The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 24, June 16, 1898 | Page 3

or to the Treasurer.
"It is earnestly hoped that all boys and girls will assist in this national work."
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=New Books=
"The General's Double," by Captain King, and "Trooper Ross and Signal Butte," by the same author, come to us from the press of J. B. Lippincott Company. The former is a capital story of the Civil War, the plot being based upon the remarkable likeness existing between two men in the Union army. It has all of the charm of the works of this favorite author.
The second book contains two stories, the heroes of both being boys. The first, "Trooper Ross," describes the adventures of an officer's son, his exciting experiences with Indians on the plains as a little chap, taking his part at boarding-school later; then, failing to obtain his admission to West Point, he works his way through the ranks to his commission. "Signal Butte" covers a series of exciting adventures in Arizona, in which two boys are the central figures. This book will prove a great favorite with the boys especially.
EDITOR OF THE GREAT ROUND WORLD:
"I take the liberty of recommending as an excellent book for the young, 'Cuore, An Italian Schoolboy's Journal; A Book for Boys,' by Edmondo de Amicis.
"It is a very admirable and spirited work, as good for old as for young people, and ought to be in every home.
"From one of your subscribers at Great Neck, Long Island."
This book is published by Crowell & Co., Boston, and is indeed well worth reading. There are two editions--one illustrated, price $1.50; the other without illustrations, price 60 cents.
[Illustration: HON. WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE,
Born December 29, 1809; died May 19, 1898.]
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Current History
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In our last number we mentioned in the "Latest News" the sinking of the Merrimac at the entrance of the harbor of Santiago; since then a number of accounts have come, which we are sure you will be interested to hear. The brave fellows who were with Lieutenant Hobson were Daniel Montague, George Charette, Osborn Diegnan, George F. Phillips, Francis Kelly, J. C. Murphy, and Randolph Clausen.
[Illustration]
Before submitting his plans to Admiral Sampson, Lieutenant Hobson had worked them out to the smallest detail. Shortly before starting he told his plans to one of his companions. He said: "I am quite sure that we can reach to within three or four hundred yards past Estrella battery behind Morro Castle. I do not think that they can sink me before I can get there. When I reach this, the narrowest part of the channel, I shall swing the vessel around, stop the engines, open the sea valves, touch off the torpedoes, and leave the vessel lying across the channel, which is not as broad as the Merrimac is long. There are to be ten torpedoes below the water-line placed against the bulkheads and connected with each other by a wire under the ship. These torpedoes connect with the bridge, and they should do their work very quickly. I shall have four of the men on the deck with me, and in the engine-room two others. We will all be in our underclothing, with our revolvers and ammunition, in water-tight cases, strapped to our waists. Near the anchor forward I shall have one of the men placed, with an axe, and around his waist a light line which will be attached to the bridge where I stand. The minute that I order the engines stopped I shall jerk this cord; this will be a signal to him to cut the lashing and let go the forward anchor. He will then jump overboard and swim to the boat at the stern. The men in the engine-room, after stopping the engines, will open the sea connections, and then join the rest and throw themselves overboard. I shall fire the torpedoes the last thing, and this will insure the rapid sinking of the vessel." When Hobson was asked if he expected to escape alive, he said: "Well, I suppose the batteries on shore will make it pretty hot for us; but they will not be able to see very clearly, and I think we have a fair chance of getting away. We certainly shall not allow ourselves to be taken prisoners without fighting for it." All Wednesday night the crew were at work on the Merrimac to get her stripped for her final resting-place. Early Thursday morning a start was made, but the vessel was ordered back, as the delays in getting her ready had made it impossible to take advantage of the darkness. Very early Friday morning the second start was made, and this time she succeeded in getting well in shore before the first glimmer of daylight; but soon the crews on the ships, who were anxiously waiting, saw the