The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-27

the moonlight was so bright that the
sea was radiant. Then the moon would
go behind a cloud and there would be
comparative darkness. There was a
fair breeze. and the ships were easy
to handle.
The three warships formed triangle
which ordinarily would seem to favor
the two attacking ships, but Stewart
worked port and starboard batteries
alternately. giving the Levant broad
side and then the Cyane another, and
swinging the Constitution about SO
that neither OF the British vessels was
able to rake him. The Leyant sur
fered so severely in the first part OF
the battle that she was compelled to
draw away. "a
This enabled stewart to concentrate
his fire on the Cyane. He smothered
her with broadsides until she sur.
rendered Putting a prize crew aboard
the Cyane. he went in pursuit Of the
Levant. She had repaired damage,
and had CALAMITY returned to the
combat. but it was no use. Unable to
Withstand the fire of the Constitution.
went in pursuit, and at 10 P. NJ. she
gave up.
On the Constitution there were
three killed and twelve wounHad. On
the British ships there were nineteen
killed and forty-two wounded.
"Lct Us Fight 1t Over"
In the cabin of the Constitution the
captains of the Levant and the Cyane
Were bitter in reproducing each other
for; the defeat One thought the other
was at fault, and declared that VIC
tory would have been theirs had they
supported each other properly. Tho.
two men quarreled suntil{it seemed they
would come to blows
stewart sat and listened to them
until he got tired. Then he said: "Gen-
tlemen. cease this pickering. II you
wish I'll put the two OF you back on
your ships and We'll fight the battle
over again."
They looked at stewart So far as
they could discover he was serious In
his offer. They ceased reproaching
each other and began to wonder what
sort Of individual this was they had
been fighting,
Stewart took the Levant and Cyane
reached there a. British squadron ar
rived off the harbor. There was light
fog, and some OF the British prisoners
Were the first to discover the squad
ron. They tried to keep the fact from
the Americans. but one Of the British
1nidshlpm ems indiscreet remark was
/ heard by a lieutenant Of the Constitu-
ton, and word was sent at once to
Stewart. The captain was shaving.
Beat to quarters and make ready
|! to so out and attack" said the cap
tain, continuing his shaving.
The order was obeyed. Then the
lieutenant discovered two more ships
approaching. lie ran to the captains
lBcabin. a
"Cut the cables and signal theprizes
Ito doth same and follow us out,"stle
captain ordered Flo finished shaving,
lSgotinto his uniform and went on d eek.
So admirable was the discipline Of tho
Constitution that within fourteen min
utes Of the thine or sighting the first
ship the Constitution, under full sail,
was standing out Of the roads ready
4 to fight or rum # s
f X The Escape.
Tho Constitution and her prizes
/ passed within gunshot Of the British
squadron, which was made up OF the
Acasta, the Leander and the Newcas-
1 Tia. each OF which was abouta match
for the Constitution. The identity OF
! the Americans was disclosed to those
Son the incoming warships by some OF
| the British prisoners VINO i nag been
| landed by Stewart ana VINO nae
manned battery on shore a n op e 9
| fire on stewards vessels as they pas i4 ed
out, n .
| Stewart. menaced by three 2 ea q
| frigates, signaled the Cyane and l.e'
want to take different courses SO Ia. L. II, ,t
force the British to divide Iu ssI,
| for him the Acasta, the fastest 9 IS lne
British ships, and then he other Two N'
| British ers. went In pursuit Of the lac.
want, which, they though because 9
her false ports.4 was IL heavy fri gate e
1 Tho Levant put about and returned % !.
Porto Praya, where the 3 itishs quad va
ron opened fire on her. " hen me y
/ discovered she was5the I4eyant ana not
4 "a big American frigate they We're d q q
4 Ehstod. Meanwhile the Constit tuition
\ and the sCyanN Mero on a thelr az