had continued until nightfall. When darkness settled over the ocean,
Stewart calculated the course laid by the stranger, and ordered his
helmsman to keep the ship on that course until midnight, when, if the
fugitive was not overhauled, the chase would be abandoned. Just before
midnight a sail was seen near by and to windward. The men were sent to
quarters; and with guns shotted, and battle-lanterns burning, the
"Experiment" ran up under the stranger's lee, and hailed. No answer
was returned. Perplexed and irritated, Stewart ordered a shot fired
into the stranger, which was no sooner done than a broadside was
returned, which made the schooner reel. Both vessels were then plunged
into conflict, though neither knew the name or nationality of the
opponent. For a time the "Experiment" was handicapped by the heavy
wind, which laid her over so far that her guns were elevated skyward,
and her shot whistled through the enemy's tops. To obviate this,
planks were thrust under the breeches of the guns, until at last the
proper range was secured, when an active cannonade soon forced the
stranger to strike. Lieut. Porter was sent to take possession of the
prize; but the report he brought back put all thought of prize-money
out of the minds of the victors, for the stranger was a Bermudian
privateer, flying the British flag, and under the protection of a
nation with which the United States was at peace. The fault lay with
the privateers for not responding to the hail, but the Americans did
all in their power to repair the damage done. All the next day they
lay by their vanquished adversary, and the sailors of two ships worked
side by side in patching up the injuries done by the shot. By night
the privateer was able to continue her cruise, resolving, doubtless,
to avoid future conflicts with the ships of the American navy.

But to enter into the details of each of the naval duels of the French
war of 1798, would require a volume devoted exclusively to its
consideration. Although there was never a declaration of war between
the two countries, yet the warfare on the ocean was earnest, and even
desperate. Both nations went to work with a will, and the results were
of incalculable benefit to the then pygmy navy of the United States.
In their newspapers the Americans read with wonder and pride of the
successes of their new vessels and young sailors, against the trained
seamen and best frigates of France. When the war closed, the country
ra