n Harbor. Early in December,
1813, he determined to try to slip out; and choosing a dark night,
when wind and tide were in his favor, he dropped down the bay, and was
about to put to sea, when bright blue lights blazed up on either side
of the harbor's mouth, and the plan was exposed by the treachery of
some party never detected. After this failure, the two frigates
returned up the river, where they remained until the end of the war.
The "Hornet" managed to get to sea, and did good service before peace
was declared.

In April, 1814, the British blockaders on the New England coast began
active operations by sending an expedition up the Connecticut River to
Pautopaug Point, where the invaders landed, spiked the guns of a small
battery, and destroyed twenty-two vessels. Thence they proceeded down
the river, burning a few more craft on the way, and escaped safely to
their ships; although a party of militia, and sailors and marines from
Decatur's vessels, attempted to cut them off. Shortly after this
occurrence, a fleet of American gunboats attacked the blockading
squadron off New London, and succeeded in inflicting serious damages
upon the enemy.

In June, the enemy's depredations extended to the Massachusetts coast.
The little village of Wareham was the first sufferer. A sudden descent
made by boats' crews from the frigates "Superb" and "Nimrod" so
completely surprised the inhabitants, that the enemy burned the
shipping at the wharves, set fire to a factory, and retreated before
the villagers fully comprehended the blow that had fallen upon them.
Like occurrences took place at other coastwise towns; and, in every
case, the militia proved powerless to check the enemy. All up and down
the New England coast, from Maine to the mouth of the Connecticut
River, the people were panic-stricken; and hardly a night passed
without witnessing the flames of some bonfire kindled by the British
out of American property.

[Illustration: The Descent on Wareham.]

In August, 1814, Commodore Hardy appeared off Stonington with a fleet
of several vessels, headed by the seventy-four "Ramillies." Casting
anchor near shore, he sent to the mayor and selectmen the following
curt note: "Not wishing to destroy the unoffending inhabitants
residing in the town of Stonington, one hour is granted them, from the
receipt of this, to remove out of town." This message naturally caused
great consternation; and, while messengers were sent in all directions