Her loss in men was only two killed and eight wounded; but two of her guns had the muzzles shot off, the armor was damaged in some places, and, most serious of all, she had badly twisted her ram in running into the _Cumberland_.

Still it appeared that she was more than a match for the rest of the Federal fleet, and that these must either fly or be destroyed.
As the general had given him three days' leave, Vincent was able to stay to see the close of the affair, and early next morning again rode down to Sewell's Point, as the _Merrimac_ was to start at daybreak.

At six o'clock the ironclad came out from the river and made for the _Minnesota_, which was still aground.

The latter was seen to run up a signal, and the spectators saw an object which they had not before perceived coming out as if to meet the ram.

The glasses were directed toward it, and a general exclamation of surprise was heard.
"What is the thing?
It looks like a raft with two round turrets upon it, and a funnel." A moment's consideration, and the truth burst upon them.
It was the ship they had heard of as building at New York, and which had been launched six weeks before.