The men cheered loudly when the roll of the drums ceased, and from the other gunboats we could hear the same token of satisfaction that we were at last bearing down upon the Britishers who had threatened us so long. “There is no need to ask that every man will do his duty,” my father said, as he advanced so far forward that all might see him. “We shall meet the enemy in whatever force he may come, and I do not fear any on board the _Tigress_ will show the white feather!” Another cheer went up; and then had come the moment when my heart seemed to leap into my mouth, for the British fleet was standing down toward us, all the crews at quarters, and the guns showing grim and ominous from the open ports. The ship _Queen Charlotte_ was leading, and no attempt was made to form a line of battle. Most likely the redcoats believed we could be whipped so readily that there was little need of manœuvring for position. “Fire when you think any execution can be done, Mr. Boyd,” my father said, after Captain Perry had given the word; and the old man muttered, in a tone so low that only Alec and I heard the words:-- “I reckon I’m as near ready now as I ever shall be. This ere gun ought ’er carry that far, an’ he who strikes the first blow has the best chance of gainin’ an advantage.” One of the crew was standing near with a lighted match, and old Silas, after sighting the piece carefully, motioned that fire be applied to the priming. There was a report as of thunder; the _Tigress_ quivered from stem to stern; and out of the cloud of white smoke I saw the ball speed toward the foremost ship. If Silas Boyd had never aimed a cannon before, his reputation as a skilful gunner was made from that moment, for we saw the missile strike the _Queen Charlotte’s_ mizzenmast, sending from it a shower of white splinters, and causing the spar to sway to and fro as if on the verge of falling. What a shout went up from our little fleet at this token of gunnery! It was as if every man tried to outdo his comrade at making a noise; and in the midst of the tumult the other gunboats paid their respects to the Britishers by sending iron balls toward them, but none save that fired by old Silas struck its target. So engrossed were Alec and I in watching the movements of those on board the wounded ship that we entirely forgot the part we were supposed to play, and stood idly by with the sponges in our hands until the old man cried angrily:-- “Get to work, you idlers! Did you come aboard only to gape around when there was work to be done?” It can well be fancied that we leaped forward to do our duty, and at the instant of so doing I saw half a dozen wool-like puffs of smoke from the ship’s side, which told that she was not intending to take our fire without making some return. Once more our gun was loaded, and again old Silas squinted along the piece.