The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-07-13

to sneak out of their shelter at op-
perfume moments and try to pick Off
passing American tugboats and
launches. If the gunboat advanced
spiritedly into the zone Of effective
craftsmanship, demonstrating at once
the superiority of its individuals, the
Spanish boats retreated. So the
Americans began to consider them rank
towards. However, they did not fol-
low the Spaniards into the harbor,
because they feared probable mines
Eager for Brave Deeds.
On May II the gunboat Wilmington,
the torpedo boat Winslow and the So
called gunboat Hudson, a converted
revenue cutter, met outside the harbor
of Cardenas and decided to 90 inside
and do some damage. They were
weary Of the sallies of the Spanish
| gunbOats. Then they were eager to
do brave things. This waterway to
conflict was broad and shallow, with
two jagged stretches of land close to
the mouth, and outside a dotted
formation Of coral keys. Here and
there were other green-topped keys,
with channel running indefinitely
among them. Beyond the wriggling
channel Cardenas lay in an angle of
| Clnnino hills yY,i1o,
The Wilmington, drawing IS feet of
water in these shadows, proceeded to
location within $500 yards of the
water front; the Winslow, a lighter
| draught boat, went 800 yards farther
The little Hudson impudently fol-
lowed. Ahead of these two American
craft were the scudding Spanish gun
boats. They fed apparently from
force of habit until they nestled some
where among the wharves of the city.
Now the Winslow and the Hudson
were triumphant pursuers. They
rushed pell nell into zone of buoys.
Through the sultry air echoed and
reechoed a discharge of numerous
guns.
Every gun on the Winslow instant
| ly replied, although the location of
the Spanish batteries was guess
work place. The enemy used smoke
less powder; the American ships were
draped with smoke. Then came an
other discharge from the Spaniards
from the shore, from visible ware
houses, from the docks. The Amer
leans knew that the gunboats were
hidden among certain wharves, so
they steamed ahead in defiance of the
mines and the masked batteries. They
penetrated the zone of the buoys until
they were only 800 yards from the
gunboats. There was continuous
pyrotehcnic display. The water
around both boats constantly showed
geysers.
Lieut.. Nemcomb observed the con-
dition of the Winslow and steamed
toward her, still valiantly peppering
everything Spanish within range. He
saw Bagley signal and hold aloft a
megaphone, and presently he heard
the ensign yell:
1--WE are disabled! Come and tow
us off,"
At once the Hudson steamed with
in the uneven circle of water spouts.
He approached until he was only 200
yards from the battered Wfnsl0w.
The shells came thicker and thicker
and the Spaniards were shooting with
surprising accuracy. Once the Wins
low careened and belched forth part
of her body. Steam followed the as
sortment of missiles. On board the
Hudson Newcomb observed to his men
that the boiler of the Winslow was
evidently gone.
Near the pilot house he saw the sit
ting figure of her commanding officer
with huge bandage around one leg.
He saw Bagley walk calmly up to
Bernadou. shake hands with him and
wave contemptuously toward the
masked batteries and the Spanish
gunboats. The Hudson drew still
farther into the rain of missiles.
Tested in Face of Death.
Bagley rushed to the rail and cried