he subject of privateering. In September, 1781, the British
sloop-of-war "Savage" was cruising off the southern coast of the
United States. Her officers and men were in a particularly good humor,
and felt a lively sense of self-satisfaction; for they had just
ascended the Potomac, and plundered Gen. Washington's estate,--an
exploit which would make them heroes in the eyes of their admiring
countrymen.

Off Charleston the "Savage" encountered the American privateer
"Congress," of about the same strength as herself,--twenty guns and
one hundred and fifty men. In one respect the "Congress" was the
weaker; for her crew was composed largely of landsmen, and her marines
were a company of militia, most of whom were sadly afflicted with
seasickness. Nevertheless, the Yankee craft rushed boldly into action,
opening fire with her bow-chasers as soon as she came within range.
Like two savage bull-dogs, the two ships rushed at each other,
disdaining all manoeuvring, and seemingly intent only upon locking in
a deadly struggle, yard-arm to yard-arm. At first the "Savage" won a
slight advantage. Swinging across the bow of the "Congress," she raked
her enemy twice. But soon the two ships lay side by side, and the
thunder of the cannon was constant. The militia-marines on the
"Congress" did good service. Stationed in the tops, on the forecastle,
the quarter-deck, and every elevated place on the ship, they poured
down upon the deck of the enemy a murderous fire. The jackies at the
great guns poured in broadsides so well directed that soon the
"Savage" had not a rope left with which to manage the sails. Her
quarter-deck was cleared, and not a man was to be seen to serve as a
mark for the American gunners. So near lay the two vessels to each
other, that the fire from the guns scorched the gunners on the
opposite ship. The antagonists were inextricably entangled; for the
mizzen-mast of the "Savage" had been shot away, and had fallen into
the after-rigging of the "Congress." There was no flight for the
weaker vessel. When she could no longer fight, surrender was her only
recourse. Neither vessel showed any colors, for both ensigns had been
shot away early in the action. Accordingly, when the boatswain of the
"Savage" was seen upon the forecastle wildly waving his arms, it was
taken as an evidence of surrender; and the fire slackened until his
voice could be heard.

"Give us quarter," he cried hoarsely; "we are a wreck, and strike our
flag