336 THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

kept opencommunications across theisland with the small harbour of Batabano on the south coast. The American fleet never effectually blockaded this part of Cuba. The deep baybehind the Isle of Pines, fringed as it is with outlying barriers of coral reefs, would have required a wholeflotilla of gunboats to watch it, and the Spaniards ran in cargo after cargo of provisions, the steamers that brought them coming,some from Kingston,Jamaica,and some from the South Americanports. Batabano was thus nearly to the end of the war the openback door of Havana.

But by thus concentrating hisbest troopsand most of his supplies in the capital, Blanco had abandoned Eastern Cuba under General Pando to its own resources. Cervera had drawn the firstbrunt of theAmericanattackupon Santiago. Under itsbatteries the fate of Cuba wasdecided, and the defencesso carefullyprepared atHavana and the large army assembled within its walls counted for nothingin the finaltrial of strength.

Although there were persistent reports of disorders in the city, it is certain that Blanco found not the least difficulty inpreserving order. The cafes and theatres were open, and the place did not present the aspect of a city blockaded by a hostile squadron and threatened with a siege at an early date. Although some supplies ran short, the city never felt anything likescarcity. The blockade was to a great extent relaxed as soon as Cervera's fleet appeared in the West Indies, the few ships that watched the harbour lying far out to sea, and being deprivedof the help of the torpedo boats. On the few occasions when the blockading cruisers came in close the gunners on the sea front,especially those at the Reinabattery, shot so well as to impress the enemywith the idea that it was anunnecessarily risky performance. The inefficiency of the blockade resulted in its being at least once brokenby a large steamer with a valuable cargo of provisions. But the regular source ofsupplies for Havanacame from another quarter. Blanco IN CAMP :TOSSING JERRY, THE PET OF THE REGIMENT.