At this moment, the first lieutenant of the "Serapis" came up hastily, and inquired,—
"Has the enemy struck her flag?"
"No, sir," answered Dale. "On the contrary, you have struck to us."
Turning quickly to his commander, the English lieutenant asked,—
"Have you struck, sir?"
"Yes, I have," was the brief reply.
"I have nothing more to say," remarked the officer, and turning about was in the act of going below, when Lieut. Dale stopped him, saying,—
"It is my duty to request you, sir, to accompany Capt. Pearson on board the ship alongside."
"If you will first permit me to go below," responded the other, "I will silence the firing of the lower deck guns."
"This cannot be permitted," was the response; and, silently bowing his head, the lieutenant followed his chief to the victorious ship, while two midshipmen went below to stop the firing.