Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-01-29

tue CoTueTb Ol tue nag 10 II, ne bpTduk
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 hill, 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 It 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 1t before.
He swung his flag with fresh ardor,
but II was a fhoupb bn 81 in u
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 r
could catch glimpses of the red rogS'
and the blues and greens and bro, o's
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 flutter OF
bunting. .-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. f. 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 feet will leave the har.
Dor this morning"
There was a pause. Holton waved
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"
Lieutenant HoHon, United States
navy"
After short wait the flag on the
Brooklyn flashed again.
THE admiral sends his compliments
and his thanks
There followed several up and down
movements OF the nag. indicating that
Admiral Schiey had received all he
wanted to know and that his mind
was already turning to more important
matters of the hour.
As Holton threw his dag aside and
turned shoreward he saw two tall col
umns Of black smoke arising from the
direction of the harbor. They were
coming!
He dashed for his nag, but even as
he did so he saw the flash OF a tier OF
guns from MORO and Socapa, and
then auddenlY as he glanced down