Lieutenant Tyler glanced round involuntarily. It was like a man taking his last look at the earth.
The lieutenant was as brave as a lion, but he saw only one issue to the fight.
"Would that Young Glory were here!" he cried. "He's equal to twenty men!"
Then the two forces closed in a fierce fight.
Back the Americans retreated. Well they might do so.
The enemy was more than four to one, and the weight of numbers was irresistible. But the Nashville's blue jackets fought desperately, and for every American sailor that fell, four Spaniards were stretched on the deck.
"The victory shall cost them dear!" hissed Mr. Tyler.
He knew that his men would fight to the last.
Captain Moret, entirely unmoved, saw his men falling like flies. What did he care? A Spanish officer places no value on the lives of those under him, and besides, he knew that his men must win.
Ha! what was that?
A terrific shout was heard now, above the clashing of steel.
"Young Glory to the rescue!"
That was the cry that came from fifty lips.
Then in a moment all saw what had happened.
Captain Moret had stripped the fore part of the ship bare of men in order to concentrate them with the rest of his forces in making one final attack on the enemy.
The quick eye of Young Glory had detected the weak spot instantly.
"Young Glory to the rescue!" shouted the blue jackets, and on they came, taking the Spaniards in the rear.
Even now the men of the Cristobal Colon had nothing to fear, for they still vastly outnumbered theAmericans, but this sudden and unexpected attack in the rear caused a panic.
Young Glory's terrible sword aided to the fear that filled the breasts of the Spaniards. All within reach of him dropped to the deck.
"Forward, men!" cried Lieutenant Tyler, "the enemy weakens. Now is our chance!"
The Spaniards were a huddled and confused mass of human beings now. The last vestige of discipline had gone, and the officers who yet remained, struggled in vain with their men to inspire them with courage.
"Dogs!" they cried, "the day is ours yet!"
"Faith, it's sorry to contradict ye, I am!" shouted Dan Daly, still in the front of the battle.
"Halloa, Dan!" cried Young Glory, looking across the intervening foe. "This is a great day!"
"Great!"
Dan could say no more. He could not find any expression that exactly fitted the case.
The Spaniards now were throwing down their arms.
Captain Moret, in despair, rushed into the thick of the fight, endeavoring to rally his men.
"Cowards!" he cried, furiously. "This is a black day for Spain!"
"Faith, old gentleman," said Dan, "she's had so many black days it won't be noticed, an' it's black herself she is wid crime."
Captain Moret made a furious rush at the author of this insulting speech. The blades of the Irishman and the Spaniard crossed in fierce fight.
"Caramba! but you die!"
"Some day!" answered Dan, coolly, as he parried a furious blow. "Ah! my gold-laced don, you're beginnin' to see that Dan Daly's handled a sword before."
The two men were practically alone. Captain Moret had his back to the mast, and Dan, agile as a cat, despite his age, was hopping merrily round and round him.
The tide of battle had passed them by.
Such of the Spaniards as had not thrown down their arms had retreated in a body towards Lieutenant Tyler's force, with Young Glory and his band of fifty blue jackets in hot pursuit.
"It's your beautiful uniform I'm afther spoilin'," said Dan, as he gave a thrust. "Arrah! but that was a great stroke, though it's meself as says it."
The stroke in question was a severe cut on Captain Moret's sword arm, which caused him instantly to pass his weapon into his left hand.
"Ould gentleman," said Dan, "it's a poor chance ye have. Surrender!"
"Never! While my men fight I will!"
"Begorra, but it's a nuisance ye are. I'm bound to kape ye alive, an' while I'm here I'm afther losin' all the great fight that's goin' on. Ah! it's Dan Daly's the man was born under an unlucky star."
It was perfectly clear that the Spanish captain was in Dan's power. Every moment he weakened, though he continued from time to time to make frantic thrusts at the Irishman. Faintness from loss of blood was coming over him, and it was with difficulty that he kept on his feet.
"Betther give up, captain dear," said Dan in a most insinuating voice.
"What! I hand my sword over to a common sailor!"
"To the last of the Dalys!" replied Dan, drawing himself up proudly as the Spaniard had done. "It's a king I'd be if I had my rights."
"Three cheers for King Dan!" shouted a voice.
"Young Glory!"
But Dan never turned his head. He was making passes at the Spanish captain as if he meant to pin him to the mast.
"Surrender!" cried Dan once more.
"To you, never!"
"But to me, captain," said a voice that caused Dan to start. "I am the commander of the Nashville."
Dan was completely astounded to find Captain Long beside him.
The Spanish captain bowed, and without a word he handed his sword to Captain Long.
"Faith!" exclaimed Dan, "I'm not understandin' it at all. Young Glory, why are you here when there's fightin' to be done?"
"You don't understand, Dan. I do. Look!"
Young Glory pointed to the masthead of the ship. There, Dan Daly, to his astonishment saw the Stars and Stripes flying.
"It means!" cried Young Glory, "that the fight is over. The Spanish cruiser has struck her colors. Our men have surrendered. The Cristobal Colon is ours!"
The Nashville had won this great fight against odds, and it was all owing to Young Glory's daring suggestion that the Spaniard should be boarded.
Instantly the prisoners were disarmed.
"Place them below!" ordered Captain Long, "with a guard over them!"
Mr. Tyler walked up.
"Shall you navigate this ship, sir, entirely with our men?"
"Have we enough?"
"I think so until we get outside. Then we shall fall in with the Brooklyn."
