class nothing could be seen but the gray steel of turrets and
superstructure. The "New York" and the "Brooklyn" were similarly
cleared. On the bridges could be seen groups of officers, but the decks
were empty. Every man was at his gun.

The ships steamed in to within a short distance of the beach and then
formed a semicircle, the heavier vessels taking the centre where they
could directly face the forts. The little "Dolphin" was on the extreme
right of the line, with the "Yankee" next.

When within easy range of the guns ashore there ensued a wait. No signal
to fire came from the flagship, and there did not seem to be any move
toward opening the battle by the forts. We stood at our guns in silence,
awaiting the word, until finally patience ceased to be a virtue.

"Seems to me they ought to do something," murmured "Stump," glancing
shoreward rather discontentedly. "Ain't we fair targets?"

"Why don't the admiral tell us to sail in?" queried the first captain in
the same tone. "The day is fine and the range is good. There's the
beggars plain enough with their measly old forts. What more is wanted?"

"Wish they would pipe down and light the smoking lamp," said the second
loader. "It would be a great deal more fun than standing here like a
dummy."

The sun had passed beyond the top of the hills, but the light was
sufficiently strong to bring out in plain relief the batteries guarding
the entrance to Santiago. Grim Morro Castle appeared almost deserted.
The red and yellow banner of Spain flaunted lazily from the ramparts,