When he was ready he gave the word to fire.

The ship was shaken by the heavy report, and every one waited with peculiar interest for the smoke to clear away, because the captain had pointed the gun.
Christy had ordered the screw to be stopped, and had waited till the steamer lost her headway.

She rolled but slightly, and he had allowed for everything.

Glasses were in demand, and a moment later there was a shout went up from the men at the gun, followed by another from the rest of the crew.

The shot had upset the great gun on the deck of the enemy.
She was swinging round, and beginning to fire her broadside guns, but the shots came nowhere near the Vixen.