CHAPTER XXI
NEARING THE END
Hal Marchant returned to Guantanamo with the marines after thesuccessful attack upon the Spanish camp, which was left a mass of flamefrom end to end. Their arrival was greeted vociferously, for theirs wasthe first real victory ashore. They found their comrades in a greatstate of excitement, news having arrived of the army of invasion. It hadalready embarked, and had actually sailed from Tampa. But, after all, itproved to be a false start, for the very next day brought informationthat the fleet of transports had been ordered back, for fear thatSpain's one remaining squadron of warships, which sailed under the flagof Admiral Camara, should suddenly fall upon and annihilate it.
This, however, proved to be a false alarm; and on Tuesday, the 14th ofJune, the transports steamed away with their freight of men, horses, andequipment for Key West, where they were joined by a powerful fleet ofwarships, which were to act as escort. On board the troop-ships wererather more than 15,000 officers and men, while 10,000 more were readyfor embarkation as soon as the transports could return to Tampa.
Arrived off the southeastern coast of Cuba, after a delightful sailextending over a week, the fleet lay to, while General Shafter, AdmiralSampson, and their respective staffs went ashore at Asseraderos, andthere met General Garcia, who had been the recognized leader of theinsurgents for many years. It was an historical meeting, and at itstermination Daiquiri was finally settled upon as the point of landingfor the long-expected invading army.
"Mr. Marchant, we're removing from here right now," said the marineofficer a day after the fleet of transports had been sighted. "Daiquiriis the point of invasion, and we are to steam along in that direction.But I don't expect that we shall have the luck to land; thetroops--lucky beggars!--will do that, of course. What on earth sent usto Guantanamo and kept us there is more than I can say. What did we dofor the cause? Next to nothing, I guess. Just hashed up one of thecamps, and nearly got into a precious mess with those guerrillas."
"It does seem strange that you were sent there," Hal agreed. "Here havewe been hanging on to the place and sacrificing valuable lives, and allfor nothing. However, the invading force is at hand, and the business isto commence in real earnest. As to Daiquiri, its proximity to Santiagomust be the chief reason for its selection, for, situated as it is, itwill save a tremendous amount of bush fighting. Fancy marching fromGuantanamo through forest and scrub! Why, the Spanish guerrillas wouldcertainly deal with us as the Cubans have with them in former times."
"That is about the truth, I fancy; but, anyway, we're clearing from thisright now, so pack up your kit and make all ready," the officer replied.
That night Hal was on board the gunboat, and by dawn they were lying offDaiquiri, surrounded by enormous transports, which were filled with menin boisterous spirits. Beside the troopers the gunboat looked so smallthat one might have thought she could be of no fighting value. And yet aglance at the underwater fittings of the torpedo-tubes, and thequick-firers upon her decks, showed that, though small in proportions,she was a dangerous customer to deal with, and capable of sinking anyof the transports with the greatest ease.
Grouped upon her deck, the marines shouted to their comrades, and lookedenviously in their direction more than once. Indeed, they were far frompleased at having had to vacate Guantanamo, after having to fight sostubbornly for it. The brush with the enemy had been keen while itlasted, and had satisfied their martial ardor; but all were disappointedwith the order which had compelled them to embark again, and it was nowonder that they asked indignantly why they had ever been sent there ifthe town and position were not to be held. It was a sheer waste of timeand lives, and the men were amongst the first to recognize this.
Meanwhile, General Garcia, with a rag-tag army of three thousandinsurgents, watched the point selected for the landing. They were allfairly well armed, but, without exception, they were ragged to a degree,and presented a half-starved appearance.
June 22d broke fine and clear, and straightway a bombardment of thevarious forts and villages along the coast commenced.
"I imagine that we are knocking bits off the blockhouses, and holding ageneral action all along the line, so as to mislead the Dons," said theofficer of marines. "Hillo! That was fine!"
His exclamation was caused by the simultaneous lowering of boats fromall the transports lying off Daiquiri. Then men swarmed into them, andas soon as they were filled, strings of the tiny craft were attached tolaunches, which steamed at once for the coast, which had alreadysustained a fierce bombardment. That evening some six thousand Americanshad landed, consisting, for the most part, of the division under GeneralLawton. In addition, a portion of General Wheeler's brigade of cavalryhad disembarked, and with them had come a machine-gun battery. Themethod of landing the artillery horses and transport mules was mostinteresting. The animals were thrown overboard, and as they wereunhampered with kit or harness of any sort, they came through the ordealwonderfully.
Hal, ever on the look-out for adventure, had not allowed the day to passwithout an effort to get ashore. Indeed, he contrived to find a vacantplace in one of the boats, and in due course landed at the tiny jettywhich projected from the beach into the sea. As he walked along it,someone, dressed as a trooper, rushed frantically towards him.
"Hal! It's Hal! By Jove, how glad I am! Hang it, old man, don't you knowme, or are you too proud? Where the dickens did you come from? I heardthat you had gone ashore in the _Merrimac_. Well, this is a day!"
It was Gerald Brindle, looking strong and well again, but somewhatbewildered and out of breath as he accosted his friend and shook hishands up and down as if he would never cease.
"Steady, old boy! Of course it's Hal! Look out, you're breaking myfingers. There, that's very nice; and now, if you'll stop for a moment,I'll tell you all that is worth telling."
Hal wrenched his hand away, and, stepping a pace backward, stood lookingcritically at his friend.
Gerald was dressed in a uniform of khaki, not unlike that worn by theBritish troops in South Africa, but differing in one or more importantrespects. For instance, in place of the helmet, which is only requiredin the hottest countries, the American troopers had wide-brimmed, thickfelt hats, calculated to withstand a fierce sun, and well able toshelter the head and shoulders when a torrent of rain was descending.Then, again, this felt hat had a decided advantage for men on activeservice, for, when they were lying down and skirmishing, it would nothit upon the back of the neck and be tilted over the eyes at the mostcritical moment. Another difference was that the Americans wore a lightgaiter, instead of the puttee.