"Very well."
Young Glory dashed along the deck.
"Sir! Sir!"
"Well!"
"Danger threatens us."
"Where?"
"Some boats are putting off from San Juan."
Instantly it was seen that quite a flotilla was approaching. No doubt the reason they had not done so before was because they thought that the Spanish cruiser stood in no need of aid.
"The Stars and Stripes flying from this ship have brought them out," said Captain Long.
"Give them a broadside, sir. We'll fight them with their own guns, sir."
"Yes, one of the big guns of this ship is in order. See what you can do with it, Young Glory."
The sailors of the Nashville took a keen delight in handling the Spanish gun and turning it against the on-coming flotilla. Young Glory aimed very carefully.
Boom!
The first shot told. The great shell from the ten-inch rifle struck the leading gun-boat of the flotilla.
"She's done for!"
"Wait!"
"Yes, she is. Look, she's filling."
"Hurrah!"
The men cheered frantically as they saw that the gun-boat had heeled over to the side, and was fast going down.
The rest of the gun-boats lay to. They were afraid they might share the same fate.
"We'll be off with our prize," said Captain Long.
"Who takes charge, sir?"
"You. I'll get back to the Nashville. Let there be no delay."
"There need be none. The engineers had orders some time back to spread the fires."
Back to the Nashville went Captain Long, taking a number of his men with him. The wounded Americans had already been carried to the Nashville, where they were receiving every attention from the surgeon.
Such of the Spaniards as were injured in the fight were left on the cruiser to the care of their own medical officers.
The two boats were still lying side by side, when round the distant headland appeared the bow of a battle ship.
For a moment the men were aghast. It might mean the approach of a new and stronger enemy. Then a great cheer rose from every throat. They saw the Stars and Stripes bravely fluttering in the breeze, and knew what it meant. It was the Cruiser Brooklyn entering the harbor.
The cruiser fired her saluting guns.
Boom! Boom!
But the cheers from her men drowned the noise of the guns.
The blue jackets were wild with delight when they saw the American flag at the masthead of the Spanish cruiser.
At this moment a diversion occurred.
Overlooking the harbor was a fort. Now its guns began to fire at the two ships, the cruiser and the gun-boat. Previously they had refrained, because they were afraid they might do as much damage to friend as foe.
Short-handed as he was, it was a difficult matter for Captain Long to handle his guns. But there was no necessity for his doing so. The Brooklyn took the work in hand instantly.
Boom!
The first shot struck the fort. It was old. Its weapons were antique, and it had no chance whatever against the great guns of the American cruiser. Shot after shot struck it, crumbling the masonry to powder.
"The batteries are silenced!" cried Young Glory.
"But not our men!"
The cheer that went up confirmed the last statement.
Already the Nashville and the Cristobal Colon were under way, steaming rapidly out of the harbor. A few distant guns from shore thundered at them, but they made a noise, and that was all. They were quite powerless to do any damage.
Once more the vessels were in the open sea clear of San Juan de Porto Rico. The Brooklyn lay to, and a boat put off. In obedience to a signal from the cruiser, the gun-boat and her prize waited till the boat came up. In the cutter was Captain Miles, the commander of the Brooklyn.
"A great and glorious victory, Captain Long," said he, stepping aboard the Nashville.
"Yes, sir, thanks to the men you lent me, and especially Young Glory. Through his advice, as I don't mind admitting, the Spaniard was taken."
"Well, I congratulate you. The country will be crazy when they hear what you've done. You will, of course, return home."
"I want you to lend me some men, Captain Miles, to work the two ships."
"I must do so. Such a valuable prize as the Spanish cruiser must be taken care of."
And Captain Miles went back to his ship, sending shortly after for the necessary help.
Then the ships parted company. The Brooklyn remained in the neighborhood of San Juan, looking for Spanish ships, and the gun-boat and its prize steamed away through the Caribbean Sea.
During the night the two ships parted company.
The wind blew fiercely, and the gun-boat being of light draft went in towards the land, the cruiser with its deeper draft preferring to weather the storm in the open sea.
In the morning nothing could be seen of the gun-boat, but this was no reason for delay. Apparently the Spanish cruiser was well able to take care of itself, and as the destination of the ships had been determined upon, they might go there, either in company or separately, it mattered not which.
They were bound for Key West.
The prisoners for the most part were kept below. They numbered over four hundred, and it was not safe to allow such a number of men, even though unarmed, to wander at large through the ship.
The officers were free to do what they pleased.
They passed the time on deck mostly, keeping strictly to themselves, and wearing savage and sullen faces as they paced to and fro.
"Faith, it's a handsome lot they are," mutteredDan. "It's myself'll be glad when we've landed you. I'd rather sail in a cattle ship."
"No accounting for tastes, Dan," laughed Young Glory.
"It's an eye we must kape on the dons," said Dan.
"An eye?"
"Faith, two. It's the slippery spalpeens they are."
"But they won't try to slip away."
"Arrah, it's worse they'll do!"
"What?"
"Shure, it's many they are to us. If we're not afther watchin' them closely, they'll try an' take the ship!"
Young Glory laughed.
"Fists against rifles don't count for much. We're armed and they're not. Don't forget that."
"I don't, but it's yourself knows they're as full of treachery as a sausage is of meat."
"I have no fear of them, and I'm quite sure, Mr. Tyler feels the same. Of course he's taking every precaution, but unless those four hundred men below can get out of their quarters, what harm can the officers and the few men who are at large do?"
