the morning I was much gratified to learn that my chum was better. We now received definite word from the other warships. All were in good condition and not a single man had been killed. Some were to move in close to Cavité, while others were to go down and take possession of Corregidor Island, at the bay's entrance.
By good fortune I managed to get permission to go ashore at the arsenal, and Dan insisted upon going along. Just before we left the Boston we had a parting word with the captain.
"Be careful, boys," he said. "Those Spaniards will shoot you down if you give them the least chance."
I started to say something about getting into Manila again, but thought better of it and remained silent. Perhaps it might have been much better had I spoken and had the kind-hearted commander prevented the movement. But we do not know things beforehand as we know them afterward.
It had been supposed by the Spaniards that Commodore Dewey would demand the immediate surrender of the capital, but no demand came, for the reason that the commodore was awaiting instructions from Washington, and because he had no armed force sufficiently large to hold Manila against our enemies, and against
