Part 19 (2/2)

”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 s.h.i.+ps 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 s.h.i.+p 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 pa.s.sing 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 a.s.sistance.

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