Dan scratched his head.
"It's a warnin' I've given ye! Don't be afther blamin' me if it happens!"
"That's like Dan," said Young Glory, looking after him. "Prove to him he's wrong, and he won't admit it. He only gets sulky. Well, this time he's clearly out of it, and I'll make him say so when we reach Key West."
It was drawing towards evening now. Young Glory, having nothing better to do, stood and looked over the rail at the setting sun, until it had sunk below the horizon, and all was dark.
Then he threw himself down near a boat which was on the deck, and the lapping noise of the waves, coupled with the want of rest he was suffering from, sent him to sleep.
He had not the faintest idea how long he had been dozing, when he suddenly woke with a start, as men will when aroused from a deep sleep.
But he never uttered a cry, and at once he fell back intending to go to sleep again. It was against the rules to do so, but in his tired state he never thought of this.
In a minute he would have been asleep but for the fact that he heard some men talking, and out of mere curiosity he listened to what was being said.
"Some of the Spanish officers," he muttered. He knew this, for the language they were using was Spanish.
The young sailor was able to hear every word, and before the talk had proceeded far, he was taking in every word, feeling as wide awake as ever he had been in his life.
"Juan," said one man, "I've interested you already by what I've said."
"I confess it, Manuel."
"And you would like to hear more?"
"Of course."
"I can't understand, Juan, how it is you are ignorant of what is going on. They know you're to be trusted."
"I should hope so," was the indignant answer. "Perhaps it is because I have kept myself away from the others. I have felt heart broken over our defeat."
"All the more reason why you should do what you can to repair it."
"There is no repairing it."
"Who knows?"
"I do."
"You speak confidently, Juan."
"Because, Manuel, I know where our ships are. We shall meet none as we sail through the Caribbean Sea. No, no, Manuel, dismiss such thoughts. Reconcile yourself to spending the next few months as prisoners of war in America."
"A prospect I by no means fall in with. Help may be nearer than you think, Juan."
"Help?"
"Yes."
"Not unless it descends from the skies, and the age of miracles is past."
"The help is aboard this ship," said Manuel impressively.
"What folly," was Juan's reply. "Have we not lost enough brave men already? I thought of that, but dismissed it from my mind at once. Unarmed men, however numerous they are, can do nothing against men armed to the teeth."
"Exactly my answer to Dan," muttered Young Glory. "This Spaniard is a sensible man."
"But the plan I have in view won't cost the loss of a single man."
"Then it will fail."
"No, it can't. Its success is certain. Don't look so surprised, Juan. Have I a reputation for good sense or not? I'm telling you no fairy tale."
"From anybody but yourself, Manuel, if such a story came I should laugh in their faces."
"You won't laugh at me."
"Perhaps."
"Not when you've heard me through."
"Proceed, proceed."
"I weary you. Well, to the point as you say. You know when we handed up our swords we surrendered the ship, don't you?"
"Why ask foolish questions or recall what pains me?"
"But did we hand over everything?"
"Surely."
"There you're wrong."
"I'm a very patient man, as you know, Manuel, but a little more of this talk and I shall be getting up and leaving you."
"I'm leading up to my story. No, Juan, we did not hand over everything. Shall I tell you what was kept back?"
"If you please."
"The key of the forward magazine!"
"Ha!"
Juan was excited now. That was clear by the exclamation he had uttered.
So was another listener, Young Glory. He kept as still as death, not wishing to lose one syllable that was said, and waiting eagerly for the talk to proceed.
"Yes," continued Manuel, after what seemed a long silence, "we kept back the key of the forward magazine, and those fools are ignorant of it."
"But the keys were handed over?"
"There are duplicates."
"Go on! Go on!" exclaimed Juan, hastily. He was as excited now as he had been indifferent before.
"Now, Juan, to get into that magazine is quite an easy matter."
"There are sentries!"
"Who can be overpowered."
"By whom?"
"You, I, if necessary. We walk about the ship as we please, so do a few of our sailors, who are kept at work. What's to prevent us from seizing the sentries posted near the magazine, and stabbing them to death?"
"You might leave the stabbing out."
"Certainly, if it's not necessary."
"Having got rid of the sentries, Manuel, what follows?"
"We enter the magazine."
"I suppose so; I'm still wandering in the dark."
"But surely you understand what will happen."
"I haven't the faintest idea."
"We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the ship."
"Folly! Folly!"
"You speak hastily," cried Manuel, angrily.
"I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the ship is blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've not had enough of this world yet."
Manuel laughed softly.
"Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up."
"Why?"
"Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us to it."
"What can he mean?" muttered Young Glory. "This is getting interesting."
Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so.
"I tell you," answers Manuel, sharply, "that there will not be any blowing up. These Americans value their lives. This is the programme. Once in the magazine, of course, it will be known to the American officer commanding this ship."
"There's not much doubt of that."
"None, because he will be notified that we hold the magazine."
"That's a kind attention on your part, Manuel."
"Ha! Ha! You think so? Well, this is what happens. Lieutenant Tyler, that's the fellow's name, I believe. You or I go to him, and say: 'Lieutenant Tyler, the forward magazine of this ship is in the hands of the Spaniards. What do you propose to do about it?'"
"He will be so scared he won't know what to say."
"Exactly. Then we proceed. We offer terms. 'We give you five minutes to decide, Lieutenant Tyler. Release the Spanish sailors you have made prisoners. Surrender the Cristobal Colon back to Captain Moret or you die!'"
