dely separated, and were an easy prey for the
hordes of Picaroons that swarmed in that region. In no way could the
"Experiment" secure a position which would enable her to protect all
the merchantmen. In this dilemma it was determined to disguise the
war-vessel, in the hopes that the pirates, taking her for a
merchantman, would attack her first. This was done; and, as luck would
have it, the Picaroons fell into the trap.

Although not the captain of the ship, Lieut. David Porter was in
command on this occasion; and, on hearing that ten Picaroon barges
with swivels in the bows, and crews of forty men each, were
approaching, he sent his crew to quarters, and prepared for a
desperate resistance. Onward over the smooth waters came the huge
barges, each with its twenty-six oars, looking like a mighty
centipede. On the ship every thing was quiet, as the jackies stood to
their guns, with the prospect of a deadly struggle before them. Should
the barges get to close quarters, and surround the schooner, no
earthly power could prevent their boarding, when their numbers would
surely bring them success. But the painful pause before the battle was
not long. Suddenly Porter, ever on the alert, cried out to fire. From
every gun that could be brought to bear, a storm of grape and canister
was rained upon the advancing boats; and the yells that went up from
the astounded Picaroons told of the deadly work done in the crowded
boats. For a moment, the fleet of barges fell into confusion; some
retreating, some advancing, and others drifting about helpless.
Although the murderous fire was kept up, the pirates formed again, and
attempted to get alongside, but were repeatedly beaten back. With
musketry and swivels they attempted to answer the fire of the
Americans; but with little effect, for the crew of the "Experiment"
kept close under the bulwarks. Men were precious then, and Porter
would not let one expose himself unnecessarily; but he himself, from
his prominent post of observation, was an easy mark, and a Picaroon's
bullet soon lodged in his shoulder. Notwithstanding the painful wound
he never left his post. The unexpected opposition only maddened the
Picaroons, and they made desperate attempts to get alongside; but to
no avail. Now the stern and now the bow of the "Experiment" was chosen
as the point of attack; but still the rapid fire of the jackies beat
the pirates back.

On the low-lying shores of the islands, some hundreds more of