[Transcriber's note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected, allother inconsistencies are as in the original. Author's spelling hasbeen maintained. Every chapter heading had an illustration; the corresponding tag hasbeen removed. ] [Illustration: Spilling Grog on the "Constitution" before Going intoAction. ] THE NAVAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES BY WILLIS J. ABBOT With Many Illustrations _VOLUME ONE_ NEW YORK: PETER FENELON COLLIER, PUBLISHER. Copyright, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1890 By Dodd, Mead and Company _All rights reserved_ CONTENTS. THE NAVAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. _PART I. _ BLUE JACKETS OF '76. CHAPTER I. Early Exploits upon the Water. -- Gallop's Battle with the Indians. -- Buccaneers and Pirates. -- Morgan and Blackbeard. -- Capt. Kidd turns Pirate. -- Downfall of the Buccaneers' Power. CHAPTER II. Expeditions against Neighboring Colonies. -- Romantic Career of Sir William Phipps. -- Quelling a Mutiny. -- Expeditions against Quebec. CHAPTER III. Opening of the American Revolution. -- The Affair of the Schooner "St. John. " -- The Press-gang and its Work. -- The Sloop "Liberty. " -- Destruction of the "Gaspee. " -- The Boston Tea-party. CHAPTER IV. The Beginning of the Navy. -- Lexington and Concord. -- A Blow Struck in Maine. -- Capture of the "Margaretta. " -- Gen. Washington and the Navy. -- Work of Capt. Manly. CHAPTER V. Events of 1776. -- The First Cruise of the Regular Navy. -- The "Lexington" and the "Edward. " -- Mugford's Brave Fight. -- Loss of the "Yankee Hero. " -- Capt. Manly, and the "Defence. " -- American Vessels in European Waters. -- Good Work of the "Lexington" and the "Reprisal. " -- the British defeated at Charleston. CHAPTER VI. The Career of Paul Jones. -- In Command of the "Providence. " -- Capture of the "Mellish. " -- Exploits with the "Alfred. " -- In Command of the "Ranger. " -- Sweeping the English Channel. -- The Descent upon Whitehaven. CHAPTER VII. Career of Paul Jones Continued. -- His Descent upon the Castle of Lord Selkirk. -- The Affair of the Plate. -- The Descent upon Whitehaven. -- The Battle with the "Drake. " -- Lieut. Simpson's Perfidy. CHAPTER VIII. Career of Paul Jones Continued. -- His Search for a Ship. -- Given Command of the "Bon Homme Richard. " -- Landais and his Character. -- The Frustrated Mutiny. -- Landais quarrels with Jones. -- Edinburgh and Leith threatened. -- The Dominie's Prayer. CHAPTER IX. Career of Paul Jones Concluded. -- The Battle between the "Bon Homme Richard" and the "Serapis. " -- Treachery of Landais. -- Jones's Great Victory. -- Landais steals the "Alliance. " -- Jones in Command of the "Ariel. " -- The "Ariel" in the Storm. -- Arrival in America. CHAPTER X. Career of Nicholas Biddle. -- His Exploit at Lewiston Jail. -- Cruise in the "Randolph. " -- Battle with the "Yarmouth. " -- The Fatal Explosion. -- Samuel Tucker. -- His Boyhood. -- Encounter with Corsairs. -- Cruising in the "Franklin. " -- In Command of the "Boston. " -- Anecdotes of Capt. Tucker. CHAPTER XI. Hostilities in 1777. -- American Reverses. -- The British in Philadelphia. -- The Attack upon Fort Mifflin. -- Cruise of the "Raleigh" and the "Alfred. " -- Torpedo Warfare. -- The Battle of the Kegs. CHAPTER XII. Naval Events of 1778. -- Recruiting for the Navy. -- The Descent upon New Providence. -- Operations on the Delaware. -- Capt. Barry's Exploits. -- Destruction of the American Frigates. -- American Reverses. -- The Capture of the "Pigot. " -- French Naval Exploits. CHAPTER XIII. Last Years of the War. -- Disastrous Expedition to the Penobscot. -- Wholesale Captures on the Newfoundland Banks. -- French Ships in American Waters. -- Taking of Charleston. -- The "Trumbull's" Victory and Defeat. -- Capt. Barry and the "Alliance. " -- Close of the War. CHAPTER XIV. Work of the Privateers. -- The "Gen. Hancock" and the "Levant. " -- Exploits of the "Pickering" -- the "Revenge. " -- the "Holkar. " -- The "Congress" and the "Savage. " -- The "Hyder Ali" and the "Gen. Monk. " -- The Whale-Boat Hostilities. -- The "Old Jersey" Prison-Ship. CHAPTER XV. The Navy Disbanded. -- Aggressions of Barbary Corsairs. -- A Disgraceful Tribute. -- Bainbridge and the Dey. -- Gen. Eaton at Tunis. -- A Squadron sent to the Mediterranean. -- Decatur and the Spaniards. -- The "Enterprise" and the "Tripoli. " -- American Slaves in Algiers. CHAPTER XVI. More Vigorous Policy. -- Commodore Morris sent to the Mediterranean. -- Porter's Cutting-Out Expedition. -- Commodore Preble sent to the Mediterranean. -- His Encounter with a British Man-of-War. -- The Loss of the "Philadelphia. " -- Decatur's Daring Adventure. CHAPTER XVII. A Stirring Year. -- The Bombardment of Tripoli. -- Decatur's Hand-to-Hand Fight. -- Lieut. Trippe's Bravery. -- Lieut. Spence's Bold Deed. -- Somers's Narrow Escape. -- The Floating Mine. -- The Fatal Explosion. -- Close of the War. -- The End. _PART II. _ BLUE JACKETS OF 1812. CHAPTER I. The Gathering of the War-Cloud. -- The Revolution ended, but the War for Independence yet unfought. -- Outrages upon American Sailors. -- The Right of Search. -- Impressment. -- Boyhood of Commodore Porter. -- Early Days of Commodores Perry and Barney. -- Burning a Privateer. -- The Embargo. -- War Inevitable CHAPTER II. War with France. -- The Building of a Navy. -- First Success for the Americans. -- Cutting out the "Sandwich. " -- The "Constellation" and "L'Insurgente. " -- The "Constellation" and "La Vengeance" CHAPTER III. Proposed Reduction of the Navy. -- Renewal of British Outrages. -- The Affair of the "Baltimore. " -- Attack on the "Leander. " -- Encounter between the "Chesapeake" and "Leopard. " -- The "President" and "Little Belt" CHAPTER IV. The War on the Ocean. -- Commodore Rodgers's Cruise. -- The Loss of the "Nautilus. " -- First Success for the British. -- The Escape of the "Constitution. " -- The "Essex" takes the "Alert. " -- The "Constitution" and the "Guerriere" CHAPTER V. An International Debate. -- The "Wasp" and the "Frolic. " -- The "United States" and the "Macedonian. " -- Ovations to the Victors CHAPTER VI. Bainbridge takes Command of the "Constitution. " -- The Defeat of the "Java. " -- Close of the Year's Hostilities on the Ocean. CHAPTER VII. The War on the Lakes. -- The Attack on Sackett's Harbor. -- Oliver Hazard Perry ordered To Lake Erie. -- The Battle of Put-in-Bay. CHAPTER VIII. On the Ocean. -- The "Hornet" sinks the "Peacock. " -- The Blockade. -- Adventures of the "Sally. " -- Hostilities on Chesapeake Bay. -- The Cruise of the "President". CHAPTER IX. Decatur blockaded at New York. -- Attempts to escape through Long Island Sound. -- The Flag-Ship struck by Lightning. -- Torpedoes. -- Fulton's Steam-Frigate. -- Action between the "Chesapeake" and "Shannon". CHAPTER X. Cruise of the "Essex. " -- A Rich Prize. -- The Mysterious Letter. -- Cape Horn rounded. -- Capture of a Peruvian Privateer. -- Among the British Whalers. -- Porter in Command of a Squadron. -- A Boy Commander. -- The Squadron lays up at Nookaheevah. CHAPTER XI. War with the Savages. -- The Campaign against the Typees. -- Departure from Nookaheevah. -- The "Essex" anchors at Valparaiso. -- Arrival of the "Phoebe" and "Cherub. " -- They capture the "Essex. " -- Porter's Encounter with the "Saturn. " -- The Mutiny at Nookaheevah. CHAPTER XII. Capture of the "Surveyor. " -- Work of the Gunboat Flotilla. -- Operations on Chesapeake Bay. -- Cockburn's Depredations. -- Cruise of the "Argus. " -- Her Capture by the "Pelican. " -- Battle Between the "Enterprise" and "Boxer. " -- End of the Year 1813 on the Ocean. CHAPTER XIII. On the Lakes. -- Close of Hostilities on Lakes Erie and Huron. -- Desultory Warfare on Lake Ontario in 1813. -- Hostilities on Lake Ontario in 1814. -- The Battle of Lake Champlain. -- End of the War upon the Lakes. CHAPTER XIV. On the Ocean. -- The Work of the Sloops-of-War. -- Loss of the "Frolic. " -- Fruitless Cruise of the "Adams. " -- The "Peacock" Takes the "Epervier. " -- The Cruise of the "Wasp. " -- She Captures the "Reindeer. " -- Sinks the "Avon. " -- Mysterious End of the "Wasp". CHAPTER XV. Operations on the New England Coast. -- The Bombardment of Stonington. -- Destruction Of the United States Corvette "Adams. " -- Operations on Chesapeake Bay. -- Work of Barney's Barge Flotilla. -- Advance of the British Upon Washington. -- Destruction of the Capitol. -- Operations Against Baltimore. -- Bombardment of Fort McHenry. CHAPTER XVI. Desultory Hostilities on the Ocean. -- Attack Upon Fort Bowyer. -- Lafitte the Pirate. -- British Expedition against New Orleans. -- Battle of the Rigolets. -- Attack on New Orleans, and Defeat of the British. -- Work of the Blue-jackets. -- Capture of the Frigate "President. " -- The "Constitution" takes The "Cyane" and "Levant. " -- The "Hornet" takes the "Penguin. " -- End of the War. CHAPTER XVII. Privateers and Prisons of the War. -- The "Rossie. " -- Salem Privateers. -- The "Gen. Armstrong" gives Battle to a British Squadron, and saves New Orleans. -- Narrative of a British Officer. -- The "Prince de Neufchatel. " -- Experiences of American Prisoners of War. -- The End. CHAPTER XVIII. The Long Peace broken by the War With Mexico. -- Activity of the Navy. -- Captain Stockton's Stratagem. -- The Battle at San Jose. -- The Blockade. -- Instances of Personal Bravery. -- The Loss of the "Truxton. " -- Yellow Fever in the Squadron. -- The Navy at Vera Cruz. -- Capture of Alvarado. CHAPTER XIX. The Navy in Peace. -- Surveying the Dead Sea. -- Suppressing the Slave Trade. -- The Franklin Relief Expedition. -- Commodore Perry in Japan. -- Signing of the Treaty. -- Trouble in Chinese Waters. -- The Koszta Case. -- The Second Franklin Relief Expedition. -- Foote at Canton. -- "Blood is Thicker Than Water". _PART III. _ BLUE JACKETS OF '61. CHAPTER I. The Opening of the Conflict. -- The Navies of the Contestants. -- Dix's Famous Despatch. -- The River-gunboats. CHAPTER II. Fort Sumter Bombarded. -- Attempt of the "Star of the West" to re-enforce Anderson. -- The Naval Expedition to Fort Sumter. -- The Rescue of the Frigate "Constitution. " -- Burning the Norfolk Navy-Yard. CHAPTER III. Difficulties of the Confederates in Getting a Navy. -- Exploit of the "French Lady. " -- Naval Skirmishing on the Potomac. -- The Cruise of the "Sumter" CHAPTER IV. The Potomac Flotilla. -- Capture of Alexandria. -- Actions at Matthias Point. -- Bombardment of the Hatteras Forts. CHAPTER V. The "Trent" Affair. -- Operations in Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. -- Destruction of the Confederate Fleet. CHAPTER VI. Reduction of Newbern. -- Exploits of Lieut. Cushing. -- Destruction of the Ram "Albemarle". CHAPTER VII. The Blockade-runners. -- Nassau and Wilmington. -- Work of the Cruisers. CHAPTER VIII. Du Pont's Expedition to Hilton Head and Port Royal. -- The Fiery Circle. CHAPTER IX. The First Ironclad Vessels in History. -- The "Merrimac" sinks the "Cumberland, " and destroys the "Congress. " -- Duel between the "Monitor" and "Merrimac". CHAPTER X. The Navy in the Inland Waters. -- The Mississippi Squadron. -- Sweeping the Tennessee River. CHAPTER XI. Famous Confederate Privateers, -- The "Alabama, " the "Shenandoah, " the "Nashville". CHAPTER XII. Work of the Gulf Squadron. -- The Fight at the Passes of the Mississippi. -- Destruction of the Schooner "Judah. " -- The Blockade of Galveston, and Capture of the "Harriet Lane". CHAPTER XIII. The Capture of New Orleans. -- Farragut's Fleet passes Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson. CHAPTER XIV. Along the Mississippi. -- Forts Jackson and St. Philip Surrender. -- The Battle at St. Charles. -- The Ram "Arkansas. " -- Bombardment and Capture of Port Hudson. CHAPTER XV. On To Vicksburg. -- Bombardment of the Confederate Stronghold. -- Porter's Cruise in the Forests. CHAPTER XVI. Vicksburg Surrenders, and the Mississippi is opened. -- Naval Events along the Gulf Coast. CHAPTER XVII. Operations about Charleston. -- The Bombardment, the Siege, and the Capture. CHAPTER XVIII. The Battle of Mobile Bay. CHAPTER XIX. The Fall of Fort Fisher. -- The Navy ends its Work. _PART IV. _ BLUE JACKETS IN TIME OF PEACE. CHAPTER I. Police Service on the High Seas. -- War Service in Asiatic Ports. -- Losses by the Perils of the Deep. -- A Brush with the Pirates. -- Admiral Rodgers at Corea. -- Services in Arctic Waters. -- The Disaster at Samoa. -- The Attack on the "Baltimore's" Men at Valparaiso. -- Loss of the "Kearsarge. " -- The Naval Review. CHAPTER II. The Naval Militia. -- A Volunteer Service which in Time of War will be Effective. -- How Boys are trained for the Life of a Sailor. -- Conditions of Enlistment in the Volunteer Branch of the Service. -- The Work of the Seagoing Militia in Summer. CHAPTER III. How the Navy has Grown. -- The Cost and Character of Our New White Ships of War. -- Our Period of Naval Weakness and our Advance to a Place among the Great Naval Powers. -- The New Devices of Naval Warfare. -- The Torpedo, the Dynamite Gun, and the Modern Rifle. -- Armor and its Possibilities. _PART V. _ THE NAVAL WAR WITH SPAIN. CHAPTER I. The State of Cuba. -- Pertinacity of the Revolutionists. -- Spain's Sacrifices and Failure. -- Spanish Barbarities. -- The Policy of Reconcentration. -- American Sympathy aroused. -- The Struggle in Congress. -- The Assassination of the "Maine. " -- Report of the Commission. -- The Onward March to Battle. CHAPTER II. The Opening Days of the War. -- The First Blow struck in the Pacific. -- Dewey and his Fleet. -- The Battle at Manila. -- An Eye-witness' Story. -- Delay and Doubt in the East. -- Dull Times for the Blue-jackets. -- The Discovery of Cervera. -- Hobson's Exploit. -- The Outlook. CHAPTER III. The Spanish Fleet makes a Dash from the Harbor. -- Its total Destruction. -- Admiral Cervera a Prisoner. -- Great Spanish Losses. -- American Fleet Loses but one Man. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. VOLUME ONE Spilling Grog on the "Constitution" before going into Action. _Frontispiece_. Commodore Esek Hopkins. Siege of Charleston, S. C. , May, 1780. Captain John Paul Jones quelling the Mob at Whitehaven, Scotland, Nov. , 1777. The Action between the "Bon Homme Richard" and the "Serapis, " September 23, 1779. Commodore Barry. Shortening Sail on the "Lancaster"--The Oldest Cruiser in Commission. Commodore Decatur. Derelict. Cutting Away the Flag. Commodore Perry. Barney Regains his Ship. Toasting the Wooden Walls of Columbia. Commodore Macdonough. Hull Makes a Reconnoissance. The British Squadron. Lieut. Allen Fires a Shot. Commodore Rogers Hails. Explosion on the "President". "Hull Her, Boys!" Loading. Ready to Board. Engagement of the Frigates "United States" and "Macedonian, " Christmas Day, 1812. Assuming to be British Men-of-War. Marines Picking Off the Enemy. In the Cross-Trees. Perry's Recruits. Drilling the Raw Recruits. Commodore Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie. Perry's Victory--The Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. Making Ready to Leave the "Lawrence". Awaiting the Boarders. "I am Commodore Rogers". Beating to Quarters. The Last Shot of the "Chesapeake". On Board the "Chesapeake". The Peruvian Privateer. The Duel at the Galapagos Islands. Firing the Howitzer. VOLUME TWO Destruction of the "Maine, " Havana Harbor, Feb. 15, 1898. _Frontispiece_ The Fight with the "Boxer". The Surrender of the "Boxer". On the Way to Lake Erie. Hiram Paulding Fires the Guns. The Captain of the "Reindeer". The End of the "Reindeer". Lieut. Richmond Pearson Hobson, who Sank the "Merrimac" in Santiago Harbor, June 3, 1898. The Descent of Wareham. Sharp-Shooters. The March on Washington. Planning the Attack. Response to the Call for Volunteers to Accompany Hobson on the "Merrimac". The "President" Tries to Escape. Battleship "Massachusetts". Prison Chaplain and Jailer. The Last Volley of the War. New U. S. Torpedo-Boat "Talbot". The "Hartford, " Farragut's Flagship. Departure of a Naval Expedition from Port Royal. Fort Moultrie. Anderson's Command Occupying Fort Sumter. Major Robert Anderson. The "Morris"--Torpedo-Boat of the Smallest Type--46-1/2 Tons Displacement, 800 Horse-Power. Blockading the Mouth of the Mississippi. Flag of the Confederacy. Naval Patrol on the Potomac. Attack on the Hatteras Forts. Spanish Merchant Steamer "Catalina" Captured by the Cruiser "Detroit, " April 24, 1898. Flag of South Carolina. Nassau: The Haunt of Blockade-Runners. Cotton Ships at Nassau. Marines Saluting on the "Lancaster"--Our Oldest Naval Vessel in Active Service. Fortress Monroe. Du Pont's Expedition Off Cape Hatteras. The Opening Gun. Engagement of the "Monitor" and "Merrimac, " March 9, 1862. A River Gunboat. Engagement of the "Kearsarge" and "Alabama, " June 19, 1864. Rescue of Capt. Semmes. The "Nashville" Burning a Prize. Fort Pensacola. Levee at New Orleans Before the War. Farragut's Fleet Engaging the Enemy near New Orleans, April 26, 1862. Breaking the Chain. Farragut Engaging the Port Hudson (La. ) Batteries, March, 1863. The "Arkansas" under Fire. Farragut's Fleet Engaging Forts Jackson and St. Philip and Confederate Fleet on the Mississippi River, below New Orleans, April 25, 1862. The Launching of the Battleship "Iowa". Passing the Vicksburg Batteries. Bailey's Dam on the Red River. Engagement Between the U. S. Flagship "Hartford" and the Confederate Ironclad "Tennessee, " Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. Warships off Charleston Harbor. Battle of Mobile Bay--Union Fleet Engaging Fort Morgan and Confederate Vessels, August 5, 1864. Forward Turret of Monitor "Terror". Torpedo-Boat "Cushing". Dynamite Cruiser "Vesuvius". Ensign Worth Bagley, of the Torpedo-Boat "Winslow, " Killed May 11, 1898. Partial View of the Wreck of the "Maine". Dewey's Victory--The Naval Fight in Manila Bay, May 1, 1898. The Defeat of Cervera's Fleet--The "Colon" Running Ashore. The Naval Board of Strategy, 1898. Rear-Admiral William Thomas Sampson. Bombardment of San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 13, 1898. Rear-Admiral George Dewey. Admiral Sampson's Fleet off Puerto Rico, in Search of Cervera's Vessels, May 1, 1898. Admiral Cervera's Fleet Approaching Santiago, May, 1898. Commodore John Crittenden Watson. General Miles's Expedition to Puerto Rico, as seen from the Deck of the "St. Paul". Hobson Sinking the "Merrimac" in the Entrance to Santiago Harbor, June 3, 1898. Rear-Admiral Winfield Scott Schley. Monitors at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia. Training Ship "Alliance"--Type of the Last Wooden Sloops-of-War. Training Ships "Portsmouth" and "Lancaster" at Brooklyn Navy Yard. "Racing Home"--The Battleship "Oregon" on her way from San Francisco to Key West. Hammock-Inspection on a Battleship. Armored Cruiser "New York" on her way to Puerto Rico. New York's Welcome to the Battleship "Texas". Spanish Merchant Steamer "Panama, " Captured April 25, by Lighthouse Tender "Mangrove". Forward 13-inch Guns on Battleship "Indiana". Forward Deck of Dynamite Gun-Vessel "Vesuvius". Hospital Ship "Relief". Religious Service on Battleship "Iowa, " off Havana. The Battleship "Maine" Leaving New York for Havana. Bombardment of Matanzas, Cuba, by the "New York, " "Cincinnati, " and "Puritan, " April 27, 1898. Ironclads in Action. Bombardment of Forts at Entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba, May 6, 1898. Torpedo-Boat "Ericsson". Deck-Tube and Projectile of a Torpedo-Boat. Crew of the "Indiana" Watching the "New York" Capture a Prize. Hurry-Work at Night on Monitor "Puritan" at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia. PART I BLUE-JACKETS OF '76. CHAPTER I. EARLY EXPLOITS UPON THE WATER. -- GALLOP'S BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. -- BUCCANEERS AND PIRATES. -- MORGAN AND BLACKBEARD. -- CAPT. KIDD TURNS PIRATE. -- DOWNFALL OF THE BUCCANEERS' POWER. In May, 1636, a stanch little sloop of some twenty tons was standingalong Long Island Sound on a trading expedition. At her helm stoodJohn Gallop, a sturdy colonist, and a skilful seaman, who earned hisbread by trading with the Indians that at that time thronged theshores of the Sound, and eagerly seized any opportunity to trafficwith the white men from the colonies of Plymouth or New Amsterdam. Thecolonists sent out beads, knives, bright clothes, and sometimes, unfortunately, rum and other strong drinks. The Indians in exchangeoffered skins and peltries of all kinds; and, as their simple natureshad not been schooled to nice calculations of values, the traffic wasone of great profit to the more shrewd whites. But the trade was notwithout its perils. Though the Indians were simple, and little likelyto drive hard bargains, yet they were savages, and little accustomedto nice distinctions between their own property and that of others. Their desires once aroused for some gaudy bit of cloth or shiningglass, they were ready enough to steal it, often making their bootysecure by the murder of the luckless trader. It so happened, that, just before John Gallop set out with his sloop on the spring tradingcruise, the people of the colony were excitedly discussing theprobable fate of one Oldham, who some weeks before had set out on alike errand, in a pinnace, with a crew of two white boys and twoIndians, and had never returned. So when, on this May morning, Gallop, being forced to hug the shore by stormy weather, saw a small vessellying at anchor in a cove, he immediately ran down nearer, toinvestigate. The crew of the sloop numbered two men and two boys, beside the skipper, Gallop. Some heavy duck-guns on board were no meanordnance; and the New Englander determined to probe the mystery ofOldham's disappearance, though it might require some fighting. As thesloop bore down upon the anchored pinnace, Gallop found no lack ofsigns to arouse his suspicion. The rigging of the strange craft wasloose, and seemed to have been cut. No lookout was visible, and sheseemed to have been deserted; but a nearer view showed, lying on thedeck of the pinnace, fourteen stalwart Indians, one of whom, catchingsight of the approaching sloop, cut the anchor cable, and called tohis companions to awake. This action on the part of the Indians left Gallop no doubt as totheir character. Evidently they had captured the pinnace, and hadeither murdered Oldham, or even then had him a prisoner in theirmidst. The daring sailor wasted no time in debate as to the propercourse to pursue, but clapping all sail on his craft, soon brought heralongside the pinnace. As the sloop came up, the Indians opened thefight with fire-arms and spears; but Gallop's crew responded withtheir duck-guns with such vigor that the Indians deserted the decks, and fled below for shelter. Gallop was then in a quandary. The oddsagainst him were too great for him to dare to board, and the pinnacewas rapidly drifting ashore. After some deliberation he put up hishelm, and beat to windward of the pinnace; then, coming about, camescudding down upon her before the wind. The two vessels met with atremendous shock. The bow of the sloop struck the pinnace fairlyamidships, forcing her over on her beam-ends, until the water pouredinto the open hatchway. The affrighted Indians, unused to warfare onthe water, rushed upon deck. Six leaped into the sea, and weredrowned; the rest retreated again into the cabin. Gallop then preparedto repeat his ramming manoeuvre. This time, to make the blow moreeffective, he lashed his anchor to the bow, so that the sharp flukesprotruded; thus extemporizing an iron-clad ram more than two hundredyears before naval men thought of using one. Thus provided, the secondblow of the sloop was more terrible than the first. The sharp fluke ofthe anchor crashed through the side of the pinnace, and the twovessels hung tightly together. Gallop then began to double-load hisduck-guns, and fire through the sides of the pinnace; but, findingthat the enemy was not to be dislodged in this way, he broke hisvessel loose, and again made for the windward, preparatory to a thirdblow. As the sloop drew off, four or five more Indians rushed from thecabin of the pinnace, and leaped overboard but shared the fate oftheir predecessors, being far from land. Gallop then came about, andfor the third time bore down upon his adversary. As he drew near, anIndian appeared on the deck of the pinnace, and with humble gesturesoffered to submit. Gallop ran alongside, and taking the man on board, bound him hand and foot, and placed him in the hold. A second redskinthen begged for quarter; but Gallop, fearing to allow the two wilysavages to be together, cast the second into the sea, where he wasdrowned. Gallop then boarded the pinnace. Two Indians were left, whoretreated into a small compartment of the hold, and were leftunmolested. In the cabin was found the mangled body of Mr. Oldham. Atomahawk had been sunk deep into his skull, and his body was coveredwith wounds. The floor of the cabin was littered with portions of thecargo, which the murderous savages had plundered. Taking all thatremained of value upon his own craft, Gallop cut loose the pinnace;and she drifted away, to go to pieces on a reef in Narragansett Bay. This combat is the earliest action upon American waters of which wehave any trustworthy records. The only naval event antedating this wasthe expedition from Virginia, under Capt. Samuel Argal, against thelittle French settlement of San Sauveur. Indeed, had it not been forthe pirates and the neighboring French settlements, there would belittle in the early history of the American Colonies to attract thelover of naval history. But about 1645 the buccaneers began to commitdepredations on the high seas, and it became necessary for theColonies to take steps for the protection of their commerce. In thisyear an eighteen-gun ship from Cambridge, Mass. , fell in with aBarbary pirate of twenty guns, and was hard put to it to escape. And, as the seventeenth century drew near its close, these pests of the seaso increased, that evil was sure to befall the peaceful merchantmanthat put to sea without due preparation for a fight or two with thesea robbers. It was in the low-lying islands of the Gulf of Mexico, that thesepredatory gentry--buccaneers, marooners, or pirates--made theirheadquarters, and lay in wait for the richly freighted merchantmen inthe West India trade. Men of all nationalities sailed under the "JollyRoger, "--as the dread black flag with skull and cross-bones wascalled, --but chiefly were they French and Spaniards. The continualwars that in that turbulent time racked Europe gave to the maraudersof the sea a specious excuse for their occupation. Thus, many aSpanish schooner, manned by a swarthy crew bent on plunder, commencedher career on the Spanish Main, with the intention of taking onlyships belonging to France and England; but let a richly laden Spanishgalleon appear, after a long season of ill-fortune, and all scrupleswere thrown aside, the "Jolly Roger" sent merrily to the fore, andanother pirate was added to the list of those that made the highwaysof the sea as dangerous to travel as the footpad infested common ofHounslow Heath. English ships went out to hunt down the treacherousSpaniards, and stayed to rob and pillage indiscriminately; and not afew of the names now honored as those of eminent English discoverers, were once dreaded as being borne by merciless pirates. But the most powerful of the buccaneers on the Spanish Main wereFrench, and between them and the Spaniards an unceasing warfare waswaged. There were desperate men on either side, and mighty stories aretold of their deeds of valor. There were Pierre François, who, withsix and twenty desperadoes, dashed into the heart of a Spanish fleet, and captured the admiral's flag-ship; Bartholomew Portuguese, who, with thirty men, made repeated attacks upon a great Indiaman with acrew of seventy, and though beaten back time and again, persisteduntil the crew surrendered to the twenty buccaneers left alive;François l'Olonoise, who sacked the cities of Maracaibo andGibraltar, and who, on hearing that a man-o'-war had been sent todrive him away, went boldly to meet her, captured her, and slaughteredall of the crew save one, whom he sent to bear the bloody tidings tothe governor of Havana. Such were the buccaneers, --desperate, merciless, and insatiate intheir lust for plunder. So numerous did they finally become, that nomerchant dared to send a ship to the West Indies; and the pirates, finding that they had fairly exterminated their game, were fain toturn landwards for further booty. It was an Englishman that showed thesea rovers this new plan of pillage; one Louis Scott, who descendedupon the town of Campeche, and, after stripping the place to the barewalls, demanded that a heavy tribute be paid him, in default of whichhe would burn the town. Loaded with booty, he sailed back to thebuccaneers' haunts in the Tortugas. This expedition was the examplethat the buccaneers followed for the next few years. City after cityfell a prey to the demoniac attacks of the lawless rovers. Houses andchurches were sacked, towns given to the flames, rich and poorplundered alike; murder was rampant; and men and women were subjectedto the most horrid tortures, to extort information as to buriedtreasures. Two great names stand out pre-eminent amid the host of outlaws thattook part in this reign of rapine, --l'Olonoise and Sir Henry Morgan. The desperate exploits of these two worthies would, if recounted, fillvolumes; and probably no more extraordinary narrative of cruelty, courage, suffering, and barbaric luxury could be fabricated. Morganwas a Welshman, an emigrant, who, having worked out as a slave thecost of his passage across the ocean, took immediate advantage of hisfreedom to take up the trade of piracy. For him was no pillaging ofpaltry merchant-ships. He demanded grander operations, and his bandsof desperadoes assumed the proportions of armies. Many were the townsthat suffered from the bloody visitations of Morgan and his men. Puerto del Principe yielded up to them three hundred thousand piecesof eight, five hundred head of cattle, and many prisoners. Porto Bellowas bravely defended against the barbarians; and the stubbornness ofthe defence so enraged Morgan, that he swore that no quarter should begiven the defenders. And so when some hours later the chief fortresssurrendered, the merciless buccaneer locked its garrison in theguard-room, set a torch to the magazine, and sent castle and garrisonflying into the air. Maracaibo and Gibraltar next fell into theclutches of the pirate. At the latter town, finding himself caught ina river with three men-of-war anchored at its mouth, he hastily builta fire-ship, put some desperate men at the helm, and sent her, a sheetof flame, into the midst of the squadron. The admiral's ship wasdestroyed; and the pirates sailed away, exulting over theiradversaries' discomfiture. Rejoicing over their victories, thefollowers of Morgan then planned a venture that should eclipse allthat had gone before. This was no less than a descent upon Panama, themost powerful of the West Indian cities. For this undertaking, Morgangathered around him an army of over two thousand desperadoes of allnationalities. A little village on the island of Hispaniola was chosenas the recruiting station; and thither flocked pirates, thieves, andadventurers from all parts of the world. It was a motley crew thusgathered together, --Spaniards, swarthy skinned and black haired; wiryFrenchmen, quick to anger, and ever ready with cutlass or pistol;Malays and Lascars, half clad in gaudy colors, treacherous and sullen, with a hand ever on their glittering creeses; Englishmen, handy alikewith fist, bludgeon, or cutlass, and mightily given to fearful oaths;negroes, Moors, and a few West Indians mixed with the lawless throng. Having gathered his band, procured provisions (chiefly by plundering), and built a fleet of boats, Morgan put his forces in motion. The firstobstacle in his path was the Castle of Chagres, which guarded themouth of the Chagres River, up which the buccaneers must pass to reachthe city of Panama. To capture this fortress, Morgan sent hisvice-admiral Bradley, with four hundred men. The Spaniards wereevidently warned of their approach; for hardly had the first shipflying the piratical ensign appeared at the mouth of the river, whenthe royal standard of Spain was hoisted above the castle, and the dullreport of a shotted gun told the pirates that there was a stubbornresistance in store for them. Landing some miles below the castle, and cutting their way withhatchet and sabre through the densely interwoven vegetation of atropical jungle, the pirates at last reached a spot from which a clearview of the castle could be obtained. As they emerged from the forestto the open, the sight greatly disheartened them. They saw a powerfulfort, with bastions, moat, drawbridge, and precipitous naturaldefences. Many of the pirates advised a retreat; but Bradley, dreading the anger of Morgan, ordered an assault. Time after time didthe desperate buccaneers, with horrid yells, rush upon the fort, onlyto be beaten back by the well-directed volleys of the garrison. Theycharged up to the very walls, threw over fireballs, and hacked thetimbers with axes, but to no avail. From behind their impregnableramparts, the Spaniards fired murderous volleys, crying out. -- "Come on, you English devils, you heretics, the enemies of God and ofthe king! Let your comrades who are behind come also. We will servethem as we have served you. You shall not get to Panama this time. " As night fell, the pirates withdrew into the thickets to escape thefire of their enemies, and to discuss their discomfiture. As one groupof buccaneers lay in the jungle, a chance arrow, shot by an Indian inthe fort, struck one of them in the arm. Springing to his feet with acry of rage and pain, the wounded man cried out as he tore the arrowfrom the bleeding wound, -- "Look here, my comrades. I will make this accursed arrow the means ofthe destruction of all the Spaniards. " So saying, he wrapped a quantity of cotton about the head of thearrow, charged his gun with powder, and, thrusting the arrow into themuzzle, fired. His comrades eagerly watched the flight of the missile, which was easily traced by the flaming cotton. Hurtling through theair, the fiery missile fell upon a thatched roof within the castle, and the dry straw and leaves were instantly in a blaze. With cries ofsavage joy, the buccaneers ran about picking up the arrows that layscattered over the battle-field. Soon the air was full of thefire-brands, and the woodwork within the castle enclosure was a massof flame. One arrow fell within the magazine; and a burst of smoke andflame, and the dull roar of an explosion, followed. The Spaniardsworked valiantly to extinguish the flames, and to beat back theirassailants; but the fire raged beyond their control, and the brightlight made them easy targets for their foes. There could be but oneissue to such a conflict. By morning the fort was in the hands of thebuccaneers, and of the garrison of three hundred and fourteen onlyfourteen were unhurt. Over the ruins of the fort the English flag washoisted, the shattered walls were repaired, and the place made arendezvous for Morgan's forces. On the scene of the battle Morgan drilled his forces, and prepared forthe march and battles that were to come. After some days' preparation, the expedition set out. The road lay through tangled tropical forests, under a burning sun. Little food was taken, as the invaders expectedto live on the country; but the inhabitants fled before the advancingcolumn, destroying every thing eatable. Soon starvation stared thedesperadoes in the face. They fed upon berries, roots, and leaves. Asthe days passed, and no food was to be found, they sliced up anddevoured coarse leather bags. For a time, it seemed that they wouldnever escape alive from the jungle; but at last, weak, weary, andemaciated, they came out upon a grassy plain before the city ofPanama. Here, a few days later, a great battle was fought. TheSpaniards outnumbered the invaders, and were better provided withmunitions of war; yet the pirates, fighting with the bravery ofdesperate men, were victorious, and the city fell into their hands. Then followed days of murder, plunder, and debauchery. Morgan saw hisfollowers, maddened by liquor, scoff at the idea of discipline andobedience. Fearing that while his men were helplessly drunk theSpaniards would rally and cut them to pieces, he set fire to the city, that the stores of rum might be destroyed. After sacking the town, thevandals packed their plunder on the backs of mules, and retraced theirsteps to the seaboard. Their booty amounted to over two millions ofdollars. Over the division of this enormous sum great dissensionsarose, and Morgan saw the mutinous spirit spreading rapidly among hismen. With a few accomplices, therefore, he loaded a ship with theplunder, and secretly set sail; leaving over half of his band, withoutfood or shelter, in a hostile country. Many of the abandonedbuccaneers starved, some were shot or hanged by the enraged Spaniards;but the leader of the rapacious gang reached Jamaica with a hugefortune, and was appointed governor of the island, and made a baronetby the reigning king of England, Charles the Second. Such were some of the exploits of some of the more notorious of thebuccaneers. It may be readily imagined, that, with hordes ofdesperadoes such as these infesting the waters of the West Indies, there was little opportunity for the American Colonies to build up anymaritime interests in that direction. And as the merchantmen becamescarce on the Spanish Main, such of the buccaneers as did not turnlandward in search of booty put out to sea, and ravaged the oceanpathways between the Colonies and England. It was against thesepirates, that the earliest naval operations of the Colonies weredirected. Several cruisers were fitted out to rid the seas of thesepests, but we hear little of their success. But the name of oneofficer sent against the pirates has become notorious as that of theworst villain of them all. It was in January, 1665, that William III. , King of England, issued"to our true and well-beloved Capt. William Kidd, commander of theship 'Adventure, '" a commission to proceed against "divers wickedpersons who commit many and great piracies, robberies, anddepredations on the seas. " Kidd was a merchant of New York, and hadcommanded a privateer during the last war with France. He was a man ofgreat courage, and, being provided with a stanch ship and brave crew, set out with high hopes of winning great reputation and much prizemoney. But fortune was against him. For months the "Adventure"ploughed the blue waves of the ocean, yet not a sail appeared on thehorizon. Once, indeed, three ships were seen in the distance. The menof the "Adventure" were overjoyed at the prospect of a rich prize. Theship was prepared for action. The men, stripped to the waist, stood attheir quarters, talking of the coming battle. Kidd stood in therigging with a spy-glass, eagerly examining the distant vessels. Butonly disappointment was in store; for, as the ships drew nearer, Kiddshut his spy-glass with an oath, saying, -- "They are only three English men-o'-war. " Continued disappointment bred discontent and mutiny among the crew. They had been enlisted with lavish promises of prize money, but sawbefore them nothing but a profitless cruise. The spirit of discontentspread rapidly. Three or four ships that were sighted proved to beneither pirates nor French, and were therefore beyond the powers ofcapture granted Kidd by the king. Kidd fought against the growingpiratical sentiment for a long time; but temptation at last overcamehim, and he yielded. Near the Straits of Babelmandeb, at the entranceto the Red Sea, he landed a party, plundered the adjoining country forprovisions, and, turning his ship's prow toward the straits, musteredhis crew on deck, and thus addressed them:-- "We have been unsuccessful hitherto, my boys, " he said, "but takecourage. Fortune is now about to smile upon us. The fleet of the'Great Mogul, ' freighted with the richest treasures, is soon to comeout of the Red Sea. From the capture of those heavily laden ships, wewill all grow rich. " The crew, ready enough to become pirates, cheered lustily: and, turning his back upon all hopes of an honorable career, Kidd set outin search of the treasure fleet. After cruising for four days, the"Adventure" fell in with the squadron, which proved to be under convoyof an English and a Dutch man-of-war. The squadron was a large one, and the ships greatly scattered. By skilful seamanship, Kidd dasheddown upon an outlying vessel, hoping to capture and plunder it beforethe convoying men-of-war could come to its rescue. But his first shotattracted the attention of the watchful guardians; and, though severalmiles away, they packed on all sail, and bore down to the rescue withsuch spirit that the disappointed pirate was forced to sheer off. Kiddwas now desperate. He had failed as a reputable privateer, and hisfirst attempt at piracy had failed. Thenceforward, he cast aside allscruples, and captured large ships and small, tortured their crews, and for a time seemed resolved to lead a piratical life. But there areevidences that at times this strange man relented, and strove toreturn to the path of duty and right. On one occasion, a Dutch shipcrossed the path of the "Adventure, " and the crew clamorously demandedher capture. Kidd firmly refused. A tumult arose. The captain drew hissabre and pistols, and gathering about him those still faithful, addressed the mutineers, saying, -- "You may take the boats and go. But those who thus leave this shipwill never ascend its sides again. " The mutineers murmured loudly. One man, a gunner, named William Moore, stepped forward, saying, -- "You are ruining us all. You are keeping us in beggary and starvation. But for your whims, we might all be prosperous and rich. " At this outspoken mutiny, Kidd flew into a passion. Seizing a heavybucket that stood near, he dealt Moore a terrible blow on the head. The unhappy man fell to the deck with a fractured skull, and the othermutineers sullenly yielded to the captain's will. Moore died the nextday; and months after, when Kidd, after roving the seas, and robbingships of every nationality, was brought to trial at London, it wasfor the murder of William Moore that he was condemned to die. ForKidd's career subsequent to the incident of the Dutch ship was that ofa hardened pirate. He captured and robbed ships, and tortured theirpassengers. He went to Madagascar, the rendezvous of the pirates, andjoined in their revelry and debauchery. On the island were five or sixhundred pirates, and ships flying the black flag were continuallyarriving or departing. The streets resounded with shouts of revelry, with curses, and with the cries of rage. Strong drinks were freelyused. Drunkenness was everywhere. It was no uncommon thing for ahogshead of wine to be opened, and left standing in the streets, thatany might drink who chose. The pirates, flush with their ill-gottengains, spent money on gambling and kindred vices lavishly. The womenwho accompanied them to this lawless place were decked out withbarbaric splendor in silks and jewels. On the arrival of a ship, thedebauchery was unbounded. Such noted pirates as Blackbeard, SteedBonnet, and Avary made the place their rendezvous, and brought thithertheir rich prizes and wretched prisoners. Blackbeard was one of themost desperate pirates of the age. He, with part of his crew, onceterrorized the officials of Charleston, S. C. , exacting tribute ofmedicines and provisions. Finally he was killed in action, and sixteenof his desperate gang expiated their crimes on the gallows. To Madagascar, too, often came the two female pirates, Mary Read andAnne Bonny. These women, masquerading in men's clothing, were asdesperate and bloody as the men by whose side they fought. By astrange coincidence, these two women enlisted on the same ship. Eachknowing her own sex, and being ignorant of that of the other, theyfell in love; and the final discovery of their mutual deceptionincreased their intimacy. After serving with the pirates, working atthe guns, swinging a cutlass in the boarding parties, and fighting aduel in which she killed her opponent, Mary Read determined to escape. There is every evidence that she wearied of the evil life she wasleading, and was determined to quit it; but, before she could carryher intentions into effect, the ship on which she served was captured, and taken to England, where the pirates expiated their crimes on thegallows, Mary Read dying in prison before the day set for herexecution. After some months spent in licentious revelry at Madagascar, Kidd setout on a further cruise. During this voyage he learned that he hadbeen proscribed as a pirate, and a price set on his head. Strange asit may appear, this news was a surprise to him. He seems to havedeceived himself into thinking that his acts of piracy were simply thelegitimate work of a privateersman. For a time he knew not what to do;but as by this time the coarse pleasures of an outlaw's life weredistasteful to him, he determined to proceed to New York, and endeavorto prove himself an honest man. This determination proved to be anunfortunate one for him; for hardly had he arrived, when he was takeninto custody, and sent to England for trial. He made an able defence, but was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged; a sentence which wasexecuted some months later, in the presence of a vast multitude ofpeople, who applauded in the death of Kidd the end of the reign ofoutlaws upon the ocean. CHAPTER II. EXPEDITIONS AGAINST NEIGHBORING COLONIES. -- ROMANTIC CAREER OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPPS. -- QUELLING A MUTINY. -- EXPEDITIONS AGAINST QUEBEC. While it was chiefly in expeditions against the buccaneers, or in thedefence of merchantmen against these predatory gentry, that theAmerican colonists gained their experience in naval warfare, therewere, nevertheless, some few naval expeditions fitted out by thecolonists against the forces of a hostile government. Both to thenorth and south lay the territory of France and Spain, --England'straditional enemies; and so soon as the colonies began to giveevidence of their value to the mother country, so soon were theydragged into the quarrels in which the haughty mistress of the seaswas ever plunged. Of the southern colonies, South Carolina wascontinually embroiled with Spain, owing to the conviction of theSpanish that the boundaries of Florida--at that time a Spanishcolony--included the greater part of the Carolinas. For the purpose ofenforcing this idea, the Spaniards, in 1706, fitted out an expeditionof four ships-of-war and a galley, which, under the command of acelebrated French admiral, was despatched to take Charleston. Thepeople of Charleston were in no whit daunted, and on the receipt ofthe news of the expedition began preparations for resistance. They hadno naval vessels; but several large merchantmen, being in port, werehastily provided with batteries, and a large galley was converted intoa flag-ship. Having no trained naval officers, the command of theimprovised squadron was tendered to a certain Lieut. -Col. Rhett, whopossessed the confidence of the colonists. Rhett accepted the command;and when the attacking party cast anchor some miles below the city, and landed their shore forces, he weighed anchor, and set out toattack them. But the Spaniards avoided the conflict, and fled out tosea, leaving their land forces to bear the brunt of battle. In thisaction, more than half of the invaders were killed or taken prisoners. Some days later, one of the Spanish vessels, having been separatedfrom her consorts, was discovered by Rhett, who attacked her, andafter a sharp fight captured her, bringing her with ninety prisonersto Charleston. But it was chiefly in expeditions against the French colonies to thenorthward that the naval strength of the English colonies was exerted. Particularly were the colonies of Port Royal, in Acadia, and theFrench stronghold of Quebec coveted by the British, and they provedfertile sources of contention in the opening years of the eighteenthcentury. Although the movement for the capture of these colonies wasincited by the ruling authorities of Great Britain, its execution wasleft largely to the colonists. One of the earliest of theseexpeditions was that which sailed from Nantasket, near Boston, inApril, 1690, bound for the conquest of Port Royal. This expedition was under the command of Sir William Phipps, a sturdycolonist, whose life was not devoid of romantic episodes. Though hisambitions were of the lowliest, --his dearest wish being "to command aking's ship, and own a fair brick house in the Green Lane of NorthBoston, "--he managed to win for himself no small amount of fame andrespect in the colonies. His first achievement was characteristic ofthat time, when Spanish galleons, freighted with golden ingots, stillsailed the seas, when pirates buried their booty, and when thetreasures carried down in sunken ships were not brought up the nextday by divers clad in patented submarine armor. From a weather-beatenold seaman, with whom he became acquainted while pursuing his tradeof ship-carpentering Phipps learned of a sunken wreck lying on thesandy bottom many fathoms beneath the blue surface of the Gulf ofMexico. The vessel had gone down fifty years before, and had carriedwith her great store of gold and silver, which she was carrying fromthe rich mines of Central and South America to the Court of Spain. Phipps, laboriously toiling with adze and saw in his ship-yard, listened to the story of the sailor, his blood coursing quicker in hisveins, and his ambition for wealth and position aroused to its fullestextent. Here, then, thought he, was the opportunity of a lifetime. Could he but recover the treasures carried down with the sunken ship, he would have wealth and position in the colony. With these two alliesat his command, the task of securing a command in the king's navywould be an easy one. But to seek out the sunken treasure required aship and seamen. Clearly his own slender means could never meet thedemands of so great an undertaking. Therefore, gathering together allhis small savings, William Phipps set sail for England, in the hopesof interesting capitalists there in his scheme. By dint of indomitablepersistence, the unknown American ship-carpenter managed to secure theinfluence of certain officials of high station in England, and finallymanaged to get the assistance of the British admiralty. A frigate, fully manned, was given him, and he set sail for the West Indies. Once arrived in the waters of the Spanish Main, he began his search. Cruising about the spot indicated by his seafaring informant as thelocation of the sunken vessel, sounding and dredging occupied the timeof the treasure-seekers for months. The crew, wearying of thefruitless search, began to murmur, and signs of mutiny were rife. Phipps, filled with thoughts of the treasure for which he sought, sawnot at all the lowering looks, nor heard the half-uttered threats, ofthe crew as he passed them. But finally the mutiny so developed thathe could no longer ignore its existence. It was then the era of the buccaneers. Doubtless some of the crew hadvisited the outlaws' rendezvous at New Providence, and had told theircomrades of the revelry and ease in which the sea robbers spent theirdays. And so it happened that one day, as Phipps stood on thequarter-deck vainly trying to choke down the nameless fear that hadbegun to oppress him, --the fear that his life's venture had proved afailure, --his crew came crowding aft, armed to the teeth, and loudlydemanded that the captain should abandon his foolish search, and leadthem on a fearless buccaneering cruise along the Spanish Main. Themutiny was one which might well have dismayed the boldest sea captain. The men were desperate, and well armed. Phipps was almost withoutsupport; for his officers, by their irresolute and timid demeanor, gave him little assurance of aid. Standing on the quarter-deck, Phipps listened impatiently to thecomplaints of the mutineers; but, when their spokesman called upon himto lead them upon a piratical cruise, he lost all control of himself, and, throwing all prudence to the winds, sprung into the midst of themalcontents, and laid about him right manfully with his bare fists. The mutineers were all well armed, but seemed loath to use theirweapons; and the captain, a tall, powerful man, soon awed them allinto submission. Though he showed indomitable energy in overcoming obstacles, Phippswas not destined to discover the object of his search at this time;and, after several months' cruising, he was forced, by the leakycondition of his vessel, to abandon the search. But, before leavingthe waters of the Spanish Main, he obtained enough information toconvince him that his plan was a practicable one, and no merevisionary scheme. On reaching England, he went at once to some wealthynoblemen, and, laying before them all the facts in his possession, sointerested them in the project that they readily agreed to supply himwith a fresh outfit. After a few weeks spent in organizing hisexpedition, the treasure-seeker was again on the ocean, making his waytoward the Mexican Gulf. This time his search was successful, and afew days' work with divers and dredges about the sunken ship broughtto light bullion and specie to the amount of more than a million and ahalf dollars. As his ill success in the first expedition had embroiledhim with his crew, so his good fortune this time aroused the cupidityof the sailors. Vague rumors of plotting against his life reached theears of Phipps. Examining further into the matter, he learned that thecrew was plotting to seize the vessel, divide the treasure, and setout upon a buccaneering cruise. Alarmed at this intelligence, Phippsstrove to conciliate the seamen by offering them a share of thetreasure. Each man should receive a portion, he promised, even if hehimself had to pay it. The men agreed to this proposition; and sowell did Phipps keep his word with them on returning to England, that, of the whole treasure, only about eighty thousand dollars remained tohim as his share. This, however, was an ample fortune for those times;and with it Phipps returned to Boston, and began to devote himself tothe task of securing a command in the royal navy. His first opportunity to distinguish himself came in the expedition of1690 against Port Royal. Throughout the wars between France andEngland, the French settlement of Port Royal had been a thorn in theflesh of Massachusetts. From Port Royal, the trim-built speedy Frenchprivateers put to sea, and seldom returned without bringing in theirwake some captured coaster or luckless fisherman hailing from thecolony of the Puritans. When the depredations of the privateers becameunbearable, Massachusetts bestirred herself, and the doughty Phippswas sent with an expedition to reduce their unneighborly neighbor tosubjection. Seven vessels and two hundred and eighty-eight men wereput under the command of the lucky treasure-hunter. The expedition wasdevoid of exciting or novel features. Port Royal was reached withoutdisaster, and the governor surrendered with a promptitude which shouldhave won immunity for the people of the village. But the Massachusettssailors had not undertaken the enterprise for glory alone, and theyplundered the town before taking to their ships again. This expedition, however, was but an unimportant incident in the navalannals of the colonies. It was followed quickly by an expedition ofmuch graver importance. When Phipps returned after capturing and plundering Port Royal, hefound Boston vastly excited over the preparations for an expeditionagainst Quebec. The colony was in no condition to undertake the workof conquest. Prolonged Indian wars had greatly depleted its treasury. Vainly it appealed to England for aid, but, receiving noencouragement, sturdily determined to undertake the expeditionunaided. Sailors were pressed from the merchant-shipping. Trainedbands, as the militia of that day was called, drilled in the streets, and on the common. Subscription papers were being circulated; andvessel owners were blandly given the choice between voluntarilyloaning their vessels to the colony, or having them peremptorilyseized. In this way a fleet of thirty-two vessels had been collected;the largest of which was a ship called the "Six Friends, " built forthe West India trade, and carrying forty-four guns. This armada wasmanned by seamen picked up by a press so vigorous, that Gloucester, the chief seafaring town of the colony, was robbed of two-thirds ofits men. Hardly had Capt. Phipps, flushed with victory, returned fromhis Port Royal expedition, when he was given command of the armadadestined for the capture of Quebec. Early in August the flotilla set sail from Boston Harbor. The day wasclear and warm, with a light breeze blowing. From his flag-ship Phippsgave the signal for weighing anchor, and soon the decks of the vesselsthickly strewn about the harbor resounded to the tread of men aboutthe capstan. Thirty-two vessels of the squadron floated lightly on thecalm waters of the bay; and darting in and out among them were lightcraft carrying pleasure-seekers who had come down to witness thesailing of the fleet, friends and relatives of the sailors who werethere to say farewell, and the civic dignitaries who came to wish theexpedition success. One by one the vessels beat their way down thebay, and, rounding the dangerous reef at the mouth of the harbor, laidtheir course to the northward. It was a motley fleet of vessels. The"Six Brothers" led the way, followed by brigs, schooners, and manysloop-rigged fishing-smacks. With so ill-assorted a flotilla, it wasimpossible to keep any definite sailing order. The first nightscattered the vessels far and wide, and thenceforward the squadron wasnot united until it again came to anchor just above the mouth of theSt. Lawrence. It seemed as though the very elements had combinedagainst the voyagers. Though looking for summer weather, theyencountered the bitter gales of November. Only after they had allsafely entered the St. Lawrence, and were beyond injury from thestorms, did the gales cease. They had suffered all the injury thattempestuous weather could do them, and they then had to chafe underthe enforced restraints of a calm. Phipps had rallied his scattered fleet, and had proceeded up the greatriver of the North to within three days' sail of Quebec, when the calmovertook him. On the way up the river he had captured two Frenchluggers, and learned from his prisoners that Quebec was poorlyfortified, that the cannon on the redoubts were dismounted, and thathardly two hundred men could be rallied to its defence. Highly elatedat this, the Massachusetts admiral pressed forward. He anticipatedthat Quebec, like Port Royal, would surrender without striking ablow. Visions of high honors, and perhaps even a commission in theroyal navy, floated across his brain. And while thus hurrying forwardhis fleet, drilling his men, and building his air-castles, his furtherprogress was stopped by a dead calm which lasted three weeks. How fatal to his hopes that calm was, Phipps, perhaps, never knew. Theinformation he had wrung from his French prisoners was absolutelycorrect. Quebec at that time was helpless, and virtually at his mercy. But, while the Massachusetts armada lay idly floating on the unruffledbosom of the river, a man was hastening towards Quebec whose timelyarrival meant the salvation of the French citadel. This man was Frontenac, then governor of the French colony, and one ofthe most picturesque figures in American history. A soldier of France;a polished courtier at the royal court; a hero on the battle-field, and a favorite in the ball-room; a man poor in pocket, but rich ininfluential connections, --Frontenac had come to the New World to seekthat fortune and position which he had in vain sought in the Old. Whenthe vague rumors of the hostile expedition of the Massachusetts colonyreached his ears, Frontenac was far from Quebec, toiling in thewestern part of the colony. Wasting no time, he turned his stepstoward the threatened city. His road lay through an almost tracklesswilderness; his progress was impeded by the pelting rains of theautumnal storms. But through forest and through rain he rode fiercely;and at last as he burst from the forest, and saw towering before himthe rocks of Cape Diamond, a cry of joy burst from his lips. On thebroad, still bosom of the St Lawrence Bay floated not a single hostilesail. The soldier had come in time. With the governor in the city, all took courage, and the work ofpreparation for the coming struggle went forward with a rush. Far andwide throughout the parishes was spread the news of war, and dailyvolunteers came flocking in to the defence. The ramparts werestrengthened, and cannon mounted. Volunteers and regulars drilled sideby side, until the four thousand men in the city were converted into awell-disciplined body of troops. And all the time the sentinels on theSaut au Matelot were eagerly watching the river for the first sign ofthe English invaders. It was before dawn, on the morning of Oct. 16, that the people of thelittle city, and the soldiery in the tents, were awakened by the alarmraised by the sentries. All rushed to the brink of the heights, andpeered eagerly out into the darkness. Far down the river could be seenthe twinkling lights of vessels. As the eager watchers strove to countthem, other lights appeared upon the scene, moving to and fro, butwith a steady advance upon Quebec. The gray dawn, breaking in theeast, showed the advancing fleet. Frontenac and his lieutenantswatched the ships of the enemy round the jutting headland of the Pointof Orleans; and, by the time the sun had risen, thirty-four hostilecraft were at anchor in the basin of Quebec. The progress of the fleet up the river, from the point at which it hadbeen so long delayed, had been slow, and greatly impeded by thedetermined hostility of the settlers along the banks. The sailors attheir work were apt to be startled by the whiz of a bullet; and aninquiry as to the cause would have probably discovered some crouchingsharp-shooter, his long rifle in his hand, hidden in a clump of bushesalong the shore. Bands of armed men followed the fleet up the stream, keeping pace with the vessels, and occasionally affording gentlereminders of their presence in the shape of volleys of rifle-ballsthat sung through the crowded decks of the transports, and gave thesailor lads a hearty disgust for this river fighting. Phipps triedrepeatedly to land shore parties to clear the banks of skirmishers, and to move on the city by land. As often, however, as he made theeffort, his troops were beaten back by the ambushed sharp-shooters, and his boats returned to the ships, bringing several dead andwounded. While the soldiery on the highlands of Quebec were eagerly examiningthe hostile fleet, the invaders were looking with wonder andadmiration at the scene of surpassing beauty spread out before them. Parkman, the historian and lover of the annals of the French inAmerica, thus describes it:-- "When, after his protracted voyage, Phipps sailed into the basin ofQuebec, one of the grandest scenes on the western continent openedupon his sight. The wide expanse of waters, the lofty promontorybeyond, and the opposing Heights of Levi, the cataract of Montmorenci, the distant range of the Laurentian Mountains, the warlike rock withits diadem of walls and towers, the roofs of the Lower Townclustering on the strand beneath, the Chateau St. Louis perched at thebrink of the cliff, and over it the white banner, spangled with_fleurs de lis_, flaunting defiance in the clear autumnal air. " Little time was spent, however, in admiration of the scene. When theclick of the last chain-cable had ceased, and, with their anchorsreposing at the bottom of the stream, the ships swung around withtheir bows to the current, a boat put off from the flag-ship bearingan officer intrusted with a note from Phipps to the commandant of thefort. The reception of this officer was highly theatrical. Half way tothe shore he was taken into a French canoe, blindfolded, and takenashore. The populace crowded about him as he landed, hooting andjeering him as he was led through winding, narrow ways, up stairways, and over obstructions, until at last the bandage was torn from hiseyes, and he found himself in the presence of Frontenac. The Frenchcommander was clad in a brilliant uniform, and surrounded by hisstaff, gay in warlike finery. With courtly courtesy he asked the envoyfor his letter, which, proving to be a curt summons to surrender, heanswered forthwith in a stinging speech. The envoy, abashed, asked fora written answer. "No, " thundered Frontenac, "I will answer your master only by themouths of my cannon, that he may learn that a man like me is not to besummoned after this fashion. Let him do his best, and I will do mine. " The envoy returned to his craft, and made his report. The next dayhostilities opened. Wheeling his ships into line before thefortifications, Phipps opened a heavy fire upon the city. From thefrowning ramparts on the heights, Frontenac's cannon answered in kind. Fiercely the contest raged until nightfall, and vast was theconsumption of gunpowder; but damage done on either side was butlittle. All night the belligerents rested on their arms; but, atdaybreak, the roar of the cannonade recommenced. The gunners of the opposing forces were now upon their mettle, and thegunnery was much better than the day before. A shot from the shore cutthe flagstaff of the admiral's ship, and the cross of St. George fellinto the river. Straightway a canoe put out from the shore, and withswift, strong paddle-strokes was guided in chase of the floatingtrophy. The fire of the fleet was quickly concentrated upon theadventurous canoeists. Cannon-balls and rifle-bullets cut the waterabout them; but their frail craft survived the leaden tempest, andthey captured the trophy, and bore it off in triumph. Phipps felt that the incident was an unfavorable omen, and woulddiscourage his men. He cast about in his mind for a means ofretaliation. Far over the roofs of the city rose a tapering spire, that of the cathedral in the Upper Town. On this spire, the devoutCatholics of the French city had hung a picture of the Holy Family asan invocation of Divine aid. Through his spy-glass, Phipps could seethat some strange object hung from the steeple, and, suspecting itscharacter, commanded the gunners to try to knock it down. For hoursthe Puritans wasted their ammunition in this vain target-practice, butto no avail. The picture still hung on high; and the devout Frenchmenascribed its escape to a miracle, although its destruction would havebeen more miraculous still. It did not take long to convince Phipps that in this contest his fleetwas getting badly worsted, and he soon withdrew his vessels to a placeof safety. The flag-ship had been fairly riddled with shot; and herrigging was so badly cut, that she could only get out of range of theenemy's guns by cutting her cables, and drifting away with thecurrent. Her example was soon followed by the remaining vessels. Sorely crestfallen, Phipps abandoned the fight, and prepared to returnto Boston. His voyage thither was stormy; and three or four of hisvessels never were heard of, having been dashed to pieces by thewaves, or cast away upon the iron-bound coast of Nova Scotia or Maine. His expedition was the most costly in lives and in treasure everundertaken by a single colony, and, despite its failure, forms themost notable incident in the naval annals of the colonies prior to theRevolution. The French colonies continued to be a fruitful source of war andturmoil. Many were the joint military and naval expeditions fitted outagainst them by the British colonies. Quebec, Louisbourg, and PortRoyal were all threatened; and the two latter were captured bycolonial expeditions. From a naval point of view, these expeditionswere but trifling. They are of some importance, however, in that theygave the colonists an opportunity to try their prowess on the ocean;and in this irregular service were bred some sailors who fought rightvaliantly for the rebellious colonies against the king, and others whodid no less valiant service under the royal banner. CHAPTER III. OPENING OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. -- THE AFFAIR OF THE SCHOONER "ST. JOHN. " -- THE PRESS-GANG AND ITS WORK. -- THE SLOOP "LIBERTY. " -- DESTRUCTION OF THE "GASPEE. " -- THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY. It is unnecessary to enter into an account of the causes that led upto the revolt of the American Colonies against the oppression of KingGeorge and his subservient Parliament. The story of the Stamp Act, theindignation of the Colonies, their futile attempts to convinceParliament of the injustice of the measure, the stern measures adoptedby the British to put down the rising insubordination, the BostonMassacre, and the battles at Concord and Lexington are familiar toevery American boy. But not every young American knows that almost thefirst act of open resistance to the authority of the king took placeon the water, and was to some extent a naval action. The revenue laws, enacted by the English Parliament as a means ofextorting money from the Colonies, were very obnoxious to the peopleof America. Particularly did the colonists of Rhode Island protestagainst them, and seldom lost an opportunity to evade the payment ofthe taxes. Between Providence and Newport, illicit trade flourished; and thewaters of Narragansett Bay were dotted with the sail of small craftcarrying cargoes on which no duties had ever been paid. In order tostop this nefarious traffic, armed vessels were stationed in the Bay, with orders to chase and search all craft suspected of smuggling. Thepresence of these vessels gave great offence to the colonists, and theinflexible manner in which the naval officers discharged their dutycaused more than one open defiance of the authority of King George. The first serious trouble to grow out of the presence of the Britishcruisers in the bay was the affair of the schooner "St. John. " Thisvessel was engaged in patrolling the waters of the bay in search ofsmugglers. While so engaged, her commander, Lieut. Hill, learned thata brig had discharged a suspicious cargo at night near Howland'sFerry. Running down to that point to investigate, the king's officersfound the cargo to consist of smuggled goods; and, leaving a few menin charge, the cruiser hastily put out to sea in pursuit of thesmuggler. The swift sailing schooner soon overtook the brig, and thelatter was taken in to Newport as a prize. Although this affairoccurred early in 1764, the sturdy colonists even then had littleliking for the officers of the king. The sailors of the "St. John, "careless of the evident dislike of the citizens of the town, swaggeredabout the streets, boasting of their capture, and making merry at theexpense of the Yankees. Two or three fights between sailors andtownspeople so stirred up the landsmen, that they determined todestroy the "St. John, " and had actually fitted up an armed sloop forthat purpose, when a second man-of-war appeared in the harbor and puta final stopper to the project. Though thus balked of their revenge, the townspeople showed their hatred for the king's navy by seizing abattery, and firing several shots at the two armed vessels, butwithout effect. During the same year, the little town of Newport again gave evidenceof the growth of the revolutionary spirit. This time the good oldBritish custom of procuring sailors for the king's ships by a systemof kidnapping, commonly known as impressment, was the cause of theoutbreak. For some months the British man-of-war "Maidstone" lay inthe harbor of Newport, idly tugging at her anchors. It was a period ofpeace, and her officers had nothing to occupy their attention. Therefore they devoted themselves to increasing the crew of the vesselby means of raids upon the taverns along the water-front of the city. The seafaring men of Newport knew little peace while the "Maidstone"was in port. The king's service was the dread of every sailor; and, with the press-gang nightly walking the streets, no sailor could feelsecure. All knew the life led by the sailors on the king's ships. Those were the days when the cat-o'-nine-tails flourished, and thecommand of a beardless bit of a midshipmen was enough to send a poorfellow to the gratings, to have his back cut to pieces by themerciless lash. The Yankee sailors had little liking for this phase ofsea-life, and they gave the men-of-war a wide berth. Often it happened, however, that a party of jolly mariners sittingover their pipes and grog in the snug parlor of some seashore tavern, spinning yarns of the service they had seen on the gun-decks of hisMajesty's ships, or of shipwreck and adventure in the merchantservice, would start up and listen in affright, as the measured trampof a body of men came up the street. Then came the heavy blow on thedoor. "Open in the king's name, " shouts a gruff voice outside; and theentrapped sailors, overturning the lights, spring for doors andwindows, in vain attempts to escape the fate in store for them. Thepress-gang seldom returned to the ship empty handed, and the lucklesstar who once fell into their clutches was wise to accept his capturegood-naturedly; for the bos'n's cat was the remedy commonly prescribedfor sulkiness. As long as the "Maidstone" lay in the harbor of Newport, raids such asthis were of common occurrence. The people of the city grumbled alittle; but it was the king's will, and none dared oppose it. Thewives and sweethearts of the kidnapped sailors shed many a bitter tearover the disappearance of their husbands and lovers; but what were thetears of women to King George? And so the press-gang of the"Maidstone" might have continued to enjoy unopposed the stirring sportof hunting men like beasts, had the leaders not committed oneatrocious act of inhumanity that roused the long-suffering people toresistance. One breezy afternoon, a stanch brig, under full sail, came up the bay, and entered the harbor of Newport. Her sides were weather-beaten, andher dingy sails and patched cordage showed that she had just completedher long voyage. Her crew, a fine set of bronzed and hardy sailors, were gathered on her forecastle, eagerly regarding the cluster ofcottages that made up the little town of Newport. In those cottageswere many loved ones, wives, mothers, and sweethearts, whom the bravefellows had not seen for long and weary months; for the brig was justreturning from a voyage to the western coast of Africa. It is hard to describe the feelings aroused by the arrival of a shipin port after a long voyage. From the outmost end of the longestwharf the relatives and friends of the sailors eagerly watch theapproaching vessel, striving to find in her appearance some token ofthe safety of the loved ones on board. If a flag hangs at half-mast inthe rigging, bitter is the suspense, and fearful the dread, of eachanxious waiter, lest her husband or lover or son be the unfortunateone whose death is mourned. And on the deck of the ship the excitementis no less great. Even the hardened breast of the sailor swells withemotion when he first catches sight of his native town, after longmonths of absence. With eyes sharpened by constant searching forobjects upon the broad bosom of the ocean, he scans the waiting crowd, striving to distinguish in the distance some well-beloved face. Hisspirits are light with the happy anticipation of a season in port withhis loved ones, and he discharges his last duties before leaving theship with a blithe heart. So it was with the crew of the home-coming brig. Right merrily theysung out their choruses as they pulled at the ropes, and brought thevessel to anchor. The rumble of the hawser through the hawseholes wassweet music to their ears; and so intent were they upon the crowd onthe dock, that they did not notice two long-boats which had put offfrom the man-of-war, and were pulling for the brig. The captain of themerchantman, however, noticed the approach of the boats, and wonderedwhat it meant. "Those fellows think I've smuggled goods aboard, " saidhe. "However, they can spend their time searching if they want. I'venothing in the hold I'm afraid to have seen. " The boats were soon alongside; and two or three officers, with ahandful of jackies, clambered aboard the brig. "Muster your men aft, captain, " said the leader, scorning any responseto the captain's salutation. "The king has need of a few fine fellowsfor his service. " "Surely, sir, you are not about to press any of these men, " protestedthe captain. "They are just returning after a long voyage, and havenot yet seen their families. " "What's that to me, sir?" was the response. "Muster your crew withoutmore words. " Sullenly the men came aft, and ranged themselves in line before theboarding-officers. Each feared lest he might be one of those chosen tofill the ship's roll of the "Maidstone;" yet each cherished the hopethat he might be spared to go ashore, and see the loved ones whosegreeting he had so fondly anticipated. The boarding-officers looked the crew over, and, after consultingtogether, gruffly ordered the men to go below, and pack up theirtraps. "Surely you don't propose to take my entire crew?" said the captain ofthe brig in wondering indignation. "I know my business, sir, " was the gruff reply, "and I do not proposeto suffer any more interference. " The crew of the brig soon came on deck, carrying their bags ofclothes, and were ordered into the man-o'-war's boats, which speedilyconveyed them to their floating prison. Their fond visions of home hadbeen rudely dispelled. They were now enrolled in his Majesty'sservice, and subject to the will of a blue-coated tyrant. This was alltheir welcome home. When the news of this cruel outrage reached the shore, the indignationof the people knew no bounds. The thought of their fellow-townsmenthus cruelly deprived of their liberty, at the conclusion of a longand perilous voyage, set the whole village in a turmoil. Wild plotswere concocted for the destruction of the man-of-war, that, sullen andunyielding, lay at her anchorage in the harbor. But the wrong done wasbeyond redress. The captured men were not to be liberated. There wasno ordnance in the little town to compete with the guns of the"Maidstone, " and the enraged citizens could only vent their anger byimpotent threats and curses. Bands of angry men and boys paraded thestreets, crying, "Down with the press-gang, " and invoking thevengeance of Heaven upon the officers of the man-of-war. Finally, theyfound a boat belonging to the "Maidstone" lying at a wharf. Draggingthis ashore, the crowd procured ropes, and, after pulling the capturedtrophy up and down the streets, took it to the common in front of theCourt-House, where it was burned in the presence of a great crowd, which heaped execrations upon the heads of the officers of the"Maidstone, " and King George's press-gang. After this occurrence, there was a long truce between the people ofNewport and the officers of the British navy. But the little town wasintolerant of oppression, and the revolutionary spirit broke out againin 1769. Historians have eulogized Boston as the cradle of liberty, and by the British pamphleteers of that era the Massachusetts citywas often called a hot-bed of rebellion. It would appear, however, that, while the people of Boston were resting contentedly under theking's rule, the citizens of Newport were chafing under the yoke, andwere quick to resist any attempts at tyranny. It is noticeable, that, in each outbreak of the people of Newportagainst the authority of the king's vessels, the vigor of theresistance increased, and their acts of retaliation became bolder. Thus in the affair of the "St. John" the king's vessel was fired on, while in the affair of the "Maidstone" the royal property was actuallydestroyed. In the later affairs with the sloop "Liberty" and theschooner "Gaspee, " the revolt of the colonists was still more open, and the consequences more serious. In 1769 the armed sloop "Liberty, " Capt. Reid, was stationed inNarragansett Bay for the purpose of enforcing the revenue laws. Hererrand made her obnoxious to the people on the coast, and theextraordinary zeal of her captain in discharging his duty made herdoubly detested by seafaring people afloat or shore. On the 17th of July the "Liberty, " while cruising near the mouth ofthe bay, sighted a sloop and a brig under full sail, bound out. Promptly giving chase, the armed vessel soon overtook the merchantmensufficiently to send a shot skipping along the crests of the waves, asa polite Invitation to stop. The two vessels hove to, and a boat wassent from the man-of-war to examine their papers, and see if all wasright. Though no flaw was found in the papers of either vessel, Capt. Reid determined to take them back to Newport, which was done. In theharbor the two vessels were brought to anchor under the guns of thearmed sloop, and without any reason or explanation were kept thereseveral days. After submitting to this wanton detention for two days, Capt. Packwood of the brig went on board the "Liberty" to make aprotest to Capt. Reid, and at the same time to get some wearingapparel taken from his cabin at the time his vessel had been captured. On reaching the deck of the armed vessel, he found Capt. Reid absent, and his request for his property was received with ridicule. Hot wordssoon led to violence; and as Capt. Packwood stepped in to his boat toreturn to his ship, he was fired at several times, none of the shotstaking effect. [Illustration: Siege of Charleston, S. C. , May, 1780. Copyright, 1874, by Johnson, Wilson & Co. ] The news of this assault spread like wildfire in the little town. Thepeople congregated on the streets, demanding reparation. Theauthorities sent a message to Capt. Reid, demanding that the man whofired the shots be given up. Soon a boat came from the "Liberty, "bringing a man who was handed over to the authorities as the culprit. A brief examination into the case showed that the man was not theguilty party, and that his surrender was a mere subterfuge. The peoplethen determined to be trifled with no longer, and made preparations totake vengeance upon the insolent oppressors. The work of preparation went on quietly; and by nightfall a largenumber of men had agreed to assemble at a given signal, and march uponthe enemy. Neither the authorities of the town nor the officers on thethreatened vessel were given any intimation of the impending outbreak. Yet the knots of men who stood talking earnestly on the streetcorners, or looked significantly at the trim navy vessel lying in theharbor, might have well given cause for suspicion. That night, just as the dusk was deepening into dark, a crowd of menmarched down the street to a spot where a number of boats lay hiddenin the shadow of a wharf. Embarking in these silently, they bent tothe oars at the whispered word of command; and the boats were soongliding swiftly over the smooth, dark surface of the harbor, towardthe sloop-of-war. As they drew near, the cry of the lookout rangout, -- "Boat ahoy!" No answer. The boats, crowded with armed men, still advanced. "Boat ahoy! Answer, or I'll fire. " And, receiving no response, the lookout gave the alarm, and the watchcame tumbling up, just in time to be driven below or disarmed by thecrowd of armed men that swarmed over the gunwale of the vessel. Therewas no bloodshed. The crew of the "Liberty" was fairly surprised, andmade no resistance. The victorious citizens cut the sloop's cables, and allowed her to float on shore near Long Wharf. Then, feeling surethat their prey could not escape them, they cut away her masts, liberated their captives, and taking the sloop's boats, dragged themthrough the streets to the common, where they were burned on atriumphal bonfire, amid the cheers of the populace. But the exploit was not to end here. With the high tide the next day, the hulk of the sloop floated away, and drifted ashore again on GoatIsland. When night fell, some adventurous spirits stealthily wentover, and, applying the torch to the stranded ship, burned it to thewater's edge. Thus did the people of Newport resist tyranny. It may well be imagined that so bold a defiance of the royal authoritycaused a great sensation. Prolonged and vigorous were the attempts ofthe servants of the king to find out the rebellious parties who hadthus destroyed his Majesty's property. But their efforts were in vain. The identity of the captors of the "Liberty" was carefully concealed, and even to this day none of their names has become known. But, beforethe people of Newport had done talking about this affair, anotheroutbreak occurred, which cast the capture and destruction of the"Liberty" into the shade. This was the affair of the "Gaspee, "--considered by many historiansthe virtual opening of the revolutionary struggle of the Coloniesagainst Great Britain. The "Gaspee, " like the "St. John" and the"Liberty, " was an armed vessel stationed in Narragansett Bay toenforce the revenue. She was commanded by Lieut. Dudingston of theBritish navy, and carried eight guns. By pursuing the usual tactics ofthe British officers stationed on the American coast, Duddingston hadmade himself hated; and his vessel was marked for destruction. Not aboat could pass between Providence and Newport without being subjectedto search by the crew of the "Gaspee;" and the Yankee sailors sworedarkly, that, when the time was ripe, they would put an end to theBritisher's officious meddling. The propitious time arrived one bright June morning in the year 1772, when the "Gaspee" gave chase to a Newport packet which was scuddingfor Providence, under the command of Capt. Thomas Lindsey. The armedvessel was a clean-cut little craft, and, carrying no heavier loadthan a few light guns of the calibre then in vogue, could overhaulwith ease almost any merchantman on the coast. So on this eventful dayshe was rapidly overhauling the chase, when, by a blunder of thepilot, she was run hard and fast upon a spit of sand running out fromNamquit Point, and thus saw her projected prize sail away in triumph. But the escape of her prize was not the greatest disaster that was tobefall the "Gaspee" that day. Lindsey, finding himself safe from theclutches of the enemy, continued his course to Providence, and onarriving at that city reported the condition of the "Gaspee" to aprominent citizen, who straightway determined to organize anexpedition for the destruction of the pest of marine traffic. Hetherefore gave orders to a trusty ship-master to collect eight of thelargest long-boats in the harbor, and, having muffled their oars androwlocks, place them at Fenner's Wharf, near a noted tavern. That night, soon after sunset, as the tradesmen were shutting up theirshops, and the laboring men were standing on the streets talking aftertheir day's work, a man passed down the middle of each street, beatinga drum, and crying aloud, -- "The schooner 'Gaspee' is ashore on Namquit Point. Who will helpdestroy her?" All who expressed a desire to join in the enterprise were directed torepair to the Sabin House; and thither, later in the evening, flockedmany of the townspeople carrying guns, powder-flasks, andbullet-pouches. Within the house all was life and bustle. The greathall was crowded with determined men, discussing the plan of attack. Guns stood in every corner, while down in the kitchen a half a dozenmen stood about a glowing fire busily casting bullets. At last, allbeing prepared, the party crossed the street to the dock, andembarked, --a veteran sea-captain taking the tiller of each boat. On the way down the harbor the boats stopped, and took aboard a numberof paving-stones and stout clubs, as weapons for those who had nomuskets. After this stoppage the boats continued on their way, until, when within sixty yards of the "Gaspee, " the long-drawn hail. "Whocomes there?" rang out over the water. No answer was made, and thelookout quickly repeated his hail. Capt. Whipple, one of the leaders ofthe attack, then responded, -- "I want to come on board. " Dudingston, who was below at the time, rushed on deck, exclaiming, "Stand off. You can't come aboard. " As Dudingston stood at the side of the "Gaspee" warning off theassailants, he presented a good mark; and Joseph Bucklin, who pulledan oar in the leading boat, turned to a comrade and said, "Ephe, lendme your gun, and I can kill that fellow. " The gun was accordinglyhanded him, and he fired. Dudingston fell to the deck. Just as theshot was fired, the leader of the assailants cried out, -- "I am sheriff of the county of Kent. I am come for the commander ofthis vessel; and have him I will, dead or alive. Men, spring to youroars. " In an instant the boats were under the lee of the schooner, and theattacking party was clambering over the side. The first man to attemptto board seized a rope, and was clambering up, when one of the Britishcut the rope, and let him fall into the water. He quickly recoveredhimself, and was soon on deck, where he found his comrades driving thecrew of the "Gaspee" below, and meeting with but little resistance. A surgeon who was with the party of Americans led the boarders below, and began the task of tying the hands of the captured crew with strongtarred cord. While thus engaged, he was called on deck. "What is wanted, Mr. Brown?" asked he, calling the name of the personinquiring for him. "Don't call names, but go immediately into the cabin, " was theresponse. "There is one wounded, and will bleed to death. " The surgeon went into the captain's cabin, and there found Dudingston, severely wounded, and bleeding freely. Seeing no cloth suitable forbandages, the surgeon opened his vest, and began to tear his own shirtinto strips to bind up the wound. With the tenderest care the hurt ofthe injured officer was attended to; and he was gently lowered into aboat, and rowed up the river to Providence. The Americans remained in possession of the captured schooner, andquickly began the work of demolition. In the captain's cabin were anumber of bottles of liquor, and for these the men made a rush; butthe American surgeon dashed the bottles to pieces with the heels ofhis heavy boots, so that no scenes of drunkenness were enacted. Afterbreaking up the furniture and trappings of the craft, her people werebundled over the side into the boats of their captors, and the torchwas set to the schooner. The boats layoff a little distance until theroaring flames satisfied them that the "Gaspee" would never againannoy American merchantmen. As the schooner's shotted guns went offone after the other, the Americans turned their boats' prows homeward, and soon dispersed quietly to their homes. It is almost incredible that the identity of the parties to thisexpedition was kept a secret until long after the Revolution. Althoughthe British authorities made the most strenuous efforts, and offeredhuge rewards for the detection of the culprits, not one was discovereduntil after the Colonies had thrown off the royal yoke, when they cameboldly forward, and boasted of their exploit. After the destruction of the "Gaspee, " the colonists in no way openlyopposed the authority of the king, until the time of those stirringevents immediately preceding the American Revolution. Little was doneon the water to betoken the hatred of the colonists for King George. The turbulent little towns of Providence and Newport subsided, and thescene of revolt was transferred to Massachusetts, and particularly toBoston. In the streets of Boston occurred the famous massacre, and atthe wharves of Boston lay the three ships whose cargo aroused the ireof the famous Boston tea-party. To almost every young American the story of the Boston tea-party is asfamiliar as his own name, --how the British Parliament levied a taxupon tea, how the Colonies refused to pay it; and determined to usenone of the article; how British merchants strove to force the teaupon the unwilling colonists, and how the latter refused to permit thevessels to unload, and in some cases drove them back to England. AtPhiladelphia, Annapolis, Charleston, Newport, and Providence, disturbances took place over the arrival of the tea-ships; but atBoston the turbulence was the greatest. The story of that dramatic scene in the great drama of Americanrevolution has been told too often to bear repetition. The arrival ofthree ships laden with tea aroused instant indignation in the NewEngland city. Mass meetings were held, the captains of the vesselswarned not to attempt to unload their cargoes, and the consignees wereterrified into refusing to have any thing to do with the tea. In the midst of an indignation meeting held at the Old South Church, ashrill war-whoop resounded from one of the galleries. The startledaudience, looking in that direction, saw a person disguised as aMohawk Indian, who wildly waved his arms and shouted, -- "Boston Harbor, a tea-pot to-night! Hurrah for Griffin's Wharf. " In wild excitement the meeting adjourned, and the people crowded outinto the streets. Other Indians were seen running down the streets inthe direction of Griffin's Wharf, where the tea-ships were moored, andthither the people turned their steps. On reaching the wharf, a scene of wild confusion was witnessed. Thethree tea-ships lay side by side at the wharf. Their decks werecrowded with men, many of them wearing the Indian disguise. Thehatches were off the hatchways; and the chests of tea were beingrapidly passed up, broken open, and thrown overboard. There was littlenoise, as the workers seemed to be well disciplined, and went abouttheir work in the bright moonlight with systematic activity. In aboutthree hours the work was done. Three hundred and forty-two chests oftea had been thrown overboard, and the rioters dispersed quietly totheir homes. The incident of the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor was thelast of the petty incidents that led up to the American Revolution. Following quick upon it came Lexington, Concord, and BunkerHill, --then the great conflict was fairly under way, and the Colonieswere fighting for liberty. What part the sailors of the colonies tookin that struggle, it is the purpose of this book to recount. CHAPTER IV. THE BEGINNING OF THE NAVY. -- LEXINGTON AND CONCORD. -- A BLOW STRUCK IN MAINE. -- CAPTURE OF THE "MARGARETTA. " -- GEN. WASHINGTON AND THE NAVY. -- WORK OF CAPT. MANLY. In treating of the history of the navy during the war of theRevolution, we must always bear in mind the fact, that, during thegreater part of that war, there was no navy. Indeed, the subjectpresents much the same aspect as the celebrated chapter on snakes inIreland, which consisted of exactly six words, "There are no snakes inIreland. " So many of the episodes and incidents of the Revolutionarywar that we chronicle as part of the naval history of that struggleare naval only in that they took place on the water. The participantsin them were often longshoremen, fishermen, or privateersmen, and butseldom sailors enrolled in the regular navy of the united colonies. Nevertheless, these irregular forces accomplished some results thatwould be creditable to a navy in the highest state of efficiency anddiscipline. The expense of building vessels-of-war, and the difficulty, amountingeven to impossibility, of procuring cannon for their armament, deterred the Colonies from equipping a naval force. All the energiesof the revolutionists were directed towards organizing and equippingthe army. The cause of independence upon the ocean was left to shiftfor itself. But, as the war spread, the depredations of Britishvessels along the coast became so intolerable that some coloniesfitted out armed vessels for self-protection. Private enterprise sentout many privateers to prey upon British commerce, so that theopening months of the year 1776 saw many vessels on the ocean tosupport the cause of the Colonies. To man these vessels, there wereplenty of sailors; for even at that early day New England had begun todevelop that race of hardy seamen for which she is still noted in thisday of decadence in the American marine. There was, however, a sadlack of trained officers to command the vessels of the infant navy. Many Americans were enrolled on the lists of the ships flying theroyal banner of England, but most of these remained in the Britishservice. The men, therefore, who were to command the ships of thecolonies, were trained in the rough school of the merchant service, and had smelt gunpowder only when resisting piratical attacks, or inserving themselves as privateers. For these reasons the encounters and exploits that we shall consideras being part of the naval operations of the Revolutionary war were ofa kind that would to-day be regarded as insignificant skirmishes; andthe naval officer of to-day would look with supreme contempt upon mostof his brethren of '76, as so many untrained sea-guerillas. Nevertheless, the achievements of some of the seamen of the Revolutionare not insignificant, even when compared with exploits of the era ofFarragut; and it must be remembered that the efforts of the devotedmen were directed against a nation that had in commission at theopening of the war three hundred and fifty-three vessels, and eventhen bore proudly the title conferred upon her by the consent of allnations, --"The Mistress of the Seas. " It was on the 19th of April, 1775, that the redoubtable Major Pitcairnand his corps of scarlet-coated British regulars shot down thecolonists on the green at Lexington, and then fled back to Bostonfollowed by the enraged minute-men, who harassed the retreatingredcoats with a constant fire of musketry. The news of the battlespread far and wide; and wherever the story was told, the colonistsbegan arming themselves, and preparing for resistance to thecontinually increasing despotism of the British authorities. On the 9th of May, a coasting schooner from Boston put into the littleseaport of Machias on the coast of Maine. The people of the littletown gathered at the wharf, and from the sailors first heard the storyof Lexington and Concord. The yoke of the British Government hadrested lightly on the shoulders of the people of Machias. Far fromthe chief cities of the New World, they had heard little of thecontinued dissensions between the Colonies and the home Government, and they heard the story of the rebellion with amazement. But howeverunprepared they might have been for the news of the outbreak, theirsympathies went warmly out to their struggling brethren, and theydetermined to place themselves shoulder to shoulder with theMassachusetts colonists in the fight against the oppression of theBritish. Their opportunity for action came that very night. As the sturdy young colonists stood on the deck listening to thestories of the newly arrived sailors, they could see floating lightlyat anchor near the wharf a trimly rigged schooner flying the ensign ofthe British navy. This craft was the "Margaretta, " an armed schooneracting as convoy to two sloops that were then loading with ship-timberto be used in the service of the king. The Boston sailors had not yet finished their narrative of the twobattles, when the thought occurred to some of the adventurouslisteners that they might strike a retaliatory blow by capturing the"Margaretta. " Therefore, bidding the sailors to say nothing to theBritish of Lexington and Concord, they left the wharf and dispersedthrough the town, seeking for recruits. That same evening, sixtystalwart men assembled in a secluded farm-house, and laid their plansfor the destruction of the schooner. It was then Saturday night, andthe conspirators determined to attack the vessel the next morningwhile the officers were at church. All were to proceed by twos andthrees to the wharf, in order that no suspicion might be aroused. Onceat the water-side, they would rush to their boats, and carry theschooner by boarding. Sunday morning dawned clear, and all seemed propitious for theconspirators. The "Margaretta" had then been in port for more than aweek, and her officers had no reason to doubt the loyalty andfriendship of the inhabitants: no whisper of the occurrences inMassachusetts, nor any hint of the purposes of the people of Machias, had reached their ears. Therefore, on this peaceful May morning, Capt. Moore donned his full-dress uniform, and with his brother officersproceeded to the little church in the village. Every thing then seemed favorable to the success of the adventure. The "Margaretta, " manned by a sleepy crew, and deserted by herofficers, lay within easy distance of the shore. It seemed as thoughthe conspirators had only to divide into two parties; and while theone surrounded the church, and captured the worshipping officers, theothers might descend upon the schooner, and easily make themselvesmasters of all. But the plot failed. History fails to record just how or why thesuspicions of Capt. Moore were aroused. Whether it was that the warycaptain noticed the absence of most of the young men of thecongregation, or whether he saw the conspirators assembling on thedock, is not known. But certain it is that the good dominie in thepulpit, and the pious people in the pews, were mightily startled bythe sudden uprisal of Capt. Moore, who sprang from his seat, and, calling upon his officers to follow him, leaped through the greatwindow of the church, and ran like mad for the shore, followed by therest of the naval party. There was no more church for the good people of Machias that morning. Even the preacher came down from his pulpit to stare through hishorn-rimmed glasses at the retreating forms of his whilom listeners. And, as he stood in blank amazement at the church door, he saw a largeparty of the missing young men of his congregation come dashing downthe street in hot pursuit of the retreating mariners. In their hands, the pursuers carried sabres, cutlasses, old flint-lock muskets, cumbrous horse-pistols, scythes, and reaping-hooks. The pursued woreno arms; and, as no boat awaited them at the shore, their case lookedhopeless indeed. But the old salt left in charge of the schooner wasequal to the occasion. The unsabbath-like tumult on the shore quicklyattracted his attention, and with unfeigned astonishment he hadobserved his commander's unseemly egress from the church. But, whenthe armed band of colonists appeared upon the scene, he ceased to rubhis eyes in wonder, and quickly loaded up a swivel gun, with which helet fly, over the heads of his officers, and in dangerous proximity tothe advancing colonists. This fire checked the advance of theconspirators; and, while they wavered and hung back, a boat put offfrom the schooner, and soon took the officers aboard. Then, afterfiring a few solid shot over the town, merely as an admonition of whatmight be expected if the hot-headed young men persisted in theirviolent outbreaks, the "Margaretta" dropped down the bay to a moresecluded anchorage. The defeated conspirators were vastly chagrined at the miscarriage oftheir plot; but, nothing daunted, they resolved to attempt to carrythe schooner by assault, since strategy had failed. Therefore, earlythe next morning, four young men seized upon a sloop, and, bringingher up to the wharf, cheered lustily. A crowd soon gathered, and theproject was explained, and volunteers called for. Thirty-five hardysailors and woodmen hastily armed themselves with muskets, pitchforks, and axes; and, after taking aboard a small supply of provisions, thesloop dropped down the harbor toward the "Margaretta. " The captain ofthe threatened schooner had observed through his spy-glass theproceedings at the wharf, and suspected his danger. He was utterlyignorant of the reason for this sudden hostility on the part of thepeople of Machias. He knew nothing of the quarrel that had thusprovoked the rebellion of the colonies. Therefore, he sought to avoida conflict; and, upon the approach of the sloop, he hoisted hisanchor, and fled down the bay. The sloop followed in hot haste. The Yankees crowded forward, andshouted taunts and jeers at their more powerful enemy who thus stroveto avoid the conflict. Both vessels were under full sail; and the sizeof the schooner was beginning to tell, when, in jibing, she carriedaway her main boom. Nevertheless, she was so far ahead of the sloopthat she was able to put into Holmes Bay, and take a spar out of avessel lying there, before the sloop overtook her. But the delayincident upon changing the spars brought the sloop within range; andCapt. Moore, still anxious to avoid an encounter, cut away his boats, and stood out to sea. With plenty of sea room, and with a spankingbreeze on the quarter, the sloop proved to be the better sailer. Moorethen prepared for battle, and, as the sloop overhauled him, let flyone of his swivels, following it immediately with his whole broadside, killing one man. The sloop returned the fire with her one piece ofordnance, which was so well aimed as to kill the man at the helm ofthe "Margaretta, " and clear her quarter-deck. The two vessels thenclosed, and a hand-to-hand battle began, in which muskets, hand-grenades, pikes, pitchforks, and cutlasses were used with deadlyeffect. The colonists strove to board their enemy, but were repeatedlybeaten back. If any had thought that Capt. Moore's continued effortsto avoid a conflict were signs of cowardice, they were quicklyundeceived; for that officer fought like a tiger, standing on thequarter-deck rail, cheering on his men, and hurling hand-grenades downupon his assailants, until a shot brought him down. The fall of theircaptain disheartened the British; and the Americans quickly swarmedover the sides of the "Margaretta, " and drove her crew below. This victory was no mean achievement for the colonists. The"Margaretta" was vastly the superior, both in metal and in thestrength of her crew. She was ably officered by trained and courageousseamen; while the Yankees had no leaders save one Jeremiah O'Brien, whom they had elected, by acclamation, captain. That the Americans hadso quickly brought their more powerful foe to terms, spoke volumes fortheir pluck and determination. Nor were they content to rest with thecapture of the schooner. Transferring her armament to the sloop, O'Brien set out in search of prizes, and soon fell in with, andcaptured, two small British cruisers. These he took to Watertown, where the Massachusetts Legislature was then in session. The news ofhis victory was received with vast enthusiasm; and the Legislatureconferred upon him the rank of captain, and ordered him to set out onanother cruise, and particularly watch out for British vesselsbringing over provisions or munitions of war to the king's troops inAmerica. But by this time Great Britain was aroused. The king saw all Americaup in arms against his authority, and he determined to punish therebellious colonists. A naval expedition was therefore sent againstFalmouth, and that unfortunate town was given to the flames. TheLegislature of Massachusetts then passed a law granting commissions toprivateers, and directing the seizure of British ships. Thereafter thehostilities on the ocean, which had been previously unauthorized andsomewhat piratical, had the stamp of legislative authority. Petty hostilities along the coast were very active during the firstfew months of the war. The exploits of Capt. O'Brien stirred up seamenfrom Maine to the Carolinas, and luckless indeed was the Britishvessel that fell into their clutches. At Providence two armed Americanvessels re-took a Yankee brig and sloop that had been captured by theBritish. At Dartmouth a party of soldiers captured a British armedbrig. In addition to these exploits, the success of the Americanprivateers, which had got to sea in great numbers, added greatly tothe credit of the American cause. The first order looking toward the establishment of a national navywas given by Gen. Washington in the latter part of 1775. Thesagacious general, knowing that the British forces in Boston weresupplied with provisions and munitions of war by sea, conceived theidea of fitting out some swift-sailing cruisers to intercept theenemy's cruisers, and cut off their supplies. Accordingly, on his ownauthority, he sent out Capt. Broughton with two armed schoonersbelonging to the colony of Massachusetts. Broughton was ordered tointercept two brigs bound for Quebec with military stores. This hefailed to do, but brought in ten other vessels. Congress, however, directed the release of the captured ships, as it was then intendedonly to take such vessels as were actually employed in the king'sservice. By this time Congress had become convinced that some naval force wasabsolutely essential to the success of the American cause. In October, 1775, it therefore fitted out, and ordered to sea, a number of smallvessels. Of these the first to sail was the "Lee, " under command ofCapt. John Manly, whose honorable name, won in the opening years ofthe Revolution, fairly entitles him to the station of the father ofthe American navy. With his swift cruiser, Manly patrolled the New England coast, and wasmarvellously successful in capturing British storeships. Washingtonwrote to Congress, "I am in very great want of powder, lead, mortars, and, indeed, most sorts of military stores. " Hardly had the letterbeen forwarded, when Manly appeared in port with a prize heavy ladenwith just the goods for which the commander-in-chief had applied. Aqueer coincidence is on record regarding these captured stores. SamuelTucker, an able Yankee seaman, later an officer in the American navy, was on the docks at Liverpool as a transport was loading for America. As he saw the great cases of guns and barrels of powder marked"Boston" being lowered into the hold of the vessel, he said to afriend who stood with him, "I would walk barefoot one hundred miles, if by that means these arms could only take the direction ofCambridge. " Three months later Tucker was in Washington's camp atCambridge, and there saw the very arms he had so coveted on theLiverpool docks. They had been captured by Capt. Manly. Manly's activity proved very harassing to the British, and thesloop-of-war "Falcon" was sent out to capture the Yankee. She fell inwith the "Lee" near Gloucester, just as the latter was making forthat port with a merchant schooner in convoy. Manly, seeing that theEnglishman was too heavy for him, deserted his convoy and ran into theport, where he anchored, out of reach of the sloop's guns. Capt. Lindzee of the "Falcon" stopped to capture the abandoned schooner, andthen taking his vessel to the mouth of the port, anchored her in sucha way as to prevent any escape for the "Lee. " He then prepared tocapture the Yankee by boarding. The "Falcon" drew too much water torun alongside the "Lee" at the anchorage Manly had chosen; and theEnglishman therefore put his men in large barges, and with a force ofabout forty men set out to capture the schooner. Manly saw the forcethat was to be brought against him, and sent his men to quarters, preparing for a desperate resistance. The schooner was lying near theshore; and the townspeople and militia gathered by the water-side, with guns in their hands, prepared to lend their aid to the bravedefenders of the "Lee. " As the three barges drew near the schooner, Manly mounted the rail, and hailed them, warning them to keep off lesthe fire upon them. "Fire, and be hanged to you, " was the response of the lieutenant incommand of the assailants. "We have no fear of traitors. " So saying, the British pressed on through a fierce storm of musketryfrom the deck of the schooner and from the shore. They showed no lackof courage. The lieutenant himself brought his boat under the cabinwindows, and was in the act of boarding, when a shot from the shorestruck him in the thigh, and he was carried back to the man-of-war. Capt. Lindzee, who had watched the progress of the fight from the deckof the "Falcon, " was greatly enraged when his lieutenant was thusdisabled; and he hastily despatched re-enforcements to the scene ofaction, and directed the gunners on the "Falcon" to commence acannonade of the town. "Now, " said he with an oath, "my boys, we will aim at the Presbyterianchurch. Well, my brave fellows, one shot more, and the house of Godwill fall before you. " But the British were fairly outfought, and the outcome of the battlewas disastrous to them. A newspaper of the period, speaking of thefight says, "Under God, our little party at the water-side performedwonders; for they soon made themselves masters of both the schooners, the cutter, the two barges, the boat, and every man in them, and allthat pertained to them. In the action, which lasted several hours, wehave lost but one man; two others wounded, --one of whom is since dead, the other very slightly wounded. We took of the man-of-war's menthirty-five; several are wounded, and one since dead; twenty-four aresent to headquarters. The remainder, being impressed from this andneighboring towns, are permitted to return to their friends. Thismorning Capt. Lindzee warped off with but one-half of his men, withneither a prize-boat nor tender, except a small skiff the woundedlieutenant returned in. " The work done by the small armed schooners of which the "Lee" was atype encouraged Congress to proceed with the work of organizing aregular navy; and by the end of 1775 that body had authorized thebuilding of thirteen war-vessels carrying from twenty-four tothirty-two guns each. But as some naval force was obviously necessaryduring the construction of this fleet, five vessels were procured, andthe new navy was organized with the following roster of officers:-- Esek Hopkins _Commander-in-chief. _ Dudley Saltonstall _Captain of the "Alfred. "_ Abraham Whipple _Captain of the "Columbus. "_ Nicholas Biddle _Captain of the "Andrea Doria. "_ John B. Hopkins _Captain of the "Cabot. "_ A long list of lieutenants was also provided, among whom stands outboldly the name of John Paul Jones. John Manly, whose dashing work inthe schooner "Lee" we have already noticed, was left in command of hislittle craft until the thirty-two-gun ship "Hancock" was completed, when he was put in charge of her. It may possibly have occurred to some of my readers to wonder whatflag floated from the mastheads of these ships. There is muchconfusion upon this point, and not a little uncertainty. There werethree classes of American armed vessels on the seas. First were theprivateers, that sailed under any flag that might suit their purpose. Next came the vessels fitted out and commissioned by the individualcolonies; these usually floated the flag of the colony from which theyhailed. Last came the vessels commissioned by Congress, which at theoutset floated many banners of diverse kinds. It fell to the lot ofLieut. Paul Jones, however, to hoist the first authorized Americanflag over a regularly commissioned vessel-of-war. This flag was ofbunting, showing a pine-tree on a plain white ground, with the words"Liberty Tree" and "Appeal to God" prominently displayed. This flagwas chiefly used until the adoption of the stars and stripes. The"rattlesnake flag, " with a reptile in the act of striking, and thelegend "Don't tread on me, " was largely used by the privateers. The year 1775 closed with but little activity upon the ocean. Theships of the regular navy were late in getting into commission, and anearly winter impeded their usefulness. Some little work was done byprivateers and the ships of the different colonies, and the ships ofthe British navy were kept fully occupied in guarding against theoperations of these gentry. The man-of-war "Nautilus" chased anAmerican privateer into a little cove near Beverly, and in the heat ofthe chase both vessels ran aground. The people on shore put off to theprivateer, and quickly stripped her of her cordage and armament, andwith the guns built a small battery by the water-side, from which theyopened a telling fire upon the stranded "Nautilus. " The man-of-warreturned in kind, and did some slight damage to the town; but when thetide had risen she slipped her cables and departed. Such desultoryencounters were of frequent occurrence, but no naval battles of anyimportance took place until the spring of 1776. [Illustration: Commodore Esek Hopkins. ] CHAPTER V. EVENTS OF 1776. -- THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE REGULAR NAVY. -- THE "LEXINGTON" AND THE "EDWARD. " -- MUGFORD'S BRAVE FIGHT. -- LOSS OF THE "YANKEE HERO. " -- CAPT. MANLY, AND THE "DEFENCE. " -- AMERICAN VESSELS IN EUROPEAN WATERS. -- GOOD WORK OF THE "LEXINGTON" AND THE "REPRISAL. " -- THE BRITISH DEFEATED AT CHARLESTON. The year 1776 witnessed some good service done for the cause ofliberty by the little colonial navy. The squadron, under the commandof Ezekiel Hopkins, left the Delaware in February, as soon as the icehad left the river, and made a descent upon the island of NewProvidence, where the British had established a naval station. Theforce under Hopkins consisted of seven vessels-of-war, and onedespatch-boat. The attack was successful in every way, a landing partyof three hundred marines and sailors which was sent ashore meetingwith but little resistance from the British garrison. By this exploit, the Americans captured over a hundred cannon, and a great quantity ofnaval stores. After this exploit, Hopkins left New Providence, carrying away withhim the governor and one or two notable citizens, and continued hiscruise. His course was shaped to the northward, and early in April hefound himself off the shore of Long Island. He had picked up a coupleof insignificant British vessels, --one a tender of six guns, and theother an eight-gun bomb-brig. But his cruise had been mainly barren ofresults; and his crew, who had looked forward to sharp service andplenty of prize-money, were beginning to grumble. But their inactivitywas not of long duration; for before daylight on the morning of April6, the lookout at the masthead of the "Alfred" sighted a large ship, bearing down upon the American squadron. The night was clear andbeautiful, the wind light, and the sea smooth; and so, although itlacked several hours to daylight, the commanders determined to givebattle to the stranger. Soon, therefore, the roll of the drums beatingto quarters was heard over the water, and the angry glare of thebattle lanterns on the gun-decks made the open ports of the war-shipsstand out like fiery eyes against the black hulls. The Englishman, whoproved later to be the "Glasgow, " twenty guns, carrying one hundredand fifty men, might easily have escaped; but, apparently undaunted bythe odds against him, he awaited the attack. The little "Cabot" wasthe first American ship to open fire on the enemy. Her attack, thoughsharp and plucky, was injudicious; for two of the Englishman's heavybroadsides were enough to send her out of the battle for repairs. The"Glasgow" and the "Alfred" then took up the fight, and exchangedrepeated broadsides; the American vessel suffering the more seriousinjuries of the two. After some hours of this fighting, the "Glasgow"hauled away, and made good her escape, although she was almostsurrounded by the vessels of the American squadron. It would seem thatonly the most careless seamanship on the part of the Americans couldhave enabled a twenty-gun vessel to escape from four vessels, each oneof which was singly almost a match for her. It is evident that theContinental Congress took the same view of the matter, for Hopkins wassoon after dismissed from the service. This action was little to the credit of the sailors of the