Two of them were Spanish officers, but one wore the white duck uniform of the American navy, and behind him clattered an ambulance in which were seven of the proudest, happiest sailormen ever turned loose from an enemy's prison.

They were Hobson and his men, the heroes of the _Merrimac_, free at last to return to their own people.

And never did heroes receive a more royal welcome than that accorded this handful of blue-jackets by their comrades of the army.

From the outermost trenches all the way to Siboney, where a launch awaited them, their progress was an ovation of wildest enthusiasm.

Every soldier of the thousands whom they encountered first saluted and then cheered until he was hoarse, while one regimental band after another crashed forth its most inspiring music in their honor.