in the transport no such screen
existed. The troops were therefore ordered below; and only the
sailors, a few blacks, and the officers kept the deck. The same
expedient was likewise adopted in part by Capt. Price of the
'Volcano;' and, in order to give to his ship a still greater
resemblance than it already had to a merchantman, he displayed an old
faded scarlet ensign, and drew up his fore and main sail in what
sailors term a lubberly manner.

"As yet the stranger had shown no colors, but from her build and
rigging there was little doubt as to her country. She was a beautiful
schooner, presenting seven ports of a side, and apparently crowded
with men,--circumstances which immediately led us to believe that she
was an American privateer. The 'Volcano,' on the other hand, was a
clumsy, strong-built ship, carrying twelve guns; and the 'Golden
Fleece' mounted eight: so that in point of artillery the advantage was
rather on our side; but the American's sailing was so much superior to
that of either of us, that this advantage was more than
counter-balanced.

"Having dodged us till eight o'clock, and reconnoitred with great
exactness, the stranger began to steer gradually nearer and nearer,
till at length it was judged that she was within range. A gun was
accordingly fired from the 'Volcano,' and another from the transport;
the balls from both of which passed over her, and fell into the sea.
Finding herself thus assaulted, she now threw off all disguise, and
hung out an American ensign. When putting her helm up, she poured a
broadside with a volley of musketry into the transport, and ran
alongside of the bomb, which sailed to windward.

"As soon as her flag was displayed, and her intention of attacking
discerned, all hands were ordered up; and she received two
well-directed broadsides from the 'Volcano,' as well as a warm salute
from the 'Golden Fleece.' But such was the celerity of her motion,
that she was alongside of the bomb in less time than can be imagined,
and actually dashing her bow against the other, attempted to carry her
by boarding. Capt. Price, however, was ready to receive them. The
boarders were at their posts in an instant; and Jonathan finding, to
use a vulgar phrase, that he had caught a Tartar, left about twenty
men upon the 'Volcano's' bowsprit, all of whom were thrown into the
sea, and filling his sails sheered off with the same speed with which
he had borne down. In attempting to escape, he unavoid