There was breathless silence among the watching crews. They crowded on the ships’ decks, and all eyes were on that tattered flag, bending toward the top of what had once been a grand old castle. But it was only bending, not yet down. Lieutenant-Commander Delehanty and Lieutenant Blue took their time. The _Suwanee_ changed her position slightly. Then a puff of smoke shot out from her side, up went a shooting cloud of débris from the parapet, and down fell the banner of Spain. Such yells from the flag-ship will probably never be heard again. There was more excitement than witnessed at the finish of a college boat-race, or a popular race between first-class thoroughbreds on some big track. The _Suwanee’s_ last shot had struck right at the base of the flagstaff, and had blown it clear of the wreckage, which had held it from finishing its fall. “Well done!” signalled Admiral Sampson to Lieutenant-Commander Delehanty. At 11.30 General Duffield signalled that his scouts reported that no damage had been done to the Spanish rifle-pits by the shells from the ships, and Admiral Sampson told him they had been hit several times, but that there was no one in the pits. However, the _Suwanee_ was ordered to fire a few more shots in their direction. [Illustration: ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON.] At 12.18 P. M. the _New York_ having discontinued fire at Aguadores, commenced firing 8-inch shells clear over the gully into the city of Santiago de Cuba. Every five minutes the shells went roaring over the hillside. What destruction they wrought it was impossible to tell, as the smoke hid everything. In reply to General Duffield’s question: “What is the news?” Admiral Sampson replied: “There is not a Spaniard left in the rifle-pits.” Later General Duffield signalled that his scouts thought reinforcements were marching to the battered old fort, and Admiral Sampson wigwagged him: “There is no Spaniard left there. If any come the _Gloucester_ will take care of them.” A little later the _Oregon_ joined the _New York_ intending 8-inch shells into the city of Santiago. This was kept up until 1.40 P. M. By that time General Duffield had sent a message saying that his troops could not cross the stream, but would return to Altares. On the report that some Spanish troops were still in the gully, the _New York_ and _Gloucester_ shelled it once more, and _Newark_, which had not fired, signalled: “Can I fire for target practice? Have had no previous opportunity.” Permission for her to do so was signalled, and she blazed away, shooting well, her 6-inch shells exploding with remarkable force among the rocks. At 2.40 P. M. Admiral Sampson hoisted the signal to cease firing, and the flag-ship returned to the blockading station. On the railroad a train-load of troops had already left for Altares. Mr. A. Maurice Low, of the Boston _Globe_, thus relates his personal experience: