nd the men sent to quarters. All
the stern preparations for battle were made--the guns all shotted, the
men in position, the magazines opened; shot, shell, cartridges, all in
place; the powder-boys at their stations; swords, pistols,
boarding-pikes, in the racks. Down in the cock-pit the surgeons spread
out upon their tables the gleaming instruments, which made brave men
shudder with the thought of what a few minutes would bring.

The sailors prepared for the fight gayly, never doubting for a moment
that victory would be on their side. So paltry had been the resistance
that the Confederates had heretofore been able to oppose to the
Northern arms, by sea, that the blue-jackets felt that they had only
to open a fight in order to win it. The officers were more serious.
Rumors had reached them that the "Merrimac" was a most powerful
vessel, destined to annihilate the navy of the North; and they looked
on this first battle with the monster with many misgivings. Their
fears were somewhat lessened by an article printed in the Norfolk
papers, a few days previous, denouncing the "Merrimac" as a bungling
bit of work, absolutely unseaworthy, and unable to stand against the
powerful vessels of the North. As it turned out, however, this article
was published as a _ruse_ to deceive the Northern authorities.

The iron ship came steaming sullenly down the bay. The "Congress" was
the first ship in range, and a puff of smoke from the "Merrimac's"
bow-gun warned the crew of the frigate that danger was coming. All
held their breath an instant, until, with a clatter and whiz, a storm
of grape-shot rattled against her sides, and whistled through the
rigging. Then came a sigh of relief that it was no worse. When the
enemy was within a quarter of a mile, the "Congress" let fly her whole
broadside, and the crew crowded the ports to see the result. The great
iron shot rattled off the mailed sides of the monster, like hailstones
from a roof. Then came the return fire; and the "Congress" was riddled
with shells, and her decks ran with blood. The "Merrimac" passed
sullenly on.

Now it was the turn of the "Cumberland." Her officers and crew had
seen the results of the fire of the "Congress," and, with sinking
hearts, felt how hopeless was their own position. There was no chance
for escape, for no wind filled the sails of the frigate. She lay
helpless, awaiting the attack of the iron battery that bore down upon
her, without firing a shot or openin