Gerald, with his head-covering pulled rakishly over one ear, looked avery smart and soldier-like young fellow, and seemed to be well able tomanage the rifle which he carried in one hand.
"A trooper?" said Hal, looking at him closely. "Well, old man, you lookevery inch of it. Supposing you tell me how it is to be done, so that Imay follow suit, and take my place at your side."
"That's easy enough," answered Gerald: "The ranks are filled up, butwe'll find room for you; for I happen to know one of the staff officers,who will arrange for it, if I ask him. Why, Hal, I have a splendidbillet! I am one of Roosevelt's own; one of 'Teddy's Terribles,' or'Roosevelt's Rustlers,' as we are sometimes called. You must have heardof us by now. We're the cowboy lot, and we've all sorts and sizes in ourranks. Fellows who are out of all employment, and who have not so muchas a cent to bless themselves with, and others who are the sons ofmillionaires, or millionaires themselves, with so much to jangle intheir pockets that they would not miss it if you took the average man'syearly wages from them. But, whatever their wealth, they are allrattling good fellows, and all bent upon fighting. But we've no horses.That's the joke of this invading army. The fact is that transports arescarce as it is, and none could be spared for the mounts. However, weweren't going to allow that to stop us, and here we are, ready to have afling at the Dons on foot, if need be."
"So you are one of the 1st United States Cavalry, sometimes know
n alsoas the Rough Riders, or by the other terms that you mentioned?" saidHal. "Gerald, I'm for it, too. We'll see this war through together."
"Right, that we will," Gerald answered eagerly. "Look here, we'll justtake the bull by the horns, and arrange the matter at once. Let's goright away to the staff officer."
Hal agreed, and they at once ascended the steep slope leading to thecamp, till they came to a pile of ammunition boxes, beside which a polewas erected, bearing a piece of crimson bunting, while beneath it stoodan officer whose uniform proclaimed that he belonged to the staff.
"Well, Mr. Brindle, what is this?" he asked, with a smile. "Introduceyour friend."
"He's Hal Marchant, the fellow who sneaked on board the _Merrimac_ whenshe was about to be sunk off Santiago. You will remember, CaptainCromer, that the tale leaked out, and that Lieutenant Billing was saidto have come in for a wigging."
"That was so. So you're that fellow, are you?" the officer asked,looking closely at Hal. "Now, what's wanted? I know your sort very well.You're dying to be right in the very thick of it; isn't that somewherenear the case?"
"It is the very thing!" Hal exclaimed. "I am anxious to join the RoughRiders till the campaign is over."
The staff officer thought for a few moments, during which he regardedthe two lads with some curiosity and amusement. Then he produced anotebook, and hastily scribbled a few lines.
"Want pay?" he asked suddenly.
"No, not a dollar," Hal answered promptly. "I want all the fun,though."
"Then slip along right now with that to General Wheeler's brigade major;I fancy it will just settle the matter for you, so that he'll allow youto go with the boys."
He nodded, and turned to give some directions to an orderly who had justapproached, while Hal and his friend hurried off as fast as their legswould carry them. By early morning the former was a temporary trooper inthe celebrated Rough Riders.
"I suppose we shall be moving very soon," said Gerald, as he and hisfriend sat down for a meal. "There is one thing, though, that may delayus. You see, things were so rushed at Tampa that all the equipment mostwanted is down at the bottom of the hold, while perfectly useless stuffis at the top. But I hear that they are working very hard to set mattersright."
This, in fact, was the case. Disembarkation of stores had been going onday and night, not only at Daiquiri, but also at other parts of thecoast. The invading army consisted of three divisions--each split upinto three brigades--and of a cavalry brigade. While the second divisionand the horseless cavalry had been landing at Daiquiri, the firstdivision, under General Kent, had begun to disembark at Siboney.Meanwhile, General Shafter, the Commander-in-chief, had his quartersaboard the transport _Seguranca_.
The very day upon which Lawton's division landed, he pushed forward withthe greater part to some wooded hills northwest of Daiquiri, which heoccupied without firing a shot. As for Hal and Gerald, with theircomrades of the cavalry, they left camp early on the following morning,and marched to Siboney. By the time they reached the latter place, bothlads were on excellent terms with their fellow-troopers. Indeed, Geraldwas already well known, and it wanted only a mention of Hal'sadventurous trip ashore in the _Merrimac_ to bring a crowd surging roundhim, clamoring for all the details.
"Tell yer this, you're born ter be lucky, that's how I size it," saidone big cowboy. "Yer see, since this war got started, you've seen a rarelot er moves, and never got so much as pipped with a bullet. That jistshows as you're kept for somethin' more perlite, so I tell yer I shallkeep as close alongside as I can squeeze as soon as the shootin'starts."
"Perhaps that might not be quite as secure a place as in front," Halanswered, with a smile. "A Cuban ran beside me only a few days ago, andthe bullet which was intended to take my life picked the poor fellowoff."
"So? Then I'll stick in front; but, all the same, I guess you're born tobe lucky."
The cowboy nodded his head knowingly, and strode off. That night orderswere issued to the Rough Riders to prepare for active measures.
"We are to advance against Sevilla, which is three miles away," saidHal, having gleaned some tidings from one of the sergeants. "It seemsthat all the Spaniards are falling back upon Santiago from theblockhouses and outposts, and a few only are left at Sevilla to bar ourprogress. Of course we shall soon brush them aside; though, if thefighting is anything like last week's, we shall have our work cut outfor us, for it will be bush warfare every foot of the way, and the Donshave shown themselves masters of that particular art."
"And afterwards, what shall we have to face?" asked Gerald.
