Shortly after daybreak three ships were discovered ahead. The _President_ hauled her wind and passed two miles to the northward of them. As the morning mist disappeared, it was discovered that four ships were in chase--one on each quarter and two astern. The leading ship, from the height of her towering masts, was made out to be a razee. She commenced firing, but at such a distance that the shot fell short. At twelve the steady breeze which had been blowing became light and baffling. The _President_, despite her crippled condition, had left the large vessel far behind, but the next ship astern was proving herself a faster sailer, and was gradually gaining--creeping up with every puff of wind. The _President_ sat deep in the water, and plunged downward into the sea as if she had been waterlogged. Immediately all hands were occupied in lightening the ship, starting the water in the butts, cutting away the anchors, throwing overboard provisions, cables, spare boats, and every article to be gotten at, while the men aloft were hoisting buckets and keeping the sails wet from the royals down. At three o’clock the large ship, which had been joined by a brig, came up rapidly. It was the _Endymion_, mounting 50 guns, and she commenced to fire as she neared with her forward battery, while Decatur replied with his stern-chasers. Thus it continued for two hours, when the Englishman obtained a position on the starboard quarter at less than point-blank range, and maintained it so cleverly that neither the _President’s_ stern nor quarter guns would bear. For half an hour the vessels sailed on, firing occasional guns, and keeping back their broadsides, the Englishman wishing, no doubt, to capture the _President_ without crippling her, while Decatur hoped to be able to close, as he had had his boarders waiting for some time. It became evident, however, that the Englishman did not wish close quarters; and as it was growing dusk, Decatur made up his mind to alter his course farther to the south, for the purpose of bringing the enemy abeam. Meanwhile the ships astern were approaching, and would soon be within range. For two hours and a half longer the Englishman and the _President_ sailed side by side, and the action gave cause for some pretty writing and press controversy afterwards, as all unfinished international contests will. However, there is no question whatever that the _President_ during the running fight completely disabled her antagonist, and at last left her drifting round and round helplessly before eight o’clock had passed.