If the American people had acquired a taste for blood, the battle of the “Wasp” and “Frolic” gratified it, for the British sloop was desperately defended, and the battle, won by the better marksmanship of the Americans, was unusually bloody. Captain Jones lost the full satisfaction of his victory, for a few hours afterward the “Poictiers,” a British seventy-four, came upon the two disabled combatants and carried both into Bermuda; but the American people would have been glad to part with their whole navy on such terms, and the fight between the “Wasp” and the “Frolic” roused popular enthusiasm to a point where no honors seemed to satisfy their gratitude to Captain Jones and his crew. The “Wasp’s” brilliant career closed within a week from the day she left the Delaware. A week afterward another of these ship-duels occurred, which made a still deeper impression. Rodgers and Decatur sailed from Boston October 8, with the “President,” the “United States,” “Congress,” and “Argus,” leaving the “Constitution,” “Chesapeake,” and “Hornet” in port. Rodgers in the “President,” with the “Congress,” cruised far and wide, but could find no enemy to fight, and after making prize of a few merchantmen returned to Boston, December 31. The “Argus” also made some valuable prizes, but was chased by a British squadron, and only by excellent management escaped capture, returning Jan. 3, 1813, to New York. Decatur in the “United States,” separating from the squadron October 12, sailed eastward to the neighborhood of the Azores, until, October 25, he sighted a sail to windward. The stranger made chase. The wind was fresh from south-southeast, with a heavy sea. Decatur stood toward his enemy, who presently came about, abreast of the “United States” but beyond gunshot, and both ships being then on the same tack approached each other until the action began at long range. The British ship was the 38-gun frigate “Macedonian” commanded by Captain Carden, and about the same force as the “Guerriere.” At first the “United States” used only her long 24-pounders, of which she carried fifteen on her broadside, while the “Macedonian” worked a broadside of fourteen long 18-pounders. So unequal a contest could not continue. Not only was the American metal heavier, but the American fire was quicker and better directed than that of the Englishman; so that Carden, after a few minutes of this experience, bore down to close. His manœuvre made matters worse. The carronades of the “United States” came into play; the “Macedonian’s” mizzen-mast fell, her fore and main top-mast were shot away, and her main-yard; almost all her rigging was cut to pieces, and most of the guns on her engaged side were dismounted. She dropped gradually to leeward, and Decatur, tacking and coming up under his enemy’s stern, hailed, and received her surrender.