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A NAVAL BATTLE. 353
accuracy to the aim of the Japanese gunners. It
seemed madness to face the fire of all these forts
and to run between the ships but ; McDougal knew
two things well, first of all his duty, and second the
draught of the Choshiu steamer. He trusted much
to human infirmity on the Japanese side, and much
more in God. He ran his ship close under the batteries,
and then drove her right between the three
war-vessels.
was in the vortex
In five minutes the Wyoming
of a tempest of flame, smoke, shot, and shell. The
muzzles of the American and the Japanese ships'
guns seemed to touch, and more than once two red
tongues of fire from opposite ports became one.
From the steamer came only the fire of small arms,
but on bark and brig the cannon fire was amazingly
rapid. For a half-hour the crash of bursting shell,
smashing timbers, flying splinters, and rattle of grape,
canister, and chain-shot on the Wyoming's deck had
little intermission. Through it all McDougal stood
on the bridge directing the fire of broadside and
pivot guns, and cheering his men. Once out beyond
the Choshiu ships, the Wyoming was safe for
a few moments from the batteries. Then it was
noticed from the American ship that the Japanese
steamer, having probably a thousand men on board,
and grappling-irons slung at the yards, was being
maneuvered so as to capture the Wyoming, with
her one hundred and sixty men, by boarding.
The outlook was dark. What if the Japanese
should board and overwhelm the little crew of the