mly! get me aboard your ship
as quick as you can. It is a matter of life or death!"

"But I am ordered to investigate the mutiny on that transport" replied
the bewildered Ensign.

"I am the mutiny, and in capturing me you have got the whole of it,"
declared Ridge. "So, as you value your future prospects, get me aboard
the _Speedy_, before it shall be too late."

"All right," answered the young naval officer. "I'll risk it for your
sake. So here goes."

Once on board the despatch-boat our young trooper placed the whole
situation in a few words before Captain Boldwood, who no sooner
comprehended it than he ordered his little ship headed up the coast
with all speed.

"It will be almighty rough on the Admiral," he said to Ridge, "if
Cervera comes out while he is away, after all his careful planning and
weeks of weary waiting."

"What do you mean?"

"Only that Admiral Sampson has chosen to-day, of all days, to come down
here for an interview with General Shafter, and we were sent ahead to
make things ready for him at Siboney. He was to have followed us
within half an hour; but perhaps we can turn him back in time. At any
rate, we'll do our best."

So the little _Speedy_ flew back over the way she had just come,
displaying from her masthead as she went a string of gay bunting that
read:

"The enemy's ships are escaping."

CHAPTER XXVII

DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH SHIPS

As the _Speedy_ rounded the first headland those on board saw the great
war-ship they were to intercept coming leisurely down the coast, not
more than a mile away. The yacht fired a gun to call attention to her
momentous signal, and within a few seconds an answer, showing that it
was seen and understood, was displayed from the _New York_. At the
same time the latter began to turn, so as to retrace her course. She
had hardly begun the movement before the _Speedy_ slipped up under her
quarter.

"Where did you get your information?" called out Captain Chadwick
through a megaphone.

"Messenger from the Commanding General," was the answer.

"All right. Keep on, and warn the fleet, if you reach them before we
do."

"Ay, ay, sir!" and then the swift yacht had moved beyond range even of
a megaphone.

All at once the little group of officers gathered on the _Speedy's_
bridge, of course including Lieutenant Ridge Norris, knew that they
were not to have the honor of warning the fleet; for a line of smoke,
evidently moving seaward