colonialnavy. Fortunately, a second action during the same month set them in abetter light before the people of the country. This was the encounterof the "Lexington, " Capt. Barry, with the British vessel "Edward, " offthe capes of Virginia. The two vessels were laid yard-arm to yard-arm;and a hot battle ensued, in which the Americans came off the victors. The career of this little American brig was a rather remarkable one. The year following her capture of the "Edward, " she was again off thecapes of the Delaware, and again fell in with a British ship. Thistime, however, the Englishman was a frigate, and the luckless"Lexington" was forced to surrender. Her captor left the Americansaboard their own craft, and, putting a prize crew aboard, ordered themto follow in the wake of the frigate. That night the Americans plottedthe recapture of their vessel. By a concerted movement, theyoverpowered their captors; and the "Lexington" was taken intoBaltimore, where she was soon recommissioned, and ordered to cruise inEuropean waters. Shortly after the battle between the "Lexington" and the "Edward, "there was fought in Massachusetts Bay an action in which the Americansshowed the most determined bravery, and which for the courage shown, and losses suffered on either side, may well be regarded as the mostimportant of the naval battles of that year. Early in May, a merchantseaman named Mugford had succeeded, after great importunity, insecuring the command of the armed vessel "Franklin, " a small cruisermounting only four guns. The naval authorities had been unwilling togive him the command, though he showed great zeal in pressing hissuit. Indeed, after the appointment had been made, certain damagingrumors concerning the newly appointed captain reached the ears of themarine committee, and caused them to send an express messenger toBoston to cancel Mugford's commission. But the order arrived too late. Mugford had already fitted out his ship, and sailed. He had been but afew days at sea, when the British ship "Hope, " of four hundred tonsand mounting six guns, hove in sight. More than this, the lookoutreported that the fleet of the British commodore Banks lay but a fewmiles away, and in plain sight. Many a man would have been daunted bysuch odds. Not so Capt. Mugford. Mustering his men, he showed them theBritish ship, told them that she carried heavier metal than the"Franklin, " told them that the British fleet lay near at hand, andwould doubtless try to take a hand in the engagement; then, havingpointed out all the odds against them, he said, "Now, my lads, it's adesperate case; but we can take her, and win lots of glory andprize-money. Will you stand by me?" The jackies wasted no time in debate, but, cheering lustily for thecaptain, went to their posts, and made ready for a hot fight. Thenaval discipline of the present day was little known, and lessobserved, at that time in the American navy. The perfect order whichmakes the gun-deck of a ship going into action as quiet and solemn asduring Sunday prayers then gave place to excited talk and bustle. Themen stood in crews at the four guns; but most of the jackies weremustered on the forecastle, ready to board. All expected a desperateresistance. Great was their surprise, then, when they were permittedto take a raking position under the stern of the "Hope, " and to boardher without a shot being fired. But as Mugford, at the head of theboarders, clambered over the taffrail, he heard the captain of the"Hope" order the men to cut the topsail halliards and ties, with theintention of so crippling the ship that the British squadron mightoverhaul and recapture her. "Avast there!" bawled Mugford, seeing through the plot in an instant, and clapping a pistol to the head of the captain; "if a knife istouched to those ropes, not a man of this crew shall live. " This threat so terrified the captured sailors, that they relinquishedtheir design; and Mugford, crowding all sail on his prize, soon wasbowling along before a stiff breeze, with the British squadron in hotpursuit. An examination of the ship's papers showed her to be the mostvaluable prize yet taken by the Americans. In her hold were fifteenhundred barrels of powder, a thousand carbines, a great number oftravelling carriages for cannon, and a most complete assortment ofartillery instruments and pioneer tools. While running for BostonHarbor, through the channel known as Point Shirley gut, the vesselgrounded, but was soon floated, and taken safely to her anchorage. Herarrival was most timely, as the American army was in the most direstraits for gunpowder. It may well be imagined that there was nolonger any talk about revoking Capt. Mugford's commission. Mugford remained in port only long enough to take a supply of powderfrom his prize; then put to sea again. He well knew that the Britishfleet that had chased him into Boston Harbor was still blockading theharbor's mouth, but he hoped to evade it by going out through acircuitous channel. Unluckily, in thus attempting to avoid the enemy, the "Franklin" ran aground, and there remained hard and fast in fullview of the enemy. He had as consort the privateer schooner "LadyWashington, " whose captain, seeing Mugford's dangerous predicament, volunteered to remain near at hand and assist in the defence. Mugford knew that his case was desperate, and made preparations for amost determined resistance. Swinging his craft around, he mounted allfour of his guns on that side which commanded the channel in thedirection from which the enemy was expected. Boarding-nettings weretriced up, and strengthened with cables and cordage, to make aneffective barrier against the assaults of boarders. The men wereserved with double rations of grog, and set to work sharpening thecutlasses and spears, with which they were well provided. The work ofpreparation was completed none too soon; for about nine o'clockMugford heard the rattle of oars in rowlocks, and saw boats glidingtowards the "Franklin" through the darkness. "Boat ahoy!" he challenged. "Keep off, or I shall fire into you. " "Don't fire, " was the response; "we are friends from Boston coming toyour aid. " "We want none of your aid, " cried Mugford with an oath. Then, turningto his crew, he shouted, "Let them have it, boys. " The roar of the cannon then mingled with the rattle of the musketry, the cries of the wounded, and the shouts and curses of the combatants, as the British strove to clamber up the sides of the "Franklin. " Notless than two hundred men were engaged on the side of the British, whoadvanced to the fray in thirteen large barges, many of them carryingswivel guns. Several boats dashed in close under the side of the"Franklin, " and their crews strove manfully to board, but were beatenback by the Yankees, who rained cutlass blows upon them. The longpikes with which the Americans were armed proved particularlyeffective. "One man with that weapon is positive of having killed nineof the enemy, " says a newspaper of that day. Unhappily, however, the heroic Mugford, while urging on his men to amore vigorous resistance, was struck by a musket-ball, which inflicteda mortal wound. At the moment the wound was received, he was reachingout over the quarter to catch hold of the mast of one of the barges, in the hope of upsetting her. As he fell to the deck, he called hisfirst lieutenant, and said, "I am a dead man. Do not give up thevessel; you will be able to beat them off. " Nearly forty years after, the heroic Lawrence, dying on the deck of the "Chesapeake, " repeatedMugford's words, "Don't give up the ship. " For about half an hour the battle raged fiercely. The British, beatenback with great loss, returned again and again to the attack. Theboats would come under the lee of the "Franklin;" but, not beingprovided with grappling-irons, the British were forced to lay hold ofthe gunwales of the enemy with their hands, which the Americanspromptly lopped off with their cutlasses. Shots from the swivel gunsof the Yankee soon stove in two of the boats of the enemy, which sunk, carrying down many of their crew. After nearly an hour of thisdesperate fighting, the British withdrew, having lost about seventymen. The only loss sustained by the Americans was that of their bravecommander Mugford. About a month after this battle, there occurred off the coast ofMassachusetts a battle in which the Americans, though they fought withthe most undaunted bravery, were forced to strike their colors totheir adversary. The American was the privateer "Yankee Hero" ofNewburyport. She sailed from that place for Boston on the 7th of Junewith only forty men aboard, intending to ship her full complement ofone hundred and twenty at Boston. As the "Hero" rounded Cape Ann, shesighted a sail on the horizon, but in her short-handed condition didnot think it worth while to give chase. The stranger, however, hadcaught sight of the "Hero;" and, a fresh southerly breeze springingup, she began to close with the American. As she came closer, Capt. Tracy of the "Yankee Hero" saw that she was a ship-of-war. Despite thedesperate efforts of the Americans to escape, their pursuer rapidlyoverhauled them, and soon coming up within half a mile, opened firewith her bow chasers. The brig returned the fire with a swivel gun, which had little effect. Seeing this, Capt. Tracy ordered the firingto cease until the ships should came to close quarters. The strangerrapidly overhauled the privateer, keeping up all the time a vigorousfire. Tracy with difficulty restrained the ardor of his men, who wereanxious to try to cripple their pursuer. When the enemy came withinpistol-shot, Tracy saw that the time for action on his part had come, and immediately opened fire with all the guns and small-arms thatcould be brought to bear. The only possible chance for escape lay incrippling the big craft with a lucky shot; but broadside afterbroadside was fired, and still the great ship came rushing along inthe wake of the flying privateer. Closer and closer drew the bulkyman-of-war, until her bow crept past the stern of the "Yankee Hero, "and the marines upon her forecastle poured down a destructive volleyof musketry upon the brig's crowded deck. The plight of the privateerwas now a desperate one. Her heavy antagonist was close alongside, andtowered high above her, so that the marines on the quarter-deck andforecastle of the Englishman were on a level with the leading blocksof the Yankee. From the depressed guns of the frigate, a murderousfire poured down upon the smaller craft. For an hour and twentyminutes the two vessels continued the fight, pouring hot broadsidesinto each other, and separated by less than a hundred feet of water. The brisk breeze blowing carried away the clouds of smoke, and leftthe men on the deck of the Yankee no protection from sharp-shooters onthe enemy's deck. Accordingly, the execution was frightful. Tracy, from his post on the quarter-deck, saw his men falling like sheep, while the continual volleys of the great ship had so cut the cordageof the weaker vessel that escape was impossible. At last a musket-ballstruck Capt. Tracy in the thigh, and he fell bleeding to the deck. Fora moment his men wavered at their guns; but he called manfully tothem, from where he lay, to fight on boldly for the honor of the"Yankee Hero. " Two petty officers had rushed to his assistance; and hedirected them to lay him upon a chest of arms upon the quarter-deck, whence he might direct the course of the battle. But, strong thoughwas his spirit, his body was too weak to perform the task he hadallotted it; and, growing faint from pain and loss of blood, he wascarried below. He lay unconscious for a few minutes, but was recalled to his sensesby the piteous cries of wounded men by whom he was surrounded. When hecame to himself, he saw the cabin filled with grievously woundedpeople, bleeding and suffering for lack of surgical aid. The firing ofthe privateer had ceased, but the enemy was still pouring in pitilessbroadsides. Enraged at this spectacle, Capt. Tracy ordered his men tore-open the conflict, and directed that he be taken in a chair to thequarter-deck. But, on getting into the chair, he was suddenly seizedwith a fainting spell, and gave orders, by signs, that the colors bestruck. When the inequality of the two enemies is considered, this actionappears to be a most notable reason for pride in the powers of theAmericans. The "Yankee Hero" was a low single-decked vessel offourteen guns, while her captor was the British frigate of thirty-twoguns. Yet the little American vessel had held her own for two hours, and by good gunnery and skilful manoeuvring had succeeded in doingalmost as much damage as she had suffered. In reading of the naval engagements of the Revolution, one isimpressed with the small sacrifice of life that attended the mostprotracted conflicts. Thus in the action just recorded only four menwere killed upon the defeated ship, although for more than an hour thetwo vessels had exchanged broadsides a distance of less than a hundredfeet apart. The execution done on the British frigate has never beenrecorded, but was probably even less. Only the most fragmentary account can be given of any naval actions inthe year 1776, except those in which America's great naval hero PaulJones took part. Of the trivial encounters that go to complete thenaval annals of the year, only the briefest recountal is necessary. The work of the little brig "Andrea Doria, " Capt. Biddle, deserves apassing mention. This little fourteen-gun craft had the most wonderfulluck in making prizes. Besides capturing two transports loaded withBritish soldiers, she took so many merchantmen, that on one cruise shebrought back to port only five of her original crew, the rest havingall been put aboard prizes. On the 17th of June, the crew of the Connecticut cruiser "Defence, " afourteen-gun brig, heard the sound of distant cannonading comingfaintly over the water. All sail was crowded upon the brig, and shemade all possible speed to the scene of conflict. About nightfall, shefell in with four American schooners that had just been having atussle with two heavy British transports. Three of the Americanvessels were privateers, the fourth was the little cruiser "Lee" inwhich Capt. John Manly had done such brilliant service. The fourschooners had found the transports too powerful for them, and hadtherefore drawn off, but were eager to renew the fray with the help ofthe "Defence. " Accordingly the "Defence" led the way to NantasketRoads, where the transports lay at anchor. Capt. Harding wasted littletime in manoeuvring, but, laying his vessel alongside the larger ofthe two transports, summoned her commander to strike. "Ay, ay--I'll strike, " was the response from the threatened vessel;and instantly a heavy broadside was poured into the "Defence. " A sharpaction followed, lasting for nearly an hour. The "Defence" bore thebrunt of the conflict, for the four schooners did not come tosufficiently close quarters to be of much assistance against theenemy. The gunnery of the Americans proved too much for the enemy, however; and after losing eighteen men, together with a large numberwounded, the British surrendered. The American vessel was a good dealcut up aloft, and lost nine of her men. The next morning a thirdtransport was sighted by the "Defence, " and speedily overhauled andcaptured. More than five hundred British soldiers were thus captured;and the British thenceforward dared not treat the Americans as rebels, lest the colonial army authorities should retaliate upon the Britishprisoners in their hands. It was in the year 1776 that the first naval vessel giving allegianceto the American Colonies showed herself in European waters. Thisvessel was the "Reprisal, " Capt. Wickes, a small craft, mountingsixteen guns. Early in the summer of '76, the "Reprisal" made a cruiseto Martinique, taking several prizes. When near the island, sheencountered the British sloop-of-war "Shark, " and a sharp battleensued. In size and weight of metal, the two vessels were about evenlymatched; but the "Reprisal" had been sending out so many prize-crews, that she was short eighty men of her full crew. Therefore, when, aftera brisk interchange of broadsides, the British sloop sheered off, andleft the "Reprisal" to continue her course, Capt. Wickes rejoiced inhis escape as being almost equal to a victory. After completing this cruise, the "Reprisal" was ordered to France forthe purpose of conveying thither from Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin, the ambassador sent from the Colonies to interest the French in thecause of American liberty. While on the way over, she took two orthree prizes, which were sold in France. After landing herdistinguished passenger, she cruised about in the proverbiallytempestuous Bay of Biscay, where she forced several British vessels tostrike to the American flag, then first seen in those waters. Onreturning to France to sell his newly captured prizes, Capt. Wickesfound trouble in store for him. The British ambassador at Paris haddeclared that the American cruiser was a detestable pirate; and thatfor France to permit the pirate to anchor in her harbors, or sell hisprizes in her markets, was equal to a declaration of war againstEngland. Wickes was, therefore, admonished to take his ships andprisoners away. But even in that early day Yankee wit was sharp, andable to extricate its possessor from troublesome scrapes. Wickes knewthat there were plenty of purchasers to be had for his prizes: so, gathering a few ship-owners together, he took them out to sea beyondthe jurisdiction of France, and there sold them to the highest bidder. The money thus obtained Wickes used in purchasing vessels suitable forarmed cruisers. While these were fitting out, the "Lexington" and the"Dolphin" arrived in France, and soon joined the "Reprisal" in acruise around the British Islands. The little squadron fairly sweptthe Channel and the Irish Sea of merchantmen. The excitement inEngland ran high, and the admiralty despatched all the availablemen-of-war in search of the marauders. But the swift-sailing cruisersescaped all pursuers. Once indeed the "Reprisal" came near fallinginto the hands of the enemy, but escaped by throwing overboard everything movable, sawing away her bulwarks, and even cutting away herheavy timbers. The result of this cruise so aroused England, that France no longerdared to harbor the audacious Yankee cruisers. The "Lexington" and"Reprisal" were, therefore, ordered to leave European watersforthwith. The "Lexington" complied first, and when one day out fromthe port of Morlaix encountered the British man-of-war cutter "Alert. "The "Alert" was the smaller of the two vessels, but her commander hadin him all that pluck and those sterling seamanlike qualities thatmade the name of England great upon the ocean. A stiff breeze wasblowing, and a heavy cross sea running, when the two vessels cametogether. The gunners sighted their pieces at random and fired, knowing little whether the shot would go plunging into the waves, orfly high into the air. As a result, they carried on a spiritedcannonade for upwards of two hours, with the sole effect of carryingaway the top hamper of the "Alert, " and exhausting most of the powderon the American craft. Finding his ammunition rapidly giving out, the captain of the"Lexington" clapped on all sail, and soon showed his crippledantagonist a clean pair of heels. But so great was the activity ofthe crew of the "Alert" that they repaired the damage done aloft, andin four hours overtook the "American, " and opened fire upon her Thebattle now became one-sided; for the "Lexington, " being short ofpowder, could make little resistance to the brisk attack of herpersevering adversary. In less than an hour she was forced to strikeher flag. The fate of the "Reprisal" was even harder than that of her consort. While crossing the Atlantic on her way back to the coast of America, she was overtaken by a furious gale. With furled sails and battenedhatches, the little craft made a desperate fight for life. But thefierce wind carried away her masts and spars, and the tossing wavesopened her seams, so that it became apparent to all on board that thefate of the gallant craft, that had so nobly defended the cause ofAmerican liberty, was sealed. As the water rose higher and higher inthe hold, the officers saw that it was no longer a question of thepossibility of saving the ship, but that their lives and those of thecrew were in the greatest danger. Boats were lowered; but the angrywhite-capped waves tossed them madly aloft, and, turning them over andover, sent the poor fellows that manned them to their long account. All hands then set to work at the construction of a huge raft; andjust as the ship's stern settled, it was pushed off, and all thatcould reach it clambered on. A few poor fellows clung to the sinkingship; and their comrades on the raft saw them crowd on the forecastle, and heard their despairing cries as the good ship threw her prow highin the air, and sunk stern foremost to the placid depths of the stormyocean. But those on the raft were not destined to escape the fate oftheir comrades. The haggard sufferers were doomed to see the frailstructure on which their lives depended go slowly to pieces before themighty power of the remorseless sea. Bit by bit their footholdvanished from beneath them. One by one they were swept off into theseething cauldron of the storm. At last but one man remained, the cookof the ill-fated vessel, who floated about for three days on a pieceof wreckage, until, half-starved and nearly crazed, he was picked upby a passing vessel, and told the tale of the wreck. So ended thecareer of the patriotic and gallant Capt. Wickes and his crew, andsuch is the fate that every stout fellow braves when he dons his bluejacket and goes to serve his country on the ocean. In addition to the exploits of the American cruisers upon the highseas, certain operations of the British navy along the American coast, during the year 1776, demand attention. Of these the most importantwas the attack by Sir Peter Parker upon Charleston, in September ofthat year, --an attack made memorable by the determined courage of theAmericans, the daring exploit of Sergt. Jasper, and the discovery ofthe remarkable qualities of palmetto logs as a material forfortifications. Charleston was then a town of but a few thousand inhabitants; but, small as it was, it had become particularly obnoxious to the Britishon account of the strong revolutionary sentiment of its people, andtheir many open acts of defiance of King George's authority. When theoffensive Stamp Act first was published, the people of Charleston rosein revolt; and the stamps for the city being stored in an armedfortress in the bay, known as Castle Johnson, a party of a hundred andfifty armed men went down the bay, surprised the garrison, capturedthe castle, and, loading its guns, defied the authorities. Not untilthe promise had been made that the stamps should be sent back toEngland, did the rebellious Carolinians lay down their arms. Nor wastheir peace of long duration. When the news of the battle of Lexingtonreached the little Southern seaport, the people straightway cast aboutfor an opportunity to strike a blow against the tyranny of England. The opportunity soon offered itself. An English sloop laden withpowder was lying at St. Augustine, Fla. Learning this, the people ofCharleston fitted out a vessel, which captured the powder-ship, and, eluding a number of British cruisers, returned safely to Charlestonwith fifteen thousand pounds of gunpowder for the colonial army. Soonafter the colonial troops took possession of the forts in the harbor, and Charleston became a revolutionary stronghold. Therefore, when the war authorities of Great Britain prepared to takeactive, offensive measures against the seaport cities of therebellious colonies, Charleston was one of the first points chosen forattack. It was on the 4th of June, 1776, that the British fleet, underthe command of the veteran admiral, Sir Peter Parker, appeared offCharleston bar. The colonists had learned of its approach some timebefore; and the town was crowded with troops, both regular andvolunteer. Two forts, Johnson and Sullivan, were erected at pointscommanding the entrance to the harbor. Troops were thrown out tooppose the advance of landing parties. The wharves were covered withbreastworks, and the streets leading up from the water-side werebarricaded. There was a great scarceness of lead for bullets; and tosupply that need the leaden sashes, in which window-panes were at thattime set, were melted down. When the fleet of the enemy appeared inthe offing, Charleston was quite ready to give the invaders a warmreception. Fort Sullivan was the chief work in the harbor, and against thisParker began a vigorous cannonade early on the morning of the 28th ofJune. The fort had been built of logs of palmetto wood, and was lookedupon with some distrust by its defenders, who did not know how wellthat material could withstand cannon-shot; but the opening volley ofthe fleet re-assured them. The balls penetrated deep in the soft, spongy wood without detaching any of the splinters, which, in abattle, are more dangerous than the shot themselves. The fort soonreplied to the fire of the fleet; and the thunder of three hundredcannon rang out over the bay, while dense clouds of sulphurous smokehid the scene from the eager gaze of the crowds of people on thehousetops of the city. When the stately ships of the British squadron swung into line beforethe little wooden fort, there was hardly a sailor who did not take hisstation without a feeling of contempt for the insignificant obstaclethat they were about to sweep from their path. But as the day wore on, and the ceaseless cannonade seemed to have no effect on the bastionsof the fort, the case began to look serious. "Mind the commodore, and the fifty-gun ships, " was the commandMoultrie gave to the gunners in the fort when the action commenced, and right well did they heed the injunction. The quarter-decks of theships-of-the-line were swept clean of officers. The gunners in thefort soon found that the fire of the enemy was doing little or noexecution, and they sighted their guns as coolly as though out for aday's target practice. The huge iron balls crashed through the hullsof the ships, or swept their decks, doing terrific execution. Thecable of the "Bristol" was shot away, and she swung round with herstern to the fort. In this position she was raked repeatedly; hercaptain was killed, and at one time not an officer remained on herquarter-deck except the admiral Sir Peter Parker. When the conflictceased, this ship alone contained forty killed and seventy-one woundedmen. The other ships suffered nearly as severely. The twenty-eight-gunship "Actĉon" grounded during the course of the engagement; and when, after ten hours' fruitless cannonading, the British abandoned the taskof reducing the fort, and determined to withdraw, she was found to beimmovable. Accordingly Admiral Parker signalled to her officer toabandon the ship, and set her on fire. This was accordingly done; andthe ship was left with her colors flying, and her guns loaded. Thismovement was observed by the Americans, who, in spite of the danger ofan explosion, boarded the ship, fired her guns at the "Bristol, "loaded three boats with stores, and pulled away, leaving the "Actĉon"to blow up, which she did half an hour later. While the battle was at its hottest, and the shot and shell wereflying thick over the fort, the flagstaff was shot away; and the flagof South Carolina, a blue ground, bearing a silver crescent, fell onthe beach outside the parapet. Sergt. William Jasper, seeing this, leaped on the bastion, walked calmly through the storm of flyingmissiles, picked up the flag, and fastened it upon a sponge-staff. Then standing upon the highest point of the parapet, in full view ofthe ships and the men in the fort, he calmly fixed the staff upright, and returned to his place, leaving the flag proudly waving. The nextday the governor of the colony visited the fort, and seeking out thebrave sergeant, handed him a handsome sword and a lieutenant'scommission. But Jasper proved to be as modest as he was brave; for hedeclined the proffered promotion, with the remark, -- "I am not fit to keep officers' company; I am but a sergeant. " The complete failure of the attack upon Charleston was a bitter pillfor the English to swallow. They had brought against the raw, untrained forces of the colony some of the finest ships of the boastednavy of Great Britain. They had fought well and pluckily. The factthat Sir Peter Parker was in command was in itself a guaranty that theattack would be a spirited one; and the tremendous loss of life in thefleet affords convincing proof that no poltroonery lurked among theBritish sailors. The loss of the British during the engagement, inkilled and wounded, amounted to two hundred and twenty-five men. TheAmericans had ten men killed and twenty-two wounded. Moultrie, thecommandant of the fort, says that after the battle was over theypicked up more than twelve hundred solid shot of different sizes, andmany thirteen-inch shells. Most of the shells that fell within thefort fell into a large pool of water, which extinguished their fuses, thus robbing them of their power for evil. In his report of this battle, Admiral Parker fell into a queer error. He reports that a large party of men entering the fort met a man goingout, whom they straightway hanged to a neighboring tree, in full viewof the fleet. From this the admiral concluded that there was anincipient mutiny in the fort, and the ringleader was hanged as anexample. Col. Moultrie, however, explained this by stating that theman hanging in the tree was simply the coat of a soldier, which hadbeen carried away by a cannon-shot, and left hanging in the branches. CHAPTER VI. THE CAREER OF PAUL JONES. -- IN COMMAND OF THE "PROVIDENCE. " -- CAPTURE OF THE "MELLISH. " -- EXPLOITS WITH THE "ALFRED. " -- IN COMMAND OF THE "RANGER. " -- SWEEPING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. -- THE DESCENT UPON WHITEHAVEN. We have already spoken of the farcical affair between the fleet underEzekiel Hopkins and the English frigate "Glasgow, " in which theEnglish vessel, by superior seamanship, and taking advantage of theblunders of the Americans, escaped capture. The primary result of thisbattle was to cause the dismissal from the service of Hopkins. But hisdismissal led to the advancement of a young naval officer, whose namebecame one of the most glorious in American naval annals, and whosefame as a skilful seaman has not been tarnished by the hand of time. [Illustration: Captain John Paul Jones Quelling The Mob At WhiteHaven, Scotland, Nov. , 1777. ] At the time of the escape of the "Glasgow, " there was serving upon the"Alfred" a young lieutenant, by name John Paul Jones. Jones was aScotchman. His rightful name was John Paul; but for some reason, neverfully understood, he had assumed the surname of Jones, and his recordunder the name of Paul Jones forms one of the most glorious chaptersof American naval history. When given a lieutenant's commission in thecolonial navy, Jones was twenty-nine years old. From the day when alad of thirteen years he shipped for his first voyage, he had spenthis life on the ocean. He had served on peaceful merchantmen, andin the less peaceful, but at that time equally respectable, slave-trade. A small inheritance had enabled him to assume the stationof a Virginia gentleman; and he had become warmly attached to Americanideas and principles, and at the outbreak of the Revolution put hisservices at the command of Congress. He was first offered a captain'scommission with the command of the "Providence, " mounting twelve gunsand carrying one hundred men. But with extraordinary modesty the youngsailor declined, saying that he hardly felt himself fitted todischarge the duties of a first lieutenant. The lieutenant'scommission, however, he accepted; and it was in this station that withhis own hands he hoisted the first American flag to the masthead ofthe "Alfred. " The wretched fiasco which attended the attack of the American fleetupon the "Glasgow" was greatly deplored by Jones. However, herefrained from any criticism upon his superiors, and sincerelyregretted the finding of the court of inquiry, by which the captain ofthe "Providence" was dismissed the service, and Lieut. Paul Jonesrecommended to fill the vacancy. The duties which devolved upon Capt. Jones were manifold and arduous. The ocean was swarming with powerful British men-of-war, which in hislittle craft he must avoid, while keeping a sharp outlook for foemenwith whom he was equally matched. More than once, from the masthead ofthe "Providence, " the lookout could discover white sails of one ormore vessels, any one of which, with a single broadside, could havesent the audacious Yankee to the bottom. But luckily the "Providence"was a fast sailer, and wonderfully obedient to her helm. To her goodsailing qualities, and to his own admirable seamanship, Jones owedmore than one fortunate escape. Once, when almost overtaken by apowerful man-of-war, he edged away until he brought his pursuer on hisweather quarter; then, putting his helm up suddenly, he stood deadbefore the wind, thus doubling on his course, and running past hisadversary within pistol-shot of her guns, but in a course directlyopposite to that upon which she was standing. The heavy war-ship wentplunging ahead like a heavy hound eluded by the agile fox, and theYankee proceeded safely on her course. Some days later the "Providence" was lying to on the great banks nearthe Isle of Sables. It was a holiday for the crew; for no sails werein sight, and Capt. Jones had indulgently allowed them to get outtheir cod-lines and enjoy an afternoon's fishing. In the midst oftheir sport, as they were hauling in the finny monsters right merrily, the hail of the lookout warned them that a strange sail was in sight. The stranger drew rapidly nearer, and was soon made out to be a warvessel. Jones, finding after a short trial that his light craft couldeasily outstrip the lumbering man-of-war, managed to keep just out ofreach. Now and then the pursuer would luff up and let fly a broadside;the shot skipping along over the waves, but sinking before theyreached the "Providence. " Jones, who had an element of humor in hischaracter, responded to this cannonade with one musket, which, withgreat solemnity, was discharged in response to each broadside. Afterkeeping up this burlesque battle for some hours, the "Providence"spread her sails, and soon left her foe hull down beneath the horizon. After having thus eluded his pursuer, Jones skirted the coast of CapeBreton, and put into the harbor of Canso, where he found three Britishfishing schooners lying at anchor. The inhabitants of the littlefishing village were electrified to see the "Providence" cast anchorin the harbor, and, lowering her boats, send two crews of armedsailors to seize the British craft. No resistance was made, however;and the Americans burned one schooner, scuttled a second, and afterfilling the third with fish, taken from the other two, took her out ofthe harbor with the "Providence" leading the way. From the crew of the captured vessel, Jones learned that at the Islandof Madame, not far from Canso, there was a considerable flotilla ofBritish merchantmen. Accordingly he proceeded thither with theintention of destroying them. On arriving, he found the harbor tooshallow to admit the "Providence;" and accordingly taking up aposition from which he could, with his cannon, command the harbor, hedespatched armed boats' crews to attack the shipping. On entering theharbor, the Americans found nine British vessels lying at anchor. Ships and brigs, as well as small fishing schooners, were in thefleet. It was a rich prize for the Americans, and it was won withoutbloodshed; for the peaceful fishermen offered no resistance to theYankees, and looked upon the capture of their vessels with amazement. The condition of these poor men, thus left on a bleak coast with nomeans of escape, appealed strongly to Jones's humanity. He thereforetold them, that, if they would assist him in making ready for sea suchof the prizes as he wished to take with him, he would leave themvessels enough to carry them back to England. The fishermen heartilyagreed to the proposition, and worked faithfully for several days atthe task of fitting out the captured vessels. The night before the dayon which Jones had intended leaving the harbor, the wind came on toblow, and a violent storm of wind and rain set in. Even the usuallycalm surface of the little harbor was lashed to fury by the shriekingwind. The schooner "Sea-Flower"--one of the captured prizes--was tornfrom her moorings; and though her crew got out the sweeps, andstruggled valiantly for headway against the driving storm, she driftedon shore, and lay there a total wreck. The schooner "Ebenezer, " whichJones had brought from Canso laden with fish, drifted on a sunkenreef, and was there so battered by the roaring waves that she went topieces. Her crew, after vainly striving to launch the boats, built araft, and saved themselves on that. The next day the storm abated; and Capt. Jones, taking with him threeheavily laden prizes, left the harbor, and turned his ship's prowhomeward. The voyage to Newport, then the headquarters of the littlenavy, was made without other incident than the futile chase of threeBritish ships, which ran into the harbor of Louisbourg. On hisarrival, Jones reported that he had been cruising for forty-sevendays, and in that time had captured sixteen prizes, beside thefishing-vessels he burned at Cape Breton. Eight of his prizes he hadmanned, and sent into port; the remainder he had burned. It was thefirst effective blow the colonists had yet struck at their powerfulfoe upon the ocean. Hardly had Paul Jones completed this first cruise, when his mind, everactive in the service of his country, suggested to him a newenterprise in which he might contribute to the cause of Americanliberty. At this early period of the Revolution, the British weretreating American prisoners with almost inconceivable barbarity. Manywere sent to the "Old Jersey" prison-ship, of whose horrors we shallread something later on. Others, to the number of about a hundred, were taken to Cape Breton, and forced to labor like Russian felons inthe underground coal-mines. Jones's plan was bold in its conception, but needed only energy and promptitude to make it perfectly feasible. He besought the authorities to give him command of a squadron, that hemight move on Cape Breton, destroy the British coal and fishingvessels always congregated there, and liberate the hapless Americanswho were passing their lives in the dark misery of underground mining. His plan was received with favor, but the authorities lacked the meansto give him the proper aid. However, two vessels, the "Alfred" and the"Providence, " were assigned to him; and he went speedily to work toprepare for the adventure. At the outset, he was handicapped by lackof men. The privateers were then fitting out in every port; and seamensaw in privateering easier service, milder discipline, and greaterprofits than they could hope for in the regular navy. When, by hardwork, the muster-roll of the "Alfred" showed her full complement ofmen shipped, the stormy month of November had arrived, and the goldenhour for success was past. Nevertheless, Jones, taking command of the "Alfred, " and putting the"Providence" in the command of Capt. Hacker, left Newport, and laidhis course to the northward. When he arrived off the entrance to theharbor of Louisbourg, he was so lucky as to encounter an English brig, the "Mellish, " which, after a short resistance, struck her flag. Sheproved to be laden with heavy warm clothing for the British troops inCanada. This capture was a piece of great good fortune for theAmericans, and many a poor fellow in Washington's army that winter hadcause to bless Paul Jones for his activity and success. The day succeeding the capture of the "Mellish" dawned gray andcheerless. Light flurries of snow swept across the waves, and by noona heavy snowstorm, driven by a violent north-east gale, darkened theair, and lashed the waves into fury. Jones stood dauntless at his poston deck, encouraging the sailors by cheery words, and keeping thesturdy little vessel on her course. All day and night the stormroared; and when, the next morning, Jones, wearied by his ceaselessvigilance, looked anxiously across the waters for his consort, she wasnot to be seen. The people on the "Alfred" supposed, of course, thatthe "Providence" was lost, with all on board, and mourned the sad fateof their comrades. But, in fact, Capt. Hacker, affrighted by thestorm, had basely deserted his leader during the night, and made offfor Newport, leaving Jones to prosecute his enterprise alone. Jones recognized in this desertion the knell of the enterprise uponwhich he had embarked. Nevertheless, he disdained to return to port:so sending the "Mellish" and a second prize, which the Britishafterwards recaptured, back to Massachusetts, he continued his cruisealong the Nova Scotia coast. Again he sought out the harbor of Canso, and, entering it, found a large English transport laden withprovisions aground just inside the bar. Boats' crews from the "Alfred"soon set the torch to the stranded ship, and then, landing, fired ahuge warehouse filled with whale-oil and the products of thefisheries. Leaving the blazing pile behind, the "Alfred" put out againinto the stormy sea, and made for the northward. As he approached Louisbourg, Jones fell in with a considerable fleetof British coal-vessels, in convoy of the frigate "Flora. " A heavy foghung over the ocean; and the fleet Yankee, flying here and there, wasable to cut out and capture three of the vessels without alarming thefrigate, that continued unsuspectingly on her course. Two days later, Jones snapped up a Liverpool privateer, that fired scarcely a singlegun in resistance. Then crowded with prisoners, embarrassed by prizes, and short of food and water, the "Alfred" turned her course homeward. Five valuable prizes sailed in her wake. Anxiety for the safety ofthese gave Jones no rest by day or night. He was ceaselessly on thewatch lest some hostile man-of-war should overhaul his fleet, andforce him to abandon his hard-won fruits of victory. All went welluntil, when off St. George's Bank, he encountered the frigate"Milford, "--the same craft to whose cannon-balls Jones, but a fewmonths before, had tauntingly responded with musket-shots. It was late in the afternoon when the "Milford" was sighted; andJones, seeing that she could by no possibility overtake his squadronbefore night, ordered his prizes to continue their course withoutregard to any lights or apparent signals from the "Alfred. " Whendarkness fell upon the sea, the Yankees were scudding along on thestarboard tack, with the Englishman coming bravely up astern. From thetops of the "Alfred" swung two burning lanterns, which the enemydoubtless pronounced a bit of beastly stupidity on the part of theYankee, affording, as it did, an excellent guide for the pursuer tosteer by. But during the night the wily Jones changed his course. Theprizes, with the exception of the captured privateer, continued onthe starboard tack. The "Alfred" and the privateer made off on theport tack, with the "Milford" in full cry in their wake. Not until themorning dawned did the Englishman discover how he had been tricked. Having thus secured the safety of his prizes, it only remained forJones to escape with the privateer. Unluckily, however, the officerput in charge of the privateer proved incapable, and his craft fellinto hands of the British. Jones, however, safely carried the "Alfred"clear of the "Milford's" guns, and, a heavy storm coming up, sooneluded his foe in the snow and darkness. Thereupon he shaped hiscourse for Boston, where he arrived on the 5th of December, 1776. Hadhe been delayed two days longer, both his provisions and his waterwould have been exhausted. For the ensuing six months Jones remained on shore, not by any meansinactive, for his brain was teeming with great projects for hiscountry's service. He had been deprived of the command of the"Alfred, " and another ship was not easily to be found: so he turnedhis attention to questions of naval organization, and the results ofmany of his suggestions are observable in the United States navyto-day. It was not until June 14, 1777, that a command was found forhim. This was the eighteen-gun ship "Ranger, " built to carry afrigate's battery of twenty-six guns. She had been built for therevolutionary government, at Portsmouth, and was a stanch-built, solidcraft, though miserably slow and somewhat crank. Jones, thoughdisappointed with the sailing qualities of the craft, was neverthelessvastly delighted to be again in command of a man-of-war, and wasted notime in getting her ready for sea. It so happened, that, on the very day Paul Jones received hiscommission as commander of the "Ranger, " the Continental Congressadopted the Stars and Stripes for the national flag. Jones, anticipating this action, had prepared a flag in accordance with theproposed designs, and, upon hearing of the action of Congress, had itrun to the masthead, while the cannon of the "Ranger" thundered outtheir deep-mouthed greetings to the starry banner destined to waveover the most glorious nation of the earth. Thus it happened that thesame hand that had given the pine-tree banner to the winds was thefirst to fling out to the breezes the bright folds of the Stars andStripes. Early in October the "Ranger" left Portsmouth, and made for the coastof France. Astute agents of the Americans in that country were havinga fleet, powerful frigate built there for Jones, which he was to take, leaving the sluggish "Ranger" to be sold. But, on his arrival atNantes, Jones was grievously disappointed to learn that the BritishGovernment had so vigorously protested against the building of avessel-of-war in France for the Americans, that the French Governmenthad been obliged to notify the American agents that their plan must beabandoned. France was at this time at peace with Great Britain, and, though inclined to be friendly with the rebellious colonies, was notready to entirely abandon her position as a neutral power. Later, whenshe took up arms against England, she gave the Americans every rightin her ports they could desire. Jones thus found himself in European waters with a vessel too weak tostand against the frigates England could send to take her, and tooslow to elude them. But he determined to strike some effective blowsfor the cause of liberty. Accordingly he planned an enterprise, which, for audacity of conception and dash in execution, has never beenequalled by any naval expedition since. This was nothing less than a virtual invasion of England. The "Ranger"lay at Brest. Jones planned to dash across the English Channel, andcruise along the coast of England, burning shipping and towns, as apiece of retaliation upon the British for their wanton outrages alongthe American coast. It was a bold plan. The channel was thronged withthe heavy frigates of Great Britain, any one of which could haveannihilated the audacious Yankee cruiser. Nevertheless, Jonesdetermined to brave the danger. At the outset, it seemed as though his purpose was to be balked byheavy weather. For days after the "Ranger" left Brest, she battledagainst the chop-seas of the English Channel. The sky was dark, andthe light of the sun obscured by gray clouds. The wind whistledthrough the rigging, and tore at the tightly furled sails. Great greenwalls of water, capped with snowy foam, beat thunderously against thesides of the "Ranger. " Now and then a port would be driven in, and themen between decks drenched by the incoming deluge. The "Ranger" hadencountered an equinoctial gale in its worst form. When the gale died away, Jones found himself off the Scilly Islands, in full view of the coast of England. Here he encountered amerchantman, which he took and scuttled, sending the crew ashore tospread the news that an American man-of-war was ravaging the channel. Having alarmed all England, he changed his hunting-ground to St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea, where he captured several ships;sending one, a prize, back to Brest. He was in waters with which hehad been familiar from his youth, and he made good use of hisknowledge; dashing here and there, lying in wait in the highway ofcommerce, and then secreting himself in some sequestered cove whilethe enemy's ship-of-war went by in fruitless search for the marauder. All England was aroused by the exploits of the Yankee cruiser. Neversince the days of the Invincible Armada had war been so brought hometo the people of the tight little island. Long had the Britishboastfully claimed the title of monarch of the seas. Long had theysung the vainglorious song, -- "Britannia needs no bulwarks, No towers along the steep; Her march is o'er the mountain waves, Her home is on the deep. " But Paul Jones showed Great Britain that her boasted power was abubble. He ravaged the seas within cannon-shot of English headlands. He captured and burned merchantmen, drove the rates of insurance up topanic prices, paralyzed British shipping-trade, and even made smallincursions into British territory. The reports that reached Jones of British barbarity along the Americancoast, of the burning of Falmouth, of tribute levied on innumerableseaport towns, --all aroused in him a determination to strike aretaliatory blow. Whitehaven, a small seaport, was the spot chosen byhim for attack; and he brought his ship to off the mouth of the harborlate one night, intending to send in a boat's crew to fire theshipping. But so strong a wind sprung up, as to threaten to drive theship ashore; and Jones was forced to make sail, and get an offing. Asecond attempt, made upon a small harbor called Lochryan, on thewestern coast of Scotland, was defeated by a like cause. But the expedition against Lochryan, though in itself futile, was themeans of giving Jones an opportunity to show his merits as a fighter. Soon after leaving Lochryan, he entered the bay of Carrichfergus, onwhich is situated the Irish commercial city of Belfast. The bay wasconstantly filled with merchantmen; and the "Ranger, " with her portsclosed, and her warlike character carefully disguised, excited nosuspicion aboard a trim, heavy-built craft that lay at anchor a littlefarther up the bay. This craft was the British man-of-war "Drake, "mounting twenty guns. Soon after his arrival in the bay, Jones learnedthe character of the "Drake, " and determined to attempt her captureduring the night. Accordingly he dropped anchor near by, and, whilecarefully concealing the character of his craft, made everypreparation for a midnight fight. The men sat between decks, sharpening cutlasses, and cleaning and priming their pistols; thecannon were loaded with grape, and depressed for work at closequarters; battle lanterns were hung in place, ready to be lighted atthe signal for action. At ten o'clock, the tramp of men about the capstan gave notice thatthe anchor was being brought to the catheads. Soon the creaking ofcordage, and the snapping of the sails, told that the fresh breeze wasbeing caught by the spreading sails. Then the waves rippled about thebow of the ship, and the "Ranger" was fairly under way. It was a pitch-dark night, but the lights on board the "Drake" showedwhere she was lying. On the "Ranger" all lights were extinguished, andno noise told of her progress towards her enemy. It was the captain'splan to run his vessel across the "Drake's" cable, drop his ownanchor, let the "Ranger" swing alongside the Englishman, and thenfight it out at close quarters. But this plan, though well laid, failed of execution. The anchor was not let fall in season; and the"Ranger, " instead of bringing up alongside her enemy, came to anchorhalf a cable-length astern. The swift-flowing tide and the freshbreeze made it impossible to warp the ship alongside: so Jones orderedthe cable cut, and the "Ranger" scudded down the bay before theever-freshening gale. It does not appear that the people on the"Drake" were aware of the danger they so narrowly escaped. The wind that had aided the tide in defeating Jones's enterprise blewstronger and stronger, and before morning the sea was tossing before aregular north-east gale. Against it the "Ranger" could make noheadway: so Jones gave his ship her head, and scudded before the winduntil within the vicinity of Whitehaven, when he determined to againattempt to destroy the shipping in that port. This time he wassuccessful. Bringing the "Ranger" to anchor near the bar, Capt. Jonescalled for volunteers to accompany him on the expedition. He himselfwas to be their leader; for as a boy he had often sailed in and out ofthe little harbor, knew where the forts stood, and where the colliersanchored most thickly. The landing party was divided into twoboat-loads; Jones taking command of one, while Lieut. Wallingford heldthe tiller of the other boat. With muffled oars the Americans made forthe shore, the boats' keels grated upon the pebbly shore, and aninstant later the adventurers had scaled the ramparts of the forts, and had made themselves masters of the garrisons. All was donequietly. The guns in the fortifications were spiked; and, leaving thefew soldiers on guard gagged and bound, Jones and his followershastened down to the wharves to set fire to the shipping. In the harbor were not less than two hundred and twenty vessels, largeand small. On the north side of the harbor, near the forts, were aboutone hundred and fifty vessels. These Jones undertook to destroy. Theothers were left to Lieut. Wallingford, with his boat's crew offifteen picked men. When Jones and his followers reached the cluster of merchantmen, theyfound their torches so far burned out as to be useless. Failure staredthem in the face then, when success was almost within their grasp. Jones, however, was not to be balked of his prey. Running his boatashore, he hastened to a neighboring house, where he demanded candles. With these he returned, led his men aboard a large ship from which thecrew fled, and deliberately built a fire in her hold. Lest the fireshould go out, he found a barrel of tar, and threw it upon the flames. Then with the great ship roaring and crackling, and surrounded byscores of other vessels in danger from the flames, Jones withdrew, thinking his work complete. Many writers have criticised Paul Jones for not having stayed longerto complete the destruction of the vessels in the harbor. But, withthe gradually brightening day, his position, which was at the bestvery dangerous, was becoming desperate. There were one hundred andfifty vessels in that part of the harbor; the crews averaged ten mento a vessel: so that nearly fifteen hundred men were opposed to theplucky little band of Americans. The roar of the fire aroused thepeople of the town, and they rushed in crowds to the wharf. Indescribing the affair Jones writes, "The inhabitants began to appearin thousands, and individuals ran hastily toward us. I stood betweenthem and the ship on fire, with my pistol in my hand, and ordered themto stand, which they did with some precipitation. The sun was a fullhour's march above the horizon; and, as sleep no longer ruled theworld, it was time to retire. We re-embarked without opposition, having released a number of prisoners, as our boats could not carrythem. After all my people had embarked, I stood upon the pier for aconsiderable space, yet no person advanced. I saw all the eminencesround the town covered with the amazed inhabitants. " As his boat drew away from the blazing shipping, Jones lookedanxiously across the harbor to the spot to which Lieut. Wallingfordhad been despatched. But no flames were seen in that quarter; for, Wallingford's torches having gone out, he had abandoned theenterprise. And so the Americans, having regained their ship, tooktheir departure, leaving only one of the enemy's vessels burning. Amost lame and impotent conclusion it was indeed; but, as Jones said, "What was done is sufficient to show that not all the boasted Britishnavy is sufficient to protect their own coasts, and that the scenes ofdistress which they have occasioned in America may soon be broughthome to their own doors. " CHAPTER VII. CAREER OF PAUL JONES CONTINUED. -- HIS DESCENT UPON THE CASTLE OF LORD SELKIRK -- THE AFFAIR OF THE PLATE. -- THE DESCENT UPON WHITEHAVEN. -- THE BATTLE WITH THE "DRAKE. "-LIEUT. SIMPSON'S PERFIDY. We now come to the glorious part of the career of Paul Jones upon theocean. Heretofore he has been chiefly occupied in the capture ofdefenceless merchantmen. His work has been that of the privateer, evenif not of the pirate that the British have always claimed he was. Butthe time came when Jones proved that he was ready to fight anadversary of his mettle; was willing to take heavy blows, and dealstunning ones in return. His daring was not confined to dashingexpeditions in which the danger was chiefly overcome by spirit andrapid movements. While this class of operations was ever a favoritewith the doughty seaman, he was not at all averse to the deadly navalduel. We shall for a time abandon our account of the general naval incidentsof the Revolution, to follow the career of Paul Jones to the end ofthe war. His career is not only the most interesting, but the mostimportant, feature of the naval operations of that war. He stands outalone, a grand figure in naval history, as does Decatur in the warswith the Barbary pirates, or Farragut in the war for the Union. Thewar of 1812 affords no such example of single greatness in the navy. There we find Perry, McDonough, and Porter, all equally great. But in'76 there was no one to stand beside Paul Jones. When the "Ranger" left the harbor of Whitehaven, her captain was heavyhearted. He felt that he had had the opportunity to strike a heavyblow at the British shipping, but had nevertheless inflicted only atrifling hurt. Angry with himself for not having better planned theadventure, and discontented with his lieutenant for not having bypresence of mind prevented the fiasco, he felt that peace of mindcould only be obtained by some deed of successful daring. He was cruising in seas familiar to him as a sailor. Along theScottish shores his boyhood hours had been spent. This knowledge hesought to turn to account. From the deck of his ship, he could see thewooded shores of St. Mary's Island, on which were the landed estatesof Lord Selkirk, a British noble, of ancient lineage and politicalprominence. On the estate of this nobleman Paul Jones was born, andthere he passed the few years of his life that elapsed before heforsook the land for his favorite element. Leaning against the rail on the quarter-deck of the "Ranger, " Jonescould see through his spy-glass the turrets and spires of LordSelkirk's castle. As he gazed, there occurred to him the idea, that ifhe could send a landing party ashore, seize the castle, capture thepeer, and bear him off into captivity, he would not only strike terrorinto the hearts of the British, but would give the Americans aprisoner who would serve as a hostage to secure good treatment for thehapless Americans who had fallen into the hands of the enemy. With Jones, the conception of a plan was followed by its swiftexecution. Disdaining to wait for nightfall, he chose two boats' crewsof tried and trusty men, and landed. The party started up the broadand open highway leading to the castle. They had gone but a few rods, however, when they encountered two countrymen, who stared a moment atthe force of armed men, and then turned in fear to escape. "Halt!" rang out the clear voice of the leader of the blue-jackets;and the peasants fell upon their faces in abject terror. Jonesdirected that they be brought to him; and he questioned them kindly, setting their minds at rest, and learning from them much of the castleand its inmates. Lord Selkirk was away from home. This to Jones wasbitter news. It seemed as though some evil genius was dogging hisfootsteps, bringing failure upon his most carefully plannedenterprises. But he was not a man to repine over the inevitable, andhe promptly ordered his men to the right about, and made for thelanding-place again. But the sailors were not so unselfish in their motives as theircaptain. They had come ashore expecting to plunder the castle of theearl, and they now murmured loudly over the abandonment of theadventure. They saw the way clear before them. No guards protected thehouse. The massive ancestral plate, with which all English landedfamilies are well provided, was unprotected by bolts or bars. Theyfelt that, in retreating, they were throwing away a chance to despoiltheir enemy, and enrich themselves. Jones felt the justice of the complaint of the sailors; but only aftera fierce struggle with his personal scruples could he yield the point. The grounds of the Earl of Selkirk had been his early playground. Alodge on the vast estate had been his childhood's home. Lady Selkirkhad shown his family many kindnesses. To now come to her house as arobber and pillager, seemed the blackest ingratitude; but, on theother hand, he had no right to permit his personal feelings tointerfere with his duty to the crew. The sailors had followed him intodanger many a time, and this was their first opportunity for financialreward. And, even if it was fair to deny them this chance to make alittle prize-money, it would hardly be safe to sow the seeds ofdiscontent among the crew while on a cruise in waters infested withthe enemy's ships. With a sigh Jones abandoned his intention ofprotecting the property of Lady Selkirk, and ordered his lieutenant toproceed to the castle, and capture the family plate. Jones himselfreturned to the ship, resolved to purchase the spoils at open sale, and return them to their former owner. The blue-jackets continued their way up the highway, and, turningaside where a heavy gate opened into a stately grove, demanded of anold man who came, wondering, out of the lodge, that he give theminstant admittance. Then, swinging into a trot, they ran along thewinding carriage-drive until they came out on the broad lawn thatextended in front of the castle. Here for the first time they wereseen by the inmates of the castle; and faint screams of fear, andshouts of astonishment, came from the open windows of the statelypile. The men-servants came rushing out to discover who the lawlesscrowd that so violated the sanctity of an English earl's private parkcould be; but their curiosity soon abated when a few stoutblue-jackets, cutlass and pistol in hand, surrounded them, and badethem keep quiet. The lieutenant, with two stout seamen at his back, then entered the castle, and sought out the mistress, who received himwith calm courtesy, with a trace of scorn, but with no sign of fear. Briefly the lieutenant told his errand. The countess gave an order toa butler, and soon a line of stout footmen entered, bearing the plate. Heavy salvers engraved with the family arms of Lord Selkirk, quaintdrinking-cups and flagons curiously carved, ewers, goblets, platters, covers, dishes, teapots, and all kinds of table utensils were there, all of exquisitely artistic workmanship, and bearing the stamp ofantiquity. When all was ready, the lieutenant called in two of thesailors from the lawn; and soon the whole party, bearing the capturedtreasure, disappeared in the curves of the road. This incident, simple enough in reality, the novelist Fenimore Cooperhas made the germ of one of his exquisite sea-tales, "The Pilot. "British historians have made of it an example by which to prove thelawlessness and base ingratitude of Paul Jones. As may readily beimagined, it stirred up at the time the most intense excitement inEngland. Jones became the bugbear of timid people. His name was usedto frighten little children. He was called pirate, traitor, free-booter, plunderer. It was indeed a most audacious act that he hadcommitted. Never before or since had the soil of England been troddenby a hostile foot. Never had a British peer been forced to feel thathis own castle was not safe from the invader. Jones, with his handfulof American tars, had accomplished a feat which had never before beenaccomplished, and which no later foeman of England has dared torepeat. It is little wonder that the British papers described him as abloodthirsty desperado. A few weeks later, the captured plate was put up for sale by the prizeagents. Capt. Jones, though not a rich man, bought it, and returned itto the countess. Lord Selkirk, in acknowledging its receipt, wrote, -- "And on all occasions, both now and formerly, I have done you thejustice to tell that you made an offer of returning the plate verysoon after your return to Brest; and although you yourself were notat my house, but remained at the shore with your boat, that you hadyour officers and men in such extraordinary good discipline, that yourhaving given them the strictest orders to behave well, --to do noinjury of any kind, to make no search, but only to bring off whatplate was given them, --that in reality they did exactly as wasordered; and that not one man offered to stir from his post on theoutside of the house, nor entered the doors, nor said an uncivil word;that the two officers stayed not one-quarter of an hour in the parlorand in the butler's pantry while the butler got the plate together, behaved politely, and asked for nothing but the plate, and instantlymarched their men off in regular order; and that both officers and menbehaved in all respects so well, that it would have done credit to thebest-disciplined troops whatever. " But the British took little notice of the generous reparation made byCapt. Jones, and continued to hurl abuse and hard names at him. Jones was vastly disappointed at his failure to capture the person ofLord Selkirk. The story of the sufferings of his countrymen in Britishprisons worked upon his heart, and he longed to take captive apersonage whom he could hold as hostage. But, soon after leaving St. Mary's Isle, he fell in again with the British man-of-war "Drake;" andas a result of this encounter he had prisoners enough to exchange formany hapless Americans languishing in hulks and prisons. After the wind and tide had defeated the midnight attempt made byJones to capture the "Drake, " that craft had remained quietly at heranchorage, little suspecting that the bay of Carrickfergus had held sodangerous a neighbor. But soon reports of the "Ranger's" depredationsbegan to reach the ears of the British captain. The news of thedesperate raid upon Whitehaven became known to him. He thereforedetermined to leave his snug anchorage, and go in search of theaudacious Yankee. Just as the captain of the "Drake" had reached thisdetermination, and while he was making sail, the "Ranger" appeared offthe mouth of the harbor. The "Drake" promptly sent out a boat to examine the strange craft, andreport upon her character. Jones saw her coming, and resolved to throwher off the scent. Accordingly, by skilful seamanship, he kept thestern of the "Ranger" continually presented to the prying eyes in theBritish boat. Turn which way they might, be as swift in theirmanoeuvres as they might, the British scouts could see nothing of the"Ranger" but her stern, pierced with two cabin windows, as might bethe stern of any merchantman. Her sides, dotted with frowning ports, were kept securely hidden from their eyes. Though provided with spy-glasses, the people in the boat were totallydeceived. Unsuspectingly they came up under the stern of the "Ranger, "and demanded to come on board. As the officer in command clambered upa rope, and vaulted the taffrail to the quarter-deck, he saw PaulJones and his lieutenants, in full uniform, standing before him. "Why, --why, what ship's this?" stammered the astonished officer. "This is the American Continental ship 'Ranger, ' and you are myprisoner, " responded Jones; and at the words a few sailors, withcutlasses and pistols, called to the men in the boat alongside, tocome aboard and give themselves up. From his captives Jones learned that the news of the Whitehaven raidhad reached the "Drake" only the night before; and that she had beenre-enforcing her crew with volunteers, preparatory to going out insearch of the "Ranger. " As he stood talking to the captured Britishnaval officer, Jones noticed slender columns of smoke rising from thewoods on neighboring highlands, where he knew there were no houses. "What does that mean?" he asked. "Alarm fires, sir, " answered the captive; "the news of your descentupon Whitehaven is terrifying the whole country. " Soon, however, the attention of the Americans was diverted from thesignal-fires to the "Drake. " An appearance of life and bustle wasobservable about the boat. The shrill notes of the boatswain'swhistle, and the tramp of men about the capstan, came faintly over thewaters. The rigging was full of sailors, and the sails were beingquickly spread to catch the fresh breeze. Soon the ship began to moveslowly from her anchorage; she heeled a little to one side, and, responsive to her helm, turned down the bay. She was coming out tolook after her lost boat. Jones determined to hold his ground, and give battle to theEnglishman. He at once began to prepare for battle in every waypossible without alarming the enemy. The great guns were loaded andprimed. Cutlasses and pistols were brought up from the armorer's room, and placed in convenient locations on the main deck, so that theboarders might find them when needed. The powder-monkeys, stripped foraction, and the handlers and cartridge-makers entered thepowder-magazine, and prepared to hand out the deadly explosive. Thecook and his assistant strewed sawdust and ashes about the decks, tocatch the blood, and keep the men from slipping. Every one was busy, from the captain down to the galley-boy. There was plenty of time to prepare; for the tide was out, and the"Drake, " beating down a narrow channel, made but slow headway. Thedelay was a severe strain upon the nerves of the men, who stood silentand grim at their quarters on the American ship, waiting for the fightto begin. At such a moment, even the most courageous must lose heart, as he thinks upon the terrible ordeal through which he must pass. Visions of home and loved ones flit before his misty eyes; and Jackchokes down a sob as he hides his emotion in nervously fingering thelock of his gun, or taking a squint through the port-holes at theapproaching enemy. At length the "Drake" emerged from the narrow channel of the harbor, and coming within hailing distance of the "Ranger, " ran up the flag ofEngland, and hailed, -- "What ship is that?" Paul Jones, himself standing on the taffrail, made answer, -- "This is the American Continental ship 'Ranger. ' We are waiting foryou. The sun is but little more than an hour from setting. It istherefore time to begin. " The "Drake" lay with her bow towards the "Ranger, " and a littleastern. As Jones finished speaking, he turned to the man at the wheel, and said, "Put your helm up. Up, I say!" Quickly responsive to her helm, the vessel swung round; and, as herbroadside came to bear, she let fly a full broadside of solid shotinto the crowded decks and hull of the "Drake. " Through timbers andplanks, flesh and bone, the iron hail rushed, leaving death, wounds, and destruction in its path. The volunteers that the "Drake" had addedto her crew so crowded the decks, that the execution was fearful. Itseemed as though every shot found a human mark. But the British were not slow to return the fire, and the roar oftheir broadside was heard before the thunder of the American fire hadceased to reverberate among the hills along the shore. Then followed a desperate naval duel. The tide of victory flowed nowthis way, and now that. Jones kept his ship at close quarters with theenemy, and stood on the quarter-deck urging on his gunners, nowpointing out some vulnerable spot, now applauding a good shot, at onetime cheering, and at another swearing, watching every movement of hisfoe, and giving quick but wise orders to his helmsman, his whole mindconcentrated upon the course of battle, and with never a thought forhis own safety. For more than an hour the battle raged, but the superior gunnery ofthe Americans soon began to tell. The "Drake" fought under no colors, her ensign having been shot away early in the action. But the spiritedmanner in which her guns were worked gave assurance that she had notstruck. The American fire had wrought great execution on the deck ofthe Englishman. Her captain was desperately wounded early in thefight; and the first lieutenant, who took his place, was struck downby a musket-ball from the "Ranger's" tops. The cock-pit of the "Drake"was like a butcher's shambles, so bespattered was it with blood. Buton the "Ranger" there was little execution. The brave Wallingford, Jones's first lieutenant and right-hand man, was killed early in theaction, and one poor fellow accompanied him to his long account; butbeyond this there were no deaths. Six men only were wounded. The sun was just dipping the lower edge of its great red circlebeneath the watery horizon, when the "Drake" began to show signs offailing. First her fire slackened. A few guns would go off at a time, followed by a long silence. That portion of her masts which wasvisible above the clouds of gunpowder-smoke showed plainly the resultsof American gunnery. The sails were shot to ribbons. The cordage cutby the flying shot hung loosely down, or was blown out by the breeze. The spars were shattered, and hung out of place. The main-mast cantedto leeward, and was in imminent danger of falling. The jib had beenshot away entirely, and was trailing in the water alongside the ship. Gradually the fire of the "Drake" slackened, until at last it hadceased altogether. Noticing this, Capt. Jones gave orders to ceasefiring; and soon silence reigned over the bay that had for an hourresounded with the thunder of cannon. As the smoke that enveloped thetwo ships cleared away, the people on the "Ranger" could see anofficer standing on the rail of the "Drake" waving a white flag. Atthe sight a mighty huzza went up from the gallant lads on the Yankeeship, which was, however, quickly checked by Jones. "Have you struck your flag?" he shouted through a speaking-trumpet. "We have, sir, " was the response. "Then lay by until I send a boat aboard, " directed Capt. Jones; andsoon after a cutter put off from the side of the "Ranger, " and madefor the captured ship. The boarding-officer clambered over the bulwarks of the "Drake, " and, veteran naval officer as he was, started in amazement at the scene ofbloodshed before him. He had left a ship on which were two dead andsix wounded men. He had come to a ship on which were forty men eitherdead or seriously wounded. Two dismounted cannon lay across the deck, one resting on the shattered and bleeding fragments of a man, torn topieces by a heavy shot. The deck was slippery with blood. The cock-pitwas not large enough to hold all the wounded; and many sufferers layon the deck crying piteously for aid, and surrounded by the mangledbodies of their dead comrades. The body of the captain, who had diedof his wound, lay on the deserted quarter-deck. Hastily the American officer noted the condition of the prize, andreturned to his own ship for aid. All the boats of the "Ranger" werethen lowered, and in the growing darkness the work of takingpossession of the prize began. Most of the prisoners were transferredto the "Ranger. " The dead were thrown overboard without burial serviceor ceremony of any kind, such is the grim earnestness of war. Such ofthe wounded as could not be taken care of in the sick-bay of the"Drake" were transferred to the "Ranger. " The decks were scrubbed, holystoned, and sprinkled with hot vinegar to take away the smell ofthe blood-soaked planks. Cordage was spliced, sails mended, shot-holesplugged up; and, by the time morning came, the two ships weresufficiently repaired to be ready to leave the bay. But, before leaving, Capt. Jones set at liberty two fishermen, whom hehad captured several days before, and held prisoners lest they shouldspread the news of his presence in those parts. While the fishermenhad been taken on board the "Ranger, " and treated with the utmostkindness, their boat had been made fast alongside. Unluckily, however, the stormy weather had torn the boat from its fastenings; and itfoundered before the eyes of its luckless owners, who bitterlybewailed their hard fate as they saw their craft disappear. But, whenthey came to leave the "Ranger, " their sorrow was turned to joy; forJones gave them money enough to buy for them a new boat and outfit, --abit of liberality very characteristic of the man. When the "Drake" was in condition to sail, Jones put her in command ofLieut. Simpson, and the two vessels left the bay. This choice ofcommander proved to be an unfortunate one. Simpson was in many ways amost eccentric officer. He was a violent advocate of equal rights ofall men, and even went so far as to disbelieve in the disciplinewithout which no efficiency can be obtained on ship-board. He was aneighteenth-century Sir Joseph Porter. He believed that all questionsof importance on ship-board should be settled by a vote of the crew;that the captain was, in a certain sense, only perpetual chairman of ameeting, and should only execute the will of the sailors. Naturally, this view of an officer's authority was little relished by Lieut. Simpson's brother officers, and he had for some time been greatlydissatisfied with his position. When it came about, therefore, that the "Ranger, " seeing a strangesail in the offing, left the "Drake" to go in pursuit of the stranger, Lieut. Simpson saw his chance to make off with the "Drake, " and thusrid himself of the disagreeable necessity of submitting to the ordersof a superior officer. This course he determined to adopt; and whenJones, having overtaken the stranger and found her a neutral, turnedto rejoin his prize, he was vastly astounded at the evolutions of the"Drake. " The vessel which he had left in charge of one of his trustedofficers seemed to be trying to elude him. She was already hull downon the horizon, and was carrying every stitch of sail. The "Ranger"signalled to her colleague to return, but in vain. Several large shipswere in sight; but Jones, perplexed by the strange antics of hisconsort, abandoned all thoughts of making captures, and made after therapidly vanishing "Drake. " As the "Ranger" cut through the ugly cross seas of the channel, Jonesrevolved in his mind the causes which might lead to the inexplicableflight of his consort. His chief fear was that the prisoners on the"Drake" might have risen, overpowered their captors, and were thenendeavoring to take the ship into a British port. Convinced that thiswas the true explanation of the matter, Jones made tremendous effortsto overhaul the prize before the night should give her an opportunityto elude pursuit. Every thing from jib-boom to main-truck, that woulddraw, was set on the "Ranger;" and the gallant little vessel ploughedalong at a rate that almost belied her reputation as a slow craft. After an hour's run, it became evident that the "Ranger" was gainingground. Nevertheless, darkness settled over the waters, and the"Drake" was still far in the lead. It was not until the next day thatthe runaway was overhauled. Upon boarding the "Drake, " Jones found, tohis intense indignation, that not to the revolt of the captives, butto the wilful and silly insubordination of Lieut. Simpson, the flightof the captured vessel was due. This officer, feeling himselfaggrieved by something Jones had said or done, had determined to seizeupon the "Drake, " repair her in some French port, and thenceforward tocruise as a privateer. This plan was nipped in the bud by Jones, whoput the disobedient officer in irons, and carried the "Drake" intoBrest as a prize. All Europe now rang with the praises of Paul Jones. Looked at in thecalm light of history, his achievements do not appear so veryremarkable. But it is none the less true that they have never beenparalleled. Before the day of Paul Jones, no hostile vessel had everswept the English Channel and Irish Sea clear of British merchantmen. And since the day of Paul Jones the exploit has never been repeated, save by the little American brig "Argus" in the War of 1812. Butneither before nor since the day of Paul Jones has the spectacle of aBritish ship in an English port, blazing with fire applied by thetorches of an enemy, been seen. And no other man than Paul Jones has, for several centuries, led an invading force down the level highways, and across the green fields, of England. CHAPTER VIII. THE CAREER OF PAUL JONES CONTINUED. -- HIS SEARCH FOR A SHIP. -- GIVEN COMMAND OF THE "BON HOMME RICHARD. " -- LANDAIS AND HIS CHARACTER. -- THE FRUSTRATED MUTINY. -- LANDAIS QUARRELS WITH JONES. -- EDINBURGH AND LEITH THREATENED. -- THE DOMINIE'S PRAYER. When Paul Jones arrived at Brest, bringing the captured Drake, hefound the situation of affairs materially altered. France hadacknowledged the independence of the American Colonies, and had openlyespoused their cause as against that of Great Britain. It was nolonger necessary to resort to cunning deceptions to buy a war-ship orsell a prize in a French port. French vessels, manned by French crewsand commanded by French officers, were putting to sea to strike a blowagainst the British. French troops were being sent to America. Thestars and stripes waved by the side of the _fleur de lys_; andBenjamin Franklin, the American envoy, was the lion of French society, and the idol of the Parisian mob. Paul Jones saw in this friendship of France for the strugglingcolonies his opportunity. Heretofore he had been condemned to commandonly slow-going, weak ships. He had been hampered by a lack of fundsfor the payment of his crew and the purchase of provisions. More thanonce the inability of the impoverished Continental Congress to providethe sinews of war had forced him to go down into his own purse for thenecessary funds. All this period of penury he now felt was past. Hecould rely upon the king of France for a proper vessel, and the fundswith which to prosecute his work on the seas. Accordingly, when the"Ranger" was again ready for sea, he turned her over to theinsubordinate Lieut. Simpson, while he himself remained in France withthe expectation of being provided with a better ship. But the sturdy seaman soon found how vexatious is the lot of him whodepends upon the bounty of monarchs. Ship after ship was put incommission, but no command was tendered to the distinguished American. The French naval officers had first to be attended to. Jones madeearnest appeals to the minister of the marine. He brought everypossible influence to bear. His claims were urged by Dr. Franklin, butall to no avail. At last an appointment came. It was to command anEnglish prize, lately captured and brought into Brest. Thither wentJones to examine the craft. Much to his disappointment, he found hervery slow; and this determined him to decline the commission. "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, "he wrote to a gentleman who had secured for him the appointment; "forI intend to go in harm's way. You know I believe that this is notevery one's intention. Therefore, buy a frigate that sails fast, andthat is sufficiently large to carry twenty-six or twenty-eight guns, not less than twelve-pounders, on one deck. I would rather be shotashore than sent to sea in such things as the armed prizes I havedescribed. " Five months of waiting and ceaseless solicitation of the authoritiesstill left the sailor, who had won so many victories, stranded inshameful inactivity. He had shrunk from a personal interview with theking, trusting rather to the efforts of his friends, many of whom werein high favor at Versailles. But one day he happened to light upon anold copy of "Poor Richard's Almanac, " that unique publication in whichBenjamin Franklin printed so many wise maxims and witty sayings. AsJones listlessly turned its pages, his eye fell upon the maxim, -- "If you wish to have any business done faithfully and expeditiously, go and do it yourself. Otherwise, send some one. " Shutting the book, and dashing it to the floor, Jones sprang to hisfeet exclaiming, "I will go to Versailles this very day. " Before nighthe set out, and soon reached the royal court. His reputation easilygained him an interview; and his frank, self-reliant way so impressedthe monarch, that in five days the American was tendered the commandof the ship "Daras, " mounting forty guns. Great was the exultation of the American seaman at this happytermination of his labor. Full of gratitude to the distinguishedphilosopher whose advice had proved so effective, he wrote to theminister of marine, begging permission to change the name of thevessel to the "Poor Richard, " or, translated into French, the "BonHomme Richard. " Permission was readily granted; and thereafter the"Bon Homme Richard, " with Paul Jones on the quarter-deck, did valiantwork for the cause of the young American Republic. The "Bon Homme Richard" was lying in the harbor of L'Orient when Jonesvisited her to examine his new ship. He found her a fairly wellmodelled craft, giving promise of being a good sailer. She had one ofthe high pitched poops that were so common in the early part of thelast century, and that gave to the sterns of ships of that period theappearance of lofty towers. Originally she was a single-decked ship, mounting her battery on one gun-deck, with the exception of a fewcannon on the quarter-deck and forecastle. The gun-deck mountedtwenty-eight guns, all twelve-pounders. On the quarter-deck andforecastle were eight long nines. To this armament Jones at once addedsix eighteen-pounders, which were mounted in the gun-room below. To man this vessel, Jones was obliged to recruit a most motley crew. Few American seamen were then in France, and he considered himselffortunate to find enough to fill the stations of officers on thequarter-deck and forward. For his crew proper he was forced to acceptan undisciplined crowd of Portuguese, Norwegians, Germans, Spaniards, Swedes, Italians, Malays, Scotch, Irish, and even a few Englishmen. About a hundred and thirty-five marines were put aboard to keep orderamong this rabble; and, even with this aid to discipline, it iswonderful that no disturbance ever broke out in a crew that was madeup of so many discordant elements. While the "Bon Homme Richard" was being made ready for sea, thevessels that were to sail with her as consorts were making for therendezvous at L'Orient. These vessels were the "Pallas, " "Cerf, ""Vengeance, " and "Alliance. " The three former were small vessels, built in France, and manned wholly by Frenchmen. The "Alliance" was apowerful, well-built American frigate, carrying an American crew, butcommanded by a French officer, --Capt. Landais. This vessel was thelast to arrive at the rendezvous, as she had a stormy and somewhateventful trip across the ocean. The "Alliance" was a thirty-two gun frigate, built under thesupervision of the American Marine Committee, and which had come toEuropean waters, bringing as a passenger the distinguished Gen. Lafayette. As has been stated, she was under the command of a Frenchnaval officer, to whom the command had been offered as a compliment toFrance. Unfortunately the jack tars of America were not so anxious tocompliment France, and looked with much disfavor upon the prospect ofserving under a Frenchman. Capt. Landais, therefore, found greatdifficulty in getting a crew to man his frigate; and when Lafayettereached Boston, ready to embark for France, the roster of the ship inwhich he was to sail was still painfully incomplete. Great was themortification of the American authorities; and the government ofMassachusetts, desiring to aid the distinguished Frenchman in everyway, offered to complete by impressment. It is vastly to the credit ofLafayette that he refused for a moment to countenance a method ofrecruiting so entirely in opposition to those principles of liberty towhich he was devoted. But, though impressment was not resorted to, aplan hardly less objectionable was adopted. The British man-of-war"Somerset" had been wrecked on the New England coast some time before, and many of her crew were then in Boston. These men volunteered tojoin the crew of the "Alliance, " though by so doing they knew thatthey were likely to be forced to fight against their own flag andcountrymen. But the ties of nationality bear lightly upon sailors, andthese men were as ready to fight under the stars and stripes as underthe cross of St. George. With a crew made up of Americans, Englishmen, and Frenchmen, the"Alliance" put to sea in the early part of January, 1779. It was themost stormy season of the year on the tempestuous Atlantic. But thestorms which racked the good ship from without were as nothing to theturbulence within. In the forecastle were three different elements ofdiscord. British, French, and Americans quarrelled bitterly amongthemselves, and the jackies went about their work with a sullen airthat betokened trouble brewing. The officers suspected the impending trouble, but had little idea ofits extent. They were living over a volcano which was liable to burstforth at any moment. The Englishmen in the crew, who numbered someseventy or eighty, had determined to mutiny, and had perfected alltheir plans for the uprising. Their intention was not only to seizethe ship, and take her into an English port, but they proposed towreak their hatred in the bloodiest form upon the officers. Capt. Landais, as the special object of their hate, was to be put into anopen boat without food, water, oars, or sails. Heavy irons were tobind his wrists and ankles, and he was to be set adrift to starve onthe open ocean. The fate of the surgeon and marine officer was to beequally hard. They were to be hanged and quartered, and their bodiescast into the sea. The sailing-master was to be seized up to themizzen-mast, stripped to the waist, and his back cut to pieces withthe cat-of-nine-tails; after which he was to be slowly hacked topieces with cutlasses, and thrown into the sea. The gunner, carpenter, and boatswain were to be mercifully treated. No torture was preparedfor them, but they were to be promptly put to death. As to thelieutenants, they were to be given the choice between navigating theship to the nearest British port, or walking the plank. This sanguinary programme the mutineers discussed day and night. Theringleaders were in the same watch, and in the silent hours of thenight matured their plans, and picked out men whom they thought wouldjoin them. One by one they cautiously chose their associates. Thesailor whom the mutineers thought was a safe man would be led quietlyapart from his fellows to some secluded nook on the gun-deck; andthere, with many pledges to secrecy, the plot would be revealed, andhis assistance asked. Or perhaps of two men out on the end of atossing yard-arm, far above the raging waters, one would be amutineer, and would take that opportunity to try to win his fellowsailor to the cause. So the mutiny spread apace; and the volcano wasalmost ready to burst forth, when all was discovered, and the plans ofthe mutineers were happily defeated. The conspirators had succeeded in gaining the support of all theEnglishmen in the crew, as well as many of the sailors of othernationalities. So numerous were their adherents, that they were wellable to capture the ship; but before so doing they sought to gain onemore recruit. This man was an American sailor, who had lived long inIreland, and spoke with a slight brogue, that led the conspirators tothink him a subject of the king, and an enemy to the revoltedcolonies. This man was known to have some knowledge of navigation, andthe mutineers felt that his assistance would be essential to thesuccess of their plot. Though they had planned to force thelieutenant, under penalty of death, to navigate the vessel into aBritish port, they had no means of telling whether the lieutenantshould play them false. It would be an easy matter for an officer totake the ship into a French port, where the lives of the conspiratorsshould pay the penalty of their misdeeds. Accordingly, it was highlyimportant for them to number among them some one versed in the scienceof navigation; and, with this end in view, they turned to the youngIrish-American. The young seaman proved to be possessed of the loyalty and shrewdnessof the Yankee, together with a touch of the blarney of the genuineIrishman. He listened to the complaints of the mutineers, sympathizedwith their grievances, entered heartily into their plans, and by hisapparent interest in the conspiracy soon became looked upon as one ofthe chief ringleaders. He learned that the plan of the conspirators was to assemble on deckabout daylight on a certain day when one of the conspirators should beposted in the tops as lookout. This man was to raise the cry of "Sail, ho!" when the officers and passengers would of course come to thequarter-deck unarmed. The mutineers would commence operations byseizing them in a body. Then, separating into four parties, theconspirators would seize upon the ship. On the forecastle were mountedfour nine-pound guns. These were usually kept charged with blankcartridge only; but a gunner's mate, who was one of the ringleaders, had quietly slipped a charge of canister into each gun. Should theofficers show signs of resistance, these cannon were to be trainedaft, and the quarter-deck swept by their discharge. Discipline on aman-of-war requires that the crew should be kept disarmed, except intime of battle; the cutlasses, pikes, and pistols being given over tothe armorer. But a sergeant of marines had done the cause of themutineers good service, by purloining some muskets, and handing themover to the ringleaders. Having thus gained full knowledge of the plans of the mutineers, theloyal seaman sought the first opportunity to warn the officers of theship. But not until three o'clock on the afternoon before the day setfor the mutiny could he manage to slip into the captain's cabin unseenby the conspirators. Landais and Lafayette were seated there talking. "Well, what's wanted now?" asked the captain in the peremptory toneofficers assume in speaking to a sailor. The intruder stammered and looked confused, but finally managed totell the story. Landais was amazed. That so dangerous a conspiracyshould have been nurtured in his crew, astonished him beyondexpression. But he wasted no time in vain conjectures. Quietly theword was passed to the officers and passengers to assemble in thecaptain's cabin. Some trusty petty officers were given arms todistribute among the American and French seamen who had not beeninfected with the fever of mutiny. At a given signal the officers andpassengers rushed to the quarter-deck. The American and French seamenjoined them; and the conspirators suddenly found themselves confrontedby an angry body of determined men, fully armed. The leading mutineers were pointed out by the informer, instantlyseized, and hurried below in irons. Then the work of arresting theother conspirators began, and was continued until about forty of theEnglish were in irons. While the work was progressing, a square-riggedship hove in sight, and was soon made out to be one of the enemy'stwenty-gun ships. Under ordinary circumstances, the "Alliance" wouldhave sought to give battle to the enemy; but in the present instance, with mutiny rife among his crew, Capt. Landais thought it his wisestcourse to avoid the stranger. A few days later, the "Alliance" arrivedat Brest, where the mutineers were thrown into jail, and kept in closeconfinement, until exchanged for American prisoners in the hands ofthe British. But to return to Paul Jones, whom we left with the "Bon Homme Richard"lying at anchor in the harbor of L'Orient waiting for the arrival ofhis allies. On the 19th of June, 1779, all were ready to sail, andleft the harbor with a few coasters and transports under convoy. The"Bon Homme Richard" was the largest vessel of the little fleet; nextcame the "Alliance, " under command of Capt. Landais; then the"Pallas, " an old merchantman hastily remodelled, and mountingthirty-two guns; then the "Cerf" with eighteen guns, and the"Vengeance" with twelve. Though not a very formidable armada, thislittle fleet might have done great good to the American cause, hadPaul Jones been given proper authority, and had his daring plans beencountenanced by the French authorities. But, though nominallycommander-in-chief, Jones soon found that he had no means of enforcinghis authority. He found that the three Frenchmen in command of theother vessels of the squadron looked upon him as a partner in theenterprise, rather than as a leader with absolute authority. They paidno heed to the signals set at the fore of the flag-ship. They wilfullydisobeyed orders. Worse than all, they proved to be poor seamen; andthe squadron had hardly got into blue water before the "Alliance" wasrun foul of the "Richard, " losing her own mizzen-mast, and tearingaway the head and bowsprit of the flag-ship. Thus, after long monthsof preparation for sea, Jones found himself forced to return to portto refit. It has been charged that this accident was not altogetheraccidental, so far as the "Alliance" was concerned. Landais, thecommander of that vessel, hated Jones, and was insanely jealous of theman who outranked him. The collision was only the first of a series ofmishaps, all of which Landais ascribed to accident, but whichunprejudiced readers must confess seem to have been inspired by maliceor the results of gross incompetence. A few days sufficed to repair all damage, and again the vessels soughtthe open sea. When two days out, a strange sail was sighted. Jonescrowded all sail on the "Richard, " and set out in hot pursuit, butfound, to his bitter disappointment, that his ship was a wretchedlyslow sailer. Therefore, signalling to the swift-sailing "Cerf" tofollow the stranger, he abandoned the chase to the smaller craft. Allnight long the cutter followed in the wake of the stranger, and whenday broke the two vessels were near enough to each other to readilymake out each other's character. The stranger proved to be a smallEnglish cruiser of fourteen guns. Her captain was no poltroon; for assoon as he discovered that the ship from which he had been trying toescape was but little larger than his own, he came about, and, runningdown upon the "Cerf, " opened fire. The action was a sharp one. The twovessels were fairly matched and well fought. The thunder of theirbroadsides resounded far and wide over the ocean. For an hour theygrappled in deadly strife. The tide of battle turned now to one side, and now to the other. But at last the superior metal of the "Cerf" wonfor her the victory. With her battered prize in tow, she sought torejoin the squadron, but unluckily fell in with a British frigate thathad been attracted by the sound of the cannonading. It was useless tothink of saving the prize: so the "Cerf" abandoned it, and after ahard chase escaped, and put into the harbor of L'Orient. In the mean time, the squadron had become separated; and, after afortnight's fruitless cruising, all the vessels returned to L'Orient. Here they lay until the middle of August. More than three months hadpassed since Jones had been given command of the "Richard. " Most ofthe time had been spent in port. The little cruising that had beendone had been unproductive of results. Dissension and jealousy madethe squadron absolutely ineffective. As for the "Bon Homme Richard, "she had proved a failure; being unable to overhaul the enemy that shewished to engage, or escape from the man-of-war she might wish toavoid. Jones saw his reputation fast slipping away from him. Bitterlyhe bewailed the fate that had put him at the mercy of a lot ofquarrelsome Frenchmen. He determined that when once again he got tosea he would ignore his consorts, and fight the battles of his countrywith his own ship only. It was on the 14th of August that the squadron weighed anchor, andleft the harbor of L'Orient. The "Richard" was greatly strengthened bythe addition to her crew of about one hundred American seamen, who hadbeen sent to France from England in exchange for a number of Englishprisoners. With her sailed the same vessels that had previously madeup the squadron, together with two French privateers, --the "Monsieur"and the "Granville. " Four days after sailing, a large French ship incharge of a British prize-crew was sighted. The whole squadron gavechase; and the "Monsieur, " being the swiftest sailer of the fleet, recaptured the prize. Then arose a quarrel. The privateersmen claimedthat the prize was theirs alone. They had captured it, and the regularnaval officers had no authority over them. To this Capt. Jonesvigorously demurred, and, taking the prize from its captors, sent itto L'Orient to be disposed of in accordance with the laws. In highdudgeon, the privateers vowed vengeance, and that night the "Monsieur"left the squadron. She was a fine, fast vessel, mounting forty guns;and her departure greatly weakened the fleet. A few days later a second serious loss was encountered. The fleet waslying off Cape Clear, only a few miles from the shore. The day wasperfectly calm. Not a breath of wind ruffled the calm surface of thewater. The sails flapped idly against the mast. The sailors lay aboutthe decks, trying to keep cool, and lazily watching the distant shore. Far off in the distance a white sail glimmered on the horizon. Itshowed no sign of motion, and was clearly becalmed. After somedeliberation, Capt. Jones determined to attempt to capture thestranger by means of boats. The two largest boats, manned with crewsof picked men, were sent out to hail the vessel, and, if she proved tobe an enemy, to capture her. In this they were successful, andreturned next day, bringing the captured craft. But, while the two boats were still out after the enemy's ship, thetide changed; and Capt. Jones soon saw that his ship was in dangerfrom a powerful current, that seemed to be sweeping her on shore. Afew hundred yards from the ship, two dangerous reefs, known as theSkallocks and the Blasketts, reared their black heads above the calmsurface of the sea. Toward these rocks the "Bon Homme Richard" wasdrifting, when Jones, seeing the danger, ordered out two boats to towthe ship to a less perilous position. As the best men of the crew hadbeen sent away to capture the brig, the crews of the two boats weremade up of the riff-raff of the crew. Many of them were Englishmen, mere mercenary sailors, who had shipped on the Richard, secretlyintending to desert at the first opportunity. Therefore, when nightfell, as they were still in the boats trying to pull the "Richard's"head around, they cut the ropes and made off for the shore. The desertion was discovered immediately. The night was clear, and bythe faint light of the stars the course of the receding boats could betraced. The sailing-master of the "Richard, " a Mr. Trent, being thefirst to discover the treachery, sprang into a boat with a few armedmen, and set out in hot pursuit. The bow-gun of the "Richard" washastily trained on the deserters, and a few cannon-shot sent afterthem; but without effect. Before the pursuing boat could overhaul thefugitives, a dense bank of gray fog settled over the water, andpursued and pursuers were hidden from each other and from the gaze ofthose on the man-of-war. All night long the fog, like a moist, impenetrable curtain, rested on the ocean. The next day the "Cerf" setout to find the missing boats. As she neared the shore, to avoidraising an alarm, she hoisted British colors. Hardly had she done sowhen she was seen by Trent and his companions. The fog made theoutlines of the cutter indistinct, and magnified her in the eyes ofthe Americans, so that they mistook her for an English man-of-war. Toavoid what they thought would lead to certain capture on the water, they ran their boat ashore, and speedily fell into the hands of theBritish coast guard. They were at once thrown into prison, where theunfortunate Trent soon died. The rest of the party were exchangedlater in the war. The loss of the boats, and capture of Mr. Trent and his followers, were not the only unfortunate results of this incident; for the "Cerf"became lost in the fog, and before she could rejoin the fleet aviolent gale sprang up, and she was carried back to the coast ofFrance. She never again returned to join the fleet, and Jones foundhis force again, depleted. But the effective force of the squadron under the command of PaulJones was weakened far more by the eccentric and mutinous actions ofCapt. Landais of the "Alliance" than by any losses by desertion orcapture. When the news of the loss of two boats by desertion reachedthe "Alliance, " Landais straightway went to the "Richard, " andentering the cabin began to upbraid Jones in unmeasured terms forhaving lost two boats through his folly in sending boats to capture abrig. "It is not true, Capt. Landais, " answered Jones, "that the boats whichare lost are the two which were sent to capture the brig. " "Do you tell me I lie?" screamed the Frenchman, white with anger. Hisofficers strove to pacify him, but without avail; and he left the"Richard" vowing that he would challenge Capt. Jones, and kill him. Shortly thereafter the "Richard" captured a very valuable prize, --aship mounting twenty-two guns, and loaded with sails, rigging, anchors, cables, and other essential articles for the navy GreatBritain was building on the Lakes. By desertion and other causes, thecrew of the "Richard" was greatly depleted, and not enough men couldbe spared to man the prize. Jones applied to Landais for aid. Inresponse the Frenchman said, -- "If it is your wish that I should take charge of the prize, I shallnot allow any boat or any individual from the 'Bon Homme Richard' togo near her. " To this absurd stipulation Jones agreed. Landais, having thus assumedcomplete charge of the prize, showed his incompetence by sending her, together with a prize taken by the "Alliance, " to Bergen in Norway. The Danish Government, being on friendly terms with England, immediately surrendered the vessels to the British ambassador; and thecause of the young republic was cheated of more than two hundredthousand dollars through the insane negligence of the French captain. Ever thereafter, Landais manifested the most insolent indifference tothe orders of Capt. Jones, to whom, as his superior officer, he shouldrender implicit obedience. He came and went as he saw fit. The"Alliance" would disappear from the squadron, and return again aftertwo or three days' absence, without apology or explanation. Jones soonlearned to look with indifference upon the antics of his consort, andconsidered his squadron as composed of the "Richard, " "Vengeance, " and"Pallas" only. On the 15th of September, the three vessels lay off the port of Leith, a thriving city, which was then, as now, the seaport for the greatercity of Edinburgh, which stands a little farther inland. Jones hadcome to this point cherishing one of those daring plans of which hismind was so fertile. He had learned that the harbor was full ofshipping, and defended only by a single armed vessel of twenty guns. Shore batteries there were none. The people of the town were restingin fancied security, and had no idea that the dreaded Paul Jones wasat their very harbor's mouth. It would have been an easy matter forthe three cruisers to make a dash into the harbor, take somedistinguished prisoners, demand a huge ransom, fire the shipping, andescape again to the open sea. Had Jones been in reality, as he was inname, the commander of the little fleet, the exploit would have beenperformed. But the lack of authority which had hampered him throughouthis cruise paralyzed him here. By the time he had overcome the timidobjections of the captains of the "Vengeance" and the "Pallas, " allLeith was aroused. Still Jones persevered. His arrangements werecarefully perfected. Troops were to be landed under command ofLieut. -Col. Chamillard, who was to lay before the chief magistrate ofthe town the following letter, written by Jones himself:-- "I do not wish to distress the poor inhabitants. My intention is onlyto demand your contribution toward the reimbursement which Britainowes to the much injured citizens of America. Savages would blush atthe unmanly violation and rapacity that have marked the tracks ofBritish tyranny in America, from which neither virgin innocence norhelpless age has been a plea of protection or pity. "Leith and its port now lay at our mercy. And did not the plea ofhumanity stay the just hand of retaliation, I should withoutadvertisement lay it in ashes. Before I proceed to that stern duty asan officer, my duty as a man induces me to propose to you, by meansof a reasonable ransom, to prevent such a scene of horror anddistress. For this reason, I have authorized Lieut. -Col. De Chamillardto agree with you on the terms of ransom, allowing you exactly half anhour's reflection before you finally accept or reject the terms whichhe shall propose. " The landing parties having been chosen, the order of attack mappedout, and part to be taken by each boat's-crew accurately defined, thethree vessels advanced to the attack. It was a bright Sunday morning. A light breeze blowing on shore wafted the three vessels gently alongthe smooth surface of the bay. It is said that as the invaders passedthe little town of Kirkaldy, the people were at church, but, seeingthe three men-of-war passing, deserted the sacred edifice for thebeach, where the gray-haired pastor, surrounded by his flock, offeredthe following remarkable appeal to the Deity:-- "Now, dear Lord, dinna ye think it a shame for ye to send this vilepirate to rob our folk o' Kirkaldy? Ye ken that they are puir enowalready, and hae naething to spare. The way the wind blaws, he'll behere in a jiffy. And wha kens what he may do? He's nae too good forony thing. Mickles the mischief he has done already. He'll burn theirhooses, take their very claes, and strip them to the very sark. Andwaes me, wha kens but that the bluidy villain might tak' their lives!The puir weemin are most frightened out of their wits, and the bairnsscreeching after them. I canna think of it! I canna think of it! "I hae long been a faithful servant to ye, O Lord. But gin ye dinnaturn the wind about, and blaw the scoundrel out of our gate, I'll naestir a foot, but will just sit here till the tide comes. Sae tak' yourwill o't. " Never was prayer more promptly answered. Hardly had the pastorconcluded his prayer, when the wind veered round, and soon a violentgale was blowing off shore. In the teeth of the wind, the ships couldmake no headway. The gale increased in violence until it rivalled infierceness a tornado. The sea was lashed into fury, and great wavesarose, on the crests of which the men-of-war were tossed about likefragile shells. The coal-ship which had been captured was so rackedand torn by the heavy seas, that her seams opened, and she founderedso speedily, that only by the most active efforts was her crew saved. After several hours' ineffectual battling with the gale, the shipswere forced to come about and run out to sea; and Jones suffered themortification of witnessing the failure of his enterprise, afterhaving been within gunshot of the town that he had hoped to capture. As for the good people of Kirkaldy, they were convinced that theirescape from the daring seamen was wholly due to the personal influenceof their pastor with the Deity; and the worthy parson lived longafterward, ever held in the most mighty veneration by the people ofhis flock. CHAPTER IX. CAREER OF PAUL JONES CONCLUDED. -- THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE "BON HOMME RICHARD" AND THE "SERAPIS. " -- TREACHERY OF LANDAIS. -- JONES'S GREAT VICTORY. -- LANDAIS STEALS THE "ALLIANCE. " -- JONES IN COMMAND OF THE "ARIEL. " -- THE "ARIEL" IN THE STORM. -- ARRIVAL IN AMERICA. After this adventure, the three vessels continued their cruise alongthe eastern coast of Scotland. Continued good fortune, in the way ofprizes, rather soothed the somewhat chafed feelings of Capt. Jones, and he soon recovered from the severe disappointment caused by thefailure of his attack upon Leith. He found good reason to believe thatthe report of his exploits had spread far and wide in England, andthat British sea-captains were using every precaution to avoidencountering him. British vessels manifested an extreme disinclinationto come within hailing distance of any of the cruisers, although allthree were so disguised that it seemed impossible to make out theirwarlike character. One fleet of merchantmen that caught sight of the"Bon Homme Richard" and the "Pallas" ran into the River Humber, to themouth of which they were pursued by the two men-of-war. Lying atanchor outside the bar, Jones made signal for a pilot, keeping theBritish flag flying at his peak. Two pilot-boats came out; and Jones, assuming the character of a British naval officer, learned from them, that besides the merchantmen lying at anchor in the river, a Britishfrigate lay there waiting to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to thenorth. Jones tried to lure the frigate out with a signal that thepilots revealed to him; but, though she weighed anchor, she was drivenback by strong head-winds that were blowing. Disappointed in thisplan, Jones continued his cruise. Soon after he fell in with the"Alliance" and the "Vengeance;" and, while off Flamborough Head, thelittle squadron encountered a fleet of forty-one merchant ships, that, at the sight of the dreaded Yankee cruisers, crowded together like aflock of frightened pigeons, and made all sail for the shore; whiletwo stately men-of-war--the "Serapis, forty-four, " and the "Countessof Scarborough, twenty-two"--moved forward to give battle to theAmericans. Jones now stood upon the threshold of his greatest victory. His boldand chivalric mind had longed for battle, and recoiled from the lessglorious pursuit of burning helpless merchantmen, and terrorizingsmall towns and villages. He now saw before him a chance to meet theenemy in a fair fight, muzzle to muzzle, and with no overpowering oddson either side. Although the Americans had six vessels to theEnglishmen's two, the odds were in no wise in their favor. Two of thevessels were pilot-boats, which, of course, kept out of the battle. The "Vengeance, " though ordered to render the larger vessels anypossible assistance, kept out of the fight altogether, and evenneglected to make any attempt to overhaul the flying band ofmerchantmen. As for the "Alliance, " under the erratic Landais, sheonly entered the conflict at the last moment; and then her broadsides, instead of being delivered into the enemy, crashed through the alreadyshattered sides of the "Bon Homme Richard. " Thus the actual combatantswere the "Richard" with forty guns, against the "Serapis" withforty-four; and the "Pallas" with twenty-two guns, against the"Countess of Scarborough" with twenty-two. It was about seven o'clock in the evening of a clear Septemberday--the twenty-third--that the hostile vessels bore down upon eachother, making rapid preparations for the impending battle. The sea wasfast turning gray, as the deepening twilight robbed the sky of itsazure hue. A brisk breeze was blowing, that filled out the bellyingsails of the ships, and beat the waters into little waves capped withsnowy foam. In the west the rosy tints of the autumnal sunset werestill warm in the sky. Nature was in one of her most smiling moods, asthese men with set faces, and hearts throbbing with the mingledemotions of fear and excitement, stood silent at their guns, or workedbusily at the ropes of the great war-ships. As soon as he became convinced of the character of the two Englishships, Jones beat his crew to quarters, and signalled his consorts toform in line of battle. The people on the "Richard" went cheerfully totheir guns; and though the ship was extremely short-handed, andcrowded with prisoners, no voice was raised against giving immediatebattle to the enemy. The actions of the other vessels of the Americanfleet, however, gave little promise of any aid from that quarter. Whenthe enemy was first sighted, the swift-sailing "Alliance" dashedforward to reconnoitre. As she passed the "Pallas, " Landais cried out, that, if the stranger proved to be a forty-four, the only course forthe Americans was immediate flight. Evidently the result of hisinvestigations convinced him that in flight lay his only hope ofsafety; for he quickly hauled off, and stood away from the enemy. The"Vengeance, " too, ran off to windward, leaving the "Richard" and the"Pallas" to bear the brunt of battle. It was by this time quite dark, and the position of the ships wasoutlined by the rows of open port-holes gleaming with the lurid lightof the battle-lanterns. On each ship rested a stillness like that ofdeath itself. The men stood at their guns silent and thoughtful. Sweetmemories of home and loved ones mingled with fearful anticipations ofdeath or of mangling wounds in the minds of each. The little ladswhose duty in time of action it was to carry cartridges from themagazine to the gunners had ceased their boyish chatter, and stoodnervously at their stations. Officers walked up and down the decks, speaking words of encouragement to the men, glancing sharply atprimers and breechings to see that all was ready, and ever and anonstooping to peer through the porthole at the line of slowly movinglights that told of the approach of the enemy. On the quarter-deck, Paul Jones, with his officers about him, stood carefully watching themovements of the enemy through a night glass, giving occasionally aquiet order to the man at the wheel, and now and then sending an agilemidshipman below with orders to the armorer, or aloft with orders forthe sharp-shooters posted in the tops. As the night came on, the wind died away to a gentle breeze, thathardly ruffled the surface of the water, and urged the ships towardeach other but sluggishly. As they came within pistol-shot of eachother, bow to bow, and going on opposite tacks, a hoarse cry came fromthe deck of the "Serapis, "-- "What ship is that?" "What is that you say?" "What ship is that? Answer immediately, or I shall fire into you. " Instantly with a flash and roar both vessels opened fire. The thunderof the broadsides reverberated over the waters; and the bright flashof the cannon, together with the pale light of the moon just rising, showed Flamborough Head crowded with multitudes who had come out towitness the grand yet awful spectacle of a naval duel. The very first broadside seemed enough to wreck the fortunes of the"Richard. " In her gun-room were mounted six long eighteens, the onlyguns she carried that were of sufficient weight to be matched againstthe heavy ordnance of the "Serapis. " At the very first discharge, twoof these guns burst with frightful violence. Huge masses of iron werehurled in every direction, cutting through beams and stanchions, crashing through floors and bulkheads, and tearing through theagonized bodies of the men who served the guns. Hardly a man who wasstationed in the gun-room escaped unhurt in the storm of iron andsplinters. Several huge blocks of iron crashed through the upper deck, injuring the people on the deck above, and causing the cry to beraised, that the magazine had blown up. This unhappy calamity not onlyrendered useless the whole battery of eighteen-pounders, thus forcingJones to fight an eighteen-pounder frigate with a twelve-pounderbattery, but it spread