In a twinkling, as it were, Commodore Perry forgot all else save that the fleet for which he had waited so long was in sight. Wresting himself free from us two lads, he was on the instant transformed from the loving brother and dear friend into the eager, valiant commander. Hurriedly, speaking so quickly that one order was almost merged into the other, he gave the word for signals to be hoisted, and within three minutes from the time the lookout reported a sail, our bunting was flying. “Enemy in sight!” “Get under way!” These commands were given by the tiny flags which floated from the _Lawrence_, and in a twinkling every vessel in the fleet was alive with hurrying, eager men, rushing here and there like unto a swarm of bees. The premonitions of the previous night had not been vain; at last the enemy for which we searched was in full view, and now nothing save rank cowardice could prevent an encounter. I quaked inwardly, not because a battle was about to be fought, but lest while it was waging I should shame my father by proving myself a coward; and, in fact, I was near to being one at that moment, when it was shown we would have an opportunity of measuring strength with the foe. Timid though I was, and fearing for myself, I yet had enough of Yankee courage to weigh well the chances for or against us. The wind was blowing light from the southwest, and on the horizon were low-hanging clouds which gave promise of rain. There was not weight enough in the breeze to admit of our manœuvring freely, and I wondered how it might be possible for the commodore to bring the fleet into close quarters, as old Silas had declared was necessary in order to equalize the weight of metal and force of men. But even a coward must have been inspired by the scene around him. Here, there, and seemingly everywhere, were Yankee sailors making ready for the fray, and all working with an eagerness which told how fearful they were lest this opportunity, so long sought, should be lost. The clanking of chains as the anchors were hove apeak; cries of the men as they cheered each other in the work which preceded the carnage; the shrill whistles of the boatswains as they thus repeated the orders given by the officers, and the beat of drums summoning men to the shedding of blood, would have aroused the most timorous, causing even a coward to feel a sense of pride that his countrymen were so willing to try conclusions with a foe that was superior in strength. Alec and I hastened to our stations, even though knowing that many hours must elapse before the guns could be used, and there we found old Silas, as might confidently have been expected, overlooking all the details lest he should be caught napping.