"That is a difficult question to answer; but if your father is right,some seven thousand half-starved Spanish regulars. They cannot hope toresist for very long, for food has completely run out in Santiago. Evennow many of the civil population are said to be dying daily ofstarvation in the streets."
"Then the sooner we end their misery the better," exclaimed Gerald."Hillo; orders, I fancy!"
A message from headquarters had just been brought to the troopers,telling them to prepare to march on the following morning.
"The Rough Riders and other cavalry are to advance early to-morrow onLas Guasimas," said the sergeant who had brought the order. "Theregulars will march to the right, and will take four Hotchkissquick-firing mountain guns. Boys, we aer goin' ter turn the Dons out!"
"Hooroo! By Jingo we aer," the men shouted.
"We'd do it better if we had horses with us," one of them said. "Say,pard, you've been having gay times with the enemy; what's your opinionon the case?"
"I fancy that we are better as we are," Hal answered, with assurance."You see, I know the country hereabouts; it is densely covered withbush, in which animals would be worse than useless, for they would standclear against the green, and would show where we were lying. Withoutthem we shall be more efficient scouts."
"Pass the word there for Trooper Marchant," the sergeant now shouted.
"What is it? Here I am," Hal answered, stepping forward.
"You are acquainted with these parts, I hear?" the sergeant answered.
"Yes, I have ridden through the bush more than once. What then?"
"The general'll be oblee-e-ged to yer ef you'll get ahead of the columnand lead the way. We're kind er strangers here, yer see."
"I'll do what I can," Hal answered briskly, being overjoyed at theprospect. "I suppose my friend can come along too? He knows the countrymuch better than I do."
"In course he can. Now, you'll be ready early, that's the order."
Hal nodded, and at once began to talk the matter over with Gerald. Nextmorning they left the camp with six other men, and marched some fivehundred yards ahead of the main body. A Rough Rider, who had been acowboy right away in the west of North America, was put in charge of thelittle party.
"Now what aer the partic'lar jokes of these fellers?" he asked Hal, asthey pushed along the road. "Yer foller, ef it wur Injuns, or even badmen of the prairie, I'd be onter their games quicken'n a knife. Butthese here Dons most like has a way of acting out er the ordinary, thataint easy ter catch hold of."
"They have, certainly," Hal replied. "To begin with, from the experiencewe had at Guantanamo I fancy you will find that the enemy will make astubborn fight of it. Then they will lie hidden in the bush, and, lookas you will, you will never see more than masses of moving green, forthey cover themselves with leaves and fronds of ferns."
"Christopher! That aer the game? Wall, pards, whenever yer fall on amovin' bush pull yer trigger at it quicker than yer can wink," cried thecowboy. "Now we'll separate, so's to have about twenty yards betweeneach man. Me and this here pard'll work the center, and t'others can fixonter the sides. When any of yer spots somethin' that's out of theord'nary, send the warnin' along, and let every feller mark it. Thenwe'll bring a cross fire ter bear upon it that'll rip through theleaves, and clean the Dons off the face of the airth."
It was a good suggestion on the cowboy's part, and the scouts promptlycarried it out, Hal and his new acqua
intance taking the central place.And now the road became almost impassable, for rain had fallen,saturating the ground and trees, so that after a few minutes' work inthe bush all the scouts were drenched from head to foot.
"It aer moist," the cowboy, whose name was Harman, exclaimed. "But it'swarm, so it don't matter no more'n nothing. Say, aer that Spanishfellers thur?"
He pointed to a prominent hill in front, along the face of which wererows of trenches, and, though the distance was great, it was notdifficult to decide that this was the enemy's position.
"Yes, those are Spaniards," Hal answered. "But look out! If I am notmistaken, the bush to the left is filled with guerrillas."
Scarcely had he spoken when a volley burst from the scrub in front, thebullets whistling overhead.
"That aer partic'lar bad shootin'," said Harman. "They aer right off themark."
"I don't think so," Hal answered quickly. "Look away behind; the Donshave spotted the Rough Riders, and other dismounted cavalry, and arefiring long-ranging volleys."
This indeed was the case, and the bullets which whistled overhead weremeant for their comrades in the distance. Meanwhile, the column,composed of regulars, who were marching on the right, had come in touchwith the enemy, while the cavalry were closing up to them on the left.Suddenly the quick-firing Hotchkiss guns opened from the bush, andcommenced to shell the Spanish trenches, the reports being the signalfor a general rifle engagement.
"This is warm," Hal shouted, as a stream of bullets swept overhead,lopping twigs and leaves from the cover.
"Say, Harman, let us work over there into the bush. It'll be a betterplace from which to fire."
They gradually edged through the scrub, till they reached a lowerposition, where they lay for a time, firing up at the ridge in front ofthem, and at the hill upon which the main body of the enemy wasstationed. From there a machine gun was busily at work, scatteringmissiles through the foliage, and Hal found it a new and somewhat tryingexperience; for the distant rattle was accompanied by a rushing hail oflong-nosed bullets, which flew low, and swept every corner of the bush.Then the noise would pass away, to be replaced by the zip-zip ofMausers, and by the distant ping-ping of the reports. Soon the main bodyof the cavalry came up, and, creeping along the ground, the whole forceadvanced rapidly on the Spaniards, Colonel Roosevelt being some yards infront of his men.
"Reckon a rush'll do it, boys," sang out one of the sergeants. "Justkeep yer blinkers on the boss, and look out for a lively time."
Indeed the moment had arrived for something besides firing, for, as thecavalry advanced, the Spaniards had retired slowly and doggedly, firingall the time. And now a wide clearing cut across the front of theAmericans. Suddenly Colonel Theodore Roosevelt was seen standing in it,fearlessly exposing himself to the bullets, and holding a smoking riflein his hand. He pointed eagerly to a tumble-down sugar factory away infront.
"Boys, we'll take it," he cried. "Forward, the Rough Riders!"
