were shot away; and, as she had no sails to steady her, she was
rolling like a log in the trough of the sea. Many of the men were
employed in throwing the dead overboard The decks were covered with
blood, and had the appearance of a ship's slaughter-house. The
gun-tackles were not made fast; and several of the guns got loose, and
were surging from one side to the other. Some of the petty officers
and seamen got liquor, and were intoxicated; and what with the groans
of the wounded, the noise and confusion of the enraged survivors on
board of the ill-fated ship, rendered the whole scene a perfect hell."

For some time after the "Guerriere" had been formally taken possession
of, it seemed as though the "Constitution" would have to fight a
second battle, to keep possession of her prize. A strange sail was
seen upon the horizon, bearing down upon the "Constitution" in a way
that seemed to threaten hostilities. Again the drums beat to quarters,
and once again the tired crew went to their stations at the guns. But
the strange ship sheered off, and the gallant crew were not forced to
fight a second battle. All hands then set to work to remove the
prisoners from the "Guerriere," which was evidently in a sinking
condition.

In the first boat-load from the sinking ship came Capt. Dacres, who
was politely shown into Capt. Hull's cabin. Unclasping his sword from
its place at his hip, the conquered seaman handed it silently to Capt.
Hull. The victor put it gently back, saying,--

"No, no, captain: I'll not take a sword from one who knows so well how
to use it. But I will trouble you for that hat."

For a moment a shade of perplexity passed over the brow of the British
captain; then he recollected the wager of a year or two before, and
all was clear again. Unfortunately, the veracious chronicler who has
handed this anecdote down to modern times has failed to state whether
the debt was duly paid.

After some hours of hard work with the boats, the last of the
prisoners, with their effects, were brought on board the
"Constitution." Torches were then set to the abandoned frigate; and
the sailors watched her blaze, until the fire reached her magazine,
and she vanished in the midst of a tremendous explosion. Then,
leaving behind her the floating mass of ruin, the "Constitution"
headed for Boston, where she arrived after a few days of sailing.

Great was the excitement and exultation aroused among the people by
the arrival of the nob