and the success of the wooden walls of America.

Even after the "Insurgente" had struck her flag, the tars of the
"Constellation" found they had an elephant on their hands. The work of
transferring the prisoners was begun, and actively prosecuted; but,
when night fell, there were still nearly two hundred Frenchmen on the
prize. The wind was rising fast, and the long rollers of the Atlantic
were being lashed into foaming breakers by the rising gale. It was
hazardous for the two vessels to continue near each other; and
Lieutenant Rodgers, with Midshipman Porter and eleven men, was
detailed to take charge of the prize, and bring her into port. When
the officers boarded the prize, they found that they had indeed a
desperate undertaking before them. It was difficult enough for
thirteen men to handle the great ship, without having to keep in
subjection one hundred and seventy-three captives. To add to the
clanger, the gratings had been thrown overboard, and there was no way
of confining the captives in the hold. A careful search for handcuffs
resulted only in failure. But Rodgers was a man of decision, and
Porter, though but a boy, was bold and determined; and between them
they solved the problem. The prisoners were ordered below; and a
sentinel was placed at each hatchway, with orders to shoot the first
man who should attempt to come on deck. Howitzers loaded with grape
were trained upon the hatchway, for use in case of an organized
movement of the prisoners. For three days the officers sustained this
fearful strain, without a moment's sleep; but their labors were
finally crowned by successfully bringing the ship and prisoners into
St. Kitts.

In the second pitched battle of the war, the "Constellation" was again
the American combatant; but this time, though the fight was a glorious
one, it did not terminate so fortunately for the American ship. It was
on the 1st of February, 1800, that the gallant frigate, under the same
commander, was cruising about her old hunting-grounds, near
Guadaloupe. A sail was sighted, which, after a careful examination
through his marine-glass, Commodore Truxton pronounced to be an
English merchantman. As an invitation to the stranger to approach,
English colors were hoisted on the "Constellation," but had only the
effect of causing the stranger to sheer off; for she was, indeed, a
French war-vessel. Perplexed by the actions of the mysterious ship,
the "Constellation" gave chase, and soon came n