A shout rose from the troopers, and springing to their feet, they joinedin a mad rush up the hill, firing as they ran. A few shots answered, andthen the enemy was seen to be hastily retreating, and within fiveminutes the factory was captured. At the same moment, the Spaniardsretired from the ridge and hill; and the Americans, after sending outscouts and pickets, sat down to rest and talk of their victory.
"It aer a reg'lar fine start off," said Harman, excitedly. "Right fromthe commencement we've shook them Dons up. That aer better than beingpipped all over and getting forced to give back. It'll liven us all up,and, you bet, we'll take Santiago so quick yer'll scarcely believe. Myaunt! Aint this fightin' the thing ter make yer blood warm, not ter sayboilin'!"
"It aer all that, Harman boy," another trooper broke in. "It aerscorchin', I'll allow. I tell yer, comin' along through the bush, undera sun as hot--wall, as hot and hotter'n blazes, it fairly cooked yer.Then, when the bullets came flickin' like so many flies--why, it kind ermade yer queer."
"It did that," Gerald agreed. "My pal and I have compared notes. We wereroasting, it was so hot; but when the bullets began to rush, we felt asif cold water had been poured down our backs. However, we got used toit, and mighty quickly felt the broiling heat of the sun again."
"Say, boys, did any of yer see them skunks of Cubans?" asked anotherRough Rider.
"See 'em! Not much!" Harman exclaimed disdainfully. "They wur to havecome along to-day, but when we marched past their camp, not a single oneof the varmint moved. Jist fancy! We're here fightin' fur them critters,too!"
A murmur of indignation and disgust went round the circle, for alreadythe Americans had taken a dislike to the natives. They had begun todiscover that these dusky insurgents were very good at lying away atsafe but impossible ranges, and firing an immoderate quantity ofammunition. And whenever there was a prospect of plunder with no blowsto be feared, the Cubans were much to the fore, as they were also ifthere happened to be an opportunity of ill-treating Spanish soldiers.
"Ugh!" exclaimed Harman in disgust. "These black critters aren't a patchon the Dons, who aint bright specimens themselves, for they're fellersone can't kind er understand, and then they've picked hold of such ajabberin' lingo. But they can fight! Them aer little chaps aer tarnalgood 'uns with a rifle, and I reckon that away here in the bush they'dtake some beatin'; they'd knock spots off a Red Injun, and that's thetruth."
A chorus of assent came from the men, who at once began to discuss theremarkable pluck shown by the enemy. Then inquiries were made for a listof casualties, but it was not known until later in the day that sixteenhad been killed on the American side, and fifty-two wounded.
That evening the Rough Riders and other cavalry lined the ridge and hillof Las Guasimas, and, looking across a patch of open country, could seethe hill and fort of San Juan, and, beyond that, Santiago with itsharbor and ships. El Caney, a village of small importance, which wasdestined to become a point of attack, stood close to San Juan.
"What will be the next move?" asked Gerald, as he and Hal sat down sideby side that night, and waited for their turn of sentry-go.
"That is difficult to say," Hal answered thoughtfully, "but I fancy thatthe first thing will be to feed the troops. It is a question which seemsto have been entirely forgotten. Then we must remember that the storesare still aboard the transports, and if they have been packed ascarelessly as reported, days must pass before we get guns and sufficientammunition and food. In any case, before we advance on Santiago, thereshould be a reconnaissance, and the approaches should be thoroughlyexplored."
That the latter was a necessary precaution the least experienced inmilitary matters will say, and yet, strangely enough, the necessity fora careful survey did not seem to have struck the leaders of the Americantroops. And this, no doubt, was one of the evil results of a hastilyorganized army. Soldiering cannot be learned in a day, and amateurscannot maneuver troops when they have had no practice. From first tolast the Americans had suffered from the inexperience of their variousleaders. Troops had been concentrated in the southern camps of America,where the heat was very trying, and had been kept there for a long timeinactive, and exposed to disease. As a result, many had died, whileother young fellows had returned home with health shattered--and thiswithout having fired a shot.
Then, too, the commissariat arrangements had been indifferent, and quiteinsufficient. Troops were indeed conveyed safely to Cuba, but after theyhad had a taste of war, they were left in the heart of the unhealthybush, with nothing better to eat than salt pork and hard biscuit;coffee, tea, sugar, and such necessaries were unheard of.
And on the beach at Daiquiri and Siboney a growing pile of uselessarticles collected, while cases of food were searched for--articleswhich the wisdom of some inexperienced person had placed first of all inthe ship, when they should have gone in last. No wonder that the heatand moisture soon found victims, for men cannot stand hardship andexposure if they are ill fed. Indeed, the week's delay before fightingrecommenced laid the seeds of disease in many men. And then the fatalmo
ment arrived when lack of precautions on the part of those inauthority was to cost many a poor fellow his life in the attack upon SanJuan.
Beyond Las Guasimas was an open stretch of country to which troops mustmarch by one of two roads that led through the bush and forest, and uponthe openings of these the Spaniards had naturally concentrated theirguns, with a certainty of shooting accurately, for the ranges wereknown. On the American side, no attempt was made to open up othertracks, and this proved disastrous to the men; for on the 1st of July,when another forward move was made, many unfortunate troopers werestruck dead at the first volley. This was, indeed, a memorable day forboth attackers and attacked. Marching northwest from Las Guasimas, thedivisions separated, Lawton's, accompanied by four guns, making for ElCaney, a village of small proportions, and situated on an elevation.General Kent's division, marching with the cavalry and Rough Riders,made the fort and hill of San Juan their objective. In both cases opencountry had to be traversed; but in the latter the troops had first tomake their way through a dense belt of forest which gave place to theopen quite suddenly, and only two tracks existed.
To describe each phase of the big engagement would be to puzzle thereader; for it was like a game of chess, the pieces being in this casethe various units going to complete the divisions, and the board an areacovering square miles.
