At three o'clock Friday morning the _Merrimac_ started. In the darkness
she succeeded in getting well in shore before she was discovered; then
shot and shell made the water white with spray all around her. But the
brave fellows never flinched, and on they sailed until the narrowest
part of the channel was reached. Down went the anchor, and soon a dull
report in her hold told of the successful explosion of the torpedo which
was to blow her bottom out and make her sinking certain.
The crew left and succeeded in clearing the vessel before she went down.
But two are reported to have been wounded, and these but slightly. All
were captured and taken to Morro Castle.
The great bravery of the gallant fellows was recognized by Admiral
Cervera and he sent a boat with a flag of truce to advise Admiral
Sampson that the men were safe and would be exchanged. This act of the
Spanish admiral has won for him a feeling of great admiration in this
country. It was the act of a noble man.
The Spanish fleet is not only bottled up now, but the cork is in the
bottle.
* * * * *
THE FLAG.
Many questions have reached us from subscribers and friends concerning
the meaning and reason for the stars and stripes on the United States
flag, and how the United States came to choose the colors and design of
the flag.
Early in Revolutionary times, each colony had its own flag, and they
were very varied in design, and some had strange designs.
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