Boom! Boom!
The rapid firing guns were at work now. Occasionally the deep boom of one of the great ten-inch rifles would be heard, but these latter guns can only be fired at long intervals. It takes time to clean them, load again and fire.
What was Young Glory doing?
He was at one of the bow guns of the Nashville, the largest she was carrying, an eight-inch breech-loader.
Young Glory had for the time superseded the officer of this gun, for it was a critical moment, and Captain Long knew that if Young Glory could not do the required work, there was no one on board who could.
The accuracy of the young hero had been proved in many a hard fight at sea.
Coolly he directed operations, with Dan Daly assisting him.
"An' faith, it's a poor mark," said the latter.
"I have my orders."
"Shure ye have, Young Glory, but it's meself would rather be afther firin' at the big ship herself."