Elsie's Young Folks in Peace and War Page 7

  CHAPTER VII.

  Max Raymond, buried in thought, was pacing the deck of the _Olympia_.

  "Hello, Raymond, have you heard the news?" asked a fellow officer,hurrying toward him in evident excitement.

  "No; what is it? News from home?" asked Max, pausing in his walk with alook of eager interest.

  "Just that. The commodore has had a warning to leave Hong-Kong. Warhas been declared by our government, and Great Britain has issueda proclamation of neutrality. The official warning comes from theauthorities here."

  "Ah!" exclaimed Max, "I knew--we all knew--that it would come soon. Itis well the commodore has had all our vessels put in war paint, andevery preparation made for departure upon short notice."

  "Yes; Commodore Dewey is a wise man and officer. I'm glad he's atthe head of affairs in this fleet. It looks as if we would have somefighting soon, Raymond."

  "Yes, Dale, and it behooves us to be prepared for wounds or death. Weare about to fight in a good cause, I think--for the freedom of thepoor, oppressed, downtrodden Cubans. But where are we to go now, do youknow?"

  "Only that it must be out of this harbor quite promptly. It can hardlybe to travel the seven thousand miles back to San Francisco."

  They were not kept long in suspense. Presently, anchors were taken up,and with bands playing and flags flying the fleet of vessels steamedout of the harbor, while the British residents of the city crowded thequay and shipping, cheering and saluting the Americans as the warshipspassed. That first voyage of the squadron was but a short one, a fewmiles up the coast to Mirs Bay, a Chinese harbor, where they anchoredand awaited orders from home, the _McCulloch_ having been left behindto bring them when they should arrive. The next day she came, bringingthis message, dated Washington, April 24:

  "DEWEY, Asiatic Squadron: War has commenced between the United States and Spain. Proceed at once to Philippine Islands. Commence operations at once, particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture the vessels or destroy. Use utmost endeavors."

  "LONG."

  This message was what Commodore Dewey had been waiting for since hisarrival at Hong-Kong in January. He had formed his plans, and wasready to carry them out without delay. His captains were called to ashort conference, and about midnight the fleet sailed on its errandof battle. They turned south toward the Philippine Islands, 620 milesaway. The nearest United States port was San Francisco, 7000 milesdistant. No neutral power would permit him to take more than enoughof coal to carry his vessels home by the most direct route, so thatthere was but one course open to Dewey and his fleet--the capturing ofa Spanish harbor somewhere in Asiatic waters, which he could make anaval base. One of Dewey's ships--the _Petrel_--was slow, and as thefleet of vessels must keep together, that delayed them. It was threedays before they reached the line of coast of the Island of Luzon. Itwas reported that the enemy might be found in Subig Bay, so that wascarefully reconnoitred, but the Spanish were not there; the fishermenabout the harbor said they had seen no Spanish fleet, and though everynook and corner of the bay was examined, not so much as a gunboat couldbe found. So the American fleet passed on to Manila, 30 miles away.

  It seemed evident that the Spaniards had chosen that station becausethere they would have the aid of shore batteries. It is said thattheir ships were comparatively antiquated, but not so much so as tomake their defeat at all certain. Their guns were as good as those ofthe American ships, and they had more of them: to Dewey's six fightingships Admiral Montojo had ten, and two torpedo boats besides. TheSpaniards had no vessel to rank with the _Olympia_, but the numbers oftheir vessels, it might have been expected, would probably, in skilledhands, have more than made up for that. The Americans had the advantagein batteries, but not overwhelmingly. The _McCulloch_ did not go intoaction at all, and the Spanish torpedo boats were sunk before theirguns would bear. The Americans were greatly superior in everything thatgoes to win victory; but that they did not know until the fight hadbeen going on for some time; and as Commodore Dewey led his fleet alongthe coast of Luzon, toward the harbor where he knew the enemy lay inwait for them, he had nothing less than a desperate battle to expect.The Americans were brave; we know of no cowardice among them, but tothe thoughtful ones--Max Raymond among them--it was a solemn reflectionthat they might be nearing mutilation and sudden, painful death. TheSpanish ships were anchored in a harbor protected by shore batteries.To reach them the Americans must pass down a channel sixteen mileslong, guarded on each side by powerful forts armed with modern guns;and it was to be expected that it held many mines prepared to blow upour vessels.

