shape, and design,
each having its own particular meaning, and when three or four are shown
aloft together, a number is formed, the significance of which can only
be determined by referring to a code book. Each navy has a private code,
which is guarded with great care. So particular are Governments in this
respect, that the commanding officer of every ship has instructions to
go to any length to destroy the code book, if capture is imminent.
During the late war with Spain it was reported at one time that the
Spanish code had been secured. This means that the Dons will be
compelled to adopt an entirely new code of signals.

Besides the above systems, signalling in the navy includes various other
devices. For instance, the fog whistle can be utilized in connection
with the Meyer system of numerals. One toot represents 1, two short
toots 2, and a long blast the end of a word. In a fog, this is the only
means practicable. Similar sounds can be made by horn or gunfire. At
night searchlights are often used by waving the beam from the right to
the left, thus forming an electric wigwag, or by flash like the
heliograph. On small ships not fitted up with the Ardois system, the
Very night signal is used. This consists of a pistol made for the
purpose, which discharges lights similar to those found in the ordinary
Roman candles. The colors are red and green, and they are fired in
combinations expressing the numbers from 1 to 9 and 0, so that the
numbers to four digits contained in the signal book may be displayed.

The "Yankee" was rigged with the Ardois lamps, and she also carried all
the necessary signal flags and other paraphernalia required to
communicate with other vessels of the fleet. The signalmen on board had
been drilled in their work as members of the Naval Reserve prior to the
beginning of the war, and they were experts to a man.

On the evening of June 8th, while we were idling about decks awaiting
the order to get under way, a small boat came alongside, having as a
passenger a captain of the army. He proved to be a special agent who had
succeeded in visiting the vicinity of Santiago, and was on his way to
Mole St. Nicholas for the purpose of cabling to Washington. The
mysterious manner in which he boarded the ship, and the quickness with
which we steamed from port, created some excitement, and we felt the
importance of our mission.

The night was dark and muggy--an ideal time for torpedo-boat work, and
extra look