rought
into view a stretch of highland which proved to be Cuba. We had steamed
out to sea on scouting duty, and had doubled on our tracks, as it were.
The port we found to be Guantanamo, a small place some forty miles to
the eastward of Santiago.

The town itself lies on a bay connected with the sea by a tortuous and
winding channel. The entrance is protected by a fort and several
blockhouses, and when we steamed inshore we espied the "St. Louis" and
"Marblehead" laying to, waiting for us outside.

The "Marblehead" preceding us, we entered the harbor, and the two ships
began a lively bombardment, while the "St. Louis" lay outside. Shortly
after the firing began, a Spanish gunboat was seen steaming out past the
fort. A few shots in her direction sent her scurrying back again, and
that was the last seen of her during the fight. After the battle of the
previous day, this affair seemed insignificant, and aroused little
interest.

The blockhouses were destroyed and the fort silenced after a short
period of firing, and the "St. Louis" proceeded with the duty which
evidently had caused our visit. It was the cutting of a cable
connecting Guantanamo with the outer world.

Our little fleet steamed to sea in the afternoon, returning just before
dark. The fort, showing signs of reanimation, was treated to another
bombardment, which effectually settled it. A small fishing hamlet
composed of a dozen flimsy huts of bamboo was set on fire and burned to
the ground. When we left Guantanamo shortly after dark, bound back for
Santiago, we had the satisfaction of knowing that one more blow had been
struck against Spanish rule in the fair isle of Cuba.

At dawn the following day, Santiago was sighted. The fleet was still
lying off the entrance like a group of huge gray cats watching a mouse
hole. As we passed in, the flagship began signalling, and it soon became
noised about the ship that we had received orders to leave for Mole St.
Nicholas after dark.

"It looks as if the 'Yankee' will come in handy as a messenger boy,"
said "Stump." "When the admiral wants 'any old thing' he tells his flag
officer to send the Naval Reserve ship."

"It's a good thing to be appreciated," grinned "Dye." "To tell the
truth, though, I'd rather be on the move than lying here watching the
land."

"We don't want to be away when Cervera comes out," remarked Flagg.

"When he comes out," retorted "Stump," emphasizing the first word
meaningly. "The old ge