"You threaten to blow up the magazine?"
"Yes."
"Manuel, it is very daring."
"What do you think of its success?"
"Once get into the magazine, you can't fail."
"I knew you would say so. The Americans love life even more than we do, and placed in such a dilemma, there can't be any doubt what their choice will be."
"None!"
Young Glory was fairly amazed at the boldness of the scheme, which was of an entirely different nature to anything he had suspected. He determined to hear the end of the story, for it was clear that the two Spaniards had not yet finished.
"And when do you propose to put this scheme into operation, Manuel?"
"To-night!"
"So soon?"
"What use in waiting?"
"None, if all is ready."
"It is. The men all know their appointed posts. The instant I give the word the sentries will be seized, and the rest will follow."
"And once more the ship will be ours."
"Yes, yes."
"For that I would do much. The plot will succeed, Manuel. I can see victory in the air."
"And I can't," muttered Young Glory, turning half round towards the two men. "On the contrary, gentlemen, I see nothing but failure. Go on talking till I've seen Mr. Tyler. Then I think the laugh will be all on our side. Ha, ha!"
"Silence!"
Young Glory stared aghast. A man, a Spanish naval officer was bending over him, holding a stilletto close against his breast.
"I shall not hesitate to kill if you utter a sound," said the Spaniard, "for the happiness of four hundred men depends on your silence!"
Young Glory felt that he was powerless.
He knew that the threat of the Spaniard was not an empty one, and that he would not hesitate to plunge his dagger into the young sailor's breast incase the slightest resistance was attempted, or the least sound was uttered.
The man must have been keeping watch whilst his two comrades talked, so as to secure them from interruption.
"You threaten me," said Young Glory, quietly, hoping to conciliate the Spaniard.
"Take care," answered the latter, pressing the dagger a little closer; "I warned you not to speak."
"And I do not disobey you so far as making a noise is concerned. I only ask the meaning of this."
"You know."
"Perhaps. I also know that you are a prisoner on this ship, and that it is dangerous for you to kill me."
"Not so dangerous as to let you go. You have heard every word that passed between my friends, and have their secret and their lives in your hands. I need say no more to justify myself."
The Spaniard tapped lightly on the boat, and instantly Juan and Manuel rose. They walked round to the other side.
"You here!" they cried, seeing their brother officer.
"Yes, and caramba! but it would have gone hard with your plot, but for me. You seemed to forget that you are not the only people on this ship. Look!"
He pointed to Young Glory as he spoke.
They were astounded.
"Then he's heard what we said?"
"Every word, Juan."
"It means ruin."
"No, fortunately no harm is done. I hold this sailor in my power. He cannot escape me. You must carry out your plot instantly."
"All is ready. We will do so."
They knew there was no time to be lost, and leaving Young Glory to the care of their friend, they turned away to carry into execution their diabolical scheme.
The Spanish officer who had Young Glory in his power, did not wish to be noticed by any of the crew in a suspicious attitude. So he sat down underneath the boat by the side of Young Glory.
"Don't move," he said, showing the sailor his glittering steel blade. "It will be fatal to you if you do."
Young Glory's position was a maddening one. He was in possession of a secret, and was unable to disclose it in the proper quarter. But he never lost sight of the fact that it might yet be possible for him to get away from the Spaniard, and his brain was busily at work upon the project.
It is doubtful if he would have succeeded if fortune had not favored him.
Two sailors, coming along, were thrown nearly off their feet as the vessel lurched, and in saving themselves they fell with outstretched hands against the boat.
The cutter toppled over on the Spaniard. Young Glory quicker than he in moving, had rolled to one side.
In a moment the Spaniard had recovered himself, and furiously threw himself at Young Glory. But the latter was prepared now. He caught the Spaniard by the arm, wrested the dagger from him, and then with a tremendous effort he hurled the man backwards, throwing him off the deck into the sea.
"Help! Help!" screamed the poor wretch.
But it was too late. The cruiser was sailing at a fast pace, the sea was running high, and the night was dark. Long before a boat could have reached him he would have sunk.
Young Glory had no time to lose.
He was rushing away when the two sailors barred his path, and one of them handled him somewhat roughly.
"Shiver me! you lubber, but you don't pass," he said.
"That's right, Bill, we don't allow murders on this ship."
"Stand aside!" cried Young Glory, hotly, "or it will be the worse for you. I must see Mr. Tyler instantly on a matter of life and death."
"Young Glory!" the two sailors cried.
"Yes, and now you know me, perhaps you will let me pass. If you have a complaint to make against me do so, and I shall know how to defend myself. You know where to find me when wanted, for I'm not likely to leave the ship."
The men let him go, and he tore along towards the cabin which Lieutenant Tyler was using.
Meanwhile, let us see what was happening below.
Manuel and Juan had not lost a moment.
They had hurried below, and passing rapidly around, had given the word to all their friends that the time had come to act.
Half a dozen Spaniards who had been assisting in the work of the ship collected together, so as to prevent any one getting near the magazine to render help. The officers took charge of the more dangerous end of the scheme.
It was necessary that they should do so. For they were the only prisoners who were allowed perfect freedom. The fact of their walking about would not alarm the sentries, and so strolling carelessly along in small groups, not less than six Spanish naval officers were within reach of the sentries who were guarding the magazine.
Manuel gave the signal.
It was a faint whistle, but quite audible to ears that had waited anxiously for the sound.
Each man knew what to do, for all the details were prearranged.
