The order was given, and the men swarmed aboard.
It was by no means a bloodless encounter, for the contestants fought like demons, and many a brave sailor breathed his last on that heaving deck.
But the Britishers could not stem the onrush of Americans, and before long the Union Jack was struck and the Frolic captured.
Hardly had a prize crew in charge of Lieutenant Biddle been placed aboard of her, when the man on the lookout sang out:
"The Poietiers is close at hand, and she is heavily armed."
And even as he spoke the heavy boom of a gun was heard.
The Poietiers had signaled the Wasp to lay to.
The Poietiers carried seventy-four guns, and was a formidable enemy.
Her great hull seemed to cast a shadow over the water, and the jubilation of the Americans was hushed in the solemnity of the coming contest.