122 Naval War of 1812 



and tended with the most consummate skill. At 4 

 P.M. the breeze again lightened, but even the Belvi- 

 dera was now four miles astern and to leeward. At 

 6.45 there were indications of a heavy rain squall, 

 which once more permitted Hull to show that in sea 

 manship he excelled even the able captains against 

 whom he was pitted. The crew were stationed and 

 everything kept fast till the last minute, when all 

 was clewed up just before the squall struck the ship. 

 The light canvas was furled, a second reef taken in 

 the mizzen topsail, and the ship almost instantly 

 brought under short sail. The British vessels see 

 ing this began to let go and haul down without 

 waiting for the wind, and were steering on different 

 tacks when the first gust struck them. But Hull as 

 soon as he got the weight of the wind sheeted home, 

 hoisted his fore and maintop gallant sails, and went 

 off on an easy bowline at the rate of n knots. At 

 7 .40 sight was again obtained of the enemy, the 

 squall having passed to leeward; the Belvidera, the 

 nearest vessel, had altered her bearings two points 

 to leeward, and was a long way astern. Next came 

 the Shannon; the Guerriere and &olus were hull 

 down, and the Africa barely visible. The wind now 

 kept light, shifting occasionally in a very baffling 

 manner, but the Constitution gained steadily, wet 

 ting her sails from the sky-sails to the courses. At 

 6 A.M. on the morning of the 2Oth the pursuers were 

 almost out of sight; and at 8.15 A.M. they aban 

 doned the chase. Hull at once stopped to investi 

 gate the character of two strange vessels, but found 



