Part 13 (1/2)

At the mouth of the bay the two islands upon which the forts stood were less than a mile apart. The pa.s.sage had been strewn with torpedoes by the Confederates, and only a narrow strip of water was left clear.

Through this strip went Farragut's fleet: the _Tec.u.mseh_ first, the _Brooklyn_ next, the _Hartford_ third. Suddenly the prow of the _Tec.u.mseh_ lifted: she veered and sank. The _Brooklyn_ backed and held Farragut's s.h.i.+p directly under the guns of Fort Morgan. Shot and sh.e.l.l hurtled in the air. The smoke grew dense. The fire from the cannons lit the heavens. Men shouted and fell.

”What's the matter!” called Farragut.

”Torpedoes,” some one answered.

Never a profane man, he now gave vent to an oath, and cried out, ”Full speed, Jouett. Four bells, Captain Drayton.”

The _Hartford_ steamed to the front. The torpedoes crackled under her as she sped on; but the forts were pa.s.sed. And high in the rigging of his s.h.i.+p, in full view of the enemy and imminent danger of the fiery missiles, was seen Farragut, whence he directed all the s.h.i.+ps'

maneuvers. An officer, observing him standing there, feared lest a shot would cause his fall, and carried a rope and lashed him to the mast.

In maddened fury the ironclad _Tennessee_ plunged straight at the _Hartford_. All the fleet bore down upon the Confederate s.h.i.+p. And crowding together, the _Lackawanna_, needing room, struck the flags.h.i.+p by accident, and came near striking the commander. Against the _Tennessee_ every Federal s.h.i.+p now redoubled her efforts, until, battered and bruised and despairing, she struck her colors.

The captain of the _Tennessee_ was Buchanan, the same who commanded the _Merrimac_ in her fight with the _Monitor_ in Hampton Roads. ”The _Tennessee_ and Buchanan are my prisoners,” wrote Farragut home. ”He has lost a leg. It was a hard fight, but Buck met his fate manfully.”

Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines surrendered and Farragut's fierce conflicts were at an end. Nearly so was his path of life. Congress honored him with the rank of admiral, the highest honor to be conferred. America and foreign nations extended him the most distinguis.h.i.+ng courtesies. And then--the unseen Pilot steered his course across the unknown sea unto the harbor of the city Eternal.

FARRAGUT

FARRAGUT, Farragut, Old Heart of Oak, Daring Dave Farragut, Thunderbolt stroke, Watches the h.o.a.ry mist Lift from the bay, Till his flag, glory-kissed, Greets the young day.

Far, by gray Morgan's walls, Looms the black fleet.

Hark, deck to rampart calls With the drums' beat!

Buoy your chains overboard, While the steam hums; Men! to the battlement, Farragut comes.

See, as the hurricane Hurtles in wrath Squadrons of clouds amain Back from its path!

Back to the parapet, To the gun's lips, Thunderbolt Farragut Hurls the black s.h.i.+ps.

Now through the battle's roar Clear the boy sings, ”By the mark fathoms four,”

While his lead swings.

Steadily the wheelmen five ”Nor' by East keep her.”

”Steady,” but two alive: How the sh.e.l.ls sweep her!

Lashed to the mast that sways Over red decks, Over the flame that plays Round the torn wrecks, Over the dying lips Framed for a cheer, Farragut leads his s.h.i.+ps, Guides the line clear.

On by heights cannon-browed, While the spars quiver; Onward still flames the cloud Where the hulls s.h.i.+ver.

See, yon fort's star is set, Storm and fire past.

Cheer him, lads--Farragut, Lashed to the mast!

Oh! while Atlantic's breast Bears a white sail, While the Gulf's towering crest Tops a green vale, Men thy bold deeds shall tell, Old Heart of Oak, Daring Dave Farragut, Thunderbolt stroke!