you,
pilot;" and the pilot passed out. "There was nothing after me," said
he, in relating the story afterwards; "for as I sprang out of the
hatchway the water rushed in, carrying all behind me to the bottom."

This terrible sight made the ships stop for a moment in some
confusion; but Farragut signalled sternly from his flagship, "Go on,"
and all advanced again. As the fight grew fiercer, the admiral grew
tired of being on the second ship in the line, and ordered the
"Hartford" to forge ahead.

"On board a war steamer the engines are directed by the tap of a bell,
the wires connected with which lead to the quarter-deck. One stroke of
the bell means 'go ahead;' two, 'stop;' three, 'back;' and four, 'go
ahead as fast as possible.' Leaning down through the shrouds to the
officer on deck at the bell-pull, the admiral shouted, 'Four bells,
_eight bells_, SIXTEEN BELLS! Give her all the steam you've got!' The
order was instantly transmitted, and the old ship seemed imbued with
the admiral's spirit; and running past the "Brooklyn" and the
monitors, regardless of fort, ram, gunboats, and the unseen foe
beneath, dashed ahead, all alone, save for her gallant consort, the
'Metacomet.'"

[Illustration: Fight at Mobile Bay.]

But by this time the fleet was well abreast of the forts, and now,
pouring out broadside after broadside, they swept along past the
terrible ramparts. The Confederate gunboats had found the fight too
hot for them, and had fled for shelter, with the exception of the
dreaded "Tennessee," which seemed to be holding itself in reserve. It
was but a short time before the vessels were safely past the fort, and
out of range, floating on the smooth waters of the inner bay. Then
the crews were piped to breakfast, and all hands began to recount
their narrow escapes.

But the end was not yet, for the ram "Tennessee" was now ready to try
her mettle with the fleet. Lieut. Kinney of the "Hartford" tells
graphically the story of the desperate fight that the ram carried on
alone against the whole attacking flotilla.

"We were just beginning to feel the re-action following such a season
of extreme peril and excitement, when we were brought to our senses by
the sharp, penetrating voice of executive officer Kimberly calling all
hands to quarters; and a messenger-boy hurried down to us with the
word, 'The ram is coming.' Every man hastened to his post, the writer
to the quarter-deck, where the admiral and fleet-captain were