their work of destruction, and the former taking this step in order to hinder the further approach of the enemy.

Far more complete than the destruction of Philip's armada of old was the annihilation of these ships on which Spain's hopes so greatly rested. Every one of the vessels was either sunk, stranded, or burned, and of all the men who were on them not more than twenty escaped over the hills. It was a gallant exploit, this of Cervera's, in obedience to orders but contrary to his own judgment, to sail out from all protection into certain destruction. There were few blunders possible in this war that Spain did not commit. In this instance all Americans felt grateful to Spain and Cervera, first for running their fleet into Santiago harbor, and then for running it out.

Speaking of this episode, Lord Brassey, the English naval expert, says: "Cervera's method of dashing out of Santiago cannot be justified in any way. Of course, it is said he simply obeyed orders. But, with the same orders, Americans or Englishmen would have adopted some rational plan that would have given a possibility of saving some of the ships. They would have waited for a storm, or gone under cover of darkness, and instead of all the ships steaming in one direction they would have scattered. The navy of the United States is small, but it is very efficient. Its men and officers are not only trained to a high point, but they show an aptitude for maritime warfare that is one of the characteristics of our race. In this war they have certainly upheld the best traditions of sea fighting."

Of the prisoners, 746, including 54 officers, were conveyed by the cruiser St Louis to Portsmouth harbor, the officers to be taken to Annapolis. During the voyage the commissioned officers were allowed the freedom of the ship, while the men were closely guarded between decks. Cervera remained shut up in his cabin, a prey to the melancholy reflections attending calamities resulting from no fault of his. Yet the admiral's heart seemed to be overflowing with gratitude to the American officers who had endeavored by that courtesy which a Spaniard so loves to make his great loss fall as lightly on him as possible. "My last order from Madrid" said he, "was, 'No matter what the consequences, go to sea at once and fight the enemy.' So I went out, though I knew it to be the suicide of my fleet. When the end came I jumped overboard and was followed by my son, but for whom I should have been drowned." Of

commanders Wainwright and Evans, the admiral could not find words to express his praise. As for the crew, who received good food and clothes in plenty, and for the sick medicine and nursing, instead of starvation torture and the dungeon as they had been told would be their fate, they found imprisonment not so bad. The admiral sailed for Spain on the 12th of September. He had found his enforced residence in the United States not altogether unpleasant, as the following letter to a friend in Spain testifies. "I am inclined to think that the inhabitants of my native country have changed their minds about the barbarity of the Americans, as has always been told us, and I have no doubt that, once peace is declared, the Spaniards will recognize the gentlemanly treatment of their brethren now prisoners in America. It may be possible that some ignorant persons of my native country, blinded by the sensational utterances of the Spanish papers, have given out expressions of hate regarding America; but I do not believe any person of social standing and education, after what America has done for us, will continue to hate the people and the government which now hold us prisoners. I have not words enough to express the thanks and gratitude I hold for America and her people, who took into consideration what I never considered more than a duty in recognition of the bravery of the soldier and the whole obligation of a gentleman. I refer to what I have done for Lieutenant Hobson, which was so quickly taken hold by the American people, and which has brought, and is bringing, me ovations, verbal and written thanks, has deluged me with presents and caused my instant recognition wherever I have visited, and, further, may have influenced the royal treatment of my officers, men, and myself by the United States government. I can take nothing but the kindest remembrances of such a people with me to Spain, who I think will also be grateful for such kind treatment.-Pascual Cervera."

CHAPTER VI

WAR WITH SPAIN

THE most picturesque divertisement of the Spanish war was the sailing from Cádiz of the home squadron into the Suez canal, and then its sailing out. Admiral Camara, with a Spanish fleet scouring the seas and making diligent search not to find the enemy, coming after Augustin's grandiloquent declaration so forcibly terminated by Dewey, was all one with the incessant clacking about Spanish honor which followed the dastardly treachery of the Maine episode. With the Asiatic squadron destroyed, and the squadron of the admiralin-chief locked up in Santiago bay and soon to be destroyed, there yet remained of Spain's much-vaunted navy little else than the home squadron in charge of Admiral Camara, long lying at Cádiz; so long, indeed, that the people became impatient, and demanded to know why he went not forth to fight. Being thus compelled in common with the others to move on, even though it were but to flit hither and thither about the ocean like a phantom of unrest, it became a question with the Spanish government, What shall we do with it? A show of fighting there must be, else where is Spanish honor? But there must be no fight, else where is the Spanish navy? The way westward to destruction were all too short and too sure; there was no other so convenient haven as that secured by Cervera at Santiago, and to be picked off on the way were indeed too certain. Dewey was at Manila; but the distance thither was longer, and the time for life and braggadocio consequently more extended; so the home squadron was ordered away, perhaps to the Philippines. Then there were seen in Spain brilliant processions; speeches were made, compliments by the queen regent were spoken, prayers were said in the churches, and the flags were blessed by the bishops. Spain would now up and show the world what she could do.

