n contained two cartridges and no shot; and a
third had a wad rammed down before the powder, thus effectually
preventing the discharge of the piece. The American gunners were not
altogether guiltless of carelessness of this sort. Their chief error
lay in ramming down so many shot upon the powder that the force of the
explosion barely carried the missiles to the enemy. In proof of this,
the side of the "Confiance" was thickly dotted with round shot, which
had struck into, but failed to penetrate, the wood.

The result of this victory was immediate and gratifying. The land
forces of the British, thus deprived of their naval auxiliaries,
turned about, and retreated to Canada, abandoning forever their
projected invasion. New York was thus saved by Macdonough's skill and
bravery. Yet the fame he won by his victory was not nearly
proportionate to the naval ability he showed, and the service he had
rendered to his country. Before the popular adulation of Perry,
Macdonough sinks into second place. One historian only gives him the
pre-eminence that is undoubtedly his due. Says Mr. Theodore Roosevelt,
in his admirable history, "The Naval War of 1812," "But Macdonough in
this battle won a higher fame than any other commander of the war,
British or American. He had a decidedly superior force to contend
against, and it was solely owing to his foresight and resource that we
won the victory. He forced the British to engage at a disadvantage by
his excellent choice of position, and he prepared beforehand for every
possible contingency. His personal prowess had already been shown at
the cost of the rovers of Tripoli, and in this action he helped fight
the guns as ably as the best sailor. His skill, seamanship, quick eye,
readiness of resource, and indomitable pluck are beyond all praise.
Down to the time of the civil war, he is the greatest figure in our
naval history. A thoroughly religious man, he was as generous and
humane as he was skilful and brave. One of the greatest of our sea
captains, he has left a stainless name behind him."

CHAPTER XIV.

ON THE OCEAN. -- THE WORK OF THE SLOOPS-OF-WAR. -- LOSS OF THE
"FROLIC." -- FRUITLESS CRUISE OF THE "ADAMS." -- THE "PEACOCK"
TAKES THE "EPERVIER." -- THE CRUISE OF THE "WASP." -- SHE
CAPTURES THE "REINDEER." -- SINKS THE "AVON." -- MYSTERIOUS END
OF THE "WASP."

The opening of the year 1814 found the American coast still rigidly
blockaded by the Britis