himself but to punish his assailants. He met no interference, however,
and at the end of her unparalleled voyage his noble ship was without
overhauling ready to join in the Santiago blockade and in destroying the
Spanish fleet.

[Illustration: Portrait.]
Admiral Cervera, Commander of the Spanish Squadron.

Admiral Cervera's departure westward from the Cape Verde Islands, and
the subsequent discovery of his squadron in the harbor of Santiago,
determined the Government to invest that city. The navy acted with
promptitude. Commodore Schley first, then, in conjunction with him, his
superior, Rear-Admiral Sampson, drew a tight line of war-vessels across
the channel entrance.

[Illustration: Working at desk.]
Major-General William R. Shafter.

Unfortunately delayed by inadequate shipping facilities and the
unsystematic consignment of supplies, also by the unfounded rumor of a
Spanish cruiser and destroyer lying in wait, the army of 17,000, under
Major-General William R. Shafter, landed with little opposition a short
distance east of Santiago. The sickly season had begun. Moreover, it was
as good as certain that, spite of all the miserable Cuban army could do,
Santiago's 8,000 defenders would soon be increased from neighboring
Spanish garrisons. So, notwithstanding his inadequate provision for
sound, sick, or wounded and his weakness in artillery, Shafter pushed
forward. His gallant little army brushed the enemy's intercepting
outpost from Las Guasimas, tore him, amid red carnage, from his stubborn
holds at El Caney and San Juan Ridge, and by July 3d had the city
invested, save on the west. From this quarter, however, General Escario,
with 3,600 men, had forced his way past our Cuban allies and joined his
besieged compatriots in Santiago.

[Illustration]
Troops in the Trenches, Facing Santiago.

The third of July opened, for the Americans, the darkest day of the war.
Drenched by night, roasted by day, haversacks which had been cast aside
for battle lost or purloined, supply trains stalled in the rear,
fighting by day, by night digging trenches and rifle-pits--little
wonder that many lost heart and urged withdrawal to some position nearer
the American base. Shafter himself for a moment considered such a step.
But General Wheeler, on the fighting line, set his face against it, as,
upon reflection, did Shafter. A bold demand for surrender was sent to
General Toral, commanding the city, while Admiral Sampson ca