Her colors still flew but she could fire only one gun of her whole battery, and more than half the ship's company had been killed or wounded--eighty-three men out of one hundred and forty-two.

It was impossible to steer or handle her and she drifted helpless.

Then it was that Perry, seeing the laggard _Niagara_ close at hand, ordered a boat away and was transferred to a ship which was still fit and ready to continue the action.

As soon as he had left them, the survivors of the _Lawrence_ hauled down their flag in token of surrender, for there was nothing else for them to do.
As soon as he jumped on deck, Perry took command of the _Niagara_, sending Elliott off to bring up the rearmost schooners.

There was no lagging or hesitation now.