Part 9 (1/2)
CHAPTER X
ON THE CUBAN BLOCKADE
Twelve hours after leaving Tampa Bay the swift despatch-boat on which Ridge Norris was a pa.s.senger entered the northwest pa.s.sage of Key West Harbor, and was headed towards the quaint island city that had been brought into such sudden prominence by the war. The port was filled with United States cruisers, gun-boats, yachts converted into torpedo-boat destroyers, Government hospital-s.h.i.+ps, and others flying the flag of the Red Cross Society, transports, colliers, supply-s.h.i.+ps, water-boats, and a huddle of prizes--steamers and sailing-vessels captured off the Cuban coast. Amid these the _Speedy_ slowly threaded her devious way to the Government dock.
The hot tropical-looking city, with palm-trees towering above its low-roofed houses, was filled to overflowing with soldiers, sailors, newspaper correspondents, refugees from Cuba, and a mult.i.tude of other persons, all attracted by its proximity to the seat of war. From every mast-head and prominent building the stars and stripes were flung to the breeze that swept in from the sea; while from more humble positions, but in even greater numbers, fluttered the flag of free Cuba. On every point commanding the harbor mouth batteries were being erected and great guns mounted. Bands played national airs, and one man-of-war enveloped in a cloud of white smoke was engaged in target-practice with her secondary battery. Every Government vessel in the harbor had on war paint of invisible lead color, not pretty, but most business-like in appearance. All were also in fighting-trim, with topmasts lowered and every superfluity removed from their decks. The whole scene was of exciting interest, and Ridge gazed eagerly upon it as Ensign Comly pointed out its various features, with explanatory remarks.
There were several reasons why the _Speedy_ should stop at Key West.
One was that she might receive mail and despatches for the blockading fleet. Another was to procure a bale of hay and some corn for Senorita, since, in their hurried departure from Tampa, these had been forgotten, and thus far she had been fed on sea-biscuit. A third reason was that Ridge might procure a saddle and bridle, besides a few other necessary articles of outfit for his proposed trip.
He had already been furnished with his bogus despatches to Spanish commanders, every word of which he had carefully read, to see that they contained no compromising errors, and with a supply of money. Now he provided himself with a repeating-rifle in a water-proof case, a revolver, fifty rounds of ammunition for each, an India-rubber poncho, a small quant.i.ty of quinine, a phial of powerful cholera mixture, a stout sheath-knife, and a tin cup.
Within an hour the _Speedy_ was again off, running out of the south channel, past the grim walls of old Fort Taylor, and a few miles farther on pa.s.sing Sand Key light, which rises from a bit of coral reef barely lifted above the wash of a tranquil sea. At that time this was the most southerly point of United States territory. In the deep water just beyond Sand Key lay a great battle-s.h.i.+p, tugging sullenly at her pondrous anchors, and looking like some vast sea monster, uncouth and relentless.
From here it was eighty-five miles in a straight line to Havana, and within five hours Ridge was thrilled by the sight of a cloud-like speck that he knew marked the highlands of Cuba. Gradually the coast was revealed, then came the low-trailing smoke of s.h.i.+ps on blockade as they patrolled wearily before the entrance to Havana Harbor, and after awhile the outlined cathedral spires of the city itself. There lay the wreck of the _Maine_, and there waited the Spanish army that Captain-General Blanco had sworn should yield its last drop of blood in resisting an invasion by the hated Yankees. There also the guns of time-blackened Morro sullenly faced the floating fortresses that only awaited a signal to engage them in deadly conflict.
Running close to Commodore Watson's flag-s.h.i.+p, the _San Francisco_, the _Speedy_ broke the tedious monotony of blockade by delivering an eagerly welcomed mail, with its wealth of news from the outside world.
Then the saucy craft was off again, headed to the eastward. Matanzas and Cardenas, both under blockade, were pa.s.sed during the night, and while off the latter place d.i.c.k Comly told Ridge the story of his cla.s.smate, Ensign Worth Bagley, who lost his life on board the torpedo-boat _Winslow_, in Cardenas Bay, on May 11th, or less than one month before, and who was the first American officer killed in the war.
”They only went in to find out who was there,” began Comly, ”the _Wilmington_, _Hudson_, and _Winslow_. The last, being of least draught, ran ahead, and got within range of some hidden batteries before she discovered them. She was turning to go out when they opened fire. In a minute the little s.h.i.+p was riddled by shot and sh.e.l.l. Her commander was wounded, her steering-gear had gone wrong, her engines were crippled, and she lay helpless. The _Hudson_ ran up to tow her out of range, and poor old Bagley had just sung out for them to heave him a line, as the situation was getting rather too warm for comfort, when a bursting sh.e.l.l instantly killed him, together with four of the crew. In spite of the hot fire, the _Hudson_ ran a line and brought out what was left of the _Winslow_ and her company; but you'd better believe the little craft was a mighty sad-looking wreck. h.e.l.lo!
What's that?”
A string of colored signal-lights had flashed out for a moment directly ahead of the _Speedy_, and then disappeared. The strangest thing about them was that they had been shown just above the surface of the water, instead of from a masthead, as would usually be the case on a war-s.h.i.+p.
The _Speedy_ had been slipping quietly along, showing her regular side lights, which, as she was of low freeboard, must also have appeared close to the water from a short distance, and might have been mistaken for a signal. Now she quickly displayed the night-signal of the American blockading fleet, as well as her own private number, but no answer came to either. By the time the _Speedy's_ crew were at quarters it was evident, from m.u.f.fled sounds borne down the wind, that the stranger was a steamer in full retreat.
”Give her a blank shot,” ordered Captain Boldwood, and the words had barely left his mouth before the forward six-pounder gun had roared out its summons to halt; but the stranger paid no heed.
A solid shot, well elevated, had as little effect. By this time the despatch-boat was rus.h.i.+ng ahead at full speed in the direction the unknown steamer was supposed to have taken. Suddenly her search-light, sweeping the black waters with a broad arc of silver, disclosed a shadowy bulk moving swiftly at right angles to the course they were taking, and heading for a beacon blaze that had sprung up on the starboard or in-sh.o.r.e hand.
”Port your helm!” cried Captain Boldwood. ”Mr. Comly, try to disable her. Make every shot tell if possible.”
Again and again the six-pounder hurled its messenger of destruction, but apparently without effect.
”Looks as though I couldn't hit the side of a barn at a hundred feet,”
muttered the Ensign to Ridge, who stood beside him, thrilled by the novel experience. Then he sighted his gun for a third shot, sprang back, and jerked the lanyard. A flash, a roar, a choking cloud of smoke, and then a yell from the _Speedy's_ crew. In the glare of the search-light the fugitive steamer was seen to take a sudden sheer, that a minute later was followed by a crash, and then she remained motionless.
Instantly the _Speedy_ was slowed down and moved cautiously towards the wreck, with busy lead marking soundings every few seconds. The beacon for which the chase had steered no longer blazed; but in a few minutes the search-light disclosed a wooded sh.o.r.e.
”Have a boat ready, Mr. Comly, and prepare to go on board with half a dozen men.”
”Ay, ay, sir.”
”May I go with you?” asked Ridge, eagerly.
”Certainly, if the Captain says so.”
But, to the young trooper's disappointment, Captain Boldwood refused permission. ”Your business is of too important a nature for you to a.s.sume any needless risks outside of it,” he said.