'Five,' was the answer.

'Then fire, and shift the colors,' were the orders.

The cannons poured forth their deadly contents, and, with the first flash, the American flag took the place of the British ensign at our masthead.
"The compliment was returned in the form of a full broadside, and the action commenced.

I was stationed on the edge of the quarter-deck, to sponge and load a six-pounder; this position gave me a fine opportunity to see the whole action.

Broadsides were exchanged with great rapidity for nearly an hour; our fire, as we afterward ascertained, produced a terrible slaughter among the enemy, while our loss was as yet trifling.