150 JUSTIN MORGAN 



This broadside, from point-blank range, carried de- 

 struction to its target. It came terribly, and in turn 

 sang its death-song to the Americans through the morn- 

 ing ail. 



When the eddying smoke cleared it seemed to Com- 

 modore Macdonough that he saw half his crew lying on 

 the deck, stunned, wounded or killed by this one dis- 

 charge — forty was the actual number, out of his two 

 hundred and twelve men. Hammocks were cut to 

 pieces in the netting and bodies cumbered the deck. But 

 presently the "Saratoga" recovered and resumed her ani- 

 mated fire, steady as ever. 



Fifteen minutes after the enemy anchored an English 

 vessel was captured, and on Crab Island where there 

 was a hospital and a battery of one gun, the ''invalids" 

 took a second. 



Sometimes the galleys of the two navies would lie 

 within a boat's hook of each other and the sailors, not 

 liking such close quarters, would rise from the sweeps, 

 ready to spring into the water. It was close and hot — 

 this little naval battle — but gradually, as the guns were 

 injured, the cannonading ceased. 



Morgan and Captain Dulaney galloped from place to 

 place for a better view, the old horse prancing at the ter- 

 rific sound of the firing, never having seemed so full of 

 spirit; constantly he raised his head to sniff the smoke 

 of battle — as if it were a call from his kins-steeds. The 

 clatter of his own hoofs beat loud in his ears ; his heart 

 was like to burst with patriotic ardor at the flying flags, 

 the quick orders of the officers, the martial noises, and 

 the sense of peril. He was mad with excitement. 



Suddenly from the men on shore burst a cheer, loud 

 and high in exultation; the feeling of pride ran hot in 

 Morgan's veins, he tasted all the sweets of conquest, 



