the muster-roll?"

"Why, what for, my lad?"

"So that I can draw my share of the prize-money, when we take that
Britisher, sir."

Amused and pleased with the lad's confidence in the success of the
"United States" in the coming battle, Decatur gave the necessary
order; and Jack went back to his post with a prouder step, for he was
now regularly enrolled.

The two ships were now coming within range of each other, and a slow,
long-distance cannonade was begun, with but little effect; for a long
ground-swell was on, and the ships were rolling in a manner fatal to
the aim of the gunners. After half an hour of this playing at long
bowls, the Englishman's mizzen topmast was shot away; and the
cannon-balls from the "States" whizzed through the rigging, and
splashed into the water about the "Macedonian," in a way that proved
the American gunners had the range, and were utilizing it. Capt.
Carden soon saw that at long range the American gunners were more than
a match for his men, and he resolved to throw prudence to the winds;
and, disdaining all manoeuvring, bore straight down on the American
ship that lay almost stationary on the water, pouring in rapid and
well-aimed broadsides.

Though a gallant and dashing movement, this course led to the defeat
of the English ship. The fire of the Americans was deadly in its aim,
and marvellous in rapidity. So continuous was the flashing of the
discharges from the broadside ports, that the sailors on the
"Macedonian" thought their adversary was on fire, and cheered lustily.
But the next instant their exultation was turned to sorrow; for a
well-directed shot cut away the mizzen-mast, which fell alongside,
suspended by the cordage.

"Huzza, Jack!" cried the captain of a gun on the "United States."
"We've made a brig of her."

"Ay, ay, my lad," said Decatur, who stood near by; "now aim well at
the main-mast, and she'll be a sloop soon."

A few minutes later, the captain shouted to the nearest gunner, "Aim
at the yellow streak. Her spars and rigging are going fast enough. She
must have a little more hulling."

This order was immediately passed along the gun-deck, until every
gunner was striving his utmost to plant his shot in the hull of the
enemy. The effect was terrible. The great missiles crashed through the
wooden sides of the English frigate, and swept the decks clear of men.
She was coming down on the American bravely, and with manifest
intention of boarding; but so skilfull