The Nashville had little steam on, for she had been lying to during the fight. Suddenly the Cristobal Colon put on a great burst of speed, and came dashing through the water toward the gun-boat.

"She's going to ram us!"

"Sink her! Stop her!"

These cries came from all parts of the ship.

The excitement was terrific. The Spaniard was firing her guns as she came on, the Nashville was replying. Captain Long was working to stave off the impending disaster. Hastily the engineer got up steam. The gun-boat was well under way again.

"This dodging about can have only one end, sir," said Young Glory to the captain.

"Yes, an end for us."

"Exactly. There's only one way to save ourselves."

"I know none. Once those broadside guns get into play on us it will soon be over. They are bound to sink us at this distance. The worst gunners in the world could not miss."

"Don't give them the chance."

"How, Young Glory?"

"Run boldly up to her, sir."

"What then?"

"It's neck or nothing. Let all hands be ready, and once we're alongside of the Spaniard, we must board her and take her by storm."

The captain was thunderstruck. This audacious proposal fairly took his breath away. It was difficult for him to reply. Meanwhile, Young Glory respectfully awaited an answer.

CHAPTER X.

BOARDING THE CRUISER--THE LAST STAND.

"Mr. Tyler."

"Yes, sir."

"Listen. Young Glory proposes to run into the Spaniard and board her."

"Great Heaven!"

"It's the only way to save ourselves."

"Save ourselves, Young Glory! Do you know what you're talking about?"

"I generally do, sir."

"Then take note of this. The Cristobal Colon has a complement of five hundred officers and men. What have we?"

"Two hundred."

"Exactly."

"And they are enough, sir."

"Mr. Tyler, it is not a question of whether we have enough, but what are we to do. We shall be sunk for a certainty in a few minutes."

"Board the Spaniard, sir. Board her. I'm with you heart and soul. We'll die fighting."

"No, we will live and triumph!"

As Young Glory said these words his eyes flashed fire, and his looks more than his words brought hope to each of his officers.

Instantly the call for boarders was heard.

The two ships were nearing each other now, the Spaniard rapidly getting into a commanding position. Those on board of the Cristobal Colon were astounded at the action of the gun-boat. Here she was coming at the cruiser as if with the intention of ramming her.

It seemed madness. What chance would such a small craft have against the great Spanish cruiser?

The Spaniards were in high glee.

They antic.i.p.ated an easy victory.

"The ship will be sunk in a few minutes," said Captain Moret, who commanded the Spaniard, "and those American pigs with her."

"Pardon me, captain," said a lieutenant.

"Well."

"I wish to make a suggestion."

"Do so."

"If the ship is sunk, she is no use to us."

"Quite so."

"Whereas if we capture her, she will be a very valuable prize, in fact, just the kind of a boat we want. Those men must know they have no chance. Call on them to surrender. They are almost within earshot now.

Depend upon it if you offer them good treatment they will hand over their boat, and think they've got out of the hole they're in very well."

"Caramba! lieutenant, but you speak well. Ho! there!"

The captain spoke English, and as there was a lull in the firing he was able to make himself heard.