the character of an action at long range. Under such
conditions, the victory was assured to the side showing the best
gunnery. For a moment only did it seem that the vessels were likely to
come to close quarters, and the English captain seized that occasion
to call up his boarders. But they refused, saying, "She's too heavy
for us." And a few minutes later the Englishman hauled down his flag,
having lost nine killed or mortally wounded, and fourteen wounded. The
Americans had suffered but little; only two men being injured, and
these but slightly. The shot of the enemy had passed through the
rigging of the "Peacock," while the "Epervier" had been hulled
forty-five times.

The "Epervier" proved to be a valuable prize. In her hold specie to
the amount of one hundred and eighteen thousand dollars was found;
and, when the brig was sold to the United States Government, she
brought fifty-five thousand dollars: so that the prize-money won by
that action kept the sailors in good-humor for many months to come.
But, before the prize could be safely carried into an American port,
she had a gantlet to run, in which she narrowly escaped capture. After
the wreck of battle had been cleared away, the brig and her captor
made for Savannah, but were sighted and chased by two British
frigates. The "Peacock," in the hope of drawing away the pursuers,
left her prize, and headed out to sea. One frigate only followed her,
and the other pressed on hotly after the "Epervier," which, to avoid
capture, was forced to run into shallow water, whither the heavy
frigate could not follow her. But she was not to escape so easily; for
the boats of the frigate were lowered, filled with armed men, and set
out in pursuit of the brig, which moved but slowly before the light
breeze then blowing. The boats soon overhauled the fugitive, and
escape seemed hopeless; for the "Epervier" was manned by a prize-crew
of only sixteen men. But Lieut. Nicholson, who was in command,
determined to try the effect of bluster. Accordingly he leaped upon
the taffrail, with a speaking-trumpet in his hand, and shouted out
orders as if calling a huge crew to quarters. The British, who were
within easy range, stopped their advance, and, fearing a destructive
broadside from the brig's guns, turned and fled precipitately. The
"Epervier" continued her course, and reached Savannah in safety on the
1st of May. The "Peacock" reached the same port four days later.

At the moment when t