n we started out from the fleet
I tied to my belt a flask of medicated water, supplied to me by my ship's
surgeon. The frequency with which we all felt thirsty on the short run
into the passage and the dryness of my mouth and lips made me believe that
I was frightened. The men felt the same, and all the way the flask went
from hand to hand. Once I felt my pulse to see if I was frightened, but to
my surprise I found it normal. Later we forgot all about it, and when we
got into the water there was no need for the flask."

The remainder of this stirring adventure must be told more briefly. The
prisoners were taken ashore and locked up in a cell in Morro Castle.
Meanwhile, there was much anxiety on the fleet as to their fate, but this
was relieved by the generous conduct of the Spanish admiral, who sent his
chief-of-staff out the next morning under a flag of truce to report their
safety and to make an offer for their exchange. Cervera's message was
highly complimentary. It ran:

"Admiral Cervera, the commander of the Spanish fleet, is most profoundly
impressed with the brilliant courage shown by the men who sank the steamer
'Merrimac' in our harbor, and in admiration of their courage he has
directed me to say to their countrymen that they are alive, and, with the
exception of two of the men who were slightly hurt, they are uninjured.
They are now prisoners of war and are being well cared for, and will be
treated with every consideration."

Cervera kept his word, though the captives found themselves in different
hands later, when they were turned over to General Linares, commander of
the troops in Santiago. They remained in captivity about five weeks, being
exchanged on July 7, when a Spanish lieutenant and fourteen privates were
offered in exchange for Hobson and his gallant seven. The story of their
return to the American ranks is an exhilarating one. As the brave eight
passed up the trail leading to the American lines through the avenue of
palms that bordered the road, the soldiers stood in reverent silence,
baring their heads as the band struck up "The Star-Spangled Banner." But
as Hobson and his men swung onward cheers and a roar of welcome broke the
silence, while a cowboy yell came from the Rough Riders. Breaking from all
restraint, the men rushed in, eagerly grasping the hands of Hobson and his
men. All the way to Siboney the cheers and excitement continued, and when
Hobson set foot on the deck of the "New York" the