kade which had been broken by the loss of
the "Philadelphia."

It was indeed high time that some life should be infused into the war
with Tripoli. Commodore Dale had been sent to the Mediterranean with
instructions that tied him hand and foot. Morris, who followed him,
was granted more discretion by Congress, but had not been given the
proper force. Now that Preble had arrived with a sufficient fleet,
warlike instructions, and a reputation for dash unexcelled by that of
any officer in the navy, the blue-jackets looked for some active
service. Foreign nations were beginning to speak scornfully of the
harmless antics of the United States fleet in the Mediterranean, and
the younger American officers had fought more than one duel with
foreigners to uphold the honor of the American service. They now
looked to Preble to give them a little active service. An incident
which occurred shortly after the arrival of the "Constitution" in the
Bay of Gibraltar convinced the American officers that their commodore
had plenty of fire and determination in his character.

One night the lookouts reported a large vessel alongside, and the hail
from the "Constitution" brought only a counter-hail from the stranger.
Both vessels continued to hail without any answer being returned, when
Preble came on deck. Taking the trumpet from the hand of the
quartermaster, he shouted,--

"I now hail you for the last time. If you do not answer, I'll fire a
shot into you."

"If you fire, I'll return a broadside," was the reply.

"I'd like to see you do it. I now hail you for an answer. What ship is
that?"

"This is H. B. M. ship 'Donegal,' eighty-four; Sir Richard Strachan,
an English commodore. Send a boat aboard."

"This is the United States ship 'Constitution,' forty-four," answered
Preble, in high dudgeon; "Edward Preble, an American commodore; and
I'll be d--d if I send a boat on board of any ship. Blow your matches,
boys!"

The Englishman saw a conflict coming, and sent a boat aboard with
profuse apologies. She was really the frigate "Maidstone," but being
in no condition for immediate battle had prolonged the hailing in
order to make needed preparations.

On the 23d of December, while the "Constitution" and "Enterprise" were
blockading Tripoli, the latter vessel overhauled and captured the
ketch "Mastico," freighted with female slaves that were being sent by
the Bashaw of Tripoli to the Porte, as a gift. The capture in itself
was unimporta