men, however numerous they are, can do nothing against men armed +to the teeth." + +"Exactly my answer to Dan," muttered Young Glory. "This Spaniard is a +sensible man." + +"But the plan I have in view won't cost the loss of a single man." + +"Then it will fail." + +"No, it can't. Its success is certain. Don't look so surprised, Juan. +Have I a reputation for good sense or not? I'm telling you no fairy +tale." + +"From anybody but yourself, Manuel, if such a story came I should laugh +in their faces." + +"You won't laugh at me." + +"Perhaps." + +"Not when you've heard me through." + +"Proceed, proceed." + +"I weary you. Well, to the point as you say. You know when we handed up +our swords we surrendered the ship, don't you?" + +"Why ask foolish questions or recall what pains me?" + +"But did we hand over everything?" + +"Surely." + +"There you're wrong." + +"I'm a very patient man, as you know, Manuel, but a little more of this +talk and I shall be getting up and leaving you." + +"I'm leading up to my story. No, Juan, we did not hand over everything. +Shall I tell you what was kept back?" + +"If you please." + +"The key of the forward magazine!" + +"Ha!" + +Juan was excited now. That was clear by the exclamation he had uttered. + +So was another listener, Young Glory. He kept as still as death, not +wishing to lose one syllable that was said, and waiting eagerly for the +talk to proceed. + +"Yes," continued Manuel, after what seemed a long silence, "we kept back +the key of the forward magazine, and those fools are ignorant of it." + +"But the keys were handed over?" + +"There are duplicates." + +"Go on! Go on!" exclaimed Juan, hastily. He was as excited now as he had +been indifferent before. + +"Now, Juan, to get into that magazine is quite an easy matter." + +"There are sentries!" + +"Who can be overpowered." + +"By whom?" + +"You, I, if necessary. We walk about the ship as we please, so do a few +of our sailors, who are kept at work. What's to prevent us from seizing +the sentries posted near the magazine, and stabbing them to death?" + +"You might leave the stabbing out." + +"Certainly, if it's not necessary." + +"Having got rid of the sentries, Manuel, what follows?" + +"We enter the magazine." + +"I suppose so; I'm still wandering in the dark." + +"But surely you understand what will happen." + +"I haven't the faintest idea." + +"We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the ship." + +"Folly! Folly!" + +"You speak hastily," cried Manuel, angrily. + +"I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the ship is +blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the +next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to +pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've +not had enough of this world yet." + +Manuel laughed softly. + +"Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up." + +"Why?" + +"Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us +to it." + +"What can he mean?" muttered Young Glory. "This is getting interesting." + +Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so. + +"I tell you," answers Manuel, sharply, "that there will not be any +blowing up. These Americans value their lives. This is the programme. +Once in the magazine, of course, it will be known to the American +officer commanding this ship." + +"There's not much doubt of that." + +"None, because he will be notified that we hold the magazine." + +"That's a kind attention on your part, Manuel." + +"Ha! Ha! You think so? Well, this is what happens. Lieutenant Tyler, +that's the fellow's name, I believe. You or I go to him, and say: +'Lieutenant Tyler, the forward magazine of this ship is in the hands of +the Spaniards. What do you propose to do about it?'" + +"He will be so scared he won't know what to say." + +"Exactly. Then we proceed. We offer terms. 'We give you five minutes to +decide, Lieutenant Tyler. Release the Spanish sailors you have made +prisoners. Surrender the Cristobal Colon back to Captain Moret or you +die!'" + +"You threaten to blow up the magazine?" + +"Yes." + +"Manuel, it is very daring." + +"What do you think of its success?" + +"Once get into the magazine, you can't fail." + +"I knew you would say so. The Americans love life even more than we do, +and placed in such a dilemma, there can't be any doubt what their choice +will be." + +"None!" + +Young Glory was fairly amazed at the boldness of the scheme, which was +of an entirely different nature to anything he had suspected. He +determined to hear the end of the story, for it was clear that the two +Spaniards had not yet finished. + +"And when do you propose to put this scheme into operation, Manuel?" + +"To-night!" + +"So soon?" + +"What use in waiting?" + +"None, if all is ready." + +"It is. The men all know their appointed posts. The instant I give the +word the sentries will be seized, and the rest will follow." + +"And once more the ship will be ours." + +"Yes, yes." + +"For that I would do much. The plot will succeed, Manuel. I can see +victory in the air." + +"And I can't," muttered Young Glory, turning half round towards the two +men. "On the contrary, gentlemen, I see nothing but failure. Go on +talking till I've seen Mr. Tyler. Then I think the laugh will be all on +our side. Ha, ha!" + +"Silence!" + +Young Glory stared aghast. A man, a Spanish naval officer was bending +over him, holding a stilletto close against his breast. + +"I shall not hesitate to kill if you utter a sound," said the Spaniard, +"for the happiness of four hundred men depends on your silence!