I quaked inwardly, not because a battle was about to be fought, but lest while it was waging I should shame my father by proving myself a coward; and, in fact, I was near to being one at that moment, when it was shown we would have an opportunity of measuring strength with the foe.
Timid though I was, and fearing for myself, I yet had enough of Yankee courage to weigh well the chances for or against us.
The wind was blowing light from the southwest, and on the horizon were low-hanging clouds which gave promise of rain. There was not weight enough in the breeze to admit of our manœuvring freely, and I wondered how it might be possible for the commodore to bring the fleet into close quarters, as old Silas had declared was necessary in order to equalize the weight of metal and force of men.
But even a coward must have been inspired by the scene around him. Here, there, and seemingly everywhere, were Yankee sailors making ready for the fray, and all working with an eagerness which told how fearful they were lest this opportunity, so long sought, should be lost.
The clanking of chains as the anchors were hove apeak; cries of the men as they cheered each other in the work which preceded the carnage; the shrill whistles of the boatswains as they thus repeated the orders given by the officers, and the beat of drums summoning men to the shedding of blood, would have aroused the most timorous, causing even a coward to feel a sense of pride that his countrymen were so willing to try conclusions with a foe that was superior in strength.
Alec and I hastened to our stations, even though knowing that many hours must elapse before the guns could be used, and there we found old Silas, as might confidently have been expected, overlooking all the details lest he should be caught napping.
“Well, lads, the Britishers have shown themselves at last!” he cried, when we came up. “I felt in my bones last night that the time was nigh at hand when we might show the king’s men they had no right on these ’ere waters; but never counted on their comin’ to the scratch so early. We’ve got plenty of time to give them a sound drubbin’, ’twixt now an’ sunset.”
“There’s time enough,” Alec said, speaking carelessly, as if used to such work; “but how are we to get at them? There isn’t weight enough in this wind to move the brig, save at a snail’s pace.”
“I’m allowin’ that the commodore will find a way to give us the chance we want. Look at him now! If yonder fleet gets off without our havin’ a fair show at ’em, it’ll break his heart!”
“All that I agree to; but even my brother can’t command the wind.”