Steady, boys, steady," is the only answer of the self-possessed man, twenty-nine years old, who stands upon the quarter-deck, who before the sun goes down will write his name large on the scroll of fame.

Twelve o'clock. The Scorpion is nearest the British fleet. Lieutenant Stephen Champlin, Commodore Perry's cousin, is commander, although but twenty-five years old. He has two guns, and fires a thirty-two pound ball at the nearest British vessel. At fifteen minutes past twelve the Lawrence, fastest of all the American vessels, is in advance of the other Amer

ican ships. She is alone, and so near the British fleet that the gun of every vessel can reach her. The shot go through her sides, make great rents in her sails, dismount cannon, killing and wounding the sailors.

The Lawrence, Ariel, Scorpion, and Caledonia, of the American fleet, are engaged. The Niagara and the small vessels are far behind. The British vessels are pouring all their broadsides into the Lawrence.

"All the officers in my division are cut down. Can I have any more?" is the word which Lieutenant Yarnell sends to Perry. A few minutes later he stands before his commander with the blood streaming down his face from a wound caused by a splinter which has passed through his

nose.

"I must have another officer." "I have none to send you."

Lieutenant Yarnell goes to the forward deck, and the next moment his scalp is torn by a splinter; but he wipes away the blood and sights his gun

once more.

A shot crashes through the pantry and smashes all the plates, cups, and

AMERICAN VESSELS: 1. Scorpion; 2. Ariel; 3. Lawrence; 4. Caledonia;

saucers. A little dog, which has been hiding there, leaps upon the

deck and sets up a furious barking at the British.

It is half-past two. For two hours and a half the British cannon

5. Niagara; 6. Somers; 7. Porcupine; S. Tigress; 9. Trippe. BRITIS have been pouring their shot into the Lawrence. The battle is going

VESSELS: I. Chippewa; II. Detroit; III. Hunter; IV. Queen Charlotte; V. Lady Prevost; VI. Little Belt.

against Perry. The Lawrence is a helpless wreck. there will not be a man left. What shall he do?

In a few minutes

There are supreme moments in men's lives; such a moment has come

to Oliver Hazard Perry. Though

his decks are running with blood,

though he has but one gun left, though his ship is a wreck, he will win the victory! It is only a great soul that can come to such a determination. Astern, half a mile away, is the Niagara, with as many guns as the Lawrence had at the beginning. Scarcely a shot has struck her. Captain Elliott, for some reason, has not come into the battle. The other vessels of the fleet are but little injured. Commodore Perry decides to go on board the Niagara and begin the battle anew. He has worn a plain blue jacket, but now. pulls it off and puts on his uniform.

STEPHEN CHAMPLIN

"Lower the boat!" The order is executed, and, with his flag under his arm, accompanied by his little brother, Commodore Perry steps into it. He stands erect. The oars dip, and the boat shoots out from the Law

rence. Captain Barclay beholds it, and comprehends the meaning. His own ship, the Detroit, is almost a wreck from the pounding which it has had from the great guns of the Lawrence, for, though silent now, they have been worked with terrible effect. He knows that if Perry gains the deck of the Niagara the battle will rage more furiously than ever.

"Fire upon the boat!" are his orders, and the shot plough the water around it. The oars are splintered; one shot passes through the boat.

"Hurrah! hurrah!" The American sailors swing their hats and give a cheer as they behold their brave commander passing through the storm. He climbs the sides of the Niagara, and then up goes, his flag to the mast-head.

"Close action." That is the meaning of the signal which he flings ont. If the British think that the battle is nearly won they are mistaken; so far as Perry is concerned it is about to begin.

"Double-shot the guns!" The sailors on the Niagara ram home the

balls.

A breeze is freshening from the south-west. All the British vessels. are north of the Niagara. Perry determines to break through Barclay's line.

How the spirit of that one brave heart on the quarter-deck of the Niagara goes out over the waters of Lake Erie-to the farthest gun-boat,

and to every sailor of the fleet! Conquer, or go to the bottom! that is the feeling.

The sailors square the sails to the breeze, and each lagging vessel

The dotted line from 5 to 5 shows the course of the Niagara, and the line from 4 to 4 the course of the Caledonia. BRITISH VESSELS: I. Chippewa; II. Detroit; III. Hunter; IV. Queen Charlotte; V. Lady Prevost; VI. Little Belt.-AMERICAN VESSELS: 1. Scorpion; 2. Ariel; 3. Lawrence; 4. Caledonia; 5. Niagara; 6. Somers; 7. Porcupine; 8. Tigress; 9. Trippe.

surges nearer to the enemy. The Niagara breaks through the line, having the Lady Prevost on the right side, and Chippewa on the left. The double-shotted guns sweep their decks from stem to stern. She pours a broadside into the Detroit, dismounting cannon and making terrible havoc. "Port the helm !"

The Niagara sweeps to the right-giving broadsides to the Detroit and Queen Charlotte. Up on the other side of these vessels comes the Caledonia, her sides ablaze.

Three o'clock. For the first time during the three long hours all the

In have met the enemy and they owe ours:

Twe Ships, tur

Brigs

Schoonee I one

Sloop.

one

Yous, with great respect and esteem
ON Bry.

FAC-SIMILE OF PERRY'S DESPATCH.

American vessels are engaged-all except the Lawrence, which can no longer work a gun, and which has pulled down its flag; but the British

'cannot take possession of her. Eight minutes past three. Down comes Commodore Barclay's flag, and then one after another the flag of every British vessel.

The thunder of the cannon ceases, and Perry, standing on the deck of the Niagara, writes upon the back of an old letter this despatch to General Harrison:

"We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop."

For the first time an American fleet had met a British fleet and captured it. The news electrified the country. Every where the deeds of Commodore Perry and the officers and sailors of his fleet were rehearsed. Verse writers were busy with their pens. Thus ran one of the songs: