"Uncle Harold, do you know the captain they call 'Fighting Bob'?" asked Ned.
"Slightly," returned his uncle, "and a brave, noble man he is--a naval officer to be proud of; perfectly fearless and cool in battle, kind and helpful to conquered foes. He was commander of the _Iowa_, to which the Spanish ship _Vizcaya_ surrendered. Her captain, in a speech in Spain, had said that he would tow back the _Iowa_ to his king; but he was not able to do so. The _Iowa_ drove shell after shell into his vessel, till she was a mass of flames, and struck her flag.
"Then 'Fighting Bob' sent out his boats to rescue the prisoners on the ship and in the water, and took back to the _Iowa_ several officers and two hundred and forty men, her captain, Eulate, among them. It is said to have been a horrible scene--so many dead and wounded men, and Captain Eulate, limping, and with his head bound up. He saluted as he stepped upon the deck of the _Iowa_, and so did Captain Evans.
"'You are Captain Evans? This is the _Iowa_?' asked Captain Eulate. 'Yes,' said Captain Evans, and took Eulate's hand in both of his, shaking it warmly. Eulate stepped back, unbuckled his sword, kissed it, and with the most elegant grace, handed it, hilt forward, to Captain Evans. But he refused to take it, turning the palm of his hand outward and waving it back, at the same time shaking his head--a very emphatic refusal.
"The Spaniards, officers and men, looked on in astonishment. Captain Eulate pressed Captain Evans' hand, and the crew gave Eulate three cheers, for he had fought well, and only gave up when his ship was in flames and sinking.
"Just then a terrific explosion was heard on the _Vizcaya_, which was only a short distance off, and a solid column of smoke went up nearly four thousand feet, it is said, taking the form of a gigantic mushroom. At that Captain Eulate turned around, pointing with one hand to his ruined ship, with the other toward his officers and men, '_Veeski! Veeski!_' he cried at the top of his voice, while tears rolled down his cheeks. His men sprang toward him, and many of them kissed his hand. He said in Spanish, 'My brave marines!' and looked away."
"That was a very interesting story, uncle," said Elsie, as Dr. Travilla paused. "I hope there's more of it."