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was delighted when a whisper ran over the deck that the frigate was a French vessel. The truth of this was confirmed by the captain of the ship commanding:

"All hands clear the ship for action, ahoy!"

The shrill notes of the fife rose on the air; the drum beat to quarters; bulkheads were knocked away; guns were released, and all the dread paraphernalia of a sea fight were produced, and, in a much less time than one would suppose, hurry and confusion were over, and every man and boy was at his post, ready to do his duty for his country. There was only one sick man on the list, and he, at the cry of battle, hurried from his cot, feeble as he was, to take his post of danger. Some of the junior midshipmen were stationed below on the berth deck, with orders, given in the hearing of all, to shoot any man who attempted to run from his quarters.

The approaching vessel showed French colors, and all doubt of her character was at an end.

"We must fight her," was the conviction in every breast, and every possible arrangement to secure victory was made. The guns were shotted and matches lighted. A lieutenant passed through the ship, directing the marines and boarders, who were furnished with pikes, cutlasses, and pistols, how to proceed, if it should be necessary to board

the enemy. He was followed by the captain, exhorting every man to do his duty.

In addition to all the preparations on deck, some men were stationed aloft with small arms, whose duty it was to attend to trimming the sails, and if they came to close action to use their muskets. There were others, also, below, called sail-trimmers, to assist in working the ship, should it be necessary to shift her position during the battle.

George Stevens was stationed at the fifth gun on the main-deck. It was his duty to supply his gun with powder, a boy being appointed to each gun in the ship, on the side to be engaged for that purpose. A woollen screen was placed before the entrance to the magazine, with a hole in it, through which the cartridges were passed to the boys, who covered them with their jackets and ran with them to their respective guns. This precaution was observed to prevent the powder igniting before it reached the gun.

They all reached their places and stood, awaiting orders, in motionless suspense. Many hearts beat wildly that were soon to be stilled forever. At last three guns were fired from the larboard side of the main deck; but the captain cried:

"Cease firing! You are throwing away your shot."

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Soon after came the order to wear ship," and

prepare to attack the enemy with their starboard guns. This brought the gun at which George Stevens was stationed directly in front of the enemy. Elmer ran to him and offered to change positions, as his own was less exposed; but the plucky little fellow would not permit it. A few moments later firing was heard from some other direction, which George Stevens at first thought came from their quarter-deck guns, but which proved to be the roar of the enemy's cannon.

A strange noise, such as he had never heard before, next arrested his attention. It sounded like the tearing of sails just over his head; but he soon ascertained that it was the wind of the enemy's shot. After a few minutes' cessation, the firing recommenced, and the roar of cannon could be heard from all parts of their trembling ship, mingled with the rapid crash of the enemy's guns, making a most hideous noise. By and by the enemy's shot began to strike against the sides of the New England privateer, and the whole scene grew indescribably confused and horrible. It was like some terrible thunder-storm, whose deafening roar was attended with incessant streaks of lightning, carrying death in every flash, and strewing the ground with the victims of its wrath; but in their case the situation was rendered more horrifying by the torrents of blood which dyed the decks.

George Stevens saw the blood suddenly spurt from the arm of a man stationed at his gun.

He saw

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nothing strike him. The effect alone was visible. In an instant, an officer bound his handkerchief about the shattered arm and sent the poor fellow below. A glance was all George could give the surroundings, for the boy at gun number six was wounded, and he had to do service for both. moment later the lad at number four was killed. He was hurrying forward with his cartridge, when it took fire and exploded in his hands and burnt the flesh off his face. In this pitiable situation, the agonized boy lifted up both his hands, as if imploring relief, when a passing shot instantly cut him in two.

A sailor named Blivens had his right hand cut off, and, before he could get below, a shot had passed through his body. George saw one of his division officers fall with a bullet just above his heart. He was carried below, but died soon after.

Mr. Calvin, the first lieutenant, was slightly wounded by a grummet or small iron ring, probably torn from a hammock clew by a shot. He went below, shouting to his men to fight on, and, having his wound dressed, came back, shouting and cheering his men at the top of his voice.

The wounded were carried below; but as the

dead began to encumber the deck they threw them overboard as fast as they fell. The battle still went on, and the men continued to shout and cheer, George joining them, although he began to have serious doubts of the result. Not only had several boys and men been killed and wounded, but several guns were disabled. Number five had a piece of the muzzle knocked out; and, when the ship rolled, it struck a beam of the upper deck with such force as to become jammed and fixed in that position. A twenty-four pound shot had gone through the screen of the magazine, immediately over the orifice through which powder was handed out. The brave boatswain, who came from his sick cot to take part in the conflict, was wounded, and, as he was carried below past where George was stationed, the boy could hear the great drops of blood fall pat, pat, pat, on the deck.

The two vessels had slowly but surely drawn nearer and nearer together, until both were wrapped in a vast cloud of smoke, which settled down over the water, until the ships were concealed. At last the banner of France was seen emerging from the clouds about the privateer, and the boarders and marines were hurried forward. The two vessels came together with a crash, and guns were discharged at such close range that the muzzles passed each other. With a wild shout, the boarders leaped

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