[Illustration: THE FIRST POSITION IN THE BATTLE]
Perry’s younger brother, who was but a midshipman, was one of the seven other men in the boat. They left on board the _Lawrence_ not above a half-score of able-bodied men to look after the numerous wounded. Owing to the opinions of many of the contemporary writers, who gave way to an intense feeling of partisanship, some bitterness was occasioned and sides were taken in regard to the actions of Master Commandant Elliott and his superior officer; but, looking back at it from this day, we can see little reason for any feeling of jealousy. It is hard to point the finger at any one on the American side in this action and say that he did not do his duty. As Perry reached the side of the _Niagara_ the wind died away until it was almost calm; the smaller vessels, the sloops and schooners--the _Somers_, the _Scorpion_, the _Tigress_, the _Ohio_, and the _Porcupine_--were seen to be well astern. Upon Perry setting foot on deck, Elliott congratulated him upon the way he had left his ship, and volunteered to bring up the boats to windward, if he could be spared. Upon receiving permission, he jumped into the boat in which Perry had rowed from the _Lawrence_ and set out to bring up all the forces. Every effort was made to form a front of battle, and the little gunboats, urged on by sweeps and oars, were soon engaged in a race for glory. In the mean time, however, the English had slackened their fire as they saw the big flag lowered from the _Lawrence’s_ mast-head; they supposed that the latter had struck, and set up a tremendous cheering. This was hushed as they caught sight of the flash of oars and realized what was going forward. In a few minutes, out of the thick smoke came the _Niagara_, breaking their line and firing her broadsides with such good execution that great confusion followed throughout the fleet. Two of their larger brigs, the _Queen Charlotte_ and _Detroit_, ran afoul of each other, and the _Niagara_, giving signal for close action, ran across the bow of one ship and the stern of the other, raking them both with fearful effect; then, squaring away and running astern of the _Lady Prevost_, she got in another raking fire, and, sheering off, made for the _Hunter_. Now the little one-gun and two-gun vessels of the American fleet were giving good accounts of themselves.