On the right, after nine hours' stubborn fighting with a force less thana tenth of his own, Lawton's division captured El Caney, and somehundred prisoners.
In the center, Kent's men, with the dismounted cavalry, and our twoheroes, lay at the edge of the forest, suffering heavy loss for somehours; for the Spaniards sent long-ranging volleys into the trees, whichdid much execution. Then, too, their quick-firing guns had the range toa nicety, and sent showers of shrapnel sweeping through the ranks. Atlength, unable to bear this loss without retaliating, the Americansburst into the open, and stormed the hill and fort, every man fightingdesperately. Indeed, when the day was done, victors and vanquishedadmitted that both sides had shown undaunted courage. Undoubtedly theSpaniards had fought a brilliant rearguard action, and theirstubbornness, and the fact that half their small numbers were killed orwounded, showed the spirit which possessed them.
As for the Americans, though many of them had been soldiers for only afew weeks, they attacked with a courage and a sternness of purpose thatwere truly admirable, and did credit to the stock from which they came.
CHAPTER XXII
THE FLOWER OF THE HACIENDA
Two days after the memorable attack on San Juan the American causeseemed in as hopeless a condition as possible. From El Caney to thecoast the troops held a long line of trenches and faced a series ofworks, all of which were manned by determined, though half-starved,Spaniards. To the north and west Santiago was free and open to theenemy, while, where the invading forces besieged it, their line was sothin as to be practically useless. To attempt now to press an attackhome to the walls of Santiago would be to court disaster, for largere-enforcements were needed for such an action; while, if the Americanscould but hold the line that they had won, they would be doing well.
The shortcomings of an army raised in haste were beginning to show.Rations from the first had been poor, and as a natural consequence menfell ill under the hardship and exposure. To these hundreds of woundedwere already added, and to attend to them all there was a medical staffthat was hopelessly insufficient. No provision, in fact, worthy of thename had been made. No stretcher-bearer corps had been organized, andwhen the wounded came crowding in, even drugs and dressings were foundto be lacking. Could anything be more discouraging? No wonder thatGeneral Shafter thought the situation serious. No wonder that hetelegraphed urgently for re-enforcements.
And now the strangest and most unexpected move in the campaign occurred,and altered the prospect of the war. To describe it fully, one must oncemore turn to Hal and Gerald, for this lucky pair had a splendidopportunity of observing everything. Both had taken part in the attackupon San Juan, and both had been wounded--Hal through the fleshy part ofthe thigh, and Gerald in the hand. Some hours passed before either wentto obtain the services of the surgeon.
"This is rather late, young fellow," the latter said to Hal, as herolled up his trousers and showed the wound. "I suppose you couldn't gethere before?"
"Yes, we could have come earlier," Hal answered; "but you were busy, andneither of us was badly hit. But I'd be glad if you'd look at my woundnow. It's painful and I feel feverish."
"Which is exactly what I was thinking. Put that under your tongue, andwe'll see what the temperature is."
An examination of the thermometer showed that Hal's temperature washigh, and a searching inspection of the wound revealed that it wasinflamed.
"You are both feverish and out of sorts," said the surgeon, as hedressed Hal's leg. "Both with flesh wounds, which will get worse ifsomething isn't done. I'll send you to the coast for a day or two. Ablow aboard ship will set you up again."
Neither Hal nor Gerald objected, for it was already known that no activeengagements would take place till re-enforcements arrived, so that ifthey went to sea for a day or two, they would lose none of the fun. Theytrudged to Siboney, therefore, and that evening were resting on boardthe gunboat _Gloucester_, a converted yacht, which happened to be lyingclose in beside the town when they arrived.
Many and eager were the questions put to them by the men and officersaboard, and Hal and Gerald were treated like heroes.
"Tell yer what, young fellers," said one of the men, "you boys ashoreaer havin' all the fun. Why, I'd pitch all these fine rations and easytimes ter Jingo, if I could slip ashore and see a trifle of thefightin'. They say that San Juan wur hot. Away out at sea we could seethe Spanish shells burstin' like fireworks."
"Don't yer grumble, Jimmy," another broke in reprovingly. "Up to a weekor more back, we sailors wur exceptional busy. P'raps we'll get a go inagain. Thur aint never no tellin'."
How near he was to being a true prophet this sailor had no notion, noranyone else in the American fleet. And yet, on that very evening,Admiral Cervera's fleet lay in the harbor of Santiago, with steam up,ready to slip cables and run from the harbor. But for what reason? Werenot the Americans doing their utmost to capture the Spanish fleet? Thenwhy play into their hands, and rush from security to destruction?
The question will probably never be satisfactorily answered. It is saidthat direct orders were received from Madrid; but in any case, on Sundaymorning, the 3d of July, the whole of the Spanish fleet was observedsteaming out from the harbor in bright sunlight. Instantly, every man onboard the American ships was wide awake.
"Hillo! What is happening?" an officer on board the _Gloucester_shouted, as a puff of smoke darted from the flagship. "A gun, by Jingo!That's from the _Brooklyn_, the flagship while Admiral Sampson is away.Tumble up there, boys! There's fun commencing."
The bell to the engine-room at once sounded, and the _Gloucester_ beganto run towards the entrance of Santiago. Hal and Gerald immediatelyforgot their wounds, and hastened to help the men serving thequick-firers.
"Steady there, all!" cried the commander of the _Gloucester_. "Our gunsare no good against battleships. Well wait for the gunboats. Evidentlythe whole fleet is coming out."
Led by the _Infanta Maria Teresa_, with Admiral Cervera aboard, a lineof Spanish ships sailed from Santiago harbor, and, turning west, steamedoff in single file. In all there were six, the two last being gunboats.
"Those are our mark," cried the commander, pointing to the latter."We'll get after them at top-speed. Boys, you can commence with theguns."
