rode the quarter-deck, watching the progress of the fight,
encouraging his men, and looking out anxiously for indications of a
wind, a grape-shot struck him in the shoulder, and felled him to the
deck. He was on his feet again in an instant; and though weakened by
the pain, and the rapid flow of blood from the wound, he remained on
deck. At last, however, he became too weak to stand, and was carried
below. At this moment a flying shot carried away the American colors;
and, as the fire of the "Alliance" was stopped a moment for the
loading of the guns, the enemy thought the victory won, and cheered
lustily. But their triumph was of short duration; for a new ensign
soon took the place of the vanished one, and the fire of the
"Alliance" commenced again.

The "Alliance" was now getting into sore straits. The fire of the
enemy had told heavily upon her, and her fire in return had done but
little visible damage. As Capt. Barry lay on his berth, enfeebled by
the pain of his wound, and waiting for the surgeon's attention, a
lieutenant entered.

"The ship remains unmanageable, sir," said he. "The rigging is badly
cut up, and there is danger that the fore-topmast may go by the board.
The enemy's fire is telling on the hull, and the carpenter reports two
leaks. Eight or ten of the people are killed, and several officers
wounded. Have we your consent to striking the colors?"

"No, sir," roared out Barry, sitting bolt upright. "And, if this ship
can't be fought without me, I will be carried on deck."

The lieutenant returned with his report; and, when the story became
known to the crew, the jackies cheered for their dauntless commander.

"We'll stand by the old man, lads," said one of the petty officers.

"Ay, ay, that we will! We'll stick to him right manfully," was the
hearty response.

But now affairs began to look more hopeful for the "Alliance." Far
away a gentle rippling of the water rapidly approaching the ship gave
promise of wind. The quick eye of an old boatswain caught sight of it.
"A breeze, a breeze!" he cried; and the jackies took up the shout, and
sprang to their stations at the ropes, ready to take advantage of the
coming gust. Soon the breeze arrived, the idly flapping sails filled
out, the helmsman felt the responsive pressure of the water as he
leaned upon the wheel, the gentle ripple of the water alongside
gladdened the ears of the blue-jackets, the ship keeled over to
leeward, then swung around responsiv