Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/129

Rh squadron kept together in line the fifth remained behind, and took no part in the bombardment. Dana's manœuvre was made in order to avoid the heavy fire, which he rightly judged was being directed at our settlement rather than our ships.

The smoke concealed the contest from our view, till presently a tremendous explosion took place, and the shock to the atmosphere cleared the scene around. When we saw that one of the enemy had blown up, the excitement on shore knew no bounds. A few minutes later we saw the Roanoke bearing down upon another of the foe, with intent to ram her, but before the issue of the collision could be seen the pall of smoke again fell and concealed all from our gaze. The firing slackened. What would we not have given to know the fortunes of the fight?

So the battle continued for above half an hour, the smoke cloud drifting slowly northward or southward with the motions of the contending squadrons. At last the firing nearly ceased, the smoke began to thin, and we saw the last scene of the engagement. Our three vessels, thank God, were still afloat, while of the enemy's line only one was still showing fight,