later he had completely destroyed it, silenced the shore batteries, and
held the proud city of Manila at his mercy. All this he had done
without the loss of a man or material damage to his ships, an exploit
so incredible that at first the world refused to believe it.

To Ridge Norris, who had spent a week in the Philippines less than a
year before, the whole affair was of intense interest, and he bitterly
regretted not having remained in the Far East that he might have
participated in that glorious fight.

"I would gladly have shipped as a sailor on the _Olympia_ if I had only
known what was in store for her!" he exclaimed; "but a chance like
that, once thrown away, never seems to be offered again."

"But, my boy, it is better now," said Mrs. Norris, with a triumphant
smile. "Then you would have been only a common seaman; one week ago
you would have enlisted as a common soldier. Now you may go as an
officer--what you will call a lieutenant--with the chance soon to
become a captain, and perhaps a general. Who can tell?"

"Whatever do you mean, mother?"

"What I say, and it is even so; for have I not the promise of the
Governor himself? But your father will tell you better, for he knows
what has been done."

So Ridge went to his father, who confirmed what he had just heard,
saying:

"Yes, son; your mother has exerted her influence in your behalf, and