a panic among the men, who saw the dangers ofexplosion added to the peril they were in by reason of the enemy'scontinued fire. Jones himself left the quarter-deck, and rushed forward among the men, cheering them on, and arousing them to renewed activity by hisexertions. Now he would lend a hand at training some gun, now pull ata rope, or help a lagging powder-monkey on his way. His pluck andenthusiasm infused new life into the men; and they threw the heavyguns about like playthings, and cheered loudly as each shot told. The two ships were at no time separated by a greater distance thanhalf a pistol-shot, and were continually manoeuvring to cross eachothers' bows, and get in a raking broadside. In this attempt, theycrossed from one to the other side of each other; so that now the portand now the starboard battery would be engaged. From the shore theseevolutions were concealed under a dense cloud of smoke, and thespectators could only see the tops of the two vessels moving slowlyabout before the light breeze; while the lurid flashes of the cannon, and constant thunder of the broadsides, told of the deadly work goingon. At a little distance were the "Countess of Scarborough" and the"Pallas, " linked in deadly combat, and adding the roar of their cannonto the general turmoil. It seemed to the watchers on the heights thatwar was coming very close to England. The "Serapis" first succeeded in getting a raking position; and, asshe slowly crossed her antagonist's bow, her guns were fired, loadedagain, and again discharged, --the heavy bolts crashing into the"Richard's" bow, and ranging aft, tearing the flesh of the bravefellows on the decks, and cutting through timbers and cordage in theirfrightful course. At this moment, the Americans almost despaired ofthe termination of the conflict. The "Richard" proved to be old androtten, and the enemy's shot seemed to tear her timbers to pieces;while the "Serapis" was new, with timbers that withstood the shock ofthe balls like steel armor. Jones saw that in a battle with great gunshe was sure to be the loser. He therefore resolved to board. Soon the "Richard" made an attempt to cross the bows of the "Serapis, "but not having way enough failed; and the "Serapis" ran foul of her, with her long bowsprit projecting over the stern of the American ship. Springing from the quarter-deck, Jones with his own hands swunggrappling-irons into the rigging of the enemy, and made the shipsfast. As he bent to his work, he was a prominent target for everysharp-shooter on the British vessel, and the bullets hummed thicklyabout his ears; but he never flinched. His work done, he clamberedback to the quarter-deck, and set about gathering the boarders. Thetwo vessels swung alongside each other. The cannonading was redoubled, and the heavy ordnance of the "Serapis" told fearfully upon the"Richard. " The American gunners were driven from their guns by theflying cloud of shot and splinters. Each party thought the other wasabout to board. The darkness and the smoke made all vision impossible;and the boarders on each vessel were crouched behind the bulwarks, ready to give a hot reception to their enemies. This suspense caused atemporary lull in the firing, and Capt. Pearson of the "Serapis"shouted out through the sulphurous blackness, -- "Have you struck your colors?" "I have not yet begun to fight, " replied Jones; and again the thunderof the cannon awakened the echoes on the distant shore. As the firingrecommenced, the two ships broke away and drifted apart. Again the"Serapis" sought to get a raking position; but by this time Jones haddetermined that his only hope lay in boarding. Terrible had been theexecution on his ship. The cock-pit was filled with the wounded. Themangled remains of the dead lay thick about the decks. The timbers ofthe ship were greatly shattered, and her cordage was so badly cut thatskilful manoeuvring was impossible. Many shot-holes were beneath thewater-line, and the hold was rapidly filling. Therefore, Jonesdetermined to run down his enemy, and get out his boarders, at anycost. Soon the two vessels were foul again. Capt. Pearson, knowing that hisadvantage lay in long-distance fighting, strove to break away. Jonesbent all his energies to the task of keeping the ships together. Meantime the battle raged fiercely. Jones himself, in his officialreport of the battle, thus describes the course of the fight:-- "I directed the fire of one of the three cannon against the main-mastwith double-headed shot, while the other two were exceedingly wellserved with grape and canister shot, to silence the enemy's musketry, and clear her decks, which was at last effected. The enemy were, as Ihave since understood, on the instant for calling for quarter, whenthe cowardice or treachery of three of my under officers induced themto call to the enemy. The English commodore asked me if I demandedquarter; and I having answered him in the negative, they renewed thebattle with double fury. They were unable to stand the deck; but thefury of their cannon, especially the lower battery, which was entirelyformed of eighteen-pounders, was incessant. Both ships were set onfire in various places, and the scene was dreadful beyond the reach oflanguage. To account for the timidity of my three under officers (Imean the gunner, the carpenter, and the master-at-arms), I mustobserve that the two first were slightly wounded; and as the ship hadreceived various shots under water, and one of the pumps being shotaway, the carpenter expressed his fear that she would sink, and theother two concluded that she was sinking, which occasioned the gunnerto run aft on the poop, without my knowledge, to strike the colors. Fortunately for me a cannon-ball had done that before by carrying awaythe ensign staff: he was, therefore, reduced to the necessity ofsinking--as he supposed--or of calling for quarter; and he preferredthe latter. " Indeed, the petty officers were little to be blamed for consideringthe condition of the "Richard" hopeless. The great guns of the"Serapis, " with their muzzles not twenty feet away, were hurling solidshot and grape through the flimsy shell of the American ship. So closetogether did the two ships come at times, that the rammers weresometimes thrust into the port-holes of the opposite ship in loading. When the ships first swung together, the lower ports of the "Serapis"were closed to prevent the Americans boarding through them. But in theheat of the conflict the ports were quickly blown off, and the ironthroats of the great guns again protruded, and dealt out theirmessages of death. How frightful was the scene! In the two great shipswere more than seven hundred men, their eyes lighted with the fire ofhatred, their faces blackened with powder or made ghastly by streaksof blood. Cries of pain, yells of rage, prayers, and curses roseshrill above the thunderous monotone of the cannonade. Both ships wereon fire; and the black smoke of the conflagration, mingled with thegray gunpowder smoke, and lighted up by the red flashes of thecannonade, added to the terrible picturesqueness of the scene. The "Richard" seemed like a spectre ship, so shattered was herframework. From the main-mast to the stern post, her timbers above thewater-line were shot away, a few blackened posts alone preventing theupper deck from falling. Through this ruined shell swept the shot ofthe "Serapis, " finding little to impede their flight save human fleshand bone. Great streams of water were pouring into the hold. Thepitiful cries of nearly two hundred prisoners aroused the compassionof an officer, who ran below and liberated them. Driven from the holdby the inpouring water, these unhappy men ran to the deck, only to beswept down by the storm of cannon-shot and bullets. Fire, too, encompassed them; and the flames were so fast sweeping down upon themagazine, that Capt. Jones ordered the powder-kegs to be brought upand thrown into the sea. At this work, and at the pumps, the prisonerswere kept employed until the end of the action. But though the heavy guns of the "Serapis" had it all their own waybelow, shattering the hull of the "Richard, " and driving the Yankeegunners from their quarters, the conflict, viewed from the tops, wasnot so one-sided. The Americans crowded on the forecastle and in thetops, where they continued the battle with musketry and hand-grenades, with such murderous effect that the British were driven entirely fromthe upper deck. Once a party of about one hundred picked men, musteredbelow by Capt. Pearson, rushed to the upper deck of the "Serapis, " andthence made a descent upon the deck of the "Richard, " firing pistols, brandishing cutlasses, and yelling like demons. But the Yankee tarswere ready for them at that game, and gave the boarders so spirited areception with pikes and cutlasses, that they were ready enough toswarm over the bulwarks, and seek again the comparative safety oftheir own ship. But all this time, though the Americans were making a brave anddesperate defence, the tide of battle was surely going against themThough they held the deck of the "Richard" secure against all comers, yet the Englishmen were cutting the ship away from beneath them, withcontinued heavy broadsides. Suddenly the course of battle was changed, and victory took her stand with the Americans, all through the daringand coolness of one man, --no officer, but an humble jacky. The rapid and accurate fire of the sharp-shooters on the "Richard" haddriven all the riflemen of the "Serapis" from their posts in the tops. Seeing this, the Americans swarmed into the rigging of their own ship, and from that elevated station poured down a destructive fire ofhand-grenades upon the decks of the enemy. The sailors on the deck ofthe "Richard" seconded this attack, by throwing the same missilesthrough the open ports of the enemy. At last one American topman, filling a bucket with grenades, andhanging it on his left arm, clambered out on the yard-arm of the"Richard, " that stretched far out over the deck of the British ship. Cautiously the brave fellow crept out on the slender spar. Hiscomrades below watched his progress, while the sharp-shooters kept awary eye on the enemy, lest some watchful rifleman should pick off theadventurous blue-jacket. Little by little the nimble sailor crept outon the yard, until he was over the crowded gun-deck of the "Serapis. "Then, lying at full length on the spar, and somewhat protected by it, he began to shower his missiles upon the enemy's gun-deck. Great wasthe execution done by each grenade; but at last, one better aimedthan the rest fell through the main hatch to the main deck. There wasa flash, then a succession of quick explosions; a great sheet of flamegushed up through the hatchway, and a chorus of cries told of somefrightful tragedy enacted below. It seemed that the powder-boys of the "Serapis" had been too active inbringing powder to the guns, and, instead of bringing cartridges asneeded, had kept one charge in advance of the demand; so that behindevery gun stood a cartridge, making a line of cartridges on the deckfrom bow to stern. Several cartridges had been broken, so that muchloose powder lay upon the deck. This was fired by the discharge of thehand-grenade, and communicated the fire to the cartridges, whichexploded in rapid succession, horribly burning scores of men. Morethan twenty men were killed instantly; and so great was the flame andthe force of the explosion, that many of them were left with nothingon but the collars and wristbands of their shirts and the waistbandsof their trousers. It is impossible to conceive of the horror of thesight. Capt. Pearson in his official report of the battle, speaking of thisoccurrence, says, "A hand-grenade being thrown in at one of the lowerports, a cartridge of powder was set on fire, the flames of which, running from cartridge to cartridge all the way aft, blew up the wholeof the people and officers that were quartered abaft the main-mast;from which unfortunate circumstance those guns were rendered uselessfor the remainder of the action, and I fear that the greater part ofthe people will lose their lives. " This event changed the current of the battle. The English were hemmedbetween decks by the fire of the American topmen, and they found thatnot even then were they protected from the fiery hail ofhand-grenades. The continual pounding of double-headed shot from a gunwhich Jones had trained upon the main-mast of the enemy had finallycut away that spar; and it fell with a crash upon the deck, bringingdown spars and rigging with it. Flames were rising from the tarredcordage, and spreading to the framework of the ship. The Americans sawvictory within their grasp. But at this moment a new and most unsuspected enemy appeared upon thescene. The "Alliance, " which had stood aloof during the heat of theconflict, now appeared, and, after firing a few shots into the"Serapis, " ranged slowly down along the "Richard, " pouring a murderousfire of grape-shot into the already shattered ship. Jones thus tellsthe story of this treacherous and wanton assault:-- "I now thought that the battle was at an end. But, to my utterastonishment, he discharged a broadside full into the stern of the'Bon Homme Richard. ' We called to him for God's sake to forbear. Yethe passed along the off-side of the ship, and continued firing. Therewas no possibility of his mistaking the enemy's ship for the 'BonHomme Richard, ' there being the most essential difference in theirappearance and construction. Besides, it was then full moonlight; andthe sides of the 'Bon Homme Richard' were all black, and the sides ofthe enemy's ship were yellow. Yet, for the greater security, I showedthe signal for our reconnoissance, by putting out three lanterns, --oneat the bow, one at the stern, and one at the middle, in a horizontalline. "Every one cried that he was firing into the wrong ship, but nothingavailed. He passed around, firing into the 'Bon Homme Richard, ' head, stern, and broadside, and by one of his volleys killed several of mybest men, and mortally wounded a good officer of the forecastle. Mysituation was truly deplorable. The 'Bon Homme Richard' receivedseveral shots under the water from the 'Alliance. ' The leak gained onthe pumps, and the fire increased much on board both ships. Someofficers entreated me to strike, of whose courage and sense Ientertain a high opinion. I would not, however, give up the point. " Fortunately Landais did not persist in his cowardly attack upon hisfriends in the almost sinking ship, but sailed off, and allowed the"Richard" to continue her life-and-death struggle with her enemy. Thestruggle was not now of long duration; for Capt. Pearson, seeing thathis ship was a perfect wreck, and that the fire was gaining head way, hauled down his colors with his own hands, since none of his men couldbe persuaded to brave the fire from the tops of the "Richard. " As the proud emblem of Great Britain fluttered down, Lieut. RichardDale turned to Capt. Jones, and asked permission to board the prize. Receiving an affirmative answer, he jumped on the gunwale, seized themainbrace-pendant, and swung himself upon the quarter-deck of thecaptured ship. Midshipman Mayrant, with a large party of sailors, followed. So great was the confusion on the "Serapis, " that few ofthe Englishmen knew that the ship had been surrendered. As Mayrantcame aboard, he was mistaken for the leader of a boarding-party, andrun through the thigh with a pike. Capt. Pearson was found standing alone upon the quarter-deck, contemplating with a sad face the shattered condition of his oncenoble ship, and the dead bodies of his brave fellows lying about thedecks. Stepping up to him, Lieut. Dale said, -- "Sir, I have orders to send you on board the ship alongside. " At this moment, the first lieutenant of the "Serapis" came up hastily, and inquired, -- "Has the enemy struck her flag?" "No, sir, " answered Dale. "On the contrary, you have struck to us. " Turning quickly to his commander, the English lieutenant asked, -- "Have you struck, sir?" "Yes, I have, " was the brief reply. "I have nothing more to say, " remarked the officer, and turning aboutwas in the act of going below, when Lieut. Dale stopped him, saying, -- "It is my duty to request you, sir, to accompany Capt. Pearson onboard the ship alongside. " "If you will first permit me to go below, " responded the other, "Iwill silence the firing of the lower deck guns. " "This cannot be permitted, " was the response; and, silently bowing hishead, the lieutenant followed his chief to the victorious ship, whiletwo midshipmen went below to stop the firing. Lieut. Dale remained in command of the "Serapis. " Seating himself onthe binnacle, he ordered the lashings which had bound the two shipsthroughout the bloody conflict to be cut. Then the head-sails werebraced back, and the wheel put down. But, as the ship had beenanchored at the beginning of the battle, she refused to answer eitherhelm or canvas. Vastly astounded at this, Dale leaped from thebinnacle; but his legs refused to support him, and he fell heavily tothe deck. His followers sprang to his aid; and it was found that thelieutenant had been severely wounded in the leg by a splinter, but hadfought out the battle without ever noticing his hurt. So ended this memorable battle. But the feelings of pride andexultation so natural to a victor died away in the breast of theAmerican captain as he looked about the scene of wreck and carnage. Onall sides lay the mutilated bodies of the gallant fellows who had sobravely stood to their guns amid the storm of death-dealing missiles. There they lay, piled one on top of the other, --some with theiragonized writhings caught and fixed by death; others calm andpeaceful, as though sleeping. Powder-boys, young and tender, lay bythe side of grizzled old seamen. Words cannot picture the scene. Inhis journal Capt. Jones wrote:-- "A person must have been an eye-witness to form a just idea of thetremendous scene of carnage, wreck, and ruin that everywhere appeared. Humanity cannot but recoil from the prospect of such finished horror, and lament that war should produce such fatal consequences. " But worse than the appearance of the main deck was the scene in thecock-pit and along the gun-deck, which had been converted into atemporary hospital. Here lay the wounded, ranged in rows along thedeck. Moans and shrieks of agony were heard on every side. Thesurgeons were busy with their glittering instruments. The tramp of menon the decks overhead, and the creaking of the timbers of thewater-logged ship, added to the cries of the wounded, made a perfectbedlam of the place. [Illustration: The Action Between The "Bon Homme Richard" And The"Serapis, " September 23, 1779. ] It did not take long to discover that the "Bon Homme Richard" was acomplete wreck, and in a sinking condition. The gallant old craft hadkept afloat while the battle was being fought; but now, that thevictory had remained with her, she had given up the struggle againstthe steadily encroaching waves. The carpenters who had explored thehold came on deck with long faces, and reported that nothing could bedone to stop the great holes made by the shot of the "Serapis. "Therefore Jones determined to remove his crew and all the wounded tothe "Serapis, " and abandon the noble "Richard" to her fate. Accordingly, all available hands were put at the pumps, and the workof transferring the wounded was begun. Slings were rigged over theside; and the poor shattered bodies were gently lowered into the boatsawaiting them, and, on reaching the "Serapis, " were placed tenderly incots ranged along the main deck. All night the work went on; and byten o'clock the next morning there were left on the "Richard" only afew sailors, who alternately worked at the pumps, and fought thesteadily encroaching flames. For Jones did not intend to desert the good old ship without astruggle to save her, even though both fire and water were warringagainst her. Not until the morning dawned did the Americans fullyappreciate how shattered was the hulk that stood between them and awatery grave. Fenimore Cooper, the pioneer historian of the UnitedStates navy, writes:-- "When the day dawned, an examination was made into the situation ofthe 'Richard. ' Abaft on a line with those guns of the 'Serapis' thathad not been disabled by the explosion, the timbers were found to benearly all beaten in, or beaten out, --for in this respect there waslittle difference between the two sides of the ship, --and it was saidthat her poop and upper decks would have fallen into the gun-room, butfor a few buttocks that had been missed. Indeed, so large was thevacuum, that most of the shot fired from this part of the 'Serapis, 'at the close of the action, must have gone through the 'Richard'without touching any thing. The rudder was cut from the stern post, and the transoms were nearly driven out of her. All the after-part ofthe ship, in particular, that was below the quarter-deck was torn topieces; and nothing had saved those stationed on the quarter-deck butthe impossibility of sufficiently elevating guns that almost touchedtheir object. " Despite the terribly shattered condition of the ship, her crew workedmanfully to save her. But, after fighting the flames and working thepumps all day, they were reluctantly forced to abandon the good shipto her fate. It was nine o'clock at night, that the hopelessness ofthe task became evident. The "Richard" rolled heavily from side toside. The sea was up to her lower port-holes. At each roll the watergushed through her port-holes, and swashed through the hatchways. Atten o'clock, with a last dying surge, the shattered hulk plunged toher final resting-place, carrying with her the bodies of her dead. They had died the noblest of all deaths, --the death of a patriotkilled in doing battle for his country. They receive the grandest ofall burials, --the burial of a sailor who follows his ship to hergrave, on the hard, white sand, in the calm depths of the ocean. How many were there that went down with the ship? History does notaccurately state. Capt. Jones himself was never able to tell how greatwas the number of dead upon his ship. The most careful estimate putsthe number at forty-two. Of the wounded on the American ship, therewere about forty. All these were happily removed from the "Richard"before she sunk. On the "Serapis" the loss was much greater; but here, too, history isat fault, in that no official returns of the killed and wounded havebeen preserved. Capt. Jones's estimate, which is probably nearlycorrect, put the loss of the English ship at about a hundred killed, and an equal number wounded. The sinking of the "Richard" left the "Serapis" crowded with woundedof both nations, prisoners, and the remnant of the crew of the sunkenship. No time was lost in getting the ship in navigable shape, and inclearing away the traces of the battle. The bodies of the dead werethrown overboard. The decks were scrubbed and sprinkled with hotvinegar. The sound of the hammer and the saw was heard on every hand, as the carpenters stopped the leaks, patched the deck, and rigged newspars in place of those shattered by the "Richard's" fire. All threeof the masts had gone by the board. Jury masts were rigged; and withsmall sails stretched on these the ship beat about the ocean, theplaything of the winds. Her consorts had left her. Landais, seeing nochance to rob Jones of the honor of the victory, had taken the"Alliance" to other waters. The "Pallas" had been victorious in hercontest with the "Countess of Scarborough;" and, as soon as the issueof the conflict between the "Bon Homme Richard" and the "Serapis" hadbecome evident, she made off with her prize, intent upon gaining afriendly port. The "Richard, " after ten days of drifting, finally raninto Texel, in the north of Holland. The next year was one of comparative inactivity for Jones. He enjoyedfor a time the praise of all friends of the revolting colonies. He wasthe lion of Paris. Then came the investigation into the action ofLandais at the time of the great battle. Though his course at thattime was one of open treachery, inspired by his wish to have Jonesstrike to the "Serapis, " that he might have the honor of capturingboth ships, Landais escaped any punishment at the hands of his Frenchcompatriots. But he was relieved of the command of the "Alliance, "which was given to Jones. Highly incensed at this action, the erraticFrenchman incited the crew of the "Alliance" to open mutiny, and, taking command of the ship himself, left France and sailed forAmerica, leaving Commodore Jones in the lurch. On his arrival atPhiladelphia, Landais strove to justify his action by blackening thecharacter of Jones, but failed in this, and was dismissed the service. His actions should be regarded with some charity, for the man wasdoubtless of unsound mind. His insanity became even more evident afterhis dismissal from the navy; and from that time, until the time of hisdeath, his eccentricities made him generally regarded as one mentallyunsound. Jones, having lost the "Alliance" by the mutiny of Landais, remainedabroad, waiting for another ship. He travelled widely on theContinent, and was lavishly entertained by the rich and noble of everynation. Not until October, 1780, did he again tread the deck of avessel under his own command. The ship which the French Government finally fitted out and put incommand of Paul Jones was the "Ariel, " a small twenty-gun ship. Thisvessel the adventurous sailor packed full of powder and cannon-balls, taking only provisions enough for nine weeks, and evidently expectingto live off the prizes he calculated upon taking. He sailed fromL'Orient on a bright October afternoon, under clear skies, and with afair wind, intending to proceed directly to the coast of America. Butthe first night out there arose a furious gale. The wind howledthrough the rigging, tore the sails from the ring-bolts, snapped thespars, and seriously wrecked the cordage of the vessel. The greatwaves, lashed into fury by the hurricane, smote against the sides ofthe little craft as though they would burst through her sheathing. Theship rolled heavily; and the yards, in their grand sweep from side toside, often plunged deep into the foaming waves. At last so greatbecame the strain upon the vessel, that the crew were set to work withaxes to cut away the foremast. Balancing themselves upon the tossing, slippery deck, holding fast to a rope with one hand, while with theother they swung the axe, the gallant fellows finally cut so deep intothe heart of the stout spar, that a heavy roll of the ship made itsnap off short, and it fell alongside, where it hung by the cordage. The wreck was soon cleared away; and as this seemed to ease the shipsomewhat, and as she was drifting about near the dreaded rock ofPenmarque, the anchors were got out. But in the mean time the violentrolling of the "Ariel" had thrown the heel of the main-mast from thestep; and the heavy mast was reeling about, threatening either toplough its way upward through the gun-deck, or to crash through thebottom of the ship. It was determined to cut away this mast; but, before this could be done, it fell, carrying with it the mizzen-mast, and crushing in the deck on which it fell. Thus dismasted, the "Ariel"rode out the gale. All night and all the next day she was tossed abouton the angry waters. Her crew thought that their last hour had surelycome. Over the shrieking of the gale, and the roaring of the waves, rose that steady, all-pervading sound, which brings horror to the mindof the sailor, --the dull, monotonous thunder of the breakers on thereef of Penmarque. But the "Ariel" was not fated to be ground topieces on the jagged teeth of the cruel reef. Though she driftedabout, the plaything of the winds and the waves, she escaped the jawsof Penmarque. Finally the gale subsided; and, with hastily devisedjury-masts, the shattered ship was taken back to L'Orient to refit. Two months were consumed in the work of getting the shattered vesselready for sea. When she again set out, she met with no mishap, until, when near the American coast, she fell in with a British vessel towhich she gave battle. A sharp action of a quarter of an hour forcedthe Englishman to strike his colors; but, while the Americans werepreparing to board the prize, she sailed away, vastly to the chagrinand indignation of her would-be captors. The short cruise of the "Ariel" was the last service rendered by PaulJones to the American Colonies. On his arrival at Philadelphia, he wasdined and fêted to his heart's desire; he received a vote of thanksfrom Congress; he became the idol of the populace. But the necessitiesof the struggling colonies were such that they were unable to buildfor him a proper war-ship, and he remained inactive upon shore untilthe close of the Revolution, when he went abroad, and took servicewith Russia. He is the one great character in the naval history of theRevolution. He is the first heroic figure in American naval annals. Not until years after his death did men begin to know him at his trueworth. He was too often looked upon as a man of no patriotism, butwholly mercenary; courageous, but only with the daring of a pirate. Not until he had died a lonely death, estranged from the country hehad so nobly served, did men come to know Paul Jones as a model navalofficer, high-minded in his patriotism, pure in his life, elevated inhis sentiments, and as courageous as a lion. CHAPTER X. CAREER OF NICHOLAS BIDDLE. -- HIS EXPLOIT AT LEWISTON JAIL. -- CRUISE IN THE "RANDOLPH. " -- BATTLE WITH THE "YARMOUTH. " -- THE FATAL EXPLOSION. -- SAMUEL TUCKER. -- HIS BOYHOOD. -- ENCOUNTER WITH CORSAIRS. -- CRUISING IN THE "FRANKLIN. " -- IN COMMAND OF THE "BOSTON. " -- ANECDOTES OF CAPT. TUCKER. In the career of Paul Jones is to be found the record of the moststirring events of the Revolution; but there were other commanders inthe young American navy no less daring than he. As the chief navalrepresentative of the Colonies who cruised in European waters, Jonesachieved a notoriety somewhat out of proportion to his actualachievements. But other brave seamen did gallant service along theAtlantic coast for the cause of the struggling nation, and, by theirdaring and nautical skill, did much to bring the war of the Revolutionto its happy conclusion. We abandoned our consideration of the general naval events of the war, to turn to a recountal of the exploits of Paul Jones at the close ofthe year 1776. Hostilities on the water during that year were confinedto sharp, but short, actions between small men-of-war or privateers. The Americans lacked the discipline and experience necessary to winfor themselves any great reputation on the water. Though they showedthemselves full of dash and spirit, they were deficient in disciplineand staying qualities. Nevertheless, the record of the year was by nomeans discreditable to so young a naval organization. Aside from the naval operations on the ocean, the year 1776 had seenthe thick clouds of gunpowder-smoke floating across the placid surfaceof Lake Champlain, while the wooded hills that surrounded that lakeand Lake George more than once resounded with thunderous tones ofcannon. The hostile meetings of the English and Americans on theinterior lakes are hardly to be classed as naval engagements. Thevessels were chiefly gondolas and galleys, and many of their crews hadnever seen salt water. On the British side the forces were moreconsiderable. In October, 1776, the British had on Lake Champlain atleast one full-rigged ship; and their schooners and galleys were allmanned by trained sailors, drafted from men-of-war laid up in the St. Lawrence. This force was under the command of Capt. Douglass of thefrigate "Isis. " The Americans, on the contrary, had manned their fleetwith recruits from the army; and the forces were under the command ofan army-officer, Gen. Benedict Arnold, the story of whose latertreachery is familiar to every American. It was late in October thatthe two hostile fleets met in deadly conflict, and a few short hourswere enough to prove to the Americans that they were greatlyovermatched. Such of their vessels as were not sunk were captured andburned by the enemy; while their crews escaped into the woods, andultimately rejoined Arnold's army, from which they had been drafted. We pass thus hastily over the so-called naval operations on LakeChamplain, because they were properly not naval operations at all, butmerely incidents in the shore campaign. The fact that a few soldiershastily build a small flotilla, and with it give battle to an enemy onthe water, does not in any sense constitute a naval battle. The year 1777 witnessed many notable naval events. Hostilities alongthe seaboard became more lively. New vessels were put into commission. England despatched a larger naval armament to crush her rebelliouscolonies. The records of the admiralty show, that at the beginning ofthat year Parliament voted to the navy forty-five thousand men. TheAmericans were able to array against this huge force only some fourthousand, scattered upon thirteen small vessels-of-war. One of the first ships to get to sea in this year was the "Randolph:"a new frigate commanded by Nicholas Biddle, who thus early in the warhad won the confidence of the people and the naval authorities. Incommand of the little cruiser "Andrea Doria, " Biddle had cruised offthe coast of Newfoundland in 1776. His success upon that cruise hasalready been noted. Biddle was a man possessing to the fullest degree that primaryqualification of a good naval officer, --an indomitable will. Inillustration of his determination, a story is related concerning anincident that occurred just as the "Andrea Doria" had left the Capesof the Delaware. Two of her crew had deserted, and, being apprehendedby the authorities on shore, were lodged in Lewiston jail. But thesheriff and his deputies found it easier to turn the key on thefugitive tars, than to keep them in control while they lay in durancevile. Gathering all the benches, chairs, and tables that lay about thejail, --for the lockup of those days was not the trim affair of steeland iron seen to-day, --the unrepentant jackies built for themselves abarricade, and, snugly entrenched behind it, shouted out bold defianceto any and all who should come to take them. The jail authorities hadcommitted the foolish error of neglecting to disarm the prisoners whenthey were captured; and, as each had a brace of ugly pistols in hisbelt, the position of the two behind their barricade was really one ofconsiderable strength. The prison officials dared not attempt todislodge the warlike tars. The militia company of the town was orderedto the scene, but even this body of soldiery dared not force theprison door. Accordingly they determined to let time do the work, andstarve the rogues out of their retreat. At this juncture Capt. Biddlecame ashore. He had no intention of letting his trim ship lie idly inthe offing while two mutinous blue-jackets were slowly starved intosubjection. The "Andrea Doria" needed the men, and there must be nomore delay. A captain in the American navy was not to be defied by twoof his own people. Therefore, seizing a loaded pistol in each hand, Capt. Biddle walkedto the prison, accompanied only by a young midshipman. As the twopounded upon the heavy barred door, the crowd outside fell back, expecting the bullets to fly. "Open this door, Green, " shouted Biddle to one of the prisoners, whomhe knew by name. "Try to open it yourself, " came the reply from within, with anaccompanying oath. "The first man that shows his head inside this doorgets a bullet. " Green was known as a bold, desperate man; but Biddle did not hesitatea moment. Ordering the bystanders to break down the door, he waitedquietly, until a crash, and the sudden scattering of the crowd, gavenotice that the way into the prison was clear. Then gripping hispistols tightly, but with his arms hanging loosely at his sides, headvanced upon the deserters. Behind the barricade stood Green, hiseyes blazing with rage, his pistol levelled. Biddle faced him quietly. "Now, Green, if you don't take a good aim, you are a dead man, " saidhe. With a muttered curse, the mutineer dropped his weapon. The cooldetermination of the captain awed him. In a few minutes he, with hiscompanion, was on his way to the ship in irons. It was in February, 1777, that the stanch new frigate "Randolph, " withBiddle in command, set sail from Philadelphia. Hardly had she reachedthe high seas when a terrific gale set in, from which the "Randolph"emerged, shorn of her tapering masts. As she lay a helpless wrecktossing on the waves, the hard work necessary to put her in decentshape again induced Biddle to accede to the request of a number ofBritish prisoners on board, who wished to be enrolled among the crewof the "Randolph. " This proved to be an unfortunate move; for theEnglishmen were no sooner enrolled on the ship's list than they beganplotting mutiny, and the uprising reached such a stage that theyassembled on the gun-deck, and gave three cheers. But the firm anddetermined stand of the captain and his officers overawed themutineers, and they returned to their places after the ringleaders hadbeen made to suffer at the gratings. But the spirit of disaffectionrife amid his crew, and the crippled condition of his ship, determinedBiddle to proceed forthwith to Charleston to refit. But a few days were spent in port. Getting to sea again, the"Randolph" fell in with the "True Briton, " a twenty-gun ship, flyingthe British colors. Though the captain of the "True Briton" had oftenboasted of what he would do should he encounter the "Randolph, " hiscourage then failed him, and he fled. The "Randolph" gave chase, and, proving to be a speedy ship, soon overhauled the prize, which struckwithout waiting for a volley. Three other vessels that had beencruising with the "True Briton" were also captured, and with her richprizes the "Randolph" returned proudly to Charleston. Here herusefulness ceased for a time; for a superior force of Britishmen-of-war appeared off the harbor, and by them the "Randolph" wasblockaded for the remainder of the season. Early in 1778 Biddle again took the sea with the "Randolph, " supportedthis time by four small vessels, fitted out by the South Carolinaauthorities. They were the "Gen. Moultrie, " eighteen guns; the"Polly, " sixteen; the "Notre Dame, " sixteen; and the "Fair American, "sixteen. With this force Capt. Biddle set out in search of a Britishsquadron known to be cruising thereabouts, and probably the samevessels that had kept him a prisoner during so much of the previousyear. On the 7th of March, 1778, the lookouts on the smaller vessels saw asignal thrown out from the masthead of the "Randolph, " which announceda sail in sight. Chase was at once given; and by four o'clock she wasnear enough for the Americans to see that she was a large ship, andapparently a man-of-war. About eight o'clock the stranger was nearenough the squadron for them to make out that she was a heavy frigate. The Englishman was not slow to suspect the character of the vesselswith which he had fallen in, and firing a shot across the bows of the"Moultrie, " demanded her name. "The 'Polly' of New York, " was the response. Leaving the "Moultrie" unmolested, the stranger ranged up alongsidethe "Randolph, " and ordered her to show her colors. This Biddlepromptly did; and as the American flag went fluttering to the fore, the ports of the "Randolph" were thrown open, and a broadside pouredinto the hull of the Englishman. The stranger was not slow inreplying, and the action became hot and deadly. Capt. Biddle waswounded in the thigh early in the battle. As he fell to the deck, hisofficers crowded about him, thinking that he was killed; but heencouraged them to return to their posts, and, ordering a chair to beplaced on the quarter-deck, remained on deck, giving orders, andcheering on his men. It is said that Capt. Biddle was wounded by ashot from the "Moultrie, " which flew wide of its intended mark. For twenty minutes the battle raged, and there was no sign ofweakening on the part of either contestant. Suddenly the sound of thecannonade was deadened by a thunderous roar. The people on the otherships saw a huge column of fire and smoke rise where the "Randolph"had floated. The English vessel was thrown violently on her beam-ends. The sky was darkened with flying timbers and splinters, which fellheavily into the sea. The "Randolph" had blown up. A spark, a red-hotshot, some fiery object, had penetrated her magazine, and she wasannihilated. The horrible accident which destroyed the "Randolph" came near beingthe end of the "Yarmouth, " her antagonist. The two battling ships wereclose together; so close, in fact, that after the explosion Capt. Morgan of the "Fair American" hailed the "Yarmouth" to ask how Capt. Biddle was. The English ship was fairly covered with bits of theflying wreck. Some heavy pieces of timber falling from the skies badlyshattered her main-deck. An American ensign, closely rolled up, fellon her forecastle, not even singed by the fiery ordeal through whichit had passed. The "Yarmouth" wasted little time in wonder over the fate of her lateantagonist. In all the mass of floating wreckage that covered the sea, there appeared to be no living thing. The four smaller Americanvessels, dismayed by the fate of their consort, were making good theirescape. Without more ado, the "Yarmouth" set out in chase. Four days later, the Americans having escaped, the "Yarmouth" wasagain cruising near the scene of the action. A raft was discovered onthe ocean, which seemed to support some living creatures. Running downupon it, four wretched, emaciated men were discovered clinging to apiece of wreckage, and wildly waving for assistance. They were takenaboard the British man-of-war, and given food and drink, of both ofwhich they partook greedily; for their sole sustenance during the fourdays for which they clung to their frail raft was rain-water suckedfrom a piece of blanket. So died Capt. Nicholas Biddle, blown to atoms by the explosion of hisship in the midst of battle. Though but a young officer, not havingcompleted his twenty-seventh year, he left an enduring name in thenaval annals of his country. Though his service was short, the fame hewon was great. Among the more notable commanders who did good service on the sea wasCapt. Samuel Tucker, who was put in command of the frigate "Boston" inthe latter part of the year 1777. Tucker was an old and tried seaman, and is furthermore one of the most picturesque figures in the navalhistory of the Revolution. He first showed his love for the sea in theway that Yankee boys from time immemorial have shown it, --by runningaway from home, and shipping as a cabin-boy. The ship which he chosewas the British sloop-of-war "Royal George, " and the boy found himselfface to face with the rigid naval discipline of the British service atthat time. But he stuck manfully to the career he had chosen, andgradually mastered not only the details of a seaman's duty, but muchof the art of navigation; so that when finally he got his dischargefrom the "Royal George, " he shipped as second mate on a Salemmerchantman. It was on his first voyage in this capacity that he firstshowed the mettle that was in him. Two Algerine corsairs, their deckscrowded with men, their long low hulls cleaving the waves likedolphins, had given chase to the merchantman. The captain of thethreatened ship grew faint-hearted: he sought courage in liquor, andsoon became unable to manage his vessel. Tucker took the helm. He sawthat there was no chance of escape in flight, for the corsairs weretoo fleet. There was no hope of victory in a battle, for the pirateswere too strong. But the trim New England schooner minded her helmbetter than her lanteen-rigged pursuers, and this fact Tucker put togood account. Putting his helm hard down, he headed the schooner directly for thepiratical craft. By skilful manoeuvring, he secured such a positionthat either pirate, by firing upon him, was in danger of firing intohis fellow corsair. This position he managed to maintain untilnightfall, when he slipped away, and by daylight was snugly at anchorin the port of Lisbon. For some time after this episode, the record of Tucker's seafaringlife is lost. Certain it is that he served in the British navy as anofficer for some time, and was master of a merchantman for severalyears. When the Revolution broke out, Samuel Tucker was in London. Beingoffered by a recruiting officer a commission in either the army ornavy, if he would consent to serve "his gracious Majesty, " Tucker veryrashly responded, "Hang his gracious Majesty! Do you think I wouldserve against my country?" Soon a hue and cry was out for Tucker. He was charged with treason, and fled into the country to the house of a tavern-keeper whom heknew, who sheltered him until he could make his escape from England. Hardly had he arrived in America, when Gen. Washington commissionedhim captain of the "Franklin, " and instructed him to proceed directlyto sea. An express with the commission and instructions was hurriedoff to Marblehead, then a straggling little city. He was instructed tofind the "Hon. Samuel Tucker, " and to deliver to him the packets inhis charge. When the messenger arrived, Tucker was working in hisyard. The messenger saw a rough-looking person, roughly clad, with atarpaulin hat, and his neck bound with a flaming red bandannahandkerchief. Never once thinking this person could be the man hesought, he leaned from his horse, and shouted out roughly, -- "I say, fellow, I wish you would tell me whether the Hon. SamuelTucker lives hereabouts. " Tucker looked up with a quizzical smile, and surveyed the speaker fromunder the wide rim of his tarpaulin, as he answered, -- "Honorable, honorable! There's none of that name in Marblehead. Hemust be one of the Tuckers in Salem. I'm the only Samuel Tucker here. " "Capt. Glover told me he knew him, " responded the messenger, "anddescribed his house, gable-end on the seaside, none near it. Faith, this looks like the very place!" With a laugh, Tucker then confessed his identity, and asked themessenger his business. Receiving the commission and instructions, heat once began his preparations for leaving home, and at daybreak thenext morning was on his way to Beverly, where lay anchored the firstship he was to command in the service of his country. In the "Franklin" Capt. Tucker did some most efficient work. His nameappears constantly in the letters of Gen. Washington, and in the Statepapers making up the American archives, as having sent in valuableprizes. At one time we read of the capture of "a brigantine fromScotland, worth fifteen thousand pounds sterling;" again, of sixgunboats, and of brigs laden with wine and fruit. During the year1776, he took not less than thirty--and probably a few more--ships, brigs, and smaller vessels. Nor were all these vessels taken withoutsome sharp fighting. Of one battle Tucker himself speaks in one of his letters. Firsttelling how his wife made the colors for his ship, "the field of whichwas white, and the union was green, made of cloth of her ownpurchasing, and at her own expense, " he goes on to write of one of hisbattles:-- "Those colors I wore in honor of the country, --which has so noblyrewarded me for my past services, --and the love of their maker, untilI fell in with Col. Archibald Campbell in the ship "George, " and brig"Arabella, " transports with about two hundred and eighty Highlandtroops on board, of Gen. Frazer's corps. About ten P. M. A severeconflict ensued, which held about two hours and twenty minutes. Iconquered them with great carnage on their side, it being in thenight, and my small bark, about seventy tons burden, being very low inthe water, I received no damage in loss of men, but lost a completeset of new by the passing of their balls; then the white field andpine-tree union were riddled to atoms. I was then immediately suppliedwith a new suit of sails, and a new suit of colors, made of canvas andbunting of my own prize-goods. " Another time, during the same year, Tucker took two British ships nearMarblehead. So near was the scene of action to the house of Capt. Tucker, that his wife and her sister, hearing the sound ofcannonading, ascended a high hill in the vicinity, and from that pointviewed the action through a spy-glass. Capt. Tucker kept the sea in the "Franklin" until late in the winter. When finally the cold weather and high winds forced him to put hisship out of commission, he went to his home at Marblehead. He remainedthere but a short time; for in March, 1777, he was put in command ofthe "Boston, " a frigate of twenty-four guns. In this vessel he cruisedduring the year with varying success. Feb. 10, 1778, Capt. Tucker was ordered to carry the Hon. John Adamsto France, as envoy from the United States. The voyage was full ofincidents. Feeling impressed with the gravity of the charge laid uponhim, Capt. Tucker chose a course which he hoped would enable him tosteer clear of the horde of British men-of-war which then infestedthe American coast. But in so doing he fell in with a natural enemy, which came near proving fatal. A terrific thunderstorm, graduallygrowing into a tornado, crossed the path of the ship. The ocean waslashed into waves mountain high. The crash of the thunder rent thesky. A stroke of lightning struck the main-mast, and ripped up thedeck, narrowly missing the magazine. The ship sprung a leak; and thegrewsome sound of the pumps mingled with the roar of the waves, andthe shrieking of the winds. For several days the stormy weathercontinued. Then followed a period of calm, which the captain wellemployed in repairing the rigging, and exercising the men with theguns and small-arms. Many ships had been sighted, and some, evidentlymen-of-war, had given chase; but the "Boston" succeeded in showingthem all a clean pair of heels. "What would you do, " said Mr. Adams one day, as he stood with thecaptain watching three ships that were making desperate efforts tooverhaul the "Boston, " "if you could not escape, and they shouldattack you?" "As the first is far in advance of the others, I should carry her byboarding, leading the boarders myself, " was the response. "I shouldtake her; for no doubt a majority of her crew, being pressed men, would turn to and join me. Having taken her, I should be matched, andcould fight the other two. " Such language as this coming from many men would be considered merefoolhardy boasting. But Tucker was a man not given to brag. Indeed, hewas apt to be very laconic in speaking of his exploits. A short timeafter his escape from the three ships, he fell in with an Englisharmed vessel of no small force, and captured her. His only comment onthe action in his journal reads, "I fired a gun, and they returnedthree; and down went the colors. " John Adams, however, told a more graphic story of this capture. Tucker, as soon as he saw an armed vessel in his path, hastily calledhis crew to order, and bore down upon her. When the roll of the drum, calling the people to quarters, resounded through the ship, Mr. Adamsseized a musket, and took his stand with the marines. Capt. Tucker, seeing him there, requested him to go below, and upon his desire beingdisregarded, put his hand upon the envoy's shoulder, and in a tone ofauthority said, -- "Mr. Adams, I am commanded by the Continental Congress to deliver yousafe in France, and you must go below. " The envoy smilingly complied, and just at that moment the enemy letfly her broadside. The shot flew through the rigging, doing but littledamage. Though the guns of the "Boston" were shotted, and the gunnersstood at their posts with smoking match-stocks, Capt. Tucker gave noorder to fire, but seemed intent upon the manoeuvres of the ships. Theeager blue-jackets begun to murmur, and the chorus of questions andoaths was soon so great that the attention of Tucker was attracted. Helooked at the row of eager faces on the gun-deck, and shouted out, -- "Hold on, my men! I wish to save that egg without breaking the shell. " Soon after, Tucker brought his broadside to bear on the stern of theenemy, and she struck without more ado. She proved to be an armedship, the "Martha. " After this encounter, nothing more of moment occurred on the voyage;and the "Boston" reached Bordeaux, and landed her distinguishedpassenger in safety. Two months later she left Bordeaux, in companywith a fleet of twenty sail, one of which was the "Ranger, " formerlycommanded by Paul Jones. With these vessels he cruised for a time inEuropean waters, but returned to the American coast in the autumn. Hisservices for the rest of that year, and the early part of 1779, wemust pass over hastily, though many were the prizes that fell into hisclutches. Many anecdotes are told of Tucker. His shrewdness, originality, anddaring made him a favorite theme for story-tellers. But, unhappily, the anecdotes have generally no proof of their truth. One or two, however, told by Capt. Tucker's biographer, Mr. John H. Sheppard, willnot be out of place here. In one the story is told that Tucker fell in with a British frigatewhich he knew to be sent in search of him. Showing the English flag, he sailed boldly towards the enemy, and in answer to her hail said hewas Capt. Gordon of the English navy, out in search of the "Boston, "commanded by the rebel Tucker. "I'll carry him to New York, dead or alive, " said Tucker. "Have you seen him?" was asked. "Well, I've heard of him, " was the response; "and they say he is ahard customer. " All this time Tucker had been manoeuvring to secure a rakingposition. Behind the closed ports of the "Boston, " the men stood attheir guns, ready for the word of command. Just as the American hadsecured the position desired, a sailor in the tops of the Britishvessel cried out, -- "That is surely Tucker; we shall have a devil of a smell directly. " Hearing this, Tucker ordered the American flag hoisted, and the portsthrown open. Hailing his astonished foe, he cried, -- "The time I proposed talking with you is ended. This is the 'Boston, 'frigate. I am Samuel Tucker, but no rebel. Fire, or strike your flag. " The Englishman saw he had no alternative but to strike. This he didwithout firing a gun. The vessel, though not named in the anecdote, was probably the "Pole, " of the capture of which Tucker frequentlyspeaks in his letters. Of the part Tucker played in the siege of Charleston, of his capturethere by the British, and of his exchange, we shall speak later. Atthat disaster four American frigates were lost: so many of the bestnaval officers were thrown out of employment. Among them was Tucker;but ever anxious for active service, he obtained the sloop-of-war"Thorn, " which he himself had captured, and went out as a privateer. In this vessel he saw some sharp service. One engagement was thusdescribed to Mr. Sheppard by a marine named Everett who was onboard:-- "We had been cruising about three weeks when we fell in with anEnglish packet of twenty-two guns and one hundred men. Not long aftershe was discovered, the commodore called up his crew, and said, 'Shemeans to fight us; and if we go alongside like men, she is ours inthirty minutes, but if we can't go as men we have no business here. 'He then told them he wanted no cowards on deck, and requested thosewho were willing to fight to go down the starboard, and those who wereunwilling the larboard gangway. Every man and boy took the first, signifying his willingness to meet the enemy. "As Mr. Everett was passing by, the commodore asked him, -- "'Are you willing to go alongside of her?' "'Yes, sir, ' was the reply. "In mentioning this conversation, however, Mr. Everett candidlyconfessed, 'I did not tell him the truth, for I would rather have beenin my father's cornfield. ' "After the commanders of these two vessels, as they drew near, hadhailed each other in the customary way when ships meet at sea, thecaptain of the English packet cried out roughly from thequarter-deck, -- "'Haul down your colors, or I'll sink you!' "'Ay, ay, sir; directly, ' answered Tucker calmly. And he then orderedthe helmsman to steer the 'Thorn' right under the stern of the packet, luff up under her lee quarters, and range alongside of her. The orderwas promptly executed. The two vessels were laid side by side, withinpistol shot of each other. While the 'Thorn' was getting intoposition, the enemy fired a full broadside at her which did but littledamage. As soon as she was brought completely alongside her adversary, Tucker thundered out to his men to fire, and a tremendous dischargefollowed; and, as good aim had been taken, a dreadful carnage was seenin that ill-fated vessel. It was rapidly succeeded by a fresh volleyof artillery, and in twenty-seven minutes a piercing cry was heardfrom the English vessel: 'Quarters, for God's sake! Our ship issinking. Our men are dying of their wounds. ' "To this heart-rending appeal Capt. Tucker exclaimed, -- "'How can you expect quarters while that British flag is flying?' "The sad answer came back, 'Our halliards are shot away. ' "'Then cut away your ensign staff, or ye'll all be dead men. ' "It was done immediately. Down came the colors, the din of cannonadingceased, and only the groans of the wounded and dying were heard. "Fifteen men, with carpenters, surgeon, and their leader, were quicklyon the deck of the prize. Thirty-four of her crew, with her captain, were either killed or wounded. Her decks were besmeared with blood, and in some places it stood in clotted masses to the tops of thesailors' slippers. The gloomy but needful work of amputating limbs, and laying out the dead, was begun; and every effort was made torender the wounded prisoners as comfortable as possible. " Here we must take leave of Commodore Tucker and his exploits. As aprivateersman, he continued to do daring work to the end of the war. He fought at least one more bloody action. He was captured once andescaped. But the recountal of his romantic career must now yield toour chronological survey of the lesser naval events of the Revolution. CHAPTER XI. HOSTILITIES IN 1777. -- AMERICAN REVERSES. -- THE BRITISH IN PHILADELPHIA. -- THE ATTACK UPON FORT MIFFLIN. -- CRUISE OF THE "RALEIGH" AND THE "ALFRED. " -- TORPEDO WARFARE. -- THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS. We have now heard of the exploits of some of the chief naval leadersof the war of the Revolution. But there were many dashing engagementsin which the great commanders took no part, and many importantcaptures made by vessels sailing under the flags of the individualcolonies, which deserve attention. The American cause on the water suffered some rather severe reversesin the early part of 1777. In March, the brig "Cabot" fell in with theBritish frigate "Milford, " and was so hard pressed that she was runashore on the coast of Nova Scotia. The crew had hardly time to getashore before the British took possession of the stranded craft. TheAmericans were left helpless, in a wild and little settled country, but finally made their way through the woods to a harbor. Here theyfound a coasting schooner lying at anchor, upon which they promptlyseized, and in which they escaped to Portsmouth. In the mean time, theBritish had got the "Cabot" afloat again. Two months later, or in the early part of May, two United Statesvessels, the "Hancock" thirty-two, Capt. Manly, and the "Boston"twenty-four, Capt. Hector McNeil, sailed in company from Boston. Whena few days out, a strange sail was sighted, and proved to be aBritish frigate. The "Hancock" soon came near enough to her toexchange broadsides, as the two vessels were going on opposite tacks. The enemy, however, seemed anxious to avoid a conflict, and exertedevery effort to escape. Manly, having great confidence in the speed ofhis ship, gave chase. Calling the people from the guns, he bade themmake a leisurely breakfast, and get ready for the work before them. The "Hancock" soon overhauled the chase, which began firing her gunsas fast as they would bear. The Americans, however, made no responseuntil fairly alongside, when they let fly a broadside with ringingcheers. The action lasted for an hour and a half before the enemystruck. She proved to be the "Fox, " twenty-eight. She was badly cut upby the American fire, and had thirty-two dead and wounded men onboard. The loss on the "Hancock" amounted to only eight men. In thisrunning fight the "Boston" was hopelessly distanced, coming up just intime to fire a gun as the British ensign came fluttering from thepeak. Putting a prize crew on the "Fox, " the three vessels continued theircruise. A week passed, and no sail was seen. Somewhat rashly Capt. Manly turned his ship's prow toward Halifax, then, as now, the chiefBritish naval station on the American coast. When the three shipsappeared off the entrance to the harbor of Halifax, the Britishmen-of-war inside quickly spied them, raised anchor, and came crowdingout in hot pursuit. There was the "Rainbow" forty-four, the "Flora"thirty-two, and the "Victor" eighteen, besides two others whose namescould not be ascertained. The Americans saw that they had stirred up anest of hornets, and sought safety in flight. The three Britishvessels whose names are given gave chase. The "Boston, " by her swiftsailing, easily kept out of the reach of the enemy. The "Fox, "however, was quickly overhauled by the "Flora, " and struck her flagafter exchanging a few broadsides. The "Hancock" for a time seemedlikely to escape, but at last the "Rainbow" began gradually tooverhaul her. Capt. Manly, finding escape impossible, beganmanoeuvring with the intention of boarding his powerful adversary; butthe light winds made this impossible, and he suddenly found himselfunder the guns of the "Rainbow, " with the "Victor" astern, in a rakingposition. Seeing no hope for success in so unequal a conflict, Manlystruck his flag. In the mean time the "Boston" had calmly proceededupon her way, leaving her consorts to their fate. For having thusabandoned his superior officer, Capt. McNeil was dismissed the serviceupon his return to Boston. These losses were to some degree offset by the good fortune of the"Trumbull, " twenty-eight, in command of Capt. Saltonstall. She leftNew York in April of this year, and had been on the water but a fewdays when she fell in with two British armed vessels of noinconsiderable force. The Englishmen, confident of their ability tobeat off the cruiser, made no effort to avoid a conflict. Capt. Saltonstall, by good seamanship, managed to put his vessel between thetwo hostile ships, and then worked both batteries with such vigor, that, after half-an-hour's fighting, the enemy was glad to strike. Inthis action the Americans lost seven men killed, and eight wounded. The loss of the enemy was not reported. This capture was of thegreatest importance to the American cause, for the two prizes wereloaded with military and naval stores. During the year 1777, the occupation of Philadelphia by the Britisharmy, under Gen. Howe, led to some activity on the part of theAmerican navy. While Philadelphia had been in the possession of theContinentals, it had been a favorite naval rendezvous. Into the broadchannel of the Delaware the American cruisers had been accustomed toretreat when the British naval force along the coast becamethreateningly active. At the broad wharves of Philadelphia, themen-of-war laid up to have necessary repairs made. In the rope-walksof the town, the cordage for the gallant Yankee ships was spun. In thebusy shipyards along the Delaware, many of the frigates, provided forby the Act of 1775, were built. In the summer of 1777 all this was changed. Sir William Howe, at thehead of an irresistible army, marched upon Philadelphia; and, defeating the American army at Brandywine, entered the city intriumph. The privateers and men-of-war scattered hastily, to avoidcapture. Most of them fled down the Delaware; but a few, chieflyvessels still uncompleted, ascended the river. To cut off these vessels, the British immediately commenced theerection of batteries to command the channel of the river, and preventany communication between the American vessels above and belowPhiladelphia. To check the erection of these batteries, the Americanvessels "Delaware" twenty-four, and "Andrea Doria" fourteen, togetherwith one or two vessels flying the Pennsylvania flag, took up aposition before the incomplete earthworks, and opened a heavy fireupon the soldiers employed in the trenches. So accurate was the aim ofthe American gunners, that work on the batteries was stopped. But, unluckily, the commander of the "Delaware, " Capt. Alexander, hadfailed to reckon on the swift outflowing of the tide; and just as thesailors on that ship were becoming jubilant over the prospect of avictory, a mighty quiver throughout the ship told that she had beenleft on a shoal by the ebb tide. The enemy was not long in discoveringthe helpless condition of the "Delaware;" and field-pieces andsiege-guns were brought down to the river-bank, until the lucklessAmericans saw themselves commanded by a heavy battery. In this unhappypredicament there was no course remaining but to strike their flag. Though the British had possession of Philadelphia, and virtuallycontrolled the navigation of the river at that point, the Americansstill held powerful positions at Red Bank and at Fort Mifflin, lowerdown the river. Against the former post the British sent anunsuccessful land expedition of Hessians, but against Fort Mifflin anaval expedition was despatched. Fort Mifflin was built on a low marshy island near the mouth of theSchuylkill. Its very situation, surrounded as it was by mud and water, made it impregnable to any land attack. While the fort itself was afairly strong earthwork, laid out upon approved principles ofengineering, its outer works of defence added greatly to its strength. In the main channels of the river were sunk heavy, sharp-pointed_chevaux de frise_, or submarine palisades, with sharp pointsextending just above the surface of the water. In addition to thisobstacle, the enemy advancing by water upon the fort would have tomeet the American flotilla, which, though composed of small craftonly, was large enough to prove very annoying to an enemy. In thisflotilla were thirteen galleys, one carrying a thirty-two pounder, andthe rest with varying weight of ordnance; twenty-six half-galleys, each carrying a four-pounder; two xebecs, each with twotwenty-four-pounders in the bow, two eighteen-pounders in the stern, and four nine-pounders in the waist; two floating batteries, fourteenfire-ships, one schooner-galley, one brig-galley, one provincial ship, and the brig "Andrea Doria. " It was no small naval force that theBritish had to overcome before attacking the mud ramparts and bastionsof Fort Mifflin. Against this armament the British brought a number of vessels, withthe "Augusta, " sixty-four, in the lead. The battle was begun late inthe afternoon of the 22d of October, 1777. The attack of the Hessiansupon the American fortifications at Red Bank, and the opening of theaction between the British and American fleets, were simultaneous. TheHessians were beaten back with heavy loss, some of the Americanvessels opening fire upon them from the river. The naval battle lastedbut a short time that night, owing to the darkness. When the battleended for the night, the "Augusta, " and the "Merlin, " sloop-of-war, were left hard and fast aground. The next morning the British advanced again to the attack. Theskirmish of the night before had shown them that the Yankee flotillawas no mean adversary; and they now brought up re-inforcements, in theshape of the "Roebuck" forty-four, "Isis" thirty-two, "Pearl"thirty-two, and "Liverpool" twenty-eight. No sooner had the Britishsquadron come within range than a heavy fire was opened upon the fort. The American flotilla was prompt to answer the challenge, and soon theaction became general. Time and time again the Americans sent hugefire-ships, their well-tarred spars and rigging blazing fiercely, downamong the enemy. But the skill and activity of the British sailorswarded off this danger. Thereupon the Americans, seeing that theycould not rely upon their fire-ships, changed their plan of action. Any one of the British vessels was more than a match for the largestAmerican craft, so the Yankees saw they must rely upon force ofnumbers. Accordingly their larger vessels were each assigned to attackone of the enemy; while the swift-sailing galleys plied to and fro inthe battle, lending aid where needed, and striking a blow wherever theopportunity offered itself. This course of action soon began to tellupon the British. All of their vessels began to show the effects ofthe American fire. The "Augusta" was in flames, owing to some pressedhay that had been packed upon her quarter having been set on fire. Despite the efforts of her crew, the flames spread rapidly. Seeing nochance to save the vessel, the crew abandoned her, and sought to gainthe protection of other vessels of the British fleet. But the otherships, seeing the flames on the "Augusta" drawing closer and closerto the magazine, and knowing that her explosion in that narrow andcrowded channel would work dreadful damage among them, determined toabandon the attack upon Fort Mifflin, and withdrew. The "Merlin, "which was hard and fast aground, was fired, and the British fled. Asthey turned their ships' prows down the Delaware, the dull sullen roarof an explosion told that the "Augusta" had met her end. Soon afterthe "Merlin" blew up, and the defeat of the British was complete. But, though worsted in this attack upon Fort Mifflin, the British didnot wholly abandon their designs upon it. Immediately upon theirrepulse, they began their preparations for a second attack. This timethey did not propose to rely upon men-of-war alone. Batteries werebuilt upon every point of land within range of Fort Mifflin. Floatingbatteries were built, and towed into position. By the 10th of Novemberall was ready, and upon that day a tremendous cannonade was openedupon the American works. After two days of ceaseless bombardment, thegarrison of the fort was forced to surrender. Since the fall of FortMifflin gave the control of the Delaware to the British, the Americansimmediately put the torch to the "Andrea Doria" fourteen, the "Wasp"eight, and the "Hornet" ten; while the galleys skulked away along theJersey coast, in search of places of retreat. While the Yankee tars on river and harbor duty were thus getting theirshare of fighting, there was plenty of daring work being done on thehigh seas. One of the most important cruises of the year was that ofthe "Raleigh" and the "Alfred. " The "Raleigh" was one of thetwelve-pounder frigates built under the naval Act of 1775. With herconsort the "Alfred, " she left the American coast in the summer of1777, bound for France, in search of naval stores that were thereawaiting transportation to the United States. Both vessels wereshort-handed. On the 2d of September the two vessels overhauled and captured thesnow "Nancy, " from England, bound for the West Indies. Her captainreported that he had sailed from the West Indies with a fleet of sixtymerchantmen, under the convoy of four small men-of-war, the "Camel, "the "Druid, " the "Weasel, " and the "Grasshopper. " The poor sailingqualities of the "Nancy" had forced her to drop behind, and the fleetwas then about a day in advance of her. Crowding on all canvas, the two American ships set out in hot pursuit. From the captain of the "Nancy" Capt. Thompson of the "Raleigh" hadobtained all the signals in use in the fleet of Indiamen. The nextmorning the fleet was made out; and the "Raleigh" and the "Alfred"exchanged signals, as though they were part of the convoy. They hungabout the outskirts of the fleet until dark, planning, when the nightshould fall, to make a dash into the enemy's midst, and cut out thechief armed vessel. But at nightfall the wind changed, so that the plan of the Americanswas defeated. At daylight, however, the wind veered round andfreshened, so that the "Raleigh, " crowding on more sail, was soon inthe very centre of the enemy's fleet. The "Alfred, " unfortunately, being unable to carry so great a spread of canvas, was left behind;and the "Raleigh" remained to carry out alone her daring adventure. The "Raleigh" boldly steered straight into the midst of the Britishmerchantmen, exchanging signals with some, and hailing others. Herports were lowered, and her guns on deck housed, so that thereappeared about her nothing to indicate her true character. Havingcruised about amid the merchantmen, she drew up alongside the nearestman-of-war, and when within pistol-shot, suddenly ran up her flag, threw open her ports, and commanded the enemy to strike. All was confusion on board the British vessel. Her officers had neverfor a moment suspected the "Raleigh" of being other than one of theirown fleet. While they stood aghast, not even keeping the vessel on hercourse, the "Raleigh" poured in a broadside. The British respondedfaintly with a few guns. Deliberately the Americans let fly anotherbroadside, which did great execution. The enemy were driven from theirguns, but doggedly refused to strike, holding out, doubtless, in thehope that the cannonade might draw to their assistance some of theother armed ships accompanying the fleet. While the unequal combat was raging, a heavy squall came rushing overthe water. The driving sheets of rain shut in the combatants, and onlyby the thunders of the cannonade could the other vessels tell that abattle was being fought in their midst. When the squall had passed by, the affrighted merchantmen were seenscudding in every direction, like a school of flying-fish into whosemidst some rapacious shark or dolphin has intruded himself. But thethree men-of-war, with several armed West-Indiamen in their wake, werefast bearing down upon the combatants, with the obvious intention ofrescuing their comrade, and punishing the audacious Yankee. The odds against Thompson were too great; and after staying by hisadversary until the last possible moment, and pouring broadside afterbroadside into her, he abandoned the fight and rejoined the "Alfred. "The two ships hung on the flanks of the fleet for some days, in thehopes of enticing two of the men-of-war out to join in battle. But allwas to no avail, and the Americans were forced to content themselveswith the scant glory won in the incomplete action of the "Raleigh. "Her adversary proved to be the "Druid, " twenty, which sufferedseverely from the "Raleigh's" repeated broadsides, having six killed, and twenty-six wounded; of the wounded, five died immediately afterthe battle. It was during the year 1777 that occurred the first attempt to usegunpowder in the shape of a submarine torpedo. This device, whichto-day threatens to overturn all established ideas of navalorganization and architecture, originated with a clever Connecticutmechanic named David Bushnell. His invention covered not onlysubmarine torpedoes, to be launched against a vessel, but a submarineboat in which an adventurous navigator might undertake to go beneaththe hull of a man-of-war, and affix the torpedoes, so that failureshould be impossible. This boat in shape was not unlike a turtle. Asystem of valves, air-pumps, and ballast enabled the operator toascend or descend in the water at will. A screw-propeller affordedmeans of propulsion, and phosphorescent gauges and compasses enabledhim to steer with some accuracy. Preliminary tests made with this craft were uniformly successful. After a skilled operator had been obtained, the boat perfectlydischarged the duties required of her. But, as is so often the case, when the time for action came she proved inadequate to the emergency. Let her inventor tell the story in his own words:-- "After various attempts to find an operator to my wish, I sent one, who appeared to be more expert than the rest, from New York, to afifty-gun ship, lying not far from Governor's Island. He went underthe ship, and attempted to fix the wooden screw to her bottom, butstruck, as he supposes, a bar of iron, which passes from the rudderhinge, and is spiked under the ship's quarter. Had he moved a fewinches, which he might have done without rowing, I have no doubt hewould have found wood where he might have fixed the screw; or, if theship were sheathed with copper, he might easily have pierced it. Butnot being well skilled in the management of the vessel, in attemptingto move to another place, he lost the ship. After seeking her in vainfor some time, he rowed some distance, and rose to the surface of thewater, but found daylight had advanced so far that he durst not renewthe attempt. He says that he could easily have fastened the magazineunder the stern of the ship above water, as he rowed up to the sternand touched it before he descended. Had he fastened it there, theexplosion of a hundred and fifty pounds of powder (the quantitycontained in the magazine) must have been fatal to the ship. In hisreturn from the ship to New York, he passed near Governor's Island, and thought he was discovered by the enemy on the island. Being inhaste to avoid the danger he feared, he cast off the magazine, as heimagined it retarded him in the swell, which was very considerable. After the magazine had been cast off one hour the time the internalapparatus was set to run, it blew up with great violence. "Afterwards there were two attempts made in Hudson's River, above thecity; but they effected nothing. One of them was by the aforementionedperson. In going toward the ship, he lost sight of her, and went agreat distance beyond her. When he at length found her, the tide ranso strong, that, as he descended under water, for the ship's bottom, it swept him away. Soon after this, the enemy went up the river, andpursued the boat which had the submarine vessel on board, and sunk itwith their shot. " So it appears, that, so far as this submarine vessel was concerned, Bushnell's great invention came to naught. And, indeed, it was but thefirst of a long line of experiments which have been terribly costly inhuman life, and which as yet have not been brought to a successfulend. In every war there comes forward the inventor with the submarineboat, and he always finds a few brave men ready to risk their lives inthe floating coffin. Somewhere in Charleston Harbor to-day lies asubmarine boat, enclosing the skeletons of eight men, who went out init to break the blockade of the port during the civil war. Andalthough there are to-day several types of submarine boat, each ofwhich is claimed to make practicable the navigation of the ocean'sdepths, yet it is doubtful whether any of them are much safer thanBushnell's primitive "turtle. " But Bushnell's experiments in torpedo warfare were not confined toattempts to destroy hostile vessels by means of his submarine vessel. He made several attacks upon the enemy by means of automatictorpedoes, none of which met with complete success. One of theseattacks, made at Philadelphia in December, 1777, furnished theincident upon which is founded the well-known ballad of the "Battle ofthe Kegs. " It was at a time when the Delaware was filled with British shipping, that Bushnell set adrift upon its swift-flowing tide a number of smallkegs, filled with gunpowder, and provided with percussion apparatus, so that contact with any object would explode them. The kegs werestarted on their voyage at night. But Bushnell had miscalculated thedistance they had to travel; so that, instead of reaching the Britishfleet under cover of darkness, they arrived early in the morning. Great was the wonder of the British sentries, on ship and shore, tosee the broad bosom of the river dotted with floating kegs. As theauthor of the satirical ballad describes it, -- "Twas early day, as poets say, Just as the sun was rising; A soldier stood on a log of wood And saw the sun a-rising. As in amaze he stood to gaze (The truth can't be denied, sir), He spied a score of kegs, or more, Come floating down the tide, sir. A sailor, too, in jerkin blue, The strange appearance viewing, First d----d his eyes in great surprise, Then said, 'Some mischief's brewing. ' These kegs, I'm told, the rebels hold, Packed up like pickled herring; And they've come down to attack the town In this new way of ferrying. " The curiosity of the British at this inexplicable spectacle gave placeto alarm, when one of the kegs, being picked up, blew up a boat, andseriously injured the man whose curiosity had led him to examine ittoo closely. Half panic-stricken, the British got out their guns, great and small; and all day every small object on the Delaware wasthe target for a lively fusillade. "The cannons roar from shore to shore, The small arms loud did rattle. Since wars began, I'm sure no man E'er saw so strange a battle. The fish below swam to and fro, Attacked from every quarter. 'Why sure' (thought they), 'the devil's to pay, 'Mong folk above the water. '" But in the end the kegs all floated by the city, and only theammunition stores of the British suffered from the attack. Another attempt was made by Bushnell to destroy the British frigate"Cerberus, " lying at anchor off the Connecticut coast. A torpedo, withthe usual percussion apparatus, was drawn along the side of thefrigate by a long line, but fouled with a schooner lying astern. Theexplosion occurred with frightful force, and the schooner was whollydemolished. Three men who were on board of her were blown to pieces;and a fourth was thrown high into the air, and was picked out of thewater in an almost dying condition. These experiments of the Connecticut mechanic in the Revolutionary warwere the forerunner of a movement which took almost a hundred years tobecome generally accepted. We have been accustomed to say thatEricsson's armor-clad monitor revolutionized naval warfare; but theperfection of the torpedo is forcing the armor-clad ships into disuse, as they in their day thrust aside the old wooden frigates. The wisenation to-day, seeing how irresistible is the power of the torpedo, isabandoning the construction of cumbrous iron-clads, and buildinglight, swift cruisers, that by speed and easy steering can avoid thesubmarine enemy. And if the torpedo cannot be said to be the idealweapon of chivalric warfare, it may at least in time be credited withdoing away with the custom of cooping men up in wrought-iron boxes, tofight with machine guns. Farragut, who hated iron-clads, likedtorpedoes little better; but had he foreseen their effects upon navaltactics, he might have hailed them as the destroyers of the iron-cladships. CHAPTER XII. NAVAL EVENTS OF 1778. -- RECRUITING FOR THE NAVY. -- THE DESCENT UPON NEW PROVIDENCE. -- OPERATIONS ON THE DELAWARE. -- CAPT. BARRY'S EXPLOITS. -- DESTRUCTION OF THE AMERICAN FRIGATES. -- AMERICAN REVERSES. -- THE CAPTURE OF THE "PIGOT. " -- FRENCH NAVAL EXPLOITS. The year 1778 opened with the brightest prospects for the Americancause. The notable success of the American arms on land, andparticularly the surrender of Burgoyne, had favorably disposed Francetoward an alliance with the United States; and, in fact, this alliancewas soon formed. Furthermore, the evidence of the prowess of theAmericans on shore had stirred up the naval authorities to vigorousaction, and it was determined to make the year 1778 a notable one uponthe ocean. Much difficulty was found, at the very outset, in getting men to shipfor service on the regular cruisers. Privateers were being fitted outin every port; and on them the life was easy, discipline slack, dangerto life small, and the prospects for financial reward far greater thanon the United States men-of-war. Accordingly, the seafaring men as arule preferred to ship on the privateers. At no time in the historyof the United States has the barbaric British custom of gettingsailors for the navy by means of the "press-gang" been followed. American blue-jackets have never been impressed by force. It isunfortunately true that unfair advantages have been taken of theirsimplicity, and sometimes they have even been shipped while under theinfluence of liquor; but such cases have been rare. It is safe to saythat few men have ever trod the deck of a United States man-of-war, asmembers of the crew, without being there of their own free will andaccord. But in 1777 it was sometimes hard to fill the ships' rosters. Then theingenuity of the recruiting officers was called into play. A sailorwho served on the "Protector" during the Revolution thus tells thestory of his enlistment:-- "All means were resorted to which ingenuity could devise to induce mento enlist. A recruiting officer, bearing a flag, and attended by aband of martial music, paraded the streets, to excite a thirst forglory and a spirit of military ambition. The recruiting officerpossessed the qualifications necessary to make the service appearalluring, especially to the young. He was a jovial, good-naturedfellow, of ready wit and much broad humor. When he espied any largeboys among the idle crowd around him, he would attract their attentionby singing in a comical manner the following doggerel, -- 'All you that have bad masters, And cannot get your due, Come, come, my brave boys, And join our ship's crew. ' [Illustration: Commodore Barry. ] "A shout and a huzza would follow, and some would join in the ranks. My excitable feelings were aroused. I repaired to the rendezvous, signed the ship's papers, mounted a cockade, and was, in my ownestimation, already more than half a sailor. Appeals continued to bemade to the patriotism of every young man, to lend his aid, by hisexertions on sea or land, to free his country from the common enemy. About the last of February the ship was ready to receive her crew, andwas hauled off into the channel, that the sailors might have noopportunity to run away after they were got on board. Upward of threehundred and thirty men were carried, dragged, and driven on board, of all kinds, ages, and descriptions, in all the various stages ofintoxication, from that of sober tipsiness to beastly drunkenness, with an uproar and clamor that may be more easily imagined thandescribed. " But, whatever the methods adopted to secure recruits for the navy, themen thus obtained did admirable service; and in no year did they winmore glory than in 1778. As usual the year's operations were opened by an exploit of one of thesmaller cruisers. This was the United States sloop-of-war"Providence, " a trig little vessel, mounting only twelvefour-pounders, and carrying a crew of but fifty men. But she was incommand of a daring seaman Capt. Rathburne, and she opened the year'shostilities with an exploit worthy of Paul Jones. Off the south-eastern coast of Florida, in that archipelago orcollection of groups of islands known collectively as the West Indies, lies the small island of New Providence. Here in 1778 was a smallBritish colony. The well-protected harbor, and the convenient locationof the island, made it a favorite place for the rendezvous of Britishnaval vessels. Indeed, it bid fair to become, what Nassau is to-day, the chief British naval station on the American coast. In 1778 thelittle seaport had a population of about one thousand people. With his little vessel, and her puny battery of four-pounders, Capt. Rathburne determined to undertake the capture of New Providence. Onlythe highest daring, approaching even recklessness, could haveconceived such a plan. The harbor was defended by a fort of no meanpower. There was always one British armed vessel, and often more, lying at anchor under the guns of the fort. Two hundred of the peopleof the town were able-bodied men, able to bear arms. How, then, werethe Yankees, with their puny force, to hope for success? This queryRathburne answered, "By dash and daring. " It was about eleven o'clock on the night of the 27th of January, 1778, that the "Providence" cast anchor in a sheltered cove near theentrance to the harbor of New Providence. Twenty-five of her crew wereput ashore, and being re-enforced by a few American prisoners keptupon the island, made a descent upon Fort Nassau from its landwardside. The sentries dozing at their posts were easily overpowered, andthe garrison was aroused from its peaceful slumbers by the cheers ofthe Yankee blue-jackets as they came tumbling in over the ramparts. Arocket sent up from the fort announced the victory to the"Providence, " and she came in and cast anchor near the fort. When morning broke, the Americans saw a large sixteen-gun ship lyingat anchor in the harbor, together with five sail that lookedsuspiciously like captured American merchantmen. The proceedings ofthe night had been quietly carried on, and the crew of the armedvessel had no reason to suspect that the condition of affairs on shorehad been changed in any way during the night. But at daybreak a boatcarrying four men put off from the shore, and made for the armed ship;and at the same time a flag was flung out from the flagstaff of thefort, --not the familiar scarlet flag of Great Britain, but the almostunknown stars and stripes of the United States. The sleepy sailors on the armed vessel rubbed their eyes; and whilethey were staring at the strange piece of bunting, there came a hailfrom a boat alongside, and an American officer clambered over therail. He curtly told the captain of the privateer that the fort was inthe hands of the Americans, and called upon him to surrender hisvessel forthwith. Resistance was useless; for the heavy guns of FortNassau were trained upon the British ship, and could blow her out ofthe water. The visitor's arguments proved to be unanswerable; and thecaptain of the privateer surrendered his vessel, which was takenpossession of by the Americans; while her crew of forty-five men wasordered into confinement in the dungeons of the fort which had solately held captive Americans. Other boarding parties were then sentto the other vessels in the harbor, which proved to be American craft, captured by the British sloop-of-war "Grayton. " At sunrise the sleeping town showed signs of reviving life, and aparty of the audacious Yankees marched down to the house of thegovernor. That functionary was found in bed, and in profound ignoranceof the events of the night. The Americans broke the news to him nonetoo gently, and demanded the keys of a disused fortress on theopposite side of the harbor from Fort Nassau. For a time the governorwas inclined to demur; but the determined attitude of the Americanssoon persuaded him that he was a prisoner, though in his own house, and he delivered the keys. Thereupon the Americans marched through thestreets of the city, around the harbor's edge to the fort, spiked theguns, and carrying with them the powder and small-arms, marched backto Fort Nassau. But by this time it was ten o'clock, and the whole town was aroused. The streets were crowded with people eagerly discussing the invasion. The timid ones were busily packing up their goods to fly into thecountry; while the braver ones were hunting for weapons, andorganizing for an attack upon the fort held by the Americans. Fearingan outbreak, Capt. Rathburne sent out a flag of truce, makingproclamation to all the inhabitants of New Providence, that theAmericans would do no damage to the persons or property of the peopleof the island unless compelled so to do in self-defence. This pacifiedthe more temperate of the inhabitants; but the hotheads, to the numberof about two hundred, assembled before Fort Nassau, and threatened toattack it. But, when they summoned Rathburne to surrender, thatofficer leaped upon the parapet, and coolly told the assailants tocome on. "We can beat you back easily, " said he. "And, by the Eternal, if youfire a gun at us, we'll turn the guns of the fort on your town, andlay it in ruins. " This bold defiance disconcerted the enemy; and, after someconsultation among themselves, they dispersed. About noon that day, the British sloop-of-war "Grayton" made herappearance, and stood boldly into the harbor where lay the"Providence. " The United States colors were quickly hauled down fromthe fort flagstaff, and every means was taken to conceal the truestate of affairs from the enemy. But the inhabitants along thewater-side, by means of constant signalling and shouting, at lastaroused the suspicion of her officers; and she hastily put about, andscudded for the open sea. The guns at Fort Nassau opened on her as shepassed, and the aim of the Yankee gunners was accurate enough to makethe splinters fly. The exact damage done her has, however, never beenascertained. All that night the daring band of blue-jackets held the fortunmolested. But on the following morning the townspeople again pluckedup courage, and to the number of five hundred marched to the fort, andplacing several pieces of artillery in battery, summoned the garrisonto surrender. The flag of truce that bore the summons carried also thethreat, that, unless the Americans laid down their arms withoutresistance, the fort would be stormed, and all therein put to thesword without mercy. For answer to the summons, the Americans nailed their colors to themast, and swore that while a man of them lived the fort should not besurrendered. By this bold defiance they so awed the enemy that the daypassed without the expected assault; and at night the besiegersreturned to their homes, without having fired a shot. All that night the Americans worked busily, transferring to the"Providence" all the ammunition and stores in the fort; and the nextmorning the prizes were manned, the guns of the fort spiked, and theadventurous Yankees set sail in triumph. For three days they had heldpossession of the island, though outnumbered tenfold by theinhabitants; they had captured large quantities of ammunition andnaval stores; they had freed their captured countrymen; they hadretaken from the British five captured American vessels, and in thewhole affair they had lost not a single man. It was an achievement ofwhich a force of triple the number might have been proud. In February, 1778, the Delaware, along the water-front ofPhiladelphia, was the scene of some dashing work by American sailors, under the command of Capt. John Barry. This officer was in command ofthe "Effingham, " one of the vessels which had been trapped in theDelaware by the unexpected occupation of Philadelphia by the British. The inactivity of the vessels, which had taken refuge at Whitehall, was a sore disappointment to Barry, who longed for the excitement anddangers of actual battle. With the British in force at Philadelphia, it was madness to think of taking the frigates down the stream. ButBarry rightly thought that what could not be done with a heavy shipmight be done with a few light boats. Philadelphia was then crowded with British troops. The soldiers werewell provided with money, and, finding themselves quartered in a cityfor the winter, led a life of continual gayety. The great accession tothe population of the town made it necessary to draw upon the countryfar and near for provisions; and boats were continually plying uponthe Delaware, carrying provisions to the city. To intercept some ofthese boats, and to give the merry British officers a taste ofstarvation, was Barry's plan. Accordingly four boats were manned with well-armed crews, and withmuffled oars set out on a dark night to patrol the river. Philadelphiawas reached, and the expedition was almost past the city, when thesentries on one of the British men-of-war gave the alarm. A fewscattering shots were fired from the shore; but the jackies bent totheir oars, and the boats were soon lost to sight in the darkness. When day broke, Barry was far down the river. Opposite the little post held by the American army, and called FortPenn, Barry spied a large schooner, mounting ten guns, and flying theBritish flag. With her were four transport ships, loaded with foragefor the enemy's forces. Though the sun had risen, and it was broadday, Barry succeeded in running his boats alongside the schooner; andbefore the British suspected the presence of any enemy, theblue-jackets were clambering over the rail, cutlass and pistol inhand. There was no resistance. The astonished Englishmen threw downtheir arms, and rushed below. The victorious Americans battened downthe hatches, ordered the four transports to surrender, on pain ofbeing fired into, and triumphantly carried all five prizes to thepiers of Fort Penn. There the hatches were removed; and, the Yankeesailors being drawn up in line, Barry ordered the prisoners to come ondeck. When all appeared, it was found that the Yankees had bagged onemajor, two captains, three lieutenants, ten soldiers, and about ahundred sailors and marines, --a very respectable haul for a party ofnot more than thirty American sailors. The next day a British frigate and sloop-of-war appeared down the bay. They were under full sail, and were apparently making for Fort Penn, with the probable intention of recapturing Barry's prizes. Fearingthat he might be robbed of the fruits of his victory, Barry put thefour transports in charge of Capt. Middleton, with instructions tofire them should the enemy attempt to cut them out. In the mean time, he took the ten-gun schooner, and made for the Christiana River, inthe hopes of taking her into shallow waters, whither the heavierBritish vessels could not follow. But, unluckily for his plans, thewind favored the frigate; and she gained upon him so rapidly, thatonly by the greatest expedition could he run his craft ashore andescape. Two of the guns were pointed down the main hatch, and a fewrounds of round-shot were fired through the schooner's bottom. Shesunk quickly; and the Americans pushed off from her side, just as theBritish frigate swung into position, and let fly her broadside at herescaping foes. The schooner being thus disposed of, the British turned theirattention to the four captured transports at Fort Penn. Capt. Middleton and Capt. McLane, who commanded the American militia onshore, had taken advantage of the delay to build a battery of bales ofhay near the piers. The British sloop-of-war opened the attack, butthe sharp-shooters in the battery and on the transports gave her sowarm a reception that she retired. She soon returned to the attack, but was checked by the American fire, and might have been beaten off, had not Middleton received a mortal wound while standing on thebattery and cheering on his men. Dismayed by the fall of their leader, the Americans set fire to the transport and fled to the woods, leavingthe British masters of the field. Barry's conduct in this enterprise won for him the admiration offriend and foe alike. Sir William Howe, then commander-in-chief of theBritish forces in America, offered the daring American twenty thousandguineas and the command of a British frigate, if he would desert theservice of the United States. "Not the value and command of the whole British fleet, " wrote Barry inreply, "can seduce me from the cause of my country. " After this adventure, Barry and his followers made their way throughthe woods back to Whitehall, where his ship the "Effingham" was lyingat anchor. Here he passed the winter in inactivity. At Whitehall, andnear that place, were nearly a dozen armed ships, frigates, sloops, and privateers. All had fled thither for safety when the British tookpossession of Philadelphia, and now found themselves caught in a trap. To run the blockade of British batteries and men-of-war atPhiladelphia, was impossible; and there was nothing to do but waituntil the enemy should evacuate the city. But the British were in no haste to leave Philadelphia; and when theydid get ready to leave, they determined to destroy the Americanflotilla before departing. Accordingly on the 4th of May, 1778, thewater-front of the Quaker City was alive with soldiers and citizenswatching the embarkation of the troops ordered against the Americanforces at Whitehall. On the placid bosom of the Delaware floated theschooners "Viper" and "Pembroke, " the galleys "Hussar, " "Cornwallis, ""Ferret, " and "Philadelphia, " four gunboats, and eighteen flat-boats. Between this fleet and the shore, boats were busily plying, carryingoff the soldiers of the light infantry, seven hundred of whom weredetailed for the expedition. It was a holiday affair. The Britishexpected little fighting; and with flags flying, and bands playing, the vessels started up stream, the cheers of the soldiers on boardmingling with those on the shore. Bristol, the landing-place chosen, was soon reached; and the troopsdisembarked without meeting with any opposition. Forming in solidcolumn, the soldiers took up the march for Whitehall; but, when withinfive miles of that place, a ruddy glare in the sky told that theAmericans had been warned of their coming, and had set the torch tothe shipping. When the head of the British column entered Whitehall, the two new American frigates "Washington" and "Effingham" werewrapped in flames. Both were new vessels, and neither had yet taken onboard her battery. Several other vessels were lying at the wharves;and to these the British set the torch, and continued their march, leaving the roaring flames behind them. A little farther up theDelaware, at the point known as Crosswise Creek, the large privateer"Sturdy Beggar" was found, together with several smaller craft. Thecrews had all fled, and the deserted vessels met the fate of the othercraft taken by the invaders. Then the British turned their stepshomeward, and reached Philadelphia, after having burned almost a scoreof vessels, and fired not a single shot. On the high seas during 1778 occurred several notable navalengagements. Of the more important of these we have spoken in ouraccounts of the exploits of Tucker, Biddle, and Paul Jones. The lessimportant ones must be dismissed with a hasty word. It may be said, that, in general, the naval actions of 1778 wentagainst the Americans. In February of that year the "Alfred" wascaptured by a British frigate, and the "Raleigh" narrowly escaped. InMarch, the new frigate "Virginia, " while beating out of Chesapeake Bayon her very first cruise, ran aground, and was captured by the enemy. In September, the United States frigate "Raleigh, " when a few days outfrom Boston, fell in with two British vessels, --one a frigate, and theother a ship-of-the-line. Capt. Barry, whose daring exploits on theDelaware we have chronicled, was in command of the "Raleigh, " andgallantly gave battle to the frigate, which was in the lead. Betweenthese two vessels the conflict raged with great fury for upwards oftwo hours, when the fore-topmast and mizzen top-gallant-mast of theAmerican having been shot away Barry attempted to close the conflictby boarding. The enemy kept at a safe distance, however; and hisconsort soon coming up, the Americans determined to seek safety inflight. The enemy pursued, keeping up a rapid fire; and the runningconflict continued until midnight. Finally Barry set fire to his ship, and with the greater part of his crew escaped to the nearest land, anisland near the mouth of the Penobscot. The British immediatelyboarded the abandoned ship, extinguished the flames, and carried theirprize away in triumph. To offset these reverses to the American arms, there were one or twovictories for the Americans, aside from those won by Paul Jones, andthe exploits of privateers and colonial armed vessels, which we shallgroup together in a later chapter. The first of these victories waswon by an army officer, who was later transferred to the navy, and wongreat honor in the naval service. In an inlet of Narragansett Bay, near Newport, the British hadanchored a powerful floating battery, made of the dismasted hulk ofthe schooner "Pigot, " on which were mounted twelve eight-pounders andten swivel guns. It was about the time that the fleet sent by Franceto aid the United States was expected to arrive; and the British hadbuilt and placed in position this battery, to close the channelleading to Newport. Major Silas Talbot, an army officer who had wonrenown earlier in the war by a daring but unsuccessful attempt todestroy two British frigates in the Hudson River, by means offire-ships, obtained permission to lead an expedition for the captureof the "Pigot. " Accordingly, with sixty picked men, he set sail fromProvidence in the sloop "Hawk, " mounting three three-pounders. Whenwithin a few miles of the "Pigot, " he landed, and, borrowing a horse, rode down and reconnoitred the battery. When the night set in, hereturned to the sloop, and at once weighed anchor and made for theenemy. As the "Hawk" drew near the "Pigot, " the British sentinelschallenged her, and receiving no reply, fired a volley of musketry, which injured no one. On came the "Hawk, " under a full spread ofcanvas. A kedge-anchor had been lashed to the end of her bowsprit;and, before the British could reload, this crashed through theboarding-nettings of the "Pigot, " and caught in the shrouds. The twovessels being fast, the Americans, with ringing cheers, ran along thebowsprit, and dropped on the deck of the "Pigot. " The surprise wascomplete. The British captain rushed on deck, clad only in his shirtand drawers, and strove manfully to rally his crew. But as theAmericans, cutlass and pistol in hand, swarmed over the taffrail, thesurprised British lost heart, and fled to the hold, until at last thecaptain found himself alone upon the deck. Nothing was left for himbut to surrender with the best grace possible; and soon Talbot was onhis way back to Providence, with his prize and a shipful of prisoners. But perhaps the greatest naval event of 1778 in American waters wasthe arrival of the fleet sent by France to co-operate with theAmerican forces. Not that any thing of importance was everaccomplished by this naval force: the French officers seemed to findtheir greatest satisfaction in manoeuvring, reconnoitring, andperforming in the most exact and admirable manner all thepreliminaries to a battle. Having done this, they would sail away, never firing a gun. The Yankees were prone to disregard the nicepoints of naval tactics. Their plan was to lay their ships alongsidethe enemy, and pound away until one side or the other had to yield orsink. But the French allies were strong on tactics, and somewhat weakin dash; and, as a result, there is not one actual combat in whichthey figured to be recorded. It was a noble fleet that France sent to the aid of the strugglingAmericans, --twelve ships-of-the-line and three frigates. What dashingPaul Jones would have done, had he ever enjoyed the command of such afleet, almost passes imagination. Certain it is that he would havewasted little time in formal evolutions. But the fleet was commandedby Count d'Estaing, a French naval officer of honorable reputation. What he accomplished during his first year's cruise in Americanwaters, can be told in a few words. His intention was to trap LordHowe's fleet in the Delaware, but he arrived too late. He thenfollowed the British to New York, but was baffled there by the factthat his vessels were too heavy to cross the bar. Thence he went toNewport, where the appearance of his fleet frightened the British intoburning four of their frigates, and sinking two sloops-of-war. LordHowe, hearing of this, plucked up courage, and, gathering together allhis ships, sailed from New York to Newport, to give battle to theFrench. The two fleets were about equally matched. On the 10th ofAugust the enemies met in the open sea, off Newport. For two days theykept out of range of each other, manoeuvring for the weather-gage;that is, the French fleet, being to windward of the British, strove tokeep that position, while the British endeavored to take it from them. The third day a gale arose; and when it subsided the ships were socrippled, that, after exchanging a few harmless broadsides at longrange, they withdrew, and the naval battle was ended. Such was the record of D'Estaing's magnificent fleet during 1778. Certainly the Americans had little to learn from the representativesof the power that had for years contended with England for the masteryof the seas. CHAPTER XIII. LAST YEARS OF THE WAR. -- DISASTROUS EXPEDITION TO THE PENOBSCOT. -- WHOLESALE CAPTURES ON THE NEWFOUNDLAND BANKS. -- FRENCH SHIPS IN AMERICAN WATERS. -- TAKING OF CHARLESTON. -- THE "TRUMBULL'S" VICTORY AND DEFEAT. -- CAPT. BARRY AND THE "ALLIANCE. " -- CLOSE OF THE WAR. The year 1779 is chiefly known in American naval history as the yearin which Paul Jones did his most brilliant service in the "Bon HommeRichard. " The glory won by the Americans was chiefly gained inEuropean waters. Along the coast of the United States, there were somedashing actions; but the advantage generally remained with theBritish. Perhaps the most notable naval event of this year, aside from thebattle between the "Bon Homme Richard" and the "Serapis, " was theexpedition sent by the State of Massachusetts against the British postat Castine, on the banks of the Penobscot River. At this unimportantsettlement in the wilds of Maine, the British had established amilitary post, with a garrison of about a thousand men, together withfour armed vessels. Here they might have been permitted to remain inpeace, so far as any danger from their presence was to be apprehendedby the people of New England. But the sturdy citizens of Massachusettshad boasted, that, since the evacuation of Boston, no British soldierhad dared to set foot on Massachusetts soil; and the news of thisinvasion caused the people of Boston to rise as one man, and demandthat the invaders should be expelled. Accordingly a joint naval and military expedition was fitted out underauthority granted by the Legislature of the State. Congress detailedthe United States frigate "Warren, " and the sloops-of-war "Diligence"and "Providence, " to head the expedition. The Massachusetts cruisers"Hazard, " "Active, " and "Tyrannicide" represented the regular navalforces of the Bay State; and twelve armed vessels belonging to privatecitizens were hired, to complete the armada. The excitement amongseafaring men ran high. Every man who had ever swung a cutlass orsighted a gun was anxious to accompany the expedition. Ordinarily itwas difficult to ship enough men for the navy; now it was impossibleto take all the applicants. It is even recorded that the list ofcommon sailors on the armed ship "Vengeance" included thirty mastersof merchantmen, who waived all considerations of rank, in order thatthey might join the expedition. To co-operate with the fleet, a military force was thought necessary;and accordingly orders were issued for fifteen hundred of the militiaof the district of Maine to assemble at Townsend. Brig. -Gen. Sullivanwas appointed to the command of the land forces, while Capt. Saltonstall of the "Warren" was made commodore of the fleet. Punctually on the day appointed the white sails of the American shipswere seen by the militiamen at the appointed rendezvous. But when theships dropped anchor, and the commodore went ashore to consult withthe officers of the land forces, he found that but nine hundred of themilitiamen had responded to the call. Nevertheless, it was determined, after a brief consultation, to proceed with the expedition, despitethe sadly diminished strength of the militia battalions. On the 23d of July, the fleet set sail from the harbor of Townsend. Itwas an extraordinary and impressive spectacle. The shores of theharbor were covered with unbroken forests, save at the lower end wherea little hamlet of scarce five hundred people gave a touch ofcivilization to the wild scene. But the water looked as though thecommerce of a dozen cities had centred there. On the placid bosom ofthe little bay floated forty-four vessels. The tread of men about thecapstans, the hoarse shouts of command, the monotonous songs of thesailors, the creaking of cordage, and the flapping of sails gave anunwonted turbulence to the air which seldom bore a sound other thanthe voices of birds or the occasional blows of a woodman's axe. Nineteen vessels-of-war and twenty-five transports imparted to theharbor of Townsend an air of life and bustle to which it had been astranger, and which it has never since experienced. The weather was clear, and the wind fair; so that two days afterleaving Townsend the fleet appeared before the works of the enemy. Standing on the quarter-deck of the "Warren, " the commodore and thegeneral eagerly scanned the enemy's defences, and after a carefulexamination were forced to admit that the works they had to carry wereno mean specimens of the art of fortification. The river's banks rosealmost perpendicularly from the water-side, and on their crest wereperched the enemy's batteries, while on a high and precipitous hillwas built a fort or citadel. In the river were anchored the four armedvessels. Two days were spent by the Americans in reconnoitring the enemy'sworks; and on the 28th of July the work of disembarking the troopsbegan, under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries. The "Warren" andone of the sloops-of-war endeavored to cover the landing party byattacking the batteries; and a spirited cannonade followed, in whichthe American flag-ship suffered seriously. At last all the militia, together with three hundred marines, were put on shore, and at onceassaulted the batteries. They were opposed by about an equal number ofwell-drilled Scotch regulars, and the battle raged fiercely; themen-of-war in the river covering the advance of the troops by aspirited and well-directed fire. More than once the curving line ofmen rushed against the fiery front of the British ramparts, andrecoiled, shattered by the deadly volleys of the Scotch veterans. Hereand there, in the grass and weeds, the forms of dead men began to beseen. The pitiable spectacle of the wounded, painfully crawling to therear, began to make the pulse of the bravest beat quicker. But the menof Massachusetts, responsive to the voices of their officers, re-formed their shattered ranks, and charged again and again, until atlast, with a mighty cheer, they swept over the ramparts, driving theBritish out. Many of the enemy surrendered; more fled for shelter tothe fort on the hill. The smoke and din of battle died away. Therecame a brief respite in the bloody strife. The Americans had won thefirst trick in the bloody game of war. Only a short pause followed; then the Americans moved upon the fort. But here they found themselves overmatched. Against the toweringbastions of the fortress they might hurl themselves in vain. Theenemy, safe behind its heavy parapets, could mow down their advancingranks with a cool and deliberate fire. The assailants had alreadysacrificed more than a hundred men. Was it wise now to order anassault that might lead to the loss of twice that number? The hotheads cried out for the immediate storming of the fort; butcooler counsels prevailed, and a siege was decided upon. Trenches weredug, the guns in the outlying batteries were turned upon the fort, andthe New Englanders sat down to wait until the enemy should be starvedout or until re-enforcements might be brought from Boston. So for three weeks the combatants rested on their arms, glaring ateach other over the tops of their breastworks, and now and thenexchanging a shot or a casual volley, but doing little in the way ofactual hostilities. Provisions were failing the British, and theybegan to feel that they were in a trap from which they could onlyemerge through a surrender, when suddenly the situation was changed, and the fortunes of war went against the Americans. One morning the "Tyrannicide, " which was stationed on the lookout downthe bay, was seen beating up the river, under a full press of sail. Signals flying at her fore indicated that she had important news totell. Her anchor had not touched the bottom before a boat pushed offfrom her side, and made straight for the commodore's flag-ship. Reaching the "Warren, " a lieutenant clambered over the side, andsaluted Commodore Saltonstall on the quarter-deck. "Capt. Cathcart's compliments, sir, " said he, "and five Britishmen-of-war are just entering the bay. The first one appears to be the'Rainbow, ' forty-four. " Here was news indeed. Though superior in numbers, the Americans werefar inferior in weight of metal. After a hasty consultation, it wasdetermined to abandon the siege, and retreat with troops and vesselsto the shallow waters of the Penobscot, whither the heavy men-of-warof the enemy would be unable to follow them. Accordingly the troopswere hastily re-embarked, and a hurried flight began, which wasgreatly accelerated by the appearance of the enemy coming up theriver. The chase did not continue long before it became evident the enemywould overhaul the retreating ships. Soon he came within range, andopened fire with his bow-guns, in the hopes of crippling one of theAmerican ships. The fire was returned; and for several hours thewooded shores of the Penobscot echoed and re-echoed the thunders ofthe cannonade, as the warring fleets swept up the river. At last the conviction forced itself on the minds of the Americans, that for them there was no escape. The British were steadily gainingupon them, and there was no sign of the shoal water in which they hadhoped to find a refuge. It would seem that a bold dash might havecarried the day for the Americans, so greatly did they outnumber theirenemies. But this plan does not appear to have suggested itself toCapt. Saltonstall, who had concentrated all his efforts upon theattempt to escape. When escape proved to be hopeless, his only thoughtwas to destroy his vessels. Accordingly his flag-ship, the "Warren, "was run ashore, and set on fire. The action of the commodore wasimitated by the rest of the officers, and soon the banks of the riverwere lined with blazing vessels. The "Hunter, " the "Hampden, " and onetransport fell into the hands of the British. The rest of theforty-nine vessels--men-of-war, privateers, and transports--that madeup the fleet were destroyed by flames. It must indeed have been a stirring spectacle. The shores of thePenobscot River were then a trackless wilderness; the placid bosom ofthe river itself had seldom been traversed by a heavier craft than theslender birch-bark canoe of the red man; yet here was this rivercrowded with shipping, the dark forests along its banks lighted up bythe glare of twoscore angry fires. Through the thickets and underbrushparties of excited men broke their way, seeking for a common point ofmeeting, out of range of the cannon of the enemy. The British, meantime, were striving to extinguish the flames, but with littlesuccess; and before the day ended, little remained of the greatMassachusetts flotilla, except the three captured ships and sundryheaps of smouldering timber. The hardships of the soldiers and marines who had escaped capture, only to find themselves lost in the desolate forest, were of theseverest kind. Separating into parties they plodded along, half-starved, with torn and rain-soaked clothing, until finally, footsore and almost perishing, they reached the border settlements, and were aided on their way to Boston. The disaster was complete, andfor months its depressing effect upon American naval enterprise wasobservable. In observing the course of naval events in 1779, it is noticeable thatthe most effective work was done by the cruisers sent out by theindividual States, or by privateers. The United States navy, proper, did little except what was done in European waters by Paul Jones. Indeed, along the American coast, a few cruises in which no actions ofmoment occurred, although several prizes were taken, make up therecord of naval activity for the year. The first of these cruises was that made in April by the ships"Warren, " "Queen of France, " and "Ranger. " They sailed from Boston, and were out but a few days when they captured a British privateer offourteen guns. From one of the sailors on this craft it was learnedthat a large fleet of