  Knowing all these things, Commodore Dewey, his officers, and his menmust have been expecting a hard fight, with no certainty of winningthe victory. There was probably but little sleep on board the vesselthat night. About ten o'clock Saturday night the men were sent to theirstations for battle.

  Max had spent some leisure time in writing to the dear ones in hishome, and the still dearer one pledged to become his wife, tellingjust where he was and the prospect immediately before him, expressinghis hope that all would go well with the Americans--now championingthe cause of the poor, oppressed Cubans and of these downtroddenFilipinos--and that he would be able to write further after theconflict ended, should he pass safely through it; but if he should bekilled or seriously wounded, doubtless the news would reach them in dueseason, and they must think of him as having fallen in a good cause,hoping to meet them all in a better land.

  A little before that, the commodore was walking back and forth on thestarboard side of the upper deck, when he noticed an old sailor whoseemed to be trying to find something to do on the port side. He wasa man who had been forty years in the service of the navy and army ofthe United States, and was a privileged character on the _Olympia_. Heseemed to be keeping a careful lookout on the commodore, who noticed itand perceived that he had something on his mind.

  "Well, Purdy, what is it?" he asked.

  Purdy straightened up and saluted. "I hope, sir," he said, "ye don'tintend to fight on the 3d of May."

  "And why not?" asked the commodore.

  "Well, ye see, sir," Purdy replied, in the most serious manner, "thelast time I fought on the 3d of May I got licked--at the battle ofChancellorsville, under Fighting Joe Hooker."

  "All right, Purdy, we won't fight on the 3d of May this time," said thecommodore; "but when we do fight, Purdy, you'll have a different kindof a May anniversary to think about. Remember that, Purdy."

  "Ay, ay, sir," replied Purdy, saluting, then hurrying away to rejoinhis blue jacket comrades, whom he told, "We'll lick those Spaniards ifthey was ten times as many as they are."

  The moon was in its first quarter, and though often veiled by cloudsits light might enable the Spaniards on the fortified points here andthere to perceive the stealthy approach of their foe. Max, on the watchwith others, overheard the commodore say, as they neared the openingbetween Mariveles and the Island of Corregidor, "We ought to hear fromthis battery about now."

  But its guns were silent. They went on two miles further withoutperceiving any evidence that the Spaniards were awake and aware oftheir approach.

  "They seem far from alert and watchful," Max presently remarked. But atthat moment a bright light was thrown on the Point, an answering onewas seen on the island, as if they were signalling each other, then arocket soared up from the centre of Corregidor, and the commodore said,"It has taken them a long time to wake up, but probably they will makeit all the hotter for us when they begin."

  Day had not yet dawned when they reached the mouth of Manila Bay.They did not stop to reconnoitre, but pressed on at once, running thegantlet of batteries and concealed mines without waiting for daylightto make it easier.

  They waited a little for the setting of the moon, then went on insingle file, the _Olympia_ leading and the _McCulloch_ bringing up therear, and with no lights except one lantern at the stern of each shipfor the next to steer by.

  A great light marked the entrance to the harbor, gleaming in thedarkness a
s though to welcome the gray ships stealing so quietly in,as if to come suddenly and unexpectedly upon their prey. The fortswere as silent as though all their defenders were asleep or dead. Thatwas a wonder to the Americans, for the rush of their vessels throughthe water seemed to make a sound that might be heard by the enemy,and every moment they expected it to attract their attention; and soanxious were they to pass unnoticed, that they spoke to each other inwhispers, and moved about with muffled tread. They were in momentaryexpectation of a cannon shot or the explosion of a mine that mightrend the plates of some one of their ships; but nothing of either kindoccurred, until the last ship in the procession--the _McCulloch_--gavethe first alarm. Coal was flung on her furnace, and a red flame flaredup, lighting up the waters and the rigging of the ship itself and ofthose ahead. All the men on the fleet turned expectantly toward thebatteries on the land, thinking that shots would certainly come now.But all was silence there. Again and again the unlucky beacon flared,and after the third time it was noticed by the flash of a gun on a rockcalled El Fraile. But the aim was not good, and the shot did not strikeany of our vessels. The _Concord_ fired in return, and cannon roaredfrom the _Boston_, the _McCulloch_, and again from the _Concord_, butthe _Olympia_ and other big ships passed on in silent dignity.

