Several times the _Lawrence_ barely escaped being blown up. Two cannon balls passed entirely through the powder magazine. Even the wounded men crawled upon the deck to lend a feeble hand in firing the guns. It was Oliver Perry himself, however, that loaded and fired the last gun of the _Lawrence_. Lieutenant Perry at last determined to change his flag from the _Lawrence_ to the _Niagara_. A breeze had sprung up, which enabled this vessel to come near to the helpless _Lawrence_. The first lieutenant was left in command of the _Lawrence_, with orders to hold out to the last. Then with his brother Alexander and four seamen, Lieutenant Perry got into a rowboat. Just as they were shoving off, a seaman on the _Lawrence_ hauled down the blue flag, bearing the motto, "Don't give up the ship!" He rolled it up and tossed it to Perry. The smoke of the battle was so dense that the rowboat had nearly reached the _Niagara_ before it was seen by the English. Then a shot was sent which went straight through the boat's side. Taking off his coat and rolling it up, Perry quickly thrust it into the hole which the ball had made. This kept the boat from sinking. As he stepped upon the deck of the _Niagara_, Perry ordered the blue flag to be hoisted. Just at this moment the _Lawrence_ surrendered. [Illustration: THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.] The English gave a cheer, thinking they had won the battle. They were not able, however, to board and take the _Lawrence_ at once, and so she drifted away. When safely out of range her colors were rehoisted. Bringing the _Niagara_ into position, Lieutenant Perry fired a terrific broadside into one of the English vessels. Then he sailed quickly to another and did the same thing. The other American vessels followed this example, and a terrific battle followed. In just fifteen minutes the English surrendered. Two vessels of their squadron attempted to escape, but were soon overtaken and captured. Lieutenant Perry was determined that the formal surrender should take place on the _Lawrence_. So once more he lowered his flag, and jumping into a boat, made for his first flagship. When he stepped on board the _Lawrence_ not a cheer was heard. The handful of men that were left silently greeted their commander. Few of them were uninjured. Some had splintered arms and legs. Others had bandages about their heads. Their faces were black with powder. The English officers came on board to present their swords to Perry. With quiet dignity he returned each one. He then took from his pocket an old letter. Using his cap for a desk, he wrote with a pencil his famous dispatch to General Harrison: "We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop. Yours, with very great respect and esteem, "O.H. PERRY." X.--WHAT PERRY'S VICTORY ACCOMPLISHED.