ty of powder exploded, and word was given that the
fire was near her magazine. It was then that Captain Porter advised as
many as could swim to make for the shore, which they did, or tried to
do, while those who could not swim exerted themselves to extinguish the
flames, which having done, the action was renewed, until fighting was
impossible. When Porter summoned a consultation of his officers, only
one appeared--Acting Lieutenant McNight.

[23] So say the Americans. Mr. Alison says three weeks.

Early in February, the American sloop of war _Frolic_, of 22 guns, was
captured by the British frigate _Orpheus_, after two shots had been
fired. But by way of compensation, the British brig _Epervier_, of 18
guns, towards the close of April, surrendered to the American sloop of
war _Peacock_, of 22 guns, and on the 28th of June, a most desperate
encounter took place between the British sloop of war _Reindeer_,[24]
of 18 guns, and the American sloop, _Wasp_. The preponderance of force
was here, in a most extraordinary degree, in favor of the Americans,
but, notwithstanding this advantage, Captain Manners, of the
_Reindeer_, one of the bravest officers who ever trod a quarter deck,
the moment he got sight of the American vessel gave chase, and as soon
as it was evident to the American captain that he was pursued by the
_Reindeer_ alone, he hove to and the action commenced. Never were
vessels more gallantly commanded and fought on both sides. The
engagement lasted, yard arm to yard arm, for half an hour, at the end
of which time the _Reindeer_ was so disabled, that she fell with her
bow against the larboard quarter of the _Wasp_. The latter instantly
raked her with dreadful effect; and the American rifles, from the tops,
picked off almost all the officers and men on the British deck. But
Captain Manners then showed himself indeed a hero. Early in the action
the calves of his legs had been shot away, but he still kept the deck;
at this time a grape shot passed through his thighs, but though brought
for a moment on his knees, he instantly sprang up, and though bleeding
profusely, not only refused to quit the deck, but exclaiming, "Follow
me, my boys; we must board!" sprang into the rigging of the _Reindeer_,
intending to leap into that of the _Wasp_. At this moment two balls
from the American tops pierced his skull, and came out below his chin.
With dying hand he waved his sword above his head, and exclaiming, "Oh
God!" fel