"Young Glory was right," he exclaimed; "the Cristobal Colon has sailed from Porto Rico."
He ordered the ship put about, and the Nashville was once more steaming towards the ocean, when a startling sight met all eyes.
The Cristobal Colon hove in view. She was steaming into the harbor, coming towards the Nashville.
Everyone knew what it meant. There was no possibility of escape. The Spaniard barred the way to the ocean, and there was no passing her.
Cruiser against gun-boat! That was the situation.
It was to be a fight against odds!
CHAPTER IX.
THE FIRST SHOT—A HOT FIGHT.
Instantly all was excitement on the Nashville.