The author cannot refrain from saying a word about the historical portions of the present work. They have been gleaned from the best available authorities, including the reports of Admiral Sampson, Commodore Schley, and a number of captains who took part in the contest; also the personal narratives of one man who was on board the _Merrimac_ at the time that craft was sunk, and of a number who have made the _Brooklyn_ their home for several years past, and who will probably remain on the pride of the Flying Squadron for some time to come. In presenting this third volume, the author begs to thank both critics and the public for the cordial reception accorded to the previous volumes, and trusts that the present story will meet with equal commendation. EDWARD STRATEMEYER. NEWARK, N.J., March 1, 1899. CONTENTS I. WALTER DETERMINES TO ENTER THE NAVY II. A VISIT TO THE NAVY-YARD III. A CHASE AND ITS RESULT IV. ON THE WAY TO THE "BROOKLYN" V. SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND PRIZE MONEY VI. A GLIMPSE OF THE PRESIDENT VII. A TALK ABOUT SPANISH SAILORS VIII. THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS IX. COMMODORE WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY X. WALTER SHOWS HIS PLUCK XI. THE SAILING OF THE FLYING SQUADRON XII. AN ADVENTURE OFF CHARLESTON XIII. IN WHICH THE GOLD PIECE COMES TO LIGHT XIV. KEY WEST, AND THE LAST OF JIM HASKETT XV. FROM CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO BAY XVI. THE FINDING OF ADMIRAL CERVERA'S FLEET XVII. IN WHICH THE "MERRIMAC" IS SUNK XVIII. WALTER'S ADVENTURE ON SHORE XIX. CARLOS, THE REBEL SPY XX. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY XXI. THE FLIGHT TO THE SEACOAST XXII. THE LANDING OF THE MARINES AT GUANTANAMO XXIII. IN A SPANISH PRISON XXIV. BACK TO THE "BROOKLYN" AGAIN XXV. THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE SANTIAGO BATTERIES XXVI. IN WHICH THE ARMY OF INVASION ARRIVES XXVII. THE SPANISH FLEET AND ITS COMMANDER XXVIII. "THE ENEMY IS ESCAPING!" XXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH FLEET XXX. FINAL SCENES OF THE GREAT FIGHT XXXI. TOGETHER ONCE MORE--CONCLUSION LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "The flagship began the firing" "He bent over Walter again" "The President bowed in return" "'See here, I want to talk to you!'" "'I'll get square on all of you!'" "With a final lurch the _Merrimac_ went down" "'Surrender, or I'll shoot you where you stand!'" "Rammer in hand, Walter edged close to the muzzle" FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS CHAPTER I WALTER DETERMINES TO ENTER THE NAVY "Well, Walter, I suppose the newspapers are going like hot cakes this morning." "They are, Mr. Newell. Everybody wants the news. I ran out of 'Globes' and 'Heralds' before seven o'clock, and sent Dan down for fifty more of each."