THE TWO ADMIRALS
It was a glorious morning, and a glorious sight was disclosed by the
rising sun--a palm-shaded city of red-tiled roofs, dominated by a fine,
double-towered cathedral, and a broad, land-locked bay set in a circle
of rounded hills and rugged mountains. On the placid bosom of the bay
rode Cervera's proud squadron of war-ships--five mighty cruisers, four
of which were of the latest model and most approved armament; two
wicked-looking torpedo-boat destroyers, each claimed to be more than a
match for any battle-ship afloat, and a few gunboats that had been used
for coast patrol. From the war-ships came the cherry notes of bugles,
and from the Plaza de Armas, in which a regiment was passing in review,
swelled the inspiring music of a full military band. Beyond the city
every near-by elevation was occupied by a stout block-house, each
displaying the red and yellow flag of Spain, and forming the nucleus
for radiating lines of rifle-pits. Far down at the entrance to the bay
rose the grim walls of Santiago's Morro Castle, and beyond it floated
against the blue sky soft smoke clouds that Ridge felt sure must come
from the American ships on blockade.
This was Santiago. This the peaceful scene that was soon to be
transformed into a battle-field. Here, within a few days, victory and
defeat would meet face to face. Which side would claim the former?
Until this moment Ridge had never doubted. He had often heard the
boast that his own regiment could drive every Spaniard out of Cuba, and
had believed it. Now he knew that here alone was work cut out for an
army.
These reflections of our young trooper were interrupted by his
companion, who said, "It is a wonderful picture; but I am too hungry to
gaze on it any longer; so let us hasten into the city, with the hope of
finding a breakfast."
Both the young men wore Spanish uniforms that Navarro had brought with
him, and, protected by these, they rode boldly down to the nearest
outpost. Here the lieutenant demanded that they be conducted to
headquarters, to which they were accordingly sent under guard.
Many of the narrow streets through which they passed were indescribably
filthy, but these became cleaner as they neared the Casa Municipal.
Here they were graciously received by General Linares, to whom they
were presented by one of his staff, who recognized Navarro as a friend.
The General complimented them on having eluded the Cubans, and was much
gratified to learn that Pando's army was on its way from Holguin to
reinforce him. After a few minutes of conversation, during which he
promised to give both of them details for field duty, he dismissed
them, and they were at liberty to accept an invitation to breakfast at
the San Carlos Club.
In the cool club-house, which faces the Plaza de Armas, where the band
plays in the evening and fountains plash softly amid blossoming
shrubbery, Ridge and his companion were introduced to many officers, a
number of whom were from the warships.
Santiago was very dull just then; its communication with the outside
world was cut off. No ships could enter its beautiful harbor, business
was almost at a standstill, and there was little to talk about. So the
advent of two strangers into the club was hailed with joy, and they
were plied with questions. No one seemed to suspect that our young
American was other than what he professed to be, though his answers to
many of their questions were necessarily vague and unsatisfactory. In
order to entertain them, the resident officers proposed various trips
to places of near-by interest, such as the fortifications, the barracks
where Lieutenant Hobson of the American navy was confined, the Morro,
from which a view of the blockading squadron could be had, or to the
Spanish war-ships lying in the harbor, the last of which was accepted
for that morning.
As soon, therefore, as breakfast was over, the new-comers were escorted
to the water-front, where lay several steam-launches. As they reached
the landing-place a fine-looking man, white bearded, with twinkling
eyes and kindly features, drove up in a carriage, and alighting with
springy step, was instantly saluted by every officer present. He
acknowledged the courtesy by lifting his hat and speaking to several of
them, whom he called by name. Emboldened by his kindness, these
ventured to present the new arrivals and mention their desire to visit
the Spanish ships; whereupon Admiral Cervera, bravest and most
chivalrous of Spain's commanders, promptly invited them to accompany
him to the flag-ship.
As they steamed down the bay in the superbly appointed launch flying an
Admiral's flag and manned by a picked crew in snowy duck, Ridge sat
silent, in a very confused frame of mind, and paying scant attention to
the gay conversation carried on by the other members of the party. He
had been overcome by the courtesy of his reception in Santiago, and was
feeling keenly the meanness of his position.
"I'll be shot for disobedience of orders before I ever again undertake
to act the low-down part of a spy," he reflected, bitterly. At the
same time he was wondering how he should manage to escape the kindly
but embarrassing attentions of these new-found friends, and reach
Daiquiri in time to communicate with General Shafter upon his arrival.
In spite of these thoughts, he did not fail to admire the beauty and
massive symmetry of the ships they were approaching. There lay the
_Cristobal Colon_, latest product of Italian skill; the splendid
_Vizcaya_, that had recently attracted the admiration of all who saw
her in New York Harbor; the _Almirante Oquendo_, that had been received
with such wild enthusiasm in Havana; the _Maria Teresa_, famed for the
richness of her interior fittings; the _Reina Mercedes_, used as a
hospital-ship; the _Pluton_ and the _Furor_, low, black, and ugly to
look upon, both holding records for enormous speed, and more dreaded as
engines of destruction than all the others put together. Stripped to
fighting trim, these ships were the very embodiment of modern
sea-power, and in his ignorance Ridge wondered if anything afloat could
resist them. From them his attention was at length attracted to the
Admiral, who was saying:
"I am about to send this launch, under a flag of truce, out to the
American flag-ship to procure some supplies for our prisoners, the
Señor Hobson and his men. So if you have a desire to view the Yankee
ships at close range I shall be pleased to have you accompany it.