Juan sprang at the nearest sentry. Manuel dashed past him and flew at the throat of the second sentry.
Juan and another officer seized the first sentry without the least difficulty. The man was taken completely by surprise, and not being able to resist, he was instantly disarmed.
The second sentry gave more trouble.
He had had some time in which to resist the Spanish officers.
Swiftly he raised his rifle to his shoulder to shootdown his foes, but agile as a panther, Manuel sprang under the rifle, striking it up as he rose.
Bang!
The weapon exploded, but the shot did no harm.
Instantly three Spaniards threw themselves on the sentry, tearing his rifle from his hands, and taking his cutlass from his side.
"Hold him fast!" shouted Manuel, as he made for the magazine. "That shot will arouse the entire ship, and there is no time to be lost!"
"If they attack?"
"Shoot them down. Keep them in check for two minutes. That is all I ask!"
It was no time to waste in talking. If this desperate plot was to succeed, it must be carried out instantly. Already Manuel was at the magazine.
He took a key from his pocket.
"They've not changed the locks, so this must fit. Ah!" he said, as he inserted the key. "I thought so. Victory! Victory! We've played a bold game and won!"
Like lightning Manuel darted into the magazine, and without allowing a second to elapse he took a carefully prepared fuse from his pocket, lit it without delay, and placed it on a shelf, which was destitute of explosives.
"Now let them come!" he said, with a look of triumph on his swarthy face. "They must agree to my terms, or we'll die together."
There was a great rush outside.
The sailors had rushed from all parts, and some of the American officers had also been drawn to the spot.
"Treachery! Treachery!" cried the sailors.
"Shoot them down!" shouted an officer.
Instantly a dozen six-shooters were raised. A crisis had arrived. Then Juan stepped forward.
"One moment, gentlemen," said he, speaking very politely, and in soft tones. "You do not seem to understand the position of affairs."
"We know you are traitors."
Juan smiled.
"It is not worth arguing such a point. Let us get to business. You propose to kill us?"
"Unless you surrender at once."
"Senor, you don't understand how matters stand. We are not in your power; it is you who are in ours."
"What!"
A loud cry of derision burst forth.
"You do not believe me yet. I speak the truth. You may fire and kill me, but directly you do, there will be an end of you, your sailors and the ship."
"Absurd!"
"Not so, senor. My comrade is even now in the forward magazine. You know what a quantity of powder and gun-cotton is stored there. Very well, if you fire one shot he will blow up the ship."
This startling assertion caused intense surprise. Some were inclined to attach importance to it, and to accept it as true, but the great majority entirely refused to believe the Spaniard's statement.
"Faith, Don Juan, or whativer ye call yourself," cried Dan Daly, "it's to the marines ye must tell that yarn."
"And they wouldn't swallow it, Dan," retorted a marine, who was standing by.
"It is a fairy story you have given us," said an American officer.
"There's an easy way to determine it, senor."
"How?"
"Let one of your men step forward and see."
"Who would trust himself?"
"I give you my word," said Juan, hotly, "as an officer and a gentleman, that he will not be hurt, but he must come without arms."
"Shure, it's meself's the boy to do it!" cried Dan, handing his six-shooter and cutlass to a comrade as he spoke.
"You go at your own risk, Dan," said the officer; "nobody asks you to do so."
"Arrah, it's not a finger they'll lift against me! It's Young Glory would fix them for it if they did!"
Dan's faith in Young Glory was unbounded. He little knew how desperate his young friend's own position was at the moment he was speaking.
A buzz of admiration went round as the brave Irishman left his comrades, for there was no denying that it was a courageous act.
However, Dan walked boldly past the Spanish officer and the two disarmed sentries until he came to the magazine.
To find the door open astounded him, for he certainly had not believed one word that had been said.
"Now, do you believe, fellow?" asked Manuel.
"Seein's belavin', Yer Honor."
"Very well; go and tell your friends so."
Dan reached forward towards the fuse which was still burning.
"Lay a hand on that, and I kill you," said the Spaniard, savagely.
"Shure, an' it was only my pipe I was afther lightin'."
"Get out of this," answered Manuel, hotly. "I am in no humor for trifling."
"Well, boys, it's as true as gospel."
"You saw it, Dan?"
"Faith, yes, he's in the magazine, wid a great fuse lighted, an' shure it's mighty little between us and eternity."
Juan spoke again.
"I must see your captain," he said.
"For what?"
"To propose certain terms to him."
"He will refuse."
"Let him. At least, you have no right to do so for him. Recollect that my friend, Manuel, has you all in his power still."
"Senor, no one will harm you; you are free to pass to Lieutenant Tyler's room. I believe you know where it is."
"Yes."
Through the close ranks of the American seamen Juan threaded his way, smiling pleasantly at thescowling faces and threatening looks he saw on all sides of him.
"I can afford to smile," he said to himself, "for I hold all the tricks in my hand!"
Lieutenant Tyler knew what was happening.
He had been roused from sleep a few minutes before Juan made his appearance, and he was busily getting into such parts of his uniform as he had discarded before lying down.
"You are a bold man!" he said to Juan, "to present yourself to me on such a mission."
"I claim no credit for audacity, senor. The merit of the plot lies with my friend, Manuel."
"Well, what have you to say?"
"Very few words. The ship is in our power."
"Your treacherous comrade has obtained possession of the magazine, you mean?"
"It is the same thing. I will tell you my terms."
"Terms!"
