Under The Star Spangled Banner Part 29

[Ill.u.s.tration: "HAL AND GERALD RAN TO THE AFTER GUN."]

"Stand ready there to heave them a line," he shouted from the bridge.

"Now, I am going across her bows."

He placed his mouth to the speaking-tube and called to his engineer to cut off steam, while, with a wave of his arm, he directed his quartermaster to steer the gunboat close beside the _Winslow_. As he did so, a storm of shot and sh.e.l.l came spluttering around, churning the water up as if huge hailstones were falling into it. It was a most exciting moment, and to those who were watching from the deck of the _Wilmington_ it appeared that all aboard the two boats must be doomed, so close was the range at which the Spaniards were firing, and so heavy the bombardment to which both the Americans were subjected.

More than once was the line thrown, but it failed to reach. Then, as the _Hudson_ struggled manfully to get nearer, she, too, became almost unmanageable in the shallow water, rocking violently, and churning the sea into foam with the frantic revolutions of her propeller.

Bang! Boom! Smash! The sounds seemed to swallow her up, while the patter of bullets beat a loud and unceasing tattoo on her deck and sides.

Crash! A sh.e.l.l had struck the rail close beside the gun at which Hal and Gerald were helping, and, exploding with a violent concussion, threw them to the deck. But they were uninjured, and at once sprang to their feet again.

At this moment a more fortunate throw of the line reached the stranded _Winslow_, and a cable was rapidly pa.s.sed from the _Hudson_ to her consort, and made fast. Then, putting up her helm, she steamed away at full speed, towing the wrecked gunboat after her till both were out of range. And all the while the stern gun on the deck of the _Hudson_ growled a reply in sharp and angry snaps, while the sh.e.l.ls from the _Wilmington's_ big pieces roared and screeched overhead, in many cases to fall upon the stone quay, and injure it and the gunboats flying the Spanish flag.

"Guess that that is a bad business," said Lieutenant Billing. "Those fellows have just pitched into us and knocked us about sadly. Jove, sir, but we'll give it to them next time!"

It was, indeed, a reverse for the American navy, but a very slight one, for which the distinguished gallantry of the _Hudson_ and _Winslow_ more than compensated.

"I never thought it possible for men to live through such a storm of sh.e.l.l," said Hal. "At any other time I should have been in a blue funk, but there was so much to do that I had not time to think."

"That's it," agreed Gerald. "When we ran to the gun, the crew, or part of it, had gone farther aft to heave the line, so that our help was badly wanted. Then, what with handing sh.e.l.l, and watching to see what luck we had in hitting the Dons, I hadn't time for anything else. But it was warm! I say, Hal, old boy, fetch me a gla.s.s of water. I feel rather done."

To Hal's astonishment, Gerald suddenly sat down upon a twisted rope fender, and turned deathly pale.

"What's the matter? What has happened?" demanded Hal anxiously. "Are you hit, or are you simply shaken by the excitement?"

"I'm hit--in here." Gerald bit his lips to suppress a groan, and pointed to his side. Then, to his friend's consternation, he fainted dead away.

"What is this? The youngster gone off! Been upset by the fighting and noise?" asked Lieutenant Billing, hurrying up.

"No, I fear he's wounded," Hal exclaimed. "Somewhere in the side, I fancy."

They ran to Gerald's help, and while Hal held his head on his arm, the lieutenant tore his coat open.

"A bit of sh.e.l.l struck him," he said quietly. "No wonder he feels queer.

Say, one of you men, drop below and bring up a basin of warm water and some dressings. Another of you hop along to the steward and get some spirits."

He seemed to know exactly what to do, and, as soon as the things were brought, poured some brandy into a tumbler, and, adding a little water, emptied the contents in small quant.i.ties at a time down Gerald's throat.

Then he ripped the shirt open, and exposed an ugly gash over the ribs.

"Guess one or more are broken," he said. "I don't profess to be a doctor, but I should say that it's nothing out of the way. The loss of blood has caused him to faint. Now, then, along with the basin."

He took a piece of lint, and utilizing it as a sponge, bathed the wound.

Then he applied dressings and a bandage. By this time Gerald was showing signs of regaining consciousness; he was promptly carried to a bunk, Hal remaining by his side.

Meanwhile the _Hudson_ and her consorts were running out of the bay, through the narrow and dangerous channel. They left the town of Cardenas in disorder, fires having broken out in some of the buildings. Outside the barrier they hove to, and the wounded and killed, numbering six in all, were then transferred from the _Winslow_ to the _Hudson_.

"We're off to Key West, in Florida," said the lieutenant, coming down to speak to Hal. "How's the youngster?"

"Better, I'm thankful to say," was the answer. "He is conscious, and can speak, but I've ordered him to be silent."

"That is the best way, I reckon. Keep him so till we can get him to hospital. That'll be by daybreak to-morrow."

Running at full steam, the _Hudson_ made light of the journey to Florida, and early on the following morning Gerald was slung into a launch and conveyed ash.o.r.e. Hal accompanied him, and having handed him over to the tender care of a nurse, sauntered into the town. Flags were flying everywhere, and the streets were thronged with townspeople and shipping folk, all of them wearing miniature American flags in their b.u.t.tonholes.

"What has occurred to cause all the excitement?" Hal asked of a man who was seated outside a restaurant.

"And don't yer know?" was the astonished answer. "Reckon America has knocked spots off the Dons. Why, it aer more'n a week old. Here, look thur, and you'll allow as there's reason to get a small piece uppish."

