steering to the S.W. with a light breeze from the eastward, discovered, about 2 points on her larboard bow, and immediately hauled up for, the Cyane, Captain Gordon Thomas Falcon., standing close hauled on the starboard tack, and about 10 miles to windward of her consort. At 1-45, the Constitution got sight of the Levant, then right ahead of her. At 4-0, having stood on to ascertain the character of the stranger, the Cyane made the private signal; and, finding it not answered, bore up for the Levant, with the signal flying for an enemy. The Constitution immediately made all sail in chase, and, at 5-0, commenced firing her larboard bow guns, but ceased soon afterwards, finding her shot fall short. At 5-30, the Cyane having arrived within hail of the Levant, Captain Douglas expressed to Captain Falcon his resolution to engage the enemy’s ship (known from previous information to be the Constitution), notwithstanding her superior force, in the hope, by disabling her, to save two valuable convoys, that had sailed from Gibraltar, a few days previous, in company with the Levant and Cyane.
At 5-45, the British ships made all sail upon a wind, and tried for the weather-gage. At 5-55, finding they could not accomplish their object, they both bore up, in order to delay the commencement of the action until night. The superior sailing of the Constitution defeating that plan also, they then hauled to the wind on the starboard tack, at the distance of less than 200 yards ahead and astern of each other. At 6-5, the Constitution, then about three quarters of a mile to windward, opened her larboard broadside upon the Cyane. Captain Falcon promptly returned the fire; but his shot fell short, while the enemy’s long 24-pounders were producing their full effect. At 6-20, the Constitution ranged ahead, and became engaged in the same manner with the Levant. Captain Falcon now luffed up for the larboard quarter of the frigate; whereupon the latter, backing astern, was enabled to pour into the Cyane her whole broadside.
Meanwhile Captain Douglas bore up, intending to wear round and assist his brother officer. Seeing this, the American filled, shot ahead, and gave the Levant two raking broadsides. Captain Falcon, although without a brace or bowline,
