Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser Part 38

"What key?" gasped Jose.

"The key of the door by which you have just left the fort. I saw you do so. You cannot deceive me."

"And this is my answer!"

With these words Jose tore himself loose, and then an instant later, he flew at Young Glory, knife in hand. But his foot caught in some vegetation, and he fell forward.

As he did so, a large key dropped from his pocket.

"The key!" shouted Young Glory, making for it, with a glad look on his face.

"You shall not have it!" cried Jose. "Death first!"

"Yes, death for you!"

Young Glory seized the frantic Spaniard as he struggled to reach the key. For a moment or so, they swayed about on the bluff. Then Young Glory, exerting all his strength, tossed the spy backwards, releasing his hold so as to save himself from going with him.

Jose Castro went cras.h.i.+ng down the bluff towards the sea and the jagged rocks which lay below.

"The last of the spy!" cried Young Glory.

He did not press forward to inquire further into Jose's fate, but flying through the wood at full speed, he burst in on his astonished comrades.

"Saved!" he cried.

"Saved, Young Glory! What does this mean?"

"That I will lead you into the fort, sir. Follow me!"

Stealthily the entire band, hidden from view by the trees, reached the door.

"When it is open, dash in!" said Young Glory. "Not a moment must be lost!"

The men were astounded to see him walk up to the door in the rampart, insert the key in the lock, and open it. Madly they rushed through into the fort.

The Spaniards were standing at the guns when this sudden attack took place, thinking that the enemy was in front. They had no time to rally.

Young Glory leading, the American sailors pressed forward, cutting down all in their path. A few of the Spaniards resisted for a few minutes.

Then they threw down their arms in token of surrender.

A number of them saved themselves by jumping off the rampart and flying through the woods.

"The fort is ours!" cried Young Glory.

"The guns must be destroyed," shouted Mr. Tyler. "My lads, those breech-loaders can be easily rendered unfit for use. To the work!"

Rapidly the destruction went on. When it was finished the American tars poured down the hill again, took to their boats, and departed without opposition.

When they reached the cruiser they found that the tide had flowed so fast that the s.h.i.+p was no longer aground.

In a few minutes the vessel left the sh.o.r.es of Cuba behind, and was steaming with all speed for Key West.

The gun-boat having already arrived at the last named place, the story of the gallant fight at San Juan de Porto Rico was already public property. A great reception was given to the Cristobal Colon as she steamed into port.

Young Glory was fairly wors.h.i.+ped, for he was justly regarded as the hero of the battle.

However, he was not inactive long.

In a few days he sailed with an expedition.

His daring deeds will be related under the t.i.tle of YOUNG GLORY IN CUBA.

[THE END.]