Chapter I: Preface

“Under Dewey at Manila,” the first of the “Old Glory Series,” was written with a twofold object. The first was, to present to young readers a simple and straightforward statement concerning the several causes leading up to the war with Spain; to give a brief view of the conditions prevailing in the ill-fated islands of Cuba and the Philippines; and to trace, incident by incident, just as they actually occurred, the progress of that wonderful battle of Manila Bay, which has no parallel in either ancient or modern history, from the fact that complete defeat upon one side was entirely outbalanced by almost total exemption from harm upon the other. In this battle Commodore Dewey, since made Admiral, and his gallant officers and men, fought a fight ever to be remembered with pride by the American people, for it placed the United States Navy in its proper place, among the leading navies of the world.

The other object of the story was to tell, in as interesting a fashion as the writer could command, the haps and mishaps of a sturdy, conscientious American lad, of good moral character and honest Christian aim, who, compelled through the force of circumstances to make his own way in the world, becomes a sailor boy, a castaway, and then a gunner’s assistant on the flagship _Olympia_. While it is true that Larry Russell has some hazardous adventures, the author believes that they are no more hazardous than might fall to the lot of another situated as Larry was; and if at times the boy escapes some grave perils, it must be borne in mind that “the Lord helps those who help themselves,” and that he had an abiding trust in an all-wise and all-powerful Providence.

The author cannot refrain from saying a word regarding the historical portions of this work. What has been said concerning Cuba and the Philippines are simply matters of fact, known to all students of history. The sketch of Admiral Dewey is drawn from the narratives of several people who knew him well at his home in Montpelier, Vermont, at the Annapolis Naval Academy, and in the Navy itself. The record of the battle of Manila Bay has been furnished by over fifty officers and men who took part in the contest and wrote the details, for publication, and in private letters to relatives at home, and this record has been supplemented by Admiral Dewey’s own reports to the authorities at Washington.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

NEWARK, N.J., August 1, 1898.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. LARRY AND HIS TRIALS 1

II. AN ADVENTURE ON PALI 11

III. A FRUITLESS CHASE 23

IV. LARRY RECEIVES TWO INTERESTING LETTERS 33

V. SOMETHING ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE “MAINE” 44

VI. A BRUSH WITH TWO KANAKAS 52

VII. GOOD-BY TO HONOLULU 63

VIII. AN UNWELCOME SHIPMATE 73

IX. A TALK ABOUT THE TROUBLES IN CUBA 81

X. ATTACKED IN A STORM 92

XI. A RACE AND AN INTERRUPTION 102

XII. THE CAPTURE OF A SAWFISH 112

XIII. AN ISLAND NOT ALTOGETHER DESERTED 123

XIV. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND THE REBELS 133

XV. ALONE ON THE CHINA SEA 145

XVI. CAST ASHORE ON AN ISLAND 154

XVII. THE STORY OF A LONG TRAMP 164

XVIII. THE ASIATIC SQUADRON TO THE RESCUE 174

XIX. THE MISSION OF THE SQUADRON 184

XX. ON BOARD THE FLAGSHIP “OLYMPIA” 195

XXI. SOMETHING ABOUT COMMODORE DEWEY 204

XXII. IN WHICH LARRY AND STRIKER ARE ADDED TO THE
“OLYMPIA’S” MUSTER-ROLL 214

XXIII. GUN DRILLS AND LIFE ON A MAN-O’-WAR 223

XXIV. “CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION!” 232

XXV. THE SPANISH FLEET IS DISCOVERED OFF FORT CAVITE 243

XXVI. THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY 252

XXVII. ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS OF THE GREAT BATTLE 262

XXVIII. ON TO HONG KONG――CONCLUSION 271

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“‘Oh, Luke! See the Stars and Stripes!’” _Frontispiece_

PAGE

“‘It ain’t the Cubans I’m talking about now’” 44

“‘Don’t!’ gasped the boy. ‘Oh, you villain! Don’t!’” 95

“The boatswain opened fire with the shotgun” 130

“The life-preserver floated but a short distance away” 152

“The boat lay on her side, half in and half out of the water” 174

“‘Commodore, it’s jest come into my mind to ask ye a favor’” 215

“‘Don’t fire! Don’t fire!’” 263

UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA