There's the beggars plain enough with their measly old forts.

What more is wanted ?" "Wish they would pipe down and light the smoking lamp," said the second loader.

"It would be a great deal more fun than standing here like a dummy." The sun had passed beyond the top of the hills, but the light was sufficiently strong to bring out in plain relief the batteries guarding the entrance to Santiago.

Grim Morro Castle appeared almost deserted.
The red and yellow banner of Spain flaunted lazily from the ramparts, but only here and there could be distinguished the little black dots representing the soldiers on guard.

The earthworks and smaller forts were equally idle.
"We won't get anything out of them to-day," remarked "Stump" decisively.
"It must be one of their eternal feast days when they won't even fight." "There goes a signal on the flagship," exclaimed the first loader, pointing out the port.