lain now that they've sent me a poor lot of men."

Captain Long was a lieutenant of the Indiana, the first battle ship on
which Young Glory had served during the war. He was only a young man,
but he had on so many occasions displayed such conspicuous bravery, that
he had been promoted to the rank of captain and placed in command of the
gun-boat.

"It might be worse, Dan," said Young Glory.

"Why?"

"Because wherever Captain Long is there's fighting. That's a dead sure
thing, and I wouldn't be surprised but what we'll have enough of it."

"Faith, an' it's plased I am to see an ould face."

"Old! Captain Long's young."

"Arrah! ye're a tasin' lad. It's yerself knows what I mane."

The Brooklyn had faded from sight now. The Nashville was running towards
San Juan. The gun-boat did not mean to enter the harbor, but simply to
cruise about in the hope that something might be seen of the Spanish
cruiser.

One night the weather was very thick.

It was quite possible for a ship to leave the port without being seen,
or even heard, for the waves stifled any sound she might have made.

Towards morning the weather cleared.

Young Glory was on watch duty and Captain Long happened to be near him.

"Can I have a word with you, sir?"

"Surely?"

"Well, sir, I may be mistaken, but I feel positive that the Cristobal
Colon went out of port during the night."

"How do you make that out? You saw nothing."

"No, sir."

"And heard nothing?"

"Very little. But this is what happened. I was looking over the ship's
sides during the night, and a little after midnight, when the fog was
thickest, there was a great rush of water towards our boat. The waves
rose high, almost to the deck. What caused that? I said to myself, and
there was only one explanation."

"Well?"

"It was the wash from a big steamer. I've no doubt of it."

"You have spoken of this?"

"Certainly, sir. It was my duty. I drew the attention of the officer of
the watch to this, and he said he thought it was a tidal wave."

"And you did not agree with him?"

"No, sir."

"Young Glory, I think your theory is the correct one. It seems
reasonable. That boat's waited for thick weather so as to give us the
slip. I must know."

"How, sir?"

"Why, if she's not in San Juan I must notify the Brooklyn at once, so
that she may look after her; we don't want any more ships destroyed."

Captain Long lost not a moment.

All hands were called instantly.

The Nas