of the "Old Sow." This redoubtable piece of
ordnance was flanked on either side by a brass six-pounder; a pair of
cannon that the Yankee sailors had, with infinite pains and
indomitable perseverance, dredged up from the sunken hulk of a British
war-vessel that had filled a watery grave some years. Two brass
nine-pounders completed this novel armament.

It was about eight o'clock in the morning when the British vessels
came up within range. Alarm guns had been firing from the shore all
the morning; and by that time the village was filled with militiamen,
who flocked to the scene of action. Woolsey, who had taken charge of
the shore-batteries, ordered a shot from the thirty-two pounder. The
"old sow" spoke out bravely, but the shot missing, only roused the
enemy to laughter, which could be heard on shore. The British vessels
then began a vigorous cannonade, keeping well out of range of the
small guns on shore; although so weak were the American defences, that
a vigorous onslaught by the enemy would have quickly reduced the town
to submission. As it was, a harmless fire was kept up for about two
hours. Not a shot took effect, and nothing save the noise and
excitement of the cannonading need have deterred the good people of
Sackett's Harbor from observing that Sunday morning in accordance with
their usual sabbath customs. It was reserved for one shot to put an
end to this strange engagement. Just as the artillerists who served
the iron thirty-two pounder were loading the gun, a cannon-ball struck
the ground near the battery. One of the Americans ran, and, picking up
the spent ball, brought it into the battery, saying, "I've been
playing ball with the redcoats, and have caught them out. Let's see
now if they can catch back again." So saying, he rammed the missile
down the muzzle of the long thirty-two, and sent it back with deadly
aim. The captured ball crashed into the stern of the "Royal George,"
raked her from stem to stern, killing fourteen men, and wounding
eighteen in its course. The marksman, watching the course of his shot,
saw the splinters fly from the deck of the British ship; and the
Americans cheered loudly for the "old sow" as the British squadron put
about, and left the Sackett's Harbor people to celebrate their easily
won victory.

Insignificant though this engagement was, it was the chief battle of
the year on Lake Ontario. The Americans strained every nerve to put
more armed vessels afloat, and, being le