He tossed a paper across to Hal, and began to sip his coffee. Hal opened the sheets of closely printed matter, and found a complete page given up to one subject. Across the top, in big, bold type, was printed, "Glorious Victory! Dewey annihilates the Spanish fleet at the Philippines! The battle of Manila! Full details! Wonderful gallantry displayed by the enemy! Small American losses!"

Instantly his attention was riveted, and he read the article from beginning to end.

That there should have been fighting at such a distance from America he fully expected, for Spain possessed the Philippine Islands, which lie in the neighborhood of Hong-Kong, and indeed had held them for not less than three centuries, during which period she had made a rich harvest out of them. When war commenced, an American fleet under Admiral Dewey had been lying in Mirs Bay, close to Hong-Kong; while Montojo, the Spanish commodore, was cruising close to the islands. Evidently they had met, and the newspaper had a description of the battle. Hal ran his eye rapidly down the columns of print.

"A glorious victory has been won for our nation this day, the 1st of May," he read. "Admiral Dewey, who, with his fleet of four cruisers, two gunboats, a dispatch boat, and store ships, has been lying snugly in Mirs Bay, awaiting events, sailed from his anchorage on Wednesday, April 27th, and arrived off Manila Bay on the 30th.

"The Spanish admiral had barely entered, having cruised up to Subic Bay to examine its defenses. Following in his wake, Dewey boldly steamed into Manila Bay, which, as our readers will doubtless know, is some thirty miles wide. It was a night of intense excitement. Not an unnecessary sound was made, the engines worked at their slowest, and every light was masked. Breathless with longing to be up and doing, and yet held quiet and still by love for their country, the crews, grouped round their guns, waited for something to occur.

"Like a column of ghosts the mighty battleships, cruisers, and gunboats forged ahead, a line of a mile and a half in length, at least. Led by the _Olympia_, the flagship, they entered the deep channel and steamed steadily past Corregidor Island. Not a sound broke the stillness; not a light was to be seen. One, two, three fine ships stole by, and yet there was no alarm. Were the Spaniards dozing? Hark! What was that?

"Another and yet another of Dewey's ships pa.s.sed the forts. The sixth, the _Boston_, was abreast, when suddenly the darkness was cleft in twain by a mighty flash, while a loud report echoed from the island.

"'Ah, that aer more like it!' exclaimed the lads. 'That'll relieve the suspense. Swish! Aint that a sh.e.l.l?'"

"It was indeed a big sh.e.l.l, but it whizzed harmlessly overhead, to be answered next moment by the guns of the _Raleigh_, _Concord_, and _Boston_. Unscathed, with not so much as a rope shot away, the fleet pushed into the bay, and, turning northeast, steamed at a pace only just sufficient to maintain steerage way. Hour succeeded hour, and, instead of lessening, the excitement became even more intense. The men were ordered to sleep beside their guns, but who of them could be expected to obey? It was a physical impossibility. They lay on the hard decks, perspiring in the heat, and maintaining for the most part a grim silence.

"At last, when a weary age seemed to have pa.s.sed, the east suddenly flushed rosy red in the light of another dawn, the last that many a poor Spaniard was to see. As the daylight grew, the distant coast-line, rocky headlands, and gorgeous patches of fresh green rose up out of the mist.

Then, away in front, the town of Manila came into view, and a gasp of astonished delight burst from the American crews, for there was the enemy's fleet, part drawn up across the entrance of Cavite Bay, and under easy steam, while the remainder were moored farther in.

"Still, not a sound broke the silence, save the gentle, half-mournful throb, throb of the engines. Grimly, steadily, and with earnest purpose, the fleet, led by Admiral Dewey, bore down upon the enemy--the spangled banner that we love floating slowly in the tropical breeze.

"Clinkety-clink! the engine dials rang out eight knots ahead, and away steamed our vessels straight for the Spaniards. Boom! boom! Splash! The water of the harbor boiled in foam, and rose in an enormous pinnacle dead ahead of the _Olympia_, and then subsided as the ship rode proudly on, for the Dons had exploded their only mines unsuccessfully. Still not a sound, save that monotonous throb, throb. At last a gun report was heard, then another, and within a minute the Spanish ships were all engaging our fleet, their sh.e.l.ls hurtling and buzzing everywhere. And from the Americans as yet not so much as a shout. But there is a limit to human patience. A burly giant, stripped to the waist, climbed on to the mounting of the big gun in the stern of the admiral's ship, and, waving his cap, shouted, 'Boys, remember the _Maine_!' It acted like magic. The shout was taken up from end to end of the fleet, and seemed to spur the admiral on to action, for a minute later the big turret guns thundered, and were very quickly followed by a perfect hurricane of sh.e.l.l. Shifting his course, the commodore turned, and, followed by his consorts, moved down the whole length of the Spanish line. Then he steamed back again, using his other guns.

"Five times did he traverse the line, drawing nearer every time. Two hours had pa.s.sed like so many minutes, and by that time every Spanish ship was ablaze, and sinking or deserted by her crew. Then the fleet drew away, and, it is reported, steamed to Cavite, where the a.r.s.enals and shipping were destroyed.

"The Spaniards are said to have fought with heroic courage, and to have manned old and obsolete ships armed with useless guns. This would appear to be correct, for our losses amount to eight wounded, while one man died of heat-stroke. The Spaniards are said to have suffered very severely.

"Further particulars are expected every moment, but what has already reached us across the wires is sufficient to show that Dewey has crushed the naval power of Spain in the Philippines.

"Let us hope that the war is already at an end in that quarter of the globe."

"Phew! what a victory!" said Hal, lifting his eyes from the paper.

CHAPTER XVIII