a number of coastwise sailing-vessels and steamers of various
classes and sizes; and for the protection of these maritime refugees,
two vessels of the United States navy were stationed at this point.
These were the Lenox and Stockbridge, two of the finest cruisers in the
service, and commanded by two of the most restless and bravest officers
of the American navy.

The appearance, early on a summer morning, of a large British cruiser
off the mouth of the harbour, filled those two commanders with
uncontrollable belligerency. That in time of war a vessel of the enemy
should be allowed, undisturbed, to sail up and down before an American
harbour, while an American vessel filled with brave American sailors
lay inside like a cowed dog, was a thought which goaded the soul of
each of these commanders. There was a certain rivalry between the two
ships; and, considering the insult offered by the flaunting red cross
in the offing, and the humiliating restrictions imposed by the Naval
Department, each commander thought only of his own ship, and not at all
of the other.

It was almost at the same time that the commanders of the two ships
separately came to the conclusion that the proper way to protect the
fleet behind the Breakwater was for his vessel to boldly steam out to
sea and attack the British cruiser. If this vessel carried a
long-range gun, what was to hinder her from suddenly running in closer
and sending a few shells into the midst of the defenceless merchantmen?
In fact, to go out and fight her was the only way to protect the lives
and property in the harbour.

It was true that one of those beastly repellers was sneaking about off
the cape, accompanied, probably, by an underwater tongs-boat. But as
neither of these had done anything, or seemed likely to do anything,
the British cruiser should be attacked without loss of time.

When the commander of the Lenox came to this decision, his ship was
well abreast of Cape Henlopen, and he therefore proceeded directly out
to sea. There was a little fear in his mind that the English cruiser,
which was now bearing to the south-east, might sail off and get away
from him. The Stockbridge was detained by the arrival of a despatch
boat from the shore with a message from the Naval Department. But as
this message related only to the measurements of a certain deck gun,
her commander intended, as soon as an answer could be sent off, to sail
out and give battle to the British ve