its most repulsive forms to break out among them. The
only breath of fresh air they could obtain was when, in gangs, they
were allowed to go on deck, and pace up and down under the watchful
eyes of soldiery; then back to the crowded quarters below, to swelter
in summer or freeze in winter. Such was their punishment for the crime
of being loyal to their country.

[Illustration: Engagement Of The Frigates "United States" And
"Macedonian," Christmas Day, 1812. Copyright, 1892, by C. Klackner]

Careful estimates show that at this time there were at least twenty
thousand American sailors in the British navy, each one of whom was
liable at any moment to be ordered into this inhuman captivity. A
British official document of 1812 reported that 2,548 American seamen
had been imprisoned for refusing to serve against their country.
Hundreds of these were sent to the living death in the hulks. Was it
any wonder that, with such facts, before their eyes, Americans grew
indignant at hearing that the victory of the "Constitution" had been
won by the prowess of British seamen? But before many days had passed,
a victory was recorded for the stars and stripes, which not even the
acuteness of an English naval historian could ascribe to any cause
other than the naval superiority of the victor.

This was the capture, by the United States sloop-of-war "Wasp," of the
British sloop-of-war "Frolic," after a battle ever memorable for the
extraordinary dash and bravery shown by each combatant. In size, the
"Wasp" was one of the inferior vessels of the United States navy. In
her architecture and appointments, however, she was the pride of the
navy, and was often cited as a model ship of her class. Her armament
consisted of sixteen thirty-two-pounder carronades, and two "long
twelves."

When the war broke out, the "Wasp" had just left the coast of Europe,
bearing despatches from the foreign diplomatic representatives of the
United States to the Government. It was accordingly near the middle of
October before the sloop had been refitted, and, with a crew of one
hundred and thirty-five men, left the Delaware, on her first cruise
against the English. Her commander was Capt. Jacob Jones, who had
served in the war with Tripoli, and had himself been a captive among
the barbarians of Northern Africa.

After a few days' cruising, with one or two unimportant captures, a
bunch of sails was sighted at some distance. The most careful
examination failed t