The _Constitution_ poured in several effective broadsides, and luffed slowly, until she lay right athwart the _Guerriere's_ bow. The long bowsprit of the Englishman stretched far across the _Constitution's_ quarterdeck and was soon fouled in the mizzen-rigging of the latter vessel. The two ships swung helplessly around. The bow of the Englishman lay snugly against the port-quarter of the American. "We could board her now," said Lieutenant Morris. "I wish the captain would give the order," responded Tempest, who was acting as second lieutenant. "By Washington, but you shall see some fighting!" exclaimed Captain Hull, as he saw that the Englishman was preparing to board the _Constitution_. The bugle blared from the quarterdeck of the _Guerriere_, and the boarders sprang from their guns and seized their heavy cutlasses and boarding-caps. But Hull had ordered the boarding-bugle to sound, and by the side of his vessel there appeared an equal number of well-armed men. Captain Dacres saw the kind of reception he would meet with, and so ordered his men back to their guns. The vessels were so close together that pistols were freely used. The topmen fired down at the deck of the opposing ship and picked off many a brave man. Captain Dacres was slightly wounded by a pistol shot fired by John Tempest. The thunder of the big guns could not down the cries of pain and anger which arose from the throats of the wounded men. The air was filled with the ceaseless rattle of musketry, the roar of cannon, the cracking of pistol shots, and the cries of the injured. Often the protruding muzzles of the guns touched the side of the opposing ship. And when the guns were run in for loading the sailors would rush to the open ports with muskets and pistols, and try to pick off some of the enemy. Suddenly there was an alarming cry, which rose above all others and entirely overpowered them. "Fire! Fire!" Every one was horrified. A sailor is more horrified at that cry than any other which can be heard at sea. He would rather be clinging to a mast in the open ocean than stand on the deck of a stanch ship, if her hold was on fire! Flames were seen coming from the windows of the cabin, which lay directly beneath the _Guerriere's_ bow guns. While the shots were raking the decks, and every moment the crew anticipated having to fight hand-to-hand, man to man, not one felt any fear. But when that cry of fire was raised, and the flames seen, there was not a sailor or marine but trembled. The flash of the enemy's guns had caused the fire, so close were the vessels together. Captain Hull did not lose his presence of mind. With splendid discipline he soon had the flames extinguished and the danger from fire averted. Tempest had gone to the gun deck. He pointed to the _Guerriere_ and said: "It was the flash from that gun which fired our cabin. I will silence it." He ordered a gun loaded, and sighted it himself.