In that strange cry was loosed the pent-up wrath of hundreds of American sailors who resented the cowardly death of their comrades. It bespoke the terrible vengeance that was about to be dealt out to the defenders of a detestable flag.
"You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," was Commodore Dewey's quiet remark to the captain of the _Olympia_, who was still in the conning-tower.
The _Olympia's_ 8-inch gun in the forward turret belched forth, and an instant later was run up the signal to the ships astern:
The other vessels in the squadron followed the example set by the _Olympia_. The big 8-inch guns of the _Baltimore_ and the _Boston_ hurled their two hundred and fifty pound shells at the Spanish flag-ship and at the _Castilla_.
The Spanish fleet fired fast and furiously. The guns on Cavite hurled their shells at the swiftly moving vessels; the water-batteries added their din to the horrible confusion of noises; the air was sulphurous with the odour of burning powder, and great clouds of smoke hung here and there, obscuring this vessel or that from view. It was the game of death with all its horrible accompaniments.
One big shell came toward the _Olympia_ straight for the bridge. When a hundred feet away it suddenly burst, its fragments continuing onward. One piece struck the rigging directly over the head of Commander Lamberton. He did not wince.
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY.]
The _Olympia_ continued on. It was evident Commodore Dewey was making straight for the centre of the enemy's line, which was the big cruiser _Reina Christina_.
Being the nearest ship, the _Olympia_ received more attention from the Spaniards than any of the other vessels.
The water was now getting shallow. Commodore Dewey did not wish to run aground. He altered his course when about four thousand yards from the Spanish vessels, and swung around to give them his broadside.
A small torpedo-boat was seen to emerge from the shore near the arsenal, making for the coal-laden steamers at a high rate of speed. The secondary batteries on the ships nearest were brought to bear upon her; it was a veritable shower of shot and shell which fell ahead, astern, and either side of her. To continue on would have been certain destruction, and, turning in the midst of that deadly hail which had half disabled her, the craft was run high and dry on the beach, where she was at once abandoned, her crew doubtless fearing lest the magazines would explode.