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +FORTUNE FAVORS YOUNG GLORY--CAPTURE OF THE +MAGAZINE. + + +Young Glory felt that he was powerless. + +He knew that the threat of the Spaniard was not an empty one, and that +he would not hesitate to plunge his dagger into the young sailor's +breast in case the slightest resistance was attempted, or the least +sound was uttered. + +The man must have been keeping watch whilst his two comrades talked, so +as to secure them from interruption. + +"You threaten me," said Young Glory, quietly, hoping to conciliate the +Spaniard. + +"Take care," answered the latter, pressing the dagger a little closer; +"I warned you not to speak." + +"And I do not disobey you so far as making a noise is concerned. I only +ask the meaning of this." + +"You know." + +"Perhaps. I also know that you are a prisoner on this ship, and that it +is dangerous for you to kill me." + +"Not so dangerous as to let you go. You have heard every word that +passed between my friends, and have their secret and their lives in your +hands. I need say no more to justify myself." + +The Spaniard tapped lightly on the boat, and instantly Juan and Manuel +rose. They walked round to the other side. + +"You here!" they cried, seeing their brother officer. + +"Yes, and caramba! but it would have gone hard with your plot, but for +me. You seemed to forget that you are not the only people on this ship. +Look!" + +He pointed to Young Glory as he spoke. + +They were astounded. + +"Then he's heard what we said?" + +"Every word, Juan." + +"It means ruin." + +"No, fortunately no harm is done. I hold this sailor in my power. He +cannot escape me. You must carry out your plot instantly." + +"All is ready. We will do so." + +They knew there was no time to be lost, and leaving Young Glory to the +care of their friend, they turned away to carry into execution their +diabolical scheme. + +The Spanish officer who had Young Glory in his power, did not wish to be +noticed by any of the crew in a suspicious attitude. So he sat down +underneath the boat by the side of Young Glory. + +"Don't move," he said, showing the sailor his glittering steel blade. +"It will be fatal to you if you do." + +Young Glory's position was a maddening one. He was in possession of a +secret, and was unable to disclose it in the proper quarter. But he +never lost sight of the fact that it might yet be possible for him to +get away from the Spaniard, and his brain was busily at work upon the +project. + +It is doubtful if he would have succeeded if fortune had not favored +him. + +Two sailors, coming along, were thrown nearly off their feet as the +vessel lurched, and in saving themselves they fell with outstretched +hands against the boat. + +The cutter toppled over on the Spaniard. Young Glory quicker than he in +moving, had rolled to one side. + +In a moment the Spaniard had recovered himself, and furiously threw +himself at Young Glory. But the latter was prepared now. He caught the +Spaniard by the arm, wrested the dagger from him, and then with a +tremendous effort he hurled the man backwards, throwing him off the deck +into the sea. + +"Help! Help!" screamed the poor wretch. + +But it was too late. The cruiser was sailing at a fast pace, the sea was +running high, and the night was dark. Long before a boat could have +reached him he would have sunk. + +Young Glory had no time to lose. + +He was rushing away when the two sailors barred his path, and one of +them handled him somewhat roughly. + +"Shiver me! you lubber, but you don't pass," he said. + +"That's right, Bill, we don't allow murders on this ship." + +"Stand aside!" cried Young Glory, hotly, "or it will be the worse for +you. I must see Mr. Tyler instantly on a matter of life and death." + +"Young Glory!" the two sailors cried. + +"Yes, and now you know me, perhaps you will let me pass. If you have a +complaint to make against me do so, and I shall know how to defend +myself. You know where to find me when wanted, for I'm not likely to +leave the ship." + +The men let him go, and he tore along towards the cabin which Lieutenant +Tyler was using. + +Meanwhile, let us see what was happening below. + +Manuel and Juan had not lost a moment. + +They had hurried below, and passing rapidly around, had given the word +to all their friends that the time had come to act. + +Half a dozen Spaniards who had been assisting in the work of the ship +collected together, so as to prevent any one getting near the magazine +to render help. The officers took charge of the more dangerous end of +the scheme. + +It was necessary that they should do so. For they were the only +prisoners who were allowed perfect freedom. The fact of their walking +about would not alarm the sentries, and so strolling carelessly along in +small groups, not less than six Spanish naval officers were within reach +of the sentries who were guarding the magazine. + +Manuel gave the signal. + +It was a faint whistle, but quite audible to ears that had waited +anxiously for the sound. + +Each man knew what to do, for all the details were prearranged. + +Juan sprang at the nearest sentry. Manuel dashed past him and flew at +the throat of the second sentry. + +Juan and another officer seized the first sentry without the least +difficulty. The man was taken completely by surprise, and not being able +to resist, he was instantly disarmed. + +The second sentry gave more trouble. + +He had had some time in which to resist the Spanish officers. + +Swiftly he raised his rifle to his shoulder to shoot down his foes, but +agile as a panther, Manuel sprang under the rifle, striking it up as he +rose. + +Bang! + +The weapon exploded, but the shot did no harm. + +Instantly three Spaniards threw themselves on the sentry, tearing his +rifle from his hands, and taking his cutlass from his side. + +"Hold him fast!" shouted Manuel, as he made for the magazine. "That shot +will arouse the