aptain Moret was astounded. He had never dreamed that the Americans
would resort to such desperate tactics. Being completely surprised, he
had made no preparations to repel boarders, and such of his men who were
not at the guns were in the tops.

The result was that the blue jackets of the Nashville obtained a secure
footing on the cruiser's deck.

But Captain Moret was not idle.

"Sweep these dogs from the deck!" he cried, savagely.

Bang!

Dan fired and missed the captain by a hairbreadth.

"It's a more civil tongue in your head I'd have ye kapin'!" cried the
Irishman.

The Spaniards had formed to repel the attack now. By the hundred they
rushed on to the deck of the ship. From the tops Spanish riflemen kept
up a withering fire on the enemy.

Captain Long saw this. Instantly he put his riflemen at work.

With deadly aim the American riflemen fired. One by one the Spaniards
dropped dead in the tops, and those who did not, climbed down from their
elevated positions to seek a less dangerous spot.

A hand to hand fight was going on.

The Americans and Spaniards had met on the deck of the cruiser in a
fierce contest. Nothing was heard but the clash of steel, the firing of
pistols, and the shouts of the fighters.

The Spaniards were three to one, for the Americans had left a large part
of their force on the gun-boat. It was quite impossible to employ all
the blue jackets in the attack on the cruiser.

Young Glory was in the front of the battle, laying about him with his
cutlass. Mr. Tyler, leading the sailors, was fighting by his side. Dan
Daly was not far off, and Dan's quaint remarks could be heard above
everybody's voice.

The Spanish officers kept somewhat in the background, urging their men
to the attack, by every means in their power.

"Arrah! it's hidin' ye are!" shouted Dan. "It's here ye ought to be.
It's yer foine gold lace I'd be afther seein'!"

But even this invitation did not tempt the officers of the cruiser to
come to closer quarters.

One by one the men dropped. The enemy's loss was far the greater, but
they were able to sustain it better than the Americans.

Mr. Tyler saw this, and wished to end matters.

"Follow me!" he cried, bravely, turning to his men and waving his sword.

With a cheer, led by Young Glory, the blue jackets sprang forward and
dashed at the Spaniards. The latter, appalled by the fury of the attack
gave way.

But it was only for an instant. The Spanish officers