rther
strengthened by nail-rods and small chains. The upper part of the
netting was weighted with kentledge, the pigs of iron used for
ballast; so that, should the hardy assailants succeed in coming
alongside and scaling the side, a few blows of an axe would let fall
the heavily weighted nettings, sweeping the boarders into the sea, and
covering boats and men with an impenetrable mesh, under which they
would be at the mercy of the sailors on the frigate's decks. The
carronades and howitzers were loaded with grape; and the officers and
men felt that only bravery on their part was essential to the defeat
of any force that Great Britain could send against the ship.

Heedless of these formidable preparations for their reception, the
enemy set under way two expeditions for the capture of the
"Constellation." In neither case did the antagonists actually come to
blows, for the approach of the British was discovered before they came
within pistol-shot; and, as their only chance lay in surprising the
Americans, they retired without striking a blow. The coming of the
first expedition was known upon the "Constellation" the day before it
actually set out. A Portuguese merchantman, trying to beat out of the
bay, had been stopped by the British, and anchored a few miles below
the American frigate. A guard and lookout from the English fleet were
stationed on the Portuguese to watch the "Constellation." In an
unguarded moment, these men let fall a hint of the movement under way;
and an American passenger on the Portuguese vessel quickly carried the
news to Capt. Stewart, and volunteered to remain and aid in the
defence. The next night was dark and drizzly; and the British, to the
number of two thousand, set out in boats for the "Constellation."
Hardly were they within gunshot, when two lanterns gleamed from the
side of a watchful guard-boat; and the roll of drums and sound of
hurrying feet aboard the frigate told that the alarm was given. The
assailants thereupon abandoned the adventure, and returned to their
ship. The next night they returned, but again retreated discomfited.
Several nights later, a third expedition came up. This time the
guard-boat was far down the bay; and, seeing the huge procession of
boats, the Americans calmly edged in among them, and for some time
rowed along, listening to the conversation of the British, who never
dreamed that an enemy could be in their midst. Suddenly a sailor, more
sharp-eyed than the rest,