The flash of the enemy's guns had caused the fire, so close were the vessels together.
Captain Hull did not lose his presence of mind.
With splendid discipline he soon had the flames extinguished and the danger from fire averted.
Tempest had gone to the gun deck.
He pointed to the Guerriere and said:
"It was the flash from that gun which fired our cabin. I will silence it."
He ordered a gun loaded, and sighted it himself.
The puff of smoke, followed by the roar of the cannon, told of the passage of the shot, but it was not until the smoke had cleared away that it was seen that Tempest's shot had disabled the enemy's gun.
But while the men were extinguishing the flames the brave Lieutenant Morris was attempting, with his own hands, to lash the two ships together.
He saw that he should fail, and leaping upon the taffrail called on his men to follow him.