to waste no more time in talking;
and a single shot fired from the bow of the "Leopard" was quickly
followed by a full broadside. The heavy shot crashed into the sides of
the "Chesapeake," wounding many of the men, and adding to the
confusion on the gun-deck. No answer came from the American frigate;
for, though the guns were loaded, there was no way of firing them.
Matches, locks, or loggerheads were nowhere to be found. Mad with rage
at the helpless condition in which they found themselves, the officers
made every effort to fire at least one volley. Pokers were heated
red-hot in the galley-fire, and carried hastily to the guns, but
cooled too rapidly in the rush across the deck. In the mean time, the
"Leopard," none too chivalric to take advantage of an unresisting foe,
had chosen her position, and was pouring in a deliberate fire. For
nearly eighteen minutes the fire was continued, when the flag of the
"Chesapeake" was hauled down. Just as it came fluttering from the
masthead, Lieut. Allen, crying, "I'll have one shot at those rascals,
anyhow," ran to the galley, picked up a live coal in his fingers, and
carried it, regardless of the pain, to the nearest gun, which was
successfully discharged. This was the only shot that the "Chesapeake"
fired during the affair,--battle it cannot be called.

A boat with two British lieutenants and several midshipmen on board
speedily boarded the "Chesapeake," and the demand for the deserters
was renewed. Four seamen were seized, and borne away in triumph; but
the British commander refused to receive the ship as a prize, and even
went so far as to express his regret at the loss of life, and proffer
his aid in repairing the damages. Both sympathy and assistance were
indignantly rejected; and the disgraced ship went sullenly back to
Norfolk, bearing a sorely mortified body of officers and seamen. Of
the four kidnapped sailors, it may be stated here, that one was
hanged, and the other three forced to enter the British service, in
which one died. His comrades, five years later, were restored to the
deck of the ship from which they had been taken.

[Illustration: Lieut. Allen Fires A Shot.]

The news of this event spread like wildfire over the country, and
caused rage and resentment wherever it was known. Cities, towns, and
villages called for revenge. The President issued a proclamation,
complaining of the habitual insolence of British cruisers, and
ordering all such vessels to leave