Having sunk the _Peacock_, and cared for her crew, Captain Lawrence set to work to fit his ship for another fight. The _Espiègle_ was in plain view during the action, being but six miles away, and it was natural to look for her. By 9 o’clock the _Hornet_ was ready for her, but she did not come. The _Hornet’s_ crew had for some time been on a short allowance of water. With the prisoners from the _Peacock_ (112), the prize crew of the American ship _Hunter_ which the _Peacock_ had captured (11), the crew of the British brig _Resolution_ (16), and the _Hornet’s_ own crew (138 including eight sick in bed), there were 277 men on the _Hornet_. These figures are worth quoting for the reason that the British historians, including Allen (revised edition printed in 1890) say that the _Hornet_ had a crew of 163. [Illustration: Medal Awarded to James Lawrence, after the Capture of the _Peacock_ by the _Hornet_.] On the morning of February 25, 1813, Captain Lawrence put all hands on a half-ration of water and squared away for home. He reached Martha’s Vineyard on March 19th, and sailed thence to New York, through the Sound. He was received with the enthusiasm that had been accorded to Hull, Decatur, and Bainbridge, and later a gold medal was voted by the Congress to his nearest male relative, and silver medals to the officers who had fought under him. Meantime, he was promoted to the command of the _Chesapeake_, a most unfortunate promotion, for it cost him his life. CHAPTER X LOSS OF LAWRENCE AND THE _CHESAPEAKE_ THE YANKEES HAD WON SO OFTEN THAT THEY WERE UNDERESTIMATING THE ENEMY AND WERE OVERCONFIDENT IN THEMSELVES--A MIXED CREW, NEWLY SHIPPED, UNTRAINED AND MUTINOUS, TEN PER CENT OF THEM BEING BRITISH--THE RESULT WAS NATURAL AND INEVITABLE--CHIVALRY A PLENTY; COMMON-SENSE WANTING--THE “SHANNONS” WERE TRAINED LIKE YANKEES--A FIERCE CONFLICT--SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JOY OF THE BRITISH OVER THE _SHANNON’S_ VICTORY. Now coil up your nonsense ’bout England’s great Navy, And take in your slack about oak-hearted Tars, For frigates as stout, and as gallant crews have we, Or how came her _Macedon_ decked with our Stars? Yes--how came her _Guerrière_, her _Peacock_ and _Java_, All sent broken-ribb’d to Old Davy of late? How came it? Why, split me! than Britons we’re braver, And that they shall feel too whenever we meet.