transports and storeships had just sailed fromNew York, bound for Georgia. Crowding on all sail, the Americans setout in pursuit, and off Cape Henry overhauled the chase. Two fleetswere sighted, one to windward numbering nine sail, and one to leewardmade up of ten sail. The pursuers chose the fleet to windward fortheir prey, and by sharp work succeeded in capturing seven vessels ineight hours. Two of the ships were armed cruisers of twenty-nine andsixteen guns respectively, and all the prizes were heavy laden withprovisions, ammunition, and cavalry accoutrements. All were safelytaken into port. In June, another fleet of United States vessels left Boston in searchof British game. The "Queen of France" and the "Ranger" were againemployed; but the "Warren" remained in port, fitting out for herill-fated expedition to the Penobscot. Her place was taken by the"Providence, " thirty-two. For a time the cruisers fell in with nothingof importance. But one day about the middle of July, as the threevessels lay hove to off the banks of Newfoundland, in the region ofperpetual fog, the dull booming of a signal gun was heard. Nothing wasto be seen on any side. From the quarter-deck, and from thecross-trees alike, the eager eyes of the officers and seamen strove invain to penetrate the dense curtain of gray fog that shut them in. Butagain the signal gun sounded, then another; and tone and directionalike told that the two reports had not come from the same cannon. Then a bell was heard telling the hour, --another, still another; thena whole chorus of bells. Clearly a large fleet was shut in the fog. [Illustration: Shortening Sail On The "Lancaster"--the Oldest U. S. Cruiser In Commission. ] About eleven o'clock in the morning the fog lifted, and to theirintense surprise the crew of the "Queen of France" found themselvesclose alongside of a large merchant-ship. As the fog cleared away morecompletely, ships appeared on every side; and the astonished Yankeesfound themselves in the midst of a fleet of about one hundred andfifty sail under convoy of a British ship-of-the-line, and severalfrigates and sloops-of-war. Luckily the United States vessels had nocolors flying, and nothing about them to betray their nationality: soCapt. Rathburn of the "Queen" determined to try a little masquerading. Bearing down upon the nearest merchantman, he hailed her; and thefollowing conversation ensued, -- "What fleet is this?" "British merchantmen from Jamaica, bound for London. Who are you?" "His Majesty's ship 'Arethusa, '" answered Rathburn boldly, "fromHalifax on cruise. Have you seen any Yankee privateers?" "Ay, ay, sir, " was the response. "Several have been driven out of thefleet. " "Come aboard the 'Arethusa, ' then. I wish to consult with you. " Soon a boat put off from the side of the merchantman, and a jollyBritish sea-captain confidently clambered to the deck of the "Queen. "Great was his astonishment to be told that he was a prisoner, and tosee his boat's crew brought aboard, and their places taken by Americanjackies. Back went the boat to the British ship; and soon theAmericans were in control of the craft, without in the least alarmingthe other vessels, that lay almost within hail. The "Queen" then madeup to another ship, and captured her in the same manner. But at this juncture Commodore Whipple, in the "Providence, " hailedthe "Queen, " and directed Rathburn to edge out of the fleet before theBritish men-of-war should discover his true character. Rathburnprotested vigorously, pointing out the two vessels he had captured, and urging Whipple to follow his example, and capture as many vesselsas he could in the same manner. Finally Whipple overcame his fears, and adopted Rathburn's methods, with such success that shortly afternightfall the Americans left the fleet, taking with them eleven richprizes. Eight of these they succeeded in taking safe to Boston, wherethey were sold for more than a million dollars. In May, 1779, occurred two unimportant engagements, --one off SandyHook, in which the United States sloop "Providence, " ten guns, captured the British sloop "Diligent, " after a brief but spiritedengagement; the second action occurred off St. Kitts, where the UnitedStates brig "Retaliation" successfully resisted a vigorous attack by aBritish cutter and a brig. The record of the regular navy for the yearclosed with the cruise of the United States frigates "Deane" and"Boston, " that set sail from the Delaware late in the summer. Theykept the seas for nearly three months, but made only a few bloodlesscaptures. The next year opened with a great disaster to the American cause. TheCount d'Estaing, after aimlessly wandering up and down the coast ofthe United States with the fleet ostensibly sent to aid the Americans, suddenly took himself and his fleet off to the West Indies. Sir HenryClinton soon learned of the departure of the French, and gathered anexpedition for the capture of Charleston. On the 10th of February, Clinton with five thousand troops, and a British fleet under AdmiralArbuthnot, appeared off Edisto Inlet, about thirty miles fromCharleston, and began leisurely preparations for an attack upon thecity. Had he pushed ahead and made his assault at once, he would havemet but little resistance; but his delay of over a month gave thepeople of Charleston time to prepare for a spirited resistance. The approach of the British fleet penned up in Charleston harborseveral United States men-of-war and armed vessels, among them the"Providence, " "Queen of France, " "Boston, " "Ranger, " "Gen. Moultrie, "and "Notre Dame. " These vessels took an active part in the defence ofthe harbor against Arbuthnot's fleet, but were beaten back. The"Queen, " the "Gen. Moultrie, " and the "Notre Dame" were then sunk inthe channel to obstruct the progress of the enemy; their guns beingtaken ashore, and mounted in the batteries on the sea-wall. Thenfollowed days of terror for Charleston. The land forces of the enemyturned siege guns on the unhappy city, and a constant bombardment waskept up from the hostile fleet. Fort Sumter, the batteries along thewater front, and the ships remaining to the Americans answered boldly. But the defence was hopeless. The city was hemmed in by an ironcordon. The hot-shot of the enemy's batteries were falling in thestreets, and flames were breaking out in all parts of the town. Whilethe defence lasted, the men-of-war took an active part in it; and, indeed, the sailors were the last to consent to a surrender. Sonoticeable was the activity of the frigate "Boston" in particular, that, when it became evident that the Americans could hold out but alittle longer, Admiral Arbuthnot sent her commander a special order tosurrender. "I do not think much of striking my flag to your present force, "responded bluff Samuel Tucker, who commanded the "Boston;" "for I havestruck more of your flags than are now flying in this harbor. " But, despite this bold defiance, the inevitable capitulation soonfollowed. Charleston fell into the hands of the British; and with thecity went the three men-of-war, "Providence, " "Boston, " and "Ranger. " It will be noticed that this disaster was the direct result of thedisappearance of Count d'Estaing and the French fleet. To the studentof history who calmly considers the record of our French naval alliesin the Revolution, there appears good reason to believe that theirpresence did us more harm than good. Under De Grasse, the French fleetdid good service in co-operation with the allied armies in theYorktown campaign; but, with this single exception, no instance can becited of any material aid rendered by it to the American cause. TheUnited States navy, indeed, suffered on account of the Frenchalliance; for despite the loss of many vessels in 1779 and 1780, Congress refused to increase the navy in any way, trusting to Franceto care for America's interests on the seas. The result of this policywas a notable falling-off in the number and spirit of naval actions. The ship "Trumbull, " twenty-eight, one of the exploits of which wehave already chronicled, saw a good deal of active service during thelast two years of the war; and though she finally fell into the handsof the enemy, it was only because the odds against her were not to beovercome by the most spirited resistance. It was on the 2d of June, 1780, that the "Trumbull, " while cruising far out in the AtlanticOcean in the path of British merchantmen bound for the West Indies, sighted a strange sail hull down to windward. The "Trumbull" was thenin command of Capt. James Nicholson, an able and plucky officer. Immediately on hearing the report of the lookout, Nicholson orderedall the canvas furled, in order that the stranger might not catchsight of the "Trumbull. " It is, of course, obvious that a ship underbare poles is a far less conspicuous object upon the ocean, than isthe same ship with her yards hung with vast clouds of snowy canvas. But apparently the stranger sighted the "Trumbull, " and had no desireto avoid her; for she bore down upon the American ship rapidly, andshowed no desire to avoid a meeting. Seeing this, Nicholson made sail, and was soon close to the stranger. As the two ships drew closertogether, the stranger showed her character by firing three guns, andhoisting the British colors. Seeing an action impending, Nicholson called his crew aft andharangued them, as was the custom before going into battle. It was nota promising outlook for the American ship. She was but recently out ofport, and was manned largely by "green hands. " The privateers had sothoroughly stripped the decks of able seamen, that the "Trumbull" hadto ship men who knew not one rope from another; and it is even said, that, when the drums beat to quarters the day of the battle, many ofthe sailors were suffering from the landsman's terror, seasickness. But what they lacked in experience, they made up in enthusiasm. With the British flag at the peak, the "Trumbull" bore down upon theenemy. But the stranger was not to be deceived by so hackneyed adevice. He set a private signal, and, as the Americans did not answerit, let fly a broadside at one hundred yards distance. The "Trumbull"responded with spirit, and the stars and stripes went fluttering tothe peak in the place of the British ensign. Then the thunder ofbattle continued undiminished for two hours and a half. The wind waslight, and the vessels rode on an even keel nearly abreast of eachother, and but fifty yards apart. At times their yard-armsinterlocked; and still the heavy broadsides rang out, and the flyingshot crashed through beam and stanchion, striking down the men attheir guns, and covering the decks with blood. Twice the flying wadsof heavy paper from the enemy's guns set the "Trumbull" a-fire, andonce the British ship was endangered by the same cause. At last the fire of the enemy slackened, and the Americans, seeingvictory within their grasp, redoubled their efforts; but at thiscritical moment one of the gun-deck officers came running toNicholson, with the report that the main-mast had been repeatedly hitby the enemy's shot, and was now tottering. If the main-mast went bythe board, the fate of the "Trumbull" was sealed. Crowding sail onthe other masts, the "Trumbull" shot ahead, and was soon out of theline of fire, the enemy being apparently too much occupied with hisown injuries to molest her. Hardly had she gone the distance of amusket-shot, when her main and mizzen top-masts went by the board; andbefore the nimble jackies could cut away the wreck the other sparsfollowed, until nothing was left but the foremast. When the crashingand confusion was over, the "Trumbull" lay a pitiable wreck, and aneasy prey for her foe. But the Briton showed a strange disinclination to take advantage ofthe opportunity. The Yankee sailors worked like mad in cutting awaythe wreck; then rushed to their guns, ready to make a desperate, ifhopeless, resistance in case of an attack. But the attack never came. Without even a parting shot the enemy went off on her course; andbefore she was out of sight her main topmast was seen to fall, showingthat she too had suffered in the action. Not for months after did the crew of the "Trumbull" learn the name ofthe vessel they had fought. At last it was learned that she was aheavy letter-of-marque, the "Watt. " Her exact weight of metal hasnever been ascertained, though Capt. Nicholson estimated it atthirty-four or thirty-six guns. The "Trumbull" mounted thirty-sixguns. The captain of the "Watt" reported his loss to have beenninety-two in killed and wounded; the loss of the "Trumbull" amountedto thirty-nine, though two of her lieutenants were among the slain. This action, in severity, ranked next to the famous naval duel betweenthe "Bon Homme Richard" and the "Serapis. " As the "Trumbull" fought her last battle under the flag of the UnitedStates a year later, and as our consideration of the events of theRevolution is drawing to a close, we may abandon chronological order, and follow Nicholson and his good ship to the end of their career. InAugust, 1781, the "Trumbull" left the Delaware, convoying twenty-eightmerchantmen, and accompanied by one privateer. Again her crew wasweakened by the scarcity of good seamen, and this time Nicholson hadadopted the dangerous and indefensible expedient of shipping Britishprisoners-of-war. There were fifty of these renegades in the crew; andnaturally, as they were ready to traitorously abandon their owncountry, they were equally ready for treachery to the flag under whichthey sailed. There were many instances during the Revolution ofUnited States ships being manned largely by British prisoners. Usuallythe crews thus obtained were treacherous and insubordinate. Even if ithad been otherwise, the custom was a bad one, and repugnant tohonorable men. So with a crew half-trained and half-disaffected, the "Trumbull" setout to convoy a fleet of merchantmen through waters frequented byBritish men-of-war. Hardly had she passed the capes when three Britishcruisers were made out astern. One, a frigate, gave chase. Night fell, and in the darkness the "Trumbull" might have escaped with hercharges, but that a violent squall struck her, carrying away herfore-topmast and main-top-gallant-mast. Her convoy scattered in alldirections, and by ten o'clock the British frigate had caught up withthe disabled American. The night was still squally, with bursts of rain and fitful flashes oflightning, which lighted up the decks of the American ship as shetossed on the waves. The storm had left her in a sadly disabledcondition. The shattered top hamper had fallen forward, cumbering upthe forecastle, and so tangling the bow tackle that the jibs wereuseless. The foresail was jammed and torn by the fore-topsail-yard. There was half a day's work necessary to clear away the wreck, and thesteadily advancing lights of the British ship told that not half anhour could be had to prepare for the battle. There was no hope that resistance could be successful, but the bravehearts of Nicholson and his officers recoiled from the thought oftamely striking the flag without firing a shot. So the drummers wereordered to beat the crew to quarters; and soon, by the light of thebattle-lanterns, the captains of the guns were calling over the namesof the sailors. The roll-call had proceeded but a short time when itbecame evident that most of the British renegades were absent fromtheir stations. The officers and marines went below to find them. While they were absent, others of the renegades, together with abouthalf of the crew whom they had tainted with their mutinous plottings, put out the battle-lanterns, and hid themselves deep in the hold. Atthis moment the enemy came up, and opened fire. Determined to make some defence, Nicholson sent the few faithfuljackies to the guns, and the officers worked side by side with thesailors. The few guns that were manned were served splendidly, and theunequal contest was maintained for over an hour, when a second Britishman-of-war came up, and the "Trumbull" was forced to strike. At notime had more than forty of her people been at the guns. To this factis due the small loss of life; for, though the ship was terribly cutup, only five of her crew were killed, and eleven wounded. The frigate that had engaged the "Trumbull" was the "Iris, " formerlythe "Hancock" captured from the Americans by the "Rainbow. " She wasone of the largest of the American frigates, while the "Trumbull" wasone of the smallest. The contest, therefore, would have been unequal, even had not so many elements of weakness contributed to the"Trumbull's" discomfiture. Taking up again the thread of our narrative of the events of 1780, wefind that for three months after the action between the "Trumbull" andthe "Watt" there were no naval actions of moment. Not until Octoberdid a United States vessel again knock the tompions from her guns, andgive battle to an enemy. During that month the cruiser "Saratoga" fellin with a hostile armed ship and two brigs. The action that followedwas brief, and the triumph of the Americans complete. One broadsidewas fired by the "Saratoga;" then, closing with her foe, she threwfifty men aboard, who drove the enemy below. But the gallant Americanswere not destined to profit by the results of their victory; for, asthey were making for the Delaware, the British seventy-four "Intrepid"intercepted them, and recaptured all the prizes. The "Saratoga"escaped capture, only to meet a sadder fate; for, as she neverreturned to port, it is supposed that she foundered with all on board. The autumn and winter passed without any further exploits on the partof the navy. The number of the regular cruisers had been sadlydiminished, and several were kept blockaded in home ports. Along theAmerican coast the British cruisers fairly swarmed; and the onlychance for the few Yankee ships afloat was to keep at sea as much aspossible, and try to intercept the enemy's privateers, transports, andmerchantmen, on their way across the ocean. One United States frigate, and that one a favorite ship in the navy, was ordered abroad in February, 1781, and on her voyage did somebrave work for her country. This vessel was the "Alliance, " onceunder the treacherous command of the eccentric Landais, and since hisdismissal commanded by Capt. John Barry, of whose plucky fight in the"Raleigh" we have already spoken. The "Alliance" sailed from Boston, carrying an army officer on a mission to France. She made the voyagewithout sighting an enemy. Having landed her passenger, she set outfrom L'Orient, with the "Lafayette, " forty, in company. The twocruised together for three days, capturing two heavy privateers. Theythen parted, and the "Alliance" continued her cruise alone. On the 28th of May the lookout reported two sail in sight; and soonthe strangers altered their course, and bore down directly upon theAmerican frigate. It was late in the afternoon, and darkness set inbefore the strangers were near enough for their character to be madeout. At dawn all eyes on the "Alliance" scanned the ocean in search ofthe two vessels, which were then easily seen to be a sloop-of-war anda brig. Over each floated the British colors. A dead calm rested upon the waters. Canvas was spread on all theships, but flapped idly against the yards. Not the slightest motioncould be discerned, and none of the ships had steerage-way. The enemyhad evidently determined to fight; for before the sun rose red andglowing from beneath the horizon, sweeps were seen protruding from thesides of the two ships, and they gradually began to lessen thedistance between them and the American frigate. Capt. Barry had nodesire to avoid the conflict; though in a calm, the lighter vessels, being manageable with sweeps, had greatly the advantage of the"Alliance, " which could only lie like a log upon the water. Six hoursof weary work with the sweeps passed before the enemy came near enoughto hail. The usual questions and answers were followed by the roar ofthe cannon, and the action began. The prospects for the "Alliance"were dreary indeed; for the enemy took positions on the quarters ofthe helpless ship, and were able to pour in broadsides, while shecould respond only with a few of her aftermost guns. But, though thecase looked hopeless, the Americans fought on, hoping that a windmight spring up, that would give the good ship "Alliance" at least afighting chance. As Barry strode the quarter-deck, watching the progress of the fight, encouraging his men, and looking out anxiously for indications of awind, a grape-shot struck him in the shoulder, and felled him to thedeck. He was on his feet again in an instant; and though weakened bythe pain, and the rapid flow of blood from the wound, he remained ondeck. At last, however, he became too weak to stand, and was carriedbelow. At this moment a flying shot carried away the American colors;and, as the fire of the "Alliance" was stopped a moment for theloading of the guns, the enemy thought the victory won, and cheeredlustily. But their triumph was of short duration; for a new ensignsoon took the place of the vanished one, and the fire of the"Alliance" commenced again. The "Alliance" was now getting into sore straits. The fire of theenemy had told heavily upon her, and her fire in return had done butlittle visible damage. As Capt. Barry lay on his berth, enfeebled bythe pain of his wound, and waiting for the surgeon's attention, alieutenant entered. "The ship remains unmanageable, sir, " said he. "The rigging is badlycut up, and there is danger that the fore-topmast may go by the board. The enemy's fire is telling on the hull, and the carpenter reports twoleaks. Eight or ten of the people are killed, and several officerswounded. Have we your consent to striking the colors?" "No, sir, " roared out Barry, sitting bolt upright. "And, if this shipcan't be fought without me, I will be carried on deck. " The lieutenant returned with his report; and, when the story becameknown to the crew, the jackies cheered for their dauntless commander. "We'll stand by the old man, lads, " said one of the petty officers. "Ay, ay, that we will! We'll stick to him right manfully, " was thehearty response. But now affairs began to look more hopeful for the "Alliance. " Faraway a gentle rippling of the water rapidly approaching the ship gavepromise of wind. The quick eye of an old boatswain caught sight of it. "A breeze, a breeze!" he cried; and the jackies took up the shout, andsprang to their stations at the ropes, ready to take advantage of thecoming gust. Soon the breeze arrived, the idly flapping sails filledout, the helmsman felt the responsive pressure of the water as heleaned upon the wheel, the gentle ripple of the water alongsidegladdened the ears of the blue-jackets, the ship keeled over toleeward, then swung around responsive to her helm, and the firsteffective broadside went crashing into the side of the nearestBritish vessel. After that, the conflict was short. Though the enemyhad nearly beaten the "Alliance" in the calm, they were no match forher when she was able to manoeuvre. Their resistance was plucky; butwhen Capt. Barry came on deck, with his wound dressed, he was just intime to see the flags of both vessels come fluttering to the deck. The two prizes proved to be the "Atlanta" sixteen, and the "Trepassy"fourteen. Both were badly cut up, and together had suffered a loss offorty-one men in killed and wounded. On the "Alliance" were elevendead, and twenty-one wounded. As the capture of the two vessels threwabout two hundred prisoners into the hands of the Americans, and asthe "Alliance" was already crowded with captives, Capt. Barry made acartel of the "Trepassy, " and sent her into an English port with allthe prisoners. The "Atlanta" he manned with a prize crew, and sent toBoston; but she unluckily fell in with a British cruiser inMassachusetts Bay, and was retaken. Once more before the cessation of hostilities between Great Britainand the United States threw her out of commission, did the "Alliance"exchange shots with a hostile man-of-war. It was in 1782, when thenoble frigate was engaged in bringing specie from the West Indies. Shehad under convoy a vessel loaded with supplies, and the two had hardlyleft Havana when some of the enemy's ships caught sight of them, andgave chase. While the chase was in progress, a fifty-gun ship hove insight, and was soon made out to be a French frigate. Feeling that hehad an ally at hand, Barry now wore ship, and attacked the leadingvessel, and a spirited action followed, until the enemy, findinghimself hard pressed, signalled for his consorts, and Barry, seeingthat the French ship made no sign of coming to his aid, drew off. Irritated by the failure of the French frigate to come to hisassistance, Barry bore down upon her and hailed. The French captaindeclared that the manoeuvres of the "Alliance" and her antagonist hadmade him suspect that the engagement was only a trick to draw him intothe power of the British fleet. He had feared that the "Alliance" hadbeen captured, and was being used as a decoy; but now that the matterwas made clear to him, he would join the "Alliance" in pursuit of theenemy. This he did; but Barry soon found that the fifty was so slow asailer, that the "Alliance" might catch up with the British fleet, andbe knocked to pieces by their guns, before the Frenchman could getwithin range. Accordingly he abandoned the chase in disgust, andrenewed his homeward course. Some years later, an American gentlemantravelling in Europe met the British naval officer who commanded thefrigate which Barry had engaged. This officer, then a vice-admiral, declared that he had never before seen a ship so ably fought as wasthe "Alliance, " and acknowledged that the presence of his consortsalone saved him a drubbing. This engagement was the last fought by the "Alliance" during theRevolution, and with it we practically complete our narrative of thework of the regular navy during that war. One slight disaster to theAmerican cause alone remains to be mentioned. The "Confederacy, " athirty-two-gun frigate built in 1778, was captured by the enemy in1781. She was an unlucky ship, having been totally dismasted on herfirst cruise, and captured by an overwhelming force on her second. Though this chapter completes the story of the regular navy during theRevolution, there remain many important naval events to be describedin an ensuing chapter. The work of the ships fitted out by Congresswas aided greatly by the armed cruisers furnished by individualStates, and privateers. Some of the exploits of these crafts and somedesultory maritime hostilities we shall describe in the next chapter. And if the story of the United States navy, as told in these fewchapters, seems a record of events trivial as compared with thegigantic naval struggles of 1812 and 1861, it must be remembered thatnot only were naval architecture and ordnance in their infancy in1776, but that the country was young, and its sailors unused to theways of war. But that country, young as it was, produced Paul Jones;and it is to be questioned whether any naval war since has broughtforth a braver or nobler naval officer, or one more skilled in thehandling of a single ship-of-war. The result of the war of the Revolution is known to all. A new nationwas created by it. These pages will perhaps convince their readersthat to the navy was due somewhat the creation of that nation. And ifto-day, in its power and might, the United States seems inclined tothrow off the navy and belittle its importance, let the memory of PaulJones and his colleagues be conjured up, to awaken the old enthusiasmover the triumphs of the stars and stripes upon the waves. CHAPTER XIV. WORK OF THE PRIVATEERS. -- THE "GEN. HANCOCK" AND THE "LEVANT. " -- EXPLOITS OF THE "PICKERING. " -- THE "REVENGE. " -- THE "HOLKAR. " -- THE "CONGRESS" AND THE "SAVAGE. " -- THE "HYDER ALI" AND THE "GEN. MONK. " -- THE WHALE-BOAT HOSTILITIES. -- THE OLD JERSEY PRISON-SHIP. To chronicle in full the myriad exploits and experiences of theprivateers and armed cruisers in the service of individual statesduring the Revolution, would require a volume thrice the size of this. Moreover, it is difficult and well-nigh impossible to obtain authenticinformation regarding the movements of this class of armed craft. Animmense number of anecdotes of their prowess is current, and some fewsuch narratives will be repeated in this chapter; but, as a rule, theyare based only upon tradition, or the imperfect and often incorrectreports in the newspapers of the day. The loss inflicted upon Great Britain by the activity of Americanprivateers was colossal. For the first year of the war the ContinentalCongress was unwilling to take so belligerent a step as to encourageprivateering; but, in the summer of 1776, the issuing of letters ofmarque and reprisal was begun, and in a short time all New England hadgone to privateering. The ocean fairly swarmed with trim Yankeeschooners and brigs, and in the two years that followed nearly eighthundred merchantmen were taken. Discipline on the privateers was lax, and the profits of a successfulcruise were enormous. Often a new speedy craft paid her whole cost ofconstruction on her first cruise. The sailors fairly revelled in moneyat the close of such a cruise; and, like true jack-tars, they madetheir money fly as soon as they got ashore. A few days would generallysuffice to squander all the earnings of a two-months' cruise; and, penniless but happy, Jack would ship for another bout with fortune. A volume could be written dealing with the exploits of the privateers, but for our purpose a few instances of their dash and spirit will beenough. Though the purpose of the privateers was purely mercenary, their chief end and aim being to capture defenceless merchantmen, yetthey were always ready to fight when fighting was necessary, and morethan once made a good showing against stronger and better disciplinednaval forces. In many cases audacity and dash more than made up forthe lack of strength. In 1777 two American privateers hung about the British Isles, makingcaptures, and sending their prizes into French ports. The exploits ofPaul Jones were equalled by these irregular cruisers. One of them, being in need of provisions, put into the little Irish port ofBeerhaven, and lay at anchor for ten hours, while her crew scoured thetown in search of the needed stores. A second privateer boldly entereda harbor on the Island of Guernsey. A castle at the entrance of theharbor opened fire upon her, whereupon she came about, and, keepingout of range of the castle guns, captured a large brig that was makingfor the port. When night fell, the privateer sent a boat's crewashore, and took captive two officers of the local militia. In 1778 occurred an action between a private armed ship and a Britishfrigate, in which the privateer was signally successful. On the 19thof September of that year, the "Gen. Hancock, " a stout-built, wellarmed and manned privateer, fell in with the "Levant, " a Britishfrigate of thirty-two guns. The "Hancock" made no attempt to avoid aconflict, and opened with a broadside without answering the enemy'shail. The action was stubbornly contested upon both sides. After anhour of fighting, the captain of the Yankee ship, peering through thesmoke, saw that the colors no longer waved above his adversary. "Have you struck?" he shouted. "No. Fire away, " came the response faintly through the roar of thecannon. Two hours longer the combat raged, with the ships lyingyard-arm to yard-arm. A ball struck Capt. Hardy of the "Hancock" inthe neck, and he was carried below, while the first lieutenant tookcommand of the ship. A few minutes later there arose a deafening roarand blinding flash; a terrific shock threw the men on the Americanship to the deck. Stifling smoke darkened the atmosphere; and piecesof timber, cordage, and even horribly torn bits of human flesh beganto fall upon the decks. When the smoke cleared away, the Americanslooked eagerly for their enemy. Where she had floated a minute or twobefore, was now a shattered, blackened hulk fast sinking beneath thewaves. The surface of the sea for yards around was strewn withwreckage, and here and there men could be seen struggling for life. Asready to save life as they had been to destroy it, the Americanslowered their boats and pulled about, picking up the survivors of theexplosion. The boatswain of the ill-fated ship and seventeen of thecrew were thus saved, but more than fourscore brave fellows went downwith her. The American vessel herself was damaged not a little by theviolence of the explosion. This was not the only case during this year in which a Britishman-of-war met defeat at the guns of a Yankee privateer. The"Hinchinbrooke, " sloop-of-war fourteen; the "York, " tender twelve; andthe "Enterprise, " ten guns, --all struck their colors to private armedvessels flying the stars and stripes. By 1778 the privateers under the British flag were afloat in no smallnumber. America had no commerce on which they might prey, and theylooked forward only to recapturing those British vessels that had beentaken by Yankee privateers and sent homeward. That so many Britishvessels should have found profitable employment in this pursuit, is initself a speaking tribute to the activity of the American privatearmed navy. During the Revolution, as during the second war with Great Britain in1812, Salem, Mass. , and Baltimore, Md. , were the principal points fromwhich privateers hailed. In all the early wars of the United States, the term "Salem privateer" carried with it a picture of a fleetschooner, manned with a picked crew of able seamen, commanded by alanky Yankee skipper who knew the byways of old ocean as well as thehighways of trade, armed with eight, four, or six pounders, and aheavy "Long Tom" amidships. Scores of such craft sailed from Salemduring the Revolution; and hardly a week passed without two or threereturning privateers entering the little port and discharging theircrews, to keep the little village in a turmoil until their prize moneywas spent, or, to use the sailors' phrase, until "no shot was left inthe locker. " One of the most successful of the Salem privateers was the"Pickering, " a craft carrying a battery of sixteen guns, and a crew offorty-seven men. On one cruise she fought an engagement of an hour anda half with a British cutter of twenty guns; and so roughly did shehandle the enemy, that he was glad to sheer off. A day of two later, the "Pickering" overhauled the "Golden Eagle, " a large schooner oftwenty-two guns and fifty-seven men. The action which followed wasended by the schooner striking her flag. A prize crew was then putaboard the "Golden Eagle, " and she was ordered to follow in the wakeof her captor. Three days later the British sloop-of-war "Achilles"hove in sight, and gave chase to the privateer and her prize. After afifteen hours' chase the prize was overhauled; and the sloop-of-war, after taking possession of her, continued in pursuit of the privateer. But while the privateersmen had preferred flight to fighting whilenothing was at stake, they did not propose to let their prize be takenfrom them without a resistance, however great the odds against them. Accordingly they permitted the "Achilles" to overhaul them, and asharp action followed. The British tried to force the combat byboarding; but the Americans, with pikes and cutlasses, drove them backto their own ship. Then the two vessels separated, and during the restof the conflict came no nearer each other than the length of apistol-shot. At this distance they carried on a spirited cannonade forupwards of three hours; when the "Achilles, " concluding that she hadhad enough, sheered off. Thereupon, the "Pickering" coolly ran back toher late prize, took possession of her, captured the lieutenant andprize crew that the "Achilles" had put in charge of her, and continuedher cruise. A good example of the Baltimore privateers was the "Revenge, " mountingeighteen guns, with a crew of fifty men. In 1780 this vessel wascommanded by Capt. Alexander Murray of the regular navy. She wasengaged by a large number of Baltimore merchants to convoy a fleet ofmerchantmen, but had hardly started to sea with her charges when shefell in with a fleet of British vessels, and was forced to retreat upthe Patuxent River. While there, the American fleet was strengthenedby several privateers and armed merchant-vessels which joined it, sothat it was felt safe to try again to get to sea. Accordingly theattempt was made; but, though the captains of the fleet had signed asolemn compact to stand together in case of the danger, the suddenappearance of a fleet of hostile armed vessels sent all scurrying upthe Patuxent again, except one brig and a schooner. The British fleetconsisted of a ship of eighteen guns, a brig of sixteen, and threeprivateer schooners. Leaving the schooners to his two faithfulconsorts, Murray threw himself between the two larger vessels and theflying merchantmen. Seeing themselves thus balked of their prey, theenemy turned fiercely upon the "Revenge, " but were met with sospirited a resistance, that they hauled off after an hour's fighting. The other American vessels behaved equally well, and the discomfitureof the British was complete. Philadelphia, though not looked upon as a centre of privateeringactivity, furnished one privateer that made a notable record. This wasthe "Holkar, " sixteen guns. In April, 1780, she captured a Britishschooner of ten guns, and in May of the same year she fought adesperate action with a British privateer brig, the name of which hasnever been ascertained. Twice the Briton sheered off to escape thetelling fire of the American; but the "Holkar" pressed him closely, and only the appearance of a second British armed vessel at the sceneof the action saved the Englishman from capture. This battle was oneof the most sanguinary ever fought by private armed vessels; for ofthe crew of the "Holkar" six were killed and sixteen wounded, including the captain and first lieutenant, while of the enemy therewere about the same number killed and twenty wounded. Three monthslater this same privateer fell in with the British sixteen-gun cutter"Hypocrite, " and captured her after a sharp conflict. Perhaps the most audacious privateering exploit was that of theprivateers "Hero, " "Hope, " and "Swallow, " in July, 1782. The captainsof these craft, meeting after an unprofitable season upon the highseas, conceived the idea of making a descent upon the Nova Scotiantown of Lunenberg, some thirty-five miles from Halifax. Little timewas wasted in discussion. Privateers are not hampered by official redtape. So it happened that early in the month the three privateersappeared off the harbor of the threatened town, having landed a shoreparty of ninety men. Before the invaders the inhabitants retreatedrapidly, making some slight resistance. Two block-houses, garrisonedby British regulars, guarded the town. One of these fortresses theAmericans burned, whereupon the British established themselves in thesecond, and prepared to stand a siege. Luckily for the Americans, theblock-house was within range of the harbor; so that the threeprivateers took advantageous positions, and fired a few rounds ofsolid shot into the enemy's wooden citadel. The besieged then madehaste to raise the white flag, and surrendered themselvesprisoners-of-war. When the Yankee ships left the harbor, they tookwith them a large quantity of merchandise and provisions, and athousand pounds sterling by way of ransom. One more conflict, in which the irregular naval forces of the UnitedStates did credit to themselves, must be described before dismissingthe subject of privateering. In September, 1781, the Britishsloop-of-war "Savage" was cruising off the southern coast of theUnited States. Her officers and men were in a particularly good humor, and felt a lively sense of self-satisfaction; for they had justascended the Potomac, and plundered Gen. Washington's estate, --anexploit which would make them heroes in the eyes of their admiringcountrymen. Off Charleston the "Savage" encountered the American privateer"Congress, " of about the same strength as herself, --twenty guns andone hundred and fifty men. In one respect the "Congress" was theweaker; for her crew was composed largely of landsmen, and her marineswere a company of militia, most of whom were sadly afflicted withseasickness. Nevertheless, the Yankee craft rushed boldly into action, opening fire with her bow-chasers as soon as she came within range. Like two savage bull-dogs, the two ships rushed at each other, disdaining all manoeuvring, and seemingly intent only upon locking ina deadly struggle, yard-arm to yard-arm. At first the "Savage" won aslight advantage. Swinging across the bow of the "Congress, " she rakedher enemy twice. But soon the two ships lay side by side, and thethunder of the cannon was constant. The militia-marines on the"Congress" did good service. Stationed in the tops, on the forecastle, the quarter-deck, and every elevated place on the ship, they poureddown upon the deck of the enemy a murderous fire. The jackies at thegreat guns poured in broadsides so well directed that soon the"Savage" had not a rope left with which to manage the sails. Herquarter-deck was cleared, and not a man was to be seen to serve as amark for the American gunners. So near lay the two vessels to eachother, that the fire from the guns scorched the gunners on theopposite ship. The antagonists were inextricably entangled; for themizzen-mast of the "Savage" had been shot away, and had fallen intothe after-rigging of the "Congress. " There was no flight for theweaker vessel. When she could no longer fight, surrender was her onlyrecourse. Neither vessel showed any colors, for both ensigns had beenshot away early in the action. Accordingly, when the boatswain of the"Savage" was seen upon the forecastle wildly waving his arms, it wastaken as an evidence of surrender; and the fire slackened until hisvoice could be heard. "Give us quarter, " he cried hoarsely; "we are a wreck, and strike ourflag. " The firing then ceased; but, when the lieutenant of the "Congress"ordered a boat lowered in which to board the prize, the old boatswaincame back with the report, -- "Boats all knocked to pieces, sir. Couldn't find one that wouldfloat. " Accordingly the two vessels had to be slowly drawn together, and theboarding party reached the deck of the prize by clambering over a sparwhich served as a bridge. When they reached the prize, they found herdecks covered with dead and wounded men. The slaughter had beenterrible. Twenty-three men were killed, and thirty-one wounded. On the"Congress" were thirty, killed and wounded together. One of thewounded Americans was found lying with his back braced against thefoot of the bowsprit, cheering for the victory, and crying, -- "If they have broken my legs, my hands and heart are still whole. " Throughout this sanguinary action both parties showed the greatestcourage and determination. Two vessels of the two most perfectlyorganized regular navies in the world could not have been betterhandled, nor could they have more stubbornly contested for thevictory. A class of armed vessels outside the limits of the regular navy, butvery active and efficient in the service of the country, was themaritime forces of the individual states. Before Congress had seenthe necessity for a naval force, several of the colonies had beenalive to the situation, and fitted out cruisers of their own. Evenafter the Revolution had developed into a war of the first magnitude, and after the colonies had assumed the title of states, and delegatedto Congress the duty of providing for the common defence, they stillcontinued to fit out their own men-of-war to protect their ports andact as convoys for their merchant fleets. Though vessels in thisservice seldom cruised far from the coast of their home colony, yetoccasionally they met the vessels of the enemy, and many sharp actionswere fought by them. Of all the actions fought by the State cruisers, the most hotlycontested was that between the Pennsylvania cruiser "Hyder Ali, " andthe British sloop-of-war "Gen. Monk. " The "Hyder Ali" was amerchantman, bought by the state just as she was about departing on avoyage to the West Indies. She was in no way calculated for aman-of-war; but the need was pressing, and she was pierced for eightports on a side, and provided with a battery of six-pounders. Thecommand of this vessel was given to Joshua Barney, a young officerwith an extensive experience of Yankee privateers and British prisons, and whose later exploits in the United States navy are familiar toreaders of "Blue-Jackets of 1812. " Barney's instructions were, not to go to sea, but to patrol theDelaware River and Bay, and see that no privateer lay in wait for themerchant-vessels that cleared from the port of Philadelphia. In April, 1782, the "Hyder Ali" stood down Delaware Bay at the head of a largefleet of outward-bound merchantmen. When Cape May was reached, stronghead-winds sprang up, and the whole fleet anchored to await morefavorable weather before putting out to sea. While they lay at anchor, the "Hyder Ali" sighted a trio of British vessels, two ships and abrig, rounding the cape. Instantly Barney signalled his convoy to tripanchor and retreat, a signal which was promptly obeyed by all save onetoo daring craft, that tried to slip round the cape, and get to sea, but fell into the hands of the enemy. Soon the whole fleet, with the"Hyder Ali" bringing up the rear, fled up the bay. The Britishfollowed in hot pursuit. At a point half-way up the bay the pursuers parted; one of the ships, a frigate, cutting through a side channel in the hope of interceptingthe fugitives. The other two pursuers, a privateer brig and asloop-of-war, continued in the wake of the "Hyder Ali. " The brigproved herself a clipper, and soon came up with the American vessel, which promptly offered battle. The challenge was declined by theprivateer, which fired a harmless broadside, and continued on up thebay. Barney let her pass, for he had determined to risk the dangers ofan unequal combat with the sloop-of-war. This vessel came up rapidly;and as she drew near Barney luffed up suddenly, and let fly abroadside. This somewhat staggered the enemy, who had expected only atame surrender; but she quickly recovered, and came boldly on. At thisjuncture Barney turned to his helmsman, and said, -- "Now, when I give the word, pay no attention to my order, but put thehelm hard-a-starboard. Pay no heed to the actual command I may giveyou. " The British vessel was then within half pistol-shot, and her forwardguns were beginning to bear. From his station on the quarter-deckBarney shouted to his steersman in stentorian tones, -- "Port your helm. Hard-a-port. " The order was clearly heard on board the enemy, and he prepared tomanoeuvre his ship accordingly. But the steersman of the "Hyder Ali"remembered his instructions; and before the enemy discovered the ruse, the American ship lay athwart the other's bow, and the bowsprit of theenemy was caught in the "Hyder Ali's" rigging, giving the latter araking position. Quickly the Yankee gunners seized the opportunity. Not five miles away was a British frigate ready to rush to theassistance of her consort, and whatever was to be done by the boldlads of Pennsylvania had to be done with expedition. No cheer rosefrom their ranks; but with grim determination they worked at the greatguns, pouring in rapid and effective broadsides. The explosions of thetwo batteries were like the deafening peals of thunder echoed andre-echoed in some mountain-gorge. Smoke hid the vessels from sight, and the riflemen in the tops could only occasionally catch sight ofthe figures of the enemy. The enemy had twenty guns to Barney'ssixteen; but he was out-manoeuvred at the start, and this disadvantagehe never overcame. Half an hour from the time of the opening of thebattle, his flag was struck, and the Americans, with lusty cheers, took possession of their prize. There was no time for ceremony. Thefrigate had seen the conflict from afar, and was bearing down uponthe two antagonists. So without even asking the name of the capturedvessel, Barney hastily threw a prize crew aboard, ordered her toproceed to Philadelphia, and himself remained behind to cover theretreat. Some hours later, having escaped the British frigate, the two vesselssailed up to a Philadelphia wharf. The scars of battle had been in noway healed: the tattered sails, the shattered hulls and bulwarks, thecordage hanging loosely from the masts, told the story of battle. Thecrowd that rushed to the wharf, and peered curiously about the decksof the two vessels, saw a ghastly and horrible sight. For the battlehad been as sanguinary as it was spirited, and the dead still laywhere they fell. On the British vessel, the "Gen. Monk, " lay thelifeless bodies of twenty men; while twenty-six wounded, whose bloodstained the deck, lay groaning in the cock-pit below. On the "HyderAli" were four killed and eleven wounded. This action, for steadiness and brilliancy, was not surpassed by anynaval duel of the war of the Revolution. By it the name of JoshuaBarney was put upon a plane with those of the most eminent commandersin the regular navy; and had not the war speedily terminated, he wouldhave been granted a commission and a ship by the United States. While the chief naval events of the war for independence have now beenrecounted, there still remain certain incidents connected more or lessclosely with the war on the water, which deserve a passing mention. One of these is the curious desultory warfare carried on in and aboutNew York Harbor by fishermen and longshoremen in whale-boats, dories, sharpies, and similar small craft. From 1776 until the close of the war, New York City and the regionbordering upon the harbor were occupied by the British. Provisionswere needed for their support, and were brought from Connecticut andNew Jersey in small sailing craft, chiefly whale-boats. These boatsthe patriots often intercepted, and desperate encounters upon thewater were frequent. Nor did the Yankee boatmen confine their attacksto the provision boats alone. In the summer of 1775 the Britishtransport "Blue Mountain Valley" was captured by a band of hardyJerseymen, who concealed themselves in the holds of four smallsail-boats until fairly alongside the enemy's vessel, when theyswarmed out and drove the British from the deck of their vessel. Two New Jersey fishermen, Adam Hyler and William Marriner, wereparticularly active in this class of warfare. Twice the British sentarmed forces to capture them, and, failing in that, burned theirboats. But the sturdy patriots were undaunted, and building new boats, waged a relentless war against the followers of King George. EveryTory that fished in the bay was forced to pay them tribute; and manyof these gentry, so obnoxious to the Yankees, were visited in theirhomes at dead of night, and solemnly warned to show more moderation intheir disapproval of the American cause. When the occasion offered, the two Jerseymen gathered armed bands, and more than one smallBritish vessel fell a prey to their midnight activity. Two Britishcorvettes were captured by them in Coney Island Bay, and burned to thewater's edge. With one of the blazing vessels forty thousand dollarsin specie was destroyed, --a fact that Hyler bitterly lamented when helearned of it. No narrative of the events of the Revolution would be complete, without some description of the floating prison-houses in which theBritish immured the hapless soldiers and sailors who fell into theirhands. Of these the chief one was a dismasted hulk known as the "OldJersey" prison-ship, and moored in Wallabout Bay near New York City. No pen can adequately describe the horrors of this prison; but someextracts from the published recollections of men once imprisoned inher noisome hold will give some idea of the miserable fate of thosecondemned to be imprisoned on her. Thomas Andros, a sailor taken by the British with the privateer "FairAmerican, " writes of the "Old Jersey:" "This was an old sixty-four-gunship, which, through age, had become unfit for further actual service. She was stripped of every spar and all her rigging. After a battlewith a French fleet, her lion figure-head was taken away to repairanother ship. No appearance of ornament was left, and nothing remainedbut an old unsightly rotten hulk; and doubtless no other ship in theBritish navy ever proved the means of the destruction of so many humanbeings. It is computed that no less than eleven thousand Americanseamen perished in her. When I first became an inmate of this abode ofsuffering, despair, and death, there were about four hundred prisonerson board; but in a short time they amounted to twelve hundred. In ashort time we had two hundred or more sick and dying lodged in theforepart of the lower gun-deck, where all the prisoners were confinedat night. Utter derangement was a common symptom of yellow-fever; andto increase the horror of the darkness that surrounded us (for we wereallowed no light between decks), the voice of warning would be heard, 'Take heed to yourselves. There is a madman stalking through the shipwith a knife in his hand, ' I sometimes found the man a corpse in themorning, by whose side I laid myself down at night. In the morning thehatchways were thrown open; and we were allowed to ascend on the upperdeck all at once, and remain on the upper deck all day. But the firstobject that met our view in the morning was an appalling spectacle, --aboat loaded with dead bodies, conveying them to the Long Island shore, where they were very slightly covered. " Ebenezer Fox, another privateersman, has left his recollections ofthis dreadful prison. His description of the food upon which theunhappy prisoners were forced to subsist is interesting:-- "Our bill of fare was as follows: on Sunday, one pound of biscuit, onepound of pork, and half a pint of pease; Monday, one pound of biscuit, one pint of oatmeal, and two ounces of butter; Tuesday, one pound ofbiscuit, and two pounds of salt beef; Wednesday, one and a half poundsof flour, and two ounces of suet; Thursday was a repetition ofSunday's fare; Friday, of Monday's; and Saturday, of Tuesday's. "If this food had been of good quality and properly cooked, as we hadno labor to perform, it would have kept us comfortable, at least fromsuffering; but this was not the case. All our food appeared to bedamaged. As for the pork, we were cheated out of it more than half thetime; and when it was obtained, one would have judged from its motleyhues, exhibiting the consistence and appearance of variegated fancysoap, that it was the flesh of the porpoise or sea-hog, and had beenan inhabitant of the ocean rather than of the stye. The pease weregenerally damaged, and, from the imperfect manner in which they werecooked, were about as indigestible as grape-shot. The butter thereader will not suppose was the real 'Goshen;' and had it not been forits adhesive properties to hold together the particles of the biscuit, that had been so riddled by the worms as to lose all their attractionof cohesion, we should have considered it no desirable addition to ourviands. " But it is unnecessary to prolong the painful description of thehorrors of this floating charnel house. Its name and record must everrest as a dark stain upon the name of England. It is seldom possiblein war-time to house and care for the immense hordes ofprisoners-of-war with the same regard for their comfort which is shownordinarily to convicted felons. War is brutal; it is unfeeling, andthe weaker party must always suffer. But such sufferings as those ofthe "Old Jersey" captives can be excused upon no ground. There was noneed to crowd hundreds of men into a space hardly large enough for afew score. To starve her prisoners, should not be part of a greatnation's policy. The one plea which England can urge in extenuation ofthe "Old Jersey" is that it had its day at a time when those broadprinciples of humanity, now so generally accepted, had not yet beenapplied to the rules of war. With this chapter ends the narrative of the naval events of the war ofthe Revolution. It was not a great naval war, for the belligerentnations were not sufficiently well matched in naval strength. But itbrought forth Paul Jones and more than one other brave and ablecommander. It established a new flag upon the seas, a flag that hasever since held an honorable position among the insignia of theforemost nations of the earth. And in the war of the Revolution, as inevery war in which the United States has taken part since, there wasmanifested the wonderful ability of the American people to rush into aconflict half prepared, and gain daily in strength until the cause forwhich they fight is won. In 1776 that cause was liberty, and in itsbehalf none fought more bravely than the lads who wore the bluejackets of the American navy. CHAPTER XV. THE NAVY DISBANDED. -- AGGRESSIONS OF BARBARY CORSAIRS. -- A DISGRACEFUL TRIBUTE. -- BAINBRIDGE AND THE DEY. -- GEN. EATON AT TUNIS. A SQUADRON SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. -- DECATUR AND THE SPANIARDS. -- THE "ENTERPRISE" AND THE "TRIPOLI. " -- AMERICAN SLAVES IN ALGIERS. Peace having been signed with Great Britain in 1783, the nucleus of anavy then in existence was disbanded. Partly this was due to thedisinclination of the sturdy Republicans to keep a standingestablishment, either naval or military, in time of peace. The sametendency of the American mind to disregard the adage, "In time ofpeace, prepare for war, " is observable to-day. But the chief reasonfor the dissolution of the navy lay in the impossibility of collectingfunds to pay for its maintenance. The states had formed themselvesinto a confederacy, but so jealously had each state guarded itsindividual rights, that no power was left to the general government. The navy being a creation of the general government, was thereforeleft without means of support; and in 1785 the last remaining frigate, the "Alliance, " was sold because there was not enough money in thetreasury to pay for her needed repairs. For eight years thereafter the nation remained without a navy. Butgradually there sprung up a very considerable maritime commerce underthe flag of the United States. The stars and stripes began to be afamiliar sight in sea-ports as far away as China and Japan. But as faras it afforded any protection to the vessel above which it waved, thatbanner might have been a meaningless bit of striped bunting. In 1785the Dey of Algiers, looking to piracy for his income, sent hispiratical cruisers out into the Atlantic to seize upon the merchantmenof the new nation that had no navy to enforce its authority. Twovessels were captured, and their crews sold into disgraceful slaveryin Algiers. When the first Congress of the United States under the presentConstitution assembled, President Washington called the attention ofthe law-makers to the crying need for a navy. But war had set inbetween Portugal and Algiers; the Algerian corsairs were blockaded intheir ports, and American vessels were enjoying a temporary immunityfrom piratical attack. Therefore Congress hesitated. But in 1793 peace was suddenly arranged between Portugal and Algiers. Immediately the corsairs swarmed out of the Mediterranean Sea, andswooped down upon the American merchantmen. In a few weeks four shipswere in their hands, and the gangs of white slaves in Tunis andTripoli were re-enforced by nearly two hundred luckless Yankeesailors. Then Congress awoke, and ordered the immediate building ofsix frigates. The ships were laid down, the work was well under way, naval officers had been appointed, and every thing seemed to point tothe revival of the American navy, when a treaty was negotiated withAlgiers, and all work was stopped. And what a treaty it was! By it the United States relinquished everyclaim to the rights of a sovereign nation. It agreed to pay an annualtribute to the piratical Dey, in consideration of his granting toAmerican vessels the right of travel on the high seas. And when someslight delay occurred in making the first payment of tribute, theobsequious government presented the Barbary corsair with a frigate, toallay his wrath. We must pass hastily over the time during which this iniquitous treatywas in force. Suffice it to say, that by it the United States paid theDey more than a million dollars. For the same sum his piraticalestablishment might have been scattered like the sands of the desert. In May, 1800, it fell to the lot of Capt. William Bainbridge, commanding the frigate "George Washington, " to carry the annualtribute to Algiers. On arriving there he was treated with contempt bythe Dey, who demanded that he put the "Washington" at the service ofAlgiers, to carry her ambassador to Constantinople. "You pay metribute, by which you become my slaves, " said the Dey; "I havetherefore a right to order you as I may think proper. " Bainbridge protested, but to no avail. He had anchored his frigateunder the guns of the Dey's castle, and to disobey meant capture andslavery. Accordingly he complied, but despatched a letter to theauthorities at home, saying, "I hope I may never again be sent toAlgiers with tribute, unless I am authorized to deliver it from themouth of our cannon. " When Bainbridge reached the United States, after faithfullydischarging the errand of the Dey, he found that it was unlikely thateither he or any other officer would be forced to carry any furthertribute to the Barbary pirates. For, while the tribute paid to Algiershad merely changed the attitude of that country from open hostility tocontemptuous forbearance, it had brought the other Barbary statesclamoring to the United States for tribute. Tunis and Tripoli demandedblood-money; and each emphasized its demand by capturing a few Yankeemerchantmen, and selling their crews into slavery. The agents or ambassadors sent by the United States to these powerswere treated with the utmost contempt; and while their lives wereoften in danger, their property was always considered the fair prey ofthe Barbarian ruler to whose domain they were sent. To Tunis was sentGen. William Eaton, an American politician, who has left a record ofhis experiences in the land of the Bey. Some of the entries in hisjournal are very pithy. Thus under the date of Aug. 11, 1799, hewrote, -- "Some good friend had informed the Bey that I had an elegant Grecianmirror in my house. To-day he sent a request for it, pretending thathe wanted it for the cabin of his pleasure-boat, now about to belaunched. So it is. If the consuls have a good piece of furniture, orany other good thing which strikes the Bey's fancy, he never hesitatesto ask for it; and they have no alternative but to give it. They havesuffered this to become usance also. "12th. Sent the Bey the mirror. " A letter from Gen. Eaton to the Secretary of State, in 1801, tells ofthe capacity of the Bey. A fire in the regal palace destroyed fiftythousand stand of small-arms. The next day the monarch ordered Eatonto procure from the United States ten thousand stand to help make upthe loss. Eaton demurred. "The Bey did not send for you to ask youradvice, " said the prime minister, "but to order you to communicate hisdemands to your Government. " Eaton still protested, pointed out the fact that the United States hadalready paid the Bey heavy tribute, and asked when these extortionatedemands were to end. "Never, " was the cool response; and the interview ended. But by this time the United States authorities had perceived the errorthey had committed in temporizing with the Barbary powers. They hadquieted Algiers by the payment of a heavy tribute, and the gift of afrigate. But this had only excited the cupidity of the other pettystates. Tunis demanded like tribute. The Bashaw of Tripoli, discontented with his share of the spoils, cut down the flagstaffbefore the American consulate, and sent out his cruisers to prey uponAmerican commerce. Accordingly, on the 20th of May, 1801, theSecretary of the Navy ordered a squadron prepared to proceed to theMediterranean, and bring the rapacious Arabs to terms. The vessels chosen for this service were the "President, " CommodoreRichard Dale; "Philadelphia, " Capt. Barron; "Essex, " Capt. Bainbridge;and the schooner "Enterprise, " Lieut. -Commandant Sterrett. Though thefleet in itself was powerful, the commodore was hampered by the timidand vacillating instructions of Congress. War had not been actuallydeclared, and he was therefore to commit no overt act of hostility. The vessels of the fleet were to be employed simply to convoy Americanmerchantmen in and out of the Mediterranean Sea, and to be inreadiness to ward off any hostile action on the part of any of theBarbary powers. On July 1 the fleet entered the roadstead at Gibraltar, and anchoredin the shadow of the famous rock. Here the Americans found two of themost rapacious of the Tripolitan corsairs lying at anchor; one a shipof twenty-six guns under the command of the Tripolitan admiral, andthe other a brig of sixteen guns. To keep an eye on these piraticalworthies, the "Philadelphia" was ordered to remain at Gibraltar, whilethe other vessels scattered. The "Essex" was ordered to cruise alongthe northern shore of the Mediterranean, gathering up all the Americanmerchantmen, and convoying them to sea. The "President" and the"Enterprise" made sail for Algiers, to convince the ruler of thatcountry that it would be impolitic for him to declare war against theUnited States at that time. The desired effect was produced; for thesight of an American frigate did more to tone down the harshness ofthe Dey's utterances, than could the most extortionate tribute. The cruise of the "Essex" was uneventful, save for a dispute betweenthe officers of the American man-of-war and a Spanish xebec in theroads of Barcelona. The trouble arose in this wise:-- The "Essex, " though a small vessel, was perfectly appointed, ofhandsome model and appearance, and her crew was drilled to the highestpossible state of discipline and efficiency. When she cast anchor atBarcelona, she straightway became the talk of the town, and herofficers became the lions of the hour, vastly to the disgust of theSpaniards on the xebec lying in the same port. Accordingly they tookevery opportunity to annoy the Americans, challenging the boats of the"Essex" as they passed the xebec, and not scrupling to use abusivelanguage to Capt. Bainbridge himself. One night a boat, under commandof Lieut. Stephen Decatur, was brought under the guns of the xebec, and held there while the Spaniards shouted insults from the deckabove. Decatur called for the officer in command, and remonstratedwith him, but receiving no satisfaction, ordered his men to shove off, declaring he would call again in the morning. Accordingly, in the forenoon of the following day, a boat from the"Essex, " with Decatur in the stern-sheets, made for the Spanishvessel. Coming alongside, Decatur went on board, and asked for theofficer who had been in command the night previous. He was told thatthe man he sought had gone ashore. "Well, then, " thundered Decatur, in tones that could be heard all overthe vessel, "tell him that Lieut. Decatur of the frigate 'Essex'pronounces him a cowardly scoundrel, and when they meet on shore hewill cut his ears off. " And having thrown this bombshell into theenemy's camp, Decatur returned to his ship. The duel was never fought, for the civil authorities bestirredthemselves to prevent it. But the matter was taken up by the UnitedStates minister to Spain, who never permitted it to rest until thefullest apology was made by Spain for the indignities to which theAmerican naval officers had been subjected. After having collected a large number of merchantmen, and taken themsafely out of the reach of Tripolitan cruisers, the "Essex" showed hercolors in the chief Barbary ports, and rejoined the flag-ship in timeto return to the United States in December. While the "Essex" had been thus pacificly employed, the littleschooner "Enterprise" had carried off the honors by fighting the firstand only pitched battle of the year. This little craft, afteraccompanying the "President" to Algiers, was ordered to Malta. Whileon the way thither she fell in with a polacre-rigged ship flying theTripolitan colors. Closer inspection showed her to be a notoriouscorsair, well known for the constant and merciless warfare she wagedupon American merchantmen. The stars and stripes, floating at the peakof the American man-of-war, alarmed the Moors, and they opened firewithout waiting for a hail. The "Enterprise" took up a positionalongside, and at a distance of less than a pistol-shot. Broadsidesucceeded broadside in rapid succession. The aim of the Americans wasbetter than that of the enemy, and the effect of their fire wasobservable whenever the breeze cleared away the dense smoke that hidthe vessels from each other. But the ordnance of both was light, sothat the combat was greatly prolonged. The vessels were almost equallymatched; for the "Enterprise" carried twelve guns and ninety men, while the Tripolitan mounted fourteen guns, and had a crew ofeighty-five men. For two hours the battle continued, and the roar of the cannon and therattle of small-arms were incessant. The day was calm and clear, withthe still, warm air prevalent in the Mediterranean. Hardly was thebreeze strong enough to carry away the sulphurous cloud of smoke thatformed the one blot on the fair surface of the fairest of all seas. Atlast the Americans noticed that the fire of the enemy had ceased. Eagerly they peered through the smoke, and when the outline of theiradversary could be made out, three ringing cheers told that theTripolitan flag waved no longer in its place. Leaving their guns, theAmericans were preparing to board the prize, when they were astonishedto receive another broadside, and see the colors of their adversaryagain hoisted. With cries of rage the Yankee seamen again went to quarters; and, ifthey had fought boldly before, they now fought viciously. They caredlittle to take the prize: their chief end was to send her, and thetreacherous corsairs that manned her, to the bottom. The Tripolitansin their turn exerted every energy to conquer. Bringing their vesselalongside the "Enterprise, " they strove repeatedly to board, only tobe beaten back again and again. Finally, after receiving two rakingbroadsides from the "Enterprise, " she again struck her flag. This time Capt. Sterrett was in no haste to consider the combat ended. Keeping his men at the guns, he ordered the Tripolitan to come underthe quarter of the "Enterprise. " But no sooner had the enemy done sothan she renewed the conflict for the third time, by attempting toboard. "No quarter for the treacherous dogs, " was then the cry on theAmerican vessel. "Fight on, and send them to the bottom. " The rest of the battle was wholly in favor of the "Enterprise. "Several times she raked her antagonist, doing great execution. Manyshots took effect between wind and water; and the cry arose on thedecks of the Tripolitan, that she was sinking. The "Enterprise" keptat a safe distance, and by skilful sailing chose her own position, sothat she could pour in a deliberate and murderous fire. Bitterly werethe Tripolitans punished for their treachery. Their decks ran red withblood, half of their officers were shot down, the cries of theirwounded rose shrill above the thunder of the cannon. Her flag wasstruck, but to this the American gunners paid no heed. The repeatedtreachery of the corsairs had left in the minds of the Yankee sailorsbut one thought, --to send the ship to the bottom, and rid the ocean ofso pestiferous a craft. But, enraged though they were, the Americans could not wholly castaside their feelings of humanity. Though they had been twice deceived, they could not keep up their attack upon a vessel so sorely strickenas to be unable to respond to their fire. And when at last thecommander of the Tripolitan, a venerable old man with a flowing beard, appeared in the waist of the ship, sorely wounded, and, bowingsubmissively, cast the colors of his vessel into the sea, then thefire of the "Enterprise" ceased, although the usages of war would havejustified the Americans in exterminating their treacherous foe. Having captured his enemy, Capt. Sterrett was in some uncertainty asto what to do with it. The instructions under which he sailed gave himno authority to take prizes. After some deliberation, he concluded torob the captured vessel, which proved to be the "Tripoli, " of herpower for evil. Accordingly he sent Lieut. David Porter, the daringnaval officer of whose exploits we have already spoken in the"Blue-Jackets of 1812, " on board the prize, with instructions todismantle her. Porter carried out his instructions admirably. Withimmense satisfaction the jackies he took with him forced theTripolitans to cut away their masts, throw overboard all their cannon, cutlasses, pistols, and other arms; cut their sails to pieces; throwall ammunition into the sea, and, to use a nautical expression, "stripthe ship to a girtline. " One jury-mast and small sail alone was left. Porter then pointed out to the crestfallen Tripolitan captain, MahometSons, that the "Enterprise" had not lost a man in the action, while ofthe corsairs not less than fifty were either killed or wounded. "Go, " said he sternly to the cowering Mussulman, "go tell the Bashawof Tripoli, and the people of your country, that in future they mayexpect only a tribute of powder and ball from the sailors of theUnited States. " Amid the jeers and execrations of the Yankee tars, the crippledTripolitan hulk, with her dead and dying, drifted slowly away. Whenshe reached Tripoli, the anger of the Bashaw was unappeasable. He hadexpected his cruiser to return freighted deep with plunder, andcrowded with American slaves. She had returned a dismantled hulk. Invain her commander showed his wounds to his wrathful master, and toldof the size of his enemy, and the vigor of his resistance. The rage ofthe Bashaw demanded a sacrifice, and the luckless Mahomet Sons was ledthrough the streets of Tripoli tied to a jackass. This in itself wasthe deepest degradation possible for a Mussulman, but the Bashawsupplemented it with five hundred bastinadoes well laid on. Thissevere punishment, together with the repeated assertions of thesailors of the defeated ship, that the dogs of Christians had firedenchanted shot, so terrified the seafaring people of Tripoli that itwas almost impossible for the Bashaw to muster a ship's crew for ayear after. [Illustration: Commodore Decatur. ] The battle between the "Enterprise" and the "Tripoli" alone saved thefirst year of the war from being entirely puerile. Certain it is thatthe distinguished naval officers who accompanied the fleet to theMediterranean were so hedged about with political red tape, that theywere powerless to take a step in defence of the honor of theircountry. While they were empowered to rescue any American ship thatmight be discovered in the grasp of a corsair, they were powerless toattempt the rescue of the hundreds of Americans held by Bashaw, Bey, and Dey as slaves. Commodore Dale, indeed, through diplomacy, managedto free a few of the enslaved Americans. Having blockaded theharbor of Tripoli with the frigate "President, " he captured a Greekvessel having a score or more of Tripolitan soldiers aboard. He thensent word to the Bashaw that he would exchange these prisoners for anequal number of Americans; but the monarch apparently cared little forhis subjects, for he replied that he would not give one American slavefor the whole lot. After much argument, an exchange was made upon thebasis of three Tripolitans to one Yankee. It is hard, even at this late day, to regard the policy of the UnitedStates towards the Barbary powers with feelings other than ofmortification. Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, and Morocco constantly preyedon our commerce, and enslaved our sailors. In the streets of Algiersworked American slaves, chained together, and wearing iron collarsupon their necks. Their lives were the property of their owners, andthey suffered unheard of privations and tortures. Yet at this verytime the United States kept a consul in Algiers, and maintainedfriendly relations with the Dey. Indeed, a historian writing in 1795applauds the American Government for the care it took of its citizensenslaved in Algiers, by providing each with a suit of clothing yearly! But the continued aggressions and extortionate demands of the Barbarypowers became at last unbearable. The expedition to the Mediterranean, under Commodore Dale, was but the premonitory muttering before thestorm. Dale returned to the United States in December, 1801, and hisreport led to the organization of the naval expedition that was tofinally crush the piratical powers of Barbary. CHAPTER XVI. MORE VIGOROUS POLICY. -- COMMODORE MORRIS SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. -- PORTER'S CUTTING-OUT EXPEDITION. -- COMMODORE PREBLE SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. -- HIS ENCOUNTER WITH A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR. -- THE LOSS OF THE "PHILADELPHIA. " -- DECATUR'S DARING ADVENTURE. The return of Commodore Dale from the Mediterranean, and the reportswhich he brought of the continued aggressions and insolence of theBarbary powers, made a very marked change in the temper of the peopleof the United States. Early in 1802 Congress passed laws, which, though not in form a formal declaration of war, yet permitted thevigorous prosecution of hostilities against Tripoli, Algiers, or anyother of the Barbary powers. A squadron was immediately ordered intocommission for the purpose of chastising the corsairs, and was putunder the command of Commodore Morris. The vessels detailed for thisservice were the "Chesapeake, " thirty-eight; "Constellation, "thirty-eight; "New York, " thirty-six; "John Adams, " twenty-eight;"Adams, " twenty-eight; and "Enterprise, " twelve. Some months wereoccupied in getting the vessels into condition for sea; and while the"Enterprise" started in February for the Mediterranean, it was notuntil September that the last ship of the squadron followed her. Itwill be remembered that the "Philadelphia" and "Essex, " of Dale'ssquadron, had been left in the Mediterranean; and as the "Boston, "twenty-eight, had been ordered to cruise in those waters aftercarrying United States Minister Livingstone to France, the power ofthe Western Republic was well supported before the coast-line ofBarbary. The "Enterprise" and the "Constellation" were the first of thesquadron to reach the Mediterranean, and they straightway proceeded toTripoli to begin the blockade of that port. One day, while the"Constellation" was lying at anchor some miles from the town, thelookout reported that a number of small craft were stealing along, close in shore, and evidently trying to sneak into the harbor. Immediately the anchor was raised, and the frigate set out in pursuit. The strangers proved to be a number of Tripolitan gunboats, and for atime it seemed as though they would be cut off by the swift-sailingfrigate. As they came within range, the "Constellation" opened a rapidand well-directed fire, which soon drove the gunboats to protectedcoves and inlets in the shore. The Americans then lowered their boatswith the intention of engaging the enemy alongshore, but at thismoment a large body of cavalry came galloping out from town to therescue. The Yankees, therefore, returned to their ship, and, afterfiring a few broadsides at the cavalry, sailed away. Thereafter, for nearly a year, the record of the American squadron inthe Mediterranean was uneventful. Commodore Morris showed littledisposition to push matters to an issue, but confined his operationsto sailing from port to port, and instituting brief and imperfectblockades. In April, 1803, the squadron narrowly escaped being seriously weakenedby the loss of the "New York. " It was when this vessel was off Malta, on her way to Tripoli in company with the "John Adams" and the"Enterprise. " The drums had just beat to grog; and the sailors, tincup in hand, were standing in a line on the main deck waiting theirturns at the grog-tub. Suddenly a loud explosion was heard, and thelower part of the ship was filled with smoke. "The magazine is on fire, " was the appalling cry; and for a momentconfusion reigned everywhere. All knew that the explosion must havebeen near the magazine. There was no one to command, for at the groghour the sailors are left to their own occupations. So the confusionspread, and there seemed to be grave danger of a panic, when Capt. Chauncey came on deck. A drummer passed hurriedly by him. "Drummer, beat to quarters!" was the quick, sharp command of thecaptain. The drummer stopped short, and in a moment the resonant rollof the drum rose above the shouts and the tramping of feet. As thewell-known call rose on the air, the men regained their self-control, and went quietly to their stations at the guns, as though preparing togive battle to an enemy. When order had been restored, Capt. Chauncey commanded the boats to belowered; but the effect of this was to arouse the panic again. Thepeople rushed from the guns, and crowded out upon the bowsprit, thespritsail-yard, and the knightheads. Some leaped into the sea, andswam for the nearest vessel. All strove to get as far from themagazine as possible. This poltroonery disgusted Chauncey. "Volunteers, follow me, " he cried. "Remember, lads, it's just as wellto be blown through three decks as one. " So saying he plunged down the smoky hatchway, followed by Lieut. DavidPorter and some other officers. Blinded and almost stifled by thesmoke, they groped their way to the seat of the danger. With wetblankets, and buckets of water, they began to fight the flames. Astheir efforts began to meet with success, one of the officers went ondeck, and succeeded in rallying the men, and forming two lines ofwater-carriers. After two hours' hard work, the ship was saved. The explosion was a serious one, many of the bulkheads having beenblown down, and nineteen officers and men seriously injured, of whomfourteen died. It came near leading to a still more serious blunder;for, when the flames broke out, the quartermaster was ordered to hoistthe signal, "A fire on board. " In his trepidation he mistook thesignal, and announced, "A mutiny on board. " Seeing this, Capt. Rodgersof the "John Adams" beat his crew to quarters, and with shotted gunsand open ports took up a raking position astern of the "New York, "ready to quell the supposed mutiny. Luckily he discovered his errorwithout causing loss of life. For a month after this incident, the ships were detained at Maltamaking repairs; but, near the end of May, the "John Adams, " "Adams, ""New York, " and "Enterprise" took up the blockade of Tripoli. Oneafternoon a number of merchant vessels succeeded in evading theblockaders, and though cut off from the chief harbor of the town, yettook refuge in the port of Old Tripoli. They were small lanteen-riggedfeluccas of light draught; and they threaded the narrow channels, andskimmed over shoals whither the heavy men-of-war could not hope tofollow them. Scarcely had they reached the shore when preparationswere made for their defence against any cutting-out party theAmericans might send for their capture. On the shore near the spotwhere the feluccas were beached, stood a heavy stone building, whichwas taken possession of by a party of troops hastily despatched fromthe city. The feluccas were laden with wheat, packed in sacks; andthese sacks were taken ashore in great numbers, and piled up on eitherside of the great building so as to form breastworks. So well were theworks planned, that they formed an almost impregnable fortress. Behindits walls the Tripolitans stood ready to defend their strandedvessels. That night Lieut. Porter took a light boat, and carefully reconnoitredthe position of the enemy. He was discovered, and driven away by aheavy fire of musketry, but not before he had taken the bearings ofthe feluccas and their defences. The next morning he volunteered to goin and destroy the boats, and, having obtained permission, set out, accompanied by Lieut. James Lawrence and a strong party of sailors. There was no attempt at concealment or surprise. The Americans pushedboldly forward, in the teeth of a heavy fire from the Tripolitans. Noattempt was made to return the fire, for the enemy was securely postedbehind his ramparts. The Yankees could only bend to their oars, andpress forward with all possible speed. At last the beach was reached, and boats-prows grated upon the pebbly sand. Quickly the jackiesleaped from their places; and while some engaged the Tripolitans, others, torch in hand, clambered upon the feluccas, and set fire tothe woodwork and the tarred cordage. When the flames had gained someheadway, the incendiaries returned to their boats, and made for thesquadron again, feeling confident that the Tripolitans could donothing to arrest the conflagration. But they had underestimated thecourage of the barbarians; for no sooner had the boats pushed off, than the Tripolitans rushed down to the shore, and strained everymuscle for the preservation of their ships. The men-of-war rainedgrape-shot upon them; but they persevered, and before Porter and hisfollowers regained their ships, the triumphant cries of theTripolitans gave notice the flames were extinguished. Porter had beenseverely wounded in the thigh, and twelve or fifteen of his men hadbeen killed or wounded; so that the failure of the expedition to fullyaccomplish its purpose was bitterly lamented. The loss of the enemywas never definitely ascertained, though several were seen to fallduring the conflict. On both sides the most conspicuous gallantry wasshown; the fighting was at times almost hand to hand, and once, embarrassed by the lack of ammunition, the Tripolitans seized heavystones, and hurled them down upon their assailants. For some weeks after this occurrence, no conflict took place betweenthe belligerents. Commodore Morris, after vainly trying to negotiate apeace with Tripoli, sailed away to Malta, leaving the "John Adams" andthe "Adams" to blockade the harbor. To them soon returned the"Enterprise, " and the three vessels soon after robbed the Bey of hislargest corsair. On the night of the 21st of June, an unusual commotion about theharbor led the Americans to suspect that an attempt was being made torun the blockade. A strict watch was kept; and, before morning, the"Enterprise" discovered a large cruiser sneaking along the coasttoward the harbor's mouth. The Tripolitan was heavy enough to haveblown the Yankee schooner out of the water; but, instead of engagingher, she retreated to a small cove, and took up a favorable positionfor action. Signals from the "Enterprise" soon brought the otherUnited States vessels to the spot; while in response to rockets andsignal guns from the corsair, a large body of Tripolitan cavalry camegalloping down the beach, and a detachment of nine gunboats came tothe assistance of the beleaguered craft. No time was lost in manoeuvring. Taking up a position withinpoint-blank range, the "John Adams" and the "Enterprise" opened fireon the enemy, who returned it with no less spirit. For forty-fiveminutes the cannonade was unabated. The shot of the American gunnerswere seen to hull the enemy repeatedly, and at last the Tripolitansbegan to desert their ship. Over the rail and through the open portsthe panic-stricken corsairs dropped into the water. The shot of theYankees had made the ship's deck too hot a spot for the Tripolitans, and they fled with great alacrity. When the last had left the ship, the "John Adams" prepared to send boats to take possession of theprize. But at this moment a boat-load of Tripolitans returned to thecorsair; and the Americans, thinking they were rallying, began againtheir cannonade. Five minutes later, while the boat's-crew was stillon the Tripolitan ship, she blew up. The watchers heard a suddendeafening roar; saw a volcanic burst of smoke; saw rising high abovethe smoke the main and mizzen masts of the shattered vessel, with theyards, rigging, and hamper attached. When the smoke cleared away, onlya shapeless hulk occupied the place where the proud corsair had sorecently floated. What caused the explosion, cannot be told. Were itnot for the fact that many of the Tripolitans were blown up with theship, it might be thought that she had been destroyed by her ownpeople. After this encounter, the three United States vessels proceeded toMalta. Here Commodore Morris found orders for his recall, and hereturned to the United States in the "Adams. " In his place CommodorePreble had been chosen to command the naval forces; and that officer, with the "Constitution, " forty-four, arrived in the Mediterranean inSeptember, 1802. Following him at brief intervals came the othervessels of his squadron, --the "Vixen" twelve, "Siren" sixteen, and"Argus" sixteen; the "Philadelphia" thirty-eight, and the "Nautilus"twelve, having reached the Mediterranean before the commodore. Threeof these vessels were commanded by young officers, destined to winenduring fame in the ensuing war, --Stephen Decatur, WilliamBainbridge, and Richard Somers. Before the last vessel of this fleet reached the Mediterranean, adisaster had befallen one of the foremost vessels, which cost theUnited States a good man-of-war, and forced a ship's crew of Yankeeseamen to pass two years of their lives in the cells of a Tripolitanfortress. This vessel was the "Philadelphia, " Capt. Bainbridge. Shehad reached the Mediterranean in the latter part of August, andsignalled her arrival by overhauling and capturing the cruiser"Meshboha, " belonging to the emperor of Morocco. With the cruiser wasa small brig, which proved to be an American merchantman; and in herhold were found the captain and seven men, tied hand and foot. Moroccowas then ostensibly on friendly terms with the United States, andBainbridge demanded of the captain of the cruiser by what right he hadcaptured an American vessel. To this the Moor returned, that he haddone so, anticipating a war which had not yet been declared. "Then, sir, " said Bainbridge sternly, "I must consider you as apirate, and shall treat you as such. I am going on deck for fifteenminutes. If, when I return, you can show me no authority for yourdepredations upon American commerce, I shall hang you at theyard-arm. " So saying, Bainbridge left the cabin. In fifteen minutes he returned, and, throwing the cabin doors open, stepped in with a file of marinesat his heels. In his hand he held his watch, and he cast upon the Moora look of stern inquiry. Not a word was said, but the prisonerunderstood the dread import of that glance. Nervously he began tounbutton the voluminous waistcoats which encircled his body, and froman inner pocket of the fifth drew forth a folded paper. It was acommission directing him to make prizes of all American craft thatmight come in his path. No more complete evidence of the treachery ofMorocco could be desired. Bainbridge sent the paper to CommodorePreble, and, after stopping at Gibraltar a day or two, proceeded tohis assigned position off the harbor of Tripoli. In the latter part of October, the lookout on the "Philadelphia" spieda vessel running into the harbor, and the frigate straightway set outin chase. The fugitive showed a clean pair of heels; and as the shotsfrom the bow-chasers failed to take effect, and the water wascontinually shoaling before the frigate's bow, the helm was put harddown, and the frigate began to come about. But just at that moment sheran upon a shelving rock, and in an instant was hard and fast aground. The Americans were then in a most dangerous predicament. The sound ofthe firing had drawn a swarm of gunboats out of the harbor of Tripoli, and they were fast bearing down upon the helpless frigate. Everypossible expedient was tried for the release of the ship, but to noavail. At last the gunboats, discovering her helpless condition, crowded so thick about her that there was no course open but tostrike. And so, after flooding the magazine, throwing overboard allthe small-arms, and knocking holes in the bottom of the ship, Bainbridge reluctantly surrendered. Hardly had the flag touched the deck, when the gunboats werealongside. If the Americans expected civilized treatment, they weresadly mistaken, for an undisciplined rabble came swarming over thetaffrail. Lockers and chests were broken open, storerooms ransacked, officers and men stripped of all the articles of finery they werewearing. It was a scene of unbridled pillage, in which the Tripolitanofficers were as active as their men. An officer being held fast inthe grasp of two of the Tripolitans, a third would ransack hispockets, and strip him of any property they might covet. Swords, watches, jewels, and money were promptly confiscated by the captors;and they even ripped the epaulets from the shoulders of the officers'uniforms. No resistance was made, until one of the pilferers tried totear from Bainbridge an ivory miniature of his young and beautifulwife. Wresting himself free, the captain knocked down the vandal, andmade so determined a resistance that his despoilers allowed him tokeep the picture. When all the portable property was in the hands of the victors, theAmericans were loaded into boats, and taken ashore. It was then lateat night; but the captives were marched through the streets to thepalace of the Bashaw, and exhibited to that functionary. Afterexpressing great satisfaction at the capture, the Bashaw ordered thesailors thrown into prison, while the officers remained that night ashis guests. He entertained them with an excellent supper, but the nextmorning they were shown to the gloomy prison apartments that weredestined to be their home until the end of the war. Of their lifethere we shall have more to say hereafter. While this disaster had befallen the American cause before Tripoli, Commodore Preble in the flag-ship "Constitution, " accompanied by the"Nautilus, " had reached Gibraltar. There he found Commodore Rodgers, whom he was to relieve, with the "New York" and the "John Adams. "Hardly had the commodore arrived, when the case of the capturedMorocco ship "Meshboha" was brought to his attention; and hestraightway went to Tangier to request the emperor to define hisposition with regard to the United States. Though the time ofCommodore Rodgers on the Mediterranean station had expired, heconsented to accompany Preble to Tangier; and the combined squadronsof the two commodores had so great an effect upon the emperor, that hespeedily concluded a treaty. Commodore Rodgers then sailed for theUnited States, and Preble began his preparations for an activeprosecution of the war with Tripoli. It was on the 31st of October that the "Philadelphia" fell into thehands of the Tripolitans, but it was not until Nov. 27 that the newsof the disaster reached Commodore Preble and the other officers of thesquadron. Shortly after the receipt of the news, the commodoreproceeded with his flag-ship, accompanied by the "Enterprise, " toTripoli, to renew the blockade which had been broken by the loss ofthe "Philadelphia. " It was indeed high time that some life should be infused into the warwith Tripoli. Commodore Dale had been sent to the Mediterranean withinstructions that tied him hand and foot. Morris, who followed him, was granted more discretion by Congress, but had not been given theproper force. Now that Preble had arrived with a sufficient fleet, warlike instructions, and a reputation for dash unexcelled by that ofany officer in the navy, the blue-jackets looked for some activeservice. Foreign nations were beginning to speak scornfully of theharmless antics of the United States fleet in the Mediterranean, andthe younger American officers had fought more than one duel withforeigners to uphold the honor of the American service. They nowlooked to Preble to give them a little active service. An incidentwhich occurred shortly after the arrival of the "Constitution" in theBay of Gibraltar convinced the American officers that their commodorehad plenty of fire and determination in his character. One night the lookouts reported a large vessel alongside, and the hailfrom the "Constitution" brought only a counter-hail from the stranger. Both vessels continued to hail without any answer being returned, whenPreble came on deck. Taking the trumpet from the hand of thequartermaster, he shouted, -- "I now hail you for the last time. If you do not answer, I'll fire ashot into you. " "If you fire, I'll return a broadside, " was the reply. "I'd like to see you do it. I now hail you for an answer. What ship isthat?" "This is H. B. M. Ship 'Donegal, ' eighty-four; Sir Richard Strachan, an English commodore. Send a boat aboard. " "This is the United States ship 'Constitution, ' forty-four, " answeredPreble, in high dudgeon; "Edward Preble, an American commodore; andI'll be d--d if I send a boat on board of any ship. Blow your matches, boys!" The Englishman saw a conflict coming, and sent a boat aboard withprofuse apologies. She was really the frigate "Maidstone, " but beingin no condition for immediate battle had prolonged the hailing inorder to make needed preparations. On the 23d of December, while the "Constitution" and "Enterprise" wereblockading Tripoli, the latter vessel overhauled and captured theketch "Mastico, " freighted with female slaves that were being sent bythe Bashaw of Tripoli to the Porte, as a gift. The capture in itselfwas unimportant, save for the use made of the ketch later. The vessels of the blockading squadron, from their station outside thebar, could see the captured "Philadelphia" riding lightly at hermoorings under the guns of the Tripolitan batteries. Her captors hadcarefully repaired the injuries the Americans had inflicted upon thevessel before surrendering. Her foremast was again in place, the holesin her bottom were plugged, the scars of battle were effaced, and sherode at anchor as pretty a frigate as ever delighted the eye of a tar. From his captivity Bainbridge had written letters to Commodore Preble, with postscripts written in lemon-juice, and illegible save when thesheet of paper was exposed to the heat. In these postscripts he urgedthe destruction of the "Philadelphia. " Lieut. Stephen Decatur, incommand of the "Enterprise, " eagerly seconded these proposals, andproposed to cut into the port with the "Enterprise, " and undertake thedestruction of the captured ship. Lieut. -Commander Stewart of the"Nautilus" made the same proposition; but Preble rejected both, notwishing to imperil a man-of-war on so hazardous an adventure. The commodore, however, had a project of his own which he communicatedto Decatur, and in which that adventurous sailor heartily joined. Thisplan was to convert the captured ketch into a man-of-war, man her withvolunteers, and with her attempt the perilous adventure of thedestruction of the "Philadelphia. " The project once broached wasquickly carried into effect. The ketch was taken into the service, andnamed the "Intrepid. " News of the expedition spread throughout thesquadron, and many officers eagerly volunteered their services. Whenthe time was near at hand, Decatur called the crew of the "Enterprise"together, told them of the plan of the proposed expedition, pointedout its dangers, and called for volunteers. Every man and boy on thevessel stepped forward, and begged to be taken. Decatur chosesixty-two picked men, and was about to leave the deck, when his stepswere arrested by a young boy who begged hard to be taken. "Why do you want to go, Jack?" asked the commodore. "Well, sir, " said Jack, "you see, I'd kinder like to see the country. " The oddity of the boy's reason struck Decatur's fancy, and he toldJack to report with the rest. On the night of Feb. 3, 1804, the "Intrepid, " accompanied by the"Siren, " parted company with the rest of the fleet, and made forTripoli. The voyage was stormy and fatiguing. More than seventy menwere cooped up in the little ketch, which had quarters scarcely for ascore. The provisions which had been put aboard were in bad condition, so that after the second day they had only bread and water upon whichto live. When they had reached the entrance to the harbor of Tripoli, they were driven back by the fury of the gale, and forced to takeshelter in a neighboring cove. There they remained until the 15th, repairing damages, and completing their preparations for the attack. The weather having moderated, the two vessels left their place ofconcealment, and shaped their course for Tripoli. On the way, Decaturgave his forces careful instructions as to the method of attack. TheAmericans were divided into several boarding parties, each with itsown officer and work. One party was to keep possession of the upperdeck, another was to carry the gun-deck, a third should drive theenemy from the steerage, and so on. All were to carry pistols in theirbelts; but the fighting, as far as possible, was to be done withcutlasses, so that no noise might alarm the enemy in the batteries, and the vessels in the port. One party was to hover near the"Philadelphia" in a light boat, and kill all Tripolitans who might tryto escape to the shore by swimming. The watchword for the night was"Philadelphia. " About noon, the "Intrepid" came in sight of the towers of Tripoli. Both the ketch and the "Siren" had been so disguised that the enemycould not recognize them, and they therefore stood boldly for theharbor. As the wind was fresh, Decatur saw that he was likely to makeport before night; and he therefore dragged a cable and a number ofbuckets astern to lessen his speed, fearing to take in sail, lest thesuspicions of the enemy should be aroused. When within about five miles of the town, the "Philadelphia" becamevisible. She floated lightly at her anchorage under the guns of twoheavy batteries. Behind her lay moored two Tripolitan cruisers, andnear by was a fleet of gunboats. It was a powerful stronghold intowhich the Yankee blue-jackets were about to carry the torch. About ten o'clock, the adventurers reached the harbor's mouth. Thewind had fallen so that the ketch was wafted slowly along over analmost glassy sea. The "Siren" took up a position in the offing, whilethe "Intrepid, " with her devoted crew, steered straight for thefrigate. A new moon hung in the sky. From the city arose the soft lowmurmur of the night. In the fleet all was still. On the decks of the "Intrepid" but twelve men were visible. The restlay flat on the deck, in the shadow of the bulwarks or weather-boards. Her course was laid straight for the bow of the frigate, which she wasto foul. When within a short distance, a hail came from the"Philadelphia. " In response, the pilot of the ketch answered, that theketch was a coaster from Malta, that she had lost her anchors in thelate gale, and had been nearly wrecked, and that she now askedpermission to ride by the frigate during the night. The people on thefrigate were wholly deceived, and sent out ropes to the ketch, allowing one of the boats of the "Intrepid" to make a line fast to thefrigate. The ends of the ropes on the ketch were passed to the hiddenmen, who pulled lustily upon them, thus bringing the little craftalongside the frigate. But, as she came into clearer view, thesuspicions of the Tripolitans were aroused; and when at last theanchors of the "Intrepid" were seen hanging in their places at thecatheads, the Tripolitans cried out that they had been deceived, andwarned the strangers to keep off. At the same moment the cry, "Americanos! Americanos!" rang through the ship, and the alarm wasgiven. By this time the ketch was fast to the frigate. "Follow me, lads, "cried Decatur, and sprang for the chain-plates of the "Philadelphia. "Clinging there, he renewed his order to board; and the men sprang totheir feet, and were soon clambering on board the frigate. Lieut. Morris first trod the deck of the "Philadelphia, " Decatur followedclose after, and then the stream of men over the rail and through theopen ports was constant. Complete as was the surprise, the entireabsence of any resistance was astonishing. Few of the Turks hadweapons in their hands, and those who had fled before the advancingAmericans. On all sides the splashing of water told that theaffrighted Turks were trying to make their escape that way. In tenminutes Decatur and his men had complete possession of the ship. Doubtless at that moment the successful adventurers bitterly regrettedthat they could not take out of the harbor the noble frigate they hadso nobly recaptured. But the orders of the commodore, and the dangersof their own situation, left them no choice. Nothing was to be donebut to set fire to the frigate, and retreat with all possibleexpedition. The combustibles were brought from the ketch, and piledabout the frigate, and lighted. So quickly was the work done, and sorapidly did the flames spread, that the people who lit the fires inthe storerooms and cock-pit had scarce time to get on deck beforetheir retreat was cut off by the flames. Before the ketch could becast off from the sides of the frigate, the flames came pouring out ofthe port-holes, and flaming sparks fell aboard the smaller vessel, sothat the ammunition which lay piled amidships was in grave danger ofbeing exploded. Axes and cutlasses were swung with a will; and soonthe bonds which held the two vessels together were cut, and the ketchwas pushed off. Then the blue-jackets bent to their sweeps, and soonthe "Intrepid" was under good headway. "Now, lads, " cried Decatur, "give them three cheers. " And the jackies responded with ringing cheers, that mingled with theroar of the flames that now had the frame of the "Philadelphia" intheir control. Then they grasped their sweeps again, and the littlevessel glided away through a hail of grape and round shot from theTripolitan batteries and men-of-war. Though the whistle of themissiles was incessant, and the splash of round-shot striking thewater could be heard on every side, no one in the boat was hurt; andthe only shot that touched the ketch went harmlessly through hermain-sail. As they pulled away, they saw the flames catch the riggingof the "Philadelphia, " and run high up the masts. Then the hatchwayswere burst open, and great gusts of flame leaped out. The shotted gunsof the frigate were discharged in quick succession; one batterysending its iron messengers into the streets of Tripoli, while theguns on the other side bore upon Fort English. The angry glare of theflames, and the flash of the cannon, lighted up the bay; while thethunders of the cannonade, and the cries of the Tripolitans, told ofthe storm that was raging. The ruddy light of the burning ship bore good news to two anxiousparties of Decatur's friends. Capt. Bainbridge and the other Americanofficers whom the Tripolitans had captured with the "Philadelphia"were imprisoned in a tower looking out upon the bay. The rapid thunderof the cannonade on this eventful night awakened them; and they rushedto their windows, to see the "Philadelphia, " the Bashaw's boastedprize, in flames. Right lustily they added their cheers to the generaltumult, nor ceased their demonstrations of joy until a surly guardcame and ordered them from the windows. Far out to sea another band of watchers hailed the light of theconflagration with joy. The "Siren" had gone into the offing when the"Intrepid" entered the harbor, and there awaited with intense anxietythe outcome of the adventure. After an hour's suspense, a rocket wasseen to mount into the sky, and burst over Tripoli. It was the signalof success agreed upon. Boats were quickly lowered, and sent to theharbor's mouth to meet and cover the retreat of the returning party. Hardly had they left the side of the ship, when the red light in thesky told that the "Philadelphia" was burning; and an hour laterDecatur himself sprang over the taffrail, and proudly announced hisvictory. Not a man had been lost in the whole affair. As the expedition hadbeen perfect in conception, so it was perfect in execution. Theadventure became the talk of all Europe. Lord Nelson, England'sgreatest admiral, said of it, "It was the most bold and daring act ofthe ages. " And when the news reached the United States, Decatur, despite his youth, was made a captain. CHAPTER XVII. A STIRRING YEAR. -- THE BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. -- DECATUR'S HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT. -- LIEUT. TRIPPE'S BRAVERY. -- LIEUT. SPENCE'S BOLD DEED. -- SOMERS'S NARROW ESCAPE. -- THE FLOATING MINE. -- THE FATAL EXPLOSION. -- CLOSE OF THE WAR. -- THE END. Decatur's brilliant exploit set the key-note for the year 1804; and, for the remainder of that year, the Americans carried on the war withno less spirit and dash. A high degree of daring had been infused intothe men by so notable an example; and long before the year was out, the blue-jackets began to consider themselves invincible, and wereready to undertake any exploit for which their services might berequired. The lesser events of the year, we must pass over hastily. Themaintenance of the blockade of Tripoli led to one or two slightactions, and an occasional capture of little consequence. Thus, inMarch, the "Siren" captured the "Transfer, " privateer, which wastrying to run the blockade. A month or two later, a coasting felucca, loaded with supplies, was chased ashore near Tripoli, and two boats'crews were sent to take possession of her. The Tripolitans, as usual, sent out a body of cavalry to protect the felucca, and the Americanswere driven off. Thereupon the American blockading squadron took up aposition within range, and threw solid shot into the felucca until shewas a complete wreck. Nor did the Tripolitan cavalry escape without ashot or two. But while the smaller vessels of the Mediterranean squadron wereenforcing the blockade before Tripoli, Commodore Preble, with theflag-ship and the larger vessels, was at Malta preparing for avigorous attack upon the city of the Bashaw itself. He had added tothe fleet he had brought with him from the United States twobomb-vessels and six gunboats. He had also added somewhat to thearmament of the "Constitution, " and now proposed to try the effectupon Tripoli of a vigorous bombardment. By the 21st of July, thecommodore was able to leave Malta with his fleet, fully prepared foractive hostilities. Tripoli was then defended by heavy batteries mounting a hundred andfifteen guns. In the harbor were moored nineteen gunboats, twogalleys, two schooners, and a brig. The available force under thecommand of the Bashaw numbered not less than twenty-five thousand men. It was no pygmy undertaking upon which the Americans had embarked. On the 31st of August, 1804, the first attack was made; and thoughonly a bombardment of the town had been contemplated, there followedone of the most desperate hand-to-hand naval battles recorded inhistory. It was a sultry midsummer day, and the white walls of the city ofTripoli glared under the fierce rays of a tropical sun. A light breezestirred the surface of the water, and made life on the ships bearable. Before this breeze the American squadron ran down towards the town. All preparations had been made for a spirited bombardment; and as theAmericans drew near the shore, they saw that the Tripolitans hadsuspected the attack, and had made ready for it. The attacking forces formed into two lines, with the regular navalvessels in the rear, and the gunboats and bomb-vessels in front. Asthe vessels in the van were to bear the brunt of the battle, they weremanned by picked crews from the larger vessels, and had for theirofficers the most daring spirits of the Mediterranean squadron. Athalf-past two the firing commenced, and soon from every vessel in theAmerican line shells and shot were being thrown into the city of theBashaw. The Tripolitan batteries returned the fire with vigor, andtheir gunboats pressed forward to drive the assailants back. At theapproach of the Tripolitan gunboats, the Americans diverted their aimfrom the city, and, loading with grape and canister, turned upontheir foes a murderous fire. Upon the eastern division of the enemy'sgunboats, nine in number, Decatur led the four boats under hiscommand. The advance of the enemy was checked; but still the Americanspressed on, until fairly within the smoke of the Tripolitans' guns. Here the boats were held in position by the brawny sailors at thesweeps, while the gunners poured grape and canister into the enemy. Fearfully were the Americans outnumbered. They could hope for no helpfrom their friends in the men-of-war in the rear. They were hemmed inon all sides by hostile gunboats, more strongly manned, and heavier inmetal, than they. They were outnumbered three to one; for gunboat No. 3, which had belonged to Decatur's division, had drawn out of thefight in obedience to a signal for recall, which had been displayed bymistake on the "Constitution. " Then Decatur displayed his desperatecourage. Signalling to his companions to close with their adversariesand board, he laid his vessel alongside the nearest gunboat; and in atrice every American of the crew was swarming over the enemy'sbulwarks. Taken by surprise, the Turks retreated. The gunboat wasdivided down the centre by a long, narrow hatchway; and as the Yankeescame tumbling over the bulwarks, the Turks retreated to the fartherside. This gave Decatur time to rally his men; and, dividing them intotwo parties, he sent one party around by the stern of the boat, whilehe led a party around the bow. The Turks were dazed by the suddennessof the attack, and cowed by the fearful effect of the Americans' lastvolley before boarding. Their captain lay dead, with fourteen bulletsin his body. Many of the officers were wounded, and all the survivorswere penned into a narrow space by the two parties of blue-jackets. The contest was short. Hampered by lack of room in which to wieldtheir weapons, the Turks were shot down or bayoneted. Many leaped overthe gunwale into the sea; many were thrown into the open hatchway; andthe remnant, throwing down their arms, pleaded piteously for quarter. Decatur had no time to exult in his victory. Hastily securing hisprisoners below decks, and making his prize fast to his own vessel, hebore down upon the Tripolitan next to leeward. While shaping his course for this vessel, Decatur was arrested by ahail from the gunboat which had been commanded by his brother James. He was told that his brother had gallantly engaged and captured aTripolitan gunboat, but that, on going aboard of her after her flaghad been struck, he had been shot down by the cowardly Turk who was incommand. The murderer then rallied his men, drove the Americans away, and carried his craft out of the battle. Decatur's grief for the death of his brother gave way, for the time, to his anger on account of the base treachery by which the victim methis death. Casting prudence to the winds, he turned his boat's prowtowards the gunboat of the murderer, and, urging on his rowers, soonlaid the enemy aboard. Cutlass in hand, Decatur was first on the deckof the enemy. Behind him followed close Lieut. Macdonough and nineblue-jackets. Nearly forty Turks were ready to receive the boarders. As the boarders came over the rail, they fired their pistols at theenemy, and then sprang down, cutlass in hand. The Turks outnumberedthem five to one; but the Americans rallied in a bunch, and dealtlusty blows right and left. At last, Decatur singled out a man whom hefelt sure was the commander, and the murderer of his brother. He was aman of gigantic frame; his head covered with a scarlet cap, his facehalf hidden by a bristly black beard. He was armed with a heavyboarding-pike, with which he made a fierce lunge at Decatur. TheAmerican parried the blow, and make a stroke at the pike, hoping tocut off its point. But the force of the blow injured the Tripolitan'sweapon not a whit, while Decatur's cutlass broke short off at thehilt. With a yell of triumph the Turk lunged again. Decatur threw uphis arm, and partially avoided the thrust; so that the pike piercedhis breast, but inflicted only a slight wound. Grappling the weapon, Decatur tore it from the wound, wrested it from the Turk, and made alunge at him, which he avoided. The combatants then clinched and fellto the deck, fiercely struggling for life and death. About them foughttheir followers, who strove to aid their respective commanders. Suddenly a Tripolitan officer, who had fought his way to a place abovethe heads of the two officers, aimed a blow at the head of Decatur. His victim was powerless to guard himself. One American sailor onlywas at hand. This was Reuben James, a young man whose desperatefighting had already cost him wounds in both arms, so that he couldnot lift a hand to save his commander. But, though thus desperatelywounded, James had yet one offering to lay before his captain, --hislife. And he showed himself willing to make this last and greatestsacrifice, by thrusting his head into the path of the descendingscimetar, and taking upon his own skull the blow intended for Decatur. The hero fell bleeding to the deck; a pistol-shot from an Americanended the career of the Turk, and Decatur was left to struggle withhis adversary upon the deck. But by this time the great strength of the Turkish captain wasbeginning to tell in the death-struggle. His right arm was claspedlike an iron band around the American captain, while with his lefthand he drew from his belt a short _yataghan_, which he was about toplunge into the throat of his foe. Decatur lay on his side, with hiseyes fixed upon the face of his foe. He saw the look of triumph flashin the eyes of the Turk; he saw the gleaming steel of the _yataghan_as it was drawn from its sheath. Mustering all his strength, hewrithed in the grasp of his burly foe. He wrested his left arm clear, and caught the Turk's wrist just as the fatal blow was falling; thenwith his right hand he drew from his pocket a small pistol. Pressingthis tightly against the back of his enemy, he fired. The ball passedthrough the body of the Turk, and lodged in Decatur's clothing. Amoment later the Tripolitan's hold relaxed, and he fell back dead;while Decatur, covered with his own blood and that of his foe, rose tohis feet, and stood amidst the pile of dead and wounded men that hadgathered during the struggle around the battling chiefs. The fall of their captain disheartened the Tripolitans, and theyspeedily threw down their arms. The prize was then towed out of theline of battle; and, as by this time the American gunboats weredrawing off, Decatur took his prizes into the shelter of theflag-ship. While Decatur had been thus engaged, the gunboats under his commandhad not been idle. Lieut. Trippe, in command of No. 6, had fought ahand-to-hand battle that equalled that of Decatur. Trippe's plan ofattack had been the same as that of his leader. Dashing at the enemy, he had let fly a round of grape and canister, then boarded in thesmoke and confusion. But his boat struck that of the enemy with suchforce as to recoil; and Trippe, who had sprung into the enemy'srigging, found himself left with but nine of his people, to confrontnearly twoscore Tripolitans. The Americans formed in a solid phalanx, and held their ground bravely. Again the two commanders singled eachother out, and a fierce combat ensued. The Turk was armed with acutlass, while Trippe fought with a short boarding-pike. They foughtwith caution, sparring and fencing, until each had received severalslight wounds. At last the Tripolitan struck Trippe a crushing blow onthe head. The American fell, half stunned, upon his knees; and at thismoment a second Tripolitan aimed a blow at him from behind, but waschecked and killed by an American marine. Rallying all his strength, Trippe made a fierce thrust