"Yes, terms!" assured Juan, haughtily. "Every dog has his day, as I believe an English proverb says. It was yours yesterday. It is ours now. You must release the Spanish prisoners."
"Never!"
"And hand back the ship," Juan went on, without noticing the interruption, "to Captain Moret."
"And if I decline?"
"I make the same answer as I made just now. We shall blow up the ship. If we can't obtain our cruiser again, at least we can prevent it from being of any use to you, and we will sacrifice our lives gladly for such a purpose."
"This is insanity."
"Call it what you please, senor. I call it patriotism."
The responsibility now thrown on Lieutenant Tyler was great, and he had but a short time in which to decide, for Manuel told him he was to hasten matters.
Up and down the room strode the lieutenant.
"Surrender the ship!" he muttered. "An eternal disgrace if I do, and death for all if I don't. What am I to do? This is terrible, terrible!"
"You answer, senor. Be quick!"
"I am in your power. You have broken your words, given as officers and gentlemen——"
"All is fair in war."
"And," continued the lieutenant, "by foul treachery you have gained an advantage. I cannot doom all my men to death. Senor, I must——"
"Refuse your terms!" cried a familiar voice, as the door was thrust open, and without a particle of respect Young Glory rushed in.
"One word and I'll kill you!" shouted the boy, as he held a pistol at Juan.
Lieutenant Tyler and Juan were both amazed.
"May I speak?" asked the latter, insolently.
"Yes, so long as you make no noise."
"My young friend, I have made a great error. I really believed that Lieutenant Tyler commanded this ship. I must ask pardon for the mistake into which I have fallen—I must indeed."
"Sir, I hope you don't suppose me guilty of any disrespect," asked Young Glory of the lieutenant.
"No, no, but I am surprised."
"I must excuse myself, sir. I heard what had taken place before on my way here. I saw this man enter, and I have listened to all that has been said."
"Eavesdropping is a habit of yours!" sneered Juan.
"For which your friend thought to punish me, but found out his mistake. I threw him over to the fishes," said Young Glory, coolly.
"Wretch! I will avenge him," cried Juan.
"Quiet! quiet," said Young Glory, calmly, pointing very significantly to his six-shooter, "you seem to forget that you are in great danger."
"I am in none," answered Juan, instantly. "Lieutenant Tyler, this farce must end. My comrades will be impatient for my return. You were about to give an answer when this fellow thrust himself in."
"Yes, yes," said the lieutenant, sadly. "There is no escape, Young Glory. This man—traitor as he is—has the right to exact terms from me."
"No."
"How? you say no, Young Glory?"
"I do, and I will show you why, sir. Leave him to me. I will deal with him. Do you give me power, sir? You may trust me."
"Do what you like, Young Glory."
"Saved! saved!" cried the boy.
Instantly he sprang on Juan. The latter thought he was about to be killed.
"You have no right to slay me. I came here under a safe conduct. This is infamous!"
"Senor, you will not be hurt. Now, to business. Strip that uniform off you quickly!"
"You insult me."
"Off with it, or I will tear it from your back!"
Young Glory seized the officer's tunic, and tore open the front of it.
"It must be, sir," he said to Lieutenant Tyler, who watched these extraordinary proceedings in silence. "Stand guard over him, sir. Compel him instantly to do what I have said, for we have no time to lose."
As the Spaniard was stripped of his naval uniform, instantly Young Glory put it on.
"I shall take back your answer," he said to Mr. Tyler.
"You!"
"Yes, sir. Why not?"
"You will be killed, or they will know there has been treachery, and that will ruin us!"
"They will not know me, sir. They will take me for this Spaniard. We are of the same height, and in the semi-darkness, near the magazine, I shall pass through."
"But you are sure to be discovered when you reach Manuel, this officer's friend."
"Certain," said Juan.
"That may be, but by that time my work will be done. I shall have no fear of Manuel."
"Beggar!" cried Juan; "we shall see!"
"Oh, no, you don't!" exclaimed Young Glory, as Juan was slipping out of the cabin. "Here you stay until the work is through."
"I will guard him."
"No, sir, you must come with me."
"With you, Young Glory? Why is that?"
"Because it will seem as if you have given way. When you hear what I say you will know the reason, and agree with me, sir."
"But this is all treacherous."
"Traitors must be fought with their own weapons, sir," answered Young Glory, sternly, as he and Lieutenant Tyler left the cabin.
Juan laughed mockingly as the door closed on him.
"He thinks you will fail, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler, "and I think the same."
"Let us wait."
The news that Juan was returning speedily circulated. All heads were turned in his direction. Mr. Tyler was some yards behind, having kept at a distance, to better assist Young Glory in carrying out his plans.
"Well?" was the question. "Did you bluff the lieutenant?"
"I don't know about bluffing," was Young Glory's answer, delivered in haughty tones. "All I know is that he accepted the terms I offered. He could do nothing else."
"Faith, an' it's meself that's sorry."
"You wanted to be blown up?" asked Young Glory, quickly.
"It's betther than givin' up the ship, senor," answered Dan Daly.
"Good!" muttered Young Glory. "I shall succeed now, for even Dan Daly doesn't recognize me."
"He gives way!"
"Yes, yes," answered Young Glory, in Spanish.
"Come and tell me all about it."
"I am coming, Manuel."
"But the captain of this ship, where is he? He must hand it over to us instantly. Let the sailors give up their arms!"
"I will talk to you of all these details, Manuel."
"But where is the captain?" cried Manuel, impatiently.
