Part 39 (1/2)

Meanwhile, the work of rescue from the _Maria Teresa_ went on. Flaring from end to end, and with deck and side plates white hot from the furnace raging within her, she slowly drifted nearer the coast, her guns exploding as the flames reached them, and her ammunition bursting with deafening reports. But the undaunted Americans stuck to her, and would not quit till every Spanish sailor needing help was over the side. A quarter of an hour later the _Almirante Oquendo_, which had also taken fire and was sorely battered by sh.e.l.ls, ran ash.o.r.e a little farther up the coast.

”There are more to rescue there, boys,” cried the commander of the _Gloucester_; and at once the gunboat steamed towards the burning wreck.

Then again the same gallant and successful attempt at rescue was made; but barely in time, for suddenly the flames reached the magazine, and the _Almirante Oquendo_ blew up with a deafening roar.

Quick to follow her fate, the _Viscaya_ also drove ash.o.r.e, and became a total wreck. The _Cristobal Colon_ was the last of Cervera's fleet, and by now she, too, was in sorry plight. Escape, which had seemed possible to her, was now out of the question, for the fast s.h.i.+ps, the _Texas_ and the _New York_, were rapidly overhauling her. Sh.e.l.ls began to hurtle above her decks and crash through her plates; and, finally, seeing the hopelessness of the struggle, her commander struck his flag. But the _Cristobal Colon_ was no prize for America, for already she showed a list, and scarcely had all the prisoners been removed when she filled and sank, this being due, it is a.s.serted, to the action of one of her crew, who opened the sea-c.o.c.ks.

One fine scene there was as this magnificent vessel surrendered, and it deserves to be recorded. The commander of the _Texas_ stood on his bridge, and silenced the cheers of his men. Then, lifting his hat reverently from his head, he called upon each and everyone to give thanks to G.o.d for this victory, and for his own safety through the fight.

Hal and Gerald did yeoman service on this memorable day, and it was not till every Spanish sailor who could be rescued was aboard the _Gloucester_ that they thought of themselves. Then, indeed, they discovered that they were worn out, and that their wounds were unusually painful. But a long sleep did all that was necessary, and fresh air being added to it, they soon began to mend. A week later they were once more with their comrades, the Rough Riders.

”Back again, and seen the last of Cervera's fleet,” said Harman, in tones which showed that he was not exactly pleased. ”I never did drop upon such pards as you. Talk about fire-eaters! Why, I believe this feller, Marchant, has smelt Spanish powder ever since the war started.

You're meant for something bad, that's all I can surmise. A chap that goes all through this war, and only gets in the way of a single pip, aer got somethin' coming.”

He nodded his head significantly at the lads, and grinned.

”Wall, I'm kind er jealous, I own,” he proceeded. ”Here aer we, a-kicking our heels in the trenches, and you chaps enjoyin' yourselves.

And the grub! My! I've had my teeth through some mighty queer stuff, but some of the salt pork doled out ter us 'd make a n.i.g.g.e.r squint! It aer that tough that the only comfort aer ter work it into sausages. But it aint going to last for long, for this here row has got the heart knocked out of it. There's been a palaver, and now there's an armistice, while the bosses discuss terms. Santiago aer done fur, and if you take it true from me, so aer the war. The Dons aer fairly pulled ter pieces, and aer durned sorry fur theirselves.”

That this was the case was self-evident, and the capitulation of Santiago came as no surprise. On Sat.u.r.day, the 16th of July, the deed of surrender was signed, and, led by General Shatter and his staff, the American troops took possession of the town, which was filled with starving soldiers and civilians.

Courteous and truly honorable were the Spanish officers, and, looking at their pallid faces and wan cheeks, the boys from the States realized that these were foes indeed, and men of whom any army could be proud, and whom any nation might hold in high respect.

That same day Hal and Gerald heard news which upset them considerably, for, just as evening was drawing in, Jake, the faithful negro who had previously warned them, came into the camp, and fell exhausted at their feet.

”Quick, boss!” he whispered. ”Dat bad man come again. De missie and de master fighting for deir lives.”

”Where? At Eldorado?” cried Hal, his heart palpitating with fear at the ominous words. ”Here, some water, Gerald. Pour some down the poor fellow's throat. That will pull him round, and help him to get his wind again.”

Gerald swung his bottle to the front, and rapidly unscrewed the cork.

Then he poured some of the contents down Jake's throat.

”Ise better now,” said the negro, in stronger tones. ”But don't wait, boss. Jake look to himself. Ride quick for de hacienda, for dat bad man come dere two, t'ree hour ago, and rush at it wid his men.”

”Then there must be no delay,” cried Hal, rising suddenly to his feet with a stern look upon his face. ”Two or three hours ago! That time has pa.s.sed since Jose and his ruffians attacked Eldorado! Quick! There is not a moment to be lost, and every second is of consequence. Here, Gerald, you see to Jake's wants, and get the poor beggar on his pins again, while I go across to our friend the staff officer and ask him to do something for us.”

He turned on his heel at once, and hurried towards a stone-built house, above which floated the directing flag, and above that again the star-spangled banner. A moment later he was face to face with one of the regulars who was stationed outside, and on mentioning his business, was immediately ushered into an office where, seated at a table, was the staff officer who had befriended him before.

”Well,” said the latter pleasantly, ”had your fill of it already, and come to cry off now that the fun's gone down?”

”No, not that, sir,” Hal answered promptly, and in a voice which was somewhat agitated in spite of himself. ”You've been so kind before, that I have come to ask another favor. The truth is that I am in serious trouble. Will you--can you help me, sir?”

The officer, who was arranging some papers on the table, swung round and looked at him curiously.

”Phew! trouble!” he exclaimed, giving vent to a shrill whistle. ”It's bad, I reckon, for the lad who slips ash.o.r.e on the _Merrimac_, and risks his skin at the game, is not the one to be easily put out. What is its nature?”

Hal was not the lad to talk, especially when deeds were wanted and time was of the utmost importance, so on this occasion he contrived to explain the situation in a few short sentences.

”I am to understand, then, Mr.--er--I don't remember your name--that you've friends close at hand, who are bein' worried by a scoundrel,”