at his adversary. This time the sharp pikefound its mark, and passed through the body of the Tripolitan captain, who fell to the deck. His men, seeing him fall, abandoned the contest, and the Americans were soon bearing away their prize in triumph. Butin the excitement of victory no one thought to haul down theTripolitan flag, which-still flaunted defiant at the end of the longlateen mast. So, when the prize came near the "Vixen, " the Americanman-of-war, mistaking her for an enemy, let fly a broadside, thatbrought down flag, mast and all. Luckily no one was hurt, and thebroadside was not repeated. But by this time the wind had veered round into an unfavorablequarter, and the flag-ship showed a signal for the discontinuance ofthe action. The gunboats and their prizes were taken in tow by theschooners and brigs, and towed out of range of the enemy's shot. Whilethis operation was going on, the "Constitution" kept up a rapid fireupon the shore batteries, and not until the last of the smaller craftwas out of range, did she turn to leave the fray. As she came about, ashot came in one of her stern-ports, struck a gun near which CommodorePreble was standing, broke to pieces, and scattered death and woundsabout. When the squadron had made an offing, Preble hoisted a signal for thecommanders to come aboard the flag-ship, and make their reports. Hewas sorely disappointed in the outcome of the fray, and littleinclined to recognize the conspicuous instances of individualgallantry shown by his officers. He had set his heart upon capturingthe entire fleet of nine Tripolitan gunboats, and the escape of six ofthem had roused his naturally irascible disposition to fury. As hestalked his quarter-deck, morose and silent, Decatur came aboard. Theyoung officer still wore the bloody, smoke-begrimed uniform in whichhe had grappled with the Turk, his face was begrimed with powder, hishands and breast covered with blood. As he walked to the quarter-deck, he was the centre of observation of all on the flag-ship. Stepping upto the commodore, he said quietly, -- "Well, commodore, I have brought you out three of the gunboats. " Preble turned upon him fiercely, seized him with both hands by thecollar, and shaking him like a schoolboy, snarled out, -- "Ay, sir, why did you not bring me more?" The blood rushed to Decatur's face. The insult was more than he couldbear. His hand sought his dagger, but the commodore had left thequarter-deck. Turning on his heel, the outraged officer walked to theside, and called his boat, determined to leave the ship at once. Butthe officers crowded about him, begging him to be calm, and remindinghim of the notoriously quick temper of the commodore. While theytalked, there came a cabin steward with a message. "The commodorewishes to see Capt. Decatur below. " Decatur hesitated a moment, thenobeyed. Some time passed, but he did not re-appear on deck. Theofficers became anxious, and at last, upon some pretext, one soughtthe commodore's cabin. There he found Preble and Decatur, sittingtogether, friendly, but both silent, and in tears. The apology hadbeen made and accepted. There is one humble actor in the first attack upon Tripoli, whom wecannot abandon without a word. This is Reuben James. That heroic youngsailor quickly recovered from the bad wound he received when heinterposed his own head to save his commander's life. One day Decaturcalled him aft, and publicly asked him what could be done to rewardhim for his unselfish heroism. The sailor was embarrassed andnonplussed. He rolled his quid of tobacco in his mouth, and scratchedhis head, without replying. His shipmates were eager with advice. "Double pay, Jack: the old man will refuse you nothing;" "aboatswain's berth;" "a pocket-full of money and shore leave, " wereamong the suggestions. But James put them aside. He had decided. "If you please, sir, " said he, "let somebody else hand out thehammocks to the men when they are piped down. That is a sort ofbusiness that I don't exactly like. " The boon was granted; and ever afterwards, when the crew was piped tostow away hammocks, Reuben James sauntered about the decks with hishands in his pockets, the very personification of elegant leisure. For modesty, the request of the preserver of Decatur is only equalledby that of the sailor who decided the battle between the "Bon HommeRichard" and the "Serapis. " He had stationed himself on the yard-arm, and was dropping hand-grenades upon the deck of the "Serapis. " At lasta well-aimed grenade set fire to some powder on the enemy's ship, andvirtually decided the day in favor of the Americans. When asked byPaul Jones what he would have as a reward for this great service, hesuggested double rations of grog for the next week as the properrecompense. This he got, and no more. But to return to the American fleet before Tripoli. Four days werespent in repairing damages, and on the 7th of August a second attackwas made upon the town. The disposition of the American forces wasmuch the same as on the occasion of the first attack, although theAmericans were re-enforced by the three captured gunboats. Thefighting was confined to long-range cannonading; for the enemy hadbeen taught a lesson, and was afraid to try conclusions hand to handwith the Americans. About three o'clock in the afternoon, a tremendousexplosion drew the gaze of every one to the spot where gunboat No. 8had been anchored. At first only a dense mass of smoke, with the watersurrounding it littered with wreckage, was to be seen. When the smokecleared away, the extent of the disaster was evident. The gunboat hadblown up. Her bow alone remained above water, and there a handful ofplucky men were loading the great twenty-six-pound cannon that formedher armament. Lieut. Spence commanded the gunners, and urged them on. "Now, lads, be lively, " he cried. "Let's get one shot at the Turksbefore we sink. " Every ship in the squadron was cheering the devoted crew of No. 8. From every vessel anxious eyes watched the men who thus risked theirlives for one shot. The water was rushing into the shattered hulk; andjust as Spence pulled the lanyard, and sent a cast-iron shot intoTripoli, the wreck gave a lurch, and went down. Her crew was leftstruggling in the water. Spence, who could not swim, saved himself byclinging to an oar, while his men struck out for the nearer vessels, and were soon receiving the congratulations of their comrades. In this attack, Richard Somers, a most courageous and capable officer, who a few weeks later met a tragic end, narrowly escaped death. He wasin command of gunboat No. 1, and while directing the attack stoodleaning against her flagstaff. He saw a shot flying in his direction. Involuntarily he ducked his head, and the next instant the flyingshot cut away the flagstaff just above him. When the action was over, Lieut. Somers stood by the pole, and found that the shot had cut it atthe exact height of his chin. After firing for about three hours, the American squadron drew off. Little had been accomplished, for the stone walls and fortresses ofTripoli were not to be damaged very greatly by marine artillery. TheAmericans themselves had suffered seriously. Their killed and woundedamounted to eighteen men. They had lost one gunboat by an explosion, and all the vessels had suffered somewhat from the Tripolitan fire. That night the Americans were gladdened by the arrival of the frigate"John Adams, " bringing letters and news from home. She brought alsothe information that re-enforcements were coming. Accordingly Prebledetermined to defer any further attack upon Tripoli until the arrivalof the expected vessels. In the mean time he had several interviewswith the Bashaw upon the subject of peace; but, as the Turk would notrelinquish his claim of five hundred dollars ransom for each captivein his hands, no settlement was reached. While waiting for the re-enforcements, Preble continued hispreparations for another attack. The ships were put into fightingtrim, munition hauled over, and repeated and thorough reconnoissancesof the enemy's works made. It was while on the latter duty, that thebrig "Argus" narrowly escaped destruction. With Preble on board, shestood into the harbor, and was just coming about before one of thebatteries, when a heavy shot raked her bottom, cutting several plankshalf through. Had the shot been an inch higher, it would have sunk thebrig. By the 24th of August, Preble's patience was exhausted; and, withoutwaiting longer for the expected squadron, he began an attack upon thetown. On the night of the 24th, a few shells were thrown into Tripoli, but did little damage. Four days later, a more determined attack wasmade, in which every vessel in the squadron took part. Two of theenemy's gunboats were sunk; but with this exception little materialdamage was done, though the Americans chose the most advantageouspositions, and fired fast and well. It was becoming evident thatmen-of-war were no match for stone walls. During this engagement, the American fleet came within range of theBashaw's palace, and the flying shot and shell drove that dignitaryand his suite to a bomb-proof dungeon. One heavy shot flew in at thewindow of the cell in which Capt. Bainbridge was confined, andstriking the wall, brought down stones and mortar upon him as he layin bed, so that he was seriously bruised. But the American captain wasin no way daunted, and the next day wrote in sympathetic ink toPreble, telling him to keep up his fire, for the Tripolitans weregreatly harassed by it. On Sept. 3, yet another attack upon the town and fortress was made. Asin the foregoing instances, nothing was accomplished except thethrowing of a vast quantity of shot and shell. Capt. Bainbridge, in asecret letter to Preble, reported, that of the shells he had seenfalling in the city very few exploded, and the damage done by them wastherefore very light. Preble investigated the matter, and found thatthe fuse-holes of many of the shells had been stopped with lead, sothat no fire could enter. The shells had been bought in Sicily, wherethey had been made to resist a threatened invasion by the French. Itis supposed that they had been thus ruined by French secret agents. But, before this time, Commodore Preble, and the officers under hiscommand, had about reached the conclusion that Tripoli could not bereduced by bombardment. Accordingly they cast about for some newmethod of attack. The plan that was finally adopted proved unfortunatein this instance, just as similar schemes for the reduction offortresses have prove futile throughout all history. Briefly stated, the plan was to send a fire-ship, or rather a floating mine, into theharbor, to explode before the walls of the fortress, and in the midstof the enemy's cruisers. The ketch "Intrepid, " which had carried Decatur and his daringfollowers out of the harbor of Tripoli, leaving the "Philadelphia"burning behind them, was still with the fleet. This vessel was chosen, and with all possible speed was converted into an "infernal, " orfloating mine. "A small room, or magazine, had been planked up in thehold of the ketch, just forward of her principal mast, " writesFenimore Cooper. "Communicating with this magazine was a trunk, ortube, that led aft to another room filled with combustibles. In theplanked room, or magazine, were placed one hundred barrels ofgunpowder in bulk; and on the deck, immediately above the powder, werelaid fifty thirteen-and-a-half-inch shells, and one hundred nine-inchshells, with a large quantity of shot, pieces of kentledge, andfragments of iron of different sorts. A train was laid in the trunk, or tube, and fuses were attached in the proper manner. In addition tothis arrangement, the other small room mentioned was filled withsplinters and light wood, which, besides firing the train, were tokeep the enemy from boarding, as the flames would be apt to inducethem to apprehend an immediate explosion. " Such was the engine of death prepared. The plan of operations wassimply to put a picked crew on this floating volcano, choose a darknight, take the "infernal" into the heart of the enemy's squadron, fire it, and let the crew escape in boats as best they might. The leadership of this desperate enterprise was intrusted to Lieut. Richard Somers. Indeed, it is probable that the idea itself originatedwith him, for a commanding officer would be little likely to assign asubordinate a duty so hazardous. Moreover, there existed betweenDecatur and Somers a generous rivalry. Each strove to surpass theother; and since Decatur's exploit with the "Philadelphia, " Somers hadbeen seeking an opportunity to win equal distinction. It is generallybelieved, that, having conceived the idea of the "infernal, " hesuggested it to Preble, and claimed for himself the right ofleadership. But ten men and one officer were to accompany Mr. Somers on hisperilous trip. Yet volunteers were numerous, and only by the mostinflexible decision could the importunate ones be kept back. Theofficer chosen was Lieut. Wadsworth of the "Constitution, " and the menwere chosen from that ship and from the "Nautilus. " As the time for carrying out the desperate enterprise drew near, Preble pointed out to the young commander the great danger of theaffair, and the responsibility that rested upon him. Particularly washe enjoined not to permit the powder in the ketch to fall into thehands of the Tripolitans, who at that time were short of ammunition. One day, while talking with Somers, Preble burned a port-fire, orslow-match, and, noting its time, asked Somers if he thought the boatscould get out of reach of the shells in the few minutes it wasburning. "I think we can, sir, " was the quiet response. Something in the speaker's tone aroused Preble's interest, and hesaid, -- "Would you like the port-fire shorter still?" "I ask no port-fire at all, " was the quiet reply. At last the day of the adventure was at hand. It was Sept. 4, the dayfollowing the last attack upon Tripoli. The sky was overcast andlowering, and gave promise of a dark night. Fully convinced that thetime for action was at hand, Somers called together the handful ofbrave fellows who were to follow him, and briefly addressed them. Hetold them he wished no man to go with him who did not prefer beingblown up to being captured. For his part, he would much prefer such afate, and he wished his followers to agree with him. For answer thebrave fellows gave three cheers, and crowded round him, each asking tobe selected to apply the match. Somers then passed among the officersand crew of the "Nautilus, " shaking hands, and bidding each farewell. There were few dry eyes in the ship that afternoon; for all lovedtheir young commander, and all knew how desperate was the enterprisein which he had embarked. It was after dusk when the devoted adventurers boarded thepowder-laden ketch, as she lay tossing at her anchorage. Shortly afterthey had taken possession, a boat came alongside with Decatur andLieut. Stewart in the stern-sheets. The officers greeted theircomrades with some emotion. They were all about of an age, followedone loved profession, and each had given proofs of his daring. Whenthe time came for them to part, the leave-taking was serious, buttranquil. Somers took from his finger a ring, and breaking it intofour pieces, gave one to each of his friends. Then with heartyhandshakings, and good wishes for success, Decatur and Stewart lefttheir friends. On the ketch was one man who had not been accepted as a volunteer. This was Lieut. Israel of the "Constitution, " who had smuggled himselfaboard. With this addition to his original force, Somers ordered sailmade, and the "Intrepid" turned her prow in the direction of theTripolitan batteries. As far as the harbor's mouth, she was accompanied by the "Argus, " the"Vixen, " and the "Nautilus. " There they left her, and she pursued herway alone. It was a calm, foggy night. A few stars could be seenglimmering through the haze, and a light breeze ruffled the water, andwafted the sloop gently along her course. From the three vessels thatwaited outside the harbor's mouth, eager watchers with night-glasseskept their gaze riveted upon the spectral form of the ketch, as sheslowly receded from their sight. Fainter and fainter grew the outlineof her sails, until at last they were lost to sight altogether. Thenfitful flashes from the enemy's batteries, and the harsh thunder ofthe cannon, told that she had been sighted by the foe. The anxiouswatchers paced their decks with bated breath. Though no enemy was nearto hear them, they spoke in whispers. The shadow of a great awe, theweight of some great calamity, seemed crushing them. "What was that?" All started at the abrupt exclamation. Through the haze a glimmeringlight had been seen to move rapidly along the surface of the water, asthough a lantern were being carried along a deck. Suddenly itdisappeared, as though dropped down a hatchway. A few secondspassed, --seconds that seemed like hours. Then there shot up into thesky a dazzling jet of fire. A roar like that of a huge volcano shookearth and sea. The vessels trembled at their moorings. The concussionof the air threw men upon the decks. Then the mast of the ketch, withits sail blazing, was seen to rise straight into the air, and fallback. Bombs with burning fuses flew in every direction. The distantsound of heavy bodies falling into the water and on the rocks washeard. Then all was still. Even the Tripolitan batteries were silent. For a moment a great sorrow fell upon the Americans. Then came thethought that Somers and his brave men might have left the ketch beforethe explosion. All listened for approaching oars. Minutes lengthenedinto hours, and still no sound was heard. Men hung from the sides ofthe vessels, with their ears to the water, in the hopes of catchingthe sound of the coming boats. But all was in vain. Day broke; theshattered wreck of the "Intrepid" could be seen within the harbor, andnear it two injured Tripolitan gunboats. But of Somers and his bravefollowers no trace could be seen, nor were they ever again beheld bytheir companions. To Capt. Bainbridge in his prison-cell came a Tripolitan officer, several days later, asking him to go to a point of rocks, and viewsome bodies thrown there by the waves. Thither Bainbridge went, andwas shown several bodies shockingly mutilated and burned. Though theywere doubtless the remains of some of the gallant adventurers, theycould not be identified. The exact reason for this disaster can never be known. Many havethought that Somers saw capture inevitable, and with his own handfired the fatal charge; others believed the explosion to be purelyaccidental; while the last and most plausible theory is, that a shotfrom the enemy's batteries penetrated the magazine, and ended thecareer of the "Intrepid" and her gallant crew. But however vexed thecontroversy over the cause of the explosion, there has been no denialof the gallantry of its victims. The names of all are honored in navalannals, while that of Somers became a battle-cry, and has been borneby some of the most dashing vessels of the United States navy. It may be said that this episode terminated the war with Tripoli. Thereafter it was but a series of blockades and diplomaticnegotiations. Commodore Barron relieved Preble, and maintained theblockade, without any offensive operations, until peace was signed inJune, 1805. The conditions of that peace cannot be too harshlycriticised. By it the United States paid sixty thousand dollars forAmerican prisoners in the hands of the Bashaw, thus yielding todemands for ransom which no civilized nation should for a moment haveconsidered. The concession was all the more unnecessary, because anative force of insurrectionists, re-enforced by a few Americans, wasmarching upon Tripoli from the rear, and would have soon brought theBashaw to terms. But it was not the part of the navy to negotiate thetreaty. That rested with the civilians. The duty of the blue-jacketshad been to fight for their country's honor; and that they haddischarged this duty well, no reader of these pages can deny. PART II BLUE-JACKETS OF 1812. CHAPTER I. THE GATHERING OF THE WAR-CLOUD. -- THE REVOLUTION ENDED, BUT THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE YET UNFOUGHT. -- OUTRAGES UPON AMERICAN SAILORS. -- THE RIGHT OF SEARCH. -- IMPRESSMENT. -- BOYHOOD OF COMMODORE PORTER. -- EARLY DAYS OF COMMODORES PERRY AND BARNEY. -- BURNING A PRIVATEER. -- THE EMBARGO. -- WAR INEVITABLE. On a bright November afternoon in the year 1783, the streets of NewYork City, bordering on the bay, were crowded with excited people, pushing and elbowing each other rudely, and all pressing down to thewater-side, where was collected a huge crowd, looking anxiously acrossthe broad waters of the noble bay, to a spot where lay anchored alarge squadron of ships. The taut cordage, the trimly squared yards, and the rows of cannon protruding from the open ports made it evidentto the veriest landsman that many of the ships were men-of-war; whilethe scarlet flags crossed by the emblem of St. George, flaunting fromthe peak of every vessel, declared the allegiance of the fleet to themonarch of Great Britain, against whose rule the hardy Colonists hadbeen for years waging a warfare, now to end in victory. Between theships and the landing-place of old Fort George, that then stood wherenow extends the green sward of the Battery park, a fleet of long-boatswas actively plying; the long, swinging strokes of the blue-cladsailors stamping them as men-o'-war's men beyond doubt. Thelanding-place was thronged with troops, whose glistening muskets, scarlet coats, gold trimmings, and waving plumes contrastedbeautifully with the bright blue jackets of the sailors, as file afterfile of the soldiers boarded the boats, and were rowed away to thewaiting ships. The troops drawn up on the shore formed long lines ofscarlet against the green background of the bastions of Fort George. The men standing at rest talked loudly to each other of the comingvoyage, and now and again shouted fiercely at some soberly cladcitizen who strolled too near the warlike ranks; for had not all thesturdy citizens of New York come down to see the hated Britishevacuate the city, forced out by the troops of Gen. Washington (plain_Mr. _ Washington, the British liked to call him)? The ragged gaminsscurried here and there, yelling ribald jests at the departingsoldiers; and the scarlet-coated troopers had hard work keeping downtheir rising anger, as suggestive cries of "boiled lobsters" rose onevery side. Even the staid citizens could hardly conceal theirexultation, as they thought that with those soldiers departed foreverthe rule of Great Britain over the Colonies. It was a quaint-lookingcrowd that had gathered that day, at the end of the little town. Thesturdy mechanics and laborers, who were most numerous, were dressed intight leather or yellow buckskin breeches, checked shirts, and flamingred flannel jackets. Their heads were covered with rusty felt hats, cocked up at the sides into a triangular shape, and decorated withfeathers or bright buckles. On their feet were heavy leathern shoes, fastened with huge brass buckles that covered the entire instep. Hereand there in the crowd stood a prosperous merchant or man of fashion, whose garb, if less rough than that of his humbler fellow-citizen, wasno less odd and picturesque. At first sight, an observer might thinkthat all the men of New York were white-haired; but a closerexamination would show that the natural color of the hair was hid bydense layers of white powder. The hair was done up in a short cue tiedby black ribbons, and on top of all rested a three-cornered cockedhat, heavily laced with gold or silver braid. The coat waslight-colored, with a profusion of silver buttons, stamped with thewearer's monogram, decorating the front. Over the shoulders hung ashort cape. The knee-breeches, marvellously tight, ended at the topsof gaudy striped stockings, which in turn disappeared in the recessesof pointed shoes adorned with gleaming buckles. The broad cuffs of thecoat-sleeves were heavily laden with lead, to keep them in properposition. [Illustration: Derelict. ] Such were the characteristics of the crowd that had assembled that dayto witness the closing scene of British domination in America. Even asthey stood there, they heard, faintly rising on the autumnal air, thesound of the fife and drum, as the American troops came marching downinto the city, from their camp at the upper end of the island. And, asthe last boat-load of grenadiers pushes off from the shore, the crowd, no longer restrained by the glittering bayonets, rushes down to thewater's edge, and hurls taunts and gibes after the retreating boats, until the grizzled old soldiers curse the "Yankee rebels" fiercely, under their mustaches, and beg the officers to give them a volley. Now the advance guard of the little American army, with fifesshrilling out the notes of "Yankee Doodle, " comes marching down to thefort. No gay trappings, scarlet or gold lace about these soldiers, butragged suits of homespun and homely flint-lock muskets, whose barrelsare better burnished within than without. They march quickly to thewater-front, and halt. The captain looks at the British squadron, nowgetting under way, and then, with true soldierly instinct, flashes aglance to the top of the flagstaff in the centre of the fort. His browcontracts, he stamps his foot, and the soldiers and citizens who havefollowed his glance break out into a cry of rage that rings far outover the placid waters of the bay, and makes the tough old Britishveterans chuckle grimly over the success of their little joke upon theYankees; for there, high above the heads of the wrathful crowd, flaunting its scarlet folds over the roofs of the liberated city, floats proudly the BRITISH FLAG. "Tear it down!" The cry rises hoarsely from a thousand throats; andthe Colonial officer springs with glittering sword to cut thehalliards, but finds them cut away already, and the flag nailed to themast. Then a trim sailor-boy works his way through the crowd, and, grasping the pole firmly, attempts to climb up, but soon slides downingloriously over the greasy surface, freshly slushed by the Britishbefore their departure. The crowd yells in wrathful impotence; and afew hot-headed youths spring forward, axe in hand, to bring down poleand all to the earth. But the firm hand of the commanding officerrestrains them. He whispers a few words into their ears; and theystart briskly away, followed by a dozen or two of the steadily growingcrowd. "Gen. Washington will be here soon, " says the captain; "we must getthat rag down at once. " [Illustration: Cutting Away The Flag. ] In a few minutes the messengers return. They have been to aneighboring hardware store, and startled the gray-haired old merchantso that he stared vaguely at them through his spectacles, as theyfiercely demanded hammers, nails, and wooden cleats. Loaded withthese, they dash back to the scene of action; and again the sailor-boybecomes the hero of the moment. With his pockets filled with cleats, and his mouth stuffed with nails, he begins again his ascent of theslippery staff. He nails cleat after cleat upon the pole, and step bystep mounts toward the top. At last he reaches the flag; and, with afew quick jerks, it is torn from the pole, and thrown contemptuouslyout into the air, to float down upon the crowd, and be torn to piecesby curiosity seekers. Then the halliards are lowered, and soon theflag of the young and struggling nation floats in the cool breeze;while from the neighboring heights the cannon of the forts speak indeep-mouthed salvos of applause, that mingle with the rejoicings ofthe people, and do not cease until the ships of the enemy have passedthrough the Narrows, and are out of sight and hearing. The British hadevacuated New York, and America had won her independence. Not many years, however, had passed after this memorable event, whenthe citizens not only of New York, but the people of all the UnitedStates, began to find out that America had not won her trueindependence, but merely a slight relief from the oppressions of GreatBritain. Already the nations of Europe were beginning to encroach uponthe rights and liberties of the infant nation. For this the Stateswere themselves greatly to blame. Nobly as they had fought in unisonto throw off the yoke of Great Britain, they fell into strife amongthemselves as soon as the war was at an end, and by their quarrels andbickerings led all the European nations to believe that thecontentious Colonies, like the Kilkenny cats, would end by destroyingeach other. Such a nation could command little respect, and thestronger powers were not slow to show their contempt for the UnitedStates. American vessels, coming back to port, would report that aBritish ship-of-war had halted them in mid-ocean, and seized Americansailors as suspected British deserters. Other American ships, sailingfull of hope from American ports, would never re-appear, and theirfate would be a mystery, until, after many months, some sailorwandering home told of his ship's capture by a French privateer orTripolitan war vessel. For years a debasing tribute was paid to theBashaw of Tripoli, upon condition of his granting to American shipsthe privileges of the sea, that are the undoubted rights of everynation; yet even this compact was more often ignored than observed. Small wonder was it that the sage old statesman, Benjamin Franklin, onhearing a young man speak of the "glorious war for independence, "responded gravely, "Say rather the war of the revolution: the war forindependence is yet to be fought. " In the year 1789, the States, after much debate and bickering, finallyratified the document known as the Constitution of the United States. While the work of the American Revolution was thus being completed, and a new nation was being formed, events were transpiring on theother side of the Atlantic that were destined to affect gravely thegrowth of the new nation. The oppressed peasantry and laborers ofFrance, smarting under the wrongs of centuries, rose in a mighty wave, and swept away the nobles, their masters. The royal head of King Louisfell a prey to the remorseless spirit of the guillotine, and the reignof terror in Paris began. Soon the roll of the drum was heard in everyEuropean city, and the armies of every nation were on the march forFrance. England was foremost in the fray; and the people of the UnitedStates, seeing their old enemy at war with the country of Lafayette, fired by generous enthusiasm, were ready to rush to the aid of theirold ally. But the wise prudence of their rulers restrained them; andfor the next twenty years the United States were neutrals, while allthe nations of Europe were plunged in war. The first effect of this condition of affairs was most beneficial. Asneutrals, the ships of the United States could trade with all thebattling peoples; while any vessel flying a European flag was sure tofind an enemy somewhere on the broad seas, and suffer confiscation. While France was giving her farmers and mechanics to follow in theglorious footsteps of Napoleon, the industrious citizens of the UnitedStates were reaping a rich reward in trade with the warring nation. The farmers received the highest prices for their grain, the ingeniousmechanics of New England reaped fortunes from the sale of their wares, and the shipyards were filled to their greatest capacity with thegraceful frames of fast clipper vessels destined for the trade withEurope. In 1780 the shipping of the United States was confined to afew coasting-vessels, and the American flag was seldom seen beyond theAtlantic. Fifteen years later, the white sails of American shipsdotted every sea, and but few European ports did not show some trimclipper floating in the harbor, bearing at her peak the stars andstripes. From Maine to Georgia the people were building ships, and manningthem. The vast forests resounded with the strokes of the woodman'saxe, getting out the timber; and the seaport towns were given over toship-wrights, who worked day and night at their craft. In New Englandthere sprung up a race of hardy seamen. Boys of twelve or fourteen ranaway to sea, made a coasting voyage or two, and, after a voyage tosome European port, became captains of ocean-going ships, --oftenbefore they were twenty years of age. The people of the coastwisetowns of New England can tell of hundreds of such cases. There was"Nat" Palmer of Stonington, who shipped when a boy of fourteen, and, after four years' coasting, was made second mate of the brig"Herselias, " bound around Cape Horn, for seals. On his first voyagethe young mate distinguished himself by discovering the South ShetlandIslands, guided by the vague hints of a rival sealer, who knew of theislands, and wished them preserved for his own trade, as the sealsswarm there by the hundred thousands. The discovery of these islands, and the cargo of ten thousand skins brought home by the "Herselias, "made young Palmer famous; and, at the age of twenty, he was put incommand of a sloop, and sent to the South Seas again. One day he foundhis passage in the desired direction blocked by two long islands, witha narrow opening between them. To go around the islands would havebeen a long voyage; and the young captain headed his craft for theopening, but soon found himself on the rocks. Luckily, the vesselbacked off, and the crew set about repairing damages. While thusengaged, the great, blunt head of a whale was seen in the narrowchannel; and, after blowing a column of water high in the air, themonster swam lazily through the strait. "If a whale can go throughthat channel, I can, " quoth "Cap'n Nat. " And he forthwith did so. Quick of observation, and prompt of action, the sailors of the UnitedStates became the foremost seamen of the world, and guided theirlittle vessels over every known sea. But the growing commerce of the United States was destined to meet aseries of checks, that seemed for a time likely to destroy it forever. England, jealous of the encroachments of the Americans upon the broadseas of which she had long called herself the mistress, began a seriesof outrages upon American ships, and, not content with acting in openhostility, incited the piratical rulers of Tripoli and Algiers to makewar upon American shipping. In this volume it is not my purpose totell of the means adopted by England to let the swarming ships of theBarbary pirates out of the Mediterranean Sea, to prey upon the vesselsof the United States; nor do I intend to tell how, after peacefularguments had been exhausted, Decatur and Preble, with a fleet ofAmerican vessels and a handful of fighting jack-tars, crossed theocean, and thrashed the pirates of the Mediterranean into subjection. That may well be left for future consideration, and this chapterdevoted to a history of the acts of insolence and oppression on thepart of England, that finally forced the United States to declare waragainst a power so vastly superior to them in wealth, population, andmilitary and naval strength. The first great and crying outrage, protested against by thestatesmen, the newspapers, and the people of the United States, wasthe so-called right of search. By this was meant the right claimed byevery British man-of-war to stop an American vessel on the high seas, muster her crew on the forecastle, and seize and carry away any sailorthought to be a native of Great Britain. This outrageous act wascommitted time and time again by the commanders of British frigates, who knew no easier way of filling up a short-handed crew than bystopping some passing vessel flying the stars and stripes, and takingfrom her the best-looking sailors of her crew. Hardly a week passedwithout the arrival of a ship at New York, New London, or any of theshipping towns of New England, bringing some such tale. Themerchant-vessel, skimming lightly over the ocean, at peace with allthe world, and with nothing to fear save the terrors of the storms, against which the sturdy mariners knew so well how to guard, would besuddenly halted by a shot from a frigate of a nation with whom theUnited States had no quarrel. A hail from the frigate told theAmerican to come up into the wind, while a boat was sent aboard. Soona long-boat filled with man-o'-war's men, and with a beardless youngmidshipman in the stern-sheets, came dancing over the water; and in aminute or two a lieutenant, the middy, and a few sailors clamberedaboard the wondering merchantman. There was small ceremony about theproceedings then. "Muster your men aft, " quoth the middy peremptorily; "and you'd betterbe quick about it, too. " Perhaps the American captain protested, --they generally did, --andtalked about the peace between the nations, and the protection of hisflag; but his talk was usually of little avail. "Get those man aft, and be quick about it, " orders the Britishofficer. "You've got deserters from his Majesty's service in yourcrew; and I'll have them. Do you want me to send the boat back for themarines?" The American crew came aft unwillingly, grumbling, and cursing hisMajesty's service under their breath, and formed a line before theboarding officer. That worthy whispered a minute or two with theboatswain and sailors who came aboard with him, and then, pointing outone man, boldly claimed him as a British subject. American captainsdeclared that the man so chosen was generally the most ship-shapesailor aboard; and indeed it seemed but natural that the English, infilling out their crew, should choose the best. Sometimes the Americancaptain went on board the British ship, to protest against so summarya draft upon his crew. In such a case he was usually received withcourtesy by the commander, but never did he regain his kidnappedsailors. The commander trusted in every thing to his first lieutenant, who boarded the merchantman; and that officer was thus made, in thewords of an English journalist, "at once accuser, witness, judge, andcaptor. " The men thus pressed were expected to serve with all the zeal andbravery of regularly enlisted sailors. The slightest sign ofhesitation or unwillingness was met with blows. A pressed man whorefused to serve was triced up, and lashed with the cat-o'-nine tailsuntil his back was cut to ribbons, and the blood spurted at everyblow. Few cared to endure such punishment twice. Yet the sailors takenfrom the American ships lost no opportunity for showing their desireto get out of the service into which they had been kidnapped. Desertions from ships lying near the coast were of weekly occurrence, although recaptured deserters were hanged summarily at the yard-arm. Sailors who found no chance to desert made piteous appeals to theAmerican consuls in the ports at which they stopped, or wrote lettersto their friends at home, begging that something should be done torelease them from their enforced service. It was not the severity ofman-o'-war discipline that so troubled the poor fellows; many of themwere old man-o'-war's men, and all would have been glad of berths inthe United States navy; but the sight of the red flag of Great Britainwaving above their heads, and the thought that they were serving anation with which their country had just fought a bloody war, wereintolerable. One "pressed man, " on a British ship lying in the West Indies, managedto write the following letter to a newspaper editor in New York, and, after much planning, succeeded in mailing it. Port Royal, Jamaica, June 30, 1811. Mr. Snowden, --I hope you will be so good as to publish these few lines. I, Edwin Bouldin, was impressed out of the barque "Columbus" of Elizabeth City, and was carried on board his Britannic Majesty's brig "Rhodian, " in Montego Bay, commanded by Capt. Mowbary. He told me my protection was of no consequence, and he would have me whether or not. I was born in Baltimore, and served my time with Messrs. Smith & Buchanan. I hope my friends will do something for me to get my clearance; for I do not like to serve any other country but my own, which I am willing to serve. I am now captain of the forecastle, and stationed captain of a gun in the waist. I am treated very ill, because I will not enter. They request of me to go on board my country's ships to list men, which I refused to do, and was threatened to be punished for it. I remain a true citizen of the United States EDWIN BOULDIN. Pathetic letters such as this appear often in the columns of thenewspapers published in the early part of this century; and areusually accompanied by petitions from the relatives and friends of thepressed man, begging that Congress take some action to secure Americansailors from such outrages. But year after year the practice went on, and higher and higher grew the enmity between England and the UnitedStates. Among the sailors who suffered impressment at the hands of theBritish were many who afterward in the naval battles of the ensuingwar won ample revenge from the nation that had so abused theirliberties. Most prominent of all these men was David Porter, who, from the humblestation of a cabin boy on his father's ship in 1796, rose in twentyyears to be commodore in the United States navy. The name of Porter isone famous in the naval annals of the United States; and probablythere never existed a family in which the love for the life of afighting jack-tar was so strong as among these representative Americansailors. David Porter, sen. , and Samuel Porter served the AmericanColonies dashingly upon the sea in the Revolution. Of David Porter, jun. , we shall have much to say in this volume. Of his children theeldest, William D. , rose to the post of commodore, United States navy, and died of wounds received in the civil war; Henry O. Porter wasfirst lieutenant of the "Hatteras" when she sunk before the fire ofthe Confederate ship "Alabama;" Thomas Porter served in the Mexicannavy; Hambleton Porter died of yellow-fever while a midshipman in theUnited States navy; Lieut. Theodoric Porter, U. S. A. , was the firstofficer killed in the Mexican war; and Admiral David D. Porter, U. S. N. , by virtue of his exploits on blue water and in the ditches andbayous back of Vicksburg during the civil war, now stands at the headof living naval officers. But to return to David Porter. He was sixteen years old, when, in1796, his father, having obtained command of a vessel in the WestIndia trade, determined to take the lad to sea, that he might learnthe profession of his ancestors. It was hardly a favorable time toinspire an independent boy with admiration for the life of an Americanmerchant sailor. The United States had no navy to protect its merchantships; and the British cruisers that scoured the ocean felt littlehesitation about boarding the ships of the infant nation, andkidnapping such sailors as they might desire. Of this young Portersoon had evidence. While his ship, the "Eliza, " was lying in the portof Jeremie in San Domingo, a British frigate came into the harbor, anddropped anchor near by. One morning the lookout on the "Eliza" saw aboat, manned by armed men, put off from the frigate, and steer for theAmerican merchantman. The movement was quickly reported to Capt. Porter, who was too old a seaman not to know what it portended, andtoo plucky an American to submit willingly to any indignity. Hispreparations were quickly made; and by the time the frigate's boatcame alongside, the crew of the "Eliza" were armed and ready to rushto the deck at the first alarm. Capt. Porter with his officers andson stood on the quarter-deck, and awaited with great dignity thearrival of the boat. Soon the British came alongside; and an officerin the stern-sheets announced that he was about to board the "Eliza, "and demanded to search the vessels for deserters from the Britishservice. Capt. Porter replied that his was an American ship, and the Britishmight board at their peril; for he was armed, and would resist theboarders to the last extremity. A great laugh went up from the boatalongside. A Yankee merchantman to resist British sailors, indeed! Andthe officer, without more ado, ordered his men to board. Hardly hadthe order passed his lips, than Porter's clear voice rang out, "Repelboarders!" and the crew of the "Eliza, " armed with pikes and muskets, rushed upon their assailants, and drove them into the sea. YoungPorter was not behindhand in the fight, but lent his boyish aid tothe vindication of American sailors' rights. One man was shot down byhis side; and Porter received his first baptism of blood in thisencounter, which thus early rooted in his mind a detestation for thearrogance of the British, and a determination to devote his life tothe cause of his seafaring countrymen. On his second voyage, a year later, young Porter was destined toexperience still further the hardships and ignominy which Americansailors only too often encountered at the hands of the British. Onceagain the boy, now a first officer, was walking the deck of his vesselin a San Domingo port, when a boat's-crew from a British frigate cameon board on the usual errand of impressment. This time the sturdy, independent spirit of the elder Porter was absent; and the captain ofthe American vessel basely permitted a portion of his crew, among whomwas Porter, to be carried aboard the frigate, where they were to bekept until they agreed to enlist. Loaded with irons, they were thrustinto "the brig, " or guard-room of the frigate; but, though the caseseemed hopeless, Porter gallantly refused to enter the king's service, and ceaselessly exhorted his comrades to stand firm against thecommands of the British. Days passed, and still the frigate's crew wasin no wise increased from among the obstinate Americans. The Britishcaptain lost patience, and commanded that all the prisoners be broughtout on deck, triced up, and publicly flogged with the cat-of-ninetails, for "the bad example they set the crew of his Majesty's ship. "The order was duly put into execution. The prisoners, still ironed, were brought up under a heavy guard, and taken to the gratings; butwhen young Porter reached the deck, and saw the ignominious punishmentin store for him, he fought desperately with his guards, and, finallybreaking away, ran below, and hid in some corner of the hold, fromwhich the most careful search failed to dislodge him. The captainfinally gave orders to leave him alone, saying, "He'll come out fastenough when he gets hungry. " But the lad did not wait for hunger todrive him from his hiding-place. That very night he came from thehold, crawled stealthily across the deck, and dropped into the water, regardless of the sharks that abound in those tropic seas. A shortswim took him to a Danish vessel, by which he was carried across theAtlantic. Only after many months of voyaging as a common sailor didthe lad succeed in working his way back to his home. Even this experience could not deter the young seaman from againseeking employment upon the billowy main, and for the third time heshipped upon an American merchantman. Again his course lay toward theWest Indies, and again he was intercepted by the inevitableman-of-war. This time he was not so fortunate as to escape until aftera month or more of captivity, during which time he was treated withthe greatest cruelty on account of his persistent refusal to serveunder any flag save that of his own country. At last he made hisescape, and reached home. By this time he was naturally somewhatdisgusted with the life of a sailor on an American merchant-vessel;and he cast about for an appointment to the navy, which he soonreceived. It is impossible to doubt that his three adventures with theBritish press-gang had much to do with the ardor and bravery withwhich in later days the young sailor, then elevated to the highestranks, did battle with the enemies of his country. When, at the closeof the War of 1812, the veteran naval officer looked back upon hisrecord during that conflict, he could point to one captured Britishman-of-war and scores of captured British merchantmen as the measureof his retaliation for the wrongs done him as a defenceless Americansailor-boy. Oliver Hazard Perry, of whose famous victory over the British on LakeErie we shall speak later, also was brought into conflict with theBritish in the days of the "right of search. " His father, ChristopherRaymond Perry, in command of the United States ship "Gen. Greene, " wasescorting an American brig freighted with a valuable cargo. NearGibraltar they were sighted by a British man-of-war, which bore downquickly upon the two ships. Perry was an old and cautious navalofficer; and, though peace reigned between his country and GreatBritain, he no sooner saw an armed vessel approaching, than he put hisvessel in trim for action, and sent the crew to the guns. Nearer andnearer came the great English man-o'-war; and, as she came withinrange, a puff of smoke burst from her bow-port, and a ball skippedalong the water before Perry's unarmed convoy, conveying a forcibleinvitation to heave to. Perry at once made signal to his convoy to payno regard to the Englishman; and, setting the American flag, the twoships continued on their way. But at this moment the breeze died away, and all three ships lay becalmed within easy range of each other. TheBritish captain was not slow to take advantage of this; and a boatsoon put off from his ship, and made for the American brig. This movePerry promptly checked by a shot from the "Gen. Greene, " which sonarrowly missed the boat that the crew thought it well to runalongside the American man-o'-war, and arrange the matter peaceably. As the boat came alongside the "Gen. Greene, " the gangway was manned, and the British officer escorted with the greatest formality toPerry's presence. He at once stated his purpose in attempting to board the merchantman;claiming that, by virtue of the right of search, he was entitled tovisit the brig, and examine into the nationality of her crew. "I deny the existence of any right, on the part of British vessels, tosearch any American vessel, except with the consent of the Americancommander, " responded Perry; "and my shot was intended to warn youthat you had received no such permission. " By this time the British vessel had come within hailing distance ofthe "Gen. Greene;" and the captain demanded why his boat had beenfired upon, and was now detained. Perry responded in the same wordswith which he had answered the boarding-officer. "It's a most surprising thing, " shouted the Englishman, losing histemper, "if a British seventy-four-gun ship cannot search a pitifullittle Yankee merchantman. " "By Heaven!" responded Perry. "If you were a ship of the first rate, you should not do it, to the dishonor of my flag. " And in an instantthe ports of the "Gen. Greene" were triced up, and the British captainsaw that his adversary was prepared for battle. After a moment'sthought, he abandoned all attempts at violence, and sent a courteousletter to Perry, begging leave to visit the brig in search of Britishdeserters, which request Perry as courteously granted. To this list of American seamen who suffered indignities at the handsof the British, and afterwards won reparation from their enemies inthe War of 1812, may be added the name of Joshua Barney. Few Americanshave given to their country a longer service or more efficient aidthan he. In the little Colonial navy of the Revolution, he held highrank, and won the plaudits of older sailors. At the close of theRevolution, he served for a time in the merchant-marine; then enteredthe naval service of France, and, at the first news of war betweenEngland and America, returned to his country, to enlist under thestars and stripes. It was while he was in command of a merchantmanthat he was brought into collision with the British in a way that wellmight make the doughty old sea-dog doubt if the Revolutionary days, when he suffered in the noisome confines of Mill Prison, had not comeagain. It was in the summer of 1793, that the good ship "Sampson, " two daysout from Cape François, West Indies, was slowly making her waynorthward, over the tropic seas, and under the glaring rays of thesummer sun of the torrid zone. Capt. Barney and his crew were ever onthe watch for danger; for, in addition to the hurricanes and typhoonscommon to the equatorial latitudes, much was to be feared from thelawless British privateers that then swarmed in the West Indies andBermudas. That the "Sampson" was under the flag of a neutral power, was but little protection; for the commanders of the semi-piraticalcraft cared little for international law or for justice. War wasraging between France and England; and a mere suspicion of trafficwith French colonies was enough, in the eyes of these worthies, tocondemn a vessel of any nationality. Knowing his danger, Capt. Barney strove to avoid the localitiesfrequented by the privateers, but to no avail. One bright morning, thelookout reported three sail in sight from the masthead, and in a fewhours Barney found himself hemmed in by privateers. Three officersboarded him, and began a rigid examination of the cargo and papers. Two finally expressed themselves as satisfied of the neutral characterof the vessel; but the third exclaimed that he had discovered in thecabin an iron chest, full of money, which surely proved that the"Sampson" had something to do with the French, for "no blasted Yankeeever had iron chests or dollars on board his vessel!" Such conclusiveproof as this could not be overlooked by the sapient privateers; and, after a little consultation, they informed Capt. Barney that theywould let the ship go, if the money were given to them. As it amountedto eighteen thousand dollars, Capt. Barney looked upon this demand asnothing short of robbery, and indignantly refused to consider it;whereupon his captors took from the "Sampson" all her crew except thecarpenter, boatswain, and cook, sent a prize-crew aboard, and orderedthat she be taken to New Providence, a British naval station. Theprivateers were soon hull down on the horizon; and Barney foundhimself a prisoner on his own ship, exposed to ceaseless insolencefrom the British prize-master. [Illustration: Commodore Perry. ] Several days passed, as the "Sampson" lay becalmed in the tropics. Barney, though too old a sailor to be cast down by misfortune, nevertheless chafed under his situation. From prize-master andprize-crew he received nothing but scurrilous epithets; and theoft-repeated murmurs of "Rebel rascal!" "Yankee traitor!" "Blow outhis brains!" and "Throw him overboard!" made it hard for him tobelieve the Revolution over, and the United States and England atpeace. Even while they thus abused the captain, the rogues werefeasting upon his provisions and drinking his wines; and only his firmrefusal to give up his keys prevented their rifling his iron chest, and filling their pockets with his dollars. At last he began to feelthat his life was no longer safe in the hands of his captors; and, though he had by him but three men of his original crew, he determinedto attempt to recapture the ship. One evening the captain managed to catch a few minutes' conversationwith the carpenter and boatswain of his own crew, and broached to themthe project for a recapture. No argument was needed to induce thesebold men to embark in the perilous enterprise. Indeed, from the verymoment of the capture, they must have cherished some such purpose; foreach had hidden away in his bunk a gun and bayonet. Barney, on hispart, had secreted a small brass blunderbuss and a broad-sword; andwith this meagre armament the three determined to take the ship fromits captors. The success of the project then depended upon a favorable opportunity, and the three conspirators watched eagerly for the decisive moment toarrive. At last there came a day so squally that all the prize-crewwere kept busy with the sails all the morning. Much exhausted, thesailors sat down to their dinner on the forecastle at noon, while thethree British officers spread their mess amidships. Barney saw thatthe moment had arrived; and, giving the signal to his men, theplotters went below for their weapons. Barney was the first tore-appear, --the blunderbuss, loaded and cocked, in his hand, and thenaked cutlass under his arm. Hardly had he stepped on deck when one ofthe officers saw him, and, throwing down dishes and dinner, sprang atthe American and grappled with him. Barney struggled violently, andsoon managing to get the blunderbuss against his enemy's shoulder, fired it, filling the wretch's arm and side with buckshot. Freed fromhis adversary, the gallant captain cut down with a blow of hiscutlass the second prize officer, who was advancing upon him; and thethird, seeing his two companions lying, drenched with blood, upon thedeck, ran below. In the mean time the crew, startled from their dinnerby the report of the blunderbuss, had rushed below for their weapons;but the last man had hardly dived down the hatchway when the wilycarpenter and boatswain rushed forward, clapped on the hatches, and ina trice had the British sailors nicely cooped up in the forecastle. The two wounded officers were quickly cared for, and the unhurtfugitive secured; and Barney found himself again in control of theship. The victors then held a consultation as to their future action. Theycontrolled the ship, it was true; but what were three men to do with afull-rigged ship on the stormy Atlantic? Clearly they must get aidfrom their captives, or all might go to the bottom together. Accordingly the three, with loaded weapons, went forward, and standingat the hatchway, proposed terms to the imprisoned sailors below. Capt. Barney acted as spokesman. "You shall be released from confinement, " cried he to the captives, "and may now come on deck one at a time, each one bringing his weaponswith him. " The hatches were then thrown back, and the carpenter and boatswainstood with cutlasses and muskets ready to cut down the first whoshould make an offensive movement. The British saw the preparationsfor their reception, and came up one at a time as ordered. As eachcame up, his arms were seized and thrown overboard; and a gruff ordergiven for him to go forward. Before long the crew, deprived of allmeans of resistance, were gathered on the forecastle. Barney thenretired to the quarter-deck, and ordered that the crew be musteredbefore him. "You are now my prisoners, " said he; "and I have not only the power, but the right, to hang every man jack of you. You seized this vesselwithout any just cause, and simply because you were the stronger; andyou have further used that strength to abuse and ill-treat me andwaste my property. I do not propose to execute you, but will give youthe choice of two alternatives. You may either stay with me and workthis ship to Baltimore, there to be discharged with wages; or I willgive you a small boat with provisions, and set you adrift to shift foryourselves. One condition I attach to the first alternative. If oneof you is seen talking with his former officers, or if one man stepsabaft the main-mast, he shall be instantly shot. " [Illustration: Barney Regains His Ship. ] The crew wasted no time in deliberation, but decided to stay with theship, and at once went forward on duty. Then began a fortnight ofceaseless watchfulness and grave anxiety for Capt. Barney. At night henever closed his eyes, but took his sleep by day in an armchair ondeck, his blunderbuss and cutlass by his side, and a sentinel ready toawaken him at the slightest alarm. At last, however, he brought hisship safely to Baltimore, and discharged his crew. But the memory ofthat month of violence remained with him; and we shall hear of himagain as a brave sailor in the service of the United States, and anuncompromising foe to England. Among the most adventurous of American merchant seamen in the daysfollowing the Revolution was Capt. Thomas Macdonough. Like others ofhis class, his daring and ability as a navigator gained him acommission in the very small American navy of that time. On oneoccasion the United States ship "Siren, " of which he was firstlieutenant, was lying at anchor in the harbor of Gibraltar, surroundedby a number of merchantmen, from the peak of one of which floated thestars and stripes. While pacing the deck one bright afternoon, Macdonough observed a boat manned with armed men put off from aBritish man-of-war that rode at anchor a mile away. At once hissuspicions were aroused, and with a strong glass he watched themovements of the British. As he had expected, the boat steeredstraight for the American merchantman; and through his glassMacdonough could see the boarders scramble over the bulwarks of thevessel, and soon thereafter return to their boat, taking with them aman dressed in the garb of a merchant seaman, and tightly bound. The captain of the "Siren" was on shore; and Macdonough, as theofficer in command, determined that so audacious an impressment shouldnot succeed under the guns of an American war-vessel, small though shemight be. "Clear away the long-boat, " he shouted; and the boat quickly waslowered to the water, and a dozen jackies grasped the oars. Macdonoughsprung into the stern-sheets, and grasped the tiller. "Let fall! Give way! Pull hard, men!" He gave the orders in quicksuccession, and laid his course straight for the British boat, whichwas soon overtaken. He laid his boat alongside the British cutter, anddemanded that the captive be given up. The English officer began toprotest, but Macdonough cut his protests short. "You have no right to that man. He is an American sailor. --Tumble inhere, my man. " The pressed man, delighted with the prospect of rescue, sprang intothe American boat; and before the British officer had recovered fromhis amazement sufficiently to offer resistance, the blue-jackets werepulling away toward the "Siren, " with the long, swinging, man-o'-warstroke. When he reached his vessel, Macdonough retired to his cabin toawait further developments, which were not long in appearing. "Boat from the British frigate heading for the ship, sir, " reportedthe officer of the deck, in a few minutes. "Very good, sir. Have the gangway manned, " returned the lieutenant. The boat was soon alongside; and the British captain, white with rage, leaped to the gangway, and was shown to Lieut. Macdonough's cabin. "How dare you take a man from a boat of his Majesty's ship, sir?" washis salutation. "'Dare' is not a word to be spoken to an officer of the United Statesnavy, " responded Macdonough. "As for the man, he is a citizen of theUnited States; and I propose to protect him, at all hazards. " "I'll bring my frigate alongside, and sink your beggarly littlecraft, " shouted the visitor, with a volley of oaths. "That you may do, " responded the American; "but while she swims, theman you shall not have. " "You are a hair-brained young fellow, and will repent this rashness, "cried the irate Briton. "Do you mean to say, that, if I had been inthat boat, you would have dared to commit such an act?" "I should have made the attempt, sir, at all hazards. " "What, sir!" shouted the captain, greatly enraged, "would you ventureto interfere, if I should now impress men from that brig?" "You have but to try it, sir, " was the pithy response. And the Britishcaptain returned to his frigate, vowing all sorts of vengeance, butnevertheless did not again annoy the American ship. While the popular clamor against the hateful right of search was stillat its height in America, Great Britain unwisely added yet anotheroutrage to the already long list of grievances complained of by theAmericans. Notwithstanding the danger of Barbary pirates and Britishimpressment, the merchants of the United States were carrying on athriving trade with France. England, then at war with the greatNapoleon, looked upon this commerce at first with disfavor, andfinally with such intense hatred that she determined to put an end toit altogether. Accordingly, she issued the celebrated "Orders inCouncil, " forbidding all traffic with French ports. For such actionthe imperious nation had no authority by any principle ofinternational law. Her blockade of the French ports was veryimperfect, and easily evaded. It is a perfectly well-establishedprinciple of the common law of nations that a blockade, to be legal, must be complete and effective; otherwise, it is known as a "paperblockade, " and neutral vessels are justified in attempting to evadeit. Instead of posting blockading vessels at the entrances of Frenchports, to warn off all vessels, Great Britain contented herself withlicensing hordes of privateers, that roamed the seas and snapped upvessels with little regard to law or justice. Hundreds of Americanvessels were thus captured; for our trade with France and the FrenchWest Indian colonies at that time was of vast proportions. The oceansoon became so infested with privateers that every Americanmerchantman carried cannon, and an array of small-arms that would havedone credit to a sloop-of-war. The New England sailors became ablenaval fighters, as well as experienced seamen; for a man shipping fora voyage knew well that, in addition to battling with the angryelements, he might be required to sight truly the great "long Tom, " orbeat back piratical boarders at the muzzle of the muskets. But eventhese heroic remedies could not save many a good ship. Occurrences such as these fanned into flaming fury the smoulderingfires of the American hatred for Great Britain. The people saw theirold oppressor and enemy engaged in war with their old ally France, andthe popular cry went up for a union of France and the United Statesagainst England. Happily, the statesmen of the time--Washington, Hamilton, and Jay--were too firm of purpose, and too clear-sighted, tobe led away by popular clamor; and they wisely kept the United StatesGovernment in a position of neutrality between the two nations. Deepand loud were the murmurs of the people at this action. Couldtrue-hearted Americans desert their friends in such a manner? Never!And so, whatever might be the policy of the rulers, the many-headedpeople welcomed French ambassadors, fêted the officers of visitingmen-of-war, and hung the tricolor and the stars and stripes side byside on all public holidays. It was in 1795, while the popular affection for France was at itsheight, that a merchant-vessel flying the British flag sailed intoBoston Harbor, and made fast to the Long Wharf. Under her sternappeared the legend, "The Betsy of St. Croix;" her decks werelittered with poultry and domestic animals, her cordage flappedloosely in the breeze, and every thing about her bespoke themerchant-vessel. Her captain, being hailed by the dock-loafers, andmade the victim of the proverbial Yankee inquisitiveness, stated thathe had just come from the West Indies with a load of lignum-vitĉ, pineapples, and hides, which he hoped to sell in Boston. Theself-constituted investigating committee seemed satisfied, and thecaptain strolled on into the city. But the French consul at Boston was far from satisfied, and he tookcare to let his suspicions become generally known. "Thatinnocent-looking merchantman is a British privateer, " quoth he; "andit's a shame to harbor her in the good port of Boston, amidFrench-loving people. " The consul's words spread like wildfire; andhis suspicions soon passed for facts, without any supporting proof. Noone knows who was the writer, or who the printer; but in a few hoursthe people upon the streets had thrust into their hands the followinghandbill:-- THIS NIGHT Will be performed at the steps bottom of Long Wharf A COMEDY of stripping the BERMUDIAN PRIVATEER. CITIZENS. Remember there have been near three hundred of our American vessels taken by these Bermudians, and have received the most barbarous treatment from those Damn'd PIRATES!!! Now, Americans, if you feel the spirit of resentment or revenge kindling in your hearts, let us be united in the cause. This was enough to rouse the turbulent people of Boston to action. They well remembered the winter's night, twenty-two years before, whentheir harbor was the scene of the first protest against the oppressionof Great Britain. Then they threw overboard the tea, and spared theships; this time ship and cargo alike should be destroyed. When nightfell, small bodies of men could be seen marching down to the wharfs, through the narrow, crooked streets of the old town. Before eighto'clock Long Wharf was crowded with an angry mob. On the deck of thethreatened vessel stood the captain, arguing and pleading with thecrowd, and at times pointing to the scarlet flag above his head, andthreatening his assailants with the wrath of mighty England. Argument, entreaty, and threats proved unavailing; and the crowd, gainingcourage with numbers, rushed upon the vessel, and ordered captain andcrew ashore. Leaving the scene, the captain rushed wildly into thecity in search of the British consul; and, in his absence, the mobbegan to search his ship. An active and careful search soon brought tolight in an out-of-the-way corner of the hold two swivel-guns, twothree-pounders, forty charges of shot, fifteen pounds of powder, andeight muskets. All was piled upon the deck, and pointed out to thecaptain on his return, amid frantic yells from the enraged populace. He solemnly protested that the ordnance was only intended for purposesof defence against the pirates that infested the Bermudas. But thecase was already judged. The people laughed at the captain'sdeclarations; and in a few minutes the "Betsy, " a mass of flame, wasdrifting across the harbor to the Charlestown beach. There she blazedaway, while the crowd watched the bonfire from the dock, until thelast timbers of the ship fell with a hiss into the black waters, andall was dark again. Popular sympathy is at best but an unstable sentiment, and so itproved with this unreasoning affection of the American people forFrance. Firmly the American authorities held to their policy ofneutrality, refusing to be influenced in the slightest degree by thepopular clamor of the people for an alliance with France. Then theFrench sympathizers made their fatal error. In the presidential chairof the United States sat Washington, the hero of the Revolution. Rashly the French minister and his following began an onslaught uponthis great and wise man, because of his firm determination to keep theUnited States neutral. They accused him of being an "aristocrat;" ofwishing to found an hereditary monarchy, with himself at the head. Noepithet was too vile for them to apply to him: "liar" and "traitor"were terms freely applied to him whom we regard as the veritablefounder of our free Republic. Such intemperate and unreasoning maliceas this had a very different effect from what was intended by theFrench sympathizers, or Republicans as the party was then termed. Theparty supporting the President gained strength and influence, evenwhile the actions of Napoleon and the French Chamber of Deputies weregiving American seamen the same grounds of complaint as those whichGreat Britain had so long forced upon them. It was during the last year of the administration of Washington, thatthe French Directory issued secret orders to the commanders of allFrench men-of-war, directing them to treat neutral vessels in the samemanner as they had suffered the English to treat them. The cunningintent of this order is apparent by its wording: "Treat Americanvessels as they suffer themselves to be treated by the British. " Whatcourse does that leave open to the Americans, save to resist theBritish, thereby become involved in a war, and so aid France? Butthere was one other alternative; and, much to the surprise and chagrinof the French, the Americans adopted it. And the only effect of thediplomatic secret order was to embroil France in a naval war with theUnited States. The condition of American commerce, after the promulgation of theFrench decree, became deplorable indeed. A merchant-vessel flying theAmerican flag was never safe unless under the guns of an Americanwar-vessel; and the reduction of the navy had made these few indeed. Should the brig "Nancy" or "Sarah Jane" put out from the little portof Salem or New London, she was certain to be overhauled by someBritish frigate, whose boarding officer would pick from the brig'screw a few able sailors, and leave her to make her way short-handed asbest she might. Next would come along some French frigate orprivateer, --some "Terreur, " "Incroyable, " or "Insurgente, "--whoseastute officers would quickly notice the gaps in the American crew, and, finding out that the brig had been boarded by the English, woulddeclare her a prize for having given aid to the enemies of _la belleFrance_. Should the little brig be so fortunate as to escape thecivilized belligerents, there were still the pirates of Tripoli, thepicaroons of the French West Indies, and the unauthorized andirresponsible pirates, who, with forged commissions and flying theSpanish or Portuguese colors, ravaged the seas in all directions. Thecareer of an American merchantman at that time is admirably told byour great novelist Fenimore Cooper in his sea-tale of "MilesWallingford. " The fate of the good brig "Dawn" was the fate of toomany an American vessel in those turbulent times; and the wondrousliterary art with which the novelist has expanded the meagre recordsof the times into an historical novel of surpassing interest makes anacquaintance with the book essential to a proper knowledge of Americannaval history. The first act of retaliation on the part of the United States was theembargo ordered by Congress, which prohibited any vessel from leavingAmerican ports. This action had two effects. It quickly brought aboutgreat distress in European countries, which even then relied much onthe United States for food. This was the chief object of the embargo. The second effect was inevitable. The sudden check upon all foreigncommerce plunged business in all parts of the United States intostagnation. Sailors out of work thronged the streets of the seaporttowns. Farmers trudged weary miles beside their ox-teams, only tofind, when they had hauled their produce to town, that there was nomarket for it. Along the docks the ships lay idly tugging at theircables, or stranded on the flats as the tide went out. Merchantsdischarged their clerks, and great warehouses were locked up anddeserted. For nearly a year the ports were closed, and commerce thuslanguished. Then Congress substituted for the embargo theNon-intercourse Act, which simply prohibited commerce with France andEngland; and again the American flag appeared upon the ocean. But thetwo warring nations had learned neither wisdom nor justice, and beganagain their depredations upon the unoffending Americans. Envoys weresent to France to protest against the outrageous action of thatnation; but they were told that no audience could be granted them, unless they paid into the French treasury two hundred and fortythousand dollars. This last insult was too great. The envoys returnedhome, told of their treatment, and the war party in the United Statesrallied to the defence of their nation's honor, shouting Pinckney'snoble sentiment, "_Millions for defence, but not one cent fortribute_. " CHAPTER II. WAR WITH FRANCE. -- THE BUILDING OF A NAVY. -- FIRST SUCCESS FOR THE AMERICANS. -- CUTTING OUT THE "SANDWICH. " -- THE "CONSTELLATION" AND "L'INSURGENTE. " -- THE "CONSTELLATION" AND "LA VENGEANCE. " While France and England were waging a desperate and bloody war, theUnited States was like a shuttlecock, being struck repeatedly by thediplomatic battledores of each nation. Between the British "Orders inCouncil" and the French "Milan Decree, " American commerce was in afair way of being obliterated. To declare war against both nations, would have been absurd in so young a people; and for months, and evenyears, the fierce contests of political parties in the United Statesmade a declaration of war against either aggressor impracticable. Nowthe Franco-maniacs were in the ascendency, and the country rang withpraises of France, --the nation which had cast off aristocrats, and, like America, was devoted to republican principles; the nation whichhad aided the Colonies in their war for freedom. What though a Frenchprivateer did occasionally seize an American ship? The Americans alonewere to blame for that; for was not their attitude toward England, their natural foe, enough to inflame the French? And were not theBritish aggressions more oppressive than those of France? War theremust be, but let it be declared against the hated British. Such were the sentiments of the French sympathizers, or Democrats asthey were then termed in political parlance. But the Englishsympathizers, or Federalists, held very different opinions. They madeno attempt to excuse the offensive attitude assumed by England, butclaimed that so soon as her war with France was over she would admitthe injustice of her actions, and make due reparation for the injuriesshe had heaped upon American commerce. But they pointed out that forone vessel taken by England, ten were seized by French privateers, orpiratical vessels of nondescript nationality, but bearing Frenchpapers. As for France loving republican principles, her republicanismwas founded upon blood and the guillotine. She was no longer thenation that had aided the struggling Colonies. She was the nation thathad foully murdered the kind king who had lent that aid two decadesbefore. Besides these arguments, the Federalists did not scruple tohint, that, in a second war with England, the United States might losethe independence so recently won, while the navy of France was not sogreatly to be dreaded. Indeed, the American people of that day might well be excused forlethargy in resenting the insults of any first-class naval power. Itis not too strong a statement, to say that at this time, when the needwas greatest, the United States had no navy. At the close of theRevolution, the navy had been disbanded, the ships sold, and theofficers dispersed among the vessels of the merchant marine. This factalone is enough to account for the depredations of French, English, Portuguese, Tripolitans, and the hordes of pirates without a country. Is there no lesson in this? From this lesson of history cannot wededuce the rule that a nation with 6, 000 miles of seacoast, a republichated by all monarchies, must maintain its sea-power if it wouldmaintain its honor? The naval regeneration begun in 1893 ought not tobe checked until the United States ranks next to Great Britain as anaval power. But the depredations of the enemies of American commerce at lastreached such a point that Congress could no longer overlook thenecessity for an American navy. In March, 1794, Congress, afterlistening to a message from the President detailing the depredationsof the Algerines, passed an Act authorizing the construction orpurchase of six frigates, or an equivalent naval force. This was thebeginning of the present United States navy; for some of the frigatesbuilt under that law are still afloat, although no longer exposed tothe rude shocks of battle or the still more violent onslaughts of themighty ocean. In accordance with the law, the frames of six frigates were quicklylaid upon the stocks at six different shipyards; and even while theribs were yet uncovered, commanders were selected for the unbuiltships. The names of ships and officers alike are famous in Americanannals, and may well be mentioned here. The "Constitution, ""President, " "United States, " "Chesapeake, " "Constellation, " and"Congress" were the vessels begun at this time; and the rolls of nonavy of the world ever bore six more famous names. The captains chosenwere John Barry, Samuel Nicholson, Silas Talbot, Joshua Barney, Richard Dale, and Thomas Truxton. Of these, all save Truxton hadserved the Colonies in the Revolution. Barney narrowly escaped beingtotally disowned by his country, because while holding a commission inthe French navy he had once accidentally hoisted the American flagupside down. A cry went up from his enemies, that it was anintentional insult to the country; but his friends, with justice, pleaded that the flag had been wet, and a sailor, running it up todry, had thus carelessly inverted it. In the mean time the building of the ships went merrily on, until, when they were nearly finished, a disgraceful treaty was made withAlgiers, and work on the new navy was neglected, and three of theunfinished ships sold. But in 1797 the French depredations became sounbearable that work was hastened; and cities and towns, not satisfiedwith the three frigates provided for, began collecting subscriptionsfor the purchase of ships, to be presented to the Government. Thefirst of the frigates building by the Government to reach the waterwas the "United States. " As the first vessel built by the UnitedStates under the Constitution, her launch was an event to becelebrated. At noon on the bright May afternoon chosen, the streets ofPhiladelphia leading to the ship-yard, where the hull of the greatfrigate lay upon the stocks, were thronged with holiday-making people. The sun had hardly risen, when anxious spectators began to seize uponthe best points of observation about the ship-yard. The hour of thelaunch was set at one P. M. ; and for hours before the crowd of watcherssung patriotic songs, cheered for Congress and the new navy, andanxiously debated the chances of a successful launch. The river wascovered with pleasure-craft, decked with flags, and bright with thegay dresses of ladies. The great frigate, too, was a mass of buntingfrom stem to stern. At one precisely, the blows of many hammers wereheard knocking out the blocks; and, after a moment's trembling pause, the first United States frigate glided swiftly into the water, and, after a graceful dip, rode buoyantly on the placid surface of theDelaware. [Illustration: Toasting The Wooden Walls Of Columbia. ] While the ships were building, the war-feeling against France wassteadily growing, and the enthusiasm of the people over the infantnavy knew no bounds. Toasts to the "wooden walls of Columbia, " and the"rising navy of America, " were drunk with cheers at stately publicbanquets, and by bands of jolly roisterers at tap-houses. Thepatriotic song writer invaded the columns of the newspapers; and, asthese could not afford space for all the poetic effusions, they wereprinted on broadsides, and hawked about the streets. At HarvardCollege the students made the chapel walls ring with the ode writtenby Joseph Story:-- "Shall Gallia's clan our coast invade, With hellish outrage scourge the main, Insult our nation's neutral trade, And we not dare our rights maintain? Rise, united Harvard's band, Rise, the bulwark of our land. " Admirable as may be the patriotism of this ode, the poetry is notabove criticism; but it is classic in comparison with many others. Thefollowing stanza and chorus will show the character of one of the mostpopular street-songs of the day:-- "Americans, then fly to arms, And learn the way to use 'em. If each man fights to 'fend his rights, The French can't long abuse 'em. Yankee Doodle (mind the tune), Yankee Doodle Dandy; For the French there's trouble brewin': We'll spank 'em, hand and handy. " From Maine to Georgia the mania for writing such doggerel spread witha rapidity only equalled by the avidity with which the people seizedupon the songs, and sung them. A complete collection of theseremarkable efforts of poetic art would form an amusing volume, andfrom it alone a history of political movements in the United Statesmight be written. That even such wretched doggerel had its effect uponpopular sentiment, cannot be doubted; for has it not been said, "Icare not who makes the laws of a nation, let me but write its songs"? But the manifestation of the growing ill-feeling towards France wasnot confined to poor but harmless poetizing. The first open rupturetook place at Savannah. In the port of that city were lying two long, rakish schooners flying the French tricolor. Their decks were crowdedwith men, whose rough actions and brutal countenances showed them tobe no respecters of law or order. It did not need the rows of cannonprotruding from the ports, nor the carefully covered "long Toms"amidships, to indicate to the good people of Savannah that theirharbor sheltered two French privateers. Among the seafaring people ofthe city, the sight of these two vessels aroused the greatest anger. Were they not representatives of the nation whose ships were seizingand burning American vessels in the West Indies almost daily? Perhapsthese very vessels were then fresh from an action with some Americanship. Who could tell that the holds of the privateers did not at thatvery minute contain the best part of the cargo of some capturedAmerican vessel? Probably the last shot fired from that "long Tom" hadcrashed into the side of some little brig flying the stars andstripes, and perhaps ended the career of many an American sailor. Fromsuspicions and conjectures, positive statements soon grew. It waswhispered about that the two privateers had recently plundered andburned a Yankee ship returning from the West Indies with a goodlystore of specie in exchange for her cargo. Those cut-throat-lookingFrenchmen were even then stained with the blood of true Americans. Themoney they threw on the bars of water-side dram-shops, in exchange forthe vile rum which was the worst enemy of too many a good jack-tar, was looked upon with suspicion. "What Yankee's pockets did JohnnyCrapaud pick to get all that money?" growled the American sailors. The Frenchmen were not slow in discovering the dislike manifested bythe people of Savannah; and like true soldiers of fortune, as theywere, they did nothing to make friends of their enemies. They cameashore in troops instead of singly. Cutlasses hung at their sides. Their tight leather belts held many a knife or clumsy pistol. Theirwalk on the street was a reckless swagger; and a listener who couldunderstand French could catch in their loud conversation many ascornful sneer or braggart defiance of the Americans. [Illustration: Commodore Macdonough. ] Such a state of affairs could not long continue. Each party was readyand waiting to fight, and it was not hard to find an excuse. How thefighting began, no one ever knew; but one night the streets of thelittle city resounded with cries of rage and groans of agony. Sooncrowds began to gather; and sailors rushed up and down the streets, crying that the French desperadoes had killed three Americans. Therage of the populace, and particularly of the seafaring community, hadno bounds. "Arm! arm! and take bloody vengeance upon the murderers, "was the cry in all quarters. The mob blocked all the roadwaysleading to the water-front. With cutlasses and guns they attacked thesailors on "L'Agile, " which lay at a wharf, and drove them overboard. Once in possession of the ship, the enraged rioters vented their furyby cutting away the masts and rigging, tearing to pieces the woodworkof the cabin, and finally putting the torch to the battered bulk, andsending her drifting helplessly down the river. This summary vengeancedid not satisfy their anger. They looked about them for the othervessel, "La Vengeance, " and discovered that she had been towed awayfrom the shore, and was being warped up stream to a place of safety. Boats were secured, and the irresistible mob set out in mad pursuit. Amilitia company, hastily sent to the scene of action by theauthorities of the town, failed to check the riot; and, after a futilestruggle on the part of her crew, "La Vengeance" shared the fate ofher consort. Sympathy for France was well rooted out of Savannah then, and the cry of the city was for war. Before the news of the uprising at Savannah was known in New England, the navy had struck the first blow against French oppression, and thevictory had rested with the sailors of the United States. Congress hadat last been aroused to a sense of the situation, and had issuedorders to captains of American war-vessels, directing them to captureFrench cruisers wherever found. A number of large merchant-vessels andIndiamen had been armed hastily, and sent out; and at last the countryhad a navy on the seas. One of the first vessels to get away was the"Delaware, " a twenty-gun ship, commanded by Stephen Decatur the elder. Decatur had been out but a few days when a merchantman, the "AlexanderHamilton, " was sighted, from the halliards of which a flag of distresswas flying. The "Delaware" ran toward the vessel, and sent a boataboard, which returned, bringing the captain of the distressed craft. To Decatur the captain related the old story of French aggression, which had become so hateful. Only the day before, he said, his shiphad been boarded by boats'-crews from a French privateer of twentyguns. The assailants, once on board, had eaten his provisions, andplundered his cargo without scruple. He gave careful directions as tothe course of the privateer after leaving the "Alexander Hamilton, "and returned to his ship happy in the thought, that, though he couldnot regain his plundered property, the thieves at least would bepunished. Decatur crowded on all sail, and set off in pursuit of the oppressor. Four hours later, the lookout forward reported four schooners in sightoff the bow. For a moment the captain was puzzled, as he had no meansof knowing which was the guilty privateer; but, after briefdeliberation, he determined to adopt strategy. The rigging of hisvessel was slackened, the yards slewed round, and every attempt madeto transform the trim man-o'-war into a shiftless merchantman. Thenthe helmsman was instructed to carefully avoid running near thesuspected schooners. The ruse succeeded admirably. The lookouts in thetops of the schooners reported an American merchantman in sight, butmaking attempts to escape. The cupidity of the Frenchmen was aroused. In the "Delaware" they saw only a defenceless ship, from which, byvirtue of their strength, they could take whatever plunder theydesired. From the decks of the "Delaware, " the sailors could see theFrenchmen shaking out sail after sail; and soon one schooner, aperfect cloud of canvas, took the lead, and left her consorts far inthe rear. It was the privateer they were after. The jackies of the"Delaware" clambered into the rigging, and set all sail, with theclumsiness of merchant-sailors; but, though the ship spread a largeexpanse of canvas, she was making but little progress, for two longcables dragged in the water astern, holding her back. The Frenchmancame up gallantly, but suddenly discovered the ports along the side ofthe "Delaware, " and concluded he had caught a Tartar. It was too lateto escape then; for the "Delaware, " coming about, had the schoonerdirectly under her guns, and the Frenchman had no course left but tosurrender. The privateer proved to be "Le Croyable, " of fourteen gunsand seventy men. Her captain was vastly astounded to hear that theUnited States had at last sent out cruisers against the French, whohad come to look upon Americans as their legitimate prey. Keeping "LeCroyable" alongside, Decatur ran for Philadelphia, where he wasreceived with unbounded enthusiasm. The captured ship was taken intothe United States navy, under the name of the "Retaliation, " and sent, under command of Lieut. Bainbridge, to cruise in search of otherprivateers. But the career of the "Retaliation" under the American flag wasneither long nor glorious. Ill luck seemed to attend the vessel in allher cruises, and Bainbridge wandered up and down the high seas withoutgetting within range of a French cruiser or privateer. In November, 1798, the "Retaliation" was cruising, with two other men-of-war, inthe West Indies, not far from Guadaloupe. One day three sails weremade out to the eastward, and two more to the westward. Bainbridgethought that at last his opportunity had arrived; and the"Retaliation" set off to reconnoitre the strangers on the eastward, while the two other American ships made after the three sails in theopposite direction. As Bainbridge gained upon his chase, he concludedfrom their appearance that they were two English ships, andaccordingly threw aside all caution, and sailed boldly alongside. Unluckily, they proved to be hostile French cruisers; and, when thediscovery was made, the "Retaliation" was well within range. Everysail was set, and the ship put before the wind, to escape from theenemy, but too late. The leading ship of the enemy was a fine frigate;and she rushed through the water after the fugitive, like a dolphinafter a flying-fish. Soon a heavy shot from one of the frigate'sbow-chasers came whizzing by the "Retaliation, " unpleasantly remindingthe Americans that they were still within range, and their adversariescarried heavy metal. The second frigate soon opened fire, and theposition of the "Retaliation" became hopeless. Her flag wasunwillingly hauled down, and the vessel became again the property ofits original owners. It is a strange coincidence, that this shipshould have thus been the first prize of both Americans and French inthe war. The Frenchmen were not content with their success in capturing the"Retaliation:" so, while one frigate stopped to secure the prize, theother passed on in hot chase after "The Retaliation's" two formerconsorts, the "Montezuma" and "Norfolk. " Bainbridge was taken aboardthe French frigate "Volontaire, " which then continued her course inthe wake of her consort, the "Insurgente. " For the captured Americancaptain on the deck of the "Volontaire, " the chase was one of greatexcitement. He well knew that the two stately French frigates weremuch more than a match for the flying Americans; and, should theyoverhaul the chase, the "Montezuma" and the "Norfolk" would join the"Retaliation" in French captivity. Racked with anxiety he paced thedeck, trying in vain not to perceive that the pursuers were steadilygaining, and chafing under the position of helplessness in which hefound himself. But an opportunity to help did unexpectedly presentitself. The French captain, after a long look through hismarine-glasses at the flying craft, turned to Bainbridge, andinquired, -- "What may be the force of your consorts, captain?" Without a moment's hesitation, Bainbridge responded, -- "The ship carries twenty-eight twelve-pounders, and the brig twentynines. " The Frenchman was astounded, as well he might be; for Bainbridge'sanswer was a most preposterous falsehood, nearly doubling the actualarmament of the two vessels. An eager consultation was immediatelyheld by the officers on the quarter-deck. Bainbridge looked onanxiously, and was delighted with the success of his ruse, when heheard orders for the hoisting of a signal which should call back thefrigate leading in the chase. The signal was hoisted; and the"Insurgente, " obeying, abandoned the chase, and returned. Her captainwas indignant at his recall, and curious to know the cause of it. Whentold of Bainbridge's statement, he was furious; for his ship had beenclose enough to the chase to see that the Americans were small craft, utterly unable to cope with the two pursuing frigates. For hisfalsehood, Bainbridge was roundly abused, and many a French oath washurled at his head. His action was indeed inexcusable by the rules ofhonor; and the utmost that can be said of it by the most patrioticAmerican is, that by his falsehood he saved two good ships for theinfant navy of the United States. From a military point of view, however, his conduct was commendable; and in recognition thereof, onhis release from captivity, he was made commander of the "Norfolk, "one of the vessels he had saved. France and the United States were now actually at war, although nodefinite declaration of war had been made by either party. This factmade many French privateers assume an injured air, on being capturedby United States ships, and complain that they had never heard of anydeclaration of war. With a Frenchman of this sort, Stephen Decatur theyounger had an experience early in his naval career. This occurred in February, 1799. The frigate "United States" wascruising near Martinique in that year, and to her young Decatur wasattached as a sub-lieutenant. One morning a French privateer wassighted, and the frigate set out in hot pursuit. The privateer tookthe alarm quickly, and crowded on all sail, until her long, narrowhull slipped through the waves like a fish. The breeze was fresh, andthe chase an exciting one; but gradually the immense spread of thefrigate's canvas began to tell, and she rapidly overhauled thefugitive. The French captain was plucky, and even desperate, in hisattempt to escape; for, seeing that he was about to be overhauled, heresorted to the expedient of a fox chased by hounds, and doubled, turning short to windward, and running right under the guns of thefrigate. The move was a bold one, and might well have succeeded, hadit not been for the good marksmanship of a gunner on the frigate, whopromptly sent a twenty-four-pound shot (the only one fired in theaffair) straight through the hull of the privateer, between wind andwater. In an instant all was confusion on the French vessel. The waterpoured into her hold through the hole cut by the shot; and the hastylowering of her sails, and the frantic howls for succor from the crew, told the people of the "United States" that their chase was at an end. The boats of the frigate were quickly lowered, and Decatur went in oneas officer in command. When he reached the sinking ship, he found ascene too ludicrous to be pathetic. Along the rail of the vessel, frombow to stern, the Frenchmen were perched like birds. Many had strippedoff all their clothes, in order to be prepared to swim; and from allarose a medley of plaintive cries for help, and curses on that unluckyshot. By skilful management of the boats, all were saved; and ithappened that Decatur pulled into his own boat the captain of thesinking vessel. Brushing the salt water out of his eyes, this worthy expressed greatsurprise that he had been fired upon by a vessel bearing the UnitedStates flag. "Ees eet that that ees a sheep of les États-Unis?" he inquired, in thebroken English that four years of cruising against Americans hadenabled him to pick up. "It is, " responded Decatur. "I am indeed sairprised. I had not thought that les États-Unis had thewar with La République Française. " "No, sir, " responded Decatur, thoroughly provoked; "but you knew thatthe French Republic was at war with the United States, that you weretaking our merchant-vessels every day, and crowding our countrymeninto prison at Basseterre to die like sheep. " This was more than the Frenchman could deny, and he was constrained toaccept his capture with the best grace possible. An audacious, but clearly illegal, exploit of the blue-jackets in thiswar, was the cutting out and capture of the French letter-of-marquevessel "Sandwich, " as she lay in Port Platte, a small harbor on theSpanish side of St. Domingo. Commodore Talbot, who won a reputationfor daring and recklessness in the Revolution, was cruising about onthe San Domingo station, and had spent some weeks in monotonousvoyaging, without an opportunity to capture a single prize. Word wasbrought to the squadron, that in the little harbor of Port Platte avessel was taking in a cargo of coffee. From the description of thevessel, Commodore Talbot recognized her as a former British packet, the "Sandwich, " now sailing under French letters of marque. Her knownspeed and seaworthy qualities made her too valuable a prize to be leftin the hands of the enemy; and Talbot, without more ado, determined tocapture her. The first difficulty that lay in the way was the factthat the vessel was under the protection of Spain, a neutral power. Talbot was no man to notice so purely formal an obstacle. He growledout a decided negative to all hints about respecting a neutral flag. Spain neutral, indeed! She might claim to be neutral, but herPicaroons were too often to be found among the French pirates to leaveany respect for Spain's neutrality in the mind of a man of sense; andthe "Sandwich" he was going to take, and on his own responsibility. This silenced all opposition. Having arrived at the determination to take the "Sandwich, " the nextproblem to be solved was, how shall she be taken? Obviously the firststep was to make a careful reconnoissance of the ship and herdefences. To Lieut. Hull of the "Constitution, " this duty wasassigned. One dark and stormy night Mr. Hull took one of the frigate'scutters, and, pulling into the harbor, carefully examined thesituation. On his return, he reported that the "Sandwich" was strippedof her rigging, and lay directly under the guns of a small battery, built on shore for her protection. To sail in with the frigate, andcapture the enemy by mere force of arms, would have been simpleenough; but the object of the Americans was to take the ship withoutinjuring her, in order that she might at once join the United Statessquadron. Strategy was therefore necessary. It was accordingly determined to secure an American merchant-vessel, that could enter the port, and run alongside the "Sandwich, " withoutarousing suspicion. Luckily at that very moment a craft turned up thatfilled the need precisely. This was the American sloop "Sally, " abattered, weather-beaten little craft, that had for some time beentrading in the West Indies, and by her very insignificance had escapedcapture by the French. She had often entered and cleared from PortPlatte, and therefore her appearance there would create no suspicion. [Illustration: Hull Makes A Reconnoissance. ] The "Sally" was accordingly chosen to bear the sailors on theiraudacious expedition. A rendezvous having been appointed, the sloopmet the "Constitution" far out at sea; and a large body ofblue-jackets and marines left the frigate, and took quarters on theclumsy little merchantman, which then laid her course for Port Platte. About midnight the lookouts on the "Sally" saw a vessel's lights nearat hand; but, beyond reporting to the officer of the deck, they paidno heed to their neighbor. Suddenly, however, out of the darkness camea bright flash; and the hum of a heavy shot in the air above the"Sally" was followed by the dull report of a cannon. At the same timea blue light burned on the deck of the vessel from which the shotproceeded, showed her to be a powerful frigate. Then ensued a fewmoments of intense suspense for the little band on the "Sally. " Shouldthe stranger prove to be a French frigate, all was lost; but in thatlatitude English vessels were common, and possibly this might be one. Soon the regular thumping of oars in the tholepins, and the splashingof the waves against an approaching boat, could be heard; and in a fewminutes a hail came from the black water alongside, and the darkfigure of a man standing in the stern-sheets of a boat was seen. Arope was thrown him, by the aid of which he nimbly clambered aboard. An involuntary murmur of relief arose from the party on the "Sally, "as by the dim light of the lanterns they saw that the officer wore aBritish uniform. The officer himself could not repress a start andexclamation of surprise as he saw a band of officers in naval uniform, and a large body of blue-jackets and marines, on the vessel which heexpected to find manned by a half-dozen lanky Yankees, commanded by adown-east "skipper. " "Why, what ship's this?" he exclaimed in surprise, as he looked uponthe armed men about him. Lieut. Hull, who was in command, explained tohim the situation, and told him of the adventure that was beingattempted. The officer seemed much disappointed, and told Mr. Hullthat the British frigate was standing about outside the harbor, tocapture the "Sandwich" as she came out; but the idea of so boldlysetting at naught the principles of neutrality had not occurred tothem. After a few minutes' conversation, the visitor returned to hisship, and the "Sally" proceeded on her errand. She reached theentrance to the harbor of Port Platte in the morning, and sailedboldly in. Most of the crew and the marines were hidden beneath thebulwarks, or sent below; so that the people on the "Sandwich" gave buta glance to the approaching vessel, until she ran so close to theirvessel's bows that they feared an accident. "Look out there, or you'll run foul of us!" shouted a mate from thedeck of the "Sandwich"; and, as if his cry was a signal, the helm ofthe "Sally" was put down, the vessel ranged up alongside, and in aninstant a torrent of armed men poured over the sides of the surprisedFrenchman, and drove the crew below. There was no resistance. The shipwas captured in five minutes. The marines of the expedition had beensent ashore to spike the guns of the battery, and their work wasperformed with equal promptitude. Then all hands set to work riggingthe captured vessel, and getting her ready for sea. On the shore thepeople were in the greatest excitement, beating drums, parading thefew militia, and threatening dire revenge in the name of outragedSpain. But the captors of the vessel paid but little attention totheir enemies; and by sunset the "Sandwich, " with all sails set, leftthe harbor, and joined the United States squadron. The news of this achievement, lawless as it was, evoked greatenthusiasm in the United States. A nation's conscience is elastic; andthe people praised the heroes of the "Sandwich" episode, much assixty-five years later they commended the commander of the "Wachuset"for running down and capturing the Confederate ship "Florida, " whichwas relying upon the protection of a neutral port in Brazil. Yet in1814, when two British frigates attacked and captured the "Essex" inthe harbor of Rio Janeiro, the good people of the United States wereloud in their denunciations of the treachery of a commander who wouldso abuse the protection of a neutral nation. Such inconsistencies areonly too common in the history of nations. In the end, however, theaffair of the "Sandwich" terminated disastrously for the boldadventurers; for the protests of Spain were too forcible to bedisregarded, and the prize-money of all concerned in the exploit wasconfiscated to pay the damages awarded the injured party. Not all the successes of the United States navy in the war with Francewere, like those we have related, dependent upon the speed rather thanthe fighting qualities of our ships. Not many months had passed, whentwo representative ships of the warring nations met, and triedconclusions at the mouths of their cannon. It was on the 9th ofFebruary that the "Constellation, " one of the new American frigates, was cruising on her station in the West Indies, when her lookoutreported a large ship some miles to leeward. The frigate at once randown the stranger, which hoisted American colors. Among ships of thesame navy it is customary to have private signals of recognition; andCommodore Truxton, who commanded the "Constellation, " set his signal, and awaited the answer. But no answer came; and the stranger, evidently considering further disguise impossible, boldly set Frenchcolors, and fired a gun to windward by way of a challenge. On the "Constellation" the challenge aroused universal enthusiasm. Forthe first time since the Revolution, the gallant defenders of thestars and stripes were to have an opportunity to try their strengthwith a hostile man-of-war. The enemy seemed no less ready for theconflict, and waited gallantly for the "Constellation" to come down tocloser quarters. From both ships came the roll of the drums and theshrill pipings of the bo's'n's whistle, as the men were called toquarters. Then all became still, and the two frigates bore down uponeach other. Neither antagonist was hasty about opening fire, and thereport of the first gun came from the Yankee when she had come intopoint-blank range. Then began the thunderous broadsides, that soonenveloped the hulls of the two ships in dense gray smoke; so that, toan observer at a little distance, all that could be seen of the fightwas the tapering masts and yard-arms, above the smoke, crowded withsailors repairing damages, and nimble young midshipmen shrillyordering about the grizzled seamen, and now and again taking a crackat the enemy with pistol or musket, by way of recreation. In theforetop of the "Constellation" was stationed young David Porter, whoin that trying moment showed the result of his hard schooling in themerchant-service, of which we have spoken. By the rapid fire of theenemy, the fore-topmast was badly cut, and there was great danger thatit might go by the board. Porter hailed the deck several times forinstructions, but, finding that his voice could not be heard above theroar of battle, determined to act upon his own responsibility, andaccordingly cut away the sails, lowered the yards, and, by relievingthe injured spar of all strain, prevented its falling. In the meantime the battle raged fiercely below. The American frigate was morepowerful in her armament, and better handled, than the Frenchman. Herguns were handled with deliberation, and the aim of the gunners wassure and deadly; while the shot from the enemy went hurtling throughthe rigging of the "Constellation, " doing but little damage. Thedecks of the Frenchman were covered with dead and wounded, and atlast two raking broadsides from the American frigate ended theconflict. When the vanquished ship was boarded, she proved to be the"Insurgente, " the same frigate that had captured the "Retaliation"some months before. Her loss in this engagement amounted totwenty-nine killed and forty-one wounded, while the cock-pit of the"Constellation" was tenanted by but three wounded men; and but oneAmerican had lost his life, he having been killed by an officer, forcowardice. Both ships were badly cut up in the engagement. The news of this victory was received with great rejoicing in theUnited States, and was celebrated with cannon-firing and the ringingof bells. At Boston, the fourth Sunday in March was set for a day ofgeneral rejoicing; and on that day huge crowds gathered in StateStreet, and after salutes had been fired, and the city's bells pealed, the people, at a given signal, joined in three mighty cheers, thatfairly shook the surrounding houses, for Truxton, the "Constellation, "the blue-jackets, and the success of the wooden walls of America. Even after the "Insurgente" had struck her flag, the tars of the"Constellation" found they had an elephant on their hands. The work oftransferring the prisoners was begun, and actively prosecuted; but, when night fell, there were still nearly two hundred Frenchmen on theprize. The wind was rising fast, and the long rollers of the Atlanticwere being lashed into foaming breakers by the rising gale. It washazardous for the two vessels to continue near each other; andLieutenant Rodgers, with Midshipman Porter and eleven men, wasdetailed to take charge of the prize, and bring her into port. Whenthe officers boarded the prize, they found that they had indeed adesperate undertaking before them. It was difficult enough forthirteen men to handle the great ship, without having to keep insubjection one hundred and seventy-three captives. To add to theclanger, the gratings had been thrown overboard, and there was no wayof confining the captives in the hold. A careful search for handcuffsresulted only in failure. But Rodgers was a man of decision, andPorter, though but a boy, was bold and determined; and between themthey solved the problem. The prisoners were ordered below; and asentinel was placed at each hatchway, with orders to shoot the firstman who should attempt to come on deck. Howitzers loaded with grapewere trained upon the hatchway, for use in case of an organizedmovement of the prisoners. For three days the officers sustained thisfearful strain, without a moment's sleep; but their labors werefinally crowned by successfully bringing the ship and prisoners intoSt. Kitts. In the second pitched battle of the war, the "Constellation" was againthe American combatant; but this time, though the fight was a gloriousone, it did not terminate so fortunately for the American ship. It wason the 1st of February, 1800, that the gallant frigate, under the samecommander, was cruising about her old hunting-grounds, nearGuadaloupe. A sail was sighted, which, after a careful examinationthrough his marine-glass, Commodore Truxton pronounced to be anEnglish merchantman. As an invitation to the stranger to approach, English colors were hoisted on the "Constellation, " but had only theeffect of causing the stranger to sheer off; for she was, indeed, aFrench war-vessel. Perplexed by the actions of the mysterious ship, the "Constellation" gave chase, and soon came near enough to see thatshe had caught a Tartar; for the vessel was the French frigate "LaVengeance, " mounting fifty-two guns. Although a more powerful vesselthan the American, she continued her flight; while the gallantTruxton, caring nothing for the odds against him, kept on in hotpursuit. All the remainder of that day, and until noon of the next, the chase continued, with but little change in the position of theships. "A stern chase is a long chase, " thought the jackies on the"Constellation;" but they were not discouraged, and only crowded onthe more sail. On the afternoon of the second day, the American beganto gain rapidly; and by eight at night the two ships were withinspeaking distance of each other. Truxton mounted the rail, and shoutedthrough a speaking-trumpet, "What ship is that?" The only answer was ashot from the stern-port of the Frenchman, and the fight was opened. It was then growing dark, though the faint glow of the long tropictwilight still lingered on the western horizon. Above the toweringmasts of the two great frigates, the stars gleamed with a brilliancyseldom seen in more northern latitudes. As the ships rushed throughthe water, the waves broke against the bows, and fell back in massesof phosphorescent light; while the wakes of the vessels could betraced far back into the darkness, --two parallel paths of light, thatglowed and sparkled like the milky way that spanned the starry skyabove. Side by side the two frigates ploughed through the water. The creakingof their cordage, and the rushing of the wind through the rigging, mingled with the thunder of the cannonade, which, though slow, andmade up of single reports, when the "Constellation" was confined tothe use of her bow-chasers, soon rose to thunderous broadsides as thetwo ships came side to side. As the twilight died away, the twocontestants were enveloped in almost total darkness, save for thefitful flashes of the cannon, and the red glare of the battle-lanternsthat hung from the shrouds. The gunners had for a target nothing but ablack, shapeless mass, that could be seen rushing through the wavessome hundreds of yards away. But this did not prevent fearfulexecution being done on both sides. For five hours the two ships keptup the running fight. The ponderous eighteen and forty-two pound shotof the enemy crashed into the "Constellation, " or swept her decks, doing dreadful damage. The deck was strewn with dead and dying men, and the surgeons down in the cock-pit soon had their tables full ofmoaning sufferers. No one could tell what might be the condition of"La Vengeance;" but her regular fire told that she was in no wisedisabled. At one o'clock in the morning, the sound of her guns seemedto be more distant; and by the flash of the cannon it was seen thatshe was drawing out of the fight. The Americans cheered lustily, andTruxton ordered that his ship be braced up in chase. But the fire of the enemy had been rapid and well directed; and now, at this critical moment, its results were to rob the "Constellation"of her victory. As the ships were brought about, to follow in thetrack of the flying "Vengeance, " an officer came rushing to thequarter-deck, and reported that all the shrouds and braces of theforemast had been shot away, and the mast was in momentary danger offalling. The rigging had been so literally cut in pieces by the fireof the enemy, that splicing was out of the question; but Truxton, inthe hope of saving his mast, called all hands from the guns, and thefire of the "Constellation" stopped. Up in the foretop was stationed Midshipman Jarvis, with a dozen ormore of jackies, whose duty it was to mend the cordage of the topmast, and to keep up a musketry fire upon the enemy. Long before the officerof the deck had reported the danger of the foremast, one of the topmenhad told Jarvis, who was but a lad, that the mast was likely to fall. "Ay, ay, my lad, " responded the plucky young officer; "but our placeis here, and we must go with it. " The sailors on the deck below worked manfully: but, notwithstandingall their efforts, the mast soon went by the board; and Jarvis and hisbrave comrades were thrown far out into the black water, never to beseen again. The fall of the foremast ended the battle for the "Constellation. "Helpless, and cumbered by the wreck, she tossed about on the waterwhile her foe made good her escape. What might have been the outcomeof the conflict, had it continued, it is impossible to tell. "LaVengeance" carried heavier metal and a larger crew than the Americanfrigate; and Truxton, with all his dash, found no mean adversary inCapt. Pitot. Yet the condition of the French ship when she came intoport at Curaçoa showed that the fire of the Yankee gunners had beenrapid and accurate. Fifty of the enemy were killed, and one hundredand ten wounded; while, of the Americans, only thirty-nine appeared onthe lists of killed and wounded. It was said at the time, that Capt. Pitot reported having struck his flag three times; hoisting it again, on finding that in the darkness the "Constellation" took no notice ofthe surrender. But this seems, on the face of it, improbable; and theaction can hardly be awarded to either ship, although the gallantryshown on either side was enough to win a victory. It may well be imagined that this brilliant action, together with thecapture of "L'Insurgente, " made the "Constellation" the most popularship of the navy; a place which she held until the stirring events ofthe war with England pushed the "Constitution" so far to the front, that even now, when she lies dismantled and rotting at the Brooklynnavy-yard, Americans still think of "Old Ironsides" as the typicalship of our once glorious navy. The actions between the "Constellation" and the "Vengeance" and"Insurgente" were the chief contests between regularly commissionedships of the two nations in the war with France. But the West Indieswere filled with privateers and semi-piratical craft, with which thenavy waged a ceaseless warfare, which well prepared the blue-jacketsfor the graver struggle which was yet to come with Great Britain. Thehalf-savage population of the French islands was a fruitful source oftrouble to the American seaman. These gentry, known as Picaroons, seemed to have a natural inclination for piracy; and the unluckymerchant-captain who should come to anchor, or be becalmed, near oneof the islands, was sure to see his vessel boarded, and his cargoplundered, by a lawless horde of Frenchmen and mulattoes, whosedialect was an unmusical combination of French and African tongues. The custom of the Picaroons was to do their cruising in huge bargespropelled by sweeps. With these they would often cut out amerchant-vessel from beneath the guns of a protecting man-of-war, andtow her off to be plundered at leisure. Occasionally, however, theirwell-laid plans failed in the execution. One of the most noted of these occasions was the repulse of tenPicaroon barges that attacked the United States topsail schooner"Experiment, " and a fleet of merchantmen under her charge. The"Experiment, " with her convoy, was lying becalmed in the Bight ofLeogane, in the island of San Domingo. Not a breath of air wasstirring; and the vessels, drifting about at the mercy of thecurrents, soon became widely separated, and were an easy prey for thehordes of Picaroons that swarmed in that region. In no way could the"Experiment" secure a position which would enable her to protect allthe