for
action.

The time taken to gain this end did not exceed ten minutes, which was
almost a record. Signals were displayed stating that we were in
readiness, then all hands were called to general quarters. As we hurried
to our stations I saw the entire blockading fleet moving slowly
shoreward.

"We are going to bombard the Dagoes this trip for sure," observed the
first captain of Number Eight as we lined up. "I see their finish."

"Don't be too sure," said "Stump." "There's many a slip between the
muzzle and the target. Maybe we won't do much after all. Just to make it
interesting I'll bet you a dinner at Del's that we will only chuck a
bluff. What d'ye say?"

"Done, if you make it for the whole ship's company," chuckled the first
captain.

"Stump" shook his head.

"A dinner at Del's for over two hundred hungry Reserves, and on a salary
of $35 per month. Nope. Not on your life."

"Cast loose and provide," came the order.

There were a few moments of rapid work, then the battery was reported in
readiness for firing. Through the open port we could catch a glimpse of
the other vessels of the fleet, and the spectacle formed by the
low-lying battleships, the massive cruisers, and the smaller, but
equally defiant gunboats, was one long to be remembered.

Every ship was cleared for business. On the vessels of the "Oregon"
class nothing could be seen but the gray steel of turrets and
superstructure. The "New York" and the "Brooklyn" were similarly
cleared. On the bridges could be seen groups of officers, but the decks
were empty. Every man was at his gun.

The ships steamed in to within a short distance of the beach and then
formed a semicircle, the heavier vessels taking the centre where they
could directly face the forts. The little "Dolphin" was on the extreme
right of the line, with the "Yankee" next.

When within easy range of the guns ashore there ensued a wait. No signal
to fire came from the flagship, and there did not seem to be any move
toward opening the battle by the forts. We stood at our guns in silence,
awaiting the word, until finally patience ceased to be a virtue.

"Seems to me they ought to do something," murmured "Stump," glancing
shoreward rather discontentedly. "Ain't we fair targets?"

"Why don't the admiral tell us to sail in?" queried the first captain in
the same tone. "The day is fine and the range is good. There's the
beggars plain enough with their measly old forts. What more is wan