tle ship.

For a moment the men were aghast. It might mean the approach of a new
and stronger enemy. Then a great cheer rose from every throat. They saw
the Stars and Stripes bravely fluttering in the breeze, and knew what it
meant. It was the Cruiser Brooklyn entering the harbor.

The cruiser fired her saluting guns.

Boom! Boom!

But the cheers from her men drowned the noise of the guns.

The blue jackets were wild with delight when they saw the American flag
at the masthead of the Spanish cruiser.

At this moment a diversion occurred.

Overlooking the harbor was a fort. Now its guns began to fire at the two
ships, the cruiser and the gun-boat. Previously they had refrained,
because they were afraid they might do as much damage to friend as foe.

Short-handed as he was, it was a difficult matter for Captain Long to
handle his guns. But there was no necessity for his doing so. The
Brooklyn took the work in hand instantly.

Boom!

The first shot struck the fort. It was old. Its weapons were antique,
and it had no chance whatever against the great guns of the American
cruiser. Shot after shot struck it, crumbling the masonry to powder.

"The batteries are silenced!" cried Young Glory.

"But not our men!"

The cheer that went up confirmed the last statement.

Already the Nashville and the Cristobal Colon were under way, steaming
rapidly out of the harbor. A few distant guns from shore thundered at
them, but they made a noise, and that was all. They were quite powerless
to do any damage.

Once more the vessels were in the open sea clear of San Juan de Porto
Rico. The Brooklyn lay to, and a boat put off. In obedience to a signal
from the cruiser, the gun-boat and her prize waited till the boat came
up. In the cutter was Captain Miles, the commander of the Brooklyn.

"A great and glorious victory, Captain Long," said he, stepping aboard
the Nashville.

"Yes, sir, thanks to the men you lent me, and especially Young Glory.
Through his advice, as I don't mind admitting, the Spaniard was taken."

"Well, I congratulate you. The country will be crazy when they hear what
you've done. You will, of course, return home."

"I want you to lend me some men, Captain Miles, to work the two ships."

"I must do so. Such a valuable prize as the Spanish cruiser must be
taken care of."

And Captain Miles went back to his ship, sending shortly after for the
necessary help.

Then the ships parted company. The Brooklyn