The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-02-06

| the corners Of the flag to it, he sprang
tensely into position.
The flagship was leaving beyond
peradventure. Her stern was still to-
ward him, and it was growing smaller
The admiral going away, of all
times! In desperation he raced along
the hill, trying to catch an angle
where his signaling would'be seen.
Finally. seeing the futility of fur
! Their 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-
Spouse, 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 Clearly
cut against the sea as a cameo. AID.
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. If he
could only get her now, and could de-
liver his message, there was no doubt
that the New York could be recalled
by a signal gun. So simple did this
seem that he wondered why he had
not thought Of 1t 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 a launch
leaving the Indiana for the Massachu-
sets. 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 If 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 flutter Of
1 As he 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 a pause. Holton waved
t his flag frantically.
Did you get it,"
There was still no answer. Finally
1t came.
/ Repeat"
: Holton scowled.
| "Cervera's fleet will leave the har
? Dor this morning"
: There was another pause.
"Who are your"
a Lieutenant Holton, United States
. navy"
After short wait the flag on the
Q Brooklyn flashed again.
T. "The admiral sends his compliment.
< and his thanks"
1 There followed several up and dowr
movements of the flag, indicating thai
Admiral Schley had received all he
y wanted to know and that his mint
+ was already turning to more importan,
f matters Of the hour.
9 AS Holton threw his flag aside AMI
l. turned shoreward he saw two tall col
h umns Of black smoke arising from thu
+ direction of the harbor. They wer,
e coming!
He dashed for his flag, but even a,
d ne did so he saw the flash of a tier O
S guns from Moro and Socapa, an,
e then suddenly, as he glanced dowl