ll-like edge of the shower could be seen moving
rapidly away before the wind. The tars on the "Constitution" watched
eagerly to see the British fleet appear. Farther and farther receded
the gray curtain, and yet no ships could be seen. "Where are they?"
was the thought of every eager watcher on the deck of the
"Constitution." At last they appeared, so far in the distance as to be
practically out of the chase. Two were even hull down; while one was
barely visible, a mere speck on the horizon.

Though now hopelessly distanced, the British did not give up the
pursuit, but held valiantly on after the American frigate. She had so
long been within their very grasp that it was a bitter disappointment
for them to be balked of their prey. But, as the wind now held, the
American gained on them so rapidly that at last they unwillingly
abandoned the chase; and, disbanding the fleet, each ship set off on
an individual cruise, in the hopes that the enemy which had shown such
ability in flight when overpowered would not deign to fly if
encountered by a single hostile ship. This expectation was fully
realized some weeks later, when the "Constitution" fell in with the
British frigate "Guerriere."

Thus, after a chase of more than sixty-four hours, the "Constitution"
evaded her pursuers, and made her way to Boston. Although they reaped
no glory by their labors, the British did not come out of the chase
altogether empty-handed. As the course of the vessels was along the
New England coast, they were in the direct path of American commerce;
and more than one wretched coaster fell into their clutches. At one
time, a fine, full-rigged ship, flying the stars and stripes, came
within sight; and the British, to lure her to her destruction, hoisted
the American flag over all their vessels. But Hull was a match for
them at strategy; and he promptly set the British colors at his
masthead, and began so vigorous a cannonade that the stranger
concluded that a merchantman had no business in that quarter, even
though the Americans did appear to be rather in the majority.

By his able seamanship in this chase Capt. Hull gained for himself a
national reputation. The newspapers of the day vied with each other in
pointing out the manoeuvres in which he had excelled his enemies,--how
he had picked up his boats while under way, though the enemy were
forced to cut theirs adrift; how he had come out of the chase without
injury, and after parting with only a