e
upon the people we civilised?"

"Yes, yes, we do!"

"The enemy's fleet is almost at Morro Castle, almost at the doors of
Havana," General Blanco added. "They have money; but we have blood to
shed, and we are ready to shed it. We will throw them into the sea!"

[Illustration: CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO.]

The people interrupted him with cries of applause, and he finished his
speech by shouting "_Viva Espana!_" "_Viva el Rey!_" "Long live the army,
the navy, and the volunteers!"

The Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution authorising
the President, in his discretion, to prohibit the exportation of coal and
other war material. The measure was of great importance, because through
it was prevented the shipment of coal to ports in the West Indies where it
might be used by Spain.

_April 22._ At half past five o'clock in the morning the vessels composing
the North Atlantic Squadron put to sea from Key West. The flag-ship _New
York_ led the way. Close behind her steamed the _Iowa_ and the _Indiana_.
Following the war-ships came the gunboat _Machias_, and then the
_Newport_. The _Amphitrite_, the first of the fleet, lying close to shore,
steamed out after the _Machias_, and then followed in order the
_Nashville_, the _Wilmington_, the _Castine_, the _Cincinnati_, and the
other boats of the fleet, save the monitors _Terror_ and _Puritan_, which
were coaling, the cruiser _Marblehead_, the despatch-boat _Dolphin_, and
the gunboat _Helena_.

After getting out of sight of land the flag of a rear-admiral was hoisted
over the _New York_, indicating to the fleet that Captain Sampson was
acting as a rear-admiral. When in the open sea the fleet was divided into
three divisions. The _New York_, _Iowa_, and _Indiana_ had the position of
honour. Stretching out to the right were the _Montgomery_, _Wilmington_,
_Newport_, and smaller craft; to the left was the _Nashville_ in the lead,
followed by the _Cincinnati_, _Castine_, _Machias_, _Mayflower_, and some
of the torpedo-boats.

At seven o'clock in the morning the first gun of the war was fired. The
_Nashville_, which had been sailing at about six knots an hour, in
obedience to orders, suddenly swung out of line. Clouds of black smoke
poured from her long, slim stacks, her speed was gradually increased until
the water ascended in fine spray on each side of the bow, and behind her
trailed out a long, creamy streak on the quiet waters.

She was headed for a Spani