"Here! He will come forward as soon as you and I have fixed things up."
"Lieutenant Tyler!" shouted Manuel.
"Yes, senor, I am here!"
"Good!"
At this moment Young Glory joined him.
"Confess," said Manuel, in triumphant tones, "that it was a great plan of mine!"
Young Glory was silent.
"What! Too jealous to speak! Be honest and admit that I'm a genius!"
"A scoundrel!" cried Young Glory, hotly. "A villainous traitor!"
"Ah! What's this?"
"You're getting your deserts, you wretch!" shouted Young Glory, seizing him instantly, and grappling with him.
"Help! Help!" cried the Spaniard.
Lieutenant Tyler heard the noise, and he had a suspicion what it meant. He rushed to the front through the men.
"Forward, lads," he shouted, waving his sword in the air, "or Young Glory will be killed, and the ship will be blown up!"
"Back! Back!" cried some of the Spanish officers, as the men were advancing. "You are sealing your own doom!"
Bang! Bang!
Shots were interchanged now, and undeterred by what they had heard the sailors pressed forward.
Meanwhile, Young Glory and Manuel were engaged in a deadly struggle. Each man had been trying, without success, to draw a pistol from his belt, and as they could not do so they reeled from one side to another, locked in each other's arms.
"You cannot avert your doom!" hissed Young Glory. "Listen! the sailors are rushing to the rescue."
"I can take you with me."
Quick as lightning Manuel thrust forth his hand towards the burning fuse which Young Glory had not previously noticed.
"Ha, ha!" laughed Manuel, fiendishly, as his fingers grasped it. "We all go together."
There was a great heap of powder lying in the far corner of the magazine, a striking testimony to the carelessness of the Spanish officers.
Without a moment's hesitation Manuel hurled the still lighted fuse towards this powder.
A cold chill ran through Young Glory at this murderous act.
By a supreme effort he tore himself loose, and with one blow of his fist he struck Manuel to the ground.
Then past him he sprang towards the fuse, and with a great leap he landed with both feet on the fuse.
"Saved!" he cried, perceiving that the fuse had fallen a few inches from the powder.
"Not yet!" shouted Manuel.
The Spaniard was on his feet again, and was coming at Young Glory. He had a dagger in his hand, and on his face was the look of a wild animal.
Young Glory was unarmed now, and it seemed as if he was a doomed man.
"There is time to kill him, or to fire the ship yet!" muttered Manuel as he dashed forward.
The fuse was extinct, so there was no danger from that. Young Glory stood ready to spring aside when Manuel made his attack, for it was his only chance.
"This time you shall die!" hissed Manuel, glaring at his enemy.
Young Glory saw the weapon flash in the air, and as it descended he jumped out of the way. It was only safety for a moment though, for Manuel, agileas a cat, turned on him and with the speed of lightning thrust again.
There was a rush of feet.
"Young Glory! Young Glory!"
"Here!"
Bang!
Dan Daly, pistol in hand, had reached the magazine just in time to save Young Glory. He saw the Spaniard in the act of stabbing the brave young sailor, and instantly he raised his six-shooter and fired.
Manuel was struck by the bullet between the shoulders. He staggered wildly, threw up his hands, dropping his stilletto as he did so, and then sank on the floor of the magazine.
When they went to him they found he was dead.
The ship was saved.
Thanks to Young Glory, the plot of the Spanish officers was defeated.
It may be imagined how heartily Lieutenant Tyler thanked the young hero, and also how grateful Young Glory was to Dan Daly for the shot that disposed of Manuel.
Henceforth, the Spanish officers were treated the same as the men. They had shown that they were not to be trusted, and for security's sake they were held as prisoners.
"So you didn't know me, Dan?"
"Faith, no, why it's a great detective ye'd be afther making."
"It was easy work, Dan. Well, we've had a hot time of it lately. I suppose we'll run now to Key West without a hitch."
"Shure, an' I hope not. It's the beautiful ship we have now. If we're afther meetin' a Spaniard it's a great time we'll be havin'."
"You'll be disappointed, Dan. Spanish ships are tired of showing themselves in these waters."
It seemed as if Young Glory was right.
The time passed, and though a good lookout was kept, not one of the enemy's fleet hove in sight.
The Cristobal Colon was running along the northern coast of Cuba now. Since she had parted with the gun-boat she had seen nothing of the latter. No doubt the Nashville was on its way to Key West.
The third day from Porto Rico found the cruiser lying off Mulas. The island jutted out prominently here, and the water being deep, the prize steamed along close in to shore.
"What's that?" asked Dan.
"A town, to be sure."
"An' it's a quare flag that's flying!"
"It's the Cuban flag. All this coast is in the hands of the insurgents."
"More power to them!"
"So say I, but what are we doing?"
"Running in to shore, Young Glory, though it's meself can't say why."
"It's water we want," said Lieutenant Tyler. "There's a good landing place here, deep water, and water, too, and as the town is in the hands of the insurgents, it's too good a chance to lose. Put her right in," he cried. "We run no risk."
The seamen were delighted at the prospect. Very few of them had stepped on dry land for many weeks, and it seemed certain that they would have a few hours ashore at any rate.
"The patriots will be delighted when they find we've taken the Spanish cruiser, sir."
"I expect they know it. This boat's a different build to anything in our navy."
Boom! At this point a gun was fired from shore.
"Giving us a salute!" cried a young officer.
"Of a kind I don't like," answered the lieutenant in a sharp tone. "Salutes are all very well, but not when given in the form of a shell."
