ay, April 27th. Saturday afternoon we sighted Subig Bay. The
Boston and the Concord were sent ahead of the fleet as scouts. We
expected to find the Spanish fleet and have our first engagement. We
could not find them there, so the Commodore and Captains held a
council of war and decided to run past the forts at night.

"It was nine-thirty that night when we sighted the entrance. We went
quietly to quarters, loaded our guns, shook hands with each other and
trusted to luck. I was on signal watch on the aft bridge and could see
everything. Not a sound was heard. At twelve o'clock we were under the
guns of the first fort. It was an island called Corregidor. I tell you
I felt uneasy. The moon was well up, but not a light could be seen.

"There were two signal officers and three other boys with me. We were
laughing and joking with one another to steady our nerves. When we
were well under the guns a rocket was fired, and every man braced
himself. Then you could hear the breech blocks closing and the
officers telling the men to aim steady and to kill.

"Well, all the ships passed that fort, but there were twenty-six miles
to go yet, and God and the Spaniards alone knew how many batteries,
mines and torpedoes were ready to send us all to eternity.

"The Olympia passed two more forts The Baltimore was next to us. She
passed all right, but when the Raleigh came under the guns of the
second fort, there was a flash and I heard the shriek of the first
shell. Then almost before the shell struck, there was a spout of
flame from the Raleigh, and her shell killed forty men, as we learned
yesterday. Two more shells were fired at us, but we were well past
them. Then the men were told to lie down.

[Illustration: Rapid-fire Gun.]

"Now, commenced the signal corps work. Soon our signal lights were
flashing the order to close up. At four o'clock I was told by the
signal officer to lie down and catch a nap.

"At four, coffee was given to all the men and at fifteen minutes to
five, the shore batteries had shells dropping all around, but we did
not fire until sixteen minutes past five. The Spanish fleet was in
sight off the navy yard. Then the fight started in earnest. For a
while I thought my time had come. After we made the signal 'commence
firing,' we had nothing to do but watch the fight. The shells flew
over our heads so quick I paid no attention to them.

[Illustration: The Olympiads Military Mast.]

"After an hour and fifteen min