ed, and he leaped to his feet, and was soon again
in the thick of the fight. In less than five minutes the cry again
arose, that the captain was killed. He had been standing at the breach
of his favorite cannon, when a round shot took off the head of the
captain of the gun, and dashed it with terrific force into the face of
Macdonough, who was driven across the deck, and hurled against the
bulwarks. He lay an instant, covered with the blood of the slain man;
but, hearing his men cry that he was killed, he rushed among them, to
cheer them on with his presence.

And, indeed, at this moment the crew of the "Saratoga" needed the
presence of their captain to cheer them on to further exertion. The
red-hot shot of the "Confiance" had twice set fire to the American
ship. The raking fire from the "Linnet" had dismounted carronades and
long guns one by one, until but a single serviceable gun was left in
the starboard battery. A too heavy charge dismounted this piece, and
threw it down the hatchway, leaving the frigate without a single gun
bearing upon the enemy. In such a plight the hearts of the crew might
well fail them. But Macdonough was ready for the emergency. He still
had his port broadside untouched, and he at once set to work to swing
the ship round so that this battery could be brought to bear. An
anchor was let fall astern, and the whole ship's company hauled in on
the hawser, swinging the ship slowly around. It was a dangerous
manoeuvre; for, as the ship veered round, her stern was presented to
the "Linnet," affording an opportunity for raking, which the gunners
on that plucky little vessel immediately improved. But patience and
hard pulling carried the day; and gradually the heavy frigate was
turned sufficiently for the after gun to bear, and a gun's crew was at
once called from the hawsers to open fire. One by one the guns swung
into position, and soon the whole broadside opened with a roar.

Meanwhile the "Confiance" had attempted the same manoeuvre. But her
anchors were badly placed; and, though her people worked gallantly,
they failed to get the ship round. She bore for some time the
effective fire from the "Saratoga's" fresh broadside, but, finding
that she could in no way return the fire, struck her flag, two hours
and a quarter after the battle commenced. Beyond giving a hasty cheer,
the people of the "Saratoga" paid little attention to the surrender of
their chief enemy, but instantly turned their guns upon