in the air just
over the bay, and a bunch of 16-inch mortar shells falls upon the
battle-ships' unprotected decks. One shell strikes over the boilers of
one of the ships, penetrating them a second later, the explosion of
which rends her asunder; and where this powerful steel-clad had been but
a moment before is but the hissing foam of troubled waters.

The General sees the fight has now reached the critical point; the
cruisers have dashed ahead and will soon be within the harbor. Many of
the batteries have been put out of action by the well-aimed shots of the
enemy. The navy is needed, but the telephone connection with the station
has been severed; the signal has not been made. Time is precious. A few
minutes more, and the whole fleet will be within the bay of San
Francisco, and, without the batteries, will be more than a match for the
few United States ships.

[Illustration: HE SEES THE FAMOUS "OREGON" COME RUSHING DOWN TO THE
FIGHT.]

An exclamation involuntarily escapes from the General's lips as he sees
the famous _Oregon_ emerge from behind Alcatraz Island, and come rushing
down to the fight.

The small fleet was thought too valuable to hazard against such as the
enemy brought. The plan was not to expose it till the signal was made.
But the Admiral, behind Alcatraz Island, has been pacing up and down the
deck of his battle-ship, tugging at the restraining bonds, growing more
and more impatient as the cannonading has become more furious. The crews
of the ships feel the inactivity keenly; anything is better than this
suspense. Why does not the signal come? The Admiral will wait no longer,
but slips his moorings, regardless of consequences, and appears in the
nick of time with his fleet to bar the entrance to the bay.

[Illustration: "PREPARE TO RAM."]

The _Oregon_, _Monterey_, and _Monadnock_ engage the two remaining
battle-ships. There is no sea-room for manoeuvring, and the rapid way
in which the Yankee guns are served shows that they are more than a
match for their huge enemies. The cruisers have closed in for the
death-struggle; every weapon of modern warfare is being employed; two
ships of the foe and one of his opponent's have been torpedoed, and in
another moment one of ours rams their biggest battle-ship. The General
on shore can almost hear the command, "Prepare to ram." It is so quickly
and skilfully executed. The forts have now become inactive, fearing to
fire lest by chance one of their own ships