CHAPTER XVII
IN WHICH THE "MERRIMAC" IS SUNK
"It's too bad we can't get places on the Merrimac," observed Walter to Si, as the two walked to their quarters after the selection of men had been made. "If Lieutenant Hobson succeeds in getting the collier up in the harbor entrance and sinking her, it will be a big feather in his cap."
"My idea is that the heavy guns of old Morro will blow the Merrimac clean out of the water before she gets within quarter of a mile of where she is to be sunk," answered the Yankee lad. "Those on board are running the greatest risk of their lives."
"But the glory, Si!"
"No glory if you're killed."
"But you said you would go."
"So I would—but I wouldn't expect to come back alive. I'll wager we never see Hobson again, nor none of his men."
The fierce heat of the day had given Walter a
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