advances in kind. Back of the advancing frigate could be seen the low,
dark coast-line of Brazil, into whose neutral waters the Englishman
could retreat, and thus gain protection, if the conflict seemed to go
against him. Bainbridge determined that the coming battle should be
fought beyond the possibility of escape for the vanquished, and
therefore drew away gradually as the stranger came on. By noon the two
ships were near enough together for flags to be visible, when
Bainbridge set his colors, and displayed private signals. The enemy
did the same; and, though his signals were unintelligible, the flag
that fluttered at the masthead was clearly the flag of Great Britain.
Bainbridge continued his retreat for an hour longer, then, being far
enough from land, took in his main-sail and royals, and tacked toward
the Englishman.

By this time the strange sail which had been sighted in company with
the English ship had disappeared. The low-lying coast of Brazil had
sunk below the horizon. From the deck of the "Constitution," nothing
could be seen but the vast circle of placid ocean, and the English
frigate about a mile to the windward, bearing down to open the fight.
The drums beat, and the crew went quietly and in perfect order to
their quarters. They were no longer the raw, untrained crew that had
joined the ship some months before. They were veterans, with the
glorious victory over the "Guerriere" fresh in their remembrance, and
now animated with a desire to add to their trophies the strange vessel
then in sight.

As the enemy, which proved to be the "Java," thirty-eight, Capt.
Lambert, came nearer, she hauled down her colors, leaving only a jack
flying. A jack is a small flag hoisted at the bowsprit cap. The Union
jack of the United States navy is a blue flag dotted with stars, but
without the stripes of the national flag; the jack of Great Britain
has the scarlet cross of St. George on a blue field. The Englishman's
action in hauling down his ensigns puzzled Bainbridge, who sent a shot
as an order that they be raised again. The response to this reminder
came in the form of a heavy broadside, and the action opened.

In the light wind that was blowing, the enemy proved the better
sailer, and soon forged ahead. His object was to cross the bows of the
American ship, and get in a raking broadside,--the end and aim of most
of the naval manoeuvring in those days of wooden ships and heavy
batteries. By skilful seamanship, Ba