"The batteries are silenced!" cried Young Glory.
"But not our men!"
The cheer that went up confirmed the last statement.
Already the Nashville and the Cristobal Colon were under way, steaming rapidly out of the harbor. A few distant guns from shore thundered at them, but they made a noise, and that was all. They were quite powerless to do any damage.
Once more the vessels were in the open sea clear of San Juan de Porto Rico. The Brooklyn lay to, and a boat put off. In obedience to a signal from the cruiser, the gun-boat and her prize waited till the boat came up. In the cutter was Captain Miles, the commander of the Brooklyn.
"A great and glorious victory, Captain Long," said he, stepping aboard the Nashville.
"Yes, sir, thanks to the men you lent me, and especially Young Glory. Through his advice, as I don't mind admitting, the Spaniard was taken."
"Well, I congratulate you. The country will be crazy when they hear what you've done. You will, of course, return home."
"I want you to lend me some men, Captain Miles, to work the two ships."
"I must do so. Such a valuable prize as the Spanish cruiser must be taken care of."