At this time the distance between the two ships had been considerably reduced.

The captain and the first lieutenant were closely watching the chase with glasses.
The crew of the Tallahatchie could be seen at work at the long gun, and another shot from it was momentarily expected.

The instant the bow of the enemy began to swerve to port, the captain of the Bellevite gave the order to put the helm to starboard.

Almost at the same instant the enemy stopped her screw, swung round and fired her long gun.

The projectile crashed through the bulwarks between the foremast and top-gallant forecastle, wounding two men with the splinters which flew in every direction.
Dr.Linscott and his mates had established themselves in the cockpit, to which the wounded are conveyed, in action, for treatment.