merchantmen. In this dilemma it was determined to disguise thewar-vessel, in the hopes that the pirates, taking her for amerchantman, would attack her first. This was done; and, as luck wouldhave it, the Picaroons fell into the trap. Although not the captain of the ship, Lieut. David Porter was incommand on this occasion; and, on hearing that ten Picaroon bargeswith swivels in the bows, and crews of forty men each, wereapproaching, he sent his crew to quarters, and prepared for adesperate resistance. Onward over the smooth waters came the hugebarges, each with its twenty-six oars, looking like a mightycentipede. On the ship every thing was quiet, as the jackies stood totheir guns, with the prospect of a deadly struggle before them. Shouldthe barges get to close quarters, and surround the schooner, noearthly power could prevent their boarding, when their numbers wouldsurely bring them success. But the painful pause before the battle wasnot long. Suddenly Porter, ever on the alert, cried out to fire. Fromevery gun that could be brought to bear, a storm of grape and canisterwas rained upon the advancing boats; and the yells that went up fromthe astounded Picaroons told of the deadly work done in the crowdedboats. For a moment, the fleet of barges fell into confusion; someretreating, some advancing, and others drifting about helpless. Although the murderous fire was kept up, the pirates formed again, andattempted to get alongside, but were repeatedly beaten back. Withmusketry and swivels they attempted to answer the fire of theAmericans; but with little effect, for the crew of the "Experiment"kept close under the bulwarks. Men were precious then, and Porterwould not let one expose himself unnecessarily; but he himself, fromhis prominent post of observation, was an easy mark, and a Picaroon'sbullet soon lodged in his shoulder. Notwithstanding the painful woundhe never left his post. The unexpected opposition only maddened thePicaroons, and they made desperate attempts to get alongside; but tono avail. Now the stern and now the bow of the "Experiment" was chosenas the point of attack; but still the rapid fire of the jackies beatthe pirates back. On the low-lying shores of the islands, some hundreds more of thePicaroons had gathered to watch the conflict; and, as the boats becameshort-handed from the carnage, they put back to the shore, andreturned to the fight fully re-enforced. The bodies of the dead werethrown overboard without ceremony, and soon attracted great schools ofthe fierce sharks that abound in the waters of the tropics. Then a newhorror was added to the scene. At a moment when the barges wavered andfloated for a moment without motion, Porter ordered his gunners toload with solid shot. Two or three broadsides rang out; and, when thesmoke cleared away, two barges were seen to be sinking. The affrightedcrews bent to their oars, and strained every muscle to reach theshore; but, while yet in deep water, the barges sunk, and thePicaroons were left floundering in the sea. All struck out manfullyfor the shore; but suddenly one sprung half from the water, and with ahorrid yell sunk from sight. One after another disappeared in the sameway; for the sharks had tasted blood, and were not to be appeased. Forseven hours the conflict raged fiercely; but at last the Picaroonsconfessed themselves beaten, and sullenly relinquished their attacksupon the "Experiment. " But they were not to be wholly robbed of theirplunder; and two merchant-vessels fell a prey to their piraticalviolence, before a breeze, springing up, enabled the squadron toescape. Before the year was over, the Picaroons had another serious defeat tomourn over; and on this second occasion they were well punished fortheir many piracies. The "Boston, " a twenty-eight-gun ship, wasconvoying a merchant-brig to Port au Prince, when the lookoutdiscovered nine large barges skulking along the shore, ready to pounceupon the two vessels when a favorable moment should arrive. Porter wasagain in command. His tactics were at once determined upon; and theports of the "Boston" were closed, and the ship thoroughly disguised. The Picaroons were deceived sufficiently to make a dash upon the twoships, and approach boldly within easy gunshot; then, discoveringtheir mistake, they turned and fled in panic. This time no calmhampered the ship-of-war; and, making all sail, she dashed into theirmidst. For two hours she kept within easy range of the barges; and hergunners, working deliberately, did fearful execution in the ranks ofthe enemy, and sunk three barges before the wretched fugitives couldreach the shore. After dealing out this summary justice, the "Boston"continued her voyage, and, after leaving her convoy in the port of herdestination, began a cruise about the islands and the Spanish Main. Inthe course of this cruise she met the French corvette "Le Berceau, "which struck after a plucky action of two hours. The Frenchman wasbadly cut up in hull and rigging, and shortly after the surrender herfore and main masts went by the board. The "Boston" was but littleinjured, and took her prize safely into port. After this the fighting was chiefly confined to short, sharp affraysbetween the smaller United States ships and the French privateers, which were generally good sailers and well manned, although deficientin metal. The great frigates like the "Constellation" found no moreadversaries worthy of their fighting qualities, and only the sloopsand topsail-schooners gave their crews a chance to smell gunpowder. Some of these smaller actions, however, were sharp and gallant, although their details have not been preserved like those of thefamous naval duels. The "Experiment, " after her adventure with the Picaroons, fought twogallant battles, and was successful in each, although the second for atime threatened to lead to international difficulties. While cruisingon her station, the vessel made two sail, which, as they came nearer, proved to be a brig of eighteen guns and a three-masted schooner oftwenty guns, both flying the French tricolor, and both intent onmischief. The American fled, but laid her course in such a way as toseparate the two pursuers. When night had fallen, Lieut. -CommanderStewart, who commanded the "Experiment, " saw that the enemy's forceswere divided by about a league of green water, and at once determinedto strike a blow. Doubling on his course, he ran his vessel alongsidethe schooner, and poured in two or three broadsides with such rapidityand haste that the Frenchman struck before his consort could come tohis aid. Hastily throwing Lieut. Porter and a prize-crew aboard theprize, Stewart dashed off after the brig, which fled incontinently, and proved too good a sailer to be overtaken. Pure audacity hadcarried the day for the "Experiment, " for the brig was powerful enoughto have blown her pursuer to bits in a short engagement. The second exploit of the "Experiment" was no less gallant than this, but in the end proved far less satisfactory. Late in a summer'safternoon a suspicious sail was made; and the chase, begun at once, had continued until nightfall. When darkness settled over the ocean, Stewart calculated the course laid by the stranger, and ordered hishelmsman to keep the ship on that course until midnight, when, if thefugitive was not overhauled, the chase would be abandoned. Just beforemidnight a sail was seen near by and to windward. The men were sent toquarters; and with guns shotted, and battle-lanterns burning, the"Experiment" ran up under the stranger's lee, and hailed. No answerwas returned. Perplexed and irritated, Stewart ordered a shot firedinto the stranger, which was no sooner done than a broadside wasreturned, which made the schooner reel. Both vessels were then plungedinto conflict, though neither knew the name or nationality of theopponent. For a time the "Experiment" was handicapped by the heavywind, which laid her over so far that her guns were elevated skyward, and her shot whistled through the enemy's tops. To obviate this, planks were thrust under the breeches of the guns, until at last theproper range was secured, when an active cannonade soon forced thestranger to strike. Lieut. Porter was sent to take possession of theprize; but the report he brought back put all thought of prize-moneyout of the minds of the victors, for the stranger was a Bermudianprivateer, flying the British flag, and under the protection of anation with which the United States was at peace. The fault lay withthe privateers for not responding to the hail, but the Americans didall in their power to repair the damage done. All the next day theylay by their vanquished adversary, and the sailors of two ships workedside by side in patching up the injuries done by the shot. By nightthe privateer was able to continue her cruise, resolving, doubtless, to avoid future conflicts with the ships of the American navy. But to enter into the details of each of the naval duels of the Frenchwar of 1798, would require a volume devoted exclusively to itsconsideration. Although there was never a declaration of war betweenthe two countries, yet the warfare on the ocean was earnest, and evendesperate. Both nations went to work with a will, and the results wereof incalculable benefit to the then pygmy navy of the United States. In their newspapers the Americans read with wonder and pride of thesuccesses of their new vessels and young sailors, against the trainedseamen and best frigates of France. When the war closed, the countryrang with the praises of the blue-jackets. Indeed, a record ofsixty-four French vessels captured, besides many American vesselswhich were recaptured from their captors, was enough to arousefeelings of pride throughout the nation; and the celerity with whichFrance seized upon the proposal for peace showed well the reputationwhich our navy had gained beyond the ocean. For months after the peacewas signed, the names of Bainbridge, Truxton, Stewart, and Talbot werehousehold words throughout the nation; and the deeds of the gallantships along the Spanish Main were the favorite stories of the boys ofthe land. Three of the oaken veterans, however, never came home; butagainst their names must be put the saddest of all naval records:foundered at sea. The captured "Insurgente, " the "Saratoga, " and the"Pickering" simply vanished from the ocean. Over fourscore years havepassed; and of them, and the gallant lads that manned them, nothinghas ever been known. Whether they perished by the fury of the tropicaltyphoon, whether a midnight collision sent them suddenly to thebottom, or whether the ships were destroyed and the crews murdered bythe piratical desperadoes of the West Indies, can never be known. Somewhere on the coral-strewn bed of the blue seas of the tropics liethe mouldering hulks of those good ships, and the bones of theirgallant crews. There will they lie, unknown and unsought, untilearthly warfare is over for all men, and the sea gives up its dead. CHAPTER III. PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE NAVY. -- RENEWAL OF BRITISH OUTRAGES. -- THE AFFAIR OF THE "BALTIMORE. " -- ATTACK ON THE "LEANDER. " -- ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE "CHESAPEAKE" AND "LEOPARD. " Not many months had elapsed after the close of the war between theUnited States and France, when the pride of the nation in the navythat had won such laurels in that conflict began to wane. In the placeof poems and editorials singing the praises and pointing out the valueof the navy, the newspapers began to be filled with demands for itsreduction. It was an unwarrantable expense, exclaimed the critics ofthe press, for a nation so young, and so far from the warring peoplesof Europe, to maintain a navy at all. A few gunboats to guard thecoast would be enough. All the consequences of the reduction of thenavy at the close of the Revolution were forgotten in an instant. Apenny-wise and pound-foolish spirit came over all the politicalleaders; and the Democratic party, then newly come into power, determined to endear itself to the hearts of the people by cuttingdown the expenses of the Government, and to this end they attackedfirst the appropriations for the navy. A gallant fight was madeagainst the total abolition of the navy; and finally it was decided toretain thirteen of the ships-of-war on the list, while the othersshould be sold. With these thirteen vessels, of which the most notedwere the "Constitution, " the "Constellation, " and the "United States, "the navy was placed upon a peace footing. Even this moderate squadron, however, brought out much opposition from economically mindedstatesmen; but the aggressions of the Barbary pirates, and the warwith Tripoli which opened in 1801, gave the sailor lads activeemployment, and for the time the outcry of the economists against thenavy ceased. Of the various wars with Tripoli and the other states of Barbary, wehave already given some account. The political bearing of theTripolitan war upon the war which afterwards followed with GreatBritain was slight; but, as discipline for the sterner reality ofnaval warfare with the nation long reputed to be "mistress of theseas, " the experience of the Yankee tars with the turbaned infidelswas invaluable. Let us, then, return to the shameful recountal of the injuriescommitted by the British upon the American flag on the high seas. Evenwhile the United States was at war with France, and thus aiding theBritish, the outrages never ceased. American sailors were stillimpressed. American vessels were boarded, and often seized, on theslightest pretexts. Even the ships of the Government were not exempt, for the British respected no right save that of greater power. It was in November, 1798, that the United States sloop-of-war"Baltimore, " of twenty guns, and under command of Capt. Phillips, wasin charge of a convoy of merchantmen bound to Havana. On the morningof the 16th of that month, the sloop, with her convoy, were in sightof their destination, and could even see the solid, towering walls ofthe Moro, rising high above the low-lying shores about Havana. Thebreeze was fresh and fair; and all hands expected to cast anchorbefore night in the beautiful bay, oh the shores of which stands thechief city of the island of fruits and spices. On the "Baltimore" thejackies were busily at work holystoning the decks, until theyglistened with the milky whiteness dear to the eye of the sailor ofthe days before the era of yellow pine or black, unsightly iron ships. The shrouds and standing rigging had been pulled taut with many a "Yo, heave ho!" until the wind hummed plaintively through the taut cordage, as through the resounding strings of an Ĉolian harp. The brasswork andpolished breeches of the guns were polished by the vigorous rubbing bymuscular sailors, until they shone again. All told of a coming seasonin a friendly port. While the work of preparation for port was thus going busily on, thelookout hailed the deck, and reported a squadron in sight. A moment'sglance convinced Capt. Phillips that the strangers were Britishwar-vessels; and, as they were still accustomed to annoy Americanmerchantmen, he hastily signalled his convoy to carry sail hard, andmake port before the British came up, while the "Baltimore" bore up tospeak to the British commodore. Before the merchantmen could escape, however, the British cut offthree of them, under some peculiar and mistaken ideas of the law ofblockades. More than this, when Capt. Phillips paid his visit to theEnglish commodore in the latter's cabin, he was calmly informed thatit was intended to take from the "Baltimore" into the British serviceevery sailor who had not a regular American protection; this under thenew English doctrine, that every sailor was an Englishman unlessproved to be otherwise. The avowal by the British captain of thisintention filled Phillips with indignation, and he warmly protestedagainst any such action. [Illustration: The British Squadron. ] It would, he insisted, be an outrage on the dignity of the nationwhich he served; and, as the overpowering force of the Britishrendered resistance impossible, he should insist upon surrendering hisship should they persist in their undertaking, which was no more norless than open warfare. With this he arose from his seat, and leavingthe cabin, to which he had been invited as the guest of a friendlynation, returned to his own ship. Here he found a state of affairs that still further added to hisindignation. At the foot of the gangway of the "Baltimore" floated aboat from one of the British ships, and on the deck of the sloop was alieutenant in British uniform in the act of mustering the Americancrew. Capt. Phillips at once seized the muster-roll, and ordered theofficious Briton to walk to leeward, while the crew of the "Baltimore"were sent to their quarters. But, having done this, he became doubtful as to the course for him topursue. Successful resistance was out of the question; for he wassurrounded by five British vessels, one of which carried ninety-eightguns, while the smallest mounted thirty-two, or twelve more than the"Baltimore. " Even had the odds against him been less great, Capt. Phillips felt grave doubts as to his authority to resist any armedvessel. He had sailed under instructions that "the vessels of everyother nation (France excepted) are on no account to be molested; and Iwish particularly to impress upon your mind, " wrote the Secretary ofthe Navy, "that should you ever see an American vessel captured by thearmed ship of any nation at war, with whom we are at peace, you cannotlawfully interfere, for it is to be taken for granted that such nationwill compensate for such capture, if it should prove to have beenillegally made. " After some deliberation over this clause in hisinstructions, Capt. Phillips concluded that for him to make even aformal resistance would be illegal; and accordingly the flag of the"Baltimore" was lowered, and the British were told that the ship wasat their disposal. They immediately seized upon fifty-five men fromthe American crew, who were taken away to the British fleet. But inthis wholesale impressment they did not persist. Fifty of the men weresent back; and the squadron set sail, carrying away the five pressedmen, and leaving the men of the "Baltimore, " from the captain down tothe smallest cabin-boy, smarting under the sense of an indignity andinsult offered to the flag under which they served. Capt. Phillips hoisted his flag again, and continued his cruise. Newstravelled slowly in those days; and the tidings of this latestBritish insult did not reach the United States until the "Baltimore, "returning home, brought it herself. Hardly had the ship reached port, when Capt. Phillips hastened to Philadelphia, then the nationalcapital, and laid his report of the affair before the Government. In aweek's time, without even the formality of a trial, he was dismissedfrom the navy. After the lapse of more than eighty years it is impossible to lookback upon this affair without indignation, mortification, and regret. That the naval officers of Great Britain should have been able, by themere force of arms, to inflict so cruel an insult upon our flag, canbut arouse indignation in the breast of every true American. And thehumiliation was great enough, without having added to it the obviouslyhasty and unjust action of the authorities, in dismissing, without atrial, an officer who had faithfully served his country. It is indeedpossible that Capt. Phillips erred gravely in his course; but justicealone demanded for him a fair trial, and the nature of hisinstructions certainly afforded him some justification for his action. The years that opened the nineteenth century were full of events thatexerted the greatest influence over the growth of the United States. The continuance of the Napoleonic wars in Europe, our own war with theBarbary powers, the acquisition of Louisiana, --all these had theireffect on the growth of the young Republic of the West. But, at thesame time, England was continuing her policy of oppression. Hercruisers and privateers swarmed upon the ocean; and impressment ofseamen and seizure of vessels became so common, that in 1806 memorialsand petitions from seamen and merchants of the seaport towns poured inupon Congress, begging that body to take some action to save Americancommerce from total destruction. Congress directed the Americanminister in London to protest; but to no avail. Even while thecorrespondence on the subject was being carried on, the British gaverenewed evidence of their hostility to their former Colonies, andtheir scorn for the military or naval power of the United States. Fromthe far-off shores of the Mediterranean came the news that boats fromthe fleet of the British Admiral Collingwood had boarded the UnitedStates gunboat No. 7, and taken from her three sailors, under thepretence that they were Englishmen. But an occurrence that shortlyfollowed, nearer home, threw this affair into oblivion, and stillfurther inflamed the national hatred of the English. A small coasting sloop, one of hundreds that made voyages along theAmerican coast from Portland to Savannah, was running past Sandy Hookinto New York Bay, when she was hailed by the British ship "Leander, "and ordered to heave to. The captain of the coaster paid no attentionto the order, and continued on his way, until a shot from the cruisercrashed into the sloop, and took off the head of the captain, JohnPearce of New York. This was murder, and the action of the British infiring upon the sloop was gross piracy. Such an outrage, occurring sonear the chief city of the United States, aroused a storm ofindignation. The merchants of New York held meetings at the oldTontine Coffee-House, and denounced not only the action of the Britishcruiser, but even impeached the Government of the United States;declaring that an administration which suffered foreign armed ships to"impress, wound, and murder citizens was not entitled to theconfidence of a brave and free people. " The fact that the captain ofthe offending cruiser, on being brought to trial in England, washonorably acquitted, did not tend to soothe the irritation of theAmericans. Occurrences such as this kept alive the American dislike for theEnglish, and a year later an event happened which even the most ardentpeace-lover could not but condemn and resent with spirit. In 1807 the United States frigate "Chesapeake, " then lying at thenavy-yard at Washington, was put in commission, and ordered to theMediterranean, to relieve the "Constitution. " Nearly a month wasconsumed in making necessary repairs to hull and cordage, taking instores, shipping a crew, and attending to the thousand and one detailsof preparation for sea that a long time out of commission makesnecessary to a man-of-war. While the preparations for service wereactively proceeding, the British minister informed the navalauthorities that three deserters from His British Majesty's ship"Melampus" had joined the crew of the "Chesapeake;" and it wasrequested that they should be given up. The request was made with duecourtesy; and, although there is no principle of international lawwhich directs the surrender of deserters, yet the United States, as afriendly nation, was inclined to grant the request, and an inquiry wasmade into the case. The facts elicited put the surrender of the menout of the question; for though they frankly confessed to havedeserted from the "Melampus, " yet they claimed to have been impressedinto the British service, and proved conclusively that they were freeAmericans. This was reported to the British minister; and, as he madeno further protests, it was assumed that he was satisfied. Some weeks later the vessel left the navy-yard, and dropped down theriver to Hampton Roads. Even with the long period occupied inpreparation for sea, the armament of the ship was far from being inorder; a fact first discovered as she passed Mount Vernon, as she wasunable to fire the salute with which at that time all passingwar-vessels did honor to the tomb of Washington. After some days stayat Hampton Roads, during which time additional guns and stores weretaken on, and the crew increased to three hundred and seventy-fivemen, the ship got under way, and started on her voyage. It was on a breezy morning of June that the "Chesapeake" left thebroad harbor of Hampton Roads, the scene of so many of our navalglories. From the masthead of the frigate floated the broad pennant ofCommodore Barron, who went out in command of the ship. The decks werelittered with ropes, lumber, and stores, which had arrived too late tobe properly stowed away. Some confusion is but natural on a shipstarting on a cruise which may continue for years, but the conditionof the "Chesapeake" was beyond all excuse; a fact for which thefitting-out officers, not her commander, were responsible. As the American ship passed out into the open ocean, there was a greatstir on the decks of four English cruisers that lay quietly at anchorin Lynn Haven Bay; and almost immediately one of these vessels hoistedher anchor, set her sails, and started out in the track of thefrigate. A stiff head-wind blowing, the American was forced to tackfrequently, in order to get ahead; and her officers noticed that theBritish ship (the "Leopard, " of fifty guns) tacked at the same time, and was evidently following doggedly in the wake of the "Chesapeake. "No suspicion that the pursuer had other than peaceful motives in viewentered the minds of the American officers; and the ship kept on hercourse, while the sailors set about putting the decks in order, andgetting the vessel in trim for her long voyage. While all hands werethus busily engaged, the "Leopard" bore down rapidly, and soon hailed, saying that she had a despatch for Commodore Barron. The "Chesapeake"accordingly hove to, and waited for a boat to be sent aboard. The two ships now lay broadside to broadside, and only about a halfpistol-shot apart. No idea that the Englishman had any hostile designsseems to have occurred to Commodore Barren; but some of the youngerofficers noticed that the ports of the "Leopard" were triced up, andthe tompions taken out of the muzzles of the cannon. The latter factwas of the gravest import, and should have been reported at once tothe commander; but it appears that this was not done. In a few moments a boat put off from the "Leopard, " and pulled to theAmerican ship, where an officer stood waiting at the gangway, andconducted the visitor to Barron's cabin. Here the English lieutenantproduced an order, signed by the British Admiral Berkeley, commandingall British ships to watch for the "Chesapeake, " and search her fordeserters. Commodore Barron immediately responded, that the"Chesapeake" harbored no deserters, and he could not permit his crewto be mustered by the officer of any foreign power. Hardly had thisresponse been made, when a signal from the "Leopard" recalled theboarding officer to his ship. The officers of the "Chesapeake" were now fully aroused to the dangersof the situation, and began the attempt to get the ship in readinessfor action. Commodore Barron, coming out of his cabin for the firsttime, was forcibly struck by the air of preparation for actionpresented by the "Leopard. " Capt. Gordon, the second in command, wasordered to hasten the work on the gun-deck, and call the crew toquarters. The drummers began to beat the call to quarters, but hastyorders soon stopped them; and the men went to their places quietly, hoping that the threatening attitude of the "Leopard" was merebravado. The most painful suspense was felt by all on board the American ship. The attitude of the "Leopard" left little doubt of her hostileintentions, while a glance about the decks of the "Chesapeake" toldhow little fitted she was to enter into action. Her crew was a newone, never exercised at the guns, and had been mustered to quartersonly three times. On the gun-deck lay great piles of cumbrous cables, from the coiling of which the men had been summoned by the call toquarters. On the after-deck were piles of furniture, trunks, and sometemporary pantries. What little semblance of order there was, was dueto the efforts of one of the lieutenants, who, suspecting trouble whenthe "Leopard" first came up, had made great exertions toward gettingthe ship clear. While the captain stood looking ruefully at theconfusion, still more serious troubles were reported. The guns wereloaded; but no rammers, powder-flasks, matches, wads, or gun-lockscould be found. While search was being made for these necessaryarticles, a hail came from the "Leopard. " Commodore Barron shoutedback that he did not understand. "Commodore Barron must be aware that the orders of the vice-admiralmust be obeyed, " came the hail again. Barron again responded that he did not understand. After one or tworepetitions, the British determined to waste no more time in talking;and a single shot fired from the bow of the "Leopard" was quicklyfollowed by a full broadside. The heavy shot crashed into the sides ofthe "Chesapeake, " wounding many of the men, and adding to theconfusion on the gun-deck. No answer came from the American frigate;for, though the guns were loaded, there was no way of firing them. Matches, locks, or loggerheads were nowhere to be found. Mad with rageat the helpless condition in which they found themselves, the officersmade every effort to fire at least one volley. Pokers were heatedred-hot in the galley-fire, and carried hastily to the guns, butcooled too rapidly in the rush across the deck. In the mean time, the"Leopard, " none too chivalric to take advantage of an unresisting foe, had chosen her position, and was pouring in a deliberate fire. Fornearly eighteen minutes the fire was continued, when the flag of the"Chesapeake" was hauled down. Just as it came fluttering from themasthead, Lieut. Allen, crying, "I'll have one shot at those rascals, anyhow, " ran to the galley, picked up a live coal in his fingers, andcarried it, regardless of the pain, to the nearest gun, which wassuccessfully discharged. This was the only shot that the "Chesapeake"fired during the affair, --battle it cannot be called. A boat with two British lieutenants and several midshipmen on boardspeedily boarded the "Chesapeake, " and the demand for the deserterswas renewed. Four seamen were seized, and borne away in triumph; butthe British commander refused to receive the ship as a prize, and evenwent so far as to express his regret at the loss of life, and profferhis aid in repairing the damages. Both sympathy and assistance wereindignantly rejected; and the disgraced ship went sullenly back toNorfolk, bearing a sorely mortified body of officers and seamen. Ofthe four kidnapped sailors, it may be stated here, that one washanged, and the other three forced to enter the British service, inwhich one died. His comrades, five years later, were restored to thedeck of the ship from which they had been taken. [Illustration: Lieut. Allen Fires A Shot. ] The news of this event spread like wildfire over the country, andcaused rage and resentment wherever it was known. Cities, towns, andvillages called for revenge. The President issued a proclamation, complaining of the habitual insolence of British cruisers, andordering all such vessels to leave American waters forthwith. As inthe reduced state of the navy it was impossible to enforce this order, he forbade all citizens of the United States to give aid to, or haveany intercourse with, any such vessels or their crews. War measureswere taken both by the Federal and State Governments. As usual, thepopular wrath was vented upon the least culpable of the peopleresponsible for the condition of the "Chesapeake. " Commodore Barrenwas tried by court-martial, and sentenced to five years' suspensionfrom the service, without pay. The cool judgment of later yearsperceives the unjustness of this sentence, but its execution cast adeep shadow over the remainder of the unhappy officer's life. For some years after this episode, little occurred to change therelations of the two nations. The war spirit grew slowly, and was keptalive by the occasional reports of impressments, or the seizure ofAmerican ships by British privateers. The navy held its place amid thenational defences, although a plan devised by President Jefferson camenear putting an end to the old organization. This plan provided forthe construction of great numbers of small gunboats, which should bestationed along the coast, to be called out only in case of attack byan armed enemy. A contemporary writer, describing the beauties of thissystem, wrote, "Whenever danger shall menace any harbor, or anyforeign ship shall insult us, somebody is to inform the governor, andthe governor is to desire the marshal to call upon the captains ofmilitia to call upon the drummers to beat to arms, and call themilitia men together, from whom are to be _drafted_ (not impressed) asufficient number to go on board the gunboats, and drive the hostilestranger away, unless during this long ceremonial he should have takenhimself off. " Fortunately the gunboat system did not work the totalextinction of the old navy. In 1811 the British aggressions began again, and the situation becamemore and more warlike. So bold had the privateers become, that theycaptured a richly laden vessel within thirty miles of New York. Shortly after, the British frigate "Guerriere" stopped an Americanbrig eighteen miles from New York, and took from her a young sailor. The sea was running very rough, and a stiff breeze blowing, when the"Spitfire" was halted by the frigate; but the American captain wentwith the captured lad to the war-vessel, and assured the commanderthat he had known the young man as a native of Maine from his boyhood. The reply was, "All that may be so; but he has no protection, and thatis enough for me. " With these memories fresh, it is not surprisingthat Americans rejoiced when the news of an encounter terminating infavor of the United States ship was received. On May 7, 1811, the United States frigate "President" was lyingquietly at anchor off Fort Severn, Annapolis. Every thing betokened astate of perfect peace. The muzzles of the great guns were stopped bytompions. The ports were down. In the rigging of the vessel hunggarments drying in the sun. At the side floated half a dozen boats. Many of the crew were ashore on leave. The sailing-master was atBaltimore, and the chaplain and purser were at Washington. From themasthead floated the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers, but he waswith his family at Havre de Grace; and the executive officer, Capt. Ludlow, was dining on the sloop-of-war "Argus, " lying near at hand. But the captain's dinner was destined to be interrupted that brightMay afternoon; for in the midst of the repast a midshipman entered, and reported that the commodore's gig was coming up rapidly, withRodgers himself on board. The dinner party was hastily broken up, andthe captain returned to his ship to receive his superior officer. Onhis arrival, Commodore Rodgers said that he had received orders tochase the frigate that had impressed the sailor from the "Spitfire, "and insist upon the man's being liberated, if he could prove hiscitizenship. This was good news for every man on the frigate. At last, then, the United States was going to protect its sailors. Three days were spent in getting the crew together and preparing forsea; then the stately frigate, with all sails set and colors flying, weighed anchor, and stood down the Chesapeake with the intention ofcruising near New York. She had been out on the open ocean only a day, when the lookout, from his perch in the cross-trees, reported astrange sail on the horizon. The two vessels approached each otherrapidly; and, as the stranger drew near, Rodgers saw, by thesquareness of her yards and the general trim, symmetrical cut of hersails, that she was a war-vessel. Perhaps she may be the offender, thought he, and watched eagerly her approach. As the stranger came up, the "President" set her broad pennant andensign; on seeing which the stranger hoisted several signal flags, thesignificance of which was not understood by the Americans. Finding hersignals unanswered, the stranger wore ship, and bore away to thesouthward, hotly followed by the "President. " During all thesemanoeuvres, Rodgers's suspicion of the strange vessel had increased;and her apparent flight only convinced him the more of the hostilecharacter of the stranger. It was a stern chase and a long one, for atthe outset the stranger was hull down on the horizon. After an hour itbecame evident that the "President" was gaining, for the hull of thefugitive was plainly seen. The breeze then died away, so that nighthad fallen over the waters before the ships were within hailingdistance. A little after eight in the evening the "President" was within ahundred yards of the chase, which could be seen, a dark mass withbright lights shining through the rows of open ports, rushing throughthe water directly ahead. Rodgers sprang upon the taffrail, andputting a speaking-trumpet to his lips, shouted, "What ship is that?"A dead silence followed. Those on the "President" listened intentlyfor the answer; but no sound was heard save the sigh of the windthrough the cordage, the creaking of the spars, and the rush of thewater alongside. Rodgers hailed again; and, before the sound of hiswords had died away, a quick flash of fire leaped from the stern-portsof the chase, and a shot whizzed through the rigging of the"President, " doing some slight damage. Rodgers sprang to the deck toorder a shot in return; but, before he could do so, a too eager gunnerpulled the lanyard of his piece in the second division of the"President's" battery. The enemy promptly answered with three guns, and then let fly a whole broadside, with discharges of musketry fromthe deck and the tops. This exhausted Rodgers's patience. "Equallydetermined, " said he afterwards, "not to be the aggressor, or tosuffer the flag of my country to be insulted with impunity, I gave ageneral order to fire. " This time there was no defect in the ordnanceor the gunnery of the American ship. The thunderous broadsides rangout at regular intervals, and the aim of the gunners was deliberateand deadly. It was too dark to see what effect the fire was having onthe enemy, but in five minutes her responses began to come slowly andfeebly. Unwilling to continue his attack on a ship evidently much hisinferior in size and armament, Rodgers ordered the gunners to ceasefiring; but this had hardly been done when the stranger opened again. A second time the guns of the "President" were run out, and again theybegan their cannonade. The stranger was soon silenced again; andCommodore Rodgers hailed, that he might learn the name of hisadversary. In answer came a voice from the other vessel, -- "We are his Majesty's ship ----. " A gust of wind carried away thename, and Rodgers was still in doubt as to whom he had been fighting. Hoisting a number of bright lights in her rigging, that the strangermight know her whereabouts, the "President" stood off and on duringthe night, ready to give aid to the disabled ship in case of need. [Illustration: Commodore Rodgers Hails. ] At early dawn every officer was on deck, anxious to learn the fate oftheir foe of the night before. Far in the distance they could see aship, whose broken cordage and evident disorder showed her to havebeen the other party to the fight. A boat from the "President" visitedthe stranger, to learn her name and to proffer aid in repairing thedamages received in the action. The ship proved to be the Britishsloop-of-war "Little Belt;" and her captain stated that she was muchdamaged in her masts, sails, rigging, and hull, and had been cutseveral times between wind and water. He declined the proffered aid, however, and sailed away to Halifax, the nearest British navalstation. Commodore Rodgers took the "President" to the nearestAmerican port. When the "President" reached home, and the news of her exploit becameknown, the exultation of the people was great, and their commendationsof Rodgers loud. "At last, " they cried, "we have taught England alesson. The insult to the 'Chesapeake' is now avenged. " Rodgersprotested that he had been forced unwillingly into the combat, but hisadmirers insisted that he had left port with the intention of humblingthe pride of some British ship. Indeed, the letter of an officer onthe "President, " printed in "The New York Herald" at the time, rathersupported this theory. "By the officers who came from Washington, "wrote this gentleman, "we learn that we are sent in pursuit of aBritish frigate, who had impressed a passenger from a coaster. Yesterday, while beating down the bay, we spoke a brig coming up, whoinformed us that she saw the British frigate the day before off thevery place where we now are; but she is not now in sight. We have madethe most complete preparations for battle. Every one wishes it. She isexactly our force; but we have the "Argus" with us, which none of usare pleased with, as we wish a fair trial of courage and skill. Shouldwe see her, I have not the least doubt of an engagement. The commodorewill demand the person impressed; the demand will doubtless berefused, and the battle will instantly commence. . . . The commodore hascalled in the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, informed them of allcircumstances, and asked if they were ready for action. Ready, was thereply of each. " No consequences beyond an intensifying of the war spirit in Americafollowed this rencounter. Before dismissing the subject, however, itis but fair to state that the account as given here is in substanceCommodore Rodgers's version of the matter. The British captain'sreport was quite different. He insisted that the "President" firedthe first shot, that the action continued nearly an hour, that it washis hail to which no attention was paid, and finally he intimated thatthe "President" had rather the worse of the encounter. The laststatement is easily disproved, for the "President" was almostunscathed, and the only injury to her people was the slight woundingof a boy, in the hand. On the "Little Belt, " thirty-one were killed orwounded. The other points led to a simple question of veracity betweenthe two officers. Each government naturally accepted the report of itsofficer; and, so far as the governments were concerned, the mattersoon passed into oblivion. Not long after this episode, a somewhat similar occurrence took place, but was happily attended with no such serious consequences. Thefrigate "United States, " cruising under the broad pennant of CommodoreDecatur, fell in with two British ships near New York. While thecommanders of the vessels were amicably hailing, a gun was suddenlyfired from the battery of the "United States, " owing to thecarelessness of a gunner in handling the lanyard. It was a criticalmoment, for the British would have been justified in responding to thefire with broadsides. Happily, they were cool and discreet, andDecatur made such explanations as showed that no attack or insult wasintended. This little incident is interesting, as showing the distrustof the British which led an American captain to keep his guns primedand cocked, while conversing with English men-of-war. Another incident showed that the hatred of the British service thatprevailed among seamen was a matter of deep-seated conviction. Whilethe United States ship "Essex" was lying in an English port, it becameknown that one of her crew was a deserter from the British navy, andhis surrender was immediately demanded. Although the man stoutlyprotested that he was an American, yet no proof could be shown; and, as the ship was in British waters, it was determined to surrender him. A British officer and squad of marines boarded the "Essex" and waitedon the deck while the sailor went below to get his kit. Bitterlycomplaining of the hardness of his fate, the poor fellow went alongthe gun-decks until he passed the carpenter's bench. His eye fell uponan axe; and after a minute's hesitation he stepped to the bench, seized the axe in his right hand, and with one blow cut off the left. Carrying the severed member in his hand, he again sought the deck andpresented himself, maimed, bleeding, and forever useless as a sailor, to the British officer. Astonished and horrified, that worthy left theship, and the wounded man was sent to the sick-bay. The incident was aforcible commentary on the state of the British service at that time, and left a deep impression on the minds of all beholders. In the next contest over deserters, however, the Americans rathersecured the best of the argument. The "Constitution" was lying atanchor in Portsmouth roads, when one of the crew slily slippedoverboard and swam down with the tide to the British ship "Madagascar"that lay at anchor near by. When he had reached the Englishman, he wastoo exhausted to speak; and the officers, supposing that he had fallenoverboard accidentally, sent word to the "Constitution" that her manhad been saved, and awaited the orders of his commander. The nextmorning a boat was sent down to the "Madagascar" to fetch the manback; but, to the astonishment of the visiting officer, he was toldthat the sailor claimed to be a British subject and wished to escapefrom the American service. "Have you any evidence, " asked the American officer of the Britishadmiral, "beyond the man's own word, that he is an Englishman?" "None whatever, sir, " was the response, "but we are obliged to takehis declaration to that effect. " The American officer returned to his ship, vowing vengeance on theharborers of the deserter. His opportunity came that very night. In the dead watches of the night, when all was still on deck save themonotonous tramp of the sentries, there suddenly rang out on the stillair the sharp crack of a musket. The officer of the deck rushed to seewhat was the matter, and was shown a dark object floating near theship, at which a sentry had fired. A boat was lowered and soon cameback, bringing in it a sailor who had deserted from the "Madagascar, "and reached the "Constitution" by swimming. Capt. Hull asked thefellow his nationality. "Sure, O'im a 'Merricun, your honor, " he answered in a rich broguethat would have branded him as a Paddy in any part of the world. Witha twinkle in his eye, Hull sent the Irishman below, and told thesailors to take good care of him. Early in the morning, a boat came from the "Madagascar;" and a trimyoung lieutenant, clambering aboard the American frigate, politelyrequested that the deserter be given up. With great dignity, Capt. Hull responded that the man was a citizen of the United States, andshould have protection. The visiting officer fairly gasped for breath. "An American!" he exclaimed. "Why, the man has never been out ofIreland except on a British man-of-war. " "Indeed!" responded Hull blandly. "But we have his statement that heis an American, and we are obliged to take his declaration to thateffect. " And the man was never given up. During the day, two British frigates cast anchor so near the"Constitution" that Capt. Hull suspected them of hostile intentions, and moved his ship to a new anchorage. A frigate followed closely inher wake. At eight in the evening, Capt. Hull determined to meet theshow of force with force. The drums beat, and the men were called toquarters. The battle-lanterns were lighted fore and aft. The tops werecrowded with sailors, armed with short carbines, to pick off the menon the enemy's decks. Along the gun-deck stood the men at the guns;and an officer, describing the scene, says they took hold of the ropesas if they were about to jerk the guns through the ship's sides. Allwere enthusiastic over the prospect of the coming action. "Now, then, my lads, " said an officer to a group of sailors, "if afight comes of this, it will be in the cause of you sailors; and Iexpect you to fight like men. " "Ay, ay, sir, " was the response. "Let the quarter-deck look out forthe colors, and we'll keep the guns going. " All the preparations for battle were made openly, and the attitudetaken by the "Constitution" was an open challenge. No notice of it wastaken by the British ship; and, after maintaining her hostile attitudefor some time, the "Constitution" hoisted her anchor, and left theharbor. The time of the formal declaration of war was now rapidly approaching. The long diplomatic correspondence between the two nations had failedto lead to any amicable solution of the difficulties that were fasturging them to war. Great Britain still adhered to her doctrine that aman once an Englishman was always an English subject. No action ofhis own could absolve him from allegiance to the flag under which hewas born. Upon the trade of the United States with France, the Englishlooked with much the sentiments with which, during our civil war, weregarded the thriving trade driven with the Confederacy by the Britishblockade-runners. Upon these two theories rested the hateful "right ofsearch" and the custom of impressment. It is needless to say that the views of the United States on thesequestions were exactly contrary to those of the English. Such vitaldifferences could, then, only be settled by war; and war wasaccordingly declared in June, 1812. It was a bold step for the youngnation, but there was enough of plausibility in the English claims tomake it evident that they could never be set aside by diplomacy; andso, with hardly a thought of the odds against her, the United Statesdashed in to win justice at the muzzles of her cannon. That the odds were tremendous, is not to be denied. Of the militarystrength of the two nations, it is not the purpose of this book totreat. Indeed, a recountal of the land battles of the war of 1812would hardly be pleasant reading for Americans. It was on the sea thatour laurels were chiefly won. Yet, at the time of the declaration ofwar, the navy of the United States consisted of twenty vessels, ofwhich the largest carried forty-four guns, and the majority ratedunder thirty. For years this navy had been a butt of ridicule for allthe European naval powers. The frigate "Constitution" was scornfullytermed by an English newspaper "a bunch of pine boards sailing under abit of striped bunting. " Not long after the publication of thisinsolent jeer, the "Constitution" sailed into an American port with acaptured British frigate in tow. Right merrily then did the Americansboast of their "bunch of pine boards. " This miniature navy of the United States was about to be pittedagainst the greatest naval power of the world. The rolls of the navyof Great Britain bore at this time the names of over one thousandships. Of these, no less than two hundred and fifty-four wereships-of-the-line, mounting over seventy-four guns each. Behind thisgreat navy were the memories of long years of conquests, of an almostundisputed supremacy upon the ocean. Small wonder was it, then, thatthe British laughed at the idea of the Americans giving battle totheir hitherto unconquered ships. What, then, was the secret of the success which, as we shall see, attended the American arms on the sea? The answer is, that men, notships, carried the day. Yet Great Britain had the more sailors on hermuster-rolls. True, but they were only too often unwilling slaves. Instead of enlisting, like free men, they were hunted down like brutesand forced to enter the service. No sailor was safe from thepress-gang, and even sober citizens were often kidnapped to serve the'King' on the ocean. From the ships of other nations, from their homesand from taverns, the unlucky sailors were dragged away. Even in thestreets of populous cities, they were not safe; and it was no uncommonsight to see pitched battles being fought between the press-gangs andsailors whom they were trying to capture. Generally, the inhabitantsand landsmen sided with the victims; and a sailor running through thestreets of the town would be given every assistance by people, whofilled with obstacles the path of his pursuers. Could he reach thewater-side, the fugitive would find every boat at his service; whilehis pursuers, on coming up, found every water-man very busy and verygruff. But the wonder is, that, with this unjust and repulsive systemof impressments, the British sailors were so loyal, and fought withthe dogged courage that they invariably showed. In the American navy, on the contrary, the enlistments were voluntary. The service was popular, and the seamen entered it without the feelingof outraged liberty inspired by the British system. Officers werereadily obtained from the ranks of the adventurous Americannavigators. Officers and men alike often brought into the servicepersonal memories of British oppression; and this, with their free andindependent spirit, enabled them to wage an unequal war with gloriousresults for the supporters of the stars and stripes. CHAPTER IV. THE WAR ON THE OCEAN. -- COMMODORE RODGERS'S CRUISE. -- THE LOSS OF THE "NAUTILUS. " -- FIRST SUCCESS FOR THE BRITISH. -- THE ESCAPE OF THE "CONSTITUTION. " -- THE "ESSEX" TAKES THE "ALERT. " -- THE "CONSTITUTION AND THE "GUERRIERE. " At the time when the declaration of war was made public, a smallsquadron of United States vessels was lying in the port of New York, under the command of Commodore Rodgers. The warlike tendency of thepopular mind had long been evident, and the captain of everywar-vessel had been for some time making active preparations forservice. Some apprehension was felt in naval circles, lest the smallsize of the navy should lead the authorities to lay up the vessels inport during the continuance of the war. This apprehension was wellfounded; for not only had such a course been debated in the cabinet, but orders had been prepared, directing Commodore Rodgers to hold hisvessels in port. This decision was actively opposed by the officersof the navy, who felt that, though inconsiderable in numbers, theUnited States navy could make a brave fight for the honor of thenation; and with one accord all protested against the actioncontemplated. Two officers, Capt. Bainbridge and Capt. Stewart, wentto Washington and sought an interview with the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton, who assured them that the plans of the Government werewell matured and would not be changed. The United States could notafford, said the secretary, that its few frigates and men-of-warshould be snapped up by the enormous fleets of the British, as wouldsurely be the case, if they ventured upon the ocean. But it was notintended to materially reduce the lists of naval officers. Thefrigates, with all their loose spars and top-hamper taken down, wereto be anchored at the entrances of the principal harbors of thecountry, and operated as stationary batteries. This prospect was far from agreeable to the two officers. It wasintolerable for them to imagine the graceful frigates, with toweringmasts and snowy canvas, reduced to mere shapeless hulks, and left toguard the entrance of a placid harbor. Finding the secretaryinexorable, they went to the President and put the case before him. They assured him, that, small though the list of American ships was, it bore the names of vessels able to cope with any thing of theirclass in the British navy. Both officers and seamen were proud of theservice, and burned to strike a blow for its honor. President Madisonseemed much impressed by their representations, and agreed to take thematter into consideration; and, if it seemed wise, to change the plan. But, before any definite action was taken by him, war was declared. Within an hour after he had received news of the declaration of war, Commodore Rodgers had his squadron under way, and dropped down NewYork Bay to the ocean. Under his command were the flag-ship"President" of forty-four guns, the "Essex" thirty-two, and the"Hornet" eighteen. In the lower bay these vessels were joined by the"United States" forty-four, the "Congress" thirty-eight, and the"Argus" sixteen. On June 21, 1812, three days after the declaration ofwar, the whole squadron passed Sandy Hook, and stood out into theocean. It is probable that the remarkable celerity of Commodore Rodgers'sdeparture was due, in part, to the fear that the authorities wouldrevive the obnoxious order laying up the ships in port. His chiefobject, however, was to overhaul a large fleet of British merchantmenthat had recently left the West Indies, and, according to allcalculations, should have been in the vicinity of New York at thattime. All sail was accordingly crowded upon the ships, and thesquadron set out in hot pursuit. For two days the monotony of the horizon was broken by no sail; but onthe third a ship was espied in the distance, which was made out to bean enemy's frigate, after which chase was made by the whole squadron. A fresh breeze was blowing, and both chase and pursuers were runningfree before the wind. As sail after sail was crowded upon the ships, the smaller vessels, with their lesser expanse of canvas, began tofall behind; and in a few hours the frigate "President" had graduallydrawn away from the fleet, and was rapidly gaining on the enemy. Thesail had been spied at six o'clock in the morning, and at four P. M. The flag-ship had come within gunshot of the chase. The wind thenfell; and the chase, being long out of port and light, began to gainon her heavier adversary. Both vessels now began to prepare for alittle gunnery. On the English vessel, which proved to be the"Belvidera, " thirty-six, the sailors were busily engaged in shiftinglong eighteens and carronades to the stern, making a battery ofstern-chasers mounting four guns. The action was opened by a gun from the bow of the "President, "sighted and fired by Commodore Rodgers himself; so that this officermay be said to have fired the first gun of the war. His shot was agood one, hulling the enemy. A second shot from one of the guns of thefirst division broke off the muzzle of one of the "Belvidera's"stern-chasers; and a third shot, fired by Commodore Rodgers, crashedinto the stern of the chase, killing two men, and wounding severalothers. Certainly in their first action the Yankees showed no lack ofskill in gunnery. The chase was slow in responding to the fire; and although hercommander, Capt. Byron, sighted the guns for the first few dischargeshimself, his aim was by no means so good as that of the Americans. TheBritish showed great energy, however, in defending their ship. Notcontent with the stern guns already mounted, they shifted to the sternports two long eighteen-pounders on the main deck, and twothirty-two-pound carronades on the quarter-deck. With these they keptup a brisk fire, which soon became effective, many shots cutting therigging of the "President, " while one plunged down upon the deck, killing a midshipman and two or three men. But the superiority of theAmerican gunnery was beginning to tell, when, at a critical moment, amain-deck gun, on the "President, " burst with a stunning report; andthe flying fragments killed or wounded sixteen men. The force of theexplosion shattered the forecastle deck. Commodore Rodgers was thrownhigh into the air, and, falling heavily on the deck, suffered apainful fracture of the leg. The crew was at once thrown intoconfusion and almost panic. Every gun was looked upon with suspicion. Encouraged by this confusion, the enemy worked his stern guns withrenewed vigor, and at the same time lightened his ship by cutting awayboats and anchors, and starting fourteen tons of water. Thuslightened, she began to draw away from the "President;" perceivingwhich, the latter ship yawed several times, and let fly fullbroadsides at the escaping chase. The shot rattled among the spars ofthe "Belvidera, " but the nimble topmen quickly repaired all damages;and the British ship slowly but steadily forged ahead. Seeing no hopeof overtaking her, Rodgers ordered the chase abandoned; and theAmerican squadron again took up its search for the fleet of Britishmerchantmen. But this, the first cruise of the United States navy in the war wasdestined to be a disappointment to all concerned. The key-note set bythe affair just related--in which the "President" lost twenty-two men, and permitted her adversary to escape--was continued throughout thevoyage. Always finding traces of the enemy they were seeking, theAmericans never succeeded in overhauling him. One day great quantitiesof orange-peel, cocoanut-shells, and similar fragments of tropicalfruits gave the jackies assurance of the proximity of the long-soughtenemy, and urged them on to renewed energy and watchfulness. Then themaster of an English letter-of-marque, captured by the "Hornet, "reported that the day before he had passed a fleet of eighty-fivesail, of which four were men-of-war. That night there was no room inthe minds of the sailors for any thoughts other than those of bigprize-money. But their golden dreams were never to be fulfilled; for, although the chase was continued until within a day's run of theEnglish Channel, no sight of the Jamaica fleet was ever gained. Abandoning this chase, the squadron returned to Boston by a Southernroute; and, although constantly in the very highway of commerce, fewsails were sighted. When port was reached, the results of a cruisethat had occupied seventy days amounted only to the capture of oneletter-of-marque, seven merchantmen, and the recapture of one Americanship. But Rodgers heard, that, while he had been scouring the oceanwith such meagre results, events of more importance had occurrednearer home. [Illustration: Explosion On The "President. "] The British ship "Belvidera, " after her lucky escape from the"President, " had made her way to Halifax, the chief naval station ofGreat Britain on the American coast. Her report was the first news ofthe declaration of war, for at that day news travelled slowly. Oncealarmed, the British were prompt to act; and in a few days a squadronleft Halifax in search of Commodore Rodgers. The force thus hurriedlygathered was quite formidable. The "Africa" of sixty-four guns, the"Shannon, " thirty-eight, the "Guerriere, " thirty-eight, the"Belvidera, " thirty-six, and the "Ĉolus, " thirty-two, made up thefleet despatched to chastise the headstrong Americans for theirattempt to dispute with Great Britain the mastery of the ocean. Earlyin July, this force made its appearance off New York, and quickly madecaptures enough to convince the American merchantmen that a season inport was preferable to the dangers of the high seas in war-times. Tothis same fleet belongs the honor of the first capture of a war-vesselduring the war; for the American brig "Nautilus, " fourteen guns, wassuddenly overhauled by the entire fleet, and captured after a pluckybut unavailing attempt at flight. Fourteen-gun brigs, however, were rather small game for a squadronlike that of the British; and it is probable that His BritannicMajesty's officers were heartily glad, when, some days, later theUnited States frigate "Constitution" hove in sight, undercircumstances which seemed certain to make her an easy prey to thefive British ships. It was on the 17th of July, 1812, that the "Constitution, " afterreceiving a new crew at Annapolis, was standing northward under easysail on her way to New York. About noon four sails were sighted on thehorizon, and an hour later the appearance of a fifth sail was dulyreported. A careful scrutiny of the strangers convinced Capt. Hullthat they were men-of-war, although their nationality could not bedetermined. Night fell before the ships could come within hailingdistance; and, though Hull set private signals, no answer wasreturned. When day broke, Hull found himself fairly surrounded byBritish frigates. In addition to the squadron which has been describedas leaving Halifax, there was the captured "Nautilus" with her gunsturned against her own nation, and a captured American schooner whichhad been likewise pressed into the service. Clearly the "Constitution"was outnumbered, and nothing was left for her but flight. The events of that three days' chase are told with great minuteness inthe log-book of the "Constitution" to which many of those on boardhave, in later publications, added more interesting personalreminiscences. When the rising mists showed how completely theAmerican frigate was hemmed in, hardly a breath of air was stirring. Although every sail was set on the ship, yet she had not steerage way;and Hull ordered out the boats, to pull the ship's head around and towher out of range of her enemies. At the same time, gangs of sailorswith axes cut away the woodwork about the cabin windows, and mountedtwo stern guns in the cabin and one on the upper deck. The enemy, inthe mean time, were keeping up a vigorous fire, but without effect. Their ships were rapidly gaining, as they were enabled to set theboats of the whole squadron to towing the two foremost vessels. Hullsaw that some new means of getting ahead must be devised. Soundings were taken, and the ship found to be in twenty-six fathomsof water. All the available rope in the ship was then bent on to akedge and carried far ahead, when the kedge was lowered to the bottom. The sailors then shipped their capstan-bars, and tramped about thecapstan, until the ship was dragged up to the kedge, which was thenhoisted and again carried ahead and let fall. This manoeuvre wasrepeated several times with marked success; for the "Constitution" wasrapidly drawing away from her pursuers, who could not discover hermeans of propulsion. Out of sight of land as they were, the Britishdid not for some time suspect the true cause of the sudden speed ofthe fugitive. When, after long scrutiny through their marine-glasses, they finally did discover the stratagem, the "Constitution" was farahead; and though the pursuers adopted the same device, yet theirawkwardness was so great, that even the superior force they wereenabled to employ did not bring them up to their chase. While the ships were thus being urged on by towing, kedging, andoccasionally by sweeps, an intermittent fire was kept up by theBritish, and responded to by the "Constitution" from her stern ports. The guns which had been mounted by the Americans in the cabin, theywere soon forced to abandon, as the explosions threatened to blow outthe whole stern frame. With the stern-chasers on the gun-deck, however, a constant fire was maintained, in the hopes of crippling theenemy by a lucky shot. For more than forty-eight hours the chase maintained this aspect ofmonotony. A dead calm prevailed the greater part of the time. Occasionally, light breezes filled the sails, and wafted the shipsahead for a few minutes; then, dying away, left the sea unruffled, and the sails flapping idly against the masts. British historiansconcur with those of our own country, in saying that the"Constitution, " in seizing the advantages of the breeze, showed farbetter seamanship than did her enemies. While the British vessels layto, to pick up their boats, the "Constitution" forged ahead, pickingup her boats while under way. Later in the chase, the British totallyabandoned their boats, and, when the American frigate had fairlyescaped them, went about for some days picking up such boats as werefound drifting on the broad ocean. The morning of the second day of the chase dawned with a light breezeruffling the water, and filling out the sails of the ships. Before thebreeze died away, which it did in a few hours, the "Constitution" hadgained on her pursuers so that she led them by more than four miles. Then the calm again held the ships quiet; and again the Americans sawtheir enemies closing in upon them by the aid of sweeps, and towingwith their boats. There was little rest for the crew of the Americanfrigate. On the gun-deck, about the carriages of the great cannon, laysuch of the men as were not assigned to duty in the boats or at thecapstan. Wearied with the constant strain, they fell asleep as soon asrelieved from active duty; though they knew that from that sleep theymight be awakened to plunge into the fierce excitement of desperatebattle. Exhausted as the men were, their officers were forced toendure a still more fearful strain. No sleep came to the eyelids ofCapt. Hull, throughout the chase. Now encouraging the men, nowplanning a new ruse to deceive the enemy, ever watchful of thepursuing ships, and ready to take advantage of the slightest breath ofair, Capt. Hull and his able first lieutenant Morris showed suchseamanship as extorted admiration even from the British, who werebeing baffled by their nautical skill. By skilful manoeuvring, the Americans managed to keep to the windwardof their enemies throughout the chase; and to this fact the success ofCapt. Hull's most astute stratagem was due. Ever alert for any sign ofa coming breeze, he saw on the water far to windward that ripplingappearance that betokens the coming of a puff. Hull determined toutilize it for himself, and, if possible, trick the British so thatthey would lose all benefit of the breeze. The clouds that were comingup to windward seemed to threaten a squall, and driving sheets ofrain were rapidly advancing toward the ship. With great ostentation, the "Constitution" was made ready for a severe gale. The enemy couldsee the nimble sailors taking in sail, and furling all the lightercanvas. Then the driving rain swept over the ship, and she was shutout of sight. Immediately all was activity in the tops of the Britishfrigates. Reefs were rapidly taken in the larger sails, while manywere closely furled. All forsook their course, and steered indifferent directions in preparation for the coming squall, which, indeed, was far less violent than the action of the "Constitution"seemed to indicate. But the shrewd Yankees on that craft, protectedfrom spying British eyes by the heavy rain, were now shaking out thereefs they had just set; and under full sail the ship was soon flyingaway towards home. After an hour of driving thunder-shower, the cloudspassed by; and the wall-like edge of the shower could be seen movingrapidly away before the wind. The tars on the "Constitution" watchedeagerly to see the British fleet appear. Farther and farther recededthe gray curtain, and yet no ships could be seen. "Where are they?"was the thought of every eager watcher on the deck of the"Constitution. " At last they appeared, so far in the distance as to bepractically out of the chase. Two were even hull down; while one wasbarely visible, a mere speck on the horizon. Though now hopelessly distanced, the British did not give up thepursuit, but held valiantly on after the American frigate. She had solong been within their very grasp that it was a bitter disappointmentfor them to be balked of their prey. But, as the wind now held, theAmerican gained on them so rapidly that at last they unwillinglyabandoned the chase; and, disbanding the fleet, each ship set off onan individual cruise, in the hopes that the enemy which had shown suchability in flight when overpowered would not deign to fly ifencountered by a single hostile ship. This expectation was fullyrealized some weeks later, when the "Constitution" fell in with theBritish frigate "Guerriere. " Thus, after a chase of more than sixty-four hours, the "Constitution"evaded her pursuers, and made her way to Boston. Although they reapedno glory by their labors, the British did not come out of the chasealtogether empty-handed. As the course of the vessels was along theNew England coast, they were in the direct path of American commerce;and more than one wretched coaster fell into their clutches. At onetime, a fine, full-rigged ship, flying the stars and stripes, camewithin sight; and the British, to lure her to her destruction, hoistedthe American flag over all their vessels. But Hull was a match forthem at strategy; and he promptly set the British colors at hismasthead, and began so vigorous a cannonade that the strangerconcluded that a merchantman had no business in that quarter, eventhough the Americans did appear to be rather in the majority. By his able seamanship in this chase Capt. Hull gained for himself anational reputation. The newspapers of the day vied with each other inpointing out the manoeuvres in which he had excelled his enemies, --howhe had picked up his boats while under way, though the enemy wereforced to cut theirs adrift; how he had come out of the chase withoutinjury, and after parting with only a few gallons of water, though aless cool-headed commander would have thrown overboard guns, ammunition, and every thing movable, in the face of so great a danger. A modest sailor, as well as a skilful one, Capt. Hull showed himselfto be; for, while the popular adulation was at its height, he inserteda card in the books of the Exchange Coffee-House at Boston, begginghis friends to "make a transfer of a great part of their good wishesto Lieut. Morris and the other brave officers and crew under hiscommand, for their very great exertions and prompt attention to orderswhile the enemy were in chase. " Leaving the "Constitution" thus snugly in port at Boston, we will turnaside to follow the fortunes of a ship, which, though belated ingetting out to sea, yet won the honor of capturing the first Britishwar-vessel taken during the war. When Commodore Rodgers set sail from New York with his squadron, inthe fruitless pursuit of the fleet of Jamaica men, he left in theharbor the small frigate "Essex, " under the command of Capt. DavidPorter. The ship was thoroughly dismantled, --stripped of her rigging, her hold broken out, and provided neither with armament, ammunition, nor crew. Her captain, however, was a man of indomitable energy; andby dint of much hard work, and constant appeals to the authorities atWashington, he managed to get his ship in order, and leave the harborwithin a fortnight after the departure of the squadron under Rodgers'scommand. The "Essex" was a small frigate, lightly sparred, rating as athirty-two-gun ship, but mounting twenty-six guns only, of which sixwere twelve-pounders, and the remainder carronades of thirty-twopounds. A carronade is a short cannon of large calibre, but of veryshort range. Capt. Porter protested vigorously against being furnishedwith a battery so useless except at close quarters: but his protestswere unheeded; and the "Essex" put to sea, trusting to her ability toget alongside the enemy, where her carronades would be of some use. Among the midshipmen who bunked, messed, and skylarked together in thesteerage of the "Essex, " was one lad whose name in later days was tobe inscribed on the roll of the greatest naval heroes of history. David Glasgow Farragut was a child of seven years of age when he wasadopted by Capt. Porter, and began his training for a naval career. In1810 the boy secured his appointment of midshipman; and now, in 1812, we find him enrolled among the "young gentlemen" who followed thefortunes of the "Essex. " In those days the midshipmen were often mereboys. Farragut himself was then but eleven years old. But, boys asthey were, they ordered the hardy old tars about, and strutted thestreets when on shore-leave with all the dignity of veterans. That the discipline of the "Essex" was of the strictest, and that theefficiency of her crew was above criticism, we have the testimony ofFarragut himself to prove. "Every day, " he writes, "the crew wereexercised at the great guns, small arms, and single stick; and I mayhere mention the fact, that I have never been on a ship where the crewof the old "Essex" was represented, but that I found them to be thebest swordsmen on board. They had been so thoroughly trained asboarders, that every man was prepared for such an emergency, with hiscutlass as sharp as a razor, a dirk made by the ship's armorer out ofa file, and a pistol. " Hardly were the Highlands of Navesink lost to sight below the horizon, when Porter began to receive evidences that his cruise was to be alucky one. Several brigs were captured, and sent into New York; butthe tars of the "Essex" were beginning to grow weary of small game, and hoped, each time a sail was sighted, that it might be a Britishman-of-war. At last a small squadron hove into sight, the appearanceof which seemed to indicate that the jackies might smell gunpowder totheir hearts content before the next day. It was late at night when the strange fleet was sighted; and the"Essex" was soon running down upon them, before a fresh breeze. Although the moon was out, its light was obscured by dense masses ofcloud, that were driven rapidly across the sky; while over the waterhung a light haze, that made difficult the discovery of objects at anydistance. The "Essex" soon came near enough to the squadron toascertain that it was a fleet of British merchantmen and transportsconvoyed by a frigate and bomb-vessel. The frigate was at the head ofthe line; and the "Essex, " carefully concealing her hostile character, clapped on all sail and pressed forward, in the hopes of bringing onan action. After passing the hindermost transport, however, theAmerican ship was hailed by a second transport, which soon suspectedher hostile character and threatened to give the alarm. Instantly theports of the "Essex" were knocked out, the guns trained on the enemy, and the transport was ordered to haul out of the line at once, andsilently, under penalty of being fired into. The defenceless shipcomplied, and was at once taken possession of, and the soldiers onboard were transferred to the "Essex. " This operation took so muchtime, that, by the time it was concluded, day dawned over the ocean;and the attack upon the British frigate was abandoned. Again the "Essex" continued her cruise in search of an enemy worthy ofher metal. For two or three days she beat about the ocean in the usualtrack of ships, without sighting a single sail. The ship had been sodisguised, that the keenest-eyed lookout would never have taken herfor a ship-of-war. The top-gallant masts were housed, the ports of thegun-deck closed in, and her usually trim cordage and nicely squaredyards were now set in a way that only the most shiftless of merchantskippers would tolerate. Not many days passed before the enemy fellinto the trap thus set for him. When on the 13th of August Capt. Porter learned that a sail towindward, apparently a British man-of-war, was bearing down upon the"Essex, " he carried his little bit of acting still further. Instead ofthe great crowd of agile sailors that spring into the rigging of aman-of-war, at the order to make sail, only a handful, in obedience toPorter's orders, awkwardly set on the "Essex" all the sail she wouldcarry. Two long, heavy cables dragging in the water astern so retardedthe ship, that the stranger, coming down gallantly, thought he hadfallen in with a lumbering old American merchantman, which was makingfrantic, but futile, efforts to escape. Had the British captain been able to look behind the closed ports ofthe "Essex, " he would have formed a very different idea of thecharacter of his chase. He would have seen a roomy gun-deck, glistening with that whiteness seen only on the decks of well-keptmen-of-war. Down either side of the deck stretched a row of heavycarronades, each with its crew of gunners grouped about the breech, and each shotted and primed ready for the opening volley. From themagazine amidships, to the gun-deck, reached a line of stewards, waiters, and cooks, ready to pass up cartridges; for on a man-of-war, in action, no one is an idler. Active boys were skurrying about thedeck, barefooted, and stripped to the waist. These were the "powdermonkeys, " whose duty it would be, when the action opened, to take thecartridges from the line of powder-passers and carry it to the guns. On the spar-deck, only a few sailors and officers were visible to theenemy; but under the taffrail lay crouched scores of blue-uniformedjackies, with smooth-faced middies and veteran lieutenants, ready tospring into the rigging at the word of command, or to swarm over theside and board the enemy, should the gunwales of the vessels touch. All this preparation, however, was unknown to the "Englishman, " whocame boldly on, doubting nothing that the "Essex" would that day beadded to his list of prizes. As he drew nearer, the American sailorscould see that their foe was much their inferior in size and armament;and the old tars who had seen service before growled out theirdissatisfaction, that the action should be nothing but a scrimmageafter all. In a few minutes, the bold Britons gave three ringingcheers, and let fly a broadside at the "Essex. " In an instant theports of the sham merchantman were knocked out; and, with a warlikethunder, the heavy carronades hurled their ponderous missiles againstthe side of the assailant. The astonished Englishmen replied feebly, but were quickly driven from their posts by the rapidity of theAmerican fire; and, in eight minutes after the action was opened, theBritish hauled down their flag. The captured ship proved to be thesloop-of-war "Alert, " mounting twenty eighteen-pounder carronades. Theboarding officer found her badly cut up, and seven feet of water inthe hold. The officers were transferred to the "Essex, " and the"Alert" taken in tow. Circumstances, however, forced the Americans topart in a very few days. The chief cause which led to the separation of the two vessels was anincipient mutiny, which was discovered by Midshipman Farragut, and wasonly averted by the perfect discipline of the American crew. Anexercise to which the greatest attention was given was the"fire-drill. " When the cry of fire was raised on the ship, every manseized his cutlass and blanket, and went to quarters as though theship were about to go into action. Capt. Porter was accustomed, thathis men might be well prepared for any emergency, to raise this cry offire at all hours of the night; and often he caused a slight smoke tobe created in the hold, further to try the nerves of his men. Shortlyafter the "Alert" was captured, and while the "Essex" was crowded withprisoners, some of the captives conspired to seize the ship, and carryher to England. One night, as Farragut was sleeping in his hammock, astrange feeling of fear came over him; and he opened his eyes to findthe coxswain of the captain's gig of the "Alert" standing over himwith a pistol in his hand. The boy knew him to be a prisoner, and, seeing him armed, was convinced that something was wrong. Expectingevery moment to be killed, he lay still in his hammock, until the manturned on his heel and walked away. Then Farragut slipped out, and ranto the captain's cabin to report the incident. Porter rushed upon theberth-deck in an instant. "Fire! fire!" shouted he at the top of hisvoice; and in an instant the crew were at their quarters, in perfectorder. The mutineers thought that a bad time for their project, and itwas abandoned. The next day the prisoners were sent on board the"Alert, " and that vessel sent into St. Johns as a cartel. The capture of the "Alert" reflected no great glory upon theAmericans, for the immense superiority of the "Essex" rendered hersuccess certain. It is, however, of interest as being the firstcapture of a British war-vessel. The action made the honors easybetween the two nations; for while the Americans had the "Alert, " theBritish were captors of the brig "Nautilus. " This equality was not oflong duration, however; for an action soon followed which set allAmerica wild with exultation. After her escape from the British fleet, the "Constitution" remainedat Boston only a few days, and then set out on a cruise to theeastward along the New England coast. Bad luck seemed to follow her, and she had reached a point off Cape Sable before she made a prize. Here two or three prizes of little value were taken; and an Englishsloop-of-war was forced to relinquish an American brig, which had beenrecently captured. Shortly afterwards, a Salem privateer wasoverhauled, the captain of which reported an English frigate cruisingin the neighborhood; and Capt. Hull straightway set out to discoverthe enemy. The frigate which had been sighted by the Salem privateer, and forwhich Hull was so eagerly seeking, was the "Guerriere, " athirty-eight-gun ship commanded by Capt. Dacres. With both ship andcaptain, Capt. Hull had previously had some little experience. The"Guerriere" was one of the ships in the squadron from which the"Constitution" had so narrowly escaped a few weeks before, while Capt. Dacres was an old acquaintance. A story current at the time relates, that, before the war, the "Guerriere" and the "Constitution" werelying in the Delaware; and the two captains, happening to meet at someentertainment on shore, fell into a discussion over the merits oftheir respective navies. Although even then the cloud of war wasrising on the horizon, each was pleasant and good-natured; and thediscussion assumed no more serious form than lively banter. "Well, " said Hull at last, "you may just take good care of that shipof yours, if ever I catch her in the 'Constitution. '" Capt. Dacres laughed good-humoredly, and offered to bet a sum ofmoney, that in the event of a conflict his confident friend would findhimself the loser. "No, " said Hull, "I'll bet no money on it; but I will stake you a hat, that the 'Constitution' comes out victorious. " "Done, " responded Dacres; and the bet was made. War was soon declared;and, as it happened, the two friends were pitted against each otherearly in the hostilities. It was not long after the American frigate parted from the privateerwhen the long-drawn hail of "Sail ho-o-o!" from the lookout aloftannounced the discovery of another vessel. The course of the"Constitution" was at once shaped toward the stranger. In half an hourshe was made out to be a frigate, and from her actions was evidentlyanxious to come alongside the American ship. As more than an hour mustelapse before the ships could come together, Capt. Hull made hispreparations for action with the greatest deliberation. Thetop-gallant sails were furled, and the lighter spars lowered to thedeck. Through their glasses, the officers could see the enemy makingsimilar preparations, and waiting deliberately for the "Constitution"to come down. At five o'clock in the afternoon the two ships were rapidly nearing, and the drums on the American frigate beat to quarters. Then followedthe rush of barefooted men along the deck, as they ran hastily, but inperfect order, to their stations. As the roll of the drums died away, the shrill voices of the boyish midshipmen arose, calling off thequarter-bills, and answered by the gruff responses of the men at theirposts. Every man, from the cook to the captain, knew his place, andhurried to it. The surgeon, with his assistants, descended to thecock-pit. The carpenter and his mates made ready their felt-coveredplugs, for stopping holes made by the enemy's shot. The topmenclambered to their posts in the rigging, led by the midshipmen whowere to command them. The line of powder-passers was formed; and thepowder-monkeys gave up skylarking, and began to look sober at thethought of the business in hand. The "Guerriere" was not behindhand in her preparations for action. Capt. Dacres had suspected the character of the American vessel, fromthe first moment she had been sighted. On board the English frigatewas Capt. William B. Orne, a Marblehead sailor who had been capturedby the "Guerriere" some days before. "Capt. Dacres seemed anxious toascertain her character, " wrote Capt. Orne, shortly after the battle, "and after looking at her for that purpose, handed me his spy-glass, requesting me to give him my opinion of the stranger. I soon saw, fromthe peculiarity of her sails and her general appearance, that she waswithout doubt an American frigate, and communicated the same to Capt. Dacres. He immediately replied, that he thought she came down tooboldly for an American; but soon after added, 'The better he behaves, the more credit we shall gain by taking him. ' "The two ships were rapidly approaching each other, when the'Guerriere' backed her main topsail, and waited for her opponent tocome down and commence the action. He then set an English flag at eachmasthead, beat to quarters, and made ready for the fight. "When the strange frigate came down to within two or three milesdistant, he hauled upon the wind, took in all his light sails, reefedhis topsails, and deliberately prepared for action. It was now aboutfive in the afternoon, when he filled away and ran down for the'Guerriere. ' At this moment Capt. Dacres said politely to me, 'Capt. Orne, as I suppose you do not wish to fight against your owncountrymen, you are at liberty to retire below the water-line, ' It wasnot long after this, before I retired from the quarter-deck to thecock-pit. " It may be well here to supplement Capt. Orne's narrative bythe statement that Capt. Dacres, with a chivalric sense of justice notcommon in the British navy of that day, allowed ten American sailorswho had been impressed into his crew to leave their quarters and gobelow, that they might not fight against their country. Though anenemy, he was both gallant and generous. The action was opened by the "Guerriere" with her weather broadside;the shot of which all falling short, she wore around, and let fly herport broadside, sending most of the shot through her enemy's rigging, though two took effect in the hull. In response to this, the"Constitution" yawed a little, and fired two or three of her bow-guns;after which the "Guerriere" again opened with broadsides. In this waythe battle continued for about an hour; the American ship saving herfire, and responding to the heavy broadsides with an occasional shot. During this ineffectual firing, the two ships were continually drawingnearer together, and the gunners on the "Constitution" were becomingmore and more restive under their inaction. Capt. Hull was pacing thequarter-deck with short, quick steps, trying to look cool, butinwardly on fire with excitement. As the shot of the enemy began totake effect, and the impatience of the gunners grew more intense, Lieut. Morris, the second in command, asked leave to respond with abroadside. "Not yet, " responded Capt. Hull with cool decision. Some minuteslater, the request was repeated, and met with the same response, whilethe captain never ceased his pacing of the deck. When within abouthalf pistol-shot, another broadside came from the "Guerriere. " Thenthe smothered excitement in Hull's breast broke out. "Now, boys, pour it into them!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, gesticulating with such violence that the tight breeches of his navaluniform split clear down the side. Lieut. Morris seconded the captainin cheering on the crew. "Hull her, boys! Hull her!" he shouted; and the crew, catching up thecry, made the decks ring with shouts of "Hull her!" as they rapidlyloaded and let fly again. [Illustration: "Hull Her, Boys!"] The effect of their first broadside was terrific. Deep down in thecock-pit of the "Guerriere, " Capt. Orne, who had been listening to themuffled thunder of the cannonade at long range, suddenly "heard atremendous explosion from the opposing frigate. The effect of her shotseemed to make the 'Guerriere' reel and tremble, as though she hadreceived the shock of an earthquake. Immediately after this, I heard atremendous shock on deck, and was told that the mizzen-mast was shotaway. In a few moments afterward, the cock-pit was filled with woundedmen. " Though in his retreat in the cock-pit the captive American could hearthe roar of the cannon, and see the ghastly effects of the flyingmissiles, he could form but a small idea of the fury of the conflictwhich was raging over his head. Stripped to the waist, and coveredwith the stains of powder and of blood, the gunners on the two shipspulled fiercely at the gun-tackle, and wielded the rammers withfrantic energy; then let fly the death-dealing bolt into the hull ofan enemy only a few yards distant. The ships were broadside tobroadside, when the Englishman's mizzen-mast was shot away, and fell, throwing the topmen far out into the sea. The force of the great sparfalling upon the deck made a great breach in the quarter of the ship;and, while the sailors were clearing away the wreck, the"Constitution" drew slowly ahead, pouring in several destructivebroadsides, and then luffed slowly, until she lay right athwart theenemy's bow. While in this position, the long bowsprit of the"Guerriere" stretched far across the quarter-deck of the Americanship, and was soon fouled in the mizzen-rigging of the latter vessel. Then the two ships swung helplessly around, so that the bow of theEnglishman lay snugly against the port-quarter of the Yankee craft. Instantly, from the deck of each ship rang out the short, sharp blareof the bugle, calling away the boarders, who sprang from their guns, seized their heavy boarding caps and cutlasses, and rushed to theside. But a heavy sea was rolling and tossing the two frigates, sothat boarding seemed impossible; and, as Dacres saw the crowd of menready to receive his boarders, he called them back to the guns. Although each party stuck to its own ship, the fighting was almosthand to hand. Pistols were freely used; and from the tops rained downa ceaseless hail of leaden missiles, one of which wounded Capt. Dacresslightly. So near to each other were the combatants, that the commandsand the cries of rage and pain could be heard above the deep-tonedthunder of the great guns and the ceaseless rattle of the musketry. The protruding muzzles of the guns often touched the sides of theopposing ship; and when the cannon were drawn in for loading, thesailors on either side thrust muskets and pistols through the ports, and tried to pick off the enemy at his guns. While the fight was thus raging, a cry of "Fire!" horrified every oneon the "Constitution. " Flames were seen coming from the windows of thecabin, which lay directly beneath the bow-guns of the "Guerriere. " Thefire had been set by the flash from the enemy's cannon, so close werethe two ships together. By the strenuous exertions of the men on dutyin the cabin, the flames were extinguished, and this, the greatest ofall dangers, averted. Shortly after, the gun which had caused thetrouble was disabled by a skilful shot from one of the Yankee's guns. While the flames in the cabin were being extinguished, the Americanswere making a valiant attempt to board and Lieut. Morris with his ownhands was attempting to lash the two ships together. Abandoning thisattempt, he leaped upon the taffrail, and called upon his men tofollow him. Lieut. Bush of the marines, and Mr. Alwyn, were soon atthe side of the intrepid officer, when, at a sudden volley of musketryfrom the British, all three fell back, poor Bush dead, and the twoothers badly wounded. The ships then drifted asunder; and the"Guerriere's" foremast was shot away, and dragged down the main-mastwith it in its fall. The shattered ship now lay a shapeless hulk, tossing on the waves, but still keeping a British ensign defiantlyflying from the stump of her fallen mizzen-mast. The "Constitution" drew away, firing continually, and soon secured araking position; seeing which, the British hauled down their colors. Lieut. Read was sent on board the prize, and, on the appearance ofCapt. Dacres, said, -- "Capt. Hull presents his compliments, sir, and wishes to know if youhave struck your flag. " Dacres looked significantly at the shattered masts of his ship, andresponded dryly, -- "Well, I don't know. Our mizzen-mast is gone, our main-mast is gone;and I think, on the whole, you may say that we have struck our flag. " After looking about the ship, the boarding officer stepped to theside, to return to his own vessel. Before leaving, he said to Capt. Dacres, -- "Would you like the assistance of a surgeon, or surgeon's mate, incaring for your wounded?" Dacres looked surprised, and responded, -- "Well, I should suppose you had on board your own ship business enoughfor all your medical officers. " "Oh, no!" answered Read. "We have only seven wounded, and they havebeen dressed long ago. " Dacres was astounded, as well he might be; for on the decks of hisship lay twenty-three dead or mortally wounded men, while the surgeonswere doing their best to alleviate the sufferings of fifty-sixwounded, among whom were several officers. Indeed, the ship lookedlike a charnel-house. When Capt. Orne, freed by the result of thebattle, came on deck, he saw a sight that he thus describes: "Atabout half-past seven o'clock, I went on deck, and there beheld ascene which it would be difficult to describe. All the 'Guerriere's'masts were shot away; and, as she had no sails to steady her, she wasrolling like a log in the trough of the sea. Many of the men wereemployed in throwing the dead overboard The decks were covered withblood, and had the appearance of a ship's slaughter-house. Thegun-tackles were not made fast; and several of the guns got loose, andwere surging from one side to the other. Some of the petty officersand seamen got liquor, and were intoxicated; and what with the groansof the wounded, the noise and confusion of the enraged survivors onboard of the ill-fated ship, rendered the whole scene a perfect hell. " For some time after the "Guerriere" had been formally taken possessionof, it seemed as though the "Constitution" would have to fight asecond battle, to keep possession of her prize. A strange sail wasseen upon the horizon, bearing down upon the "Constitution" in a waythat seemed to threaten hostilities. Again the drums beat to quarters, and once again the tired crew went to their stations at the guns. Butthe strange ship sheered off, and the gallant crew were not forced tofight a second battle. All hands then set to work to remove theprisoners from the "Guerriere, " which was evidently in a sinkingcondition. In the first boat-load from the sinking ship came Capt. Dacres, whowas politely shown into Capt. Hull's cabin. Unclasping his sword fromits place at his hip, the conquered seaman handed it silently to Capt. Hull. The victor put it gently back, saying, -- "No, no, captain: I'll not take a sword from one who knows so well howto use it. But I will trouble you for that hat. " For a moment a shade of perplexity passed over the brow of the Britishcaptain; then he recollected the wager of a year or two before, andall was clear again. Unfortunately, the veracious chronicler who hashanded this anecdote down to modern times has failed to state whetherthe debt was duly paid. After some hours of hard work with the boats, the last of theprisoners, with their effects, were brought on board the"Constitution. " Torches were then set to the abandoned frigate; andthe sailors watched her blaze, until the fire reached her magazine, and she vanished in the midst of a tremendous explosion. Then, leaving behind her the floating mass of ruin, the "Constitution"headed for Boston, where she arrived after a few days of sailing. Great was the excitement and exultation aroused among the people bythe arrival of the noble ship with her prisoners. She had, indeed, come at a time when the public mind required cheering; for from theinterior came the reports of British successes by land, along theCanadian frontier about Detroit, and for weeks the papers had beenunable to record any success for the American arms. But the report ofthe engagement with the "Guerriere" changed wholly the tide of popularfeeling. Boston--the city which at the declaration of war had hung itsflags at half-mast, in token of mourning and humiliation--Bostonwelcomed the conquerors with an ovation like to a triumph in the daysof imperial Rome. When the ship came up the harbor, she was met and surrounded by agreat flotilla of gayly decorated boats; while the flags on thesurrounding vessels were dipped in salutation as the war-scarredveteran made her stately way to the wharf. Here a volunteer artillerycompany was assembled; and, as the ship came up, they fired a nationalsalute, which was returned from the guns so lately employed indefending the national honor. Quarters had been prepared for Capt. Hull in the city; and, as he landed, he found the streets throughwhich he must pass decked with bright bunting, and crowded withpeople. His progress was accompanied by a great wave of cheers; for, as the people saw him coming, they set up a shout, which was not endeduntil he had passed from sight. At night came a grand banquet to theofficers of the ship, at which six hundred sat down to the feast. Thefreedom of the city was presented to the captain; and at a later datecame the news of sword presentations from citizens of New York, platefrom the people of Philadelphia, and gold medals from Congress. Amidall the exultation, the rash arrogance of the British writers was notforgotten; and many a bumper was emptied to the success of the frigatedescribed by British journalists as "a bunch of pine boards under abit of striped bunting. " CHAPTER V. AN INTERNATIONAL DEBATE. -- THE "WASP" AND THE "FROLIC. " -- THE "UNITED STATES" AND THE "MACEDONIAN. " -- OVATIONS TO THE VICTORS. The rejoicing over the success of the "Constitution" had not died awayin the United States when the English newspapers began to appear withelaborate articles, showing just why the battle had terminated as itdid. "The 'Constitution' is the crack frigate of the American navy, "cried the apologists; but to this the Americans retorted by quotingthe British description of the ship as "a bunch of pine boards. " The"Guerriere" was an "old worn-out frigate, " responded the English, returning to the charge. "She was on her way to Halifax to refit, whenattacked. " Again they were refuted by their own statements; for, but amonth before, the "Guerriere" was said to be "able to drive theinsolent striped bunting from the seas. " Throughout the discussion, the shrewdness of the Americans enabled them to meet the arguments ofthe British at every point; but not until the charge was made, thatthe "Constitution" was chiefly manned by British sailors, did thepeople become thoroughly in earnest in the war of words. Such a charge as this was adding insult to injury. Was not the Britishnavy full of Americans who were forced against their will to serveagainst their own country, while the few Englishmen on the"Constitution" were enlisted with their own consent? For Capt. Dacresto say that his ship was weakened by allowing the ten Americans to gobelow, and then beaten by the efforts of the Englishmen on the"Constitution, " was merely tantamount to saying that the victoryhinged on the fact that Americans would not fight against their owncountry, while Englishmen did so willingly. But for Great Britain toexclaim against the American navy because it harbored a fewEnglishmen, was the rankest hypocrisy. So said the Americanjournalists of the day; and, in support of their statement, theyprinted long letters from American seamen impressed into and held inthe British naval service. One writes that he was impressed into hisBritish Majesty's ship "Peacock, " in 1810, and after serving two yearshe heard of the declaration of war. After a consultation with twofellow-seamen, both Americans, all decided to refuse to serve longer, claiming to be prisoners of war. But the captain under whom they wereenrolled looked upon the matter in a different light. He heard theirclaim, pronounced it a bit of "confounded insolence, " and straightwayordered that they be put in irons. After some hours for meditation in"the brig, " the three sailors were taken to the gangway, strippednaked, and tied up, while a sturdy boatswain's mate laid on a dozenand a half blows of the cat. Later, when the ship went into actionwith a United States vessel, the three sailors asked to be sent below, that they might not fight against their own countrymen; but thecaptain's sole response was to call up a midshipman, and order him todo his duty. This duty proved to consist in standing over the threemalcontents with a loaded pistol, threatening to blow out the brainsof the first who should flinch from his work. Three sailors were impressed after the war had begun. Learning thatthe ship on which they found themselves was to cruise upon theAmerican station, they with one accord refused to serve. The responseto this was "five dozen lashes well laid on. " Being still mutinous, they received four dozen lashes two days later, and after the lapse oftwo more days were flogged with two dozen more. But all the beating towhich they were subjected could not compel them to serve against theircountry; and they were accordingly ironed and thrown into "the brig, "where they lay for three months. When released from "the brig, " theyfound the ship at London. Here they heard of the glorious victory ofthe "Constitution, " and determined to celebrate it. By ripping uptheir clothing into strips, and sewing the strips together, a rudeAmerican flag was made; and with the most astonishing audacity thethree sailors hung this emblem over a gun, and gave three cheers forthe stars and stripes. This naturally brought them another flogging. Flogging, however, could not always be resorted to in order to bringAmerican sailors into subjection. It is estimated, that, when war wasdeclared, there were five times as many American seamen in the Britishnavy as were in the whole navy of the United States. To attempt tokeep this immense body of disaffected seamen in order by the lash, would have been impracticable; and soon the custom arose of sendingthe more refractory tars into confinement at some English prison. Dartmoor prison was for a time the principal place of detention forpressed men; but, as it soon became crowded, it was given over toprisoners of war, and the hapless seamen were sent to languish indismantled ships, known as "hulks. " These hulks were generally oldnaval vessels, dismasted and stripped of all their fittings. Anchoredmidstream in tidal rivers, the rotting hulks tugged at their rustychains, as the tide rose and fell, groaning in their bondage, andseeming as much imprisoned as the wretched sailors by whom they weretenanted. The captives lived in misery and squalor. Crowded togetherin stifling quarters between decks, they were the prey of vermin ofall kinds. Their miserable diet, and lack of proper exercise, causedthe scurvy in its most repulsive forms to break out among them. Theonly breath of fresh air they could obtain was when, in gangs, theywere allowed to go on deck, and pace up and down under the watchfuleyes of soldiery; then back to the crowded quarters below, to swelterin summer or freeze in winter. Such was their punishment for the crimeof being loyal to their country. [Illustration: Engagement Of The Frigates "United States" And"Macedonian, " Christmas Day, 1812. Copyright, 1892, by C. Klackner] Careful estimates show that at this time there were at least twentythousand American sailors in the British navy, each one of whom wasliable at any moment to be ordered into this inhuman captivity. ABritish official document of 1812 reported that 2, 548 American seamenhad been imprisoned for refusing to serve against their country. Hundreds of these were sent to the living death in the hulks. Was itany wonder that, with such facts, before their eyes, Americans grewindignant at hearing that the victory of the "Constitution" had beenwon by the prowess of British seamen? But before many days had passed, a victory was recorded for the stars and stripes, which not even theacuteness of an English naval historian could ascribe to any causeother than the naval superiority of the victor. This was the capture, by the United States sloop-of-war "Wasp, " of theBritish sloop-of-war "Frolic, " after a battle ever memorable for theextraordinary dash and bravery shown by each combatant. In size, the"Wasp" was one of the inferior vessels of the United States navy. Inher architecture and appointments, however, she was the pride of thenavy, and was often cited as a model ship of her class. Her armamentconsisted of sixteen thirty-two-pounder carronades, and two "longtwelves. " When the war broke out, the "Wasp" had just left the coast of Europe, bearing despatches from the foreign diplomatic representatives of theUnited States to the Government. It was accordingly near the middle ofOctober before the sloop had been refitted, and, with a crew of onehundred and thirty-five men, left the Delaware, on her first cruiseagainst the English. Her commander was Capt. Jacob Jones, who hadserved in the war with Tripoli, and had himself been a captive amongthe barbarians of Northern Africa. After a few days' cruising, with one or two unimportant captures, abunch of sails was sighted at some distance. The most carefulexamination failed to reveal the character of the strangers, and Jonesdetermined to run down cautiously toward the squadron, to reconnoitre. The wind was blowing fiercely at the time, and a heavy sea wasrunning, from the effects of a gale of the day before, in which the"Wasp" lost her jib-boom, together with two sailors who were upon it. As the vessel bore down upon the strangers, Jones could see throughhis marine glasses that they were a convoy of merchantmen, under theprotection of a British sloop-of-war. The merchantmen were evidentlyarmed, and some seemed to carry as many as twelve guns. Deeming itunwise to attack at that moment, Capt. Jones kept on a course parallelwith that of the enemy, during the remainder of that day and throughthe night. With the break of day, every officer of the "Wasp" was ondeck, and all eyes were turned towards the quarter in which theEnglishmen should be found. There, sure enough, they were. Sixmerchant ships and a bluff little brig, the port-holes in the sides ofwhich showed her to be a war-vessel rating as a sloop. Signs ofactivity on board made it evident that the Englishmen had caught sightof the vessel which had been dogging them for the last day, and weremaking ready to give her battle. The British, too, had suffered in thegale, and the sailors could be seen shipping a new main-yard, andsetting new topsails. On the "Wasp, " the jackies were hard at work, getting in a spar to take the place of the jib-boom, which had beenlost in the storm. Both ships were under short canvas, for the windwas still high. Instead of the English ensign, a Spanish flagfluttered from the halliards of the Englishman, --an unnecessary ruseto draw on an adversary already seeking a conflict. [Illustration: Loading. ] It was half-past eleven in the morning when the action began. The daywas an ideal October morning at sea, --cool, clear, and a breezeblowing fresh and constantly stiffening. The two vessels were runningon the starboard tack, not sixty yards apart. As they ploughedthrough the waves, great clouds of spray dashed over the bows; andevery now and then a wave would sweep over the forecastle, drenchingthe jackies as they stood at their quarters. As they sped along, thetwo ships exchanged broadsides, the "Frolic" firing three to the"Wasp's" two. After every broadside, the gunners cheered as they sawthe damage done by their fire. When the state of the sea isconsidered, it seems marvellous that the broadsides should have doneany execution whatever. The vessels were rolling terribly, nowwallowing in the trough of the sea, and again tossed high on the crestof some enormous wave. At one instant the muzzles of the guns would bepointed toward the skies, then actually submerged under the waves, from which they rose dripping, to be loaded and fired before anotherdip should soak the charge. Yet, with all this rolling to spoil theiraim, the gunners of both ships pointed their pieces with mostdestructive effect. Within five minutes from the time of opening fire, the main topmast of the "Wasp" was shot away, and hung tangled in therigging, despite the active efforts of the topmen, headed by thenimble midshipmen, to clear away the wreck. This greatly hampered themovements of the American vessel; and when, a few minutes later, thegaff and the main top-gallant mast fell, the chances of the Americanship seemed poor indeed. The effects of the "Wasp's" fire were chieflyto be seen in the hull of her antagonist; but the first twenty minutesof the fight seemed to give the Englishman every chance of victory, since his fire had so cut away the rigging of the "Wasp" that shebecame unmanageable. It is said that the difference between theexecution done by the two batteries was due to the fact that theBritish fired as their ship was rising on the crest of the wave, whilethe Americans fired from the trough of the sea, sending their shotinto the hull of the enemy. While the fight was raging, the two ships were constantly drawingnearer together; and just as it seemed as though the destructionwrought in the "Wasp's" rigging would inevitably lead to her defeat, the two vessels fouled. For an instant they lay yard-arm to yard-arm, and at that very moment the American gunners poured in a terrificbroadside. So close were the two vessels to each other, that, inloading, the rammers were shoved up against the sides of the "Frolic. "Before the gunners of the "Frolic" could respond to this broadside, their ship swung round so that her bow lay against the "Wasp's"quarter; and her bowsprit passed over the heads of Capt. Jones andhis officers as they stood on the quarter-deck. That was the momentfor a raking volley; and with deadly aim the Americans poured it in, and the heavy iron bolts swept the decks of the "Frolic" from stem tostern. This turn in the tide of battle fairly crazed with excitement thesailors of the "Wasp. " With ringing cheers they applauded the successof the last volley, and, springing into the hammock-nettings, calledloudly for their officers to lead them on board the English ship. Fromthe quarter-deck, Capt. Jones, with shouts and gestures, strove tohold back the excited men until another broadside could be given theenemy. But the enthusiasm of the sailors was beyond all control. Allat once, they saw a sailor from New Jersey, named Jack Lang, spring ona gun, cutlass in hand, ready to board. All were about to follow him, when Capt. Jones called him down. Only for a minute did Jack's senseof duty overcome his enthusiasm; and then, remembering that he hadonce been impressed on the "Frolic, " his rage blazed up, and in aninstant he was clambering over the nettings, calling for followers. Capt. Jones saw that the ardor of his crew was beyond his control, andordered the bugler to call away the boarders. Headed by theirofficers, the bold tars swarmed over the nettings, and through thetangled rigging, to the deck of the enemy's ship. Each man clutchedhis cutlass viciously, for he felt that a desperate conflict wasimminent. But when they dropped upon the deck of the "Frolic, " a mostunexpected spectacle met their eyes. The broad deck stretched out before them, untenanted save by a fewwounded officers near the stern, and a grim old British seaman at thewheel. Instead of the host of armed men with whom the boardersexpected to dispute the possession of the ship, they saw before themonly heaps of dead sailors lying about the guns which they had beenserving. On the quarter-deck lay Capt. Whinyates and Lieut. Wintle, desperately wounded. All who were unhurt had fled below, to escape thepitiless fire of the American guns, and the unerring aim of thesailors stationed in the "Wasp's" tops. Only the old helmsman stoodundaunted at his post, and held the ship on her course, even while theAmericans were swarming over the nettings and clambering down thebowsprit. The colors were still flying above the ship; but there wasno one left, either to defend them or to haul them down, and they werefinally lowered by the hands of Lieut. Biddle, who led the boardingparty. No action of the war was so sanguinary as this short conflict betweentwo sloops-of-war. The "Frolic" went into action with a crew of onehundred and ten men, fully officered. When the colors were hauleddown, only twenty men were uninjured. Every officer was wounded, andof the crew thirty lost their lives. They had stood to their guns withthe dogged courage of the English sailor at his best, and had beenfairly mowed down by the destructive fire of the Americans. On the"Wasp, " the loss of life was slight. The shot of the enemy took effectin the rigging chiefly. The three sailors who were killed were topmenat their posts, and the five wounded were almost all stationed in therigging. [Illustration: Ready To Board. ] The Americans were not destined to enjoy their triumph long. Shatteredthough the "Frolic" was, Lieut. Biddle, with a prize-crew, tookcharge of her, and was in hopes of taking her safely to port; but hisplan was rudely shattered by the appearance of an English frigate, only a few hours after the action ceased. For the "Frolic" to escape, was out of the question. Both her masts had gone by the board shortlyafter her flag was struck; and, when the new enemy hove in sight, theprize-crew was working hard to clear from her decks the tangled massof rigging, wreckage, and dead bodies, that made the tasks ofnavigation impossible. The ship was rolling like a log, in the troughof the sea, and was an easy prize for an enemy of even less strengththan the man-of-war which was then bearing down upon her. The vessel which came rapidly down before the wind was the"Poictiers, " a British seventy-four-gun ship, which would have beenmore than a match for the little "Wasp, " even though the latter hadbeen fresh and ready for battle, instead of shattered by desperatefight. Seeing no chance for a successful resistance, Capt. Jonesdetermined upon flight, and ordered all hands aloft, to make sail. Butthe sails when shaken out were found to have been cut to pieces by the"Frolic's" shot; and the "Poictiers" soon came alongside, and changedthe triumph of the Americans to defeat. Though Capt. Jones and his gallant crew were thus deprived of theirhard-won conquest, they received their full meed of praise from theircountrymen. They were soon exchanged, voted twenty-five thousanddollars prize-money by Congress, and lauded by every newspaper andlegislative orator in the country. The song-writers of the dayundertook to celebrate in verse the famous victory, and produceddozens of songs, of which the following stanza may be taken for a fairsample:-- "Like the fierce bird of Jove the 'Wasp' darted forth, And he the tale told, with amazement and wonder. She hurled on the foe from her flame-spreading arms, The fire-brands of death and the red bolts of thunder. And, oh! it was glorious and strange to behold What torrents of fire from her red mouth she threw; And how from her broad wings and sulphurous sides, Hot showers of grape-shot and rifle-balls flew!" Let us now turn to Commodore John Rodgers, whose unlucky cruise at theopening of the war we have already noted. Having refitted his squadronin the port of New York, he set sail on a second cruise, leavingbehind him the "Hornet. " Again he seemed to have fallen uponunprofitable times, for his ships beat up and down in the highway ofcommerce without sighting a single sail. After several days ofinaction, it was determined to scatter the squadron; and to this endthe frigate "United States, " Commodore Decatur, and the sixteen-gunbrig "Argus, " Capt. Sinclair, left the main body of ships and startedoff on a cruise in company. After the two ships left the main body, Commodore Rodgers met with better success, capturing a Jamaica packetwith two hundred thousand dollars in her hold, and chasing a Britishfrigate for two hours, but without overhauling her. In the mean time, the "Argus" had parted from her consort, and wascruising to the eastward on her own account, meeting with fairsuccess. During her cruise she captured six merchantmen, and washerself chased by a British squadron. This chase was almost asmemorable as that of the "Constitution;" for the little brig was hotlypursued for three days and nights, and, to escape her pursuers, wasobliged to cut away her boats and anchors, and part with every thingmovable save her guns. She escaped at last, however, and was for manymonths thereafter a source of continual annoyance to the commerce ofthe enemy. After parting with the "Argus, " the "United States" had made hercourse toward the south-east, in the hopes of intercepting some of theBritish West-Indiamen. But what the plucky sailors would considerbetter luck fell to the lot of the frigate. At dawn on a bright Sunday morning, the lookout of the "United States"descried a sail about twelve miles away, on the weather-beam. Sail wascrowded on the American frigate, and, urged along by a rattlingbreeze, she made towards the stranger. As the distance between theships lessened, and the rigging of the stranger showed her to be afrigate, the enthusiasm among the gallant tars of the "United States"grew apace. Visions of battle, of glory, and, above all, of resultantprize-money, arose in their minds; and their shouts could be heard bythe crew of the distant frigate before the two vessels came withinrange of each other. The vessel toward which the "United States" was advancing was the"Macedonian, " a British frigate rating thirty-eight guns, but said tohave been carrying forty-nine at this time. She had for some time beenreckoned a crack ship of her class in the British navy, and her crewwas in admirable training. From her quarter-deck and forecastle groupsof officers and seamen were watching the on-coming of the Americanfrigate. One of the powder monkeys, named Samuel Leech, of the Britishship, told graphically and simply the story of that day's doings onthe "Macedonian. " "Sunday (Dec. 25, 1812) came, and it brought with it a stiff breeze, "so runs the powder-monkey's tale. "We usually made a sort of holidayof this sacred day. After breakfast it was common to muster the entirecrew on the spar-deck, dressed as the fancy of the captain mightdictate, --sometimes in blue jackets and white trousers, or bluejackets and blue trousers; at other times in blue jackets, scarletvests, and blue or white trousers; with our bright anchor-buttonsglancing in the sun, and our black, glossy hats ornamented with blackribbons, and the name of our ship painted on them. After muster wefrequently had church-service read by the captain; the rest of the daywas devoted to idleness. But we were destined to spend the rest of thesabbath just introduced to the reader in a very different manner. "We had scarcely finished breakfast before the man at the mastheadshouted 'Sail, ho!' "The captain rushed upon deck, exclaiming, 'Masthead, there!' "'Sir?' "'Where away is the sail?' "The precise answer to this question I do not recollect; but thecaptain proceeded to ask, 'What does she look like?' "'A square-rigged vessel, sir, ' was the reply of the lookout. "After a few minutes, the captain shouted again, 'Masthead, there!' "'Sir?' "'What does she look like?' "'A large ship, sir, standing toward us. ' "By this time, most of the crew were on deck, eagerly straining theireyes to obtain a glimpse of the approaching ship, and murmuring theiropinions to each other on her probable character. "Then came the voice of the captain, shouting, 'Keep silence, fore andaft!' "Silence being secured, he hailed the lookout, who to his question of'What does she look like?' replied, "A large frigate bearing down uponus, sir. ' "A whisper ran along the crew, that the stranger ship was a Yankeefrigate. The thought was confirmed by the command of 'All hands clearthe ship for action, ahoy!' The drum and fife beat to quarters, bulkheads were knocked away, the guns were released from theirconfinement, the whole dread paraphernalia of battle was produced;and, after the lapse of a few minutes of hurry and confusion, everyman and boy was at his post ready to do his best service for hiscountry, except the band, who, claiming exemption from the affray, safely stowed themselves away in the cable tier. We had only one sickman on the list; and he, at the cry of battle, hurried from his cot, feeble as he was, to take his post of danger. A few of the juniormidshipmen were stationed below on the berth-deck, with orders, givenin our hearing, to shoot any man who attempted to move from hisquarters. "As the approaching ship showed American colors, all doubt of hercharacter was at an end. 