es, that soon
enveloped the hulls of the two ships in dense gray smoke; so that, to
an observer at a little distance, all that could be seen of the fight
was the tapering masts and yard-arms, above the smoke, crowded with
sailors repairing damages, and nimble young midshipmen shrilly
ordering about the grizzled seamen, and now and again taking a crack
at the enemy with pistol or musket, by way of recreation. In the
foretop of the "Constellation" was stationed young David Porter, who
in that trying moment showed the result of his hard schooling in the
merchant-service, of which we have spoken. By the rapid fire of the
enemy, the fore-topmast was badly cut, and there was great danger that
it might go by the board. Porter hailed the deck several times for
instructions, but, finding that his voice could not be heard above the
roar of battle, determined to act upon his own responsibility, and
accordingly cut away the sails, lowered the yards, and, by relieving
the injured spar of all strain, prevented its falling. In the mean
time the battle raged fiercely below. The American frigate was more
powerful in her armament, and better handled, than the Frenchman. Her
guns were handled with deliberation, and the aim of the gunners was
sure and deadly; while the shot from the enemy went hurtling through
the rigging of the "Constellation," doing but little damage. The
decks of the Frenchman were covered with dead and wounded, and at
last two raking broadsides from the American frigate ended the
conflict. When the vanquished ship was boarded, she proved to be the
"Insurgente," the same frigate that had captured the "Retaliation"
some months before. Her loss in this engagement amounted to
twenty-nine killed and forty-one wounded, while the cock-pit of the
"Constellation" was tenanted by but three wounded men; and but one
American had lost his life, he having been killed by an officer, for
cowardice. Both ships were badly cut up in the engagement.

The news of this victory was received with great rejoicing in the
United States, and was celebrated with cannon-firing and the ringing
of bells. At Boston, the fourth Sunday in March was set for a day of
general rejoicing; and on that day huge crowds gathered in State
Street, and after salutes had been fired, and the city's bells pealed,
the people, at a given signal, joined in three mighty cheers, that
fairly shook the surrounding houses, for Truxton, the "Constellation,"
the blue-jackets,