The little "Dolphin" was on the extreme right of the line, with the "Yankee" next.
When within easy range of the guns ashore there ensued a wait.

No signal to fire came from the flagship, and there did not seem to be any move toward opening the battle by the forts.

We stood at our guns in silence, awaiting the word, until finally patience ceased to be a virtue.
"Seems to me they ought to do something," murmured "Stump," glancing shoreward rather discontentedly.

"Ain't we fair targets ?" "Why don't the admiral tell us to sail in ?" queried the first captain in the same tone.

"The day is fine and the range is good.