windlass then. Sails went up with a snap all around us, and the
creak of blocks sounded far and near. In twelve minutes we were
under way, leading the van to battle. The sun came up, lighting
the great towers of canvas. Every vessel was now feeling for the
wind, some with oars and sweeps to aid them. A light breeze came
out of the southwest. Perry stood near me, his hat in his hand.
He was looking back at the Niagara.

"Run to the leeward of the islands," said he to the sailing-master.

"Then you 'll have to fight to the leeward," said the latter.

"Don't care, so long as we fight," said Perry. "Windward or
leeward, we want to fight."

Then came the signal to change our course. The wind shifting to
the southeast, we were all able to clear the islands and keep the
weather-gage. A cloud came over the sun; far away the mist
thickened. The enemy wallowed to the topsails, and went out of
sight. We had lost the wind. Our sails went limp; flag and
pennant hung lifeless. A light rain drizzled down, breaking the
smooth plane of water into crowding rings and bubbles. Perry stood
out in the drizzle as we lay waiting. All eyes were turning to the
sky and to Perry. He had a look of worry and disgust. He was out
for a quarrel, though the surgeon said he was in more need of
physic, having the fever of malaria as well as that of war. He
stood there, tall and handsome, in a loose jacket of blue nankeen,
with no sign of weakness in him, his eyes flashing as he looked up
at the sky.