r-deck, besought Divine aid in the
conflict so soon to come. When the little group rose from their knees,
the leading ship of the enemy was seen swinging round Cumberland Head;
and the men went to their quarters to await the fiery trial that all
knew was impending.

The position of the American squadron was such that the British were
forced to attack "bows on," thus exposing themselves to a raking fire.
By means of springs on their cables, the Americans were enabled to
keep their broadsides to the enemy, and thus improve, to the fullest,
the advantage gained by their position. The British came on gallantly,
and were greeted by four shots from the long eighteens of the "Eagle,"
that had no effect. But, at the sound of the cannon, a young game-cock
that was running at large on the "Saratoga" flew upon a gun, flapped
his wings, and crowed thrice, with so lusty a note that he was heard
far over the waters. The American seamen, thus roused from the painful
revery into which the bravest fall before going into action, cheered
lustily, and went into the fight, encouraged as only sailors could be
by the favorable omen.

Soon after the defiant game-cock had thus cast down the gage of
battle, Macdonough sighted and fired the first shot from one of the
long twenty-four pounders of the "Saratoga." The heavy ball crashed
into the bow of the "Confiance," and cut its way aft, killing and
wounding several men, and demolishing the wheel. Nothing daunted, the
British flagship came on grandly, making no reply, and seeking only to
cast anchor alongside the "Saratoga," and fight it out yard-arm to
yard-arm. But the fire of the Americans was such that she could not
choose her distance; but after having been badly cut up, with both her
port anchors shot away, was forced to anchor at a distance of a
quarter of a mile. But her anchor had hardly touched bottom, when she
suddenly flashed out a sheet of flames, as her rapid broadsides rung
out and her red-hot shot sped over the water toward the American
flagship. Her first broadside killed or wounded forty of the
Americans; while many more were knocked down by the shock, but
sustained no further injury. So great was the carnage, that the
hatches were opened, and the dead bodies passed below, that the men
might have room to work the guns. Among the slain was Mr. Gamble, the
first lieutenant, who was on his knees sighting a gun, when a shot
entered the port, split the quoin, drove a great piece of