folk." Bainbridge was taken aboard
the French frigate "Volontaire," which then continued her course in
the wake of her consort, the "Insurgente." For the captured American
captain on the deck of the "Volontaire," the chase was one of great
excitement. He well knew that the two stately French frigates were
much more than a match for the flying Americans; and, should they
overhaul the chase, the "Montezuma" and the "Norfolk" would join the
"Retaliation" in French captivity. Racked with anxiety he paced the
deck, trying in vain not to perceive that the pursuers were steadily
gaining, and chafing under the position of helplessness in which he
found himself. But an opportunity to help did unexpectedly present
itself. The French captain, after a long look through his
marine-glasses at the flying craft, turned to Bainbridge, and
inquired,--

"What may be the force of your consorts, captain?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Bainbridge responded,--

"The ship carries twenty-eight twelve-pounders, and the brig twenty
nines."

The Frenchman was astounded, as well he might be; for Bainbridge's
answer was a most preposterous falsehood, nearly doubling the actual
armament of the two vessels. An eager consultation was immediately
held by the officers on the quarter-deck. Bainbridge looked on
anxiously, and was delighted with the success of his ruse, when he
heard orders for the hoisting of a signal which should call back the
frigate leading in the chase. The signal was hoisted; and the
"Insurgente," obeying, abandoned the chase, and returned. Her captain
was indignant at his recall, and curious to know the cause of it. When
told of Bainbridge's statement, he was furious; for his ship had been
close enough to the chase to see that the Americans were small craft,
utterly unable to cope with the two pursuing frigates. For his
falsehood, Bainbridge was roundly abused, and many a French oath was
hurled at his head. His action was indeed inexcusable by the rules of
honor; and the utmost that can be said of it by the most patriotic
American is, that by his falsehood he saved two good ships for the
infant navy of the United States. From a military point of view,
however, his conduct was commendable; and in recognition thereof, on
his release from captivity, he was made commander of the "Norfolk,"
one of the vessels he had saved.

France and the United States were now actually at war, although no
definite declaration of war had been mad