entire ship, and there is no time to be lost!" + +"If they attack?" + +"Shoot them down. Keep them in check for two minutes. That is all I +ask!" + +It was no time to waste in talking. If this desperate plot was to +succeed, it must be carried out instantly. Already Manuel was at the +magazine. + +He took a key from his pocket. + +"They've not changed the locks, so this must fit. Ah!" he said, as he +inserted the key. "I thought so. Victory! Victory! We've played a bold +game and won!" + +Like lightning Manuel darted into the magazine, and without allowing a +second to elapse he took a carefully prepared fuse from his pocket, lit +it without delay, and placed it on a shelf, which was destitute of +explosives. + +"Now let them come!" he said, with a look of triumph on his swarthy +face. "They must agree to my terms, or we'll die together." + +There was a great rush outside. + +The sailors had rushed from all parts, and some of the American officers +had also been drawn to the spot. + +"Treachery! Treachery!" cried the sailors. + +"Shoot them down!" shouted an officer. + +Instantly a dozen six-shooters were raised. A crisis had arrived. Then +Juan stepped forward. + +"One moment, gentlemen," said he, speaking very politely, and in soft +tones. "You do not seem to understand the position of affairs." + +"We know you are traitors." + +Juan smiled. + +"It is not worth arguing such a point. Let us get to business. You +propose to kill us?" + +"Unless you surrender at once." + +"Senor, you don't understand how matters stand. We are not in your +power; it is you who are in ours." + +"What!" + +A loud cry of derision burst forth. + +"You do not believe me yet. I speak the truth. You may fire and kill me, +but directly you do, there will be an end of you, your sailors and the +ship." + +"Absurd!" + +"Not so, senor. My comrade is even now in the forward magazine. You know +what a quantity of powder and gun-cotton is stored there. Very well, if +you fire one shot he will blow up the ship." + +This startling assertion caused intense surprise. Some were inclined to +attach importance to it, and to accept it as true, but the great +majority entirely refused to believe the Spaniard's statement. + +"Faith, Don Juan, or whativer ye call yourself," cried Dan Daly, "it's +to the marines ye must tell that yarn." + +"And they wouldn't swallow it, Dan," retorted a marine, who was standing +by. + +"It is a fairy story you have given us," said an American officer. + +"There's an easy way to determine it, senor." + +"How?" + +"Let one of your men step forward and see." + +"Who would trust himself?" + +"I give you my word," said Juan, hotly, "as an officer and a gentleman, +that he will not be hurt, but he must come without arms." + +"Shure, it's meself's the boy to do it!" cried Dan, handing his +six-shooter and cutlass to a comrade as he spoke. + +"You go at your own risk, Dan," said the officer; "nobody asks you to do +so." + +"Arrah, it's not a finger they'll lift against me! It's Young Glory +would fix them for it if they did!" + +Dan's faith in Young Glory was unbounded. He little knew how desperate +his young friend's own position was at the moment he was speaking. + +A buzz of admiration went round as the brave Irishman left his comrades, +for there was no denying that it was a courageous act. + +However, Dan walked boldly past the Spanish officer and the two disarmed +sentries until he came to the magazine. + +To find the door open astounded him, for he certainly had not believed +one word that had been said. + +"Now, do you believe, fellow?" asked Manuel. + +"Seein's belavin', Yer Honor." + +"Very well; go and tell your friends so." + +Dan reached forward towards the fuse which was still burning. + +"Lay a hand on that, and I kill you," said the Spaniard, savagely. + +"Shure, an' it was only my pipe I was afther lightin'." + +"Get out of this," answered Manuel, hotly. "I am in no humor for +trifling." + +"Well, boys, it's as true as gospel." + +"You saw it, Dan?" + +"Faith, yes, he's in the magazine, wid a great fuse lighted, an' shure +it's mighty little between us and eternity." + +Juan spoke again. + +"I must see your captain," he said. + +"For what?" + +"To propose certain terms to him." + +"He will refuse." + +"Let him. At least, you have no right to do so for him. Recollect that +my friend, Manuel, has you all in his power still." + +"Senor, no one will harm you; you are free to pass to Lieutenant Tyler's +room. I believe you know where it is." + +"Yes." + +Through the close ranks of the American seamen Juan threaded his way, +smiling pleasantly at the scowling faces and threatening looks he saw +on all sides of him. + +"I can afford to smile," he said to himself, "for I hold all the tricks +in my hand!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +JUAN AND LIEUT. TYLER--WHAT YOUNG GLORY DID. + + +Lieutenant Tyler knew what was happening. + +He had been roused from sleep a few minutes before Juan made his +appearance, and he was busily getting into such parts of his uniform as +he had discarded before lying down. + +"You are a bold man!" he said to Juan, "to present yourself to me on +such a mission." + +"I claim no credit for audacity, senor. The merit of the plot lies with +my friend, Manuel." + +"Well, what have you to say?" + +"Very few words. The ship is in our power." + +"Your treacherous comrade has obtained possession of the magazine, you +mean?" + +"It is the same thing. I will tell you my terms." + +"Terms!" + +"Yes, terms!" assured Juan, haughtily. "Every dog has his day, as I +believe an English proverb says. It was yours yesterday. It is ours now. +You must release the Spanish prisoners." + +"Never!" + +"And hand back the ship," Juan went on, without