The continuous roar of the artillery, for the guns were served with that steady, rapid precision for which the American seamen soon became famous, the crackling of musketry, from the men in the tops, with the yells and cheers and curses and groans of the maddened men, completed a scene which suggested a bit of hell.
"This is warm work, Wallingford," said the captain, coolly, though his eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"Do we gain any advantage ?" "I think so; their fire does not seem to be so heavy.

Does it not slacken a little, sir ?" "Ay, I think so too.

I trust our sticks hold." "I have not had any serious damage reported so far, sir." "Well, we must end it soon, or that frigate will be down on us; in half an hour at most, I should say.

Ha! what was that ?" he said, as a loud crash from the Juno interrupted him.
"Their maintopmast 's gone by the board, hurrah!" shouted Wallingford, looking toward the ship, after springing on the rail, from whence a moment later he fell back dead, with a bullet in his breast.
"Poor fellow!" murmured Jones, and then called out, "Give it to them, lads, they have lost their maintopmast." A cheer was the answer.