As for me, I would as soon have eaten with the coffin of my dearest friend for a table, as to have eaten then; but Alec was stouter hearted, and took his rations with a relish which I envied. “It’s not well to fight on an empty stomach, lad!” old Silas cried, when he saw me turn away from the food, and I foolishly replied:-- “It can make little difference to him who falls whether his appetite be satisfied or not.” “True for you, lad; but some of us will be alive when this battle is ended by the haulin’ down of the British flags, and they’ll need be ready to clear the decks of those who are no longer to be counted on the ship’s list.” That the others cheered these words only served to show me how heartless men may become after having learned the “art” of warfare, and I turned away with a sensation such as cannot well be described. Now the line of battle was formed. The British flag-ship, supported by the schooner _Chippewa_, was in the lead. After her came the brig _Hunter_; then the _Queen Charlotte_, commanded by Captain Finnis; flanked by the schooners _Lady Prevost_ and _Little Belt_. The _Lawrence_ led our line, with the _Scorpion_ and the _Ariel_ on her left, and the _Caledonia_ on the right. The orders were that these three craft should encounter the _Detroit_, _Hunter_, and _Chippewa_. Next came the _Niagara_, with instructions to fight the _Queen Charlotte_, while the _Somers_, _Porcupine_, _Tigress_, and the _Trippe_ were to engage with the _Lady Prevost_ and the _Little Belt_. We were yet a full mile and a half away, and it was close to noon when a bugle sounded on the deck of the _Detroit_, the bands on the several Britishers struck up the tune of “Rule Britannia,” and a ball from the enemy’s flag-ship came directly toward the _Lawrence_, but fell far short of its mark. The first shot of the battle had been fired, and, seeing the iron missile cleaving the air in a direct line for us, I involuntarily shrank behind Alec, whereupon old Silas shouted:-- “None of that, lad! None of that! A shipmate’s body is no protection, and you should be willin’ to take your full dose!” The laughter which was provoked by this remark caused my cheeks to burn with shame, and from that moment I stood firm, however great might have been the fear in my heart. “Remember that every shot does not go where it is aimed,” Alec whispered to me, hoping with the words to check my fears; and I replied with such firmness of voice as could be summoned just then:-- “It was more instinct than fear which caused the movement, dear lad, though God knows I am afraid.” “So are all of us,” he replied, with a hearty grip of the hand; “and he who talks the loudest is trying the hardest to prevent it from being known.”