At the same time, the starboard battery of the Pensacola gave the fort on the other side of the river a broadside of the same material. The Brooklyn then passed between these two ships, and delivered her broadside; which, being followed by others from the remaining vessels of the fleet, entirely silenced the guns in the earthworks. The action was short, but brilliant,--what Admiral Farragut has styled “one of the elegances of the profession.” Not all of the fleet could obtain a “pop” at the batteries, so quickly were they silenced. The Harrisburg continued on her course, the crew still at quarters, in readiness to make the daylight shine through any rebel works which should have the temerity to dispute her advance. As she approached the city, the artistic eye of Mr. Bankhead, who was standing in the mizzen-rigging, giving directions to the quartermaster at the wheel, so as to avoid the burning wrecks which were borne down by the current of the mighty river, discerned a beautiful little steamer, which had been set on fire, and was drifting down with its fellows. It was not one of those ungainly, top-heavy Western steamers, whose build had called forth the criticisms of old Grummet; but she was evidently a sea-going steamer, whose graceful lines and symmetrical proportions would have filled the eye of a professional yachtman. The executive officer of the Harrisburg was a gentleman of exquisite taste in nautical affairs; and the destruction of so fine a craft greatly disturbed his equanimity. In fact, he was disposed to rescue the little steamer from the “manifest destiny” which appeared to have overtaken her, especially as the fire had made but little progress. He immediately communicated the suggestion to Captain Mainwright, pointing out the value which the fine craft might be in the future operations of the fleet. Mr. Bankhead was satisfied that he could save the steamer; and the order was at once given for the attempt to be made. “Strike two bells, quartermaster!” said the first-lieutenant. “Clear away the second cutter!” “Two bells, sir!” repeated Tom Longstone, who was conning the wheel. “Three bells, quartermaster!” continued Mr. Bankhead: the first signal being to stop her; the second, to back her. “Three bells, sir!” By the time the little steamer had drifted down to the ship, the second cutter was in the water, manned by her regular crew. A dozen more men, with axes and buckets, were ordered into the boat. Mr. Bankhead, having a peculiar interest in the rescue of this elegant specimen of naval architecture, took charge of the expedition himself. “Somers!” said he as he sprang upon the gangway. “Ay, ay, sir!” shouted Jack in reply, as he sprang forward to answer the welcome summons. “Take a bucket, and come into the boat.” “Ay, ay, sir!” answered our sailor-boy, pleased to be remembered when there was any difficult duty to be performed.