my's ships in force or to escape from ports which were
sealed by vigilant squadrons, the American navy to a large extent was
condemned to inactivity for the remainder of the war. Occasional actions
were fought and merit was justly won, but there was nothing like the
glory of 1812, which shone undimmed by defeat and which gave to the
annals of the nation one of its great chapters of heroic and masterful
achievement. It was singularly apt that the noble and victorious
American frigates should have been called the _Constitution_ and the
_United States_. They inspired a new respect for the flag with the
stripes and the stars and for all that it symbolized.

[Illustration: _ISAAC HULL_

Painting by J. W. Jarvis. In the City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation.]

[Illustration: _WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE_

Painting by J. W. Jarvis. In the City Hall, New York, owned by the
Corporation.]

CHAPTER VII

"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

The second year of the war by sea opened brilliantly enough to satisfy
the American people, who were now in a mood to expect too much of their
navy. In February the story of the _Wasp_ and the _Frolic_ was repeated
by two ships of precisely the same class. The American sloop-of-war
_Hornet_ had sailed to South America with the _Constitution_ and was
detached to blockade, in the port of Bahia, the British naval sloop
_Bonne Citoyenne_, which contained treasure to the amount of half a
million pounds in specie. Captain James Lawrence of the _Hornet_ sent in
a challenge to fight, ship against ship, pledging his word that the
_Constitution_ would not interfere, but the British commander, perhaps
mindful of his precious cargo, declined the invitation. Instead of this,
he sensibly sent word to a great seventy-four at Rio de Janeiro, begging
her to come and drive the pestiferous _Hornet_ away.

The British battleship arrived so suddenly that Captain Lawrence was
compelled to dodge and flee in the darkness. By a close shave he gained
the open sea and made off up the coast. For several weeks the _Hornet_
idled to and fro, vainly seeking merchant prizes, and then off the
Demerara River on February 24, 1813, she fell in with the British brig
_Peacock_, that flew the royal ensign. The affair lasted no more than
fifteen minutes. The _Peacock_ was famous for shining brass work,
spotless paint, and the immaculate trimness of a yacht, but her gunnery
had been neglected, for which reason she went to the bo