noticing the +interruption, "to Captain Moret." + +"And if I decline?" + +"I make the same answer as I made just now. We shall blow up the ship. +If we can't obtain our cruiser again, at least we can prevent it from +being of any use to you, and we will sacrifice our lives gladly for such +a purpose." + +"This is insanity." + +"Call it what you please, senor. I call it patriotism." + +The responsibility now thrown on Lieutenant Tyler was great, and he had +but a short time in which to decide, for Manuel told him he was to +hasten matters. + +Up and down the room strode the lieutenant. + +"Surrender the ship!" he muttered. "An eternal disgrace if I do, and +death for all if I don't. What am I to do? This is terrible, terrible!" + +"You answer, senor. Be quick!" + +"I am in your power. You have broken your words, given as officers and +gentlemen----" + +"All is fair in war." + +"And," continued the lieutenant, "by foul treachery you have gained an +advantage. I cannot doom all my men to death. Senor, I must----" + +"Refuse your terms!" cried a familiar voice, as the door was thrust +open, and without a particle of respect Young Glory rushed in. + +"One word and I'll kill you!" shouted the boy, as he held a pistol at +Juan. + +Lieutenant Tyler and Juan were both amazed. + +"May I speak?" asked the latter, insolently. + +"Yes, so long as you make no noise." + +"My young friend, I have made a great error. I really believed that +Lieutenant Tyler commanded this ship. I must ask pardon for the mistake +into which I have fallen--I must indeed." + +"Sir, I hope you don't suppose me guilty of any disrespect," asked Young +Glory of the lieutenant. + +"No, no, but I am surprised." + +"I must excuse myself, sir. I heard what had taken place before on my +way here. I saw this man enter, and I have listened to all that has been +said." + +"Eavesdropping is a habit of yours!" sneered Juan. + +"For which your friend thought to punish me, but found out his mistake. +I threw him over to the fishes," said Young Glory, coolly. + +"Wretch! I will avenge him," cried Juan. + +"Quiet! quiet," said Young Glory, calmly, pointing very significantly to +his six-shooter, "you seem to forget that you are in great danger." + +"I am in none," answered Juan, instantly. "Lieutenant Tyler, this farce +must end. My comrades will be impatient for my return. You were about to +give an answer when this fellow thrust himself in." + +"Yes, yes," said the lieutenant, sadly. "There is no escape, Young +Glory. This man--traitor as he is--has the right to exact terms from +me." + +"No." + +"How? you say no, Young Glory?" + +"I do, and I will show you why, sir. Leave him to me. I will deal with +him. Do you give me power, sir? You may trust me." + +"Do what you like, Young Glory." + +"Saved! saved!" cried the boy. + +Instantly he sprang on Juan. The latter thought he was about to be +killed. + +"You have no right to slay me. I came here under a safe conduct. This is +infamous!" + +"Senor, you will not be hurt. Now, to business. Strip that uniform off +you quickly!" + +"You insult me." + +"Off with it, or I will tear it from your back!" + +Young Glory seized the officer's tunic, and tore open the front of it. + +"It must be, sir," he said to Lieutenant Tyler, who watched these +extraordinary proceedings in silence. "Stand guard over him, sir. Compel +him instantly to do what I have said, for we have no time to lose." + +As the Spaniard was stripped of his naval uniform, instantly Young Glory +put it on. + +"I shall take back your answer," he said to Mr. Tyler. + +"You!" + +"Yes, sir. Why not?" + +"You will be killed, or they will know there has been treachery, and +that will ruin us!" + +"They will not know me, sir. They will take me for this Spaniard. We are +of the same height, and in the semi-darkness, near the magazine, I shall +pass through." + +"But you are sure to be discovered when you reach Manuel, this officer's +friend." + +"Certain," said Juan. + +"That may be, but by that time my work will be done. I shall have no +fear of Manuel." + +"Beggar!" cried Juan; "we shall see!" + +"Oh, no, you don't!" exclaimed Young Glory, as Juan was slipping out of +the cabin. "Here you stay until the work is through." + +"I will guard him." + +"No, sir, you must come with me." + +"With you, Young Glory? Why is that?" + +"Because it will seem as if you have given way. When you hear what I say +you will know the reason, and agree with me, sir." + +"But this is all treacherous." + +"Traitors must be fought with their own weapons, sir," answered Young +Glory, sternly, as he and Lieutenant Tyler left the cabin. + +Juan laughed mockingly as the door closed on him. + +"He thinks you will fail, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler, "and I think the +same." + +"Let us wait." + +The news that Juan was returning speedily circulated. All heads were +turned in his direction. Mr. Tyler was some yards behind, having kept at +a distance, to better assist Young Glory in carrying out his plans. + +"Well?" was the question. "Did you bluff the lieutenant?" + +"I don't know about bluffing," was Young Glory's answer, delivered in +haughty tones. "All I know is that he accepted the terms I offered. He +could do nothing else." + +"Faith, an' it's meself that's sorry." + +"You wanted to be blown up?" asked Young Glory, quickly. + +"It's betther than givin' up the ship, senor," answered Dan Daly. + +"Good!" muttered Young Glory. "I shall succeed now, for even Dan Daly +doesn't recognize me." + +"He gives way!" + +"Yes, yes," answered Young Glory, in Spanish. + +"Come and tell me all about it." + +"I am coming, Manuel." + +"But the captain of this ship, where is he? He must hand it over to us +instantly. Let the sailors give