Chapter I: Preface

"FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS," although a complete story in itself, forms the third volume of the "Old Glory Series," tales depicting the various campaigns in our late war with Spain.

In "Under Dewey at Manila" we followed Larry Russell's adventures on board of the flagship _Olympia_ during the memorable contest off Cavite; in "A Young Volunteer in Cuba" we marched and fought with Ben Russell in that notable campaign leading up to the surrender of Santiago; and in the present volume are narrated the haps and mishaps of Walter Russell, who joins Commodore Schley's flagship, the _Brooklyn_, and sails with the Flying Squadron from Hampton Roads to Key West, thence to Cienfuegos, and at last succeeds in "bottling up" Admiral Cervera's fleet in Santiago Bay. The long blockade and the various bombardments are described, and then follow the particulars of that masterly battle on the part of the North Atlantic Squadron which led to the total destruction of the Spanish warships.

Walter Russell's bravery may seem overdrawn, but such is far from being a fact. That our sailors were heroes in those days we have but to remember the sinking of the _Merrimac_, the _Winslow_ affair, and a score of deeds of equal daring. "The hour makes the man," and the opportunity likewise makes the hero. Walter was brave, but he was no more so than hundreds of others who stood ready to lay down their lives in the cause of humanity and for the honor of Old Glory. Like his two brothers, his religious belief was of the practical kind, and he went into battle convinced that so long as he did his duty according to the dictates of his conscience, an all-wise and all-powerful Providence would guide him and watch over him.

The author cannot refrain from saying a word about the historical portions of the present work. They have been gleaned from the best available authorities, including the reports of Admiral Sampson, Commodore Schley, and a number of captains who took part in the contest; also the personal narratives of one man who was on board the _Merrimac_ at the time that craft was sunk, and of a number who have made the _Brooklyn_ their home for several years past, and who will probably remain on the pride of the Flying Squadron for some time to come.

In presenting this third volume, the author begs to thank both critics and the public for the cordial reception accorded to the previous volumes, and trusts that the present story will meet with equal commendation.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

NEWARK, N.J.,

March 1, 1899.

CONTENTS

I. WALTER DETERMINES TO ENTER THE NAVY

II. A VISIT TO THE NAVY-YARD

III. A CHASE AND ITS RESULT

IV. ON THE WAY TO THE "BROOKLYN"

V. SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND PRIZE MONEY

VI. A GLIMPSE OF THE PRESIDENT

VII. A TALK ABOUT SPANISH SAILORS

VIII. THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS

IX. COMMODORE WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY

X. WALTER SHOWS HIS PLUCK

XI. THE SAILING OF THE FLYING SQUADRON

XII. AN ADVENTURE OFF CHARLESTON

XIII. IN WHICH THE GOLD PIECE COMES TO LIGHT

XIV. KEY WEST, AND THE LAST OF JIM HASKETT

XV. FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY

XVI. THE FINDING OF ADMIRAL CERVERA'S FLEET

XVII. IN WHICH THE "MERRIMAC" IS SUNK

XVIII. WALTER'S ADVENTURE ON SHORE

XIX. CARLOS, THE REBEL SPY

XX. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

XXI. THE FLIGHT TO THE SEACOAST

XXII. THE LANDING OF THE MARINES AT GUANTANAMO

XXIII. IN A SPANISH PRISON

XXIV. BACK TO THE "BROOKLYN" AGAIN

XXV. THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE SANTIAGO BATTERIES

XXVI. IN WHICH THE ARMY OF INVASION ARRIVES

XXVII. THE SPANISH FLEET AND ITS COMMANDER

XXVIII. "THE ENEMY IS ESCAPING!"

XXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH FLEET

XXX. FINAL SCENES OF THE GREAT FIGHT

XXXI. TOGETHER ONCE MORE--CONCLUSION

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"The flagship began the firing"

"He bent over Walter again"

"The President bowed in return"

"'See here, I want to talk to you!'"

"'I'll get square on all of you!'"

"With a final lurch the _Merrimac_ went down"

"'Surrender, or I'll shoot you where you stand!'"

"Rammer in hand, Walter edged close to the muzzle"

FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS