CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE CONSTITUTION'S GREAT VICTORY.

"Now coil up y'r nonsense 'bout England's great navy, And take in y'r slack about oak-hearted tars; For frigates as stout, and as gallant crews have we, Or how came their _Macedon_ decked with our stars? Yes, how came her _Guerriere_, her _Peacock_, and _Java_, All sent broken-ribbed to old Davy of late? How came it? Why, split me, than Britons we're braver; And that too they shall feel, whenever we meet?"

Captain Harry Vernon sang the above lines as a sort of introduction to his story.

He felt particularly elated.

Jack either is boisterously happy, when on land, or else excessively melancholy.

Harry Vernon was very jolly--no other word aptly describes his state of mind.

Perhaps the generous dinner of which he had just partaken, or it may be the fact that he was the bearer of such good news, affected him; whatever the cause, the fact was unaltered, he was lively and merry, and sang the song with the fervor of a man before the mast.

"You will remember," commenced Vernon, "that Captain Hull resigned his command of the _Constitution_ in order that some other officer might win laurels with the noble frigate.

"In his place, Bainbridge was appointed, and of course you know, Tempest, that there is not a better or braver man in the entire navy than that same Bainbridge."

"I have heard of his gallant conduct in the wars against France and Tripoli," answered Hamilton.

"Was the _Hornet_ with the _Constitution_ when the fight took place?" asked Tempest, almost impatiently.

"No. It appears not. The _Hornet_ was blockading the _Bonne Citoyenne_, but I must go back or you will not understand.

"Fill up, men, and let one night at least be devoted to patriotism and King Bacchus. Bertha--I beg pardon, Mistress Tempest--will excuse you for one night," and Vernon laughed heartily, as though he had perpetrated a joke.

"The _Hornet_ and _Constitution_ were to cruise in company, while Porter was to waylay West Indiamen, and after a certain time proceed southward, calling at several South American ports, with a view to join Bainbridge.

"When the two vessels reached the port of Praya in the island of St. Jago, it became necessary to practice a little deception.

"The two vessels floated the British flag, and the officers took off every eagle button from their uniform.

"Then, with the greatest audacity, the officers next prepared to land.

"They called on the governor, and paid their respects to his family, and asked permission to leave letters for Sir James Yeo, one of his Britannic majesty's naval commanders.

"The request was granted, and Bainbridge wrote the letters.

"But what had they to do with an English captain?" asked Hamilton.

"Ha, ha, ha! They had to find an excuse for landing."

"But----?

"Oh, I know what you would say, but the fact remains, they left the letters, and daring productions they were.

"But the best part of the whole thing was that, had Porter visited Praya, he would have called on the governor and asked for letters for Yeo.

"Then Bainbridge's letters would be handed to him. He would read them in the solitude of his own cabin, for he knew that between the lines another letter was written in sympathetic ink, and it was this letter which would most interest him."

"But what if the governor knew Yeo?" asked Tempest.

"That Porter would have to find out, and should the British captain be known, then Porter would take his cue and be an ambassador from the gallant Sir James Yeo.

"It was a daring plan, but succeeded. Then the Americans sailed away and reached San Salvador.

"As Brazil is at peace with us, there was no need for deception, and Captain Lawrence of the _Hornet_ was sent in to see the American Consul.

"Lawrence returned greatly excited.

"In the harbor was the English ship _Bonne Citoyenne_, of twenty guns, and just about to sail for England.

"The _Hornet_ carries eighteen guns, so what did Lawrence do but send an officer to the _Bonne Citoyenne_, with a formal challenge to the captain to come out of the harbor and try conclusions with the _Hornet_.

"Every assurance was given that the _Constitution_ would lay in the offing, and take no part in the fight.

"The English captain answered the challenge most courteously, but declined to accept it."

"What reason did he give?" asked Tempest.

"Of course he was afraid," exclaimed Hamilton.

"But would never acknowledge it."

"No, but I suppose he pleaded that it might compromise Brazil."

"You are both wrong," answered Vernon. "He said he had on board five hundred pounds sterling, which he was conveying to England, and that to meet the _Hornet_ would be unwise, as it would place the money in jeopardy."

"Don't you wish the _Lively Bee_ was on the _Bonne Citoyenne's_ track?" asked Tempest.

"Yes, but what could the _Bee_ do against twenty guns?"

"The _Lively Bee_ would find a way to sting."

"I am glad you have such a strong faith in the _Bee_, but to proceed with my story: The _Hornet_, when it found the _Bonne Citoyenne_ would not fight, remained outside the harbor, as a blockader, while the _Constitution_ continued to cruise alone.

"Three days only elapsed before she sighted two vessels, well into the shore.

"Bainbridge's heart beat with hope.

"His great chance had come, for he felt sure that the two vessels were British war ships.

"One of them seemed to make for the shore, while the other made her course boldly for the _Constitution_.

"Bainbridge now clearly saw that the approaching vessel was a man-of-war of formidable build.

"The crew of the American ship waited orders.

"They were all anxiety, for they dearly loved a fight.

"To their horror and disgust, their captain ordered the vessel put to sea.

"Murmurings were heard, but Bainbridge laughed quietly to himself, for he saw clearly the coastline, dark and low, of Brazil, and he knew that the Englishman could easily retreat into neutral waters if pressed too hard.

"So he made all sail, as though in flight.

"The Englishman so understood it, and crowded on sail in pursuit.

"By noon the two ships were near enough for their flags to be visible.

"'Run up the ensign!' ordered Bainbridge.

"The colors were set, and answered by the Englishman.

"Bainbridge continued his retreat for another hour.

"Fast and yet faster flew the British war ship.

"It was something new for a Yankee to fly from an Englishman, and the latter enjoyed it.

"Suddenly Bainbridge gave the order:

"'Take in the mainsails and royals.'

"The order was obeyed, though the crew wondered at the reason for it.

"But when the _Constitution_ tacked toward the enemy a ringing cheer went up from the crew.

"Their captain was no coward.

"The coastline of Brazil was below the horizon, and Bainbridge was confident he could prevent the enemy retreating.

"The drum beat to quarters, and quietly the veterans got to work to meet the foe.

"The _Java_, for such the enemy proved to be, hauled down her colors, leaving only a jack flying.

"This action puzzled Bainbridge, who ordered a shot to be fired, which should mean that the ensigns be raised again.

"This challenge was answered by a broadside.

"The battle was now on in dead earnest. The _Java_ was the better sailer, and both ships were well manned.

"The firing was rapid, the aim good.

"It looked bad for the American, after an hour's fighting, for a round shot carried away her wheel, and the captain was wounded by a small copper bolt, which was driven into his thigh.

"For a few minutes it looked as though our boat was lost, for she would not answer to the rudder, her head fell off, and her sails flapped idly against the spars.

"Though suffering excruciating agony, Bainbridge directed every movement. Tackle was rigged upon the rudder-post between decks, and a crew of jackies worked the improvised helm.

"Then a new difficulty arose. The helmsmen were out of earshot of the quarterdeck.

"A young middy suggested the remedy, and a line of middies was formed from the quarterdeck to the sailors who were tugging at the steering apparatus."

"Bravo, Bainbridge!" shouted Hamilton.

"I would like to have been there," added Tempest.

"So would I," assented Harry Vernon. "It makes a man's blood run quicker when he hears of such things, and I can scarcely have patience to tell of the glorious deeds, I am so warm and excited.

"The gunners had not been idle; they kept continuously firing, and the _Java's_ jibboom and bowsprit were so shattered that, when the ships met, the mizzen-mast fell, crashing through forecastle and main deck, and killing several of the officers."

"Pardon me, Vernon, but you say, 'when the ships met.'"

"Yes, the Englishman, seeing that the Yankee was getting the best of the fight, despite her crippled condition, determined to close and board. It was a mad thing to do, but English sailors are always daring.

"The ships met and lay yardarm to yardarm.

"The men could not see each other, for a dense sulphurous smoke hid the two vessels. It was only at rare intervals that the cloud of powder smoke arose, and then the faces of the gunners showed how determined they were.

"When the British made ready to board the Yankee a new surprise awaited them.

"In the _Constitution's_ tops were two small howitzers, and suddenly the topmen began to pour into the midst of the would-be boarders a perfect shower of grape and canister.

"A daring young middy in the tops seized a musket and aimed at the _Java's_ captain.

"The brave officer fell to the deck dead, but Lieutenant Chads, although badly wounded, continued the fight, and every British tar seemed to fight with greater determination.

"The fight continued until the _Java_ was a helpless wreck.

"Her flag was shot away, and only the Jack remained. This was hauled down, and the _Java_ was added to the rich prizes of the war."

"I don't know much about the _Java_," said Hamilton.

"She is new to me, and I thought I was pretty well posted about the enemy," Tempest added.

"I never heard her name before," continued Vernon, "but I learned that she had just been fitted up for the accommodation of the governor-general of Bombay and his staff, all of whom were on board."

"And they are prisoners?" asked Tempest.

"They are."

"What a ransom they would have had to pay the _Lively Bee_!"

"Yes," laughed Vernon; "they are better off on the _Constitution_."

"You have brought great, good news."

"Indeed I have."

"What became of the _Java_?"

"She was fired, and only bits of charred wreckage remain of one of the best English frigates."

"What did Scarron think?" asked Tempest.

"Scarron was like a wild Indian. He danced and shouted, and when that did not satisfy him, he started singing 'Yankee Doodle,' but finally got on to his favorite chorus:

"'Charge the can cheerily, Send it round merrily; Here's to our country and captains commanding; To all who inherit Of Bainbridge the spirit, Disdaining to strike while a stick is left standing.'"

"That Scarron must be quite a poet, or _pote_, as Bob calls him," said Hamilton, "for Bob is always singing, and when I ask him where he learned the words, he always answers in the one word 'Scarron.'"

"Did he tell you the verse Scarron declares the men on the _Guerriere_ sang when going into action?"

"No; what was it?"

"You remember the words, Tempest, don't you?"

"I think so," answered Tempest; "they ran something after this fashion:

"'Brave Dacres waved his sword, And he cried: "Now, lads, aboard; We'll soon stop their singing, Yankee Doodle Dandy, O!"'"

"Yes, those were the words, and I remember Scarron singing a song giving our side of the story:

"'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 Captain Hull.'"

The evening was far advanced before our friends thought of parting.

Tempest was the first to rise; he had not forgotten that his bride was alone.

Hamilton and Vernon had another bottle of wine, and were swearing eternal friendship when a constable, or watchman, as he was then called, entered, and looking at the two seamen, asked:

"Do either of you gentlemen know a sea dog called Bob?"

"Bob! yes; what of him?"

"He is in trouble and wants to see you--not that you can do him any good."

"What is the matter?" asked Vernon.

"Oh, sir, as to that, it is a hanging matter. He is likely to die in a lofty position, 'twixt heaven and earth."

"What mean you, fellow?"

"Don't follow me; I am the watch."

"Are you? Then lead on, that I may see Bob, who at least will talk sense."

"Poor young boy, he'll be hanged, oh, yes, he will, and even your honors cannot save him."