tack, bacon, and good health; but
then tastes differ, you know."

"It was a splendid thing to do!" exclaimed Ridge; "and I don't believe
there is another in the command would have thought of it. The boys
will be prouder than ever of the old regiment to know that it contains
a fellow not only able but willing to do such a thing."

"Oh, pshaw!" replied Rollo, flushing. "There isn't one but would do as
much and more, only some of them don't happen to have yachts lying
idle. And you mustn't tell them, old man. I wouldn't for anything
have it get out that the _Nun_ is my boat. That's the reason I changed
her name. Some of them might think I was putting on airs, you know, if
it should get out that I kept my yacht here at Siboney."

"But you'll get leave to run down and see her, won't you?"

"Not much, I won't. The dear old skipper would be sure to give me
away, though his orders are not to mention my name in connection with
her."

So the bountiful supply of delicacies and comforts of every kind
provided by Rollo Van Kyp were distributed among the sick and wounded
in the Siboney hospitals, and many a fever-stricken patient owed his
life to the devoted care of the "gray nuns," as the nurses brought by
the yacht were generally called; but only Ridge Norris knew whose was
the generous forethought that had provided all these things.

In the mean time the truce, first declared on that memorable Sunday,
was extended from day to day, for one reason or another, for a week.
General Linares had been wounded early in the fighting, General Vara
del Rey had been killed at Caney, and the command of Santiago had
finally devolved upon General Toral. To him, then, was sent the
summons to surrender. This he refused to do, but begged for time in
which to remove women, children, and other non-combatants from the city
before it should be bombarded. This was allowed, and nearly 20,000 of
these helpless ones, frightened, bewildered, and half famished, were
driven from Santiago to seek such refuge as the surrounding country
might afford. War-wrecked and devastated as it was, its resources in
the way of food and shelter were so slender that hundreds of them died
from exposure, starvation, or disease, and but for the generosity of
the Americans, who fed them to the full extent of their ability,
thousands more must have perished.

And others came out from the beleaguered city; for an exchange of
prisoners had been effected, and just b