The destination of the fleet was still a state secret, though every one had an opinion. Hence, after its departure it was given out that it had appeared at the Canaries; that it had sailed for Cuba; was at Porto Rico; was about to bombard the cities of the American coast; and finally that it had sailed for the Pacific, and after destroying San Francisco would cross to Manila and annihilate Dewey and his ships. It was a poorly played game of brag and bluff, and failed of the desired effect, both in Europe and America. All the world knew that Camara never wanted to find Sampson, never wanted to find Schley, and least of all did he desire to encounter Dewey. Had it been even the Oregon when out upon the open ocean alone, there would still have been a question. Surely the whole Spanish fleet, on which the hopes of Spain now depended, should be able to cope successfully with one United States battleship. Yet her commander, Charles E. Clark, a hero in his way, did not appear afraid. His voyage from San Francisco had been watched with interest the world over. Sailing the 19th of March, the Oregon coaled at Callao April 4th, and again on entering Magellan strait; on April 30th she was at Rio de Janeiro, and on the 25th of May was at Jupiter inlet, Florida, awaiting orders, in as fine condition as when she left the dry dock. While en route the commander was overburdened with directions from the incumbents of the navy department, who were fearful of his capture by the bold Cervera; to the Washington office he finally cabled, "Don't hamper me with instructions; I can take care of myself."

It was pitiable, Spain's situation, were not the Spanish government and officials so contemptible. One can forgive the wholesome fear of a brave man whose enemy is the stronger; but when bravery and fear are mixed with big Indian braggadocio, disgust drives out charity. Of a truth Spain's navy knew not what to do; the army could stand up and be shot, but the ship must sail somewhere, anywhere. As a strategic puzzle the manoeuvring of the Spanish and American fleets was for a time of no small interest, until it became evident that Spanish tactics were to hide behind Spanish egotism and keep out of the way; and then the interest ceased or turned to pity. Even France was ashamed of Spain's pusillanimity. Cervera's fleet, and then Camara's were supposed

to be stealthily seeking their prey, off the shores of New England, or at New York or Boston harbor, and guards and defences were placed accordingly; but it became evident in time that Spain's most earnest desire was, while making a pretence of war, to keep her ships as far as possible from the range of American guns.

In regard to the whither and the whence, however, there must be mystery, else there were no bravery, still less diplomacy, not to say safety. Hence for a brief period the world was left in ignorance as to Camara's destination. The squadron consisted of twelve vessels, five warships and seven transports, and sailed eastward from Cádiz on the 17th of June. For seven days the phantom fleet hovered around the entrance to the canal, waiting for the toll-money of some $250,000 to be paid at Paris. The Suez canal is neutral, and there was no international bar to the Spanish fleet. But there was the question of coaling at Port Saïd, and this Great Britain refused to permit. The principal coaling-stations beyond the canal, Aden Colombo and Singapore, all British, were likewise beyond Spanish reach. All this the astute Spanish officials may or may not have foreseen; in any event, to the satisfaction of all concerned, Camara was forced to put back, and all that was left of Spain's proud navy, like the armada of old, returned to rot in Cádiz bay.

Every day it was hoped that Spain would see how useless and insensate was the struggle, and sue for peace; but the brave barbarians seemed able to find the phantom honor only in ignominious defeat. And while believing that another decisive victory would bring the Spanish government to terms, McKinley continued his policy of a vigorous naval campaign. As time passed by and Spain still remained sullen, new plans of attack were discussed, among which were the capture of the Canaries, and the bombardment of the coast cities of the Peninsula. Toward the last of June one might read from the bulletin posted in the navy department at Washington: "Commodore Watson sails to-day in the Newark to join Sampson, when he will take under his command an armored squadron with cruisers, and proceed at once off the Spanish coast." The vessels named were the Newark, flagship, the battleships Iowa and Oregon, the cruisers Yosemite Yankee and Dixie, and the colliers Scandia Abarenda and Alexander. The notice