Stewart might have fought at long range where the British carronades could not have reached him. But night was coming on, and, if he were to take both ships, there was no time to waste. “At five minutes past six,” he wrote, “ranged up on the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about three hundred yards distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships returning our fire with the greatest spirit for about fifteen minutes.” Stewart’s tactics have a lesson: When you are anxious to engage and night is approaching, do not try to get all the conditions in your favor. Take things as they are and fight in the most decisive manner. Otherwise you will never capture your _Cyane_ and _Levant_. Perhaps we have here a lesson for the battles of peace as well as those of war. After this first engagement smoke clouds obscured the range and fire ceased. But not for long, for now the _Constitution_ began a series of beautiful maneuvers—raking each enemy ship in turn. They separated and made off. Stewart hung close to the _Cyane_ and soon forced her to surrender. By eight o’clock she had been manned by a prize crew. Stewart started in search of the _Levant_. Captain Douglass of the _Levant_ had now repaired his damages. Instead of trying to escape, he sailed back to assist his comrade. But he was too late. At eight-thirty he ran into the _Constitution_. Attempts to escape proved futile and at ten the second prize was made. “At 1:00 A.M.,” Stewart reported, “the damages to our rigging had been repaired, sails shifted, and the ship in fighting condition.” The price of this double victory was only fifteen casualties. The _Cyane_ safely reached home. The _Levant_ was recaptured by a British squadron in a neutral port. The _Constitution_ received her last battle triumph in New York many months after peace had been signed. She had fought her last fight. But for many long years she served her country well by showing the flag in every part of the world. After that she trained many classes of midshipmen at the Naval Academy. Now her useful labors are ended but she serves a still more important purpose. For this old hulk, whose iron sides protected iron men, is an inspiration to every officer and man in the naval service—and to every American. [Illustration: _Courtesy U. S. Naval Academy_ _From an engraving by Sartain, after the original painting by Thomas Birch_ The Night Battle Between the U.S.S. _Constitution_ and H. M. Ships _Cyane_ AND _Levant_ On the left is the corvette _Cyane_, in the center the frigate _Constitution_, and on the right the sloop _Levant_. The _Constitution_ captured both vessels.] [Illustration: _From an engraving by Henry Meyer after the original painting by John W. Jarvis_ Stephen Decatur] EPILOGUE Scarce one tall frigate walks the sea Or skirts the safer shores Of all that bore to victory Our stout old Commodores.