er. The din was terrific, and for the
most part the two ships were enveloped in such a thick cloud of smoke,
that it was quite impossible to see what they were doing.

The Nashville had little steam on, for she had been lying to during the
fight. Suddenly the Cristobal Colon put on a great burst of speed, and
came dashing through the water toward the gun-boat.

"She's going to ram us!"

"Sink her! Stop her!"

These cries came from all parts of the ship.

The excitement was terrific. The Spaniard was firing her guns as she
came on, the Nashville was replying. Captain Long was working to stave
off the impending disaster. Hastily the engineer got up steam. The
gun-boat was well under way again.

"This dodging about can have only one end, sir," said Young Glory to the
captain.

"Yes, an end for us."

"Exactly. There's only one way to save ourselves."

"I know none. Once those broadside guns get into play on us it will soon
be over. They are bound to sink us at this distance. The worst gunners
in the world could not miss."

"Don't give them the chance."

"How, Young Glory?"

"Run boldly up to her, sir."

"What then?"

"It's neck or nothing. Let all hands be ready, and once we're alongside
of the Spaniard, we must board her and take her by storm."

The captain was thunderstruck. This audacious proposal fairly took his
breath away. It was difficult for him to reply. Meanwhile, Young Glory
respectfully awaited an answer.

CHAPTER X.

BOARDING THE CRUISER--THE LAST STAND.

"Mr. Tyler."

"Yes, sir."

"Listen. Young Glory proposes to run into the Spaniard and board her."

"Great Heaven!"

"It's the only way to save ourselves."

"Save ourselves, Young Glory! Do you know what you're talking about?"

"I generally do, sir."

"Then take note of this. The Cristobal Colon has a complement of five
hundred officers and men. What have we?"

"Two hundred."

"Exactly."

"And they are enough, sir."

"Mr. Tyler, it is not a question of whether we have enough, but what are
we to do. We shall be sunk for a certainty in a few minutes."

"Board the Spaniard, sir. Board her. I'm with you heart and soul. We'll
die fighting."

"No, we will live and triumph!"

As Young Glory said these words his eyes flashed fire, and his looks
more than his words brought hope to each of his officers.

Instantly the call for boarders was heard.

The two ships were nearing each other now, the Spaniard rapidly getti