As for myself, I would have been well content to remain in safety on shore, although as a matter of course I should not have left my comrades had the opportunity offered; but I assumed a bold bearing, determined that my father might never so much as guess how timorous his son could be at times.
Nothing more was said by the occupants of our craft while we pulled to the gunboat, and I fancy that much the same thought must have been in the mind of every person, however bravely he may have spoken, for one would have been lacking in common sense to believe our three small vessels might give successful battle to such a squadron as now lay fair before us.
Once on board the Tigress we found so much to do that there was no opportunity for gloomy thoughts.
Although matters were supposed to be in proper trim, now that the decisive moment had arrived there were many details to be arranged, and Alec and I were kept running hither and thither, with this thing or that, while the gunboats were being gotten under way.
Although the fever had a firm hold upon him, Captain Perry was on deck superintending the work when we arrived, and despite all my father could say he persisted in remaining there, replying to every argument used against his presence:—
“If we could employ our entire fleet this day the malady would have wholly disappeared, and even as it is, when we are to put out in the face of such great odds, I am better both in body and mind than I have been since we left Buffalo.”
The Tigress was fitted for one gun, and the piece was in position, under charge of Silas Boyd, an old man who was said to be the most skilful gunner among us. In addition to this were two short carronades, temporarily placed amidships where they might be effective in repelling boarders, but could not be relied upon for anything else.
To the great pleasure of Alec and myself, we were detailed to assist old Silas, who would be chief gunner when the Lawrence was put in commission; and while we were advancing boldly toward the enemy, as if confident of achieving a victory, he gave us his final orders:—
“Them as belong to a gun’s crew shouldn’t stand around waitin’ for the word to be given, but ought to know what is needed an’ do it before a command can be given. Now you lads are to keep back after this ’ere gun is loaded; but the minute it’s fired, you’re to set about spongin’, so the others won’t be delayed in their part of the work.”
“We are more than willing to do our share of the labor,” Alec said, with a hearty laugh; “but it isn’t to be supposed that we, who have never taken part in an engagement, will be able to anticipate your wishes.”