Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-25

darting out in our direction. Away steam-
ed the fhbuster, and behind. emerging
from the shadow along the shore came
the coaster.
For a few minutes the exciting race
continued and then came a flash of light
from the Spaniard. \ second later came the
crack Of a two FOUNDER and then there
was the hiss of shell n few rods TO the
starbo rd Word was passed on the fill
buster that all must fight. A few men
broke open the rife and cartridge boxes
and soon the entire party were armed.
Sharpshooter German gathered his rifle
man along the stern rail upon the upper
deck Major Morales was IN charge
Again came q flash from the coaster and
another solid shot splashed into the water
several rods nearer the vessel. Pursued
and pursuer were each under full steam
and smoke was pouring from their fun
nels They We're now about 500 yards
apart. Then the Spaniard fired for the
third time the shot falling few rods
astern OF us, but i'm "a direct linc.
"Use tho Hotchkiss." commanded Ma
jor Morales
Gunner Michael Walsh, who with his
the bow. heard the command with JOY,
and called out to Captain O'Brien to swing
the shin around. In minute the hlibus-
ter was almost broadside 10 the coaster.
The latter doomed for the fourth time,
but the smoke had not cleared away be-
fore tine Hotchkiss ON our PROV beloved
forth and sent a sharprell shell between
the short masts of the coster, squarely
over her engines. The shell did not burst.
but the Spanlard seemed paralyzcd with
fear.
Several men on the lower deck opened
fire with their rifles. and this was fol-
lowed by a rafting volley from the lime
of men on the upper deck. The sharpnel
shell fired from the Hotchkiss ended the
fight, as the Snanard sailed away firing
rockets calling for assistance. The call
for assistance was promptly answered Tor
while the flibuster was swinging into no.
sition 10 allow the HotchSiss to play upon
the enemy, q gunboat double the size Of
the coaster. appeared on the port.
She opened fire with heacy guns, but did
not have the range.
Gunner Walsh rammed another sharpnel
into the gun on the prov and yanked tho
lauyard The shell flew straight for the
eunboat and burst directly over her II
was answered 10y still heavier thunGer
from the gunboat returning she'll for shell
The shot from the Spaniard disabled two
OF the landing boats c6the Mbuster, but
did no other damage. 4
The Hotchkiss was Esain loaded with
shrapnel ana the I'D discharge struck
the cruiser amidships. Thdd the TErco
Friends put on steam. le Nng1thc warsh.3.
possibly disabled. but ii all events silen-
ana defeated. out OF sigh bchhd poin,
Of land.
As The cargo of the tn re Friends was
being landed the spanisI coast patrol
came up and fierce 4eht cnsued be-
tween them and the Cuhahs sent by Cen
eraI Gomez 90 escort the cargo into bis
camp. Ate rtwo hours Of fighting the
Spaniards were driven or and the cargo
was landed and safely carried into ne lie
terior.
~he vessel then lay to for several days I'm
a secluded cove. and started Tor Florid1
last Monday. she was pursued by several
gunboats as she entered the Windward
Pass. and bail from one of them tore a.
role IN uef pui"itik3. a hiilici ol OH '4-
tne furnace fires soon ran up the steam
and the fast craft crept away
Emerging from the Keys, two cruisers
were found waiting for her and another
race ensued The Spanish vessels fired
on her for half an hour.
Captain Lewis then ran in among the
Keys. escaping from the Spanish war yes
sells. reached American waters near Mi
ami, Fla.