like some
live thing bent upon retribution, and at once engaged her in a terrific
encounter.

With the hope born of confidence in the strength of the Confederate
ironclad, and her ability to overpower completely the Union flotilla,
boats filled with sight-seers had gone out from Norfolk, but with the
first terrible onset of the armored combatants speedily made their way
back to safety.

In this battle of the waters two old Naval Academy comrades fought on
opposite sides, Lieutenant Green and Lieutenant Butt, both well-known
names.

For five long awful hours the strength of the two iron monsters was
pitted against each other for supremacy on the seas, without apparent
serious injury to either vessel.

At last the _Merrimac_ ended the gigantic contest by turning her prow
and withdrawing to Norfolk.

THE CRUISE OF THE MONITOR

Hampton Roads, Virginia, March 9, 1862

OUT of a Northern city's bay,
'Neath lowering clouds, one bleak March day,
Glided a craft,--the like I ween,
On ocean's crest was never seen
Since Noah's float,
That ancient boat,
Could o'er a conquered deluge gloat.

No raking masts, with clouds of sail,
Bent to the breeze or braved the gale;
No towering chimney's wreaths of smoke
Betrayed the mighty engine's stroke;
But low and dark,
Like the crafty shark,
Moved in the waters this novel bark.

The fishers stared as the flitting sprite
Passed their huts in the misty light,
Bearing a turret huge and black,
And said, "The old sea serpent's back
Carting away,
By light of day,
Uncle Sam's fort from New York bay."

Forth from a Southern city's dock
Our frigates' strong blockade to mock,
Crept a monster of rugged build,
The work of crafty hands, well skilled--
Old _Merrimac_,
With an iron back
Wooden ships would find hard to crack.

Straight to where the _Cumberland_ lay
The mail-clad monster made its way;
Its deadly prow struck deep and sure,
And the hero's fighting days were o'er.
Ah! many the braves
Who found their graves
With that good ship beneath the waves.

Flushed with success, the victor flew,
Furious, the startled squadron through;
Sinking, burning, driving ashore,
Until the Sabbath day was o'er,
Resting at night,
To renew the fight
With vengeful ire b