Part 22 (2/2)
”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 s.h.i.+ps 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 antic.i.p.ated an easy victory.
”The s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p 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.
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