Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/104

 The war brought forth a new style of boat, a small, queer craft that did a great work for ships of wood of the North, in Hamp-ton Roads. She drove back from them the great war ship Mer-ri-mac which the South had clad in i-ron. This new craft was the Mon-i-tor. She was sharp at both ends, was set low so that shot did not harm her, and on her deck was a round house with big guns in it. The men on board could make this house with its guns turn which way they chose. Most war ships since then have been built with such a house.

THE MERRIMAC SINKING WOODEN SHIPS IN HAMPTON ROADS.

When Lin-coln had put Grant in charge of all the men of the North in arms, and saw that he could "fight it out" to the end and knew "no such word as fail," one would think that the Pres-i-dent might rest, but he did not do so. It was his way to think and act, and not leave the work to some one else. He would talk with wise men but his own mind would lead.