  The commodore was standing on the bridge of the _Olympia_, piloting hisfleet, and the shot from El Fraile had given him a clear idea of howthe shore lay. And now, having passed that battery, all the defencesof the harbor's mouth were left behind, and excepting mines that mightlie concealed under the water there was no further danger to meet untilthey should reach the city with its forts at Cavite.

  As the ship steamed on up the bay, Max and Dale standing together ondeck fell into conversation.

  "What ails these Spaniards?" queried Dale. "I, for one, expectednothing less than a severe fight at the very mouth of this bay, butthey have let us come in and on up toward their city almost unnoticed.The strait where we came in is only about five miles wide, and brokenby three islands, all fortified, and armed with Krupp guns. And on themainland there are two forts--one on each side--which, as I have beentold, are armed with steel rifled cannon."

  "Yes," said Max, "and we passed them all within easy range, andreceived only ineffective fire from one battery. But this is only thebeginning; at any minute we may come in contact with a mine in thechannel which will explode, or an electric mine may be discharged in away to work us serious mischief."

  "True enough," said Dale; "and it behooves us to be ready for theworst. There will probably be men killed and wounded on both sides."

  "Yes," sighed Max; "war is an awful thing; but in this instance rightis on our side, because we have undertaken the cause of the oppressed.And," he added with an effort, "if we have made our peace with God--arebelieving in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusting in his perfectrighteousness--death will be no calamity to us; and if we are wounded,no matter how painfully, he will give us strength to bear it."

  "I do not doubt it," said Dale; "nor that you are in that state ofpreparation, Raymond. I hope I am also; and that being the case, wesurely can go bravely on to meet whatever awaits us."

  "I hope so," said Max, "and believing, as I do, that we are in theright, I have a strong hope that God will give us the victory."

  "Ah, see!" cried a voice near them, "yonder are the Spanish ships,lying at anchor under the batteries at Cavite."

  "Yes," said another, "and there is the old town of Manila, with its lowclustering roofs and towering cathedral."

  Men crowded to the best points from which to obtain a good view, andstood in silence gazing upon it. Max had a glass, and looking throughit could see the roofs and quays of the city crowded with spectators.Evidently the engagement with the battery at El Fraile had been heardand had alarmed the city.

  Dewey had planned for a prompt fight, but did not intend to have hismen go into it hungry; and now some of his sailors were passing up anddown distributing cups of hot coffee and biscuits.

  That duly attended to, signals fluttered from the gaff, black ballswere run up to every peak on all the vessels, and, breaking out,displayed the great battle flags. At that, some nine-inch guns on FortLunette were fired--without doing any damage--and the American vesselssuddenly moved on to closer quarters.

  "Hold your fire!" was the order from the flagship, and two shots fromthe _Concord_ was the only answer given to the forts. Onward the fleetsped toward that of the Spaniards, which was silent also. Suddenlythere was a muffled roar, and a great volume of mud and water wasthrown into the air right before the flagship, showing that the dreadedmines were near. In an instant there was another explosion, but neitherdid any harm; and they were all our men saw of the Spanish explosivesof that sort.

  Now the fleet was nearing the enemy. On the _Olympia's_ bridge stoodCommodore Dewey, with Captain Gridley and Flag-captain Lamberton at hisside. The Spanish ships now joined the forts in pouring their fire onthe advancing foe, but still there was no response. Presently the sunrose red and glaring with midsummer heat, and at that the commodore,turning to the officer at his side, said quietly, "You may fire now,Gridley, when ready."

  Gridley was ready, and the next instant an eight-inch shell was on itsway toward the enemy, who was only about 4500 yards distant. Presentlya signal from the flagship gave the same permission to the othervessels, and the whole fleet was engaged.

  Shortly before that, Dewey had assembled the men of the _Olympia_ andgiven them this final direction for their conduct during the fight:"Keep perfectly cool, and pay attention to nothing but orders." Suchwas the watchword through his whole fleet that morning, and the resultwas a deliberate and deadly fire. The ships steamed along in regularorder--the _Olympia_, the _Baltimore_, the _Raleigh_, _Petrel_,_Concord_, and _Boston_--parallel to the Spanish ships, working everygun that could be brought to bear, and receiving the fire of ships andforts in return. The fire of the Spanish guns was a succession ofbrilliant misses--shots that came very near hitting, but did not quitedo so. It was, as Dewey put it in his report, "vigorous, but generallyineffective."