up their arms!" + +"I will talk to you of all these details, Manuel." + +"But where is the captain?" cried Manuel, impatiently. + +"Here! He will come forward as soon as you and I have fixed things up." + +"Lieutenant Tyler!" shouted Manuel. + +"Yes, senor, I am here!" + +"Good!" + +At this moment Young Glory joined him. + +"Confess," said Manuel, in triumphant tones, "that it was a great plan +of mine!" + +Young Glory was silent. + +"What! Too jealous to speak! Be honest and admit that I'm a genius!" + +"A scoundrel!" cried Young Glory, hotly. "A villainous traitor!" + +"Ah! What's this?" + +"You're getting your deserts, you wretch!" shouted Young Glory, seizing +him instantly, and grappling with him. + +"Help! Help!" cried the Spaniard. + +Lieutenant Tyler heard the noise, and he had a suspicion what it meant. +He rushed to the front through the men. + +"Forward, lads," he shouted, waving his sword in the air, "or Young +Glory will be killed, and the ship will be blown up!" + +"Back! Back!" cried some of the Spanish officers, as the men were +advancing. "You are sealing your own doom!" + +Bang! Bang! + +Shots were interchanged now, and undeterred by what they had heard the +sailors pressed forward. + +Meanwhile, Young Glory and Manuel were engaged in a deadly struggle. +Each man had been trying, without success, to draw a pistol from his +belt, and as they could not do so they reeled from one side to another, +locked in each other's arms. + +"You cannot avert your doom!" hissed Young Glory. "Listen! the sailors +are rushing to the rescue." + +"I can take you with me." + +Quick as lightning Manuel thrust forth his hand towards the burning fuse +which Young Glory had not previously noticed. + +"Ha, ha!" laughed Manuel, fiendishly, as his fingers grasped it. "We all +go together." + +There was a great heap of powder lying in the far corner of the +magazine, a striking testimony to the carelessness of the Spanish +officers. + +Without a moment's hesitation Manuel hurled the still lighted fuse +towards this powder. + +A cold chill ran through Young Glory at this murderous act. + +By a supreme effort he tore himself loose, and with one blow of his fist +he struck Manuel to the ground. + +Then past him he sprang towards the fuse, and with a great leap he +landed with both feet on the fuse. + +"Saved!" he cried, perceiving that the fuse had fallen a few inches from +the powder. + +"Not yet!" shouted Manuel. + +The Spaniard was on his feet again, and was coming at Young Glory. He +had a dagger in his hand, and on his face was the look of a wild animal. + +Young Glory was unarmed now, and it seemed as if he was a doomed man. + +"There is time to kill him, or to fire the ship yet!" muttered Manuel as +he dashed forward. + +The fuse was extinct, so there was no danger from that. Young Glory +stood ready to spring aside when Manuel made his attack, for it was his +only chance. + +"This time you shall die!" hissed Manuel, glaring at his enemy. + +Young Glory saw the weapon flash in the air, and as it descended he +jumped out of the way. It was only safety for a moment though, for +Manuel, agile as a cat, turned on him and with the speed of lightning +thrust again. + +There was a rush of feet. + +"Young Glory! Young Glory!" + +"Here!" + +Bang! + +Dan Daly, pistol in hand, had reached the magazine just in time to save +Young Glory. He saw the Spaniard in the act of stabbing the brave young +sailor, and instantly he raised his six-shooter and fired. + +Manuel was struck by the bullet between the shoulders. He staggered +wildly, threw up his hands, dropping his stilletto as he did so, and +then sank on the floor of the magazine. + +When they went to him they found he was dead. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE CRUISER IN DANGER--A PRICE ON YOUNG +GLORY'S HEAD. + + +The ship was saved. + +Thanks to Young Glory, the plot of the Spanish officers was defeated. + +It may be imagined how heartily Lieutenant Tyler thanked the young hero, +and also how grateful Young Glory was to Dan Daly for the shot that +disposed of Manuel. + +Henceforth, the Spanish officers were treated the same as the men. They +had shown that they were not to be trusted, and for security's sake they +were held as prisoners. + +"So you didn't know me, Dan?" + +"Faith, no, why it's a great detective ye'd be afther making." + +"It was easy work, Dan. Well, we've had a hot time of it lately. I +suppose we'll run now to Key West without a hitch." + +"Shure, an' I hope not. It's the beautiful ship we have now. If we're +afther meetin' a Spaniard it's a great time we'll be havin'." + +"You'll be disappointed, Dan. Spanish ships are tired of showing +themselves in these waters." + +It seemed as if Young Glory was right. + +The time passed, and though a good lookout was kept, not one of the +enemy's fleet hove in sight. + +The Cristobal Colon was running along the northern coast of Cuba now. +Since she had parted with the gun-boat she had seen nothing of the +latter. No doubt the Nashville was on its way to Key West. + +The third day from Porto Rico found the cruiser lying off Mulas. The +island jutted out prominently here, and the water being deep, the prize +steamed along close in to shore. + +"What's that?" asked Dan. + +"A town, to be sure." + +"An' it's a quare flag that's flying!" + +"It's the Cuban flag. All this coast is in the hands of the insurgents." + +"More power to them!" + +"So say I, but what are we doing?" + +"Running in to shore, Young Glory, though it's meself can't say why." + +"It's water we want," said Lieutenant Tyler. "There's a good landing +place here, deep water, and water, too, and as the town is in the hands +of the insurgents, it's too good a chance to lose. Put her right