boat, and soon found themselves in the
sick-bay of the American ship, where they received the gentlest
treatment from those who a few hours before sought only to slay them.
The transfer of the wounded once accomplished, the work proceeded with
great rapidity: and in the afternoon of the third day the
"Constitution" was filled with prisoners; and the "Java," a deserted,
shattered hulk, was ready for the last scene in the drama of her
career.

The last boat left the desolate wreck, and, reaching the
"Constitution," was hauled up to the davits. The side of the American
frigate next to the abandoned ship was crowded with men, who looked
eagerly across the water. Through the open port-holes of the "Java," a
flickering gleam could be seen, playing fitfully upon the decks and
gun-carriages. The light grew brighter, and sharp-tongued flames
licked the outside of the hull, and set the tangled cordage in a
blaze. With this the whole ship seemed to burst into fire, and lay
tossing, a huge ball of flame, on the rising sea. When the fire was
raging most fiercely, there came a terrific explosion, and the great
hull was lifted bodily from the water, falling back shattered into
countless bits. Guns, anchors, and ironwork dragged the greater part
of the wreckage to the bottom; and when the "Constitution," with all
sail set, left the spot, the captive Englishmen, looking sadly back,
could see only a patch of charred woodwork and cordage floating upon
the ocean to mark the burial-place of the sturdy frigate "Java."

The "Constitution" made sail for San Salvador, where the prisoners
were landed; first giving their paroles not to serve against the
"United States" until regularly exchanged. Bainbridge then took his
ship to Boston, where she arrived in February, 1813.

The substitution of the wheel of the "Java" for that of the
"Constitution," shot away in battle, has been alluded to. In his
biography of Capt. Bainbridge, Fenimore Cooper relates a story of
interest regarding this trophy. It was a year or two after peace was
made with England, in 1815, that a British naval officer visited the
"Constitution," then lying at the Boston navy-yard. The frigate had
been newly fitted out for a cruise to the Mediterranean; and an
American officer, with some pride, showed the Englishman over the
ship, which was then undoubtedly the finest of American naval vessels.
After the tour of the ship had been made, the host said, as they stood
chatting on