Rushing forward at seventeen knots, the _Gloucester_ began to fire herweapons, and soon shells were singing about the decks of the _Pluton_and the _Furor_, the two Spanish gunboats. Then a lucky missile crashedinto the engine-room of the latter, and in a moment she was a wreck, andrapidly sinking.
"Now for the other," shouted the commander. "Give it her all you know,boys!"
The men responded with a will, and with such su
ccess that the _Pluton_was soon in a sinking condition, and to save her crew was run upon therocks.
"Now we will see what else can be done," the commander of the_Gloucester_ cried. "Keep her straight along the coast, quartermaster.Perhaps we shall be able to pick up some prisoners. Hillo! Our boys aregivin' it to the Dons."
Admiral Schley's fleet was, indeed, handling the Spanish ships severely.Steaming straight in for Santiago, the Americans had put their helms toport as soon as they were well within range. Then their guns began toroar, and soon they were obscured in big clouds of smoke. Running westalong the coast-line of Cuba, the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ and herconsorts returned the fire as vigorously as their poor armaments wouldallow, and all the time rushed ahead at their fastest pace, hoping toescape.
"They'll do it," shouted Gerald, excitedly. "They've the lead, and willget dead away."
"Not a bit of it," Hal answered quietly. "We have some fast ships outthere, and the _New York_ is patrolling the coast higher up. AdmiralCervera's fleet is doomed."
"It aer that," one of the sailors standing near by burst in. "Them 'ereships won't run much more'n an hour. Look at 'em now, and the way theshells aer strikin'."
With eyes glued to glasses, or with hands held above the brows to keepaway the glare of the sun, every officer and man on the deck of the_Gloucester_ followed the course of the naval battle with breathlessinterest.
The leading Spanish vessel, the _Maria Teresa_, was by now nearly sixmiles from Santiago, but she stood not a ghost of a chance. Everyavailable gun was turned upon her, and she was struck by no fewer thantwenty-nine shells. The number of hits was actually small in comparisonwith the guns employed; but they were crushing blows. Two enormoustwelve-inch shells crashed into her stern, shattering everything intheir course towards the bows. Eight-inch, five-inch, and six-poundersexploded in every part, killing numbers of the unfortunate sailors. Buteven now she was steaming as steadily as ever, and was pluckilyreplying; for her armor casing had protected her water-line and her mostvulnerable part, the engines. However, she was not to escape, for thewoodwork caught fire, and as there was a great deal of it, and as thewater main had been cut by the shells, she was soon a blazing mass,drifting hopelessly and helplessly towards the land.
"There's work for us there, boys," cried the commander. "Those poorfellows are roasting, so let us do what we can for them. Mr. Morton,tell off a party to land in the cutter. Some of the Dons may swimashore, and I can see a crowd of those sneakin' Cubans there. Just pitchinto them if there's trouble."
"Aye, aye, sir," was the hearty response. "You boys from the for'ard gun'll come with me."
"I'd like to be one of the party, too, sir," said Hal, stepping forward.
"And I also," Gerald chimed in.
"What! you two wounded troopers? What would be the use?"
"Wounded! I'd forgotten all about it," cried Hal.
"So you had, and I believe you," the officer answered. "You've both beenworking with our boys like bricks. You can take it that you are tocome."
Highly delighted at the prospect, Hal and Gerald quickly providedthemselves with cutlasses. Meanwhile, the _Gloucester_ had been steamingat half speed towards the unfortunate _Maria Teresa_. Already theSpaniard was close in shore, but the gunboat drew very little water.Steaming alongside the blazing war vessel, she lowered a boat and sent aparty aboard, while another went ashore. On the beach a number of raggedCubans were standing, and as the exhausted Spanish sailors swam to theland, they fired at them or threw them back into the waves. Dashingthrough the surf, the American sailors swept the insurgents on one side.
"Back, yer black-skinned murderers!" cried one of the men, rushing at aCuban who was in the very act of dashing a poor Spaniard's brains out.Then his fist shot out in truly British fashion, and next moment thenative went crashing to the ground. "Thur; lie still, yer sweep," heexclaimed, standing over the man. "If yer just so much as lift yerskinny finger, I'll smash you."
He looked it, too, every bit of it, and the Cuban cowered, not evendaring to move.
"Some of you lads just look to these blackguards," cried the officer."If they try any of their games, cut them to the chin with yourcutlasses. The others can bear a hand with these poor fellows."
But there was little fear that the Cubans would attempt more violence,for when blows were threatened all their courage oozed through theirfingers. They drew back from the beach and sat down, glowering at themen who had come to the island to bring them freedom. As for the Spanishsailors, they were taken on board the _Gloucester_, Cervera and his sonbeing amongst the number. As the former stepped on board, CommanderWainwright advanced with outstretched hand.
"I congratulate you, sir," he said heartily, "on having made as gallanta fight as was ever witnessed on the sea."
Meanwhile, the work of rescue from the _Maria Teresa_ went on. Flaringfrom end to end, and with deck and side plates white hot from thefurnace raging within her, she slowly drifted nearer the coast, her gunsexploding as the flames reached them, and her ammunition bursting withdeafening reports. But the undaunted Americans stuck to her, and wouldnot quit till every Spanish sailor needing help was over the side. Aquarter of an hour later the _Almirante Oquendo_, which had also takenfire and was sorely battered by shells, ran ashore a little farther upthe coast.
"There are more to rescue there, boys," cried the commander of the_Gloucester_; and at once the gunboat steamed towards the burning wreck.Then again the same gallant and successful attempt at rescue was made;but barely in time, for suddenly the flames reached the magazine, andthe _Almirante Oquendo_ blew up with a deafening roar.
