Part 20 (1/2)
”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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p,” 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 s.h.i.+p, 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.”