0, that the "Trumbull," while cruising far out in the Atlantic
Ocean in the path of British merchantmen bound for the West Indies,
sighted a strange sail hull down to windward. The "Trumbull" was then
in command of Capt. James Nicholson, an able and plucky officer.
Immediately on hearing the report of the lookout, Nicholson ordered
all the canvas furled, in order that the stranger might not catch
sight of the "Trumbull." It is, of course, obvious that a ship under
bare poles is a far less conspicuous object upon the ocean, than is
the same ship with her yards hung with vast clouds of snowy canvas.
But apparently the stranger sighted the "Trumbull," and had no desire
to avoid her; for she bore down upon the American ship rapidly, and
showed no desire to avoid a meeting. Seeing this, Nicholson made sail,
and was soon close to the stranger. As the two ships drew closer
together, the stranger showed her character by firing three guns, and
hoisting the British colors.

Seeing an action impending, Nicholson called his crew aft and
harangued them, as was the custom before going into battle. It was not
a promising outlook for the American ship. She was but recently out of
port, and was manned largely by "green hands." The privateers had so
thoroughly stripped the decks of able seamen, that the "Trumbull" had
to ship men who knew not one rope from another; and it is even said,
that, when the drums beat to quarters the day of the battle, many of
the sailors were suffering from the landsman's terror, seasickness.
But what they lacked in experience, they made up in enthusiasm.

With the British flag at the peak, the "Trumbull" bore down upon the
enemy. But the stranger was not to be deceived by so hackneyed a
device. He set a private signal, and, as the Americans did not answer
it, let fly a broadside at one hundred yards distance. The "Trumbull"
responded with spirit, and the stars and stripes went fluttering to
the peak in the place of the British ensign. Then the thunder of
battle continued undiminished for two hours and a half. The wind was
light, and the vessels rode on an even keel nearly abreast of each
other, and but fifty yards apart. At times their yard-arms
interlocked; and still the heavy broadsides rang out, and the flying
shot crashed through beam and stanchion, striking down the men at
their guns, and covering the decks with blood. Twice the flying wads
of heavy paper from the enemy's guns set the "Trumbull" a-fire,