"So he made all sail, as though in flight.
"The Englishman so understood it, and crowded on sail in pursuit.
"By noon the two ships were near enough for their flags to be visible.
"'Run up the ensign!' ordered Bainbridge.
"The colors were set, and answered by the Englishman.
"Bainbridge continued his retreat for another hour.
"Fast and yet faster flew the British war ship.
"It was something new for a Yankee to fly from an Englishman, and the latter enjoyed it.
"The order was obeyed, though the crew wondered at the reason for it.
"But when the _Constitution_ tacked toward the enemy a ringing cheer went up from the crew.
"The coastline of Brazil was below the horizon, and Bainbridge was confident he could prevent the enemy retreating.
"The drum beat to quarters, and quietly the veterans got to work to meet the foe.
"The _Java_, for such the enemy proved to be, hauled down her colors, leaving only a jack flying.
"This action puzzled Bainbridge, who ordered a shot to be fired, which should mean that the ensigns be raised again.
"This challenge was answered by a broadside.
"The battle was now on in dead earnest. The _Java_ was the better sailer, and both ships were well manned.
"It looked bad for the American, after an hour's fighting, for a round shot carried away her wheel, and the captain was wounded by a small copper bolt, which was driven into his thigh.
"For a few minutes it looked as though our boat was lost, for she would not answer to the rudder, her head fell off, and her sails flapped idly against the spars.
"Though suffering excruciating agony, Bainbridge directed every movement. Tackle was rigged upon the rudder-post between decks, and a crew of jackies worked the improvised helm.
"Then a new difficulty arose. The helmsmen were out of earshot of the quarterdeck.
"A young middy suggested the remedy, and a line of middies was formed from the quarterdeck to the sailors who were tugging at the steering apparatus."
"I would like to have been there," added Tempest.
"So would I," assented Harry Vernon. "It makes a man's blood run quicker when he hears of such things, and I can scarcely have patience to tell of the glorious deeds, I am so warm and excited.
"The gunners had not been idle; they kept continuously firing, and the _Java's_ jibboom and bowsprit were so shattered that, when the ships met, the mizzen-mast fell, crashing through forecastle and main deck, and killing several of the officers."
