and helping
wherever he was needed. Years later in discussing this scene, Farragut
said:

"I shall never forget the horrid impression made upon me at the sight
of the first man I had ever seen killed. It staggered me at first, but
they soon began to fall so fast that it all appeared like a dream, and
produced no effect on my nerves.... Some gun-primers were wanted and I
was sent after them. In going below, while I was on the ward-room
ladder, the Captain of the gun directly opposite the hatchway was
struck full in the face by an eighteen pound shot, and fell back on me.
We tumbled down the hatch together. I lay for some moments stunned by
the blow, but soon recovered consciousness enough to rush up on deck.
The Captain seeing me covered with blood, asked if I were wounded, to
which I replied, 'I believe not, sir.'

"'Then,' said he, 'where are the primers?' This brought me to my senses
and I ran below again and brought up the primers."

When Captain Porter had been forced lo surrender, the wounded men were
carried to shore, and young Farragut volunteered his services to help
the surgeons, and worked tirelessly, rolling bandages and waiting on
the injured men, whose admiration he won by his devoted service; and so
pleased was Captain Porter with his bravery throughout the whole
battle, that he mentioned it in his official despatches to the
government. Farragut himself in speaking of the battle later said:

"I never earned Uncle Sam's money so faithfully."

All of the American prisoners of war were put on board an unarmed
vessel, and made to promise that they would not take up arms against
the English until they had been exchanged for an equal number of
English prisoners, after giving which promise the _Essex_ was allowed
to sail for the United States. When Farragut, the plucky little
midshipman was taken on board the prison-ship, tears of mortification
rolled down his cheeks.

"Never mind, my little fellow," said the Captain, "perhaps it will be
your turn next."

"I hope so," was David's answer and his tears turned into a smile as he
saw "Murphy" his pet pig being brought on board, and at once rushed to
claim him, but the English sailors refused to allow that it was his,
saying:

"You are a prisoner and your pig too."

"We always respect private property," answered David, seizing hold of
the sailors, and of Murphy, with unyielding determination, and after a
vigorous tussle he won his beloved pig.

Now priso