f the wounded on a neutral vessel that happened to pass,
and, burning the prize, made his way to the harbor of L'Orient. He had
fought a brave fight, and come out victor after a desperate contest.
But, though defeated, the plucky British might well boast of the
gallant manner in which they engaged an enemy so much their superior
in strength. History nowhere records a more gallant death than that of
the British captain, who fell leading his men in a dashing but vain
attempt to retrieve the day by boarding. In its manoeuvring, in the
courage and discipline of the crews, and in the gallantry of the two
captains, the action of the "Wasp" and the "Reindeer" may well go down
to history as a model naval duel of the age of sails.

The "Wasp" remained in port for several weeks, occupying the time in
refitting, and filling the gaps in her crew by enlistment from the
American privateers which then were to be seen occasionally in every
port of the world. She then put out to sea, and soon fell in with a
convoy of ten British merchantmen, under the protection of the
seventy-four "Armada." Though he had no intention of giving battle to
the line-of-battle ship, Blakely determined to capture one of the
merchantmen; and to this end the "Wasp" hung upon the skirts of the
convoy, making rapid dashes now at one vessel, then at another, and
keeping the seventy-four in constant anxiety. Finally the swift little
cruiser actually succeeded in capturing one of the vessels, and
escaping before the heavy seventy-four could get to the scene of the
conflict. The prize proved to be a valuable one, for she was laden
with iron and brass cannon and military stores.

Towards nightfall of the same day, Sept. 1, 1814, four more sail were
sighted; and the "Wasp" at once made off in chase of the most
weatherly. At eight o'clock the "Wasp" had gained so rapidly upon the
chase, that the latter began firing with her stern chaser, and soon
after opened with one of her lee guns. All the time the enemy kept up
a vigorous signalling with rockets, lanterns, and guns. By half-past
nine the "Wasp" was within hailing-distance, and an officer posted on
the bow hailed the stranger several times; but as she returned no
satisfactory answer, and refused to heave to, the "Wasp" opened upon
her with a twelve-pound carronade, and soon after poured a broadside
into her quarter. The two ships ploughed through the black water,
under full sail, side by side. The Americans had no