DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH SHIPS As the _Speedy_ rounded the first headland those on board saw the great war-ship they were to intercept coming leisurely down the coast, not more than a mile away.

The yacht fired a gun to call attention to her momentous signal, and within a few seconds an answer, showing that it was seen and understood, was displayed from the _New York_.

At the same time the latter began to turn, so as to retrace her course.

She had hardly begun the movement before the _Speedy_ slipped up under her quarter.
"Where did you get your information ?" called out Captain Chadwick through a megaphone.
"Messenger from the Commanding General," was the answer.
"All right.

Keep on, and warn the fleet, if you reach them before we do." "Ay, ay, sir!" and then the swift yacht had moved beyond range even of a megaphone.
All at once the little group of officers gathered on the _Speedy's_ bridge, of course including Lieutenant Ridge Norris, knew that they were not to have the honor of warning the fleet; for a line of smoke, evidently moving seaward, appeared above the hills from the direction of Santiago Bay.
"They are coming out!" cried the _Speedy's_ Captain; "and, if they have the pluck to keep on, we are about to witness one of the greatest sea-fights of the century." If the entire American blockading fleet had been on hand the coming contest would have been too unequal to be interesting.