ere was a glare of light.

"Look at the hero!" he cried.

"Are you mad?" shouted Jose Castro, from the rock. "Do you want everyone
to know where you are? Out with that flame if you value your lives!"

"Not yet!" cried Young Glory, springing forward like lightning. He
seized the burning torch, and with a quick movement tore it from the
sergeant's hand.

Then he jumped back to his post on the stern seat of the boat, and
instantly he began to wave the torch above his head.

Jose Castro was furious.

"Kill him, kill him!" he shouted.

"He has a few minutes to live, that's all!"

Still Young Glory waved the torch, hoping it might be seen by those on
the cruiser Brooklyn. Even then it was doubtful if they could do
anything.

The boat that had been coming up at the stern missed its mark, and ran
in between the two ammunition boats.

Then Young Glory saw that he was saved for a few minutes at all events.
The torch still waved, and Jose Castro stormed and raved at the men in
the boats.

"Listen," said Young Glory.

"Well?"

"I have a word to say."

"Don't let the traitor speak!"

"Be silent!" exclaimed the sergeant. "Well, what is it?"

"I will make terms with you."

"You make terms?"

"Yes. I have the best of the situation now."

The Spaniards roared with laughter at this view of the situation.

Young Glory was really only seeking to gain time.

"Put me on shore, and I will give up the torch."

"The torch!"

"Yes, don't you see that if I continue to wave it, the American cruisers
will fire and send you all to the bottom of the sea?"

"You, too."

"Oh, that doesn't matter! If I can take fifty Spaniards there with me, I
shall be satisfied."

Jose Castro had heard enough of this talk to know what it meant.

"Why parley with the dog?" he shouted. "If you are men, you will kill
him!"

Now was the critical point. The end seemed at hand.

The second boat rushed at Young Glory.

Quick as a flash he sprang from the stern of the boat where he had been
standing, into the nearest of the two boats that contained the
ammunition.

The boat that was coming up, rushed in, locking itself between the other
two boats.

"You will kill me, you say!" hissed Young Glory through his clenched
teeth. "Try it on! If you move one step, or one of you raises a finger I
will set fire to the powder, and blow you all up!"

A fearful cry arose from the men.

Many of them were so appalled that they sprang into the w