  But the aim was not always bad. One shell struck the gratings of thebridge of the _Olympia_; one narrowly missed the commodore himself, andso hot did the fire become that he bade Captain Gridley go into theconning tower lest both of them might be killed or disabled at once.On the _Boston_ a six-inch gun was disabled, and a box of ammunitionexploded. Also a shell burst in a stateroom, and set it on fire. Oursix vessels steamed along down past the Spanish line, the port side ofevery ship a mass of flame and smoke, then circling around in a grandsweep--that made the Spaniards think for a moment they were pulling outof action--the column returned again on its course, and the men of thestarboard batteries had a chance to try their skill while their fellowsrested. They had made this circuit but three times when three of theSpanish ships were on fire. Looking through glasses the shots could beseen striking the Spanish hulls, which were thinly plated.

  Admiral Montojo, stung into fury by his losses, slipped the cablesof his flagship, just as the Americans were beginning their thirdround, and under full steam darted out as if intending to attack the_Olympia_. But as his vessel--the _Reina Christina_--swung away fromher fellows the fire of the whole American fleet was concentrated uponher. The storm of shot and shell came pouring down upon her, piercedher hull like paper, swept her decks and spread death and destructionon every side. Her engines were pierced, her bridge shot away. Shecould hardly be controlled by her helm, and as she turned her stern tothe American fire an eight-inch gun on the _Olympia_ sent a projectilethat struck her there, tore its way forward, exploding ammunition,shattering guns, killing men, piercing partitions, tearing up decks,and finally exploding in her after-boiler.

  Agonized screams of wounded men were heard rising above the thunderof the battle, and the _Reina Christina_ staggered back with flamesleaping from her hatches.

  While this was going on the two Spanish torpedo boats slipped out andran for the American fleet. One hastened toward the supply sh
ips, butwas caught by the _Petrel_, driven ashore, and fired upon until sheblew up. The other, running for the _Olympia_, was struck by a shell,broke in two, and sank out of sight.

  Five times the circuit was made by the American ships; then a signalfluttered from the yard of the _Olympia_, and the fleet turned away tothe other side of the harbor, where the _McCulloch_ and the colliershad been lying.

  At that the Spaniards, supposing the Americans were retreating, raiseda resounding cheer. The men on the American ships were not so wellpleased. They were asking what this move was for, and when told that itwas in order to give them their breakfast, there was much grumbling.

  "Breakfast!" exclaimed one of the gunners, "who wants any breakfast?Why can't we finish off the Dons, now we've got them going?"

  But breakfast was not what the delay was for. A misunderstood signalhad made the commodore fear that the supply of ammunition for thefive-inch guns on board of some of the vessels was running low, andhe wished to replenish their stock. It was found, however, not to benecessary. But officers and sailors had their breakfast and a threehours' rest, during which guns and machinery that had been used inthat morning's fight were examined and a supply of fresh ammunitionwas prepared. Then the signals for a renewal of the battle were given,and the ships again bore down upon the enemy, revolving as before in agreat circle of smoke and fire, but at closer range than at first.

  The Spaniards seemed desperate, fired wildly, and in a half-heartedway. The _Reina Christina_ was blown up by the shells of the_Baltimore_; quickly after the _Don Juan de Austria_ was destroyed bythe _Raleigh_, and so on till all of the ten Spanish ships had beendestroyed or had surrendered.

  Admiral Montojo had transferred his flag to the _Isla de Cuba_, andfought till her guns were silenced and she was in flames; then leavingher to her fate, he escaped to the city. It is said that a great crowdof people had come out from that city that morning to see "the pigs ofYankees" annihilated.

  The last ship left fighting was the _Don Antonio de Ulloa_, and atlength she sank, with her flag still nailed to her mast. One ofthe American shots entered the magazine at Cavite, and that endedthe resistance of the shore batteries. Then from the _Olympia_ wasflung out the signal, "The enemy has surrendered," the hot, weary,smoke-begrimed men swarmed cheering out of turrets and up from thebowels of the ships, and the flagship's band broke out with the "StarSpangled Banner," for the victory of Manila was won, the first victoryof the war with Spain for the help of the sorely oppressed Cubans.