Cheyenne record., 1914-12-31
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Destroying a Fleet.
It was well past dawn when Holton
awoke. He was In panic OF fear that
he had permitted valuable time to
elapse. He rose to his feet stiffiy and
broke through the bushes until the
blue sea lay beneath him. His eyes
were strained to the left, where the
stern of the flagship was swinging to-
ward him. He noticed black smoke
'belching from the tunnels. Evidently
the New York was leaving her station
when the ships Of the enemy were pre-
pairing to come out of the harbor
where they had been bottled up for
SO long.
Cold sweat stood out upon Holton's
forehead, and, hastily throwing aside
his coat and tearing of his shirt, he
took from beneath 1t a white signal
flag, which he had carried around his
body for days against just this emer-
gency.
Breaking of a branch and knotting
the corners Of the flag to 1t, he sprang
tensely into position.
The flagship was leaving beyond
peradventure.> Her stern was still to-
ward him, and 1t was growing smaller.
The admiral going away. Of all
times! In desperation he raced along
the hin, trying to catch an angle
where his signaling would be seen.
Finally. seeing the futility of fur
ther running. Holton stopped, and be-
gan swinging the flag right left, right
left, with frantic energy. For five,
ten minutes he repeated the T. e. call,
but without eliciting the slightest re-
sponse, and SO, ceasing his exertions
he watched the New York move away
with tears springing from his eyes.
The Brooklyn had swung broadside
to him, and the picturesque ram bow
and the tall tunnels were as cleanly
cut against the sea as a cameo. Ad-
miral Schley, he knew. was on board
her, and must Of necessity be the COM
mander-in-chief pending SIMPSONS re-
turn. So 1t was to this rakish craft
that he now turned his attention.
Walking to point as nearly abreast
of her as he could get, he began snap
ping the flag right and left, in the ef-
fort to attract her attention. II he
could only get her now, and could de-
liver his message, there was no doubt
that the New York could be recalled
by signal gun. So simple did this
seem that he wondered why he had
not thought Of it before.
He swung his flag with fresh ardor,
but 1t was as though he were signaling
to Mars, so far as any answer was
concerned. Holton could see launch
leaving the Indiana for the Massachu-
setts. Everything was peaceful. From
the city drifted the sweet notes of the
matin bells and through the trees he
could catch glimpses of the red roofs
and the blues and green's and browns
Of the houses of Santiago.
Holton redoubled his efforts with
the flag. 1t seemed as II he had moved
his arms to and fro for an hour with
out response. He had to rest. He low
cred the flag and was leaning on the
staff when suddenly from the bridge
Of the Brooklyn he saw a fiutter of
bunting.
As hA looked he read that vessels
call letter. No doubt now they had
seen his signal and were making in
quiries. Quickly raising his flag over
his head he repeated his e. e. call and
then, as he caught the answering
flashes of white from the Brooklyn,
he began his messages. And this is
how it read:
Message to admiral from Lieuten-
ant Holton."
"All right. Ready"
"Cervera's fleet will leave the har-
Dor this morning"
There was pause, Holton waved
his flag frantically.
did you get it?"
There was still no answer. Finally
1t came.
Repeat"
Holton scowled.
"Cervera's feet will leave the har-
Dor this morning"
There was another pause.
"Who are your"
Lieutenant Holton, United States
navy"
After a short wait the nag on the
Brooklyn flashed again