'We must fight her, ' was the conviction ofevery breast. Every possible arrangement that could insure success wasaccordingly made. The guns were shotted, the matches lighted; for, although our guns were all furnished with first-class locks, they werealso furnished with matches, attached by lanyards, in case the lockshould miss fire. A lieutenant then passed through the ship, directingthe marines and boarders--who were furnished with pikes, cutlasses, and pistols--how to proceed if it should be necessary to board theenemy. He was followed by the captain, who exhorted the men tofidelity and courage, urging upon their consideration the well-knownmotto of the brave Nelson, _'England expects every man to do hisduty. '_ In addition to all these preparations on deck, some men werestationed in the tops with small-arms, whose duty it was to attend totrimming the sails, and to use their muskets, provided we came toclose action. There were others, also, below, called sail-trimmers, toassist in working the ship, should it be necessary to shift herposition during the battle. " Thus, with her men at their quarters, her guns primed, and matcheslighted, the "Macedonian" bore down to open the action. On the "UnitedStates, " very similar scenes were being enacted. In some respects, the American frigate was a more formidable ship than the adversary shewas about to engage. Her battery consisted of fifty-four guns, andsome were of heavier calibre than those of the "Macedonian. " Her crew, too, was rather larger than that of her adversary. But, in mostrespects, the ships were well matched. Indeed, the commanders of thetwo ships had met before the opening of the war, and, in conversation, agreed that their vessels were well fitted to test the comparativevalor of Yankee and English sailors. Capt. Carden of the "Macedonian"had asked Decatur what would be the probable result, if the two shipswere to meet in battle. "Why, sir, " responded the American captain, "if we meet with forcesthat might be fairly called equal, the conflict would be severe; butthe flag of my country on the ship I command shall never leave thestaff on which it waves, as long as there is a hull to support it. " Such sentiments as this were ever in the heart of the gallant Decatur, whose service in the war of 1812 was but the continuation of hisdashing career during the war with Tripoli. A captain of such ardentbravery could not fail to inspire his crew with the same enthusiasmand confidence. In the crew of the "United States" were many young boys, of agesranging from twelve to fourteen years. At that time many a ladreceived his warrant as midshipman while still in his tenth year; andyoungsters who wished to join the navy as "ship's boys, " were alwaysreceived, although sometimes their extreme youth made it illegal fortheir names to be formally enrolled upon the roster of the crew. Suchwas the station of little Jack Creamer, a ten-year-old boy, who hadbeen serving on the ship for some weeks, although under the age atwhich he could be legally enlisted. When Jack saw the English frigatelooming up in the distance, a troubled look came over his face, and heseemed to be revolving some grave problem in his mind. His comradesnoticed his look of care, and rallied him on what they supposed to behis fear of the coming conflict. Jack stoutly denied this charge, butsaid he was anxious to speak to the captain before going into action. An old quartermaster marched him up to the quarter-deck, and stoodwaiting for Capt. Decatur's attention. In a moment the captain noticedthe two, and said cheerily, -- "Well, Jack, what's wanting now?" Touching his hat, the lad replied, "Commodore, will you please to havemy name put down on the muster-roll?" "Why, what for, my lad?" "So that I can draw my share of the prize-money, when we take thatBritisher, sir. " Amused and pleased with the lad's confidence in the success of the"United States" in the coming battle, Decatur gave the necessaryorder; and Jack went back to his post with a prouder step, for he wasnow regularly enrolled. The two ships were now coming within range of each other, and a slow, long-distance cannonade was begun, with but little effect; for a longground-swell was on, and the ships were rolling in a manner fatal tothe aim of the gunners. After half an hour of this playing at longbowls, the Englishman's mizzen topmast was shot away; and thecannon-balls from the "States" whizzed through the rigging, andsplashed into the water about the "Macedonian, " in a way that provedthe American gunners had the range, and were utilizing it. Capt. Carden soon saw that at long range the American gunners were more thana match for his men, and he resolved to throw prudence to the winds;and, disdaining all manoeuvring, bore straight down on the Americanship that lay almost stationary on the water, pouring in rapid andwell-aimed broadsides. Though a gallant and dashing movement, this course led to the defeatof the English ship. The fire of the Americans was deadly in its aim, and marvellous in rapidity. So continuous was the flashing of thedischarges from the broadside ports, that the sailors on the"Macedonian" thought their adversary was on fire, and cheered lustily. But the next instant their exultation was turned to sorrow; for awell-directed shot cut away the mizzen-mast, which fell alongside, suspended by the cordage. "Huzza, Jack!" cried the captain of a gun on the "United States. ""We've made a brig of her. " "Ay, ay, my lad, " said Decatur, who stood near by; "now aim well atthe main-mast, and she'll be a sloop soon. " A few minutes later, the captain shouted to the nearest gunner, "Aimat the yellow streak. Her spars and rigging are going fast enough. Shemust have a little more hulling. " This order was immediately passed along the gun-deck, until everygunner was striving his utmost to plant his shot in the hull of theenemy. The effect was terrible. The great missiles crashed through thewooden sides of the English frigate, and swept the decks clear of men. She was coming down on the American bravely, and with manifestintention of boarding; but so skilfully was the "United States"manoeuvred, and so accurate and rapid was her fire, that the"Macedonian" was unable to close, and was fairly cut to pieces, whilestill more than a pistol-shot distant. The "United States, " in themean time, was almost unscathed. The aim of the English gunners wasusually too high, and such shots as took effect were mainly in therigging. After pounding away at the "Macedonian" until the chocks ofthe forecastle guns on that ship were cut away, her boats cut topieces, and her hull shattered with more than one hundred shot-holes, the American ship drew away slightly. The British thought she was inretreat, and cheered lustily, but were soon undeceived; for, after alittle manoeuvring, the "United States" ranged up under heradversary's lee, securing a raking position. Before a broadside couldbe fired, the British hauled down their flag; and the action wasended, after just an hour and a half of fighting. The slaughter on the British frigate had been appalling. From theofficial accounts, we glean the cold reports of the numbers of thekilled and wounded; but for any picture of the scene on the decks ofthe defeated man-of-war, we must turn to such descriptions as havebeen left by eye-witnesses. Sailors are not much given to the habit ofjotting down the descriptions of the many stirring scenes in whichthey play parts in their adventurous careers; and much that isromantic, much that is picturesque, and much that is of historicvalue, has thus been lost to history. But of the details of the actionbetween the "Macedonian" and "United States, " the sailor-lad alreadyquoted has left an account, probably as trustworthy as should beexpected of a witness in his situation. He was stationed at one of theguns on the main-deck; and it was his duty, as powder-boy, to run tothe magazine for powder for his gun. Before the entrance to themagazine was a heavy wooden screen, pierced with a hole through whichthe cartridges were passed out to the fleet-footed powder-monkeys, asthey rushed up for more powder. Each boy, on getting his cartridge, wrapped it in his jacket, that no stray spark might touch it, anddashed off at full speed for his gun, quickly returning for furthersupplies. With the men all standing pale and silent at the guns, the"Macedonian" came on doggedly towards her foe. Three guns fired fromthe larboard side of the gun-deck opened the action; but the fire wasquickly stopped by the gruff order from the quarter-deck, "Ceasefiring: you are throwing away your shot!" Then came the roar of theopening volley from the American frigate. "A strange noise such as I had never heard before next arrested myattention, " wrote the English sailor-lad. "It sounded like the tearingof sails just over our heads. This I soon ascertained to be the windof the enemy's shot. The firing, after a few minutes' cessation, recommenced. The roaring of cannon could now be heard from all partsof our trembling ship; and, mingling as it did with that of our foes, it made a most hideous noise. By and by I heard the shot strike thesides of our ship. The whole scene grew indescribably confused andhorrible. It was like some awfully tremendous thunderstorm, whosedeafening roar is attended by incessant streaks of lightning, carryingdeath in every flash, and strewing the ground with the victims of itswrath; only in our case the scene was rendered more horrible than thatby the presence of torrents of blood, which dyed our decks. Though therecital may be painful, yet, as it will reveal the horrors of war, andshow at what a fearful price the victory is won or lost, I willpresent the reader with things as they met my eye during the progressof this dreadful fight. I was busily supplying my gun with powder, when I saw blood suddenly fly from the arm of a man stationed at ourgun. I saw nothing strike him: the effect alone was visible; and in aninstant the third lieutenant tied his handkerchief round the woundedarm, and sent the poor fellow below to the surgeon. "The cries of the wounded now rang through all parts of the ship. These were carried to the cock-pit as fast as they fell, while thosemore fortunate men who were killed outright were immediately thrownoverboard. As I was stationed but a short distance from the mainhatchway, I could catch a glance at all who were carried below. Aglance was all I could indulge in; for the boys belonging to the gunsnext to mine were wounded in the early part of the action, and I hadto spring with all my might to keep three or four guns supplied withcartridges. I saw two of these lads fall nearly together. One of themwas struck in the leg by a large shot; he had to suffer amputationabove the wound. The other had a grape or canister sent through hisankle. A stout Yorkshire man lifted him in his arms, and hurried withhim to the cock-pit. He had his foot cut off, and was thus made lamefor life. Two of the boys stationed on the quarter-deck were killed. They were both Portuguese. A man who saw one killed afterwards told methat his powder caught fire, and burnt the flesh almost off his face. In this pitiable situation the agonized boy lifted up both hands, asif imploring relief, when a passing shot instantly cut him in two. " But the narrative of this young sailor, a boy in years, is almost toohorrible for reproduction. He tells of men struck by three or fourmissiles at once, and hacked to pieces; of mangled sailors, mortallywounded, but still living, thrown overboard to end their sufferings;of the monotonous drip of the blood on the deck, as desperatelywounded men were carried past. The brave seaman who left his bed ofsickness for the post of duty had his head carried away by acannon-ball. The schoolmaster who looked after the education of themidshipmen was killed. Even a poor goat, kept by the officers for hermilk, was cut down by a cannon-ball, and, after hobbling piteouslyabout the deck, was mercifully thrown overboard. And this was Sunday, Christmas Day! The spot amidships where our sailor-lad was stationed must have beenthe hottest station in the whole ship. Many years later, as HermanMelville, the author of several exciting sea-tales, was walking thedeck of a man-of-war with an old negro, "Tawney, " who had served onthe "Macedonian, " the veteran stopped at a point abreast themain-mast. "This part of the ship, " said he, "we called theslaughter-house, on board the 'Macedonian. ' Here the men fell, fiveand six at a time. An enemy always directs its shot here, in order tohurl over the mast, if possible. The beams and carlines overhead inthe 'Macedonian' slaughter-house were spattered with blood and brains. About the hatchways it looked like a butcher's stall. A shot enteringat one of the port-holes dashed dead two-thirds of a gun's crew. Thecaptain of the next gun, dropping his lock-string, which he had justpulled, turned over the heap of bodies, to see who they were; when, perceiving an old messmate who had sailed with him in many cruises, heburst into tears, and taking the corpse up in his arms, and going tothe side with it, held it over the water a moment, and eying it, cried, 'O God! Tom'--'Hang your prayers over that thing! Overboardwith it, and down to your gun!' The order was obeyed, and theheart-stricken sailor returned to his post. " Amid such scenes of terror, the British tars fought on doggedly, cheering loudly as they worked their guns, but not knowing why theycheered; for the officers, at least, could see how surely the battlewas going against them. When the "United States" drew away to repairdamages, the British officers held a consultation on the quarter-deck. They could not but see that their position was hopeless; and, knowingall further resistance to be folly, the flag was hauled down. To thepride of the officers, the surrender was doubtless a severe blow. ButSam Leech remarks pithily, that to him "it was a pleasing sight; forhe had seen fighting enough for one Sabbath, --more, indeed, than hewished to see again on a week-day. " Decatur at once hailed, to learn the name of his prize, and then sentoff a boat with Lieut. Allen to take possession. He found the decks ofthe ship in a fearful state. Many of the crew had found liquor, andwere drinking heavily. Others were throwing the dead into the sea, carrying the wounded below, and sprinkling the deck with hot vinegar, to remove the stains and odor of blood. The dead numbered forty-three, and sixty-one were wounded. An eye-witness of the terrible spectaclewrites of it: "Fragments of the dead were distributed in everydirection, the decks covered with blood, --one continued, agonizing yellof the unhappy wounded. A scene so horrible of my fellow-creatures, Iassure you, deprived me very much of the pleasure of victory. " Yet, with all this terrific destruction and loss of life on the"Macedonian, " the "United States" was but little injured; and her lossamounted to but seven killed, and five wounded. Indeed, so slight wasthe damage done to the American ship, that an hour's active work byher sailors put her in trim for a second battle. While Lieut. Allen was examining the muster-rolls of the "Macedonian, "a sailor pushed his way toward the quarter-deck, and cried out that hewas an impressed American, and that he had seven mates aboard, allpressed into the British service. They had all been forced to serveagainst their country, and in the battle three had been killed. Justbefore the battle began, they had begged to be sent below, but wereperemptorily ordered to stand by their guns, or expect to be treatedas mutineers. Now that the battle was over, the five who were leftalive begged to be taken into the crew of the "United States, " whichwas accordingly done. After the "Macedonian" had been formally taken possession of byLieut. Allen, the British officers were removed to the American ship. Some of them were inclined to be very surly over their defeat, and bywords and actions showed their contempt for the Americans, whoseprisoners they were. In the first boat which went from the prize tothe victor was the first lieutenant of the "Macedonian. " As heclambered down the side of his vessel, he noticed that his baggage hadnot been put in the boat which was to bear him to the Americanfrigate. Turning to Lieut. Allen, he said surlily, -- "You do not intend to send me away without my baggage?" "I hope, " responded Allen courteously, "that you do not take us forprivateersmen. " "I am sure I don't know by whom I have been taken, " was the rudereply, which so angered Allen that he peremptorily ordered the fellowto take his place in the boat, and be silent. Whatever may have been the demeanor of the British captives, they metwith nothing but the most considerate treatment from the Americanofficers. Capt. Carden, on his arrival upon the deck of the victoriousfrigate, was received with the consideration due his rank and thebrave defence of his vessel. He was conducted at once to Decatur'scabin, on entering which he took off his sword, and mutely held it outfor Decatur's acceptance. Decatur courteously refused to accept it, saying, "Sir, I cannot take the sword of a man who has defended hisship so bravely; but I will take your hand. " As long as Carden and hisofficers remained on the ship, they were treated with the greatestconsideration, and were allowed to retain all their personal property. Every attempt was made to take away from them the bitter remembranceof their defeat. The innate nobility of Decatur's nature is well shownin a letter written to his wife a few days after the action. "One-halfof the satisfaction, " he says, "a-rising from this victory isdestroyed in seeing the mortification of poor Carden, who deservedsuccess as much as we did who had the good fortune to obtain it. " WhenCarden left the ship, he thanked Decatur for his consideration, andexpressed a desire to do likewise by the Americans, should he ever beable to turn the tables. Amid the heat of battle and the excitement of success, Decatur did notforget little Jack Creamer, the lately enrolled ship's boy. Shortlyafter the close of the conflict, he sent for Jack to come to hiscabin. Soon a much abashed small boy stood before the captain. "Well, Jack, " said the great man, "we did take her, after all. " "Yes, your Honor, " responded Jack. "I knew we would, before we gaveher the first broadside. " "And your share of the prize-money, " continued Decatur, "may amount totwo hundred dollars, if we get her safe into port. Now, what are yougoing to do with so much money?" Jack's eyes had lighted up at the thought of such great wealth. "Please, sir, " he cried, "I'll send half of it to my mother; and therest will get me a bit of schooling. " "Well said, Jack, " said Decatur warmly; and the interview closed forthe time. But the captain's interest in the boy was aroused, and foryears he showed an almost fatherly regard for the lad. Jack had his"bit of schooling, " then received a midshipman's warrant, and foryears served with Decatur, giving promise of becoming an able officer. At last, however, his career was ended by the accidental upsetting ofa boat when on a pleasure excursion in the Mediterranean. After putting in for a short time at New London, the two ships, captorand captive, proceeded down the Sound to New York. Here they arrivedon the 1st of January, 1813; and the news-writers of the daystraightway hailed the "Macedonian" as "a New Year's gift, with thecompliments of old Neptune. " However, the news of the victory hadspread throughout the land before the ships came up to New York; forDecatur had sent out a courier from New London to bear the tidings toWashington. A curious coincidence made the delivery of the despatch asimpressive as a studied dramatic scene. It so happened that the people of Washington had chosen the night ofDec. 28 for a grand ball, to be tendered to the officers of the navy, and particularly to Capt. Stewart of the "Constellation. " A brilliantcompany was gathered, in honor of the occasion. The Secretary of theNavy, and other cabinet officers, lent their presence to thefestivities. Capt. Hull of the victorious "Constitution" was present;and, to make the affair even more of a triumph, the captured colors ofthe "Alert" and the "Guerriere" were draped on the wall of the hall. Near midnight, the revelry was at its height. The brilliant toilets ofthe ladies; the men, gorgeous in the uniforms of the army, navy, ordiplomatic corps; the light of a thousand wax-candles flashing from amyriad of sconces, --made the scene one of the utmost splendor. All atonce, in the midst or the stately measures of the old-fashionedminuet, a murmur rose near the entrance to the hall, and spread untilevery one was whispering, that news had come of a great naval battle, a victory. Word was brought to the Secretary of the Navy. He directedthat the bearer of the despatches should be at once admitted; and, amid cheers and clapping of hands, Lieut. Hamilton entered the hall, and delivered his despatches to his father, the Secretary of the Navy. The tenor of the despatch was soon known to all; and Lieut. Hamiltonturned from the greetings of his mother and sisters, who were present, to receive the congratulations of his brother-officers. He had broughtthe colors of the captured ship with him to the city; and Capts. Stewart and Hull immediately went in search of them, and soonreturned, bearing the flag between them. The two veteran sailorsmarched the length of the hall, amid the plaudits of the gay company, and laid the colors before Mrs. Madison, --the Dolly Madison who isstill remembered as the most popular of the "ladies of the WhiteHouse. " Then the company proceeded to the banquet-hall, where, to thelist of toasts already prepared, was added, "The health of CommodoreDecatur and the officers and crew of the 'United States. '" Two weeks later, Capt. Decatur and his officers and the crew of the"United States" were sumptuously entertained by the citizens of NewYork. The officers were tendered a banquet in the great assembly-roomof the City Hotel, which was decked with laurel and ship's spars andsails. The chief table at the head of the room, at which sat Mayor DeWitt Clinton and Capts. Hull and Decatur, was a marvel of decoration. Its centre was taken up by a sheet of water with grassy banks, bearingon its placid surface a miniature frigate floating at her moorings. Each of the smaller tables bore a small frigate on a pedestal in thecentre of the board. On the wall at the end of the room hung a heavysail, on which was printed the motto, -- "OUR CHILDREN ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR COUNTRY. " After the dinner was ended and the toasts were begun, the health ofthe navy was proposed. At the word, the great sail began to ascend, and, being drawn to the ceiling, disclosed an illuminated transparentpainting, showing vividly the scenes of the three great actions wonby the "Constitution, " the "United States, " and the "Wasp. " The wholecompany rose and cheered, until the walls of the hall fairly rung. Three days later, the jackies from the forecastle of the "UnitedStates" were entertained. They were landed at the Battery, and marchedin procession to the hotel, headed by a brass band which had beencaptured with the "Macedonian. " Four hundred of the fine fellows werein the line, clad in the dress uniform of the navy of that time. Glazed canvas hats with stiff rims, decked with streamers of ribbon;blue jackets buttoned loosely over red waistcoats; and blue trouserswith bell-buttons, --made up the toggery of the tar of 1812. As theymarched, two by two, through the narrow streets that led to the CityHotel, the populace assembled on the sidewalks and in the windowsalong the route, greeting the jackies with cheers. The rear wasbrought up by the usual band of street-urchins, each of whom that daywas firm in his determination to be a sailor. After the banquet at the hotel, the sailors were marched to thetheatre, where the pit had been set aside for them. The orchestraopened with "Yankee Doodle;" but the first bar had hardly been played, when the cheers of the blue-jackets fairly drowned the music, and themusicians were fain to stop. The programme had been arranged withspecial regard to the seafaring audience. Little children bounded uponthe stage, bearing huge letters in their hands, and, after lightlywhirling through the mazes of the dance, grouped themselves so thatthe letters formed the words, -- HULL, JONES, DECATUR. Then came more cheers from the pit; and more than one glazed hatsoared over the heads of the audience, and fell on the stage, --apurely nautical substitute for a bouquet. Late at night, the sailorsreturned to their ship, elated with an ovation the like of which hasnever since been tendered to the humble heroes of the forecastle orthe ranks. CHAPTER VI. BAINBRIDGE TAKES COMMAND OF THE "CONSTITUTION. " -- THE DEFEAT OF THE "JAVA. " -- CLOSE OF THE YEAR'S HOSTILITIES ON THE OCEAN. As Hull and Decatur sat in the gayly decorated banquet-hall at NewYork, and, amid the plaudits of the brilliant assembly, drank bumpersto the success of the navy, they little thought that thousands ofmiles away the guns of an American frigate were thundering, and thestout-hearted blue-jackets laying down their lives for the honor andglory of the United States. But so it was. The opening year of the warwas not destined to close without yet a fourth naval victory for theAmericans; and, at the very moment when they were so joyfullycelebrating the glories already won, Capt. Bainbridge in the good ship"Constitution" was valiantly giving battle to a British frigate farsouth of the equator. Before considering the details of this last action of the year 1812, let us recount briefly the movements of some American vessels incommission at this time. After sending the "Guerriere" to the bottomof the sea, and bringing her officers and crew in triumph into Boston, Capt. Hull had voluntarily relinquished the command of the"Constitution, " in order that some other officer might win laurelswith the noble frigate. In his place was appointed Capt. Bainbridge, who had served in the wars with France and Tripoli. After a short timespent in refitting, Bainbridge sailed from Boston, accompanied by the"Hornet, " eighteen guns. The "Essex, " thirty-two, Capt. Porter, waslying in the Delaware at the time Bainbridge left Boston, and hercaptain was ordered to cruise in the track of British West-Indiamen. After spending some time in this service, he was to turn southward andvisit several South American ports, with a view to joining Bainbridge. Should he fail to find the "Constitution, " he was free to act at hisown discretion. This permission gave Porter an opportunity to make acruise seldom equalled in naval annals, and which will form thesubject of a subsequent chapter. The "Constitution" and "Hornet" left Boston on the 26th of October, and shaped their course at once for the south. They put in at two orthree ports which had been named to Capt. Porter as meeting-places, but, finding no trace of the "Essex, " continued their cruise. At PortPraya in the island of St. Jago, and at Fernando Noronha, the twoships assumed the character of British men-of-war. Officers from whoseuniform every trace of the American eagle had been carefully removedwent ashore, and, after paying formal visits to the governors of thetwo islands, requested permission to leave letters for Sir James Yeoof His Majesty's service. Though directed to this prominent Britishnaval officer, the letters were intended for Capt. Porter, andcontained directions for his cruise, written in sympathetic ink. Afterthe letters were deposited, the two vessels left; and we may be surethat the British colors came down from the masthead as soon as theships were out of sight. The next point at which the American ships stopped was San Salvador, on the coast of Brazil. Here Bainbridge lay-to outside the harbor, andsent in Capt. Lawrence with the "Hornet" to communicate with theAmerican consul. Lawrence returned greatly excited. In the harbor hehad found the British sloop-of-war "Bonne Citoyenne, " of twenty guns, which was on the point of sailing for England. A more evenly matchedadversary for the "Hornet" could not have been found, and the Yankeesailors longed for an engagement. A formal challenge was sent, throughthe American consul, to the captain of the British ship, requestinghim to come out and try conclusions with the "Hornet. " Every assurancewas offered that the "Constitution" would remain in the offing, andtake no part in the battle, which was to test the strength of the twoequally matched ships only. Some days later, this challenge wasreduced to writing, and sent to the English captain. But that officerdeclined the challenge, giving as his reason the fact that he had inhis ship over half a million pounds in specie, which it was his dutyto convey to England. For him to give battle to the "Hornet, " wouldtherefore be unwise, as he would put in jeopardy this money which itwas his duty to guard. This response was conclusive, and theEnglishman must be admitted to have acted wisely; but the knowledge ofthe valuable cargo of the "Bonne Citoyenne" only increased the desireof the Americans to capture her. The "Hornet" accordingly remainedoutside the harbor, as a blockader, while the "Constitution" continuedher cruise alone. [Illustration: Assuming To Be British Men-of-war. ] She had not far to go in order to meet an enemy well worthy of hermetal. Three days after parting with the "Hornet, " two sail were made, well in shore. One of the vessels so sighted seemed to make for theland, as though anxious to avoid meeting the American ship; while theother came about, and made her course boldly toward the"Constitution. " It was about nine o'clock on a bright December morning that the"Constitution" encountered the strange vessel, which bore down uponher. A light breeze, of sufficient force to enable the vessels tomanoeuvre, was blowing; but the surface of the ocean was as placid asa lake in summer. The build of the stranger left no doubt of herwarlike character, and the bold manner in which she sought a meetingwith the American ship convinced Bainbridge that he had fallen in withan enemy. The "Constitution" did not for a time meet the enemy'sadvances in kind. Back of the advancing frigate could be seen the low, dark coast-line of Brazil, into whose neutral waters the Englishmancould retreat, and thus gain protection, if the conflict seemed to goagainst him. Bainbridge determined that the coming battle should befought beyond the possibility of escape for the vanquished, andtherefore drew away gradually as the stranger came on. By noon the twoships were near enough together for flags to be visible, whenBainbridge set his colors, and displayed private signals. The enemydid the same; and, though his signals were unintelligible, the flagthat fluttered at the masthead was clearly the flag of Great Britain. Bainbridge continued his retreat for an hour longer, then, being farenough from land, took in his main-sail and royals, and tacked towardthe Englishman. By this time the strange sail which had been sighted in company withthe English ship had disappeared. The low-lying coast of Brazil hadsunk below the horizon. From the deck of the "Constitution, " nothingcould be seen but the vast circle of placid ocean, and the Englishfrigate about a mile to the windward, bearing down to open the fight. The drums beat, and the crew went quietly and in perfect order totheir quarters. They were no longer the raw, untrained crew that hadjoined the ship some months before. They were veterans, with theglorious victory over the "Guerriere" fresh in their remembrance, andnow animated with a desire to add to their trophies the strange vesselthen in sight. As the enemy, which proved to be the "Java, " thirty-eight, Capt. Lambert, came nearer, she hauled down her colors, leaving only a jackflying. A jack is a small flag hoisted at the bowsprit cap. The Unionjack of the United States navy is a blue flag dotted with stars, butwithout the stripes of the national flag; the jack of Great Britainhas the scarlet cross of St. George on a blue field. The Englishman'saction in hauling down his ensigns puzzled Bainbridge, who sent a shotas an order that they be raised again. The response to this remindercame in the form of a heavy broadside, and the action opened. In the light wind that was blowing, the enemy proved the bettersailer, and soon forged ahead. His object was to cross the bows of theAmerican ship, and get in a raking broadside, --the end and aim of mostof the naval manoeuvring in those days of wooden ships and heavybatteries. By skilful seamanship, Bainbridge warded off the danger;and the fight continued broadside to broadside. The firing on bothsides was rapid and well directed. After half an hour of fighting, the"Constitution" was seriously crippled by a round shot, which carriedaway her wheel, and wounded Bainbridge by driving a small copper boltdeep into his thigh. For a moment it seemed as though the Americanship was lost. Having no control over the rudder, her head fell off, her sails flapped idly against the spars, and the enemy was fastcoming into an advantageous position. But, though wounded, theindomitable Yankee captain was equal to the occasion. Tackle wasrigged upon the rudder-post between decks, and a crew of jackiesdetailed to work the improvised helm. The helmsmen were far out ofearshot of the quarter-deck: so a line of midshipmen was formed fromthe quarter-deck to the spot where the sailors tugged at thesteering-lines. "Hard-a-port!" Bainbridge would shout from his station on thequarter-deck. [Illustration: Marines Picking Off The Enemy. ] "Hard-a-port! Hard-a-port!" came the quick responses, as themidshipmen passed the word along. And so the ship was steered; and, notwithstanding the loss of her wheel, fairly out-manoeuvred herantagonist. The first raking broadside was delivered by the"Constitution, " and did terrible execution along the gun-deck of theEnglish ship. The two ships then ran before the wind, exchangingbroadsides at a distance of half pistol-shot. At this game theAmerican was clearly winning: so the Englishman determined to closeand board, in the dashing, fearless way that had made the tars ofGreat Britain the terror of all maritime peoples. The frigate boredown on the "Constitution, " and struck her on the quarter; the longjib-boom tearing its way through the rigging of the American ship. But, while this movement was being executed, the American gunners hadnot been idle; and the results of their labors were very evident, inthe rigging of the "Java. " Her jib-boom and bowsprit were so shatteredby shot, that they were on the point of giving way; and, as the shipsmet, the mizzen-mast fell, crashing through forecastle and main-deck, crushing officers and sailors beneath it in the fall, and hurling thetopmen into the ocean to drown. The "Constitution" shot ahead, butsoon wore and lay yard-arm to yard-arm with her foe. For some minutesthe battle raged with desperation. A dense sulphurous smoke hung aboutthe hulls of the two ships, making any extended vision impossible. Once in a while a fresher puff of wind, or a change in the position ofthe ships, would give the jackies a glimpse of their enemy, and showfierce faces glaring from the open ports, as the great guns were drawnin for loading. Then the gray pall of smoke fell, and nothing was tobe seen but the carnage near at hand. The officers on the quarter-deckcould better judge of the progress of the fray; and, the marinesstationed there took advantage of every clear moment to pick off someenemy with a shot from one of their muskets. High up in the tops ofthe "Constitution" were two small howitzers, with which crews oftopmen, under the command of midshipmen, made lively play with grapeand canister upon the crowded decks of the enemy. From the cavernoussubmarine depths of the cock-pit and magazine, to the tops of eachship, not an idler was to be found. Chaplains, surgeons, clerks, cooks, and waiters--all were working or fighting for the honor of theflag under which they served. Again the British determined to board; and the quick, sharp notes ofthe bugle calling up the boarders gave warning of their intentions. The men in the tops of the American frigate, looking down from theirlofty station, could see the crowd of boarders and marines gathered onthe forecastle and in the gang-ways, and could hear the shrill notesof the boatswain's whistle cheering them on. At that moment, however, the American fire raked the enemy with fearful effect, and the volleysof musketry from the marines and topmen made such havoc among thecrowded boarders that the attempt was abandoned. The deadly fire ofthe Americans was not slackened. Capt. Lambert was struck down, mortally wounded; and the command fell upon Lieut. Chads, who, thoughhimself badly wounded, continued the fight with true British courage. Over the side of the "Java" hung the wreck of her top-hamper, whichevery broadside set on fire. Yet the British tars fought on, cheeringlustily, and not once thinking of surrender, though they saw theirforemast gone, their mizzen-mast shivered, even the last flag shotaway, and the last gun silenced. When affairs had reached this stage, the "Constitution, " seeing noflag flying on the enemy, hauled away, and set about repairing herown damages. While thus engaged, the main-mast of the "Java" was seento go by the board, and the ship lay a hopeless wreck upon the water. After making some slight repairs, Bainbridge returned to takepossession of his prize, but, to his surprise, found a jack stillfloating over the helpless hulk. It was merely a bit of bravado, however; for, as the "Constitution" ranged up alongside, the jack washauled down. [Illustration: In The Cross-trees. ] The "Java" proved to be a rich prize. She was one of the best of theEnglish frigates, and had just been especially fitted up for theaccommodation of the governor-general of Bombay and his staff, all ofwhom were then on board. This added to the regular number of officersand crew more than one hundred prisoners, mostly of high rank inBritish military and social circles. The boarding officer found the ship so badly cut up that to save herwas impossible. Her loss in men, including her captain Henry Lambert, and five midshipmen, was forty-eight, together with one hundred andfive wounded, among whom were many officers. The "Constitution" hadsuffered much less severely, having but twelve killed and twentywounded. The ship herself was but little damaged; her chief injurybeing the loss of her wheel, which was immediately replaced by that ofthe "Java. " Capt. Bainbridge now found himself a great distance from home, with adisabled ship filled with prisoners, many of whom were wounded. Evenhad the wreck of the "Java" been less complete, it would have beenhazardous to attempt to take her back to the United States through theWest India waters that swarmed with British vessels. No course wasopen save to take the prisoners aboard the "Constitution, " and set thetorch to the disabled hulk. To do this was a work of no little difficulty. The storm of lead andiron that had swept across the decks of the British frigate had leftintact not one of the boats that hung from the davits. The"Constitution" had fared better; but, even with her, the case wasdesperate, for the British cannonade had left her but two serviceableboats. To transfer from the sinking ship to the victorious frigatenearly five hundred men, over a hundred of whom were wounded, was aserious task when the means of transfer were thus limited. Three days the "Constitution" lay by her defeated enemy, and hourafter hour the boats plied between the two ships. The first to bemoved were the wounded. Tackle was rigged over the side of the "Java;"and the mangled sufferers, securely lashed in their hammocks, weregently lowered into the waiting boat, and soon found themselves in thesick-bay of the American ship, where they received the gentlesttreatment from those who a few hours before sought only to slay them. The transfer of the wounded once accomplished, the work proceeded withgreat rapidity: and in the afternoon of the third day the"Constitution" was filled with prisoners; and the "Java, " a deserted, shattered hulk, was ready for the last scene in the drama of hercareer. The last boat left the desolate wreck, and, reaching the"Constitution, " was hauled up to the davits. The side of the Americanfrigate next to the abandoned ship was crowded with men, who lookedeagerly across the water. Through the open port-holes of the "Java, " aflickering gleam could be seen, playing fitfully upon the decks andgun-carriages. The light grew brighter, and sharp-tongued flameslicked the outside of the hull, and set the tangled cordage in ablaze. With this the whole ship seemed to burst into fire, and laytossing, a huge ball of flame, on the rising sea. When the fire wasraging most fiercely, there came a terrific explosion, and the greathull was lifted bodily from the water, falling back shattered intocountless bits. Guns, anchors, and ironwork dragged the greater partof the wreckage to the bottom; and when the "Constitution, " with allsail set, left the spot, the captive Englishmen, looking sadly back, could see only a patch of charred woodwork and cordage floating uponthe ocean to mark the burial-place of the sturdy frigate "Java. " The "Constitution" made sail for San Salvador, where the prisonerswere landed; first giving their paroles not to serve against the"United States" until regularly exchanged. Bainbridge then took hisship to Boston, where she arrived in February, 1813. The substitution of the wheel of the "Java" for that of the"Constitution, " shot away in battle, has been alluded to. In hisbiography of Capt. Bainbridge, Fenimore Cooper relates a story ofinterest regarding this trophy. It was a year or two after peace wasmade with England, in 1815, that a British naval officer visited the"Constitution, " then lying at the Boston navy-yard. The frigate hadbeen newly fitted out for a cruise to the Mediterranean; and anAmerican officer, with some pride, showed the Englishman over theship, which was then undoubtedly the finest of American naval vessels. After the tour of the ship had been made, the host said, as they stoodchatting on the quarter-deck, -- "Well, what do you think of her?" "She is one of the finest frigates, if not the very finest, I ever putmy foot aboard of, " responded the Englishman; "but, as I must findsome fault, I'll just say that your wheel is one of the clumsiestthings I ever saw, and is unworthy of the vessel. " The American officer laughed. "Well, you see, " said he, "when the 'Constitution' took the 'Java, 'the former's wheel was shot out of her. The 'Java's' wheel was fittedon the victorious frigate, to steer by; and, although we think it asugly as you do, we keep it as a trophy. " All criticisms on the wheel ended then and there. The defeat of the "Java" closed the warfare on the ocean during 1812. The year ended with the honors largely in the possession of the UnitedStates navy. The British could boast of the capture of but two armedvessels, --the "Nautilus, " whose capture by an overwhelming force wehave already noted; and the little brig "Vixen, " twelve guns, whichSir James Yeo, with the "Southampton, " thirty-two, had overhauled andcaptured in the latter part of November. The capture of the "Wasp" bythe "Poictiers, " when the American sloop-of-war was cut up by heraction with the "Frolic, " was an occurrence, which, howeverunfortunate for the Americans, reflected no particular honor upon theBritish arms. In opposition to this record, the Americans could boast of victory infour hard-fought battles. In no case had they won through any lack ofvalor on the part of their antagonists; for the Englishmen had notsought to avoid the battle, and had fought with the dogged valorcharacteristic of their nation. In one or two instances, it is truethat the Americans were more powerful than the foe whom they engaged;but, in such cases, the injury inflicted was out of all proportion tothe disparity in size of the combatants. The four great actionsresulting in the defeat of the "Guerriere, " the "Frolic, " the"Macedonian, " and the "Java, " showed conclusively that the Americanblue-jackets were equal in courage to their British opponents, and fartheir superiors in coolness, skill, discipline, and self-reliance; andthese qualities may be said to have won the laurels for the Americannavy that were conceded to it by all impartial observers. Besides the victories over the four British ships enumerated, theAmericans had captured the "Alert, " and a British transport bearing aconsiderable detachment of troops. These achievements, as involving nobloodshed, may be set off against the captures of the "Nautilus" and"Vixen" by the British. Of the number of British merchant-vesselscaptured, the records are so incomplete that no accurate estimate canbe made. To the naval vessels are accredited forty-six captures amongthe enemy's merchant-marine, and this estimate is probably very nearlyaccurate. But with the declaration of war, Portsmouth, Salem, NewLondon, New York, Baltimore, and, indeed, every American seaport, fitted out fleet privateers to prey upon the enemy's commerce. Thesails of this private armed navy fairly whitened the sea, and fewnights were not illuminated by the flames of some burning prize. Astheir chief object was plunder, the aim of the privateers was to gettheir prize safely into port; but, when this was impossible, they werenot slow in applying the torch to the captured vessel. The injury theyinflicted upon the enemy was enormous, and the record of theirexploits might well engage the industry of painstaking historians. Asan adjunct to the regular navy, they were of great service in bringingthe war to a happy conclusion. It is not to be supposed that the British men-of-war and privateerswere idle while the Americans were thus sweeping the seas. More thanone American vessel set sail boldly from some little New England port, freighted with the ventures of all classes of tradesmen, only to besnapped up by a rapacious cruiser. But the mercantile marine of theUnited States was but small, and offered no such rewards toenterprising privateers as did the goodly fleets of West-Indiamen thatbore the flag of Great Britain. And so, while the American privateerswere thriving and reaping rich rewards of gold and glory, those of theBritish were gradually abandoning privateering in disgust. TheAmerican prize-lists grew so large, that the newspapers commenced thepractice of publishing weekly a list of the enemy's ships taken duringthe week past. In Baltimore, Henry Niles, in his paper "The WeeklyRegister, " robbed "The London Naval Chronicle" of its vaingloriousmotto, -- "The winds and seas are Britain's broad domain, And not a sail but by permission spreads. " This sentiment Niles printed at the head of his weekly list of Britishvessels captured by United States vessels, --a bit of satire not oftenequalled in the columns of newspapers of to-day. CHAPTER VII. THE WAR ON THE LAKES. -- THE ATTACK ON SACKETT'S HARBOR. -- OLIVER HAZARD PERRY ORDERED TO LAKE ERIE. -- THE BATTLE OF PUT-IN-BAY. Let us now abandon for a time our consideration of the progress of thegreat naval war on the ocean, and turn our attention to a humblertheatre, in which the drama of battle was proceeding with no lesscredit to the American participants, though with less grand andinspiring accessories. On the great fresh-water lakes which skirt thenorthern frontier of the United States, the two warring powerscontended fiercely for the mastery. But there were no desperate duelsbetween well-matched frigates; nor, indeed, did either the British orAmerican squadron of the lake station boast a craft of sufficientarmament to be termed a frigate, until the war was nearly at an end. Barges, gunboats, sloops, schooners, and brigs made up the squadronsthat fought for the possession of the fresh-water seas; and few eitherof the jackies of the forecastle or the officers of the quarter-deckwere bred to the regular service. With such forces it could onlyhappen that the encounters of the foes should be little more thanskirmishes, and that neither in immediate loss of life nor in directresults should these skirmishes be important. Such, in fact, was thegeneral character of the hostilities on the lakes, with two noteworthyexceptions, --Perry's victory at Put-in-Bay, and McDonough's successfulresistance of the British on Lake Champlain. That the war should invade the usually peaceful waters of Ontario, Erie, and Champlain, was inevitable from the physical characteristicsof the northern frontier of the United States. Great Britain heldCanada; and an invasion of her enemy's territory from that provincewas a military measure, the advisability of which was evident to themost untaught soldier. No overland expedition could hope to make itsway through the dense forests of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, or theAdirondack region of New York. But the lakes offered a temptingopening for invasion. Particularly did the placid, navigable waters ofLake Champlain, stretching, from the Canada line far into the heart ofNew York, invite the invader; while Lakes Erie and Ontario afforded anopportunity for attacking the Americans on what was then, practically, their western frontier. The Americans were not slow in perceiving the dangers that threatenedtheir north-western frontier, and began to prepare for its defencemost energetically at the first declaration of war. It was a work thattaxed to the utmost the resources of the young country. The shores ofthe lakes as far west as Detroit were open to the attacks of theenemy, and, although part of the territory of the United States, werereally more accessible to the invaders than to the American defenders. The population was sparse, and the means of transportation veryprimitive. Before the days of railroads, canals, or even well-keptturnpikes, troops, seamen, ordnance, and all munitions of war couldonly be transported from the cities on the seacoast by the mostlaborious hauling over roads hardly worthy of the name. Nor was thetransportation problem solved during the continuance of the war. Whenin May, 1814, the new United States frigate "Superior" lay at her dockat Sackett's Harbor, her ordnance, stores, and cordage had to bebrought from Oswego Falls, some fifty miles away. A clear water-routeby the Oswego River and the lake offered itself; but Sir James Yeo, with his squadron, was blockading the mouth of the harbor, and thechance for blockade-runners was small indeed. To carry the heavyordnance and cables overland, was out of the question. The dilemma wasmost perplexing, but Yankee ingenuity finally enabled the "Superior"to get her outfit. The equipment was loaded upon a small fleet ofbarges and scows, which a veteran lake captain took to a point sixteenmiles from the blockaded harbor. By sailing by night, and skulking upcreeks and inland water-ways, the transports reached this pointwithout attracting the attention of the blockading fleet. They had, however, hardly arrived when news of the enterprise came to the earsof the British, and an expedition was sent to intercept the Americans, which expedition the Yankees successfully resisted. The question thenarose as to how the stores were to be taken across the sixteen milesof marsh and forest that lay between the boats and the navy-yard atSackett's Harbor. The cannon and lighter stores were transported onheavy carts with great difficulty, but there still remained the greatcable. How to move this was a serious question. No cart could bear itsponderous weight of ninety-six hundred pounds. Again Yankee ingenuityand pluck came to the rescue. Two hundred men volunteered to carry thegreat rope on their shoulders, and in this way it actually wastransported. Along the shore of the little creek the great cable wasstretched out with prodigious labor, and lay there looking like agigantic serpent. The two hundred men ranged themselves along the lineat regular intervals, and at a given signal hoisted the burden totheir shoulders. At the word of command, all stepped off brisklytogether, and the long line wound along the narrow path through theforests. They started out cheerily enough, enlivening the work withsongs and jests; but at the end of the first mile all were glad enoughto throw down the load, and loiter a while by the roadside. A fewminutes' rest, and up and on again. Now arms began to ache, andshoulders to chafe, under the unusual burden; but the march continueduntil noon of the next day, when the footsore and weary carriersmarched proudly into Sackett's Harbor, to find sailors and soldiersassembled to greet them with bands and cannon-firing. In accordancewith the custom of the time, these demonstrations of honor weresupplemented by the opening of a barrel of whiskey, in honor of thearrival of the cable. This incident, trivial in itself, is typical of that ingenuity andfertility of resource, which, more than any thing else, contributedto the success of the Americans, not only in the lake operations ofthe war of 1812, but in every war the nation has since undertaken. Butthe advantages gained by Yankee enterprise and ingenuity were, perhaps, more evident in the operations on Lake Ontario and Lake Eriethan in the operations of the armies, or of the fleets upon the ocean. The great contest lay more in the rapid building of ships than infighting them. At the outset the enemy were better equipped for thestruggle than were the Americans. The Canadian frontier had beenlonger settled, and could lend more men to the needs of the nation. More than this, the route to the ocean by the St. Lawrence River madeit really easier to transport naval stores from far-off Liverpool tothe British naval station on the shores of Lake Ontario, than to carrylike goods across the wooded hills of New York. Nor were the Britishaltogether without naval resources upon the lakes at the hour when warwas declared. On Lake Erie the English flag waved over the "RoyalGeorge, " twenty-two; "Prince Regent, " sixteen; "Earl of Moira, "fourteen; "Gloucester, " ten; "Seneca, " eight; and "Simcoe, " eight. Opposed to this squadron was but one United States vessel, --the"Oneida, " a man-of-war brig carrying sixteen twenty-four-poundcarronades. On Lake Erie the British had a squadron of six vessels, carrying in all forty-six guns. Hostilities opened early on Lake Ontario. For some time before theformal declaration of war, a desultory warfare had been waged by theAmericans and Canadians about Niagara. Canadian schooners had beenseized on account of alleged violations of the revenue and embargoregulations of the United States. The resentment of the sufferers wasaroused, and they only awaited a suitable opportunity to retaliate. The opportunity soon came, in the form of the declaration of war; anda body of Canadian volunteers attacked eight American schooners, nearthe Thousand Isles, and burned two of them. With the opening of the war, the United States authorities had fixedupon Sackett's Harbor as the naval station for Lake Ontario. In theharbor, on the 19th of July, 1812, lay the "Oneida, " which had latelycome into port after a short cruise in search of British schooners. Atearly dawn of the day mentioned, the lookout reported five ships inthe offing, and a few minutes later hailed the deck, to report them tobe British ships-of-war. The alarm quickly spread over the littletown. Puny though the British fleet would have appeared upon theocean, it was of ample power to take the "Oneida" and destroy thevillage. Before the villagers fairly understood their peril, a smallboat came scudding into the harbor before the wind. It bore a messagefrom the British commander, demanding that the "Oneida" and the "LordNelson" (a captured Canadian vessel) be surrendered. Should thesquadron be resisted, he warned the inhabitants that their town shouldbe burned to the ground. Commander Woolsey, who commanded the "Oneida, " was a United Statesofficer of the regular service, and a man of courage and fertility ofresource. Unable to take his vessel out into the lake, he moored herat the entrance of the harbor in such a way that her broadside of nineguns might be brought to bear on the enemy. All hands then set to workgetting the other broadside battery ashore; and, by the aid of thevillagers, these guns were mounted on a hastily thrown up redoubt onthe shore. At the foot of the main street of the village was planted aqueerly assorted battery. The great gun, on which the hopes of theAmericans centred, was an iron thirty-two-pounder, which had lain foryears deeply embedded in the muddy ooze of the lake-shore, gainingthereby the derisive name of the "Old Sow. " This redoubtable piece ofordnance was flanked on either side by a brass six-pounder; a pair ofcannon that the Yankee sailors had, with infinite pains andindomitable perseverance, dredged up from the sunken hulk of a Britishwar-vessel that had filled a watery grave some years. Two brassnine-pounders completed this novel armament. It was about eight o'clock in the morning when the British vesselscame up within range. Alarm guns had been firing from the shore allthe morning; and by that time the village was filled with militiamen, who flocked to the scene of action. Woolsey, who had taken charge ofthe shore-batteries, ordered a shot from the thirty-two pounder. The"old sow" spoke out bravely, but the shot missing, only roused theenemy to laughter, which could be heard on shore. The British vesselsthen began a vigorous cannonade, keeping well out of range of thesmall guns on shore; although so weak were the American defences, thata vigorous onslaught by the enemy would have quickly reduced the townto submission. As it was, a harmless fire was kept up for about twohours. Not a shot took effect, and nothing save the noise andexcitement of the cannonading need have deterred the good people ofSackett's Harbor from observing that Sunday morning in accordance withtheir usual sabbath customs. It was reserved for one shot to put anend to this strange engagement. Just as the artillerists who servedthe iron thirty-two pounder were loading the gun, a cannon-ball struckthe ground near the battery. One of the Americans ran, and, picking upthe spent ball, brought it into the battery, saying, "I've beenplaying ball with the redcoats, and have caught them out. Let's seenow if they can catch back again. " So saying, he rammed the missiledown the muzzle of the long thirty-two, and sent it back with deadlyaim. The captured ball crashed into the stern of the "Royal George, "raked her from stem to stern, killing fourteen men, and woundingeighteen in its course. The marksman, watching the course of his shot, saw the splinters fly from the deck of the British ship; and theAmericans cheered loudly for the "old sow" as the British squadron putabout, and left the Sackett's Harbor people to celebrate their easilywon victory. Insignificant though this engagement was, it was the chief battle ofthe year on Lake Ontario. The Americans strained every nerve to putmore armed vessels afloat, and, being left unmolested by the British, managed to have quite a flotilla in commission before winter set itsicy seal upon the lake. In September, Capt. Isaac Chauncey wasappointed commander-in-chief of the lake navy; and, on his arrival, heproved himself the very man for the place. He rushed ahead thebuilding of new ships, arranged for the transportation of seamen fromthe seacoast to man the vessels on the lakes, and then, not contentwith attending only to the building of the ships, took command of thesquadron in commission, and fairly swept the lake clear of the enemy'svessels. He met with little opposition as the British retired to theirnaval station at Kingston, remaining there until all further navaloperations were checked by the ice. Winter, which seriously impeded the work of the British by putting anend to navigation upon the St. Lawrence, did away with many of thedifficulties of transportation which had so hampered the Americans. The roads to the seacoast grew hard, and were soon covered with snow, over which long teams of oxen plodded to and fro until the path waswell broken. Then began the hauling of supplies from the seaboard. From his post at Sackett's Harbor, Chauncey sent out requisitions forship-timber, cordage, ordnance, and ship-carpenters. Long trains ofheavily laden wagons and sledges wound their way across the State fromNew York or Albany to the station at Sackett's Harbor. Agents wereappointed in the seacoast towns to enlist seamen for service on thelakes, --a work that required no small powers of persuasion; for thetrue salt-water jack looks with great disfavor upon the "fish-ponds"of fresh water. But, by dint of munificent offers of bounties andprize-money, several hundred sailors were induced to leave their shipson the ocean, and take service in the infant navy of the lakes. Most of the sailors were sent across the State in the dead of winter. The trip was made in huge sleds, drawn by several pairs of horses, andcarrying a score or more men each. The jackies enlivened the journeywith rollicking songs and stories as the sleds sped over thewell-packed roads through the sparsely settled country. One of thelargest parties was accompanied by a brass band, with the aid of whichthe sailors made their entrance to the villages along the road intruly royal style. The sleighs and horses were gayly decked with thenational colors. The band led in the first sleigh, closely followed bythree other sledges, filled with blue-coated men. Before the littletavern of the town the _cortége_ usually came to a halt; and the tars, descending, followed up their regulation cheers with demands for grogand provender. After a halt of an hour or two, the party continued itsway, followed by the admiration of every villager, and the envy ofevery boy large enough to have seafaring ambitions. With all his energy and unswerving fidelity to the cause of hiscountry, Chauncey probably did nothing of more direct benefit to theUnited States than writing a letter to a young naval officer, thenstationed at Newport, asking him to come West and take charge of thenaval operations on Lake Erie. The name of this young officer wasOliver Hazard Perry, and a year later no name in American historycarried with it more fame. Hostilities on Lake Erie had been unimportant up to the time thatChauncey sent for Perry. The Americans had no naval vessel to opposeto the fleet of Canadian craft that held the lake. One war-vesselonly had shown the American flag on the lake; and she had been fittedout by the army, and had fallen into the hands of the enemy at thesurrender of Detroit. But this prize was not destined to remain longin the hands of the Canadians. Early in the autumn of 1812, Chaunceyhad sent Lieut. Elliott to Lake Erie, with instructions to begin atonce the creation of a fleet by building or purchasing vessels. Elliott chose as the site of his improvised navy-yard Black Rock, apoint two miles below Buffalo; and there pushed ahead his work in away that soon convinced the enemy, that, unless the young officer'senergy received a check, British supremacy on Lake Erie would soon beat an end. Accordingly, two armed brigs, the "Caledonia" and the"Detroit, " recently captured by the British, came down to put an endto the Yankee ship-building. Like most of the enemy's vessels on thelakes, these two brigs were manned by Canadians, and had not even theadvantage of a regular naval commander. On the morning of the 8th of October, the sentries on the river-sideat Black Rock discovered the two British vessels lying at anchor underthe guns of Fort Erie, a British work on the opposite side of theNiagara River, that there flows placidly along, a stream more than amile wide. Zealous for distinction, and determined to checkmate theenemy in their design, Elliott resolved to undertake the task ofcutting out the two vessels from beneath the guns of the British fort. Fortune favored his enterprise. It happened that on that very day adetachment of sailors from the ocean had arrived at Black Rock. Thoughwearied by their long overland journey, the jackies were ready for theadventure, but had no weapons. In this dilemma Elliott was forced toturn for aid to the military authorities, from whom he obtainedpistols, swords, and sabres enough to fit out his sailors for thefray. With the arms came a number of soldiers and a small party ofadventurous citizens, all of whom enlisted under the leadership of theadventurous Elliott. In planning the expedition, the great difficultylay in getting rid of the too numerous volunteers. By nightfall, the preparations for the expedition were completed. Inthe underbrush that hung over the banks of the river, two large boatswere concealed, ready for the embarkation. At midnight fifty men, armed to the teeth, silently took their places in each of the greatbarges, and pushed out upon the black surface of the river. All alongthe bank were crowds of eager watchers, who discussed the chances ofsuccess with bated breath, lest the merest whisper should alarm theBritish sentries on the farther shore. With steady strokes of themuffled oars, the two boats made their way toward the two brigs thatcould just be seen outlined against the sky. Elliott, in the firstboat, directed the movements of his men, and restrained the tooenthusiastic. So stealthy was the approach, that the foremost boat wasfairly alongside of the "Detroit" before the British took the alarm. Then the quick hail of the sentry brought an answering pistol-shotfrom Elliott; and, amid volleys of musketry, the assailants clamberedup the sides of the brigs, and with pistol and cutlass drove thestartled crew below. So complete was the surprise, that the Britishmade but little resistance; and the cables of the brigs were cut, sails spread, and the vessels under way, before the thunder of a gunfrom Fort Erie told that the British on shore had taken the alarm. At the report of the first shot fired, the dark line of the Americanshore suddenly blazed bright with huge beacon fires, while lanternsand torches were waved from commanding points to guide the adventuroussailors in their navigation of the captured brigs. But the victorswere not to escape unscathed with their booty. The noise of theconflict, and the shouts of the Americans on the distant bank of theriver, roused the British officers in the fort, and the guns were soontrained on the receding vessels. Some field-batteries galloped alongthe bank, and soon had their guns in a position whence they could poura deadly fire upon the Americans. Nor did the spectators on the NewYork side of the river escape unharmed; for the first shot, fired bythe field-battery missed the brigs, but crossed the river and struckdown an American officer. Almost unmanageable in the swift current andlight wind, the two brigs seemed for a time in danger of recapture. The "Caledonia" was run ashore under the guns of an American battery;but the "Detroit, " after being relieved of the prisoners, and desertedby her captors, was beached at a point within range of the enemy'sfire. The British made several determined attempts to recapture her, but were beaten off; and, after a day's fighting around the vessel, she was set on fire and burned to the water's edge. The "Caledonia, "however, remained to the Americans, and some months later did goodservice against her former owners. It was shortly after this occurrence that Lieut. Perry offered hisservices for the lakes; and four months later he received a letterfrom Chauncey, saying, "You are the very person that I want for aparticular service, in which you may gain reputation for yourself, andhonor for your country. " This letter was quickly followed by ordersfrom the Secretary of the Navy to report at once for duty to Chaunceyat Sackett's Harbor. Perry was overjoyed. The dull monotony of hisduties at Newport suited little his ardent nature. He longed foractive service, and an opportunity to win distinction. His opportunityhad at last come; and twenty hours after the receipt of his orders, heand his thirteen-year-old brother were seated in a sleigh and fairlystarted on the long drive across the country. Travelling was a seriousmatter in those days, and the journey from Newport to Sackett's Harborrequired twelve days. On his arrival, Perry found that the special service for which he wasneeded was the command of a naval force on Lake Erie. He stopped but ashort time at Sackett's Harbor, and then pressed on to Erie, the baseof the naval operations on the lake of the same name. It was late inMarch when Perry arrived; and the signs of spring already showed thatsoon the lake would be clear of ice, and the struggle for its controlrecommence. The young lieutenant was indefatigable in the labor ofpreparation. He urged on the building of vessels already begun. Hearranged for the purchase of merchant schooners, and their conversioninto gunboats. He went to Pittsburg for supplies, and made a flyingtrip to Buffalo to join Chauncey in an attack upon Fort George at themouth of the Niagara River. All the time, he managed to keep up aconstant fire of letters to the Secretary of the Navy and to Chauncey, begging for more sailors. By summertime, he had five vessels ready forservice, but no men to man them. The enemy blockaded him, and he darednot accept the challenge. In July he wrote to Chauncey: "The enemy'sfleet of six sail are now off the bar of this harbor. What a goldenopportunity if we had men!. . . Give me men, sir, and I will acquireboth for you and myself honor and glory on this lake, or perish in theattempt. " Again he wrote: "For God's sake, and yours and mine, send memen and officers; and I will have them all [the British squadron] in aday or two. " When the men finally did arrive, he was much disgustedwith their appearance, pronouncing them to be "a motley set, --blacks, soldiers, and boys. " Nevertheless, this same motley crew, headed bythe critical young officer, won a victory that effectually crushed thepretensions of the enemy to the control of Lake Erie. [Illustration: Perry's Recruits. ] His crews having arrived, Perry was anxious to get out upon the lake, and engage the enemy at once. But this course of action was for a longtime impossible. The flotilla lay snugly anchored within the harbor ofErie, the entrance to which was closed by a bar. To cross this bar, the ships would have been obliged to send all heavy ordnance ashore;and, as the enemy kept close watch outside the harbor, the Americanfleet was practically blockaded. For several weeks the Americans werethus kept prisoners, grumbling mightily at their enforced inaction, and longing for a chance to get at the enemy. One morning in Augustword was brought to Perry that the blockading fleet had disappeared. Instantly all was life and bustle in the harbor. The crews of all thevessels were ordered aboard; and the flotilla dropped down to the bar, intending to cross early in the morning. At dawn the movement wasbegun. The schooners and other small craft were easily taken outside;but, when it came to the turn of the two gun-brigs, "Lawrence" and"Niagara, " it became evident that mechanical assistance was required. Accordingly, a powerful "camel" was hastily improvised, by the aid ofwhich the two vessels were dragged across the bar. Hardly had thesecond brig made the passage in safety, when the British fleetappeared in the offing. Tradition says that the opportune absence ofthe enemy's fleet was caused by a public banquet to which the citizensof Port Dover had invited Commodore Barclay and his officers. Whilethe dinner was going merrily on, the Americans were hard at work, escaping from the trap in which the British had left them. Inresponding to a toast at the banquet, Barclay said, "I expect to findthe Yankee brigs hard and fast on the bar at Erie when I return, inwhich predicament it will be but a small job to destroy them. " Hisanticipations were not realized; for, on his arrival, he found theentire squadron safely floating in the deep water outside the bar. Had Barclay but known it, he would even then have found it "but asmall job to destroy them;" for the two brigs, having been stripped oftheir ordnance, would have been easy prey for the British squadron. But Perry's bold action in sending forward two schooners to engage theenemy seemed to alarm the too prudent commodore; and the British boreaway, and were soon out of sight. By night Perry's flotilla was in readiness for cruising, and set outimmediately in pursuit of the foe. Barclay seemed to avoid theconflict; and, after some weeks' cruising, the Americans cast anchorat Put-in-Bay, and awaited there the appearance of the enemy. The little flotilla that lay anchored on the placid waters of thepicturesque bay consisted of nine vessels, ranging in size from the"Trippe, " a puny sloop carrying one gun, to the "Lawrence" and"Niagara, " brigs carrying each two long twelves and eighteen shortthirty-twos. No very formidable armada was that of a handful of pygmyvessels, commanded by a young officer who had never heard thethunderous cannonade of a naval battle, or seen the decks of his shipsstained with the blood of friends and daily companions. Yet the workof the little squadron saved the United States from invasion, won forthe young commander a never-dying fame, and clothed the vine-cladhills, the pebbly beaches, and the crystal waters of Put-in-Bay with awealth of proud, historical associations. [Illustration: Drilling The Raw Recruits. ] Day after day the vessels lay idly at their anchorage, and the sailorsgrew restless at the long inactivity. Perry alone was patient; for tohim had come the knowledge that the hostile fleet was getting short ofsupplies, and would soon be starved out of its retreat at Malden. Knowing this, he spared no pains to get his men into training for thecoming conflict. They were exercised daily at the great guns, and putthrough severe drills in the use of the cutlass, in boarding, andrepelling boarders. By constant drill and severe discipline, Perry hadmade of the motley crew sent him a well-drilled body of seamen, everyman of whom had become fired with the enthusiasm of his commander. As the time passed, and the day of battle drew nearer, Perry'sconfidence in his men increased; and he looked upon the comingconflict as one certain to bring glory to his country. At early dawnthe jackies on the ships could see the slender form of their commanderperched upon the craggy heights of one of the islands, called to thisday "Perry's Lookout, " eagerly scanning the horizon in the directionof Malden. On the night of Sept. 9, 1813, the commodore felt convincedthat on the next day the British would come out to battle. Accordingly, a conference of captains was called in the cabin of theflag-ship, and each received directions as to his course of actionduring the fight. They were urged to force the fighting to closequarters. Said Perry, "Nelson has expressed my idea in the words, 'Ifyou lay your enemy alongside, you cannot be out of your place. '" Asthe officers were about to depart, Perry drew from a locker a large, square blue flag, on which appeared, in white letters, the dying wordsof the gallant Lawrence, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!" "This, " said Perry, "shall be the signal for action; and when it appears at the masthead, remember your instructions. " The conference then ended; and thecaptains returned to their ships across the bay, silvered by the lightof the moon, to spend the greater part of the night in preparationsfor the great danger of the coming day. Morning dawned bright and clear, with a light breeze blowing, thatbroke into ripples the surface of the land-locked bay. The rosy lightof the rising sun was just reddening the eastern horizon, when, fromthe lookout in the foretop of the "Lawrence, " came the long-drawn hailof "Sail, ho!" quickly repeated from the other vessels. Perry was already on deck. "What does it look like?" he shouted to thelookout. "A clump of square rigged, and fore and afters, sir, " was theresponse. In a few minutes the signals "Enemy in sight, " and "Get under way, "were flying from the masthead of the flag-ship; and the merry pipingof the boatswains' whistles, and the measured tramp of the sailorsaround the capstans, told that signals were observed, and were beingobeyed. The fleet was soon threading its way through the narrow channels, filled with islands, at the entrance to the bay, and finally came intoline on the open lake. Not a cloud was in the sky. The lake was calm, with enough wind blowing to admit of manoeuvring, yet gentle enough tobe of advantage to the schooners that made up the greater part of eachfleet. For some time the Americans held back, manoeuvring to get theweather-gauge; but Perry's impatience for the fray got the better ofhis caution, and he determined to close at once. His first officerremonstrated, saying, "Then you'll have to engage the enemy toleeward. " "I don't care, " responded the commodore. "Leeward or windward, theyshall fight to-day. " Then, turning to the quartermaster, he called forthe battle-flag, which being brought, he mustered the crew aft, andaddressed them briefly, telling them of the task before them, andurging them to fight bravely for the victory. "My brave lads, " heconcluded, "this flag bears the last words of Capt. Lawrence. Shall Ihoist it?" "Ay, ay, sir!" cried the jackies, in unison; and, as the flag wasswiftly run to the masthead, the cheers of the sailors on the deck ofthe "Lawrence" were echoed from the neighboring vessels, as the whiteletters showed boldly against the blue flag, bearing to each commanderthe exhortation, "Don't give up the ship!" The battle-signal being thus displayed, the vessels moved onward tothe attack. As the crew of the "Lawrence" stood at their guns, thecooks passed along the decks, handing to each man a bit of food, thathis strength might not leave him in the coming struggle. Then followedboys with boxes of sand, which they strewed upon the decks, to afforda firm foothold for the men at the guns. The hammocks were stowedalong the nettings, to serve as some little protection against flyingshot. The men stood silent and pale at their quarters, each occupiedwith his own grave thoughts, but all determined to fight like bravemen and true for the honor of the flag. By Perry's side stood hisbrother, a boy thirteen years old, armed and ready to do his duty aswell as the older men. The British came on gallantly. Barclay had lost all his diffidence, and brought up his vessels like a veteran. His ships were kept closetogether; the ship "Detroit" under short sail, that the pygmy sloop"Little Belt" might not be left in the rear. The Americans came downin single file, headed by the schooner "Scorpion. " Suddenly throughthe still air rang out the sharp notes of a bugle-call on the enemy'sflag-ship. It was the signal for action; and, as the last notes diedaway, the bands struck up "Rule, Britannia. " The Americans answeredwith cheers; and in the midst of the cheering, a jet of smoke and firespurted from the side of the "Detroit, " and a heavy shot splashed intothe water near the "Lawrence, " while a dull, heavy report came boomingover the water. The battle was opened, but five minutes elapsed before a second shotwas fired. When it did come, it crashed through the bulwarks of the"Lawrence, " and sped across her deck, doing no great damage. "Steady, lads, steady, " cried Perry, from his post on the quarter-deck, as hesaw an uneasy stir among his men, who longed to return the fire. Thecommodore was determined to fight at close quarters, and hung outsignals for each ship to choose its antagonist, and fight the fightout for itself. It was then high noon, and the battle soon became general. The littleschooners "Scorpion" and "Ariel" pluckily kept their place in the vanof the American line, but the fire of the enemy fell most fiercelyupon the flag-ship "Lawrence. " No less than four vessels at one timewere grouped about the "Lawrence, " pouring in a destructive fire, andbent upon destroying the flag-ship and her brave commander; thentaking the smaller vessels in detail. The "Lawrence" fought bravely, but the odds were too great. The carronades with which she was armedwere no match for the long guns of her adversaries. For two hours theunequal combat raged, and no American vessel came to the aid of thesorely smitten flag-ship. Amid the hail of cannon-balls and bullets, Perry seemed to bear a charmed life. He saw his officers and menfalling all about him. John Brooks, the lieutenant of marines, foughtby the commodore's side. While speaking cheerfully to the commodore, acannon-ball struck the young lieutenant on the hip, dashing him acrossthe deck against the bulwark, and mutilating him so, that he pleadpiteously with Perry, imploring that he might be put out of his miserywith a pistol-shot. From this awful spectacle Perry turned to speak tothe captain of a gun, when the conversation was abruptly cut short bya shot which killed the seaman instantly. Perry returned to thequarter-deck. The first lieutenant came rushing up, his face bloody, and his nose swelled to an enormous size from a splinter which hadperforated it. "All the officers in my division are killed, " he cried. "For God's sake, give me more!" Perry sent some men to his aid; butthey soon fell, and the cry for more men arose again. One of thesurgeons who served in the cock-pit on that dreadful day states, that, in the midst of the roar of battle, Perry's voice was heard callingdown the hatchway, and asking any surgeon's mates who could be spared, to come on deck and help work the guns. Several went up; but theappeal was soon repeated, and more responded. When no more men couldbe obtained, the voice of the commodore took a pleading tone. "Can anyof the wounded pull a rope?" said he; and such was his ascendency overthe men, that several poor mangled fellows dragged themselves on deck, and lent their feeble strength to the working of the guns. [Illustration: Commodore Perry At The Battle Of Lake Erie. ] Amid all the carnage, the sailors were quick to notice the lighterincidents of the fray. Even the cock-pit, filled with the wounded, andreeking with blood that dripped through the cracks in the deck above, once resounded with laughter as hearty as ever greeted a middy'safter-dinner joke in the steerage. Lieut. Yarnall received a badscalp-wound, which fairly drenched his face with blood. As he gropedhis way towards the cock-pit he passed a lot of hammocks stuffed with"cat-tails" which had been stowed on the bulwarks. The feathery downof the "cat-tails" filled the air, and settled thick upon the head andface of the officer, robbing his countenance of all semblance to ahuman face. As he descended the ladder to the cock-pit, his owl-likeair roused the wounded to great shouts of laughter. "The Devil hascome among us, " they cried. [Illustration: Perry's Victory--the Battle Of Lake Erie. September 10, 1813 Copyright, 1893, By C. Klackner. ] While talking to his little brother, Perry to his horror saw the ladfall at his feet, dashed to the deck by an unseen missile. Thecommodore's agony may be imagined; but it was soon assuaged, for theboy was only stunned, and was soon fighting again at his post. Thesecond lieutenant was struck by a spent grape-shot, and fell stunnedupon the deck. He lay there for a time, unnoticed. Perry raised himup, telling him he was not hurt, as no blood could be seen. Thelieutenant put his hand to his clothing, at the point where the blowhad fallen, and discovered the shot lodged in his coat. Coolly puttingit in his pocket, he remarked, "You are right: I am not hurt. But thisis my shot, " and forthwith returned to his duty. It was a strange-looking body of men that fought at the guns of the"Lawrence. " Lean, angular Yankee sailors from the seafaringcommunities of New England stood by the side of swarthy negroes, who, with their half-naked black bodies, in the dense powder-smoke, seemedlike fiends in pandemonium. In the rigging were stationed a number ofKentucky riflemen, who had volunteered to serve during the battle. Thebuckskin shirts and leggings gave an air of incongruity to theirpresence on a man-of-war. Their unerring rifles, however, did braveservice for the cause of the stars and stripes. At the opening of theaction, two tall Indians, decked in all the savage finery of war-paintand feathers, strode the deck proudly. But water is not the Indian'selement, and the battle had hardly begun when one fled below interror; the other remained on deck, and was killed early in theaction. [Illustration: Making Ready To Leave The "Lawrence. "] Courageous and self-confident though the American commander was, themoment came when he could no longer disguise the fact that his gallantflag-ship was doomed to destruction before the continuous and deadlyfire of her adversaries. There was but one course of action open, andupon this he determined at once. He would transfer his flag to the"Niagara, " and from the deck of that vessel direct the movements ofhis fleet. Accordingly, the only uninjured boat of the "Lawrence" waslowered; and Perry sprang into the stern, followed by his littlebrother. Before the boat pushed off, the battle-flag was thrown intoher; and, wrapping it about him, Perry took a standing position in thestern, and ordered the oarsmen to give way. He steered straight forthe "Niagara, " through the very centre of the fight. The enemy quicklygrasped the purpose of the movement, and great guns and muskets weretrained on the little boat. Shot of all sizes splashed in the waterabout the boat, splintered the oars, and buried themselves in thegunwale. The crew begged their commander to sit down, and make himselfa less conspicuous target for the fire of the enemy; but Perry paidbut little attention to their entreaties. Suddenly the men rested onthe oars, and the boat stopped. Angrily the commodore demanded thecause of the stoppage, and was told that the men refused to row unlesshe sat down. With a smile he yielded, and soon the boat was alongsidethe "Niagara. " Perry sprang to the deck, followed by his boat's crewand a plucky sailor who had swum just behind the boat across the longstretch of water. Hardly a glance did the commodore cast at the shipwhich he had left, but bent all his faculties to taking the newflag-ship into the battle. The "Niagara" was practically a fresh ship; for, up to this time, shehad held strangely aloof from the battle. Now all was to be changed. The battle-flag went to her masthead; and she plunged into the thickof the fight, striking thunderous blows at every ship she encountered. As she passed the American lines, the sailors greeted with cheerstheir gallant commander. The crippled "Lawrence, " an almost helplesshulk, left far behind, was forced to strike her flag; although hercrew protested loudly, crying out, "Sink the ship, and let us go downwith her. " But the conquered vessel was not destined to fall into thehands of her enemies. Already the sight of their commodore on a freshvessel stimulated the American tars; so that in half an hour theBritish line was broken, their ships cut to pieces, and the "Detroit, "their flag-ship, a prize to the "Niagara. " A white handkerchief waswaved at the end of a pike by one of the crew of the "PrincessCharlotte. " The firing stopped, the flag was again run up to themasthead of the "Lawrence, " while a few feeble cheers came faintlyover the water from the remnant of her crew. The dense clouds of smoke blowing away, Perry saw, by the dispositionof his squadron, that the victory was secure. Hastily catching off hisnavy-cap, he laid upon it a sheet of paper torn from an old letter, and wrote to Gen. Harrison the famous despatch, "_We have met theenemy, and they are ours, --two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and onesloop. _" Then, with true chivalry, he determined that to his flag-ship"Lawrence, " that had so stoutly borne the brunt of battle, shouldbelong the honor of receiving the British captains, when they came tosurrender their vessels. He returned to the "Lawrence;" but the scenethere was such that even the excitement of victory could raise nofeelings of exultation in his breast. He saw on every side the bodiesof officers with whom, but the night before, he had dined in perfecthealth. The decks were red with blood, and from the cock-pit arosethe groans of the wounded. After the formal surrender, to make which the officers picked theirway over the deck covered with slain to the quarter-deck, the work ofburying the dead of both squadrons was begun. It was about sundownthat the sad ceremonies were held; and, as the deep tones of thechaplains reading the burial service arose upon the evening air, thedull, mournful splashing of heavy bodies in the water told that thelast scene in the great victory was drawing to an end. CHAPTER VIII. ON THE OCEAN. -- THE "HORNET" SINKS THE "PEACOCK. " -- THE BLOCKADE. -- ADVENTURES OF THE "SALLY. " -- HOSTILITIES ON CHESAPEAKE BAY. -- THE CRUISE OF THE "PRESIDENT. " The year 1813, that brought to American sailors upon the lakes suchwell-earned laurels, opened auspiciously for the stars and stripesupon the ocean. It will be remembered that the "Constitution, " whileon the cruise in the South Atlantic that ended with the destruction ofthe "Java, " had left the "Hornet" off San Salvador, blockading theBritish ship "Bonne Citoyenne. " For eighteen days the "Hornet"remained at her post. Her captain continually urged the enemy to comeout and give him battle, but to no avail. The remembrance of hisvaluable cargo deterred the Englishman, and he remained snug in hisharbor. Months after, when the occurrence became known in the UnitedStates, an unreasoning outcry was raised against the commander of the"Bonne Citoyenne" for thus avoiding the conflict; but naval men havealways agreed that his action was wise and commendable. After eighteen days' service on this blockade, the "Hornet" saw aBritish seventy-four bearing down upon her, bent upon releasing thetreasure-ship. Against such odds it would have been folly to contend;and the Americans, taking advantage of a dark night, slipped away, and were soon beyond pursuit. The vessel continued her cruise in thewaters south of the equator, meeting with good fortune, and takingmany valuable prizes, from one of which twenty-three thousand dollarsin specie were taken. But her cruise was not destined to proceedwithout serious opposition. On the 24th of February, as the "Hornet" was giving close chase to asuspicious brig near the mouth of the Demarara River, a secondstranger was sighted in the offing. Giving no heed to the newlysighted vessel, the "Hornet" continued her chase until the rapidlyapproaching vessel was clearly made out to be a brig, flying theBritish flag, and evidently a man-of-war. The "Hornet" was immediatelycleared for action; and the two hostile vessels began manoeuvring forthe weather-gage, as two scientific pugilists spar cautiously for anopening. In this contest of seamanship, Capt. Lawrence of the "Hornet"proved the victor; and a little after five o'clock in the afternoon, the two enemies stood for each other upon the wind, the "Hornet"having the weather-gage. As they rapidly neared each other, no soundwas heard save the creaking of the cordage, and the dashing of thewaves against the vessels' hulls. Not a shot was fired until theenemies were dashing past each other, going in opposite directions. The first broadsides were exchanged at half pistol-shot, with veryunequal effects. The shot of the "Hornet" penetrated the hull of herantagonist, doing terrible execution; while the broadside let fly bythe "Peacock" whistled through the rigging of the American ship, cutting away the pennant, and killing a topman, who was struck by around shot, and dashed from his station in the mizzen-top, to fallmangled and lifeless into the sea. Hardly were the ships clear, when the British captain put his helmhard up, --a manoeuvre executed with the intention of securing a rakingposition. But the plan was balked by the cool seamanship of Capt. Lawrence, who quickly followed up the British vessel, and, getting aposition on his quarter, poured in so rapid and accurate a fire thatthe enemy was fain to haul down his colors and confess defeat. TheBritish ensign had hardly touched the deck, when it was run up again, with the union down, as a token of distress. At this sight, the Yankeetars, who had been cheering lustily over their quickly won victory, stopped their rejoicings, and set about giving assistance to theinjured Britons with as hearty good-will as they had lately shown intheir vigorous cannonade. With all possible despatch, a boat was lowered, and Lieut. Shubrickproceeded on board the prize. He found the "Peacock" a complete wreck. Shortly after the surrender her main-mast had gone by the board, andher hull was fairly honeycombed with shot-holes. Returning to hisship, Shubrick reported the condition of the prize. He was immediatelyordered to return to the "Peacock, " and make every effort to save her. Accompanied by three boats' crews of American sailors, he againboarded the sinking ship, and bent every energy to the attempt for hersalvation. Bulwarks were cut away, and the heavy guns were rolled outof the gaps thus made, and cast into the sea. Deep down in the hold, and swinging like spiders over the sides of the vessels, sailors triedto stop up with felt-covered blocks of wood the great holes throughwhich the water was pouring. All the time boats were plying betweenthe sinking vessel and the "Hornet, " transferring the wounded and theprisoners. Twilight fell before the work was ended, and it becameevident to all that the "Peacock" must sink during the night. But theend came even quicker than had been expected. Some new rent must haveopened in the brig's side; for, with a sudden lurch, she commenced tosink rapidly, bow foremost. Several of the English crew were below, searching for liquor; and, caught by the inpouring flood, they found awatery grave in the sinking hulk. Three Americans were also ingulfed;and five narrowly escaped death by climbing up the rigging to theforetop, which remained above water when the hull rested upon thebottom. In the midst of the excitement and confusion, four Britishseamen slyly clambered out of the cabin-windows, and, dropping into aboat that was made fast to the stern, made off in the darkness. TheAmericans, eagerly watching the sinking ship, did not detect thefugitives until the boat was far beyond the possibility of recapture. The vessel so quickly destroyed by the "Hornet" was the Britishman-of-war brig "Peacock, " mounting ten guns, and carrying a crew oftwo hundred and ten men. In one respect, she was a model ship. Amongnaval men, she had long been known as "the yacht, " on account of theappearance of exquisite neatness she always presented. Her decks wereas white as lime-juice and constant holystoning could keep them. Thebrasswork about the cabins and the breeches of the guns was dazzlingin its brilliancy. White canvas lined the breechings of thecarronades. Her decks everywhere showed signs of constant toil in thecause of cleanliness. The result of the battle, however, seemed toindicate that Capt. Peakes had erred, in that, while his ship wasperfect, his men were bad marksmen, and poorly disciplined. Whiletheir shot were harmlessly passing through the rigging of the"Hornet, " the Americans were pouring in well-directed broadsides, thatkilled and wounded thirty-eight men, and ended the action in fifteenminutes. The Americans lost but one man in the fight, though threemore went down in the sinking prize. Capt. Lawrence now found himself far from home, short of water, andcrowded with prisoners. For a time, he feared that to these evils wasto be added a second action, while his crew was still fatigued withthe labors of the first. During the battle with the "Peacock, " asecond British man-of-war brig, the "Espiègle, " lay quietly at anchoronly four miles away. Why she had not joined in the strife, has neverbeen explained. She was clearly visible from the tops of the "Hornet"throughout the action, and Lawrence expected every moment to see herbear down to the assistance of her consort. But she made no movement;and even after the fight ended, and the "Peacock" lay on the bottom ofthe ocean, the mysterious stranger awoke not from her lethargy. Notwishing to engage a second adversary while his ship was crowded withprisoners, Lawrence immediately left the scene of action, and laid hiscourse for home. The homeward voyage was rapid and uneventful. Nopains were spared to secure the comfort of the prisoners who crowdedthe ship. The British officers were treated with the greatestconsideration; so that, as one said on quitting the ship, they "ceasedto consider themselves as captives. " The tars, who were consigned tothe care of the blue-jackets in the forecastle, were met with lesscourtesy, but certainly with no less good feeling. They were notspared an occasional taunt or triumphant joke; but when it was learnedthat by the sinking of their ship the Britons had lost all their"toggery, " the "Hornet's" lads turned to, and soon collected clothingenough to fit out each prisoner with a respectable kit. It was the middle of March before the long, homeward voyage wasended, and the anchor was dropped in the snug harbor of Holmes's Holein the island of Martha's Vineyard. The usual rejoicings followed thenews of the victory. Lawrence was the hero of the hour; and songsinnumerable appeared in the newspapers, extolling the courage anddevotion of the brave lads of the "Hornet. " Indeed, the arrival of the "Hornet" with her glorious news came at anopportune moment, to cheer the spirits of the American people. The warhad begun to assume a serious aspect. Continued reverses on the oceanhad roused the British ministry to the fact that they were dealingwith no contemptible enemy, and the word had gone forth that theAmericans must be crushed into submission. Troops were hurriedly sentto Canada, and all the vessels that could be spared were ordered tothe coast of the United States. The English had determined upon thatmost effective of all hostile measures, --a rigorous blockade of theirenemy's coast. Up and down the coast from New Jersey to the Carolinas, British frigates and sloops kept up a constant patrol. Chesapeake Baywas their chief rendezvous; and the exploits of the blockadingsquadron stationed there, under Admiral Cockburn, led often to scenesmore befitting savage warfare then the hostilities of two enlightenedand civilized peoples. On the New England coast, the blockade was lessseverely enforced. The people of that section had been loud in theirdenunciations of the war; and the British hoped, by a display ofmoderation, to seduce the New Englanders from their allegiance to theUnited States, --a hope that failed utterly of fulfilment. Even had theBritish desired to enforce the blockade along the New England shore, the character of the coast, and the skill and shrewdness of the Yankeeskippers, would have made the task of the blockaders a most difficultone. The annals of the little seafaring-villages along the coast of Maineand Massachusetts abound in anecdotes of hardy skippers who outwittedthe watchful British, and ran their little schooners or sloops intoport under the very guns of a blockading man-of-war. Among the blockade-runners of the New England coast, Capt. Dan Fernaldof Portsmouth stood foremost. When a shipload of Maine timber wasneeded at the Portsmouth navy-yard, to be converted into a newman-of-war, to Capt. Fernald was assigned the task of bringing it downfrom Portland past the British frigates, that were ever on the watchfor just such cargoes. When the preparations for the building of theseventy-four-gun ship "Washington" were making at the navy-yard, Capt. Fernald was sent to Portsmouth for a load of ship's-timber. His cargowas to consist of forty-eight "knees" and the breast-hook of theseventy-four. Loaded down with this burden, the schooner "Sally" leftPortland, and headed for her destination. Caution led her captain tokeep his craft close to the shore, and for a day or two she creptalong the coast without being discovered. But head-winds and calmsdelayed the "Sally, " and on her fourth day out she was sighted by theBritish frigate "Tenedos. " The "Sally" was not an imposing craft, andunder ordinary circumstances she might have been allowed to proceedunmolested; but on this occasion a number of the oaken knees for thenew war-vessel were piled on the deck, and the British captain couldclearly make out, through his glasses, that the "Sally" was laden withcontraband of war. Accordingly, he set out in hot pursuit, in the fullexpectation of overhauling the audacious coaster. Capt. Fernald, however, had no idea of letting his schooner fall into the hands ofthe British. He was a wily old skipper, and knew every nook and cornerof the Maine and New Hampshire coasts better than he knew the streetsof his native village. Apparently unmoved by the pursuit of theman-of-war, he stood at the tiller, and, beyond ordering his crew toshake out the reefs in the sails, seemed to make no great attempt toelude the enemy. But soon the crew noticed that the skipper was takinghis schooner rather dangerously close to the shore; and a cry camefrom a sailor on the bow, that the "Sally" was ploughing through thekelp, and would soon be on the rocks. "No matter, " sung out the captain; "just heave over a few of themknees, and I guess she'll float clear. " Overboard went a dozen heavy timbers, and the "Sally" sailed smoothlyon over the rocks. Then the captain glanced back over his shoulder, and chuckled slyly as the majestic frigate, following closely in histrack, brought up all of a sudden on the rocks, and was quickly left afixture by the receding tide. The exasperated Englishman sent twoeighteen-pound shot skipping over the water after the "Sally, " butwithout effect. One shot buried itself in the sand of the beach; andCapt. Fernald, after picking up the knees that had been thrownoverboard, coolly went ashore, dug up the ball, and carried it away asa trophy. He reached his moorings at the navy-yard safely, and waswarmly greeted by Commodore Hull, who asked if the "Sally" had beenfired upon; and, on being presented with the eighteen-pound shot for atoken, exclaimed, "You are a good fellow, and stand fire well. " The "Tenedos" came not so luckily out of the adventure. By the time aflood tide lifted her clear of the reef, the jagged points of therocks had pierced her hull, so that she leaked badly, and was forcedto go to Halifax for repairs. One more adventure in which the "Sally" and her wily captain figuredis worth recounting. Again the dingy schooner was edging her way alongthe rugged shore, bound for the Portsmouth navy-yard. No vessel couldhave seemed more harmless. Her patched and dirty canvas was held inplace by oft-spliced ropes and rigging none too taut. Her bluff bowsbutted away the waves in clouds of spray, that dashed over the decks, which seldom received other washing. Her cargo seemed to be cord-wood, neatly split, and piled high on deck. While off Casco, the winddropped down, and the "Sally" was left floating idly upon the glassyocean. Far in the distance lay an English man-o'-war, also becalmed;but from which a long-boat, stoutly manned, soon put out, and made forthe becalmed schooner. The boat was soon within hail, and a trim youngofficer in the stern-sheets sung out, -- "What craft's that?" "Schooner 'Sally' of Portsmouth, " came the answer, in the drawlingtones of a down-east skipper. "Where from?" "Portland. " "Where bound?" "Portsmouth. " "What's your cargo. " "Firewood, " responded Capt. Fernald with a carelessness he was farfrom feeling; for deep down in the hold, under the cord-wood, were twotwenty-four-pounder cannon, thirteen thousand pounds of powder, andabout one hundred boarding pikes and cutlasses. The British officer hesitated a moment, as if the little coaster wasof too little importance for further examination. "Well, I think I'll come aboard, " said he carelessly, and soon stoodwith three or four of his men on the deck of the "Sally. " After glancing contemptuously about the ill-kept decks, he turned tohis men with the sharp order: "Clear away some of that wood from thehatchways, and see what's in the hold. " The men set to work, passing the cord-wood away from the hatch ways, and piling it upon the after-deck. Soon they had worked their way intothe hold, and were going deeper and deeper down toward the munitionsof war. Capt. Fernald's blood seemed to stop coursing in his veins. Heknew that but one layer of cord-wood then lay above the cannon, and heexpected every instant to see the black iron uncovered. But theBritish officer grew impatient. "That's enough of that work, " said he; "there's nothing but woodthere. Captain, you can proceed on your course. " A momentary murmur arose from the English sailors. The "Sally" wastheirs by right of capture, and they saw no reason for her liberation. "Why, lads, " said the officer, "it would cost just as much to get thispoor fellow's wood-schooner condemned as it would a large ship. As forthe prize-money, it would not make a penny apiece. " So, tumbling intotheir boat, the jackies pulled away; shouting to the captain of the"Sally" to stow his cargo again, or his old tub would capsize. Capt. Fernald took their jeers good-naturedly, for he was the victor in thatencounter. The occurrence had been observed from the shore; and, when the Britishsailors were seen swarming over the side of the "Sally, " a horse-manset off for Portsmouth to notify Commodore Hull that the schooner wascaptured. It was a sore blow; for the guns and powder were thought tobe lost, and munitions of war were hard to be had at that time. ButHull soon threw aside the disappointment, and was busily engaged withplans for the vessels then building, when a sentry came in, andreported the "Sally" in sight. Hull rushed to the water-side. Sureenough, there came the battered old schooner, butting her way throughthe waves of the channel; and, before long, the two cannon were safein the storehouses, while Capt. Fernald found himself vested with areputation for almost superhuman sagacity and luck. Not all the encounters between the blockaders and the blockade-runnersterminated so happily for the Americans. Many a coasting-vessel wassent to Halifax to swell the coffers of the British prize-courts, or, after being set on fire, was left to lie charred and ruined upon therocky shore, as a warning to all who violated the blockade. The capture of one United States war-vessel graced the English navalannals of January, 1813; for the little brig "Viper, " carrying twelveguns, fell in the way of the British, thirty-two, "Narcissus, " andstraightway surrendered to the overwhelming force of her enemy. Among the United States war-vessels caught and held in port by theblockade was the frigate "Constellation. " She was at the opening ofthe war the favorite ship of the American navy; her exploits in thewar with France having endeared her to the American people, and wonfor her among Frenchmen the name of "the Yankee race-horse. "Notwithstanding her reputation for speed, she is said to have beenvery crank, and had an awkward way of getting on her beam-ends withoutmuch provocation. An almost incredible tale is told of her getting"knocked down" by a squall while chasing a French privateer, and, notwithstanding the delay, finally overhauling and capturing thechase. When war was declared with England, the "Constellation" was sothoroughly dismantled, that some months were occupied in refittingbefore she was ready to put to sea. In January, 1813, she droppedanchor in Hampton Roads, expecting to set out on an extended cruisethe next morning. Had she been a day earlier, her career in the War of1812 might have added new lustre to her glorious record in the warwith France; but the lack of that day condemned her to ingloriousinactivity throughout the war: for on that very night a Britishsquadron of line-of-battle ships and frigates dropped anchor a fewmiles down the bay, and the "Constellation" was fairly trapped. When, by the gray light of early morning, the lookout on the"Constellation" saw the British fleet lying quietly at their anchoragedown the bay, he reported to Capt. Stewart; and the latter saw that, for a time, he must be content to remain in port. Stewart's reputationfor bravery and devotion to his country leaves no doubt that theprospect of prolonged idleness was most distasteful to him. But he hadlittle time to mourn over his disappointment. The position of thefrigate was one of great danger. At any moment she might be exposed toattack by the hostile fleet. Accordingly, she dropped down abreast ofCraney Island, where she was secure from attack by the Britishvessels, but still open to the assaults of their boats. To meet this danger, Capt. Stewart took the most elaborateprecautions. His ship was anchored in the middle of the narrowchannel; and on either side were anchored seven gunboats, officeredand manned by the men of the frigate. Around the gunboats and frigateextended a vast circle of floating logs, linked together by heavychains, that no boarders might come alongside the vessels. The greatfrigate towered high above the surrounding gunboats, her black sidesunbroken by an open port; for the gun-deck ports were lashed down, andthe guns housed. Not a rope's end was permitted to hang over the side;the stern ladders were removed, and the gangway cleats knocked off. Anenemy might as well hope to scale the unbroken front of a massive wallof masonry, as that dark, forbidding hull. From the bulwarks rose onall sides, to the ends of the yards, a huge net made of ratlin stuff, boiled in pitch until it would turn the edge of a cutlass, and furtherstrengthened by nail-rods and small chains. The upper part of thenetting was weighted with kentledge, the pigs of iron used forballast; so that, should the hardy assailants succeed in comingalongside and scaling the side, a few blows of an axe would let fallthe heavily weighted nettings, sweeping the boarders into the sea, andcovering boats and men with an impenetrable mesh, under which theywould be at the mercy of the sailors on the frigate's decks. Thecarronades and howitzers were loaded with grape; and the officers andmen felt that only bravery on their part was essential to the defeatof any force that Great Britain could send against the ship. Heedless of these formidable preparations for their reception, theenemy set under way two expeditions for the capture of the"Constellation. " In neither case did the antagonists actually come toblows, for the approach of the British was discovered before they camewithin pistol-shot; and, as their only chance lay in surprising theAmericans, they retired without striking a blow. The coming of thefirst expedition was known upon the "Constellation" the day before itactually set out. A Portuguese merchantman, trying to beat out of thebay, had been stopped by the British, and anchored a few miles belowthe American frigate. A guard and lookout from the English fleet werestationed on the Portuguese to watch the "Constellation. " In anunguarded moment, these men let fall a hint of the movement under way;and an American passenger on the Portuguese vessel quickly carried thenews to Capt. Stewart, and volunteered to remain and aid in thedefence. The next night was dark and drizzly; and the British, to thenumber of two thousand, set out in boats for the "Constellation. "Hardly were they within gunshot, when two lanterns gleamed from theside of a watchful guard-boat; and the roll of drums and sound ofhurrying feet aboard the frigate told that the alarm was given. Theassailants thereupon abandoned the adventure, and returned to theirship. The next night they returned, but again retreated discomfited. Several nights later, a third expedition came up. This time theguard-boat was far down the bay; and, seeing the huge procession ofboats, the Americans calmly edged in among them, and for some timerowed along, listening to the conversation of the British, who neverdreamed that an enemy could be in their midst. Suddenly a sailor, moresharp-eyed than the rest, caught sight of the interlopers; and the crywas raised, "A stranger!" The Americans tugged at their oars, and weresoon lost to sight; but, not being pursued, returned, and accompaniedtheir foes up the bay, and even anchored with the flotilla at a pointabove the "Constellation. " The enemy, finding the Americans constantlyon the watch, abandoned their designs on the ship, and vowed thatCapt. Stewart must be a Scotchman, as he could never be caughtnapping. Some days later, an officer, sent with a flag of truce to theBritish fleet, vastly chagrined the officers there by repeating theirremarks overheard by the guard-boat officers who joined the Britishflotilla in the dark. These three escapes confirmed the reputationborne by the "Constellation, " as a "lucky ship;" and although sheremained pent up in port throughout the war, doing nothing for hercountry, her luck was unquestioned in the minds of the sailors. Withher they classed the "Constitution" and "Enterprise, " while the"Chesapeake" and "President" were branded as unlucky. Certainly thecareer of these ships in the War of 1812 went far to confirm thesuperstitious belief of the sailors. In the course of the next two months, Chesapeake Bay was the scene oftwo gallant adventures, in which American privateersmen were opposedto the British sailors. On Feb. 8, the privateer schooner "Lottery"was standing down the bay under easy sail, out-bound on a voyage toBombay. The schooner was one of the clipper-built craft, for whichBaltimore ship-builders were famous the world over. Her batteryconsisted of six twelve-pounder carronades, and her crew numberedtwenty-five men. Near the point at which the noble bay opens into theAtlantic ocean, a narrow sheet of water extends into the Virginiashore, winding in sinuous courses several miles inland. This is knownas Lynnhaven Bay; and on its placid surface there lay, on the morningof the "Lottery's" appearance, four powerful frigates flying theBritish flag. From their tops the approaching schooner could be seenacross the low-lying neck of land that separated the smaller bay fromthe main body of water. The cry of "Sail, ho!" roused the fleet tosudden activity; and an expedition of two hundred men was quicklyorganized to proceed against the privateer. Fortune seemed to favorthe British; for hardly had the boats left the fleet, when the freshbreeze died away, and the schooner was left at the mercy of the boats, which, propelled by the long, swinging strokes of man-o'-war oarsmen, bore down rapidly upon her. Capt. Southcomb of the "Lottery" was anAmerican sailor, who had smelt powder before; and he had no idea ofyielding up his ship without a struggle. The formidable force sentagainst him merely moved him to more desperate resistance. When theboats came within range, the guns of the "Lottery" opened upon themwith a hail of grape and round shot. Still the assailants pressed on, and soon came beneath the schooner's lee. Dropping their oars, theplucky British tars sprang into the chains, swarmed up the bobstay andover the bow, and used each other's backs as ladders to aid them toreach the schooner's deck. The little crew of privateersmen foughtviciously, guarding the side with cutlasses and pistols, hurling theboarders back into the sea, or cutting them down as they reached thedeck. Cold shot and kentledge were dashed upon the boats, in the hopesof sinking them; while the carronades poured a destructive