British, and made such lively play with her carronades, that
the "Cherub" was forced to haul off for repairs, and the tide of war
seemed to be setting in favor of the Americans. But, though the
gallant blue-jackets fought with desperation, their chances for
success were small. The decks were strewn with dead, the cock-pit was
full, and the enemy's shot were constantly adding to the number of
dead and dying. Young Farragut, who had been sent below after some
gun-primers, was coming up the ladder, when a man standing at the
opening of the hatchway was struck full in the face by a cannon-ball,
and fell back, carrying the lad with him. The mutilated body fell full
upon the boy, who lay for a time unconscious; then, jumping to his
feet, ran, covered with blood, to the quarter-deck. Capt. Porter saw
him, and asked if he was wounded. "I believe not, sir," answered the
midshipman. "Then," said the captain, "where are the primers?"
Farragut remembered his errand, and dashed below to execute it. When
he emerged the second time, he saw the captain (his adopted father)
fall, and running up asked if he was wounded. "I believe not, my son,"
was the response; "but I felt a blow on the top of my head." He had
probably been knocked down by the wind of a passing shot.

But the end of the action was now near. Dreadful havoc had been made
in the ranks of both officers and men. The cock-pit would hold no more
wounded; and the shots were beginning to penetrate its walls, killing
the sufferers waiting for the surgeon's knife. Lieut. McKnight was the
only commissioned officer on duty. The ship had been several times on
fire, and the magazine was endangered. Finally, the carpenter reported
that her bottom was so cut up that she could float but a little while
longer. On learning this, Porter gave the order for the colors to be
hauled down, which was done. The enemy, however, kept up their deadly
fire for ten minutes after the "Essex" had struck.

David Farragut narrates some interesting incidents of the surrender.
He was sent by the captain to find and destroy the signal book before
the British should come aboard; and, this having been done, he went to
the cock-pit to look after his friends. Here he found Lieut. Cornell
terribly wounded. When Farragut spoke to him, he said, "O Davy, I fear
it's all up with me!" and died soon after. The doctor said, that, had
this officer been operated upon an hour before, his life might have
been saved; but whe