At the mouth of the bay the two islands upon which the forts stood were less than a mile apart. The passage had been strewn with torpedoes by the Confederates, and only a narrow strip of water was left clear. Through this strip went Farragut's fleet: the _Tecumseh_ first, the _Brooklyn_ next, the _Hartford_ third. Suddenly the prow of the _Tecumseh_ lifted: she veered and sank. The _Brooklyn_ backed and held Farragut's ship directly under the guns of Fort Morgan. Shot and shell hurtled in the air. The smoke grew dense. The fire from the cannons lit the heavens. Men shouted and fell. "What's the matter!" called Farragut. "Torpedoes," some one answered. Never a profane man, he now gave vent to an oath, and cried out, "Full speed, Jouett. Four bells, Captain Drayton." The _Hartford_ steamed to the front. The torpedoes crackled under her as she sped on; but the forts were passed. And high in the rigging of his ship, in full view of the enemy and imminent danger of the fiery missiles, was seen Farragut, whence he directed all the ships' maneuvers. An officer, observing him standing there, feared lest a shot would cause his fall, and carried a rope and lashed him to the mast. In maddened fury the ironclad _Tennessee_ plunged straight at the _Hartford_. All the fleet bore down upon the Confederate ship. And crowding together, the _Lackawanna_, needing room, struck the flagship by accident, and came near striking the commander. Against the _Tennessee_ every Federal ship now redoubled her efforts, until, battered and bruised and despairing, she struck her colors. The captain of the _Tennessee_ was Buchanan, the same who commanded the _Merrimac_ in her fight with the _Monitor_ in Hampton Roads. "The _Tennessee_ and Buchanan are my prisoners," wrote Farragut home. "He has lost a leg. It was a hard fight, but Buck met his fate manfully." Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines surrendered and Farragut's fierce conflicts were at an end. Nearly so was his path of life. Congress honored him with the rank of admiral, the highest honor to be conferred. America and foreign nations extended him the most distinguishing courtesies. And then--the unseen Pilot steered his course across the unknown sea unto the harbor of the city Eternal. FARRAGUT FARRAGUT, Farragut, Old Heart of Oak, Daring Dave Farragut, Thunderbolt stroke, Watches the hoary mist Lift from the bay, Till his flag, glory-kissed, Greets the young day. Far, by gray Morgan's walls, Looms the black fleet. Hark, deck to rampart calls With the drums' beat! Buoy your chains overboard, While the steam hums; Men! to the battlement, Farragut comes. See, as the hurricane Hurtles in wrath Squadrons of clouds amain Back from its path! Back to the parapet, To the gun's lips, Thunderbolt Farragut Hurls the black ships.