fire uponsuch boats as could be reached by their shot. But the conflict was toounequal to last long. The English sailors swarmed over the gunwale onall sides, and, cheering lustily, drove the small remnant of defendersbelow. Capt. Southcomb was cut down, and lay mortally wounded upon thedeck when the enemy took possession of the ship. When the victors cameto look about the captured vessel, they found such proofs of adesperate resistance, that their admiration was open and pronounced. Five only of the schooner's crew were unhurt, while the British paidfor their success with the loss of thirteen men. Capt. Southcomb, in adying condition, was taken aboard the frigate "Belvidera, " where hereceived the tenderest treatment, and was shown marked respect onaccount of his bravery. [Illustration: Awaiting The Boarders. ] In the next encounter between the blockaders and a privateer, theBritish bore away the palm for gallantry. This time the privateersmenhad every advantage, while the British carried the day by purecourage. The captured vessels were the privateer schooner "Dolphin, "of twelve guns, and the letters-of-marque "Racer, " "Arab, " and "Lynx, "of six guns each. The crews of the four vessels aggregated one hundredand sixty men. Against this force came five boats manned by onehundred and five British sailors, who pulled fifteen miles in order toattack their foes. Wearied though they were by the long pull, thesight of the privateers seemed to arouse new strength in the pluckytars; and, without a thought of the odds against them, they dashedforward, cheering, and calling upon the Americans to surrender. Hadthe four schooners been manned by such brave men as those who defendedthe "Lottery, " the assailants might have been beaten off. As it was, two vessels surrendered without firing a shot. The crew of the "Racer"fought pluckily for a time, but were soon overpowered, and thevessel's guns turned upon the "Dolphin. " When fire was opened uponthis last vessel, her crew, affrighted, leaped overboard from everyside; and the "Dolphin" was soon in the hands of her enemies, who hadlost but thirteen men in the whole action. Many a gallant adventure, such as this, is to be laid to the credit ofthe British tars on the American station during the continuance of theblockade. Right dashing fellows were they, at cutting out acoasting-schooner as she lay under the guns of some Americanearthworks. The lads that have won for England her supremacy upon theseas have never been behindhand at swarming up the sides of an enemy, leaping his taffrail, and meeting him on his own deck with the coldsteel. And as the year rolled on, and the blockade along the Americancoast was made more strict, the meetings between the enemies becamemore frequent. From every seaport town, Yankee privateers were waitingto escape to sea; and they seldom won clear without a brush with thewatchful enemy. The British, too, had begun to fit out privateers, though American commerce offered but little enticement for thesemercenary gentry. Between the ships of the two private armed navies, encounters were common; and the battles were often fought with courageand seamanship worthy of the regular navy. Little glory was won by the navy of the United States during theopening months of the year. Many ships were laid up in port; whilesome, like the "Constellation, " were blockaded by the enemy. The"President" and the "Congress" managed to get to sea from Boston inApril, and entered upon a protracted cruise, in which the bad luck ofthe former ship seemed to pursue her with malevolent persistence. Thetwo ships parted after cruising in company for a month, and scouredthe ocean until the following December, when they returned home, experiencing little but continual disappointments. The "Congress"could report only the capture of four British merchantmen, as theresult of her eight months' cruise; while the long service had soseriously injured her hull, that she was condemned as unseaworthy, andended her career, a dismantled hulk reduced to the ignoble service ofstore-ship at a navy-yard. The "President" was little more fortunate in her search for prizes. After parting with her consort, she beat about in the vicinity of theGulf Stream, in the hopes of getting a ship or two returning from theWest Indies. But day after day passed, and no ship appeared. Changinghis plan, Commodore Rodgers made for the North Sea, feeling sure thatthere he would find in plenty the marine game for which he wasseeking. But, to his astonishment, not an English ship was to befound. It was then the middle of summer, and the frigate had been atsea for nearly three months. The jackies on the forecastle were wearyof the long voyage, and fairly at the end of their occupations for"teasing time. " The officers, well knowing the effect of long idlenessupon the sailors, were tireless in devising means of employment. Therigging was set up weekly, so that the shrouds and stays were likelines drawn with a ruler. Enough rope-yarn was pulled, and spun-yarnspun, to supply a navy-yard for months. Laggards were set to scrubbingthe rust off the chain cables, and sharpening with files the flukes ofthe anchors. When such work failed, the men were drilled in the use ofcutlasses and single sticks; forming long lines down the gun-deck, andslashing away with right good will at the word of the instructor. Butthe monotony of a long cruise without a prize cannot long be beguiledby such makeshifts; and it was with the heartiest pleasure that thesailors heard that the commodore had determined to put into port for atime, and take on board stores. It was North Bergen, Norway, that Rodgers chose for this purpose; andan unfortunate choice it proved to be, for a famine prevailed in thecountry, and only water could be obtained for the ship. Leaving theinhospitable port, the "President" was soon again upon the ocean. Shequickly took two British merchantmen, from which she replenished herstores. Shortly after, two hostile frigates hove in sight, and the"President" fled for her life before them for more than eighty hours. At that season, in those high latitudes, no friendly darkness settledover the ocean to give the fugitive a chance to escape. Brightdaylight persisted throughout the chase, and the sun never dippedbelow the horizon. Sheer good sailing saved the American frigate, andenabled her to leave her pursuers far in her wake. For some days thereafter, better luck seemed to attend the frigatethat so pluckily kept up her operations in seas thousands of milesfrom a friendly port. With true Yankee audacity, she extended hercruise even into the Irish Channel, and there preyed upon Britishcommerce until the enemy was moved to send a squadron to rout out theaudacious intruder. Then Rodgers set sail for home. On the voyage to the United States, the "President" captured a Britisharmed schooner by a stratagem which taught at least one Britishofficer to respect "Yankee cuteness. " It was near the last of September that the frigate was flying alongbefore a fresh breeze. Her yards were spread with a cloud of snowycanvas, and the wind sung through the straining cordage a melody sweetto the ears of the sailor homeward bound. Towards evening, a smallsail was made out in the distance; and, as time wore on, it was seenthat she was rapidly approaching the "President. " Rodgers surmisedthat the stranger might be a British vessel, and determined to lureher within range by strategy. In some way he had obtained knowledge ofsome of the private signals of the British navy; and in a few minutesfrom the masthead of the American frigate, there fluttered a row offlags which announced her as the British frigate "Sea-Horse. " Thestranger promptly responded, and was made out to be the schooner"Highflyer, " a little craft noted for her sailing qualities. Unsuspectingly the "Highflyer" came under the stern of the Americanfrigate, and waited for a boat to be sent aboard. Soon the boat came;and one of Rodgers's lieutenants, clad in British uniform, clamberedup the side, and was received with due honor. He was the bearer of amessage from Commodore Rodgers, requesting that the signal-books ofthe "Highflyer" be sent on board the fictitious "Sea-Horse" forcomparison and revision. This the British captain hastened to do, andsoon followed his books to the deck of the frigate, where alieutenant met him, clothed in full British uniform. A file ofmarines, dressed in the scarlet coats of the British service, stood onthe deck; and the duped Englishman greatly admired the appearance ofthe frigate, remarking to the officer who escorted him to Rodgers'scabin, that so trim a craft could only be found in His Majesty'sservice. On entering the cabin, the English officer greeted Commodore Rodgerswith deference, and proceeded at once to tell of naval matters. "I have here, " said he, placing a bundle of papers in the commodore'shands, "a numbers of despatches for Admiral Warren, who is on thisstation. You may not know that one of the principal objects of oursquadron cruising here is the capture of the Yankee frigate'President, ' which has been greatly annoying British commerce. " Rodgers was naturally much interested in this statement, and asked thevisitor if he knew much about the commander of the "President. " "I hear he is an odd fish, " was the response; "and certainly he isdevilish hard to catch. " Rodgers started. He had hardly expected so frank an expression ofopinion. "Sir, " said he emphatically, "do you know what vessel you are on boardof?" "Why, certainly, --on board of His Majesty's ship 'Sea-Horse. '" "No, sir, you are mistaken, " was the startling response. "You are onboard of the United States frigate 'President, ' and I am CommodoreRodgers. " The astounded Englishman sprang to his feet, and rushed to the deck. The sight he saw there was still more startling. The quarter-deck wascrowded with officers in United States uniform. The scarlet coats ofthe marines had vanished, and were replaced by Yankee blue. Even as helooked, the British flag came fluttering down, the American ensignwent up, and the band struck up "Yankee Doodle. " Nothing was left to the Englishman but to submit; and, with the bestgrace possible, he surrendered his vessel and himself to the "oddfish, " who had so cleverly trapped him. [Illustration: "I Am Commodore Rodgers. "] Three days later, the "President, " with her prize, and crowded withprisoners, dropped anchor in the harbor of Newport, after a cruise ofone hundred and forty-eight days. In actual results, the cruise wasfar from satisfactory, for but eleven vessels had been taken. But theservice rendered the country by annoying the enemy's merchantmen, anddrawing the British war-vessels away in chase, was vast. At one timemore than twenty British men-of-war were searching for the rovingAmerican frigate; and the seafaring people of the United States werethus greatly benefited by the "President's" prolonged cruise. CHAPTER IX. DECATUR BLOCKADED AT NEW YORK. -- ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE THROUGH LONG ISLAND SOUND. -- THE FLAG-SHIP STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. -- TORPEDOES. -- FULTON'S STEAM FRIGATE. -- ACTION BETWEEN THE "CHESAPEAKE" AND "SHANNON. " While the "President" was thus roaming the seas, almost within sightof the shores of the British Isles, events were occurring along theAmerican coast which were little likely to raise the spirits of thepeople of the United States. From the "President, " the "Congress, " the"Essex, " and the smaller vessels that were upholding the honor of theflag upon the ocean, they could hear nothing. But worse than this wasit for the good people of New York or Boston to go down to thewater-side and see stanch United States frigates kept in port by theoverwhelming forces of the enemy, that lay watchfully outside theharbor's mouth. For there was no doubt about it: the blockade was daily becomingcloser; and in the months of April and May a ship would have found ita hard task to run out of New York Harbor without falling into thehands of the British fleet stationed there. But, at that very time, three stout men-of-war floated on the waves of that noble bay, underthe command of an officer little used to staying quietly in port intime of war. The officer was Stephen Decatur: and the ships were theflag-ship "United States;" the captured "Macedonian, " repaired, andflying the stars and stripes, under the command of the gallant Capt. Jacob Jones; and the sloop-of-war "Hornet, " Capt. Biddle. With this force under his command, Decatur burned with the desire toget to sea. The watchfulness of the British at the Narrows made ituseless to think of escaping that way: therefore, he determined topass up the sound, and reach the ocean by way of the opening betweenMontauk Point and Block Island. At the very outset of this voyage, however, was a serious obstacle. Through the narrow channel of theEast River, between Ward's Island and the Long Island shore, the tidesrushed with a mad speed and turbulence, that had won for the straitthe significant name of Hell Gate. The United States Government hadnot then bent its energies to undermining and blowing into bits thejagged rocks that at low tide reared their crests above the swirlingeddies. With its tides like mill races, and rocks hidden beneath thetreacherous water, Hell Gate was a fearful place for any ship to makeits way through with the uncertain aid of sails alone. Still greaterwere its dangers for the ponderous and deep-laden men-of-war, thatrequired deep water and plenty of sea-room for their movements. Suchconsiderations, however, had no weight with Decatur, who had seen hisships lying idly at their anchorage off Staten Island long enough. Inthe night of May 24, he accordingly got up anchors and started for thesound. Hell Gate was passed safely, thanks to a skilful pilot, whom neitherthe darkness of the night, nor the perils of the narrow channel, coulddaunt. Once past this danger, the three vessels made their way up thesound, with the flag-ship leading. They had gone but a little way whenblack clouds to the westward told of a coming storm. The cloud-bankcame rolling up rapidly; and soon, with a burst of rain, the threevessels were enveloped in the thunder-shower. The lightning flashedthrough the black clouds, the thunder crashed and roared, and the windshrieked fiercely through the cordage. The "United States" held herplace at the head of the squadron; while behind, at the distance ofhalf a cable's-length, came the "Macedonian. " Suddenly the men on thedeck of the latter vessel were horrified to see a jagged flash oflightning cut its zigzag course through the clouds, then dart, straight as an arrow, at the main-mast of the "United States. " Hoarsecries were heard from the deck of the stricken frigate; and thecaptain of the "Macedonian, " fearing lest the "States" should blow up, threw all aback on his ship, to escape the explosion. But happily thethunderbolt had done little serious injury. In its course it had cutaway the pendant; shot into the doctor's cabin, extinguishing thatworthy's candle, to his vast astonishment; then, gliding away, brokethrough the ship's hull near the water-line, and plunged into the sea, after ripping off a few sheets of copper from the ship's bottom. Nodelay was caused by the accident; though the superstitious sailorspronounced it an evil omen, and dismally predicted all sorts ofdisasters. On the 29th of May the squadron reached the strait through whichDecatur hoped to gain the ocean; but, to the intense disappointment ofall on board, a formidable British fleet barred all egress. Three dayslater the Americans made an attempt to slip out unseen; but, failingin this, they returned to New London harbor, where the two frigateswere kept rotting in the mud until the war was ended. The "Hornet"luckily managed to run the blockade, and of her exploits we shall hearlater. Upon the arrival of the three American ships at New London, the enemyguarded the coast with renewed vigilance. The inhabitants made everyattempt to drive away the blockaders; and in the course of thisprolonged struggle there appeared, for almost the first time in thehistory of warfare, that most terrible of offensive weapons, thesubmarine torpedo. During the Revolution, two attempts had been made to blow up Britishmen-of-war by means of torpedoes, invented by a Saybrook mechanicnamed Bushnell. Though the attempts failed, yet the torpedoesdemonstrated their tremendous power. Before the declaration of thesecond war with England, Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat, had made many improvements upon Bushnell's designs, and had sothoroughly spread the knowledge of torpedo warfare that it suggesteditself to many New Englanders as a means of driving the enemy fromtheir coast. The first attempt was well planned, but failed through an entirelyaccidental combination of circumstances. Certain private citizens (forin that day it was thought ignoble for a government to embark intorpedo warfare) fitted out in New York a schooner, the "Eagle, " inthe hold of which ten kegs of powder, together with sulphur and pilesof heavy stones, were placed. In the head of one of the casks were twogun-locks, primed, and held in place by two barrels of flour. Shouldeither of the barrels be moved, the lock would spring, and theterrible mine would explode with tremendous force. With this dreadfulengine of destruction, carefully covered by a cargo of flour and navalstores, the "Eagle" left New York, and made her way up the bay, until, near New London, she was overhauled and captured by the Britishfrigate "Ramillies. " Boats were sent out by the English to takepossession of the prize; but the crew of the "Eagle, " seeing the enemycoming, took to their small boats, and succeeded in safely reachingthe shore. The captors, on boarding the vessel, were vastly pleased tofind that its cargo consisted largely of flour, of which the"Ramillies" stood in great need. They at once attempted to get thefrigate alongside the prize, that the captured cargo might be readilytransferred. But a calm had fallen, and two hours' constant work withsweeps and towing was unavailing. Accordingly, this plan of action wasabandoned, and the boats were ordered to lighter the cargo from the"Eagle" to the frigate. Hardly had the first barrel been moved, when, with a roar, and rush of flame and smoke as from a volcano, theschooner blew up. Huge timbers, stones, and barrels were sent flyinghigh into the air. The lieutenant and ten men from the frigate, whowere on the "Eagle" at the time, were blown to atoms; and the timbersand missiles, falling on all sides, seriously injured many men in theboats near by. Had the frigate been alongside, where her commander hadendeavored to place her, she would have gone to the bottom, with allher crew. An attempt so nearly successful as this could not be long in leadingothers to make similar ventures. Sir Thomas Hardy, the commander ofthe "Ramillies, " was kept in a constant fever of apprehension, lestsome night his ship should be suddenly sent to the bottom by one ofthe insidious torpedoes. Several times the ship was attacked; and herescapes were so purely matters of accident, that she seemed almost tobe under the protection of some sailors' deity. A Norwich mechanic, who had invented a submarine boat with a speed of three miles an hour, succeeded in getting under the bottom of the blockader three times, but was each time foiled in his attempt to attach a torpedo to theship's hull. Another American, a fisherman, succeeded in gettingalongside in a whale-boat, unobserved, but was driven away before hecould get his torpedo in position. Such constant attacks so alarmedHardy, that at last he gave up bringing his ship to anchor, keepingher continually under way, and, as a further precaution, causing herbottom to be swept every two hours throughout the day and night. The use of torpedoes was not confined to the people of New England. New York Harbor was closed with a row of them. The Britishseventy-four "Plantagenet, " lying off Cape Henry, Virginia, was nearlysunk by one in the charge of Mr. Mix, an American naval officer. Theattack was made near ten o'clock, on an unusually dark night. Mix andhis associates pulled in a heavy boat to a point near the bow of themenaced vessel. The torpedo was then slipped into the water, with theclockwork which was to discharge it set in motion. The rushing tidecarried the destructive engine down toward the frigate; and theAmericans pulled away into the darkness, to await the explosion. Butthe clockwork had been badly adjusted, and the torpedo exploded justbefore it reached the ship. A huge column of water, gleaming with aghostly sulphurous light, was thrown high in the air, falling withterrific force on the deck of the frigate, which was almost capsizedby the shock. A veritable storm of abuse and condemnation followed the introductionof torpedo warfare. All countries and all peoples pronounced ittreacherous and cowardly, and the English press was particularly loudin its denunciations. Yet the torpedo had won its place in thearmaments of nations; and to-day we see all the nations of Europevieing with each other in the invention and construction of powerfuland accurate torpedoes and swift torpedo-boats. The germ of another feature of modern naval organization is to befound in the annals of the War of 1812. The first war-vessel propelledby steam was launched by the Americans for service in this war. Shewas designed by Robert Fulton, and bore the name of "Fulton theFirst. " In model she was a queer craft, with two hulls like acatamaran, with the single propelling-wheel mounted between themamidships. Her armament was to consist of thirty thirty-two-pounderguns, and two one-hundred-pounder columbiads. A secondary engine wasdesigned to throw floods of water upon the decks and through theport-holes of an enemy. While the vessel was building, reportsconcerning her reached England; and soon the most ludicrouslyexaggerated accounts of her power were current in that country. "Shemounts forty-four guns, " said an English paper, "four of which areone-hundred-pounders, mounted in bomb proofs, and defended bythousands of boarding-pikes and cutlasses wielded by steam; whileshowers of boiling water are poured over those boarders who mightescape death from the rapidly whirling steel. " Unfortunately for theAmerican cause, this much dreaded vessel did not get into the water intime to take any active part in the war. In June, 1813, while the British blockaders in the Sound wereexercising all their ingenuity to keep off the torpedoes, there wasfought off the Massachusetts coast, near Boston, an engagement whichmust go down to history as one of the most brilliant naval duels ofthe age of sails. The United States frigate "Chesapeake" was refittingat Boston, after a cruise of four months, during which she had morethan justified her reputation as an unlucky ship. Though she sailedthe waters most frequented by British merchantmen, she returned toport having captured only four vessels. Three men-of-war were sighted, but could not be spoken. Strangely enough, the frigate sailed over thespot where lay the sunken "Peacock" the very day after the "Hornet"had fought her famous fight. Ill-luck pursued the hapless ship even toher home port; for, as she was entering the port of Boston, a suddensquall carried away the topmast, with several men who were aloft atthe time. When the "Hornet" reached port, after her victory over the "Peacock, "her gallant captain, James Lawrence, was appointed to the command ofthe "Chesapeake. " On reaching his ship, he found affairs in adesperate condition. The sailors who had sailed on the long andunproductive cruise were firmly convinced that the frigate's bad luckwas beyond remedy. The term of enlistment of many had expired, andthey were daily leaving the ship. Those who remained were sullen, andsmarting under fancied ill-treatment in the matter of the prize-money. To get fresh seamen was no easy task. Great fleets of privateers werebeing fitted out; and sailors generally preferred to sail in thesevessels, in which the discipline was light, and the gains usuallygreat. Some sailors from the "Constitution" were induced to join the"Chesapeake;" and these, with the remnant of the frigate's old crew, formed the nucleus of a crew which was filled up with merchant-sailorsand foreigners of all nations. Before the lists were fairly filled, the ship put to sea, to give battle to an adversary that proved to beher superior. The events leading to the action were simple, and succeeded each otherhurriedly. The port of Boston was blockaded by two British frigates, the "Tenedos" thirty-eight, and the "Shannon" thirty-eight. The lattervessel was under the command of Capt. Philip Bowes Vere Broke, a navalofficer of courage, skill, and judgment. His crew was thoroughlydisciplined, and his ship a model of efficiency. No officer in theservice understood better than he the difference between thediscipline of a martinet and the discipline of a prudent and sagaciouscommander. His ship might not, like the "Peacock, " merit the title of"the yacht;" but for active service she was always prepared. James, anEnglish naval historian, turns from his usual occupation of explainingthe American naval victories by belittling the British ships, andenormously magnifying the power of the victors, to speak as follows ofthe "Shannon:"-- "From the day on which he [Capt. Broke] joined her, the 14th ofSeptember, 1806, the 'Shannon' began to feel the effect of hercaptain's proficiency as a gunner, and zeal for the service. Thelaying of the ship's ordnance so that it may be correctly fired in ahorizontal direction is justly deemed a most important operation, asupon it depends, in a great measure, the true aim and destructiveeffect of the shot; this was attended to by Capt. Broke in person. Bydrafts from other ships, and the usual means to which a Britishman-of-war is obliged to resort, the 'Shannon' got together a crew;and in the course of a year or two, by the paternal care and excellentregulations of Capt. Broke, the ship's company became as pleasant tocommand as it was dangerous to meet. " Moreover, the historian goes onto relate that the ship's guns were carefully sighted, and herammunition frequently overhauled. Often a cask would be thrownoverboard, and a gun's crew suddenly called to sink it as it bobbedabout on the waves astern. Practice with the great guns was of dailyoccurrence. "Every day for about an hour and a half in the forenoon, when not prevented by chase or the state of the weather, the men wereexercised at training the guns; and for the same time in theafternoon in the use of the broad-sword, musket, pike, etc. Twice aweek the crew fired at targets, both with great guns and musketry; andCapt. Broke, as an additional stimulus beyond the emulation excited, gave a pound of tobacco to every man that put a shot through thebull's-eye. " Such was the vessel that in June appeared alone off the entrance toBoston Harbor, and by her actions seemed to challenge the "Chesapeake"to give her battle. Indeed, Broke's wish to test the strength of thetwo vessels was so great, that he sent in, by the hands of an Americanprisoner, a written challenge, the terms and spirit of which showedthe writer to be a courageous and chivalric officer and gentleman. "Asthe 'Chesapeake' now appears ready for sea, " he wrote, "I request youwill do me the honor to meet the 'Shannon' with her, ship to ship, totry the fortunes of our respective flags. To an officer of yourcharacter, it requires some apology for proceeding to furtherparticulars. Be assured, sir, it is not from any doubt I can entertainof your wishing to close with my proposal, but merely to provide ananswer to any objection which might be made, and very reasonably, uponthe chance of our receiving any unfair support. " Capt. Broke thenproceeds to assure Lawrence that the other British ships in theneighborhood would be sent away before the day of combat. To thechallenge was appended a careful statement of the strength of the"Shannon, " that Lawrence might understand that the ships were fairlymatched. But before this challenge reached Boston, Lawrence had set out to seekthe enemy. He had seen the "Shannon" lying off the entrance to theport; and, finding out that she was alone, he knew that her presencewas in itself a challenge that he could not honorably ignore. Nor didhe desire to avoid the battle thus offered. He had confidence in hiscrew, his frigate, and himself, and looked for nothing but victory. Tothe Secretary of the Navy, he wrote, "An English frigate is now insight from my deck. I have sent a pilot-boat out to reconnoitre; and, should she be alone, I am in hopes to give a good account of herbefore night. My crew appear to be in fine spirits, and I hope will dotheir duty. " In truth, however, the condition of this same crew was such that thecaptain would have been justified in refusing the challenge. Anunusual number of foreign sailors were enrolled, among whom was aPortuguese, who, in the ensuing battle, did incalculable injury to thecause of the "Chesapeake. " The crew had never drilled together; manyof the sailors came on board only a few hours before the ship sailedout to battle. All the old sailors were sullen over the delay in thepayment of the prize-money of their last cruise. Lawrence attempted toallay their discontent by giving them checks for the prize-money; butthe sense of injury still lingered in the minds of the men, and theywere ill-fitted to do battle for the honor of the flag. Added to thisevil was the fact that the first and second lieutenants and two actinglieutenants were away on sick-leave, and the ship was thus left shortof officers on the eve of battle. Regardless of the disadvantages under which he labored, Lawrenceweighed anchor on the 1st of June, and started down the harbor. As heapproached the ocean, Lawrence mustered his crew aft, and eloquentlyurged them to fight bravely, and do their duty to the country, whichhad entered upon this war in defence of seamen and their rights. Threeensigns were run up; and at the fore was unfurled a broad white flag, bearing the motto, "FREE TRADE AND SAILORS' RIGHTS. " When Lawrenceclosed his speech, and pointed out the flag floating at the fore, themen cheered and went forward, leaving the captain convinced that hecould depend upon their loyalty. The morning was bright and cool, with a fresh breeze blowing, beforewhich the "Chesapeake" rapidly bore down upon the foe that awaitedher. Following cautiously in her track came a number of smallcraft, --pilot-boats, sloops, fishing-smacks, and pleasure-boats, --thathad come down the bay to see the outcome of the battle. Hundreds ofpeople of Boston rode along the coast, in hopes of gaining an outlookfrom which the progress of the fight might be viewed. At noon the ship rounded Boston Light, and made out into the open sea. The "Shannon" went ahead, under easy sail, making up the coast towardSalem. Towards five o'clock the "Chesapeake" luffed up for a moment;while the pilot clambered down the side, and put off in a small boat. A gun was then fired, as a signal that the Americans were ready foraction. The "Shannon" evidently understood the purport of the signal; for shequickly hove to, and troops of agile jackies clambered up her rigging, and began to take in sail. The "Chesapeake" followed suit, and wassoon under only topsails and jib. She then laid her course straightfor the enemy. [Illustration: Beating To Quarters. ] A ship preparing for action in that day was a scene of hurry andconfusion that cannot be equalled in this era of machinery and fewguns. At the short, broken, rolling beat of the drums, calling the mento quarters, the hurried rush of hundreds of feet began, as the mencame pouring from all parts of the ship to their posts. Some clamberedaloft to their stations in the tops; others invaded the sanctity ofthe quarter-deck and captain's cabin, where several guns are alwaysmounted. But the most stirring scene is on the long gun-deck where themen gradually fall into their places at the two long rows of greatguns that peer through the open ports on either side. All are strippedto the waist; and at many a gun the fair skin of the American sailorgleams white by the side of some swarthy Spaniard, or still darkernegro. [Illustration: The Only Shot Of The "Chesapeake". ] All quiet down on reaching their stations; and, five minutes after thedrum-beats, no sound is heard, save perhaps the steps of the blackboys, taking rations of grog around, that the men may "splice themain brace" before going into the fight. Thus silently did the "Chesapeake" bear down upon her adversary. Therewas no long-range firing; for the two commanders were veterans, whosechief desire was to settle the dispute yard-arm to yard-arm. Graduallythe American ship ranged alongside the "Shannon, " at a distance ofhalf pistol-shot; and, as her foremast came in a line with the"Shannon's" mizzen-mast, the latter opened fire with her cabin-guns. For a moment the "Chesapeake" was silent, waiting for her guns tobear; then, with sulphuric flashes and a thunderous roar, she let flyher whole broadside. Then followed a duel with great guns. The twoships, lying side by side, dealt and received staggering blows. Thespectators in small boats, who kept a safe distance, and the crowds ofeager watchers on the far-off heights of Salem, saw through theirspy-glasses the flash of the first broadsides, and the flyingsplinters that followed the course of the deadly shot. Then a heavycloud of yellow smoke settled over the warring leviathans, and allfurther incidents of the battle were shut out from view. Only thetop-masts of the ships, with the half-furled sails and the opposingensigns flying, could be seen above the smoke. Under this vaporous pall, the fighting was sharp and desperate. Thefirst broadside of the "Shannon" so swept the decks of the Americanfrigate, that, of one hundred and fifty men quartered on the upperdeck, not fifty were upon their legs when the terrible rush of theshot was over. The sailors in the tops of the British frigate, lookingdown upon the decks of their enemy, could see nothing but a cloud ofhammocks, splinters, and wreckage of all kinds, driven fiercely acrossthe deck. Both men at the wheel fell dead, but their places were soonfilled; while fresh gunners rushed down to work the guns that had beensilenced by the enemy's fearful broadside. In a moment the"Chesapeake" responded with spirit, and for some time broadsides wereexchanged with inconceivable rapidity. The men encouraged each otherwith cheers and friendly cries. They had named the guns of thefrigate, and with each telling shot they cheered the iron-throatedmonster which had hurled the bolt. "Wilful Murder, " "Spitfire, ""Revenge, " "Bull Dog, " "Mad Anthony, " "Defiance, " "Raging Eagle, " and"Viper" were some of the titles born by the great guns; and well theweapons bore out the names thus bestowed upon them. The gunnery of theAmericans was good, their shot doing much damage to the enemy'srigging. But the effect of the "Shannon's" broadsides was such that nomen, however brave, could stand before them. They swept the decks, mowing down brave fellows by the score. Officers fell on every side. At a critical moment the two ships fouled, exposing the "Chesapeake"to a raking broadside, which beat in her stern-ports, and drove thegunners from the after-port. At this moment, Lawrence was wounded inthe leg, but remained at his post and ordered that the boarders becalled up. Unhappily a negro bugler had been detailed for the dutyusually performed by drummers; and, at this important moment, he couldnot be found. Midshipmen and lieutenants ran about the ship, strivingto call up the boarders by word of mouth. In the confusion, the buglerwas found skulking under the stem of the launch, and so paralyzed byfear that he could only give a feeble blast upon his instrument. Inthe din and confusion of battle, the oral orders of the officers onlyperplexed the men; and the moment for boarding was lost. At that verymoment, the turning-point of the conflict, Capt. Lawrence was struckby a musket-ball, and fell mortally wounded to the deck. His officersrushed to his side, and, raising him gently, were carrying him below, when in a firm voice he cried, -- "Tell the men to fire faster, and not give up the ship. Fight her tillshe sinks. " With these words on his lips, he was carried to the wardroom. At this moment, the upper deck was left without an officer above therank of midshipman. The men, seeing their captain carried below, fellinto a panic, which was increased by the explosion of an arm-chest, into which a hand-grenade, hurled by a sailor lying out on theyard-arm of the "Shannon, " had fallen. Seeing that the fire of theAmericans had slackened, Capt. Broke left his quarter-deck, and, running hastily forward, gained a position on the bow of his ship fromwhich he could look down upon the decks of the "Chesapeake. " Hispractised eye quickly perceived the confusion on the deck of theAmerican frigate; and he instantly ordered that the ships be lashedtogether, and the boarders called up. An old quartermaster, a veteranin the British navy, set about lashing the ships together, andaccomplished his task, although his right arm was actually hacked offby the cutlass of an American sailor. The boarders were slow in comingup, and but twenty men followed Broke as he climbed to the deck ofthe "Chesapeake. " Broke led his men straight for the quarter-deck ofthe frigate. The Americans offered but little resistance. Not anofficer was in sight to guide the men, and the newly enlisted sailorsand foreigners fled like sheep before the advance of the boarders. [Illustration: On Board The "Chesapeake. "] The British reached the quarter-deck with hardly the loss of a man. Here stood Mr. Livermore, the chaplain of the "Chesapeake, " who hadcruised long with Lawrence, and bitterly mourned the captain's fate. Determined to avenge the fallen captain, he fired a pistol at Broke'shead, but missed him. Broke sprang forward, and dealt a mighty strokeof his keen cutlass at the chaplain's head, who saved himself bytaking the blow on his arm. While the boarders were thus traversingthe upper deck, the sailors in the tops of the "Chesapeake" werekeeping up a well-directed fire, before which many of the Englishmenfell. But this resistance was not of long duration; for one of the"Shannon's" long nines, loaded with grape, swept clean the"Chesapeake's" tops. With this, the British were in full control ofthe upper deck. Up to this time, the Americans on the gun-deck had known nothing ofthe events occurring on the deck above them. When the news of theBritish assault spread, Lieut. Budd called upon the men to follow him, and drive the boarders back to their own ship. A number of the marines(who behaved splendidly throughout the fight) and some twenty veteransailors were all that responded to the call. Broke had in the meantime summoned the marines of the "Shannon" to his aid; and theBritish, led by their dashing commander, were pouring in a densecolumn down the companion-ways to the gun-deck. Budd and his handfulof followers attacked them fiercely; and, by the very desperation ofthe onset, the British were forced back a few paces. Broke threwhimself upon the Americans. With his cutlass he cut down the first manwho attacked him, and bore down upon the others, dealing deadly blowsright and left. His followers came close behind him. The Americansfell on every side, and began to retreat before the overwhelming forceof their foes. Up from the wardroom came Lieut. Ludlow, alreadysuffering from two dangerous wounds. He placed himself beside theyounger officer, and the two strove in every way to encourage theirmen. But Ludlow soon fell, with a gaping wound across his forehead. Budd was cut down, and fell through the hatchway to the deck beneath. The sailors, seeing both officers fall, gave way in confusion; and theship was in the hands of the British. A few marines kept up a firethrough the hatchway, but soon were silenced. An English officer, Lieut. Watts, ran to the halliards to haul downthe American flag. But it would seem that the good genius which hadwatched over that starry banner throughout the war was loath to see itdisgraced; for the officer had hardly finished his work, when agrape-shot from his own ship struck him, and he fell dead. The noise of the battle had by this time died away, and the freshbreezes soon carried off the smoke that enveloped the combatants. Itwas an awful scene thus exposed to view. On the "Chesapeake" weresixty-one killed, and eighty-five wounded men. On the "Shannon" werethirty-three dead, and fifty wounded. On a cot in the wardroom layCapt. Lawrence, his mortal wound having mercifully rendered himunconscious, so that he knew nothing of the loss of his ship. Brokehad been made delirious by the fevered throbbing of the wound he hadso long neglected. Everywhere were evidences of carnage anddesolation. Little time was lost in getting the ships in order after thesurrender. The noise of the hammer and saw was heard in every quarter. The wounded were taken to the sick-bay, and the bodies of the deadwere committed to the ocean. Floods of water and the heavy holystonestook from the decks the stains of blood. The galley cooks marched upand down the decks, sprinkling hot vinegar with a lavish hand. TheBritish prize-crew took possession of the captured ship, and in a fewhours the captor and captive were well on their way toward Halifax. They reached port on the 7th of June; and the sight of the "Shannon, "followed by the "Chesapeake" with the British ensign flying proudlyover the stars and stripes, stirred the little city to the utmostenthusiasm. As the two ships pursued their stately course up theharbor, the British men-of-war on all sides manned their yards, andfired salutes in honor of the victory. The thunders of the cannonbrought the town's-people to the water-side, and their cheers rang outlustily to welcome their conquering countrymen to port. Capt. Lawrence had died the day before; and his body, wrapped in anAmerican flag, lay on the quarter-deck of his frigate. Three dayslater, his body, with that of his gallant lieutenant Ludlow, was laidto rest with imposing naval honors, in the churchyard of Halifax. Buthis country, honoring him even in the day of his defeat, was notcontent that his body should lie in the soil of an enemy's country. Two months after the battle, an American vessel, the "Henry" of Salem, entered the harbor of Halifax, under cover of a flag of truce, andtook on board the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow. They were conveyedfirst to Salem and later to New York, where they now lie under amassive monument of sandstone, in a corner of Trinity churchyard. Afew feet away, the ceaseless tide of human life rolls on its course upand down Broadway; few of the busy men and women pausing to rememberthat in the ancient churchyard lies the body of the man whose dyingwords, "Don't give up the ship, " were for years the watchword andmotto of the United States navy. CHAPTER X. CRUISE OF THE "ESSEX. " -- A RICH PRIZE. -- THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER. -- CAPE HORN ROUNDED. -- CAPTURE OF A PERUVIAN PRIVATEER. -- AMONG THE BRITISH WHALERS. -- PORTER IN COMMAND OF A SQUADRON. -- A BOY COMMANDER. -- THE SQUADRON LAYS UP AT NOOKAHEEVAH. While the events related in the two preceding chapters were occurringalong the American coast, a few gallant vessels were upholding thehonor of the stars and stripes in far distant lands. To cruise inwaters frequented by an enemy's merchantmen, and capture, burn, sink, and destroy, is always a legitimate occupation for the navy of abelligerent nation. Yet the nation suffering at the hands of thecruisers invariably raises the cry of "wanton vandalism and cruelty, "and brands the officers to whom falls so unpleasant a duty with thename of pirates. Such was the outcry raised against Paul Jones in theRevolutionary war; so it was the British described the brilliantservice of the little brig "Argus" in 1813; and so the people of theNorth regarded the career of the "Alabama" and other Confederatecruisers in the great war for the Union. But perhaps no ship hadever a more adventurous career, or wrought more damage to the enemy'scommerce, than the United States frigate "Essex, " under the command ofthe able officer David Porter. Of the circumstances which led to the famous cruise of the "Essex, "some account has already been given. With a full crew, and storesenough to enable her to keep the sea for some months, the ship setsail from the Delaware in the autumn of 1812, and headed to thesouthward with the intention of joining the "Constitution" and"Hornet" at some point in the tropics. Her first point of call was atPorto Praya, a harbor in the Cape Verd Islands. To the captain'sdisappointment, he could learn nothing of Bainbridge at this place;and he soon departed, after scrupulously exchanging salutes with arickety little fort, over which floated the flag of Portugal. Continuing her southward way, the "Essex" crossed the equator, onwhich occasion the jolly tars enjoyed the usual ceremonies attendantupon crossing the line. Father Neptune and his faithful spouse, withtheir attendant suite, came aboard and superintended the operation ofshaving and dowsing the green hands, whose voyages had never calledthem before into the Southern seas. Capt. Porter looked upon thefrolic indulgently. He was well known as a captain who neverunnecessarily repressed the light-heartedness of his crew. Two hoursdaily were set aside during which the crew were free to amusethemselves in any reasonable way. At four o'clock every afternoon, theshrill piping of the boatswain's whistle rang through the ship, followed by the cry, "D'ye hear there, fore and aft? All handsskylark!" No order ever brought a quicker response, and in a minutethe decks became a perfect pandemonium. The sailors rushed here andthere, clad in all sorts of clothes; boxed, fenced, wrestled; ranshort foot-races; played at leap-frog, and generally comportedthemselves like children at play. Fights were of common occurrence;and the two combatants soon became the centre of an interested ring ofspectators, who cheered on their favorites with loud cries of "Go it, Bill. Now, Jack, lively with yer left. " But a sailor has no betterfriend to-day than the man he fought yesterday; and the fights, likethe play, only kept the crew in good spirits and contentment. The day after crossing the equator, the "Essex" sighted a sail andgave chase. Towards evening the frigate had gained greatly upon thestranger, and Porter displayed all the British signals which he had inhis possession. The chase made no response, but set a British ensign. By nine o'clock, the "Essex" was within musket-shot, and could easilyhave blown the fugitive out of water; but this Porter was loath to do, as he desired to take the brig without doing her any injury. However, as she showed no signs of surrendering, he ordered the marines to giveher a volley of musketry. One man on the chase was killed, and anumber wounded, upon which her flag was immediately hauled down. Sheproved to be the British packet "Nocton" of ten guns. In her hold wasfound fifty-five thousand dollars in specie, which was at once takenon board the "Essex;" and the "Nocton" was sent to the United Statesunder the charge of a prize-crew. Before she could make a port, shefell in with a British man-of-war, and was captured after a few hours'chase. Two days after parting with the "Nocton, " the "Essex" hove in sight ofthe Island of Fernando Noronha, off the coast of Brazil. For a timethe frigate abandoned her warlike character, battened down her ports, housed her guns, hid her large crew between decks, and sailed into thelittle harbor looking like a large but peaceable British merchantman. An officer clad in plain clothes went ashore, and, meeting thegovernor, stated that the ship was the "Fanny" of London, bound forRio Janeiro. During the conversation, the governor remarked that HisBritish Majesty's ships, the "Acosta" forty-four, and the "Morgiana"twenty, had but recently sailed from the port, and had left a letterfor Sir James Yeo, requesting that it be forwarded to England as soonas possible. With this news, the lieutenant returned to the ship. Onhearing his report, Porter at once surmised that the letter might havebeen left for him by Commodore Bainbridge; and he at once sent theofficer back, bearing the message that the "Fanny" was soon going toLondon, and her captain would see the letter delivered to Sir JamesYeo, in person. The unsuspecting governor accordingly delivered up theepistle, and it was soon in Porter's hands. The note read asfollows:-- My Dear Mediterranean Friend, --Probably you may stop here. Don't attempt to water: it is attended with too many difficulties. I learned, before I left _England_, that you were bound to Brazil coast. If so, perhaps we may meet at St. Salvador or at Rio Janeiro. I should be happy to meet and converse on our old affairs of captivity. Recollect our secret in those times. Your friend of His Majesty's ship "Acosta, " KERR. Sir JAMES YEO of His British Majesty's ship "Southampton. " Porter read and pondered over this perplexing letter. He felt surethat the letter was from Bainbridge; and in the allusion to St. Salvador and Rio Janeiro, he perceived the commodore's wish for arendezvous at one of those places. But what could be the secret of thetimes of captivity? Suddenly a thought struck him. Might there not besomething written in sympathetic ink? Hurriedly calling for a candle, he held the letter above its flame, and saw, under the influence ofthe heat, words and sentences appearing where before all was blankpaper. "I am bound off St. Salvador, " it read; "thence off Cape Frio, where Iintend to cruise until the 1st of January. Go off Cape Frio to thenorthward of Rio, and keep a lookout for me. " That afternoon the governor of the island, looking out toward theharbor, was surprised to see the "Fanny" standing out under a fullspread of canvas. Porter had gained all the information that hewished, and was off in search of his consorts. This search hecontinued until the 20th of January, cruising up and down off theBrazilian coast, and taking one or two small prizes. In thisunprofitable service the ship's stores were being rapidly consumed. Among other things, the supply of rum began to run short; and inconnection with this occurred a curious incident, that wellillustrates the character of sailors. The daily rations of bread werereduced one-half, and the rations of salt meat one-third, without aword of remonstrance from the patient crew. Next the discovery wasmade that the rum was giving out, and a proportional reduction in therations of grog was duly ordered. The jackies put in a vigorous andimmediate protest. They were prepared, they said, to go without grog, should the supply of rum be unhappily exhausted; but so long as any ofthe precious fluid remained, their rations of grog should not becurtailed. But to this Porter would not accede, fearing that, shouldthe men be altogether deprived of their grog, the health of the crewmight suffer. Accordingly, when the crew were piped to "splice themain brace" the next day, they were told that half rations only wouldbe issued; and, if the grog was not taken up in fifteen minutes, thetub would be overturned, and the rum spilled into the sea. So dire athreat was too much for the rebellious seamen: they sprang into line, with their tin cups, and drew their curtailed rations without moreado. Some days after this occurrence, the "Essex" overhauled a Portuguesevessel, from the captain of which Porter learned that an Americanfrigate had shortly before fought and sunk an English frigate off thecoast of Brazil; also, that it was rumored that an American corvetteof twenty-two guns had been brought into Rio, a prize to a Britishseventy-four. This intelligence placed Capt. Porter in someperplexity. He felt convinced that the successful American frigate wasthe "Constitution;" a conjecture in which he was correct, for the newsreferred to the celebrated action of that ship with the "Java. " Thecaptured American corvette, he concluded, must be the "Hornet;" butherein the captain was wrong, for the "Hornet" was at that momentblockading the "Bonne Citoyenne. " Porter now found it necessary to decide upon a course of action. Thenews which he had received made it appear most improbable that hewould fall in with either of the United States vessels for which hewas seeking. He was far from home, cruising in seas much frequented byBritish men-of-war. There were no naval stations or outposts belongingto the United States, into which he could put for protection orrepairs; for then, as now, the nation ignored the necessity of suchsupply-stations. To return home was peculiarly distasteful to thecaptain, who had set sail with the intention of undertaking a longcruise. In this dilemma, he wasted but little time in thought. Byrounding Cape Horn, he would carry the "Essex" into the Pacific Ocean, where British merchantmen abounded and men-of-war were few. It was anadventurous and a perilous expedition to undertake; but Porter, havingdecided upon it, wasted no time in getting under way. That very nighthe took his ship out of the snug harbor of St. Catherine's, andstarted upon his long voyage around the Horn. A winter voyage around Cape Horn, even in the stoutest of ships, is anundertaking to be dreaded by the most courageous seamen. The "Essex"seemed to meet with more than her share of stormy weather. From thenight when she set sail from St. Catherine's, until she dropped anchorin a harbor of the Island of Mocha, almost every day witnessed astruggle for supremacy between the raging ocean on the one side, andskilful seamanship and nautical science on the other. Capt. Porter, however, proved himself ready for every emergency. No peril of thedeep was unforeseen, no ounce of prevention unprovided. The safety ofhis ship, and the health of his men, were ever in his thoughts; andaccordingly, when the "Essex" rounded into the Pacific Ocean, bothmen and ship were in condition to give their best service to theenterprise in which they were embarked. After rounding Cape Horn, the "Essex" made her way northward along thedesolate coast of Chili, until she reached the Island of Mocha. Hereshe anchored for a day, giving the crew a much needed run on shore, which they enjoyed with all the zest of schoolboys out for a day'sholiday. The island afforded little in the way of fresh stores; butsome pigs and horses were shot, and devoured with gusto by men who forover two months had not tasted fresh meat. From this point the frigatemade for Valparaiso, and, after reconnoitring the port, put in forwater and stores. The officers were received with much hospitality bythe townspeople, and, after a few days' stay, were tendered acomplimentary ball, --an entertainment into which the young officersentered with great glee. But, unhappily for their evening's pleasure, the dancing had hardly begun, when a midshipman appeared at the doorof the hall, and announced that a large frigate was standing into theharbor. Deserting their fair partners, the people of the "Essex"hastened to their ship, and were soon in readiness for the action;while the townspeople thronged the hills overlooking the sea, in thehopes of seeing a naval duel. But the frigate proved to be a Spaniard;and, of course, no action occurred. [Illustration: The Peruvian Privateer. ] The "Essex" remained several days at Valparaiso, and during her staytwo or three American whalers put into the harbor. From the captainsof these craft, Porter learned that the Peruvians were sending outprivateers to prey upon American commerce, and that much damage hadalready been done by these marauders, who were no more than pirates, since no war existed between Peru and the United States. Porterdetermined to put an immediate stop to the operations of the Peruviancruisers, and had not long to wait for an opportunity. A day or twoafter leaving Valparaiso, a sail was sighted in the offing, which wassoon near enough to be made out a vessel-of-war, disguised as awhaler. Porter hung out the English ensign, and caused an Americanwhaler, with which he had that morning fallen in, to hoist a Britishflag over the stars and stripes. At this sight, the stranger hoistedthe Spanish flag, and threw a shot across the bow of the "Essex. "Porter responded by a few shot that whizzed through the rigging justabove the Spaniard's deck. The latter thereupon sent a boat to the"Essex;" and the officer who came aboard, thinking that he was on aBritish man-of-war, boasted of his ship's exploits among the Americanwhalers. His vessel was the Peruvian privateer "Nereyda" of fifteenguns, and she had captured two American whalers, whose crews were eventhen in the hold of the privateer. He admitted that Peru had noquarrel with the United States, and no reason for preying upon hercommerce. The confession, so unsuspectingly made, gave Porter amplegrounds for the capture of the offending vessel. Curtly informing hisastounded visitor that he was on a United States man-of-war, Porterordered the gunners to fire two shots close to the privateer. This wasdone, and the Peruvian quickly hauled down his colors. The Americanofficers, on boarding the prize, found twenty-three American sailors, who had been robbed of all that they possessed, stripped of half theirclothing, and thrown into the hold. These unfortunate men were releasedand sent to the "Essex;" after which all the guns and ammunition ofthe privateer were thrown overboard, and the vessel ordered to returnto Callao. After this act of summary justice, the "Essex" continued in hernorthward course. She touched at Callao; but, much to thedisappointment of all on board, there were no British vessels amongthe shipping at that port. Nor could the lookouts, for some days, discern from the masthead any craft other than the double-hulled raftsof logs, called catamarans, in which the natives along the Peruviancoast make long voyages. Weary of such continued ill-luck, Porterdetermined to make for the Galapagos Islands, where it was the customof the British whaling-ships to rendezvous. But it seemed thatill-fortune was following close upon the "Essex;" for she sailed thewaters about the Galapagos, and sent out boats to search small baysand lagoons, without finding a sign of a ship. Two weeks passed inthis unproductive occupation, and Porter had determined to abandon theislands, when he was roused from his berth on the morning of April 29, 1813, by the welcome cry of "Sail, ho!" All hands were soon on deck, and saw a large ship in the offing. Allsail was clapped on the frigate; and she set out in hot pursuit, flying the British ensign as a ruse to disarm suspicion. As the chasewore on, two more sail were sighted; and Porter knew that he hadfallen in with the long-sought whalers. He had no doubt of his abilityto capture all three; for in those southern seas a dead calm fallsover the ocean every noon, and in a calm the boats of the "Essex"could easily take possession of the whalers. By eight o'clock in themorning, the vessel first sighted was overhauled, and hove to inobedience to a signal from the frigate. She proved to be the"Montezuma, " Capt. Baxter, with a cargo of fourteen hundred barrels ofsperm-oil. Baxter visited Capt. Porter in his cabin, and sat thereunsuspectingly, giving the supposed British captain information forhis aid in capturing American ships. The worthy whaler little knew, ashe chatted away, that his crew was being transferred to the frigate, and a prize-crew sent to take charge of the "Montezuma. " By noon the expected calm fell over the water; and the boats wereordered away to take possession of the two whalers, that laymotionless some eight miles from the "Essex. " The distance was soonpassed, and the two ships were ordered to surrender, which theyquickly did, much astonished to find a United States man-of-war inthat region. A breeze shortly after springing up, all the prizes boredown upon the frigate; and the gallant lads of the "Essex" had thepleasure of seeing themselves surrounded with captured property to thevalue of nearly half a million dollars. One of the vessels, the"Georgiana, " was a good sailer, strongly built, and well fitted for acruiser. Accordingly she was armed with sixteen guns and a number ofswivels, and placed under the command of Lieut. Downes. With thisaddition to his force, and with the other two prizes following in hiswake, Porter returned to the Galapagos Islands. The first sight of thefar-off peaks of the desert islands rising above the water was hailedwith cheers by the sailors, who saw in the Galapagos not a group ofdesolate and rocky islands, but a place where turtle was plenty, andshore liberty almost unlimited. Porter remained some days at theislands, urging the crew of the "Essex, " as well as the prisoners, tospend much time ashore. Signs of the scurvy were evident among themen, and the captain well knew that in no way could the dread diseasebe kept away better than by constant exercise on the sands of theseashore. The sailors entered heartily into their captain's plans, andspent hours racing on the beach, swimming in the surf, and wanderingover the uninhabited islands. After a few days of this sort of life, the squadron put to sea again. The "Georgianna" now separated from the fleet, and started on anindependent cruise, with orders for a rendezvous at certain specifictimes. The "Essex" continued to hover about the Galapagos, in thehopes of getting a few more whalers. She had not long to wait; for thewhale ship "Atlantic" soon fell in her way, and was promptly snappedup. The captain of this ship was a Nantucket man, who had deserted theflag of his country, to cruise under what he thought to be the morepowerful flag of Great Britain. Great was his disgust to find that byhis treachery he had lost all that he desired to protect. While inchase of the "Atlantic, " a second sail had been sighted; and to thisthe "Essex" now gave chase. On being overhauled, the stranger at firstmade some show of fighting; but a shot or two from the guns of thefrigate convinced him of the folly of this course, and he surrenderedat discretion. The vessel proved to be the whale ship letter-of-marque"Greenwich;" a stout ship, of excellent sailing qualities. She carriedten guns, and was in every way a valuable prize. Porter had now been in the Pacific Ocean about three months. On the24th of February, the "Essex, " solitary defender of the flag of theUnited States in the Pacific, had turned her prow northward from CapeHorn, and embarked on her adventurous career in the most mighty ofoceans. Now in May, Porter, as he trod the deck of his good ship, found himself master of a goodly squadron instead of one stanchfrigate. The "Essex, " of course, led the list, followed by the"Georgianna, " sixteen guns, forty-two men; "Atlantic, " six guns, twelve men; "Greenwich, " ten guns, fourteen men; "Montezuma, " twoguns, ten men; "Policy, " ten men. Of these the "Georgianna" hadalready received her armament and authority as a war-vessel; and the"Atlantic" showed such seaworthy qualities that Porter determined toutilize her in the same way. Accordingly he set sail for Tumbez, wherehe hoped to get rid of some of his prisoners, perhaps sell one or twoof his prizes, and make the necessary changes in the "Atlantic. " Whileon the way to Tumbez, a Spanish brig was overhauled. Her captainvastly edified Capt. Porter by informing him that the "Nereyda, " aPeruvian privateer, had recently attacked a huge American frigate, andinflicted great damage upon the Yankee. But the frigate proving toopowerful, the privateer had been forced to fly, and hastened herflight by throwing overboard all her guns and ammunition. On the 19th of June, the "Essex" with her satellites cast anchor inthe harbor of Tumbez. The first view of the town satisfied Porter thathis hopes of selling his prizes there were without avail. A moresqualid, dilapidated little seaside village, it would be hard to find. Hardly had the ships cast anchor, when the governor came off in a boatto pay a formal visit. Though clothed in rags, he had all the dignityof a Spanish hidalgo, and strutted about the quarter-deck with mostlaughable self-importance. Notwithstanding his high official station, this worthy permitted himself to be propitiated with a present of onehundred dollars; and he left the ship, promising all sorts of aid tothe Americans. Nothing came of it all, however; and Porter failed todispose of any of his prizes. While the "Essex" with her train ofcaptives lay in the harbor at Tumbez, the "Georgianna" came into port, and was greeted with three cheers by the men of the frigate. Lieut. Downes reported that he had captured three British ships, carrying inall twenty-seven guns and seventy-five men. One of the prizes had beenreleased on parole, and the other two were then with the "Georgianna. "This addition to the number of vessels in the train of the "Essex" wassomewhat of an annoyance to Capt. Porter, who saw clearly that sogreat a number of prizes would seriously interfere with his futuremovements against the enemy. He accordingly remained at Tumbez onlylong enough to convert the "Atlantic" into an armed cruiser under thename of the "Essex Junior, " and then set sail, in the hopes of findingsome port wherein he could sell his embarrassing prizes. Hisprisoners, save about seventy-five who enrolled themselves under theAmerican flag, were paroled, and left at Tumbez; and again the littlesquadron put to sea. The "Essex Junior" was ordered to take the"Hector, " "Catherine, " "Policy, " and "Montezuma" to Valparaiso, andthere dispose of them, after which she was to meet the "Essex" at theMarquesas Islands. On her way to the rendezvous, the "Essex" stoppedagain at the Galapagos Islands, where she was lucky enough to find theBritish whaler "Seringapatam, " known as the finest ship of the Britishwhaling fleet. By her capture, the American whalers were rid of adangerous enemy; for, though totally without authority from theBritish Crown, the captain of the "Seringapatam" had been waging apredatory warfare against such luckless Americans as fell in his path. Porter now armed this new prize with twenty-two guns, and consideredher a valuable addition to his offensive force. She took the place ofthe "Georgianna, " which vessel Porter sent back to the United Statesloaded with oil. Among the embarrassments which the care of so many prizes brought uponthe leader of the expedition was the difficulty of finding commandingofficers for all the vessels. This difficulty was enhanced while theflotilla lay off the Galapagos Islands; for two officers, falling intoa dispute, settled their quarrel, after the manner of the day, by aduel. In the contest one, a lieutenant, aged only twenty-one years, was killed, and now lies buried in the sands of the desolate andlonely island. After this occurrence, the need for commanding officersbecame so imperative that even the purser and chaplain of the "Essex"were pressed into the service. Midshipmen twelve or fourteen years oldfound themselves in command of ships. David Farragut was one of theboys thus suddenly promoted, and in his journal has left a descriptionof his experience as a boy commander. [Illustration: The Duel At The Galapagos Islands. ] "I was sent as prize-master to the 'Barclay, '" he writes. "This was animportant event in my life; and, when it was decided that I was totake the ship to Valparaiso, I felt no little pride at finding myselfin command at twelve years of age. This vessel had been recapturedfrom a Spanish _guarda costa_. The captain and his mate were on board;and I was to control the men sent from our frigate, while the captainwas to navigate the vessel. Capt. Porter, having failed to dispose ofthe prizes as it was understood he intended, gave orders for the'Essex Junior' and all the prizes to start for Valparaiso. Thisarrangement caused great dissatisfaction on the part of the captain ofthe 'Barclay, ' a violent-tempered old fellow; and, when the dayarrived for our separation from the squadron, he was furious, and veryplainly intimated to me that I would 'find myself off New Zealand inthe morning, ' to which I most decidedly demurred. We were lying still, while the other ships were fast disappearing from view; the'Commodore' going north, and the 'Essex Junior' with her convoysteering to the south for Valparaiso. "I considered that my day of trial had arrived (for I was a littleafraid of the old fellow, as every one else was). But the time hadcome for me at least to play the man: so I mustered up courage, andinformed the captain that I desired the topsail filled away. Hereplied that he would shoot any man who dared to touch a rope withouthis orders; he 'would go his own course, and had no idea of trustinghimself with a d--d nutshell;' and then he went below for his pistols. I called my right-hand man of the crew, and told him my situation; Ialso informed him that I wanted the main topsail filled. He answeredwith a clear 'Ay, ay, sir!' in a manner which was not to bemisunderstood, and my confidence was perfectly restored. From thatmoment I became master of the vessel, and immediately gave allnecessary orders for making sail, notifying the captain not to come ondeck with his pistols unless he wished to go overboard; for I wouldreally have had very little trouble in having such an order obeyed. " On the 30th of September, the squadron fell in with the "EssexJunior, " which had come from Valparaiso. Lieut. Downes reported thathe had disposed of the prizes satisfactorily, and also brought newsthat the British frigate "Phoebe, " and the sloops-of-war "Raccoon" and"Cherub, " had been ordered to cruise the Pacific in search of theaudacious "Essex. " More than this, he secured statistics regarding thefleet of British whalers in the Pacific, that proved that Porter hadcompletely destroyed the industry, having left but one whaleruncaptured. There was then no immediate work for Porter to do; and hedetermined to proceed with his squadron to the Marquesas Islands, andthere lay up, to make needed repairs and alterations. The Marquesas are a desolate group of rocky islands lying in thePacific Ocean, on the western outskirts of Oceanica. In formation theyare volcanic, and rise in rugged mountain-peaks from the bosom of thegreat ocean. Sea-fowl of all sorts abound; but none of the lowermammals are to be found on the island, save swine which wereintroduced by Europeans. The people at the time of Porter's visit weresimple savages, who had seldom seen the face of a white man; for atthat early day voyagers were few in the far-off Pacific. The island first visited by the "Essex" was known to the natives asRooahooga. Here the frigate stopped for a few hours. During her stay, the water alongside was fairly alive with canoes and swimming natives. They were not allowed to come on board, but were immensely pleased bysome fish-hooks and bits of iron let down to them from the decks ofthe frigate. Not to be outdone in generosity, the islanders threw upto the sailors cocoanuts, fruits, and fish. A boat-crew of jackiesthat went ashore was surrounded by a smiling, chattering throng ofmen, women, and children, who cried out incessantly, "_Taya, taya_"(friend, friend), and strove to bargain with them for fruits. Theywere a handsome, intelligent-looking people; tall, slender, and wellformed, with handsome faces, and complexion little darker than that ofa brunette. The men carried white fans, and wore bracelets of humanhair, with necklaces of whales' teeth and shells about theirnecks, --their sole articles of clothing. Both men and women weretattooed; though the women seemed to content themselves with bandsabout the neck and arms, while the men were elaborately decorated fromhead to foot. Though some carried clubs and lances, they showed nosigns of hostility, but bore themselves with that simple air ofhospitality and unconscious innocence common to all savage peoples oftropical regions, uncorrupted by association with civilized white men. Porter remained but a short time at this island, as its shallow baysafforded no safe anchorage for the vessels. But, charmed as he waswith the friendly simplicity of the natives, he determined to remainsome time in the vicinity, provided safe anchorage could be found. This essential was soon discovered at Nookaheevah, where the shipscast anchor in a fine harbor, which Porter straightway dubbedMassachusetts Bay. Hardly had the ship anchored, when a canoecontaining three white men came alongside, and was ordered away by thecaptain, who thought them deserters from some vessel. The canoe thenreturned to the shore, and the three whites were joined by a vastassemblage of armed natives. Porter now began to fear lest he hadoffended the natives, and proceeded at once to the beach, with fourboats well armed and manned. But, by the time the boats' prows gratedupon the white sand, every native had disappeared; and the sole figurevisible was that of a young man, who advanced, and, giving a formalnaval salute, announced himself as Midshipman John M. Maury, U. S. N. Porter was greatly surprised to find a midshipman in so strange aplace; but the latter explained it by stating that he was on furlough, and had been left there by a merchant-vessel, which was to call forhim. She had never returned, however, and he now hailed the "Essex" asan opportunity for escape. A second white man, who then put in anappearance, naked and tattooed like an Indian, proved to be anEnglishman who had been on the island for years, and who, by hisknowledge of the language and character of the natives, proved ofgreat assistance to the Americans, during the long stay upon whichCapt. Porter had determined. CHAPTER XI. WAR WITH THE SAVAGES. -- THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TYPEES. -- DEPARTURE FROM NOOKAHEEVAH. -- THE "ESSEX" ANCHORS AT VALPARAISO -- ARRIVAL OF THE "PHOEBE" AND "CHERUB. " -- THEY CAPTURE THE "ESSEX. " -- PORTER'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE "SATURN. " -- THE MUTINY AT NOOKAHEEVAH. It was now the last of October, 1813. Capt. Porter saw that the workhe desired done upon the ships under his charge would occupy about sixweeks, and he at once set about forming such relations of peace andamity with the natives as should enable him to procure the necessarysupplies and prosecute his work unmolested. Much to his dismay, he hadhardly begun his diplomatic palaver with the chiefs, when he learnedthat to keep one tribe friendly he must fight its battles against allother tribes on the island. The natives of Nookaheevah were thendivided into a large number of tribal organizations. With three ofthese the Americans were brought into contact, --the Happahs, theTaeehs, and the Typees. The Taeehs lived in the fertile valley aboutthe bay in which the American squadron was anchored. With these peoplePorter treated first, and made his appearance in their village ingreat state, being accompanied by the band, the marines, and severalboats' crews of jackies. He was hospitably received by the natives, who crowded about to listen to the band, and wonder at the militaryprecision of the marines, whom they regarded as supernatural beings. Gattanewa, the chief, expressed his abounding love for the captain, and exchanged names with him, after the custom of the people; butended by saying that the lawless Happahs were at war with the Taeehs, and the Americans, to gain the friendship of the latter tribe, mustmake common cause with them against their enemies. To this Porterdemurred, but the wily chief thereupon brought forward a mostconclusive argument. He said that the Happahs had cursed his mother'sbones; and that, as he and Porter had exchanged names, that estimablewoman was the captain's mother also, and the insult to her memoryshould be avenged. It is probable that even this argument might haveproved unavailing, had not the Happahs the next night descended uponthe valley, and, having burned two hundred bread-fruit trees, departed, leaving word that the Americans were cowards, and dared notfollow them into their mountain fastnesses. Porter saw that his foodsupplies were in danger from these vandals, and his knowledge ofsavage character convinced him that he could have no peace with any ofthe natives until the insolence of this tribe was punished. Accordingly he notified the Taeehs, that, if they would carry a gun tothe top of one of the mountain peaks, he would send a party againstthe Happahs. The Taeehs eagerly agreed; and, after seeing the gunfired once or twice (a sight that set them fondling and kissing it, toshow their reverence for so powerful a weapon), they set off up thesteep mountain sides, tugging the gun after them. Lieut. Downes ledthe American forces. They had hardly reached the mountain tops, whenthe fighting began. The Happahs were armed with spears, and withslings, from which they threw heavy stones with terrific velocity. They seemed to know no fear, and stood gallantly before the advancingAmericans, fairly darkening the air with clouds of stones and spears. The Americans, though few in number, --forty, opposed to nearly fourthousand savages, --pressed forward, suffering but little from theweapons of their foes. From the deck of his frigate in the bay, Portercould see the steady advances of his forces, as they drove the Happahsfrom peak to peak. Before the Americans a huge native strode along, waving wildly the American flag. The howitzer came in the rear, andwas every now and then discharged, to drive the foe from someformidable stronghold. So ignorant of fire-arms were the enemy, thatthey had no idea of their power, often fighting until the muzzle of amusket was laid to their temples before the discharge. But beforenightfall this warlike spirit was broken, and the victors returned totheir ships, their native allies carrying five dead bodies slung onpoles. Two only of the Americans were wounded. The next day Happahambassadors came to sue for peace; and soon every tribe on the islandjoined the alliance, save the Typees, and a distant tribe that proudlybore the unpronounceable name of Hatecaaheottwohos. For two or threeweeks peace reigned undisturbed. Work was pushed on the vessels. Therats with which the "Essex" was infested were smoked out, an operationthat necessitated the division of the crew between the shore and theother vessels. Porter himself, with his officers, took up his quartersin a tent pitched on the shore. Under some circumstances, such achange would have been rather pleasant than otherwise; but the rainyseason had now come on, and the tent was little protection against thestorms. Noticing this, the natives volunteered to put up suchbuildings as the captain desired, and proceeded to do so in a mostexpeditious manner. At early dawn four thousand men set about thework, and by night had completed a walled village, containing adwelling-house for the captain, another for his officers, a cooper'sshop, hospital, bake-house, guard-house, and a shed for the sentinelto walk under. For their services the men received old nails, bits ofiron hoop, and other metal scraps, with which they were highlydelighted. The Americans were then living on the terms of the mostperfect friendship with the natives. Many of the jackies had beentaken into the families of the islanders, and all had formed mosttender attachment for the beautiful island women; who, in their turn, were devoted to the "Malleekees, " who were such mighty men of war, andbrought them such pretty presents of beads and whales' teeth. TheAmericans entered into the celebrations and festivities of theislanders, watched their dances, joined their fishing expeditions, andsoon were on the friendliest footing with their dusky hosts. [Illustration: Firing The Howitzer. ] But so pleasant and peaceful an existence was not destined to continuelong. The Typees, who inhabited the interior of the island, werebeginning to stir up strife against the Americans; and Porter saw thattheir insolence must be crushed, or the whole native population wouldunite in war against him. But to begin a war with the Typees was farfrom Porter's wish. The way to their country lay over ruggedprecipices and through almost impenetrable jungles. The light-footednatives could easily enough scale the peaks, or thread the forests;but to Porter's sailors it would be an exhausting undertaking. Noartillery could be taken into the field, and the immense number ofnatives that might be arrayed against the sailors made the success ofthe expedition very uncertain. Porter, therefore, determined to try toadjust the difficulty amicably, and with this purpose sent anambassador to the Typees, proposing a peaceful alliance. The reply ofthe natives is an amusing example of the ignorant vainglory of savagetribes, unacquainted with the power of civilized peoples. The Typeessaw no reason to desire the friendship of the Americans. They hadalways got along very well without it. They had no intention ofsending hogs or fruit to sell to the Americans. If the Americanswanted supplies, let them come and take them. The Americans werecowards, white lizards, and mere dirt. The sailors were weaklings, whocould not climb the Nookaheevan hills without aid from the natives. This, and much more of the same sort, was the answer of the Typees toPorter's friendly overtures. This left no course open to the Americans save to chastise theinsolent barbarians. The departure of the expedition was, however, delayed until a fort could be built for the protection of the Americanvillage. This work, a sand-bag battery, calculated to mount sixteenguns, was completed on the 14th of November, and preparations for theexpedition were then begun. And, indeed, it was time that theAmericans showed that they were not to be insulted with impunity. Already the Taeehs and Happahs were beginning to wonder at the delay, and rumors spread about the village that the whites were really thecowards for which the Typees took them. One man, a chief among theHappahs, was rash enough to call Porter a coward to his face; whereatthe choleric captain seized a gun, and, rushing for the offender, soonbrought him to his knees, the muzzle of the weapon against his head, begging for mercy. That man was ever after Porter's most able allyamong the natives. The preparations for war with the Typees were completed, and theexpedition was about to set out, when a new difficulty arose, thistime among the white men. First, a plot was discovered among theBritish prisoners for the recapture of the "Essex Junior. " Their planwas to get the crew drunk, by means of drugged rum, and then rise, seize the vessel, and make off while the American forces were absenton the Typee expedition. This plot, being discovered, was easilydefeated; and the leaders were put in irons. Then Porter discoveredthat disaffection had spread among his crew, which, for a time, threatened serious consequences. But this danger was averted by thecaptain's manly actions and words, which brought the jackies to hisside as one man. On the 28th of November the long-deferred expedition against theTypees left the snug quarters on the shore of Massachusetts Bay. Theexpedition went by sea, skirting the shore of the island, until asuitable landing-place near the territory of the hostile tribe wasreached. The "Essex Junior" led the way, followed by five boats fullof men, and ten war-canoes filled with natives, who kept up anunearthly din with discordant conches. When the forces landed, thefriendly natives were seen to number at least five thousand men; whileof the Americans, thirty-five, under the command of Capt. Porter, wereconsidered enough for the work in hand. From the time the fightingbegan, the friendly natives kept carefully in the rear, and seemed tobe only waiting to aid the victors, whether they should be Americansor Typees. Capt. Porter and his followers, upon landing, sat down upon the beachfor breakfast; but their repast was rudely disturbed by a shower ofstones from an ambuscade of Typees in the edge of the wood. Stoppingbut a moment to finish their food, the jackies picked up theircutlasses and muskets, and started for the enemy. They were soon inthe shady recesses of the tropical forest, but not a Typee was to beseen. That the enemy was there, however, was amply attested by thehail of stones that fell among the invaders, and the snapping ofslings that could be heard on all sides. This was a kind of fightingto which the sailors were not accustomed; and for a moment theywavered, but were cheered on by their brave leader, and, pushingthrough the woods, came to a clearing on the banks of a narrow river. But here a sad disaster befell them in the loss of Lieut. Downes, whose ankle was broken by a stone. He was sent back to the ship, withan escort of five men; and the party, thus reduced to twenty-nine, forded the river, and scaled its high bank, cheering lustily, under aheavy fire from the Typees, who made a dogged stand on the farthershore. By this time, the last of their savage allies had disappeared. The advance of the Americans was now checked by a jungle of such rankunderbrush that the cutlasses of the men made no impression upon it;and they were forced to crawl forward on their hands and knees, undera constant fire from the enemy. From this maze, they burst out upon aclearing, and, looking about them, saw no sign of their savage foes, who had suddenly vanished. The solution of this mystery was soondiscovered. After marching a few rods totally unmolested, a suddenturn in the path brought the Americans in sight of a formidable stonefortress, perched on a hill commanding the road, and flanked on eitherside by dense jungles. The wall of the fortress was of stone, sevenfeet high; and from it, and from the thickets on either side, camesuch demoniac yells, and such showers of stones, as convinced theAmericans that they were in front of the Typee stronghold. For a timethe invaders seemed in danger of annihilation. They were totallyunprotected, and flanked by concealed foes, whose missiles wereplunging down upon them with deadly effect. Some few secured placesbehind trees, and began a musketry fire; but the alarming cry soonarose that the ammunition was exhausted. Five men were immediatelydespatched to the beach for more cartridges, while the few remainingdetermined to hold their position at any cost. But to thisdetermination they were unable to adhere. Had the Typees charged, thewhole American force would have been swept away like driftwood beforea springtime flood. But the savages neglected their opportunity; andthe Americans first gained the protection of the bushes, then fellback across the river, and so to the beach. Here a council of war was held. They had been beaten back by savages;enormously outnumbered, to be sure, but still opposed by undisciplinedwarriors armed with rude weapons. The stain of that defeat must bewashed out by a victory. Upon one point, all were agreed. The Happahshad played them false by leading them over the most dangerous roads, and into ambuscades of the enemy. To such treacherous guides, theywould not again trust themselves. Before he again led his men tobattle, Porter wished to try diplomacy. Although he knew that he hadbeen beaten in the engagement, it would never do to confess defeatbefore so many savages (for the Taeehs and Happahs were now swarmingabout him, discussing the fight). Accordingly a messenger was sent totell the Typees that a handful of white men had driven them into theirfort, killing and wounding many. Now a large re-enforcement of whitemen was on the beach, ready to drive them from their valley, but thatif they would sue for peace they might yet save their lives and theirvillages. At this the Typees laughed. "Tell Opotee, " said they, "thatwe have plenty of men to spare; while his men are few. We have killedhis chief warrior, and wounded many of his people. We are not afraidof his _bouhies_ [muskets]: they often miss fire, and, when theywound, don't hurt much. If the Malleekees can drive us from ourvalley, why don't they come and do it?--not stay on the beach andtalk. " When Porter received this letter, he knew that he must again take thefield against the Typees, or his half-hearted allies would abandon himand join his foes, giving him endless trouble, and putting a stop tothe refitting of the ships in Massachusetts Bay. He now understood thepower of his foes, and accordingly chose two hundred men to go withhim on the second expedition. He also determined to leave behind thefriendly savages, whose friendship was a very doubtful quality. Theforces left the beach that very night, and began their weary march upthe mountain-side. It was bright moonlight; so that the narrowmountain paths, the fearful precipices, the tangled jungles, and theswamps and rivers were visible to the marching column. By midnight theAmericans found themselves perched on the summit of a rocky peakoverlooking the Typee valley, from which arose sounds of drum-beating, singing, and loud shouts of revelry. The guides who had led theAmerican column said that the savages were rejoicing over theirtriumph, and were calling upon their gods to send rain and spoil the"Malleekees' _bouhies_. " Porter knew the time was ripe for a surprise, and the men were eager to be led against the enemy; but the guidesprotested that no mortal men could descend the path leading to theTypee village, at night, so precipitous was the descent. The Americanswere therefore forced to wait patiently until morning. Throwingthemselves on the ground, the weary sailors were soon asleep, but werewaked up in an hour by a heavy burst of rain. They saw the rainfalling in sheets, and the sky banked with black clouds that gavelittle hope of a stoppage. From the valley below rose the triumphantyells of the Typees, who were convinced that their gods had sent theshower to spoil the white men's weapons. And, indeed, the floodspoured down as though sent for that very service; so that at daybreakthe Americans found that more than half their powder was spoiled. Tomake matters worse, the precipitous path leading down into the valleywas so slippery that it would have been madness to attempt thedescent. Accordingly Porter determined to retreat to the Happahvillage, and there wait for better weather. Before falling back, however, he ordered a volley fired, to show the savages that thefire-arms were not yet useless. The noise of the volley was the firstintimation to the Typees that the Americans were so near them, andtheir village was at once thrown into the direst confusion. Cries ofsurprise mingled with the beating of drums, the blowing of horns, theshrieks of women and children, and the squealing of pigs being drivento places of safety. In the midst of the tumult the Americans retiredto the Happah village, where they spent the remainder of that day andthe following night. The next morning dawned bright and cool after the rain; and theAmericans sallied forth, determined to end this annoying affray inshort order. They soon reached their former station on the cliffs, and, looking down upon the Typee territory, saw a beautiful valley, cut up by stone walls into highly cultivated farms, and dotted withpicturesque villages. But though their hearts may have been softenedby the sight of so lovely a spot, so soon to be laid desolate, theywere soon nerved to their work by a party of Typees, who were postedon the farther bank of a river that skirted the base of the cliff, andwere calling out to the Americans, calling them cowards, and daringthem to come down and fight. Porter gave the command; and the jackieswere soon clambering down the cliffs, in the face of a rapid fire fromtheir enemies. The bank of the river once gained, the Americans haltedto rest for a few minutes, and then, fording the stream, pushedforward straight for the nearest village. The Typees hung upon theflank of the advancing column; now and then making fierce charges butalways beaten back with severe losses. The sailors suffered butlittle, and were soon in possession of the village, behind the wallsof which the main body halted, while scouting parties were sent out toreconnoitre. After a short halt at this point, the invaders pushedforward to the next village, and so on up the valley, burning eachvillage as soon as it was captured. Undismayed by their continuedreverses, the Typees fought doggedly, scornfully refusing to listen tothe peaceful overtures made by the American commander. After marchingthree or four miles, and fighting for every foot of the way, theAmericans found themselves before an extensive village, which, fromits size, and the strength of its fortifications, was evidently theTypee capital. Here the savages made a last determined stand, but tono avail. The Americans poured over the wall, and were soon inpossession of the town. The beauty of the village, the regularity ofits streets, and the air of comfort and civilization everywhereapparent, made it hard for Porter to give the fateful order thatshould commit all to the flames. But his duty was clear, and the orderwas given. Leaving the blazing capital behind them, the sailorsretraced their steps to the ships, having completed the devastation ofthe valley that a day before was so peaceful, fertile, and lovely. Thespirit of the Typees was thoroughly broken by this crushing blow; andfor the next few days the ships were besieged by ambassadors from allthe island tribes, begging for peace. Feeling assured that he should have no further trouble with thenatives, Porter now exerted all his energies to complete the repairson the ships, that he might again take the sea. So rapidly did thework progress, that by the 9th of December the "Essex" and "EssexJunior" were refitted, and stocked with fresh provisions of hogs, cocoanuts, and bananas; the "New Zealander, " loaded with oil from theother prizes, was ordered to proceed to New York; while the"Greenwich, " "Seringapatam, " and "Hammond" were to remain at theislands until the "Essex" should return for them. These arrangementsbeing made, the war-ships made ready to depart. But now arose a difficulty, ludicrous in its cause, but whichthreatened to be serious in its effects. The ships had been lying inharbor for about two months; and during that time the sailors, withunlimited shore liberty, had made such ties as bound them closely tothe native people. The young girls of the islands, with their comelyfaces and fair complexions, had played sad havoc with the hearts ofthe gallant tars of the "Essex;" and deep was the grumbling among thesailors when they heard that the time had come for them to bidfarewell to their sweethearts. No openly mutinous demonstration wasmade; but so old a commander could not overlook the fact that somedisaffection existed among his crew, and a little investigationdisclosed the trouble. There could be no half-way measures adopted inthe case, and Porter at once gave orders that all further intercoursewith the shore should cease. That very night three sailors slippedinto the sea, and swam ashore to meet their sweethearts; but the wilycaptain had stationed a patrol upon the beach, and the three lucklessLeanders were sent back to the ship in irons. All the next day thenative girls lined the shore of the bay, and with pleading gesturesbesought the captain to let the sailors come ashore, but to no avail. Some fair maidens even swam off to the ship, but were gruffly orderedaway by the officers. All this was very tantalizing to the men, whohung over the bulwarks, looking at the fair objects of theiradoration. But one man only showed signs of rebellion against thecaptain's authority; and Porter, calling him out before the crew, rebuked him, and sent him ashore in a native canoe: while the rest ofthe jackies sprang into the rigging, set the canvas, and the ship soonleft the island, with its sorrowing nymphs, far in her wake. The two vessels turned their heads toward Valparaiso, and made theport after an uneventful voyage of fifty-six days. The frigate enteredthe harbor at once, and cast anchor; while the "Essex Junior" wasordered to cruise about outside, keeping a close watch for the enemy'sships. The friendship of the people of the town seemed as great asduring the first visit of the frigate to the port; and a series ofentertainments was begun, that culminated in a grand ball upon the"Essex" on the night of the 7th of February, 1814. For that one nightthe officers of the "Essex Junior" were absolved from their weary dutyof patrolling the sea at the mouth of the harbor. The vessel wasanchored at a point that commanded a view of the ocean; and herofficers, arrayed in the splendor of full dress, betook themselves onboard of the frigate. At midnight, after an evening of dancing andgayety, Lieut. Downes left the "Essex, " and returned to his vessel, which immediately weighed anchor and put to sea. The festivities onthe frigate continued a little time longer; and then, the last ladieshaving been handed down the gangway, and pulled ashore, the work ofclearing away the decorations began. While the ship's decks were stillstrewn with flags and flowers, while the awnings still stretched fromstem to stern, and the hundreds of gay lanterns still hung in therigging, the "Essex Junior" was seen coming into the harbor with asignal flying. The signal quartermaster rushed for his book, and soonannounced that the flags read, "Two enemy's ships in sight. " At thismoment more than half the crew of the "Essex" were on shore; but asignal set at the ship's side recalled the men, and in an hour and ahalf the ship was ready for action; while the "Essex Junior" castanchor in a supporting position. The two strange vessels were the "Cherub" and the "Phoebe, " Britishmen-of-war. They rounded into the harbor about eight A. M. , and boredown towards the American ships. The "Phoebe, " the larger of the twoEnglishmen, drew close to the "Essex;" and her commander, Capt. Hillyar, sprang upon the taffrail, and asked after Capt. Porter'shealth. Porter responded courteously; and, noticing that the "Phoebe"was coming closer than the customs of war-vessels in a neutral portpermitted, warned the Englishman to keep his distance, or troublewould result. Hillyar protested that he meant no harm, butnevertheless continued his advance until the two ships were almostfouled. Porter called the boarders to the bow; and they crowdedforward, armed to the teeth, and stripped for the fight. The "Phoebe"was in such a position that she lay entirely at the mercy of the"Essex, " and could not bring a gun to bear in her own defence. Hillyar, from his position on the taffrail, could see the Americanboarders ready to spring at the word of command, and the muzzles ofthe cannon ready to blow the ship out of water. There is little doubtthat he was astonished to find the "Essex" so well prepared for thefray, for he had been told that more than half her crew had goneashore. Relying upon this information, he had probably planned tocapture the "Essex" at her moorings, regardless of the neutrality ofthe port. But he had now brought himself into a dangerous position, and Porter would have been justified in opening fire at once. But theapologies and protestations of the British captain disarmed him, andhe unwisely let the "Phoebe" proceed unmolested. In his journal, Farragut thus describes this incident: "We were all atquarters, and cleared for action, waiting with breathless anxiety forthe command from Capt. Porter to board, when the English captainappeared, standing on the after-gun, in a pea-jacket, and in plainhearing said, -- "'Capt. Hillyar's compliments to Capt. Porter, and hopes he is well. ' "Porter replied, 'Very well, I thank you. But I hope you will not cometoo near, for fear some accident might take place which would bedisagreeable to you. ' And, with a wave of his trumpet, thekedge-anchors went up to our yard-arms, ready to grapple the enemy. "Capt. Hillyar braced back his yards, and remarked to Porter, that, ifhe did fall aboard him, he begged to assure the captain that it wouldbe entirely accidental. "'Well, ' said Porter, 'you have no business where you are. If youtouch a rope-yarn of this ship, I shall board instantly. '" Notwithstanding Porter's forbearance, the incident came near leadingto a battle, through the action of one of the crew, who had come offfrom shore with his brain rather hazy from heavy drinking. This manwas standing by a gun, with a lighted brand in his hand, ready to firethe piece, when he thought he saw an Englishman grinning at himthrough one of the open ports of the "Phoebe. " Highly enraged, heshouted out, "My fine fellow, I'll soon stop your making faces!" andreached out to fire the gun; when a heavy blow from an officer, whosaw the action, stretched him on the deck. Had that gun been fired, nothing could have saved the "Phoebe. " The two hostile ships cast anchor within long gunshot of theAmericans, and seemed prepared for a long season in port. For the nextfew weeks the British and American officers and seamen met frequentlyon shore; and a kind of friendship sprang up between them, althoughthey were merely waiting for a favorable moment to begin a deadlystrife. Some incidents, however, took place which rather disturbed theamicable relations of the two parties. At the masthead of the "Essex"floated a flag bearing the motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights. "This flag gave great offence to the British, who soon displayed a flagwith the inscription, "God and Country, British Sailors' Best Rights. Traitors offend both. " To this Americans responded with, "God, ourCountry and Liberty. Tyrants offend them. " Here the debate closed, andseemed to arouse no unfriendly feeling; for Porter and Hillyar talkedit over amicably on shore. In the course of this conversation, Porterchallenged the "Phoebe" to meet the "Essex" alone; but Hillyardeclined the proposition. Shortly after this, the crews of the hostileships began the practice of singing songs _at_ each other; theAmericans beginning with "Yankee Doodle, " while the British retortedwith "God save the King. " Then the poets of the forecastle set towork, and ground out verses that would prove particularly obnoxious tothe enemy. One of the American songs recited at full length thecapture of the "Guerriere. " The character of the poetry may be judgedby the first verse. "Ye tars of our country, who seek on the main The cause for the wrongs your country sustain, Rejoice and be merry, for bragging John Bull Has got a sound drubbing from brave Capt. Hull. " The British responded with triumphant verses upon the capture of the"Chesapeake, " news of which had just reached Valparaiso. Their poetrywas quite as bad. "Brave Broke he waved his sword, And he cried, 'Now, lads, aboard; And we'll stop their singing, Yankee Doodle Dandy, O!'" Porter now wished to get rid of some of the prizes with which he wasencumbered. He could not burn them in the harbor, and the Britishships kept too close a watch upon him to permit his ships to leave theharbor for an hour: so he was forced to wait many days for anopportunity. On the 14th of February the opportunity came; and the"Hector" was towed out to sea, and set a-fire. Two weeks later, the"Phoebe" came alone to the mouth of the harbor, and, after showing hermotto-flag, hove to, and fired a gun to windward. This Porterunderstood to be a challenge, and he at once put out in the "Essex. "But the "Phoebe" had no intention of entering a fair and equal fight;for she quickly joined her consort, and the two then chased the"Essex" back to port. Much talk and a vast deal of correspondence grewout of this affair, which certainly did not redound to the credit ofthe British. On the 28th of March the wind blew with such force that the larboardcable of the "Essex" parted; and the ship, drifting before the wind, dragged her starboard cable out to sea. Knowing that the British shipswere in waiting outside, Porter lost no time in getting on sail andtrying to beat back into the harbor. But, just as the ship wasrounding the point, there came up a heavy squall, which carried awaythe main topmast, throwing several topmen into the sea. In herdisabled state the frigate could not regain the harbor; but she raninto a little cove, and anchored within half pistol-shot of the shore. Here she was in neutral waters; and, had Capt. Hillyar been a man ofhis word, the "Essex" would have been safe: for that officer, on beingasked by Porter whether he would respect the neutrality of the port, had replied with much feeling, "You have paid so much respect to theneutrality of the port, that I feel bound in honor to respect it. " Buthe very quickly forgot this respect, when he saw his enemy lyingcrippled and in his power, although in neutral waters. Hardly had the "Essex" cast anchor, when the two British ships drewnear, their actions plainly showing that they intended to attack thecrippled frigate. The "Essex" was prepared for action, the guns beatto quarters; and the men went to their places coolly and bravely, though each felt at his heart that he was going into a hopeless fight. The midshipmen had hardly finished calling over the quarter-lists, tosee that every man was at his station, when the roar of the cannonfrom the British ships announced the opening of the action. The"Phoebe" had taken up a position under the stern of the Americanfrigate, and pounded away with her long eighteens; while the "Essex"could hardly get a gun to bear in return. The "Cherub" tried herfortune on the bow, but was soon driven from that position, and joinedher consort. The two kept up a destructive fire, until Porter gotthree long guns out of the cabin-windows, and drove the enemy away. After repairing damages, the British took up a position just out ofrange of the "Essex's" carronades, and began a rapid and effectivefire from their long eighteens. Such an action as this was very trying to the crew of the "Essex. " Thecarronades against which Porter had protested when his ship was armedwere utterly useless against an enemy who used such cautious tactics. On the deck of the frigate men were falling on every side. One shotentered a port, and killed four men who stood at a gun, taking off theheads of the last two. The crash and roar of the flying shots wereincessant. As the guns became crippled for lack of men, the juniorofficers took a hand in all positions. Farragut writes, "I performedthe duty of captain's aid, quarter-gunner, powder-boy, and, in fact, did every thing that was required of me. . . . When my services were notrequired for other purposes, I generally assisted in working a gun;would run and bring powder from the boys, and send them back for more, until the captain wanted me to carry a message; and this continued tooccupy me during the action. " Once during the action a midshipman camerunning up to Porter, and reported that a gunner had deserted hispost. Porter's reply was to turn to Farragut (the lad was only twelveyears old), and say, "Do your duty, sir. " The boy seized a pistol, andran away to find the coward, and shoot him in his tracks. But thegunner had slipped overboard, and made his way to the shore, and soescaped. After the "Essex" had for some time suffered from the long-range fireof the enemy, Capt. Porter determined to make sail, and try to closewith his foes. The rigging had been so badly shot away that the flyingjib was the only sail that could be properly set. With this, and withthe other sails hanging loose from the yards, the "Essex" ran downupon the British, and made such lively play with her carronades, thatthe "Cherub" was forced to haul off for repairs, and the tide of warseemed to be setting in favor of the Americans. But, though thegallant blue-jackets fought with desperation, their chances forsuccess were small. The decks were strewn with dead, the cock-pit wasfull, and the enemy's shot were constantly adding to the number ofdead and dying. Young Farragut, who had been sent below after somegun-primers, was coming up the ladder, when a man standing at theopening of the hatchway was struck full in the face by a cannon-ball, and fell back, carrying the lad with him. The mutilated body fell fullupon the boy, who lay for a time unconscious; then, jumping to hisfeet, ran, covered with blood, to the quarter-deck. Capt. Porter sawhim, and asked if he was wounded. "I believe not, sir, " answered themidshipman. "Then, " said the captain, "where are the primers?"Farragut remembered his errand, and dashed below to execute it. Whenhe emerged the second time, he saw the captain (his adopted father)fall, and running up asked if he was wounded. "I believe not, my son, "was the response; "but I felt a blow on the top of my head. " He hadprobably been knocked down by the wind of a passing shot. But the end of the action was now near. Dreadful havoc had been madein the ranks of both officers and men. The cock-pit would hold no morewounded; and the shots were beginning to penetrate its walls, killingthe sufferers waiting for the surgeon's knife. Lieut. McKnight was theonly commissioned officer on duty. The ship had been several times onfire, and the magazine was endangered. Finally, the carpenter reportedthat her bottom was so cut up that she could float but a little whilelonger. On learning this, Porter gave the order for the colors to behauled down, which was done. The enemy, however, kept up their deadlyfire for ten minutes after the "Essex" had struck. David Farragut narrates some interesting incidents of the surrender. He was sent by the captain to find and destroy the signal book beforethe British should come aboard; and, this having been done, he went tothe cock-pit to look after his friends. Here he found Lieut. Cornellterribly wounded. When Farragut spoke to him, he said, "O Davy, I fearit's all up with me!" and died soon after. The doctor said, that, hadthis officer been operated upon an hour before, his life might havebeen saved; but when the surgeons proposed to drop another man, andattend to him, he replied, "No, no, doctor, none of that. Fair play'sa jewel. One man's life is as dear as another's; I would not cheat anypoor fellow out of his turn. " Surely history nowhere records morenoble generosity. Soon after this, when Farragut was standing on thedeck, a little negro boy came running up to inquire about his master, Lieut. Wilmer, who had been knocked over by a shot. On learning hismaster's fate, he leaped over the taffrail into the sea, and wasdrowned. After the "Essex" had been formally surrendered, boats were sent toconvey the prisoners to the British ships. In one of these Farragutwas carried to the "Phoebe, " and there fell into a second battle, inwhich the victory remained with him. "I was so mortified at ourcapture that I could not refrain from tears, " he writes. "While inthis uncomfortable state, I was aroused by hearing a young reefer callout, -- "'A prize! a prize! Ho, boys, a fine grunter, by Jove. ' "I saw at once that he had under his arm a pet pig belonging to ourship, called 'Murphy. ' I claimed the animal as my own. "'Ah, ' said he, 'but you are a prisoner, and your pig also!' "'We always respect private property, ' I replied; and, as I had seizedhold of 'Murphy, ' I determined not to let go unless 'compelled bysuperior force. ' "This was fun for the oldsters, who immediately sung out, -- "'Go it, my little Yankee. If you can thrash Shorty, you can have yourpig. ' "'Agreed, ' cried I. "A ring was formed in an open space, and at it we went. I soon foundthat my antagonist's pugilistic education did not come up to mine. Infact, he was no match for me, and was compelled to give up the pig. SoI took Master Murphy under my arm, feeling that I had in some degreewiped out the disgrace of the defeat. " When the British ships with their prize returned to the quiet watersof the harbor, and began to take account of damages, it was found thatthe "Essex" had indeed fought a losing fight. On the "Phoebe, " butfour men were killed, and seven wounded; on the "Cherub, " one killedand three wounded, made up the list of casualties. But on the "Essex"were fifty-eight killed, and sixty-six wounded; while an immensenumber of men were missing, who may have escaped to the shore or mayhave sunk beneath the waves. Certain it is some swimmers reachedshore, though sorely wounded. One man had rushed on deck with hisclothing all aflame, and swam ashore, though scarcely a square inchcould be found on his body which was not burned. Another seaman hadsixteen or eighteen scales of iron chipped from the muzzle of his gundriven into his legs, yet he reached the shore in safety. After some delay, the "Essex Junior" was disarmed; and the prisoners, having given their paroles, were placed on board her, with a letterof safe-conduct from Capt. Hillyar to prevent their capture by anyBritish man-of-war in whose path they might fall. But this letteravailed them little; for, after an uneventful voyage to the northward, the "Essex Junior" found herself brought to by a shot from the Britishfrigate "Saturn, " off Sandy Hook. The boarding-officer took Capt. Hillyar's letter to the commander of the "Saturn, " who remarked thatHillyar had no authority to make any such agreement, and ordered the"Essex Junior" to remain all night under the lee of the British ship. Capt. Porter was highly indignant, and handed his sword to the Britishofficer, saying that he considered himself a prisoner. But theEnglishman declined the sword, and was about to return to his ship, when Porter said, "Tell the captain that I am his prisoner, and do notconsider myself any longer bound by my contract with Capt. Hillyar, which he has violated; and I shall act accordingly. " By this Portermeant that he now considered himself absolved from his parole, andfree to escape honorably if an opportunity should offer. Accordingly at seven o'clock the following morning, a boat wasstealthily lowered from the "Essex Junior;" and Porter, descendinginto it, started for the shore, leaving a message, that, since Britishofficers showed so little regard for each other's honor, he had nodesire to trust himself in their hands. The boat had gone somedistance before she was sighted by the lookout on the "Saturn, " forthe hull of the "Essex Junior" hid her from sight. As soon as theflight was noticed, the frigate made sail in chase, and seemed likelyto overhaul the audacious fugitives, when a thick fog set in, undercover of which Porter reached Babylon, L. I. , nearly sixty milesdistant. In the mean time, the "Essex Junior, " finding herself hiddenfrom the frigate by the fog-bank, set sail, and made for the mouth ofthe harbor. She was running some nine knots an hour when the fogshowed signs of lifting; and she came up into the wind, that thesuspicion of the British might not be aroused. As it happened, the"Saturn" was close alongside when the fog lifted, and her boat sooncame to the American ship. An officer, evidently very irate, boundedupon the deck, and said brusquely, -- "You must have been drifting very fast. We have been making nine knotsan hour, and yet here you are alongside. " "So it appears, " responded the American lieutenant coolly. "We saw a boat leave you, some time ago, " continued the Englishman. "Isuppose Capt. Porter went in it?" "Yes. You are quite right. " "And probably more of you will run away, unless I cut away your boatsfrom the davits. " "Perhaps that would be a good plan for you to adopt. " "And I would do it very quickly, if the question rested with me. " "You infernal puppy, " shouted the American officer, now thoroughlyaroused, "if you have any duty to do, do it; but, if you insult mefurther, I'll throw you overboard!" With a few inarticulate sounds, the Englishman stepped into his boat, and was pulled back to the "Saturn, " whence soon returned a secondboat, bearing an apology for the boarding-officer's rudeness. Theboarders then searched all parts of the ship, mustered her crew on theplea that it contained British deserters, and finally released her, after having inflicted every possible humiliation upon her officers. The "Essex Junior" then proceeded to New York, where she was soonjoined by Capt. Porter. The whole country united in doing honor to theofficers, overlooking the defeat which closed their cruise, andregarding only the persistent bravery with which they had upheld thecause of the United States in the far-off waters of the Pacific. Before closing the account of Porter's famous cruise, the story of theill-fortune which befell Lieut. Gamble should be related. Thisofficer, it will be remembered, was left at Nookaheevah with theprizes "Greenwich, " "Seringapatam, " and "Hammond. " Hardly had thefrigate disappeared below the horizon, when the natives began to growunruly; and Gamble was forced to lead several armed expeditionsagainst them. Then the sailors under his charge began to show signs ofmutiny. He found himself almost without means of enforcing hisauthority, and the disaffection spread daily. The natives, incited bythe half-savage Englishman who had been found upon the island, beganto make depredations upon the live-stock; while the women would swimout to the ships by night, and purloin bread, aided by their loversamong the crews. To the lieutenant's remonstrances, the nativesreplied that "Opotee" was not coming back, and they would do as theychose; while the sailors heard his orders with ill-concealed contempt, and made but a pretext of obeying them. In the middle of April threesailors stole a boat from the "Greenwich, " and, stocking it well withammunition and provisions, deserted, and were never again seen. Onemonth later, mutiny broke out in its worst form. Lieut. Gamble and histwo midshipmen, being upon the "Seringapatam, " were knocked down bythe sailors, gagged, bound, and thrust into the hold. The mutineersthen went ashore, spiked the guns in the fort, and then, hoisting theBritish colors over the captured ship, set sail. Lieut. Gamble wasbadly wounded in the foot by a pistol-shot fired by one of his guards. Notwithstanding his wound, he, with the two lieutenants and two loyalseamen, was turned adrift in an open boat. After long and painfulexertions, they reached the shore, and returned to the bay, where the"Greenwich" still lay at anchor. The mutineers, thirteen of whom wereEnglishmen who had enlisted in the American service, steered boldlyout to sea, and were nevermore heard of. The half-savage Englishman, Wilson, was supposed to be at the bottom of this uprising, and somedays later a boat's crew from the "Greenwich" went ashore to capturehim. Soon after, Gamble, anxiously watching the shore, saw a struggleupon the beach, the natives rushing down on all sides, the boatoverturned in the surf, and two white men swimming towards the ship, making signals of distress. Mr. Clapp, with two men, sprang into aboat, and put off to the aid of the swimmers, leaving Gamble alone onthe ship. Two large canoes loaded with savages then left the beach, and swiftly bore down towards the "Essex;" but Gamble, lamed though hewas, seized a lighted brand, and hobbled along the deck of the ship, firing her guns with such effect that the savages were driven back, the beach cleared, and Mr. Clapp enabled to save the two strugglingmen. When the boat returned to the ship, it was learned thatMidshipman Feltus and five men had been basely murdered by thesavages. There were now left but seven Americans; and of these but twowere well, and fit for duty. Setting the "Greenwich" on fire, thislittle band boarded the "Hammond, " and made their way to sea. Butbetween the Sandwich Islands and Honolulu they fell in with the"Cherub, " by whom they were captured, and kept prisoners for ninemonths, when, peace being declared, they were released. So ended the last incident of the gallant cruise of the "Essex. "History has few more adventurous tales to relate.