of each other; so that now the port
and now the starboard battery would be engaged. From the shore these
evolutions were concealed under a dense cloud of smoke, and the
spectators could only see the tops of the two vessels moving slowly
about before the light breeze; while the lurid flashes of the cannon,
and constant thunder of the broadsides, told of the deadly work going
on. At a little distance were the "Countess of Scarborough" and the
"Pallas," linked in deadly combat, and adding the roar of their cannon
to the general turmoil. It seemed to the watchers on the heights that
war was coming very close to England.

The "Serapis" first succeeded in getting a raking position; and, as
she slowly crossed her antagonist's bow, her guns were fired, loaded
again, and again discharged,--the heavy bolts crashing into the
"Richard's" bow, and ranging aft, tearing the flesh of the brave
fellows on the decks, and cutting through timbers and cordage in their
frightful course. At this moment, the Americans almost despaired of
the termination of the conflict. The "Richard" proved to be old and
rotten, and the enemy's shot seemed to tear her timbers to pieces;
while the "Serapis" was new, with timbers that withstood the shock of
the balls like steel armor. Jones saw that in a battle with great guns
he was sure to be the loser. He therefore resolved to board.

Soon the "Richard" made an attempt to cross the bows of the "Serapis,"
but not having way enough failed; and the "Serapis" ran foul of her,
with her long bowsprit projecting over the stern of the American ship.
Springing from the quarter-deck, Jones with his own hands swung
grappling-irons into the rigging of the enemy, and made the ships
fast. As he bent to his work, he was a prominent target for every
sharp-shooter on the British vessel, and the bullets hummed thickly
about his ears; but he never flinched. His work done, he clambered
back to the quarter-deck, and set about gathering the boarders. The
two vessels swung alongside each other. The cannonading was redoubled,
and the heavy ordnance of the "Serapis" told fearfully upon the
"Richard." The American gunners were driven from their guns by the
flying cloud of shot and splinters. Each party thought the other was
about to board. The darkness and the smoke made all vision impossible;
and the boarders on each vessel were crouched behind the bulwarks,
ready to give a hot reception to their enemies. This suspense caused a
tem