Quick to follow her fate, the _Viscaya_ also drove ashore, and became atotal wreck. The _Cristobal Colon_ was the last of Cervera's fleet, andby now she, too, was in sorry plight. Escape, which had seemed possibleto her, was now out of the question, for the fast ships, the _Texas_ andthe _New York_, were rapidly overhauling her. Shells began to hurtleabove her decks and crash through her plates; and, finally, seeing thehopelessness of the struggle, her commander struck his flag. But the_Cristobal Colon_ was no prize for America, for already she showed alist, and scarcely had all the prisoners been removed when she filledand sank, this being due, it is asserted, to the action of one of hercrew, who opened the sea-cocks.
One fine scene there was as this magnificent vessel surrendered, and itdeserves to be recorded. The commander of the _Texas_ stood on hisbridge, and silenced the cheers of his men. Then, lifting his hatreverently from his head, he called upon each and everyone to givethanks to God for this victory, and for his own safety through thefight.
Hal and Gerald did yeoman service on this memorable day, and it was nottill every Spanish sailor who could be rescued was aboard the_Gloucester_ that they thought of themselves. Then, indeed, theydiscovered that they were worn out, and that their wounds were unusuallypainful. But a long sleep did all that was necessary, and fresh airbeing added to it, they soon began to mend. A week later they were oncemore with their comrades, the Rough Riders.
"Back again, and seen the last of Cervera's fleet," said Harman, intones which showed that he was not exactly pleased. "I never did dropupon such pards as you. Talk about fire-eaters! Why, I believe thisfeller, Marchant, has smelt Spanish powder ever since the war started.You're meant for something bad, that's all I can surmise. A chap thatgoes all through this war, and only gets in the way of a single pip, aergot somethin' coming."
He nodded his head significantly at the lads, and grinned.
"Wall, I'm kind er jealous, I own," he proceeded. "Here aer we,a-kicking our heels in the trenches, and you chaps enjoyin' yourselves.And the grub! My! I've had my teeth through some mighty queer stuff, butsome of the salt pork doled out ter us 'd make a nigger squint! It aerthat tough that the only comfort aer ter work it into sausages. But itaint going to last for long, for this here row has got the heart knockedout of it. There's been a palaver, and now there's an armistice, whilethe bosses discuss terms. Santiago aer done fur, and if you take it true
from me, so aer the war. The Dons aer fairly pulled ter pieces, and aerdurned sorry fur theirselves."
That this was the case was self-evident, and the capitulation ofSantiago came as no surprise. On Saturday, the 16th of July, the deed ofsurrender was signed, and, led by General Shatter and his staff, theAmerican troops took possession of the town, which was filled withstarving soldiers and civilians.
Courteous and truly honorable were the Spanish officers, and, looking attheir pallid faces and wan cheeks, the boys from the States realizedthat these were foes indeed, and men of whom any army could be proud,and whom any nation might hold in high respect.
That same day Hal and Gerald heard news which upset them considerably,for, just as evening was drawing in, Jake, the faithful negro who hadpreviously warned them, came into the camp, and fell exhausted at theirfeet.
"Quick, boss!" he whispered. "Dat bad man come again. De missie and demaster fighting for deir lives."
"Where? At Eldorado?" cried Hal, his heart palpitating with fear at theominous words. "Here, some water, Gerald. Pour some down the poorfellow's throat. That will pull him round, and help him to get his windagain."
Gerald swung his bottle to the front, and rapidly unscrewed the cork.Then he poured some of the contents down Jake's throat.
"Ise better now," said the negro, in stronger tones. "But don't wait,boss. Jake look to himself. Ride quick for de hacienda, for dat bad mancome dere two, t'ree hour ago, and rush at it wid his men."
"Then there must be no delay," cried Hal, rising suddenly to his feetwith a stern look upon his face. "Two or three hours ago! That time haspassed since Jose and his ruffians attacked Eldorado! Quick! There isnot a moment to be lost, and every second is of consequence. Here,Gerald, you see to Jake's wants, and get the poor beggar on his pinsagain, while I go across to our friend the staff officer and ask him todo something for us."
He turned on his heel at once, and hurried towards a stone-built house,above which floated the directing flag, and above that again thestar-spangled banner. A moment later he was face to face with one of theregulars who was stationed outside, and on mentioning his business, wasimmediately ushered into an office where, seated at a table, was thestaff officer who had befriended him before.
"Well," said the latter pleasantly, "had your fill of it already, andcome to cry off now that the fun's gone down?"
"No, not that, sir," Hal answered promptly, and in a voice which wassomewhat agitated in spite of himself. "You've been so kind before,that I have come to ask another favor. The truth is that I am in serioustrouble. Will you--can you help me, sir?"
The officer, who was arranging some papers on the table, swung round andlooked at him curiously.
"Phew! trouble!" he exclaimed, giving vent to a shrill whistle. "It'sbad, I reckon, for the lad who slips ashore on the _Merrimac_, and riskshis skin at the game, is not the one to be easily put out. What is itsnature?"
Hal was not the lad to talk, especially when deeds were wanted and timewas of the utmost importance, so on this occasion he contrived toexplain the situation in a few short sentences.
"I am to understand, then, Mr.--er--I don't remember your name--thatyou've friends close at hand, who are bein' worried by a scoundrel,"said the officer. "And since you've mentioned it so particularly, I takeit that the girl has got something to do with the flurry into whichyou've worked yourself. Now, what is in the wind? What are you askingfor?"
"Give me thirty mounted men at once," Hal blurted out. "I promise toreturn with them as soon as possible."
"With what's left, you mean! Thirty mounted men! Well, I don't know thatI couldn't oblige you."
He looked out of the window, and cogitated deeply for a few moments.
"Yes," he exclaimed, as if he had suddenly made up his mind. "Look here;take this order and go quickly."
He hastily jotted down a few words to the officer commanding one of thevery few troops of cavalry whose horses had disembarked on Cuban soil,and, having sealed it, handed it to Hal.
"There, go! Get away as quickly as you can," he cried, "and the verybest of luck, for you deserve it."
