More care was exercised in dodging the fire from the Britisher than in answering.
An hour had passed and only the American had been injured, though but slightly.
The crew of the Constitution were becoming restive.
Captain Hull paced the quarterdeck with short, quick steps.
Although outwardly calm, his whole body was burning with checked excitement.
Lieutenant Morris, the second in command, bit his lips and moved his hands about nervously and uneasily.
"What does he mean?" he asked Tempest.
"That I have been wondering," was the answer.
"Shall I give them a broadside?" asked Morris, saluting his chief.