, sir," was the
response.

In a few minutes the signals "Enemy in sight," and "Get under way,"
were flying from the masthead of the flag-ship; and the merry piping
of the boatswains' whistles, and the measured tramp of the sailors
around the capstans, told that signals were observed, and were being
obeyed.

The fleet was soon threading its way through the narrow channels,
filled with islands, at the entrance to the bay, and finally came into
line on the open lake. Not a cloud was in the sky. The lake was calm,
with enough wind blowing to admit of manoeuvring, yet gentle enough to
be of advantage to the schooners that made up the greater part of each
fleet.

For some time the Americans held back, manoeuvring to get the
weather-gauge; but Perry's impatience for the fray got the better of
his caution, and he determined to close at once. His first officer
remonstrated, saying, "Then you'll have to engage the enemy to
leeward."

"I don't care," responded the commodore. "Leeward or windward, they
shall fight to-day." Then, turning to the quartermaster, he called for
the battle-flag, which being brought, he mustered the crew aft, and
addressed them briefly, telling them of the task before them, and
urging them to fight bravely for the victory. "My brave lads," he
concluded, "this flag bears the last words of Capt. Lawrence. Shall I
hoist it?"

"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the jackies, in unison; and, as the flag was
swiftly run to the masthead, the cheers of the sailors on the deck of
the "Lawrence" were echoed from the neighboring vessels, as the white
letters showed boldly against the blue flag, bearing to each commander
the exhortation, "Don't give up the ship!"

The battle-signal being thus displayed, the vessels moved onward to
the attack. As the crew of the "Lawrence" stood at their guns, the
cooks passed along the decks, handing to each man a bit of food, that
his strength might not leave him in the coming struggle. Then followed
boys with boxes of sand, which they strewed upon the decks, to afford
a firm foothold for the men at the guns. The hammocks were stowed
along the nettings, to serve as some little protection against flying
shot. The men stood silent and pale at their quarters, each occupied
with his own grave thoughts, but all determined to fight like brave
men and true for the honor of the flag. By Perry's side stood his
brother, a boy thirteen years old, armed and ready to do his duty as
well as the older m