ficant
"cheese-box on a raft" was going to do battle with the dreaded
"Merrimac." Small hopes had they that their noble frigate would be
saved by any such pygmy warship.

In the mean time, the men of the "Merrimac" up at Norfolk were working
energetically to prepare her for the destruction of the rest of the
Union ships. Her ram was tightened in its place, her steering
apparatus overhauled, and some changes made, and her rickety engine
was patched up. At daybreak all was bustle as the ram prepared to move
down on the Union fleet. But just as she was about to start, her
officers saw the queer craft lying by the "Minnesota," which they at
once knew to be the Ericsson "Monitor." Her appearance was not very
terrible; but, nevertheless, the Confederates felt that she had
appeared at a most inopportune moment for them. Still they raised
anchor, and started down the bay to meet their mysterious enemy.

It was Sunday morning, and the sun rose in a cloudless blue sky. A
light breeze stirred the surface of the water, and played lazily with
the long streaming pennants of the men-of-war. The batteries on both
sides of the bay were crowded with men waiting for the great naval
battle of the day. Up at Norfolk a gay holiday party was embarking on
steam-tugs, to accompany the Confederate ship and witness the total
destruction of the Union fleet. No thought of defeat ever entered the
minds of the proud believers in the new iron-clad of the Confederacy.

At the first sign of life on board the "Merrimac," the "Monitor" began
her preparations for the battle. In fifteen minutes she was in battle
trim. The iron hatches were closed, the dead-light covers put on, and
obstructions removed from the main deck, so as to present a smooth
surface only twenty-four inches above the water, unbroken, save by the
turret and pilot-house. In the pilot-house was Lieut. Worden, who was
to command the "Monitor" in this her first battle.

[Illustration: Battle of the "Monitor" and "Merrimac."]

Leisurely the "Merrimac" came down the bay, followed by her attendant
tugs; and, as she came within range, she opened fire on the
"Minnesota," which was still aground. The frigate responded with a
mighty broadside, which, however, rattled off the mailed sides of the
ram like so many peas. Clearly, every thing depended upon the
"Monitor;" and that little craft steamed boldly out from behind the
"Minnesota," and sent two huge iron balls, weighing one hundred and
sev