The Guerriere was only about half a pistol shot away.
Captain Hull had restrained his excitement as long as he could.
He saw how close the enemy really was.
Then he was ready.
The moment for which he had waited had arrived.
He had drawn the Britisher into a trap by leading him to believe the American would not fight.
"Now, boys, pour it into them!" he shouted with all the lung power he possessed.
He stooped almost to the deck and threw his body up again, cheering the men.
"Pour it into them!" he shouted again. "Hull her, boys! Hull her!" And the crew, catching up the shout, made the decks ring with the cry of "Hull her!" as they loaded and let fly again.