t, before the boat touched the water, a second hail
announced, "We are the Confederate ship 'Alabama,'" and in an instant
a heavy broadside crashed into the "Hatteras." Every one of the shots
took effect; and one big fellow from the one hundred and five pounder
rifle peeled off six feet of iron plating from the side of the
"Hatteras," and lodged in the hold. Dazed by this unexpected fire, but
plucky as ever, the blue-jackets sprang to their guns and returned
the fire. The two ships were so close together that a good shot with a
revolver could have picked off his man every time, and the sailors
hurled taunts at each other between the volleys. Not a shot missed the
"Hatteras:" in five minutes she was riddled with holes, and on fire,
and a minute or two later the engineer came up coolly and reported,
"Engine's disabled, sir;" followed quickly by the carpenter, who
remarked, "Ship's making water fast; can't float more than ten
minutes, sir." There was nothing for it but surrender, and the flag
came down amid frantic yells from the "Alabama" sailors. Semmes got
out his boats with wonderful rapidity, and picked up all the men on
the "Hatteras;" and the defeated vessel sank in ten minutes. One of
the strange things about this battle was the small number of men
injured. Nothing but shells were fired, and they searched every part
of the vessels; yet when the fight was over the "Alabama" had but one
man wounded, while the "Hatteras" had two men killed and three
wounded. The shells played some strange pranks in their course. One
ripped up a long furrow in the deck of the "Alabama," and knocked two
men high in the air without disabling them. Another struck a gun full
in the mouth, tore off one side of it, and shoved it back ten feet,
without injuring any of the crew. One man who was knocked overboard by
the concussion was back again and serving his gun in two minutes. A
shell exploded in the coal of the "Hatteras," and sent the stuff
flying all about the vessel, without injuring a man.

With her prisoners stowed away in all available places about her
decks, the "Alabama" headed for Jamaica, and cast anchor in the harbor
of Port Royal. There were several English men-of-war there, and the
officers of the victorious ship were lionized and feasted to their
hearts' content. The prisoners were landed, the "Alabama's" wounds
were bound up, and she was made ready for another cruise.

[Illustration: Sinking of the "Alabama."]

After five