y was the "United States"
manoeuvred, and so accurate and rapid was her fire, that the
"Macedonian" was unable to close, and was fairly cut to pieces, while
still more than a pistol-shot distant. The "United States," in the
mean time, was almost unscathed. The aim of the English gunners was
usually too high, and such shots as took effect were mainly in the
rigging. After pounding away at the "Macedonian" until the chocks of
the forecastle guns on that ship were cut away, her boats cut to
pieces, and her hull shattered with more than one hundred shot-holes,
the American ship drew away slightly. The British thought she was in
retreat, and cheered lustily, but were soon undeceived; for, after a
little manoeuvring, the "United States" ranged up under her
adversary's lee, securing a raking position. Before a broadside could
be fired, the British hauled down their flag; and the action was
ended, after just an hour and a half of fighting.

The slaughter on the British frigate had been appalling. From the
official accounts, we glean the cold reports of the numbers of the
killed and wounded; but for any picture of the scene on the decks of
the defeated man-of-war, we must turn to such descriptions as have
been left by eye-witnesses. Sailors are not much given to the habit of
jotting down the descriptions of the many stirring scenes in which
they play parts in their adventurous careers; and much that is
romantic, much that is picturesque, and much that is of historic
value, has thus been lost to history. But of the details of the action
between the "Macedonian" and "United States," the sailor-lad already
quoted has left an account, probably as trustworthy as should be
expected of a witness in his situation. He was stationed at one of the
guns on the main-deck; and it was his duty, as powder-boy, to run to
the magazine for powder for his gun. Before the entrance to the
magazine was a heavy wooden screen, pierced with a hole through which
the cartridges were passed out to the fleet-footed powder-monkeys, as
they rushed up for more powder. Each boy, on getting his cartridge,
wrapped it in his jacket, that no stray spark might touch it, and
dashed off at full speed for his gun, quickly returning for further
supplies.

With the men all standing pale and silent at the guns, the
"Macedonian" came on doggedly towards her foe. Three guns fired from
the larboard side of the gun-deck opened the action; but the fire was
quickly stopped by