in," he +cried. "We run no risk." + +The seamen were delighted at the prospect. Very few of them had stepped +on dry land for many weeks, and it seemed certain that they would have a +few hours ashore at any rate. + +"The patriots will be delighted when they find we've taken the Spanish +cruiser, sir." + +"I expect they know it. This boat's a different build to anything in our +navy." + +Boom! At this point a gun was fired from shore. + +"Giving us a salute!" cried a young officer. + +"Of a kind I don't like," answered the lieutenant in a sharp tone. +"Salutes are all very well, but not when given in the form of a shell." + +The cruiser replied by firing one of its saluting guns. + +"No doubt a mistake," was the lieutenant's comment, "but very careless +not to know that the gun was shotted." + +Boom! + +There was a furious shout on the cruiser now. For another gun was fired, +and this time a great shell passed over the deck, landing in the water +about three hundred yards away. + +"No mistake this time!" cried Young Glory, savagely. + +"Must be. Up with our colors. Show them another American flag. Then +there can't be any excuse." + +Up went the Stars and Stripes, amid the cheers of the sailors. + +The instant it did the firing on shore began in real earnest. + +A number of masked batteries opened fire on the cruiser, and shot and +shell flew to the right and left of it. + +Lieutenant Tyler was beside himself with rage. + +What did it mean? + +"It's a trap, sir, and we've fallen into it," said Young Glory. "That +town is in Spanish hands, and the Cuban flag was run up to deceive us." + +"Open fire, lads!" cried Mr. Tyler. "We'll show them that two can play +at that game." + +Crash! + +"The ship's aground!" + +This was the cry now, and it turned out to be true. + +The Cristobal Colon was on a shoal. + +Boom! Boom! + +Her guns were being fired furiously, but Lieutenant Tyler saw with a +face of concern that the shore batteries were situated at such a height, +that it was quite impossible for him to train his guns on them. + +Meanwhile, there the cruiser stuck, a target for the enemy to practice +upon. + +The engines were reversed. It was no good. The bottom of the cruiser was +embedded in a bank of sand, and it was quite immovable. + +The men were aghast. + +"They'll come out and board us!" said one. + +"Shure, it's not such fools they'll be." + +"Why not, Dan?" + +"Because they've all day to fire at us. Begorra, it's sunk we'll be." + +"We can't get off, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler to the young sailor. + +"So I see, sir. But we shall." + +"Not for two hours." + +"Two hours, sir?" + +"Yes, the tide's flowing now. I estimate in two hours' time there'll be +enough depth of water to float us off that bank." + +"If we're here to be floated," answered Young Glory, gloomily. + +"That is so. A shot may send us to the bottom at any time." + +"It's a case for desperate measures, sir." + +"Desperate! I see nothing." + +"Sir, let us land and storm the batteries." + +"What! with our small force?" + +"Enough, sir, if we take them all." + +"And the ship, Young Glory?" + +"The men are not wanted here, sir. It's useless working the guns, +because we can't do any damage with them, and the Spaniards won't +attempt to board us." + +"It must be done. There's nothing else left." + +Mr. Tyler shouted forth his orders. All was excitement now. When the men +knew what decision had been come to they were delighted, for desperate +though the undertaking appeared to be, it was better than staying on the +ship to be sunk with it. + +On the weather side of the ship the boats were manned. + +Lieut. Tyler, in person, led the attack, and his forces counted, all +told, about one hundred and fifty men. + +"A handful," said Young Glory. + +"Maybe," said Dan, laughing, "but, begorra! the hand isn't made that'll +squeeze us." + +The Spaniards, strangely enough, made no effort to oppose the landing. +Probably they thought the prey so easy of capture that they wished to +tackle them at close quarters. Not a shot was fired as the boats rowed +towards the shore. + +"This means an ambush," said Young Glory. + +Mr. Tyler thought the same, and he was actively on the alert. + +The boats were drawn up on the beach, and the men were so eager to get +to close quarters with the enemy that they dashed at a furious pace +towards the steep and rugged path that led to the batteries. + +Young Glory was at their head. Dan was a few paces behind him. + +Suddenly, from a wood to the left dashed a body of Spanish soldiers, +over a hundred strong, and at the same time nearly two hundred of the +enemy came rushing down the hill to the right. + +"Between two fires!" cried Young Glory. + +Round he glanced quickly, and as he did so, he saw not far away a number +of great rocks, forming almost a semi-circle, with the sea in the rear. + +"Forward, lads!" he shouted loudly. + +The men dashed after him, Mr. Tyler in vain trying to check them. + +It looked as if Young Glory was about to charge the great force that was +rushing down the hill, but such was not Young Glory's intention. The +Spaniards speedily discovered what his plan was. Then a mad race took +place to see which party should first arrive at the group of rocks. + +"We are safe, sir!" cried Young Glory breathlessly, as he and his +comrades reached the haven. + +"Yes, it's a natural fortress. We can hold out against five hundred men. +Let them have it, lads!" + +"It's hail Columbia we'll give them!" + +Hurrah! Crack! Crack! + +The sailors fired furiously now. The Spaniards fell at every shot. But +they did not retreat. Instead of doing so the two forces joined, and +together they came with a mad rush at the rocks, behind which stood the +seamen, awaiting