ply about the harbor to rescue survivors. Though the
flames rage fiercely, and the part of the ship which they have not yet
reached is full of high explosives, there is no panic. At the first
alarm every man has done what years of drill and teaching have taught
him to do. The after-magazines have been flooded, the boats' crews
called away. Even preparations for a fight had been attempted.
Lieutenant Jenkins, hearing the first explosion, sprang so quickly for
his station at a forward gun that he was caught in the second
explosion and slain. Though a bolt from heaven or a shock from hell
had struck the "Maine," it brought death only--not fear nor panic.

The work of rescuing survivors and caring for the wounded was pushed
apace, for the ship sunk rapidly, until only her after-superstructure
was above the water. Boats from the Spanish man-of-war joined in the
work of mercy and her officers, as though conscious that the suspicion
of treachery was first in every man's mind, exerted themselves in
every way to show solicitude for the wounded and sorrow for the
disaster. When all was done that could be done, and the roll of the
ship's company was called, it was found that 266 brave Americans were
lost in Havana harbor--a friendly port. Some lie there yet, penned
down beneath the gnarled and scorched steel which formed the gallant
"Maine"; others lie in lonely graves on the adjacent shore, where,
before this war is ended, the American flag shall be raised above them
to be their avenger and their monument.

* * * * *

It will be necessary to outline in only the most terse and condensed
form the political and military events which succeeded the destruction
of the "Maine" and led up to the declaration of war. The news of the
great disaster was received at home with horror, speedily turning to
anger. The Government, rightly desiring to proceed calmly and in
accordance with regularly ascertained facts, strove to calm the public
temper, but with little success. It gave out as Captain Sigsbee's
first report of the disaster a cable message, which contained no
charge of treachery, advised caution, and urged a suspension of
judgment. But presently it became rumored about Washington that this
dispatch was, in fact, sent under orders; that the captain's first
report formally charged the Spaniards with blowing up the ship. In the
newspapers the discussion raged and theories of the disaster were
plentiful, b