Waiting only to blurt out his thanks, Hal tore away, and soon presentedhis message. Half an hour later a small company of horse cantered out ofcamp, and took the road to Eldorado. In front and leading them rode asergeant, sitting his horse with the grace and easy swing of a practicedcowboy, and on either side of him were Hal and Gerald. Two hours laterthey were within a mile of the hacienda, and called a halt for a rest.
"There aint no firing now," said the sergeant, going into a clearing tolisten. "No, there aint so much as a sound, so you can take it that theyaer alive and kicking. If these critturs we aer after had rushed theshow, there'd be sparks flying into the darkness by now, I guess, andthey'd be cooking their dinners over the flames. You can put it downthat things has quieted down for the night; but the row'll fizzle upagain in the mornin'."
"Then do you suggest that we shall remain here?" asked Hal, who wasimpatient to get on, and full of forebodings for the safety of hisfriends. "Supposing that brute attacks during the early hours, he'd----"
"That aer jist about his game," the American answered coolly, "and it'llbe for us to put a stopper on it. Say, you, sir, take it easy, and havea blower here for half an hour or more. Then we'll walk on, and whenwe're pretty close, we'll leave the horses, and skirmish up among thetrees. Bet yer bottom dollar we'll soon see how the worry lies."
Accordingly, after resting themselves and their horses, the troop setforward again, dismounting and leaving the animals in charge of one ofthe men when some three hundred yards from the hacienda. Then Hal andthe sergeant crept to the edge of the clearing.
"There's a fire burnin' away yonder," said the latter, pointing acrossto the opposite side. "Reckon them skunks aer campin'."
"There are some stone buildings on that side of the clearing," Halexplained. "I expect Jose and his gang have taken shelter in them."
"That's the ticket, and they're as safe behind the walls as it aerpossible ter be. But we'll turn 'em out, see if we don't. Say, will yerlead some of the boys over yonder, so as ter cut in behind themcritters? If so, you'd better move off at once. When the light getsbrighter, keep yer eyes wide open, and let 'em have it full blaze. Mindyer fire to the right, or else it'll be a case with us."
Hal readily agreed, and hurriedly returned to the troopers. Then he andGerald, accompanied by ten men, crept round the edge of the clearing tothe farther side, and sat down to wait. At dawn some sharp reports rangout from the stone buildings, and answering flashes could be seenspurting from the sand-bag fort on the roof of the hacienda.
And now Hal's work began. Creeping through the plantations, he at lengthreached a spot from which it was possible to see the men who were firingat Eldorado. There were thirty or more, led by a man dressed in draggledwhite, whom he easily recognized as Jose d'Arousta.
"We'll give them a volley," he said, turning to his comrades. "Thenwe'll get at them full tilt. Fix bayonets, boys!"
Not a word was said in answer, but there was the ominous click of steelagainst steel. A moment or two later a volley was fired into the midstof the Spanish guerrillas.
"At them, boys!" cried Hal, springing to his feet. "Charge!"
At his shout the troopers dashed forward, and the greater part of theenemy at once bolted. Some, however, were too astonished to move, andfell at the point of the bayonet. As for Jose d'Arousta, he died as hehad lived, a hard and cruel man, but one gifted with extraordinarytenacity and courage. Dodging a bayonet thrust with the rapidity oflightning, he sprang back a pace or two, and, drawing a revolver, firedpoint-blank at the trooper who was charging by Gerald's side.
"Take that, yer durned son of a Don!" cried the man, thrusting fiercelyat him again. "Ha! tit for tat, my sonnie!"
The bayonet caught Jose full on the chest, and, thrusting right throughhim, pinned him to the wall. A deathly pallor at once spread over hisface, his mouth gaped, and the revolver almost slipped from his
nerveless fingers. But the manhood in him forced itself to the surface,and he lifted his head to glare at his enemies. Then an oath escaped hislips as his glazing eyes fell upon Hal, and with a last effort he liftedthe weapon and fired.
* * * * *
Hal took no part in the further stages of the war. Indeed, there waslittle else to happen, for the fall of Santiago had been the beginningof the end. The American fleet being freed by the destruction ofCervera's fleet, the Government at Washington threatened to send somebattleships to bombard the coast towns of Spain, and in the meanwhiledispatched an expedition to Puerto Rico. Menaced by a revolution athome, the Madrid Government finally gave way, and, on the 12th ofAugust, peace was patched up between Spain and America, the formerrelinquishing her possessions in the Caribbean Sea.
It came just in time to stop the campaign in Puerto Rico, where somebrisk engagements had taken place; but the news arrived too late, alas!to save the many poor lads who had come from the States to fight fortheir country, and who lay dying of fever near Santiago.
Of the Philippines there is little to tell. Manila was captured on the13th of August, and with it went Spanish rule. But not so the islands,for, led by a native called Aguinaldo, the inhabitants, who hadpreviously rebelled against their old masters, now objected to the new,and chose to fight for their freedom. Thus for many a long day thePhilippines remained in insurrection.
And now to close this story. Struck in the ribs by Jose d'Arousta'sbullet, it was weeks before Hal was up and about; and he undoubtedlyowed his recovery to Dora's devoted nursing. No wonder that when at lasthe tottered on to the veranda, he turned to her with a flush of pride,and drew her arm beneath his own, saying to Mr. Brindle:
"Dora has promised to be my wife some day, and to that I know you willagree, for you have practically told me so. Congratulate me, for I am alucky young fellow. I left England friendless, I came to this beautifulisland as a stranger, and I have won the flower of the hacienda."
"You have, my lad!" exclaimed Mr. Brindle, advancing with outstretchedhand. "Fortune, they say, favors the brave, and yours is well deserved,for you have fought manfully UNDER THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER."
THE END
Under the Star-Spangled Banner: A Tale of the Spanish-American War Page 21