Possibly you speak the English, in which case you might prove of use as
interpreter."
"I do not speak it so well as does my friend the Señor Remelios,"
replied Lieutenant Navarro, to whom this invitation had been extended.
"Then it may be that he will do me the favor to accompany the launch,"
suggested the Admiral, and of course Ridge gladly embraced the
opportunity thus offered.
"Perhaps I can stay on board the American ship," he said to himself,
"and not be compelled to revisit Santiago until I can do so as an
honest fighter, instead of as a contemptible spy. And what a chance it
will be for Navarro to escape from the Spaniards!"
Half an hour later the trim launch, now displaying a large white flag
forward, had passed the masts of the sunken _Merrimac_, the frowning
Morro on its lofty headland, and, standing out to sea, was drawing near
the superb cruiser _New York_, flag-ship of Admiral Sampson's fleet.
On either side of her, in imposing array, lay the great battle-ships
_Iowa_, _Massachusetts_, _Texas_, and _Oregon_, the last of which had
recently hurried to the scene of conflict from San Francisco, making a
record voyage of 13,000 miles by way of Cape Horn. Besides these there
was the _Brooklyn_, swiftest of American cruisers, together with half a
dozen more--cruisers, gunboats, yachts, and torpedo-boats--all in
war-paint, all ready for instant action, and all flying the banner of
stars and stripes. At the wonderful sight Ridge's heart glowed with
patriotism and a new courage. How impregnable looked the huge
battle-ships!--how terrible! Nothing could withstand them! He felt
sure of that.
The young Spaniard who sat beside him gazed on the outspread American
fleet in silent amazement. He had thought Cervera's ships formidable,
but now it seemed to him they would be but playthings for these modern
leviathans.
As the Spanish launch ranged alongside the flagship, an object of
curious attention to all on board, it was courteously received; but, to
Ridge's disappointment, only the officer in charge was permitted to
leave it. A few minutes later, however, a cadet tripped lightly down
the side ladder to say that the gentleman who spoke English was
requested to report on deck. As in obedience to this order our young
trooper followed him up the ladder, he found opportunity to say in a
low but earnest voice:
"I must see the Admiral, alone if possible. Have important
communication for him. Try and arrange an interview."
The cadet looked back in surprise, and then nodded his head. The next
moment they were on deck, when the "Señor Remelios" could barely
control his joyful emotions at finding himself once more among his
countrymen and beneath his country's flag.
After a brief transaction of business the guests were invited into the
ward-room, which they had scarcely entered when word was passed that
the one speaking English was again wanted on deck. Promptly obeying
this summons, Ridge was conducted to a large after-cabin which he found
occupied by two officers. One, with stern features, iron-gray beard,
deeply lined forehead, and piercing eyes, he instantly recognized as
Admiral Sampson. The other he guessed to be Captain Chadwick,
commander of the ship.
"Well, sir," began the former, sharply, as the new-comer was left
standing, cap in hand, before them, "I understand that you wish to make
a private communication of importance. What is it? Are you desirous
of deserting your countrymen and joining us? If so, I would advise you
to go elsewhere before declaring your intention, because on board this
ship we have very little sympathy for deserters."
"Seeing that I am an American soldier, sir, belonging to Colonel Wood's
First Volunteer Cavalry, and am here by special order from General
Miles, I don't think there is much danger that I shall desert," replied
Ridge.
Both of his hearers uttered exclamations as he announced his
nationality, and Captain Chadwick muttered, "I should never have
suspected it."
At that moment Ridge caught sight of his own face in a mirror, the
first he had seen in two weeks, and was startled to note how very
Spanish he looked.
In a few minutes he had explained the situation, and given General
Garcia's message appointing Aserraderos as a meeting-place to the
American commander. When his report was finished, he added: "Now, sir,
can't I remain here until the army arrives? I never realized until
to-day how humiliating it is to be a spy."
"I wish I might say yes," replied Admiral Sampson, meditatively, "but
fear I cannot. According to your own account, you have not completed
your mission by making a study of the condition and defences of
Santiago, upon which you are to report to the commander of the first
American force that lands. Also, I could not detain one who comes as a
Spanish officer under flag of truce, without making things very
unpleasant for such of our men as are held prisoners by the enemy. You
must not think of your position as humiliating, but as one of great
importance and responsibility, as well as of great danger. You say,
too, that you have a Spanish friend in the launch who wishes to remain
here with you, and whom you cannot desert, but I certainly could not
receive him under the circumstances. Therefore, much as I regret to
say so, it seems to me that both my duty and yours point to your return
by the way you came."
As Ridge, admitting the justice of this decision, was about to take his
leave, the executive officer of the ship entered hastily and reported:
"A heavy smoke to the eastward, sir, believed to be that of the
transports bringing General Shafter's army."