noon
My eye was seldom off our enemy . A slight breeze had again sprung up , when suddenly I saw her foremast rock , it seemed , and over it went with a crash , carrying a number of her crew on it into the water . A loud cheer burst from our men , as they saw what had occurred , and they redoubled their efforts to get the Doris ready to renew the action . By noon we had knotted and spliced all the standing rigging , rove new braces , and had got the ship under perfect command , while the freshening breeze carried us rapidly up towards our opponent . The heat of the sun and our exertions made us feel very hot , and now the Yankee 's oranges came into requisition . Both midshipmen and men might be seen sucking them heartily , as we once more stood into action . The enemy seemed still disposed to defend himself as we stood across his stern , so that he could bring no guns to bear on us .