When the boat reached the cruiser again, preparations were at once
begun for bombarding the town. The natives still stood upon the shore,
and it could be seen that they were immensely proud of their present
victory. It was amusing, then, to see the change in their behaviour
when the great six-inch gun of the cruiser belched forth a cloud of
fire and smoke, and a burning shell landed in the village street,
apparently just in front of the administration building, which was
soon afire. The poor natives fled in every direction, and the rebel
soldiers followed their noble example, and took to their heels, too.
Another shell followed the first, and soon several buildings were
burning in the village. The admiral watched developments carefully,
and finally he decided that they would be glad to surrender the
village if another boat was sent ashore.
Accordingly, the same boat started out again, with three new men in
place of those who were wounded, and for sake of effect the cruiser
steamed farther in toward shore. This time there were no crowds upon
the beach, and the thirty men marched to the burning buildings, where
the natives fell before them, begging for mercy. The soldiers were
nowhere to be seen, so the crew took possession of the town and slept
there, in company with thirty more sailors, that night.
CHAPTER XXI.
CONTINUING THE CRUISE-- ANOTHER VILLAGE CAPTURED-- THE ADMIRAL ARCHIE'S
FRIEND-- A GREAT BATTLE AND AN UNEXPECTED VICTORY-- LONGING TO BE HOME
AGAIN.
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