The cruiser replied by firing one of its saluting guns.
"No doubt a mistake," was the lieutenant's comment, "but very careless not to know that the gun was shotted."
Boom!
There was a furious shout on the cruiser now. For another gun was fired, and this time a great shell passed over the deck, landing in the water about three hundred yards away.
"No mistake this time!" cried Young Glory, savagely.
"Must be. Up with our colors. Show them another American flag. Then there can't be any excuse."
Up went the Stars and Stripes, amid the cheers of the sailors.
The instant it did the firing on shore began in real earnest.
A number of masked batteries opened fire on the cruiser, and shot and shell flew to the right and left of it.
Lieutenant Tyler was beside himself with rage.
What did it mean?
"It's a trap, sir, and we've fallen into it," said Young Glory. "That town is in Spanish hands, and the Cuban flag was run up to deceive us."
"Open fire, lads!" cried Mr. Tyler. "We'll show them that two can play at that game."
Crash!
"The ship's aground!"
This was the cry now, and it turned out to be true.
The Cristobal Colon was on a shoal.
Boom! Boom!
Her guns were being fired furiously, but Lieutenant Tyler saw with a face of concern that the shore batteries were situated at such a height, that it was quite impossible for him to train his guns on them.
Meanwhile, there the cruiser stuck, a target for the enemy to practice upon.
The engines were reversed. It was no good. The bottom of the cruiser was embedded in a bank of sand, and it was quite immovable.
The men were aghast.
"They'll come out and board us!" said one.
"Shure, it's not such fools they'll be."
"Why not, Dan?"
"Because they've all day to fire at us. Begorra, it's sunk we'll be."
"We can't get off, Young Glory," said Mr. Tyler to the young sailor.
"So I see, sir. But we shall."
"Not for two hours."
"Two hours, sir?"
"Yes, the tide's flowing now. I estimate in two hours' time there'll be enough depth of water to float us off that bank."
"If we're here to be floated," answered Young Glory, gloomily.
"That is so. A shot may send us to the bottom at any time."
"It's a case for desperate measures, sir."
"Desperate! I see nothing."
"Sir, let us land and storm the batteries."
"What! with our small force?"
"Enough, sir, if we take them all."
"And the ship, Young Glory?"
"The men are not wanted here, sir. It's useless working the guns, because we can't do any damage with them, and the Spaniards won't attempt to board us."
"It must be done. There's nothing else left."
Mr. Tyler shouted forth his orders. All was excitement now. When the men knew what decision had been come to they were delighted, for desperate though the undertaking appeared to be, it was better than staying on the ship to be sunk with it.
On the weather side of the ship the boats were manned.
Lieut. Tyler, in person, led the attack, and his forces counted, all told, about one hundred and fifty men.
"A handful," said Young Glory.
"Maybe," said Dan, laughing, "but, begorra! the hand isn't made that'll squeeze us."
The Spaniards, strangely enough, made no effort to oppose the landing. Probably they thought the prey so easy of capture that they wished to tackle them at close quarters. Not a shot was fired as the boats rowed towards the shore.
"This means an ambush," said Young Glory.
Mr. Tyler thought the same, and he was actively on the alert.
The boats were drawn up on the beach, and the men were so eager to get to close quarters with the enemy that they dashed at a furious pace towards the steep and rugged path that led to the batteries.
Young Glory was at their head. Dan was a few paces behind him.
Suddenly, from a wood to the left dashed a body of Spanish soldiers, over a hundred strong, and at the same time nearly two hundred of the enemy came rushing down the hill to the right.
"Between two fires!" cried Young Glory.
Round he glanced quickly, and as he did so, he saw not far away a number of great rocks, forming almost a semi-circle, with the sea in the rear.
"Forward, lads!" he shouted loudly.
The men dashed after him, Mr. Tyler in vain trying to check them.
It looked as if Young Glory was about to charge the great force that was rushing down the hill, but such was not Young Glory's intention. The Spaniards speedily discovered what his plan was. Then a mad race took place to see which party should first arrive at the group of rocks.
"We are safe, sir!" cried Young Glory breathlessly, as he and his comrades reached the haven.
"Yes, it's a natural fortress. We can hold out against five hundred men. Let them have it, lads!"
"It's hail Columbia we'll give them!"
Hurrah! Crack! Crack!
The sailors fired furiously now. The Spaniards fell at every shot. But they did not retreat. Instead of doing so the two forces joined, and together they came with a mad rush at the rocks, behind which stood the seamen, awaiting the enemy's attack.
"Don't waste a shot now!" cried Mr. Tyler, and his men waited till the enemy were quite near.
Then a terrific volley was poured forth. Not less than thirty men fell, but their comrades came on just the same. Crack! Crack!
Again the seamen fired, and then such of the Spaniards as survived bounded like deer at the rocks, trying to scale them.
It was a hand to hand fight now, in which the advantage lay almost entirely with the defenders.
The cutlass and pistol did great work at close quarters.
Not more than ten Spaniards got inside the inclosure, and they never got out again.
Dan was fighting furiously by Young Glory's side, and the two men seemed to bear charmed lives.
"Kill that yellow-haired dog!" cried a voice in the Spanish ranks; "it's Young Glory!"
Young Glory!
How savagely the Spaniards echoed the name.
"One thousand dollars to the man who kills him!" shouted the same voice.
And then a dozen men, burning to be able to claim the reward, sprang at the rock behind which Young Glory stood.