On the Ocean 119 



tenant Charles Morris suggested to Hull to try kedg- 

 ing. All the spare rope was bent on to the cables, 

 paid out into the cutters, and a kedge run out half 

 a mile ahead and let go; then the crew clapped on 

 and walked away with the ship, overrunning and 

 tripping the kedge as she came up with the end of 

 the line. Meanwhile, fresh lines and another kedge 

 were carried ahead, and the frigate glided away 

 from her pursuers. At 7.30 A.M. a little breeze 

 sprang up, when the Constitution set her ensign and 

 fired a shot at the Shannon. It soon fell calm again 

 and the Shannon neared. At 9.10 a light air from 

 the southward struck the ship, bringing her to wind 

 ward. As the breeze was seen coming, her sails 

 were trimmed, and as soon as she obeyed her helm 

 she was brought close up on the port tack. The 

 boats dropped alongside ; those that belonged to the 

 davits were run up, while the others were just lifted 

 clear of the water, by purchases on the spare spars, 

 stowed outboard, where they could be used again at 

 a minute's notice. Meanwhile, on her lee beam the 

 Guerridre opened fire; but her shot fell short, and 

 the Americans paid not the slightest heed to it. 

 Soon it again fell calm, when Hull had 2,000 gal 

 lons of water started, and again put out his boats 

 to tow. The Shannon, with some of the other 

 boats of the squadron helping her, gained on the 

 Constitution, but by severe exertion was again left 

 behind. Shortly afterward, a slight wind springing 

 up, the Belvidera gained on the other British ships, 

 and when it fell calm she was nearer to the Con- 



