Young Glory and the Spanish cruiser

by Walter Fenton Mott

"We shall be in a position, Juan, to blow up the ship."

"Folly! Folly!"

"You speak hastily," cried Manuel, angrily.

"I speak sensibly; what good will it do to you or me if the ship is blown up? Four hundred of our nation, you and I included, will visit the next world, taking, say, one hundred Americans with us. A heavy price to pay for such a poor result, and I'm bound to tell you, Manuel, that I've not had enough of this world yet."

Manuel laughed softly.

"Old fellow, there won't be any blowing up."

"Why?"

"Because these Americans will have too much sense; they won't drive us to it."

"What can he mean?" muttered Young Glory. "This is getting interesting."

Juan was quite as much perplexed, and told his friend so.