sponse to this, the
"Constitution" yawed a little, and fired two or three of her bow-guns;
after which the "Guerriere" again opened with broadsides. In this way
the battle continued for about an hour; the American ship saving her
fire, and responding to the heavy broadsides with an occasional shot.

During this ineffectual firing, the two ships were continually drawing
nearer together, and the gunners on the "Constitution" were becoming
more and more restive under their inaction. Capt. Hull was pacing the
quarter-deck with short, quick steps, trying to look cool, but
inwardly on fire with excitement. As the shot of the enemy began to
take effect, and the impatience of the gunners grew more intense,
Lieut. Morris, the second in command, asked leave to respond with a
broadside.

"Not yet," responded Capt. Hull with cool decision. Some minutes
later, the request was repeated, and met with the same response, while
the captain never ceased his pacing of the deck. When within about
half pistol-shot, another broadside came from the "Guerriere." Then
the smothered excitement in Hull's breast broke out.

"Now, boys, pour it into them!" he shouted at the top of his lungs,
gesticulating with such violence that the tight breeches of his naval
uniform split clear down the side. Lieut. Morris seconded the captain
in cheering on the crew.

"Hull her, boys! Hull her!" he shouted; and the crew, catching up the
cry, made the decks ring with shouts of "Hull her!" as they rapidly
loaded and let fly again.

[Illustration: "Hull Her, Boys!"]

The effect of their first broadside was terrific. Deep down in the
cock-pit of the "Guerriere," Capt. Orne, who had been listening to the
muffled thunder of the cannonade at long range, suddenly "heard a
tremendous explosion from the opposing frigate. The effect of her shot
seemed to make the 'Guerriere' reel and tremble, as though she had
received the shock of an earthquake. Immediately after this, I heard a
tremendous shock on deck, and was told that the mizzen-mast was shot
away. In a few moments afterward, the cock-pit was filled with wounded
men."

Though in his retreat in the cock-pit the captive American could hear
the roar of the cannon, and see the ghastly effects of the flying
missiles, he could form but a small idea of the fury of the conflict
which was raging over his head. Stripped to the waist, and covered
with the stains of powder and of blood, the gunners on the two ships
pulle