the enemy's attack. + +"Don't waste a shot now!" cried Mr. Tyler, and his men waited till the +enemy were quite near. + +Then a terrific volley was poured forth. Not less than thirty men fell, +but their comrades came on just the same. Crack! Crack! + +Again the seamen fired, and then such of the Spaniards as survived +bounded like deer at the rocks, trying to scale them. + +It was a hand to hand fight now, in which the advantage lay almost +entirely with the defenders. + +The cutlass and pistol did great work at close quarters. + +Not more than ten Spaniards got inside the inclosure, and they never got +out again. + +Dan was fighting furiously by Young Glory's side, and the two men seemed +to bear charmed lives. + +"Kill that yellow-haired dog!" cried a voice in the Spanish ranks; "it's +Young Glory!" + +Young Glory! + +How savagely the Spaniards echoed the name. + +"One thousand dollars to the man who kills him!" shouted the same voice. + +And then a dozen men, burning to be able to claim the reward, sprang at +the rock behind which Young Glory stood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CONCLUSION. + + +"Shure, an' it's more than I'd give for ye," laughed Dan Daly. "A +thousand dollars! Begorra, it's yourself won't be afther getting it." + +And with these words Dan launched a terrific blow at the Spaniard +nearest to him. The man dropped. + +"Shure, it's right I was." + +Dan turned his attention elsewhere, and Young Glory was defending +himself bravely. + +His comrades had heard the Spanish officer put a price upon the young +hero's head, and the horrible proceeding infuriated them. They flew to +his assistance, clustering around him to protect him from harm. + +It was a terrible struggle. It must be said for the Spaniards that they +fought bravely. They vastly outnumbered the Americans, and this may have +given them courage. However, the end was near. + +One after another the leading men in the Spanish ranks were shot down +and killed with the cutlass. The survivors began to falter. + +"Courage!" cried an officer, dashing up and waving his sword. "Courage! +Stand your ground! Help is at hand!" + +Those words stayed the retreat. Back to the rocks at the charge rushed +the Spaniards, some of them looking anxiously around for the promised +aid. + +There was a wild cheer from the Spanish ranks now. Three large boats, +each filled with soldiers, swept round the point. + +The Americans were taken in the rear now. Between them and the sea there +was no shelter. + +Bang! Bang! + +It was the Spaniards in the boats firing. + +Up rushed Mr. Tyler. + +"Lads," he said, "this place can be held no longer. We are between two +fires. There is but one thing to do. We must dash out of here, cut our +way through the enemy and storm the fort." + +"Hurrah!" + +The men shouted wildly. It was a bold plan, quite suited to the +audacious nature of these reckless sailors. + +Over the rocks, led by the lieutenant, they rushed. Their coming had not +been expected by the Spaniards, and the consequence was, that they gave +way in face of the sudden attack. + +In all directions they turned and fled, the sailors in their eagerness +dashing after them and cutting them down. The scene of the fight was a +ghastly sight now. All around lay the dead and dying, and every minute +added fresh victims to the list. + +But now the men were recalled from the pursuit of the flying enemy to +resume the main purpose for which they had landed. This was to attack +and capture the fort and silence the guns. + +Up the steep ascent they toiled, protected from harm by the trees which +covered the slope. As they drew nearer the batteries, they saw that an +almost impossible task was before them. + +The walls of the fort were steep and high. The sailors had no scaling +ladder with them. How, then, could they hope to make a successful +attack? + +This was the problem that confronted Lieut. Tyler. + +"Faith, we can jump it!" cried Dan. + +"Then you're wasting your time in the navy if that's so, Dan," laughed +Young Glory. "A man who can clear fifteen feet ought to go in for +athletics." + +There was no holding the men back. + +Furiously they rushed forward, leaving the shelter of the trees to +assail the fort. + +Bang, bang! + +The Spaniards had them at their mercy now. They fired from the rampart +at the helpless men below. + +"Back!" shouted Lieutenant Tyler. "Back, I say! This is folly!" + +It needed no more talking to show this. Already in this brief attack the +men had sustained a heavier loss than in all the fighting of the day. + +"Where's Young Glory?" was the cry. + +There was a look of dismay on everyone's face as they glanced round and +saw that he was missing. + +"The boy gone!" cried Dan, frantically. "Arrah, then, it's meself's +goin' too!" + +And breaking away from those who tried to hold him, Dan fairly flew till +he came to the spot beneath the fort where his comrades had just fallen. + +"Not there!" he cried. "It's a prisoner he is! An' shure, how could they +take him prisoner? It's not one of them Spaniards has ventured out. An', +begorra, he wouldn't be afther takin' himself prisoner!" + +Dismissing this last idea as unreasonable, Dan, who had miraculously +escaped the enemy's bullets, ran back to his comrades. + +"It's the last we've seen of him." + +Now, where was Young Glory? + +In the attack that had been made on the fort the boy had been at the +extreme right--that is, the point of view nearest the sea. Whilst his +comrades were aimlessly throwing themselves against the walls of the +fort, Young Glory was otherwise engaged. + +He had seen a figure emerge from the fort and glide amongst the trees at +some distance away. Quick as lightning Young Glory did the same. He +stole along towards the spot where the Spaniard had secreted himself, +and there was a look on the boy's face that spoke volumes. + +"It is he!" he muttered. "I only saw him for an instant, but it's a face +I never forgot." + +Bang! A man sprang forth, pistol in hand, and fired. + +As he did so he laughed defiantly. + +"Good-by, Young Glory!" + +"You villain, I am not dead yet, as you shall see, Jose Castro!" + +For it was the famous Spanish spy. + +Quick as lightning, before Jose could fire again, Young Glory had sprung +on him. + +"Give me the key!" he cried, holding the spy in an iron grasp. "Give me +the key, or I will kill you!" + +"What key?" gasped Jose. + +"The key of the door by which you have just left the fort. I saw you do +so. You cannot deceive me." + +"And this is my answer!" + +With these words Jose tore himself loose, and then an instant later, he +flew at Young Glory, knife in hand. But his foot caught in some +vegetation, and he fell forward. + +As he did so, a large key dropped from his pocket. + +"The key!" shouted Young Glory, making for it, with a glad look on his +face. + +"You shall not have it!" cried Jose. "Death first!" + +"Yes, death for you!" + +Young Glory seized the frantic Spaniard as he struggled to reach the +key. For a moment or so, they swayed about on the bluff. Then Young +Glory, exerting all his strength, tossed the spy backwards, releasing +his hold so as to save himself from going with him. + +Jose Castro went crashing down the bluff towards the sea and the jagged +rocks which lay below. + +"The last of the spy!" cried Young Glory. + +He did not press forward to inquire further into Jose's fate, but flying +through the wood at full speed, he burst in on his astonished comrades. + +"Saved!" he cried. + +"Saved, Young Glory! What does this mean?" + +"That I will lead you into the fort, sir. Follow me!" + +Stealthily the entire band, hidden from view by the trees, reached the +door. + +"When it is open, dash in!" said Young Glory. "Not a moment must be +lost!" + +The men were astounded to see him walk up to the door in the rampart, +insert the key in the lock, and open it. Madly they rushed through into +the fort. + +The Spaniards were standing at the guns when this sudden attack took +place, thinking that the enemy was in front. They had no time to rally. + +Young Glory leading, the American sailors pressed forward, cutting down +all in their path. A few of the Spaniards resisted for a few minutes. +Then they threw down their arms in token of surrender. + +A number of them saved themselves by jumping off the rampart and flying +through the woods. + +"The fort is ours!" cried Young Glory. + +"The guns must be destroyed," shouted Mr. Tyler. "My lads, those +breech-loaders can be easily rendered unfit for use. To the work!" + +Rapidly the destruction went on. When it was finished the American tars +poured down the hill again, took to their boats, and departed without +opposition. + +When they reached the cruiser they found that the tide had flowed so +fast that the ship was no longer aground. + +In a few minutes the vessel left the shores of Cuba behind, and was +steaming with all speed for Key West. + + * * * * * + +The gun-boat having already arrived at the last named place, the story +of the gallant fight at San Juan de Porto Rico was already public +property. A great reception was given to the Cristobal Colon as she +steamed into port. + +Young Glory was fairly worshiped, for he was justly regarded as the hero +of the battle. + +However, he was not inactive long. + +In a few days he sailed with an expedition. + +His daring deeds will be related under the title of YOUNG GLORY IN CUBA. + + +[THE END.] + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors in the original +edition have been corrected. + +In Chapter I, "to whom he addresed" has been replaced with "to whom he +addressed"; and "talking together exciteedly" has been replaced with +"talking together excitedly". + +In Chapter III, "He's the only Captan Miles" has been replaced with +"He's the only Captain Miles". + +In Chapter IV, "severl years in the west" has been replaced with +"several years in the west". + +In Chapter V, "as the minutes past" has been replaced with "as the +minutes passed". + +In Chapter IX, "fast as the Spanish crusier" has been replaced with +"fast as the Spanish cruiser"; and "damage had been done to the crusier" +has been replaced with "damage had been done to the cruiser". + +In Chapter X, a missing quotation mark has been added after "treated as +prisoners of war". + +In Chapter XII, "keeping trictly to themselves" has been replaced with +"keeping strictly to themselves"; an extra quotation mark has been +deleted after "what you can to repair it"; a missing quotation mark has +been added after "those fools are ignorant of it". + +In Chapter XIII, "loud cry of derison" has been replaced with "loud cry +of derision". + +In Chapter XIV, a missing quotation mark has been added after "you say +no, Young Glory?" + +In Chapter XV, a missing quotation has been added after "on its way to +Key West"; "crusier lying off Mulas" has been replaced with "cruiser +lying off Mulas"; and "flag that's flying'!" has been replaced with +"flag that's flying!". + +Also, the table of contents has been created for this electronic +edition. It was not present in the original work.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser, by +Walter Fenton Mott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG GLORY AND SPANISH CRUISER *** + +***** This file should be named 24911.txt or 24911.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/9/1/24911/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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