The treatment of the American sailors by the Spaniards had roused the men's passions to the boiling point. The Cristobal Colon would have a bad time if the two ships came to close quarters.
For three days the Brooklyn cruised around Porto Rico. Not a sign did she see of the enemy.
"Faith, we'll never have a sight of her."
"How's that, Dan?"
"She knows we're around. It's one of their Spanish fishin' vessels has seen us, and that's enough. It's out of San Juan she'll not be comin'."
Captain Miles thought the same as Dan, but he determined to remain, because even if he could not get near enough to the Cristobal Colon to attack her, yet he was able by remaining, to prevent the Spanish cruiser from leaving the port in order to prey on American commerce.
The next day a ship was sighted.
She evidently recognized the Brooklyn, for she flew the Stars and Stripes in a very short time.
"One of ours, boys!" cried a sailor, "and I know her, too."
"You do?"