However, after his men had had their dinner and a comfortable smoke, Commodore Bainbridge cleared the ship for action and hoisted the American ensign to three prominent points, and his own pennant and the Union Jack as well. By the time all was ready the enemy had arrived within long range, and at fifty minutes past 1 o’clock he squared away to run across the _Constitution’s_ stern and deliver a raking fire. At that the _Constitution_ squared away also. So the _Java_ luffed up once more on the port tack, followed by the _Constitution_, and then, at exactly 2 o’clock, the firing began. The _Java_ was estimated to be half a mile away. Whatever the exact distance, it was almost the limit of range, for when the _Constitution_ opened fire, first with one gun and then with a broadside, the shots from her long twenty-fours fell short. The enemy soon replied, and with a better estimate of the distance, for her projectiles landed, and killed and wounded several of the _Constitution’s_ crew. A continuous fire followed--a fire that filled the air with a covering fog of smoke that all but hid each ship from the eyes of the other crew. Meantime the _Constitution_ was luffing up and the _Java_ running free and forging steadily ahead. The ships were soon within musket range. Commodore Bainbridge, a six-foot man, broad-shouldered and brawny, was pacing the quarter-deck, watching the enemy. He was an excellent target for the British marines, and they improved their opportunity. A musket-ball struck him in the thigh and stopped his pacing. But it had missed both bone and artery, and going to the wheel the commodore leaned upon the frame and continued to command his ship. Reaching forward until off the _Constitution’s_ port-bow and almost clear of her guns, the _Java_ squared away to cross the bows of the _Constitution_. The _Java_ was admirably handled, but the _Constitution_, though not so swift, was in as able hands, and around she too came in ample time to prevent a raking. Both ships were now headed to the westward. To the eye they were in two cumulous, lightning-ribbed clouds on the sea, drifting along before the wind. They were now at a range where the short guns of both ships could be used with thorough effect, and it was a hot fight for a few minutes until the _Java_ again forged ahead, and then she once more tried as before to cross the Yankee’s bows and rake her. Putting up her wheel her stern swung away from the _Constitution_ while her bow turned down, bringing her guns to bear diagonally across the _Constitution’s_ decks. Instantly her gunners fired a broadside, and one big round-shot struck the _Constitution’s_ wheel, knocking it to pieces and, worse yet, driving a copper bolt deep into the leg of Commodore Bainbridge.