had caused the
trouble was disabled by a skilful shot from one of the Yankee's guns.

While the flames in the cabin were being extinguished, the Americans
were making a valiant attempt to board and Lieut. Morris with his own
hands was attempting to lash the two ships together. Abandoning this
attempt, he leaped upon the taffrail, and called upon his men to
follow him. Lieut. Bush of the marines, and Mr. Alwyn, were soon at
the side of the intrepid officer, when, at a sudden volley of musketry
from the British, all three fell back, poor Bush dead, and the two
others badly wounded. The ships then drifted asunder; and the
"Guerriere's" foremast was shot away, and dragged down the main-mast
with it in its fall. The shattered ship now lay a shapeless hulk,
tossing on the waves, but still keeping a British ensign defiantly
flying from the stump of her fallen mizzen-mast.

The "Constitution" drew away, firing continually, and soon secured a
raking position; seeing which, the British hauled down their colors.
Lieut. Read was sent on board the prize, and, on the appearance of
Capt. Dacres, said,--

"Capt. Hull presents his compliments, sir, and wishes to know if you
have struck your flag."

Dacres looked significantly at the shattered masts of his ship, and
responded dryly,--

"Well, I don't know. Our mizzen-mast is gone, our main-mast is gone;
and I think, on the whole, you may say that we have struck our flag."

After looking about the ship, the boarding officer stepped to the
side, to return to his own vessel. Before leaving, he said to Capt.
Dacres,--

"Would you like the assistance of a surgeon, or surgeon's mate, in
caring for your wounded?"

Dacres looked surprised, and responded,--

"Well, I should suppose you had on board your own ship business enough
for all your medical officers."

"Oh, no!" answered Read. "We have only seven wounded, and they have
been dressed long ago."

Dacres was astounded, as well he might be; for on the decks of his
ship lay twenty-three dead or mortally wounded men, while the surgeons
were doing their best to alleviate the sufferings of fifty-six
wounded, among whom were several officers. Indeed, the ship looked
like a charnel-house. When Capt. Orne, freed by the result of the
battle, came on deck, he saw a sight that he thus describes: "At
about half-past seven o'clock, I went on deck, and there beheld a
scene which it would be difficult to describe. All the 'Guerriere's'
masts