Captain Long was very anxious now.
The last few shots from the Spanish cruiser showed that her gunners were getting the range and elevation. At any moment a shot might come and sink the gun-boat.
Several times he cast anxious eyes seaward, hoping that the noise of the fight might bring the Brooklyn to the port.
Alas! this was not to be. The fine American cruiser was yet far away.
The gun-boat had suffered a serious loss in men. A number of the seamen had been struck by shots fired from the machine guns, and Captain Long knew he could ill afford such losses.
"Young Glory!"
"Yes, sir."
"One good shot from you may give us a fighting chance."
"I am doing all I can, sir."
"That I know."