he flash of a gun streamed out from Morro Castle, and then all
on board the _New York_ knew the _Merrimac_ was nearing her end.

The guns from the Spanish battery opposite Morro Castle answered quickly
with more flashes, and for about twenty minutes tongues of fire seemed to
leap across the harbour entrance. The flag-ship was too far away to hear
the reports, and when the firing ceased it was judged that Hobson had
blown up the _Merrimac_.

[Illustration: U. S. S. NEW YORK.]

During an hour the anxious watchers waited for daylight. Rear-Admiral
Sampson and Captain Chadwick were on the bridge of the _New York_ during
the entire time. At five o'clock thin streams of smoke were seen against
the western shore, quite close to the Spanish batteries, and strong
glasses made out the launch of the _New York_ returning to the flag-ship.

Scarcely had the small craft been sighted before a puff of smoke issued
from a battery on the western arm of the harbour, and a shot plunged far
over the launch. Then for fifteen minutes the big guns ashore kept up an
irregular fire on the little craft. As the shells fell without hitting the
object for which they were intended, the men on board the _New York_
jeered at the Spanish marksmanship, and cheered their shipmates.

At 6.15 the launch came alongside the flag-ship, but she did not have on
board any of the _Merrimac's_ crew. Cadet Powell reported that he had been
unable to see any of the men. It was learned that the cadet had gone
directly under the batteries, and only returned when he found his efforts
were useless.

He also reported that he had clearly seen the _Merrimac's_ masts sticking
up just where Hobson hoped to sink her, north of the Estrella battery, and
well past the guns of Morro Castle.

Cadet Powell thus related the last interview he had with the officer whom
it seemed certain had voluntarily gone to his death:

"Lieutenant Hobson took a short sleep for a few hours, which was often
interrupted. At a quarter before two he came on deck and made a final
inspection, giving his last instructions. Then we had a little lunch.
Hobson was as cool as a cucumber. At about half past two I took the men
who were not going on the trip into the launch, and started for the
_Texas_, the nearest ship, but had to go back for one of the assistant
engineers, whom Hobson finally compelled to leave. I shook hands with
Hobson last of all. He said:

"'Powell, watch the boat's crew when we pu