Fighting in Cuban Waters

iral Montojo occurred on May 1, 1898, and was t

in the harbor of Havana, in February, popular indignation arose to a fever heat against the country which had offered the American flag several

onger "the ever-faithful isle," until rich and poor, those of Cuban-Spanish blood, and those whose ancestors had been negroes and Indians, became involved in it. At first there was no army, only bands of guerillas, who fled to the mountains whenever a regular Spanish force presented itself, but soon the

return. "Cuba must, and shall be subdued," was the cry, and thousands of soldiers were transported from Spain and elsewhere, to be landed at Havana, Santiago, and othe

slain. In addition to this, millions of dollars' worth of property were destroyed, in the shape of torn-up railroads, burnt sugar and tobacco plantations, and sacked villages and tow

heir homes. At once orders were issued to drive all the defenceless women and children into the cities held by the Spanish. This was accomplished under the pretext that Spain wished to keep them from harm. Once driven into the larger places, these women and children were not fed and

no one could stand by and see women, children, and helpless old men starved to death. At once it was proposed to send relief ship

How the battleship was blown up and over two hundred and fifty lives lost, has already been told in the previous volumes of this series. A Board of Inquiry was appointed by the President, and i

on on the morning of April 22, and in a few days had a grand semicircle of warships stationed on the outside of Havana, Matanzas, Mariel, Cardenas, Bahia Honda, Cabanas, and other ports of lesser importance. Later on, other ports were likewise blockaded, and these portions of

earned in "A Young Volunteer in Cuba." The regular army was also hurried to the south-east and concentrated at Tampa and other points, while the volu

e army and the navy were men from both the North and the South, and sectionalism was now wiped out forever, and all stood shoulder to shoulder under Old

nverting them into vessels of war. These vessels required a great number of men, and the Naval Reserves were in great demand, as were also volunteers for the regular navy. This was the reason that Walter and those with him were taken on so quickly.

coast. This caused a good deal of uneasiness, and steps were immediately taken to fortify all principal points and mine many of the harbor entrances. Patrol boats were also placed on duty, to

next in command, was left at Hampton Roads, near Fortress Monroe, Virginia, with what was known as the Flying Squadron, a number of the fastest warships riding the Atlantic. The Flying Squadron was to wait until the Spanish fleet started westward, when it w

York, and the other at Baltimore, but at neither city was any time allowed for seeing the sights. "It's a case of get there," explained Caleb Walton. "Y

the train. "There are four first-class cruisers, the Viscaya, the Almirante Oquendo, the Infanta Maria Teresa, and the Cristobal Colon, besides two or three torpedo-boat

give a rap for a milk-and-water battle. Let us have it

ton. "They must guard their own coast. If they don't, some of o

the war to Spain?" asked W

in, Dewey's victory at Manila isn't going to be such a smooth thing out there, for the Filipinos are in a state of revolt and won't

or our little end," smiled the boy. "As for the re

rnment if we tried. But we can do our duty, and

got Jim Haskett to

He has been reading of the luck down around Havana, and he wants

fore, but I don't exactly kno

hip is captured she's taken to some port and turned over to a prize court, an

down under the hammer. But why doesn

said. "I didn't say a Scotch vessel; I said a Scotch prize-a ship captured illegally, and one that must be gi

s

l of that taking her, then all the prize money goes to her captain and crew; but if the capture

went on Walter, more interested than ever, for the qu

your regular pay-perhaps one dolla

t be much-on

ing to law, so there can't be any quarrelling. The commander of a fleet gets one-twentieth, the commander of a ship one-tenth of that coming to his

le Sam do with his

rs, seamen, and marines the pensions due them. These pensions are, of

little ones," said Walter. "On a pay of eleven doll

ught Walter by the arm. "Come with me," and Caleb Walton arose, and led the way

went on Caleb Walton, after they were se

, s

ight. And now to business." And he threw one leg over the other. For a moment he gazed thoughtfully at Walter, and the boy wondered what was coming next. He was s