Sukey had a terrible story to tell of captivity and service on the _Macedonian_, which we reserve for the next chapter. CHAPTER XVI. ON WATER. The English navy was the pride of that great nation in 1812, as it is now. When war with the United States was discussed, the idea that America without a navy, and with but few if any trained naval officers could cope with England, caused the Briton to smile; but a great surprise was in store. The first American victories were on the high seas. Tradition, discipline, ships and training seemed all of no avail. While the English were carrying everything on land, where it was supposed they were weakest, they were losing everything on water, where thought to be strongest. Everybody was surprised. They supposed the first three or four American victories were accidents; but as success after success continued to follow the American arms at sea, they were dumfounded. England's boasted navy had lost its power. The first naval engagement of any consequence was on August 19, 1812. Captain Hull of the United States frigate _Constitution_ captured an English frigate, _The Guerriere_, after a hard fought battle. _The Guerriere_ had made herself very obnoxious in her way of challenging American vessels. In this engagement she lost seventy-nine killed and wounded, while the _Constitution_ lost but thirteen. There were ten impressed Americans on _The Guerriere_. On the 7th of September, the United States frigate _Essex_ captured the _Alert_ in a fight of eight minutes. The American sloop-of-war _Wasp_, on the 18th of October, encountered the British sloop-of-war _Frolic_, a much larger and stronger ship. The fight was terrible, and only three officers and one seaman on the _Frolic_ remained unhurt; almost a hundred were killed and wounded, while the Americans lost but ten. The _Wasp_ did not long enjoy her triumph, however. On that same evening the British man-of-war _Poicters_, Captain Beresford, captured the _Wasp_ and her prize. The phrase "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," borne on the banner at the masthead of the _Essex_, soon became the war-cry of the American seaman. The 25th of October, 1812, one week after the victory and loss of the gallant _Wasp_, dawned bright and clear on the English frigate _Macedonian_ sailing westward of Canary Islands. Little change had come to the _Macedonian_ since Fernando Stevens had been transferred from her to the sloop. At this time there were but three impressed Americans on the _Macedonian_, Sukey, a negro sailor called Tawney and a man named Rogers. Notwithstanding their difference in race and social standing, Sukey and Tawney were attached to each other. Both were Americans, and both loved the star-spangled banner.