There had been a faint hope in my mind that Commodore Barclay would shun an engagement, but that was dispelled on observing the preparations made to meet us.
Nothing short of an interposition by divine Providence could prevent a battle; and my heart sank within me as I realized that very soon many of the eager men who manned the Lawrence would be still in death, or writhing under the surgeon’s knife.
The arrangements made for the care of the wounded struck a cold chill to my heart. The ward-room had been cleared that it might be used as a cockpit, and here Dr. Parsons laid out bandages and knives until it seemed as if he expected the entire ship’s company would soon be under his care.
Half a dozen of those on the sick-list had been told off as his assistants, and they stood around the hastily constructed tables as if eager to greet such as might need their aid.
In all the hours that followed there was nothing more horrible than these preparations for the carving and slashing of those who as yet were sound in limb and body, save it might be when the decks of the brig were wetted and strewn with sand.
I did not understand the meaning of this last work, and asked old Silas for an explanation, whereupon he replied, as if speaking of some trifling matter:—
“It won’t be long, lad, before these ’ere white planks will be slippery with the blood of them who are now so eager to be at the Britishers, and it is to soak up that same blood that the sand is strewn around. Presently, when you have occasion to go to port or starboard, you’ll realize how necessary that may be.”
I drew away from the old man, sick at heart. Such precaution caused me to be more timid than had all the predictions and conjectures.
I had my fill of warfare even before the action began.
As I afterward came to know, during the consultation of officers in the commodore’s cabin on the night previous it had been decided that when the engagement commenced each vessel in our fleet should attack some particular ship of the British squadron. As for instance: The Lawrence was to engage the Detroit; the Niagara, the Queen Charlotte; and in such-like order, every craft selecting an antagonist somewhere near her own size. Therefore now, when the wind permitted of our line being formed, the Niagara led the way.