CONTENTS.

Chapter Page
I. The Beginnings of the Navy.[11]
II. Biddle and the "Randolph."[28]
III. War on the Enemy's Coast.[35]
IV. Paul Jones's Cruises.[42]
V. Barry and Barney.[60]
VI. Hostilities with France.[85]
VII. Tripoli.[104]
VIII. Impressment.[150]
IX. The War of 1812.—The "Constitution" and the "Guerrière."[157]
X. The First Sloop Action.[177]
XI. Decatur and Bainbridge.[183]
XII. Captain James Lawrence.[196]
XIII. The Cruise of the "Essex."[210]
XIV. Perry and Lake Erie.[246]
XV. The Sloop Actions.[263]
XVI. Macdonough and Lake Champlain.[280]
XVII. Stewart and "Old Ironsides."[292]
XVIII. The War with Algiers.[307]
XIX. The War with Mexico.[318]


ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page
Brig, head on[Titlepage]
"The cutlass breaks at the hilt."[Frontispiece]
"Bold and hardy men who had followed the sea since they
were boys."[16]
"He sent Colonel Glover and Mr. Palfrey in hot haste to
raise the minute-men."[21]
Nicholas Biddle.[30]
He touched at a small town in Ireland for supplies.[40]
The "Drake" surrenders to the "Ranger."[47]
"The sloop was swallowed up in the seething waters."[73]
Heaving the lead on board the frigate.[81]
"Everywhere the ship-yards were busy."[91]
David Porter.[95]
"It was twilight before he came up with her."[99]
Thomas Truxtun,—from medal voted by Congress.[102]
"Crowding on the rail with their scimitars."[109]
Commodore Edward Preble.[114]
"He cut away the anchors, ... but still the ship hung fast."[117]
"The lights could be seen glittering in the houses."[127]
"The 'Philadelphia' lights them on their way."[131]
Stephen Decatur.[135]
"Among these was one sixty-four, the 'Africa.'"[161]
"A squall of wind and rain passed over us."[167]
Captain Isaac Hull.[171]
"She lay a helpless wreck in the trough of the sea."[173]
"Jack Lang, a brave American blue-jacket, leaped first."[179]
"The ships were steering to the eastward on parallel courses."[189]
James Lawrence.[197]
"Along the shore, upon every hill-top and headland, people
had gathered."[203]
"When the 'Essex' arrived off the island she lay to."[213]
Approaching the Galapagos Islands.[222]
"'We surrender,' and down came the flag."[225]
"Mostly carronades."[239]
"A squall struck her and carried away her main-topmast."[241]
Oliver Hazard Perry.[247]
"A single gun boomed from Barclay's ship."[255]
"Calling away his boat, he rowed under the enemy's fire."[259]
"The 'Pelican' was guided to her by the smoke of the burning
merchantmen."[265]
Captain Lewis Warrington.[270]
"One round shot entered her aftermost port."[277]
"On the stocks, and nearly finished, the fine frigate 'Confiance.'"[283]
Captain Charles Stewart.[296]
"Accompanied by Abdallah the dragoman, I left the canal."[313]


THE BOYS OF 1812,
AND
OTHER NAVAL HEROES.


CHAPTER I.