An hour later another cannon boomed, nearer and louder. It was a shot tossed from the commodore's flag-ship at the rebels, who promptly responded.
The flag-ship now hoisted the signal,—
"This day our country expects every man to do his duty."
From ship to ship, from man to man, from heart to heart, thrilled the electric message. It was greeted by cheers and the thunder of guns. This was at half past eleven o'clock.
THE ATTACK OF THE GUNBOATS.
The spars of the transports were beginning to be thronged. Corporal Gray brought up a glass to Frank.
"O, good!" cried Frank. "Is it yours?"
"No; it belongs to Mr. Sinjin."
"Did he send it to me?"