of our fleet
were out in the bay, but, as soon as the Spaniards began to fire, our
fighting ships started forward. They did not answer the Spanish fire
at first, but steamed up the bay, in a wide circle, toward the city of
Manila, then turned and came back toward Cavite. The Olympia led the
way. After her came the Baltimore, Raleigh, Concord, Petrel, and
Boston. All had their battle-flags flying.

[Illustration: Admiral Montojo.]

Uninjured by the enemy's shots, the Olympia and her train drew near
the Spanish forts and ships. At a distance of a little more than four
thousand yards, the Olympia fired, and the roar of her first gun was
the signal to her companions to open fire. Then the firing from both
sides became fast and furious. Our ships moved rapidly about, up and
down, past Cavite five times. Admiral Montojo came out in his
flagship, the Reina Christina, to attack the Olympia. The Olympia
poured such a storm of shot at her that she was compelled to turn back
toward the harbor. But the Reina Christina had met her doom. As she
turned, a huge shell from the Olympia struck her, set her on fire, and
killed her captain and many of her men. Admiral Montojo changed his
flag to another ship and came forward again, but soon had to turn
back. But a moment of great peril came to the Olympia. Two fierce
little torpedo-boats came toward her, ready to hurl her to
destruction. The gunners of the Olympia instantly opened such a shower
of shells from the smaller guns that the surface of the water was
covered with foam. The little boats, without having had time to send
forth a torpedo, were overcome. One of them blew up, then sank, with
her crew, beneath the waves. The other, pierced with shots, turned
toward the shore and ran upon the beach, a wreck.

[Illustration: The "Olympia" Leading the Way.]

After more than two hours of fierce fighting, Commodore Dewey led his
ships out into the center of the bay, and the battle ceased for a
time. The true reason for this movement was known only to some of the
officers. The men were told that they were to haul off to get a little
rest and some breakfast. The men believed that they had done great
damage to the Spaniards, and were eager to finish the battle at once.
In fact, no one really knew then how much damage had been done to the
Spanish fleet. The results were not known till afterward. Though the
men were hopeful and in good spirits, Commodore Dewey and his staff
thought the situati