Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/300

266 closer to the Ulloa. "But we'll down him, see if we don't." And Striker was right, for it was not long after this that the Ulloa went down, many of her men with her, but with her colors nailed to her mast. It was now seen that nearly all the other ships were burning. A few more shots from the Olympia were delivered, and the flagship drew off, signalling the others to follow. To go close in shore after the enemy was an impossibility for the large members of the squadron, the water being too shallow.

The terrific heat of the day, and the forced fighting, had almost exhausted every man on the ships, and seeing the fight was his own. Commodore Dewey wisely decided to give his men a breathing spell and something to eat. Accordingly, as soon as they were out of range, orders came to quit the guns and get breakfast. The battle had now raged for about three hours.

"We've got 'em on the run!" shouted Striker, enthusiastically. "I hope the commodore sends us back to finish 'em up."

"He'll do that all right enough," replied a brawny marine standing by. "You never saw Commodore Dewey doing things by halves."

"Three cheers for our commodore!" suddenly