coast of Brazil. Here Bainbridge lay-to outside the harbor, and
sent in Capt. Lawrence with the "Hornet" to communicate with the
American consul. Lawrence returned greatly excited. In the harbor he
had found the British sloop-of-war "Bonne Citoyenne," of twenty guns,
which was on the point of sailing for England. A more evenly matched
adversary for the "Hornet" could not have been found, and the Yankee
sailors longed for an engagement. A formal challenge was sent, through
the American consul, to the captain of the British ship, requesting
him to come out and try conclusions with the "Hornet." Every assurance
was offered that the "Constitution" would remain in the offing, and
take no part in the battle, which was to test the strength of the two
equally matched ships only. Some days later, this challenge was
reduced to writing, and sent to the English captain. But that officer
declined the challenge, giving as his reason the fact that he had in
his ship over half a million pounds in specie, which it was his duty
to convey to England. For him to give battle to the "Hornet," would
therefore be unwise, as he would put in jeopardy this money which it
was his duty to guard. This response was conclusive, and the
Englishman must be admitted to have acted wisely; but the knowledge of
the valuable cargo of the "Bonne Citoyenne" only increased the desire
of the Americans to capture her. The "Hornet" accordingly remained
outside the harbor, as a blockader, while the "Constitution" continued
her cruise alone.

[Illustration: Assuming To Be British Men-of-war.]

She had not far to go in order to meet an enemy well worthy of her
metal. Three days after parting with the "Hornet," two sail were made,
well in shore. One of the vessels so sighted seemed to make for the
land, as though anxious to avoid meeting the American ship; while the
other came about, and made her course boldly toward the
"Constitution."

It was about nine o'clock on a bright December morning that the
"Constitution" encountered the strange vessel, which bore down upon
her. A light breeze, of sufficient force to enable the vessels to
manoeuvre, was blowing; but the surface of the ocean was as placid as
a lake in summer. The build of the stranger left no doubt of her
warlike character, and the bold manner in which she sought a meeting
with the American ship convinced Bainbridge that he had fallen in with
an enemy. The "Constitution" did not for a time meet the enemy's