exactly our force; but we have the "Argus" with us, which none of us
are pleased with, as we wish a fair trial of courage and skill. Should
we see her, I have not the least doubt of an engagement. The commodore
will demand the person impressed; the demand will doubtless be
refused, and the battle will instantly commence.... The commodore has
called in the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, informed them of all
circumstances, and asked if they were ready for action. Ready, was the
reply of each."

No consequences beyond an intensifying of the war spirit in America
followed this rencounter. Before dismissing the subject, however, it
is but fair to state that the account as given here is in substance
Commodore Rodgers's version of the matter. The British captain's
report was quite different. He insisted that the "President" fired
the first shot, that the action continued nearly an hour, that it was
his hail to which no attention was paid, and finally he intimated that
the "President" had rather the worse of the encounter. The last
statement is easily disproved, for the "President" was almost
unscathed, and the only injury to her people was the slight wounding
of a boy, in the hand. On the "Little Belt," thirty-one were killed or
wounded. The other points led to a simple question of veracity between
the two officers. Each government naturally accepted the report of its
officer; and, so far as the governments were concerned, the matter
soon passed into oblivion.

Not long after this episode, a somewhat similar occurrence took place,
but was happily attended with no such serious consequences. The
frigate "United States," cruising under the broad pennant of Commodore
Decatur, fell in with two British ships near New York. While the
commanders of the vessels were amicably hailing, a gun was suddenly
fired from the battery of the "United States," owing to the
carelessness of a gunner in handling the lanyard. It was a critical
moment, for the British would have been justified in responding to the
fire with broadsides. Happily, they were cool and discreet, and
Decatur made such explanations as showed that no attack or insult was
intended. This little incident is interesting, as showing the distrust
of the British which led an American captain to keep his guns primed
and cocked, while conversing with English men-of-war.

Another incident showed that the hatred of the British service that
prevailed among seamen was a matter of deep