Part 21 (2/2)

”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 s.h.i.+ps were enveloped in such a thick cloud of smoke, that it was quite impossible to see what they were doing.

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