of those
countries. If you look on a map of Asia, you will find a large group
of islands in the Pacific Ocean, east of the China Sea. They are
called the Philippine Islands. The largest of them is called Luzon,
and its chief city is Manila, on a large bay of the same name.

These islands were discovered nearly four hundred years ago, by
Magellan, as we call him in English, a famous sailor and explorer. He
was the first to sail through the strait that is south of South
America; and so that strait is still called by his name. After passing
through that strait he led his fleet on, farther west, northwest, over
the Pacific Ocean, till he came to the islands east of the China Sea.
Magellan took possession of them in the name of the King of Spain;
for, though not a Spaniard, he was working in the interests of Spain.
He gave the islands a name, but the name did not cling to them; and
some time after, they were named Islas Filipinas--or, as we say in
English, Philippine Islands in honor of King Philip II., of Spain.
But the savage tribes dwelling in the islands did not submit tamely to
Magellan's conquest, and in a fight with them he was killed. Still,
the Spaniards held the islands, and established towns there, some of
which have become very important. It is said that there are people
from all parts of the world living in Manila.

Have you ever heard any one speak of the Filipinos? They are natives
of the islands, descendants of the Spanish settlers; besides these
there are the native savage tribes, still living in many places. The
Filipinos had often tried to gain their independence, but had not been
successful. When they heard of the rebellion in Cuba, they thought
they would make another attempt against Spain, and so began a new
rebellion. And this is just how matters stood when the war began
between the United States and Spain.

The United States, having some ships in one of the ports of China,
sent word to their commander, Commodore Dewey, to turn his attention
to the Philippine Islands. So Commodore Dewey prepared his fleet in
the best way possible and started for Manila. The ships sailed
Wednesday afternoon, April 27th.

You must not think that Commodore Dewey had big battleships in his
fleet. He had only what we call "cruisers," not big battleships. The
ship on which the commander of a whole fleet sails is always the
"flagship." Then, of course, each ship has its own captain and other
officers. Would you like to