gangway, and
conducted the visitor to Barron's cabin. Here the English lieutenant
produced an order, signed by the British Admiral Berkeley, commanding
all British ships to watch for the "Chesapeake," and search her for
deserters. Commodore Barron immediately responded, that the
"Chesapeake" harbored no deserters, and he could not permit his crew
to be mustered by the officer of any foreign power. Hardly had this
response been made, when a signal from the "Leopard" recalled the
boarding officer to his ship.

The officers of the "Chesapeake" were now fully aroused to the dangers
of the situation, and began the attempt to get the ship in readiness
for action. Commodore Barron, coming out of his cabin for the first
time, was forcibly struck by the air of preparation for action
presented by the "Leopard." Capt. Gordon, the second in command, was
ordered to hasten the work on the gun-deck, and call the crew to
quarters. The drummers began to beat the call to quarters, but hasty
orders soon stopped them; and the men went to their places quietly,
hoping that the threatening attitude of the "Leopard" was mere
bravado.

The most painful suspense was felt by all on board the American ship.
The attitude of the "Leopard" left little doubt of her hostile
intentions, while a glance about the decks of the "Chesapeake" told
how little fitted she was to enter into action. Her crew was a new
one, never exercised at the guns, and had been mustered to quarters
only three times. On the gun-deck lay great piles of cumbrous cables,
from the coiling of which the men had been summoned by the call to
quarters. On the after-deck were piles of furniture, trunks, and some
temporary pantries. What little semblance of order there was, was due
to the efforts of one of the lieutenants, who, suspecting trouble when
the "Leopard" first came up, had made great exertions toward getting
the ship clear. While the captain stood looking ruefully at the
confusion, still more serious troubles were reported. The guns were
loaded; but no rammers, powder-flasks, matches, wads, or gun-locks
could be found. While search was being made for these necessary
articles, a hail came from the "Leopard." Commodore Barron shouted
back that he did not understand.

"Commodore Barron must be aware that the orders of the vice-admiral
must be obeyed," came the hail again.

Barron again responded that he did not understand. After one or two
repetitions, the British determined