y seizes half a dozen of
the American crew as British deserters, and departs, leaving the
Americans gasping with wonder whether they are a free nation or a tail
to the kite of English designs. It need not be explained that the
offense was often aggravated by the swaggering insolence of the young
officers. They considered the fury of the unprepared American crew a
prime joke. In vain the government at Washington complained to the
government at Westminster. England pigeonholed the complaint and went
serenely on her way, searching American vessels from Canada to Brazil.

Or an English vessel has come to Hampton Roads to wood and water. An
English officer thinks he recognizes among the {335} American crews men
who have deserted from English vessels. Three men defy arrest and show
their naturalization papers. High words follow, broken heads and
broken canes, and the English crew are glad to escape the mob by rowing
out to their own vessel.

Is it surprising that the ill feeling on both sides accumulated till
there lacked only the match to cause an explosion? The explosion came
in 1807. H. M. S. _Leopard_, cruising off Norfolk in June, encounters
the United States ship _Chesapeake_. At 3 P.M. the English ship edges
down on the American, loaded to the water line with lumber, and signals
a messenger will be sent across. The young English lieutenant going
aboard the _Chesapeake_ shows written orders from Admiral Berkeley of
Halifax, commanding a search of the _Chesapeake_ for six deserters. He
is very courteous and pleasant about the disagreeable business: the
orders are explicit; he must obey his admiral. The American commander
is equally courteous. He regrets that he must refuse to obey an
English admiral's orders, but his own government has given _most_
explicit orders that American vessels must _not_ be searched. The
young Englishman returns with serious face. The ships were within
pistol shot of each other, the men on the English decks all at their
guns, the Americans off guard, lounging on the lumber piles. Quick as
flash a cannon shot rips across the _Chesapeake's_ bows, followed by a
broadside, and another, and yet another, that riddle the American decks
to kindling wood before the astonished officers can collect their
senses. Six seamen are dead and twenty-three wounded when the
_Chesapeake_ strikes her colors to surrender; but the _Leopard_ does
not want a captive. She sends her lieutenant back, who