However, in the afternoon the wind became light and baffling, and this was the weather for the _Endymion_. Decatur had done everything possible to lighten ship except throwing over his guns. Anchors, boats, spare spars, provisions, and water had all been thrown overboard, but in vain, and soon after 4 o’clock the _Endymion_ was firing her bow chasers and the _President_ her stern chasers with some effect. The _Endymion_, proving the swifter, was able to reach forward until on the _President’s_ quarter. There she could shoot the _President_ to pieces without receiving a shot in return, and for half an hour she held that position, while Decatur held on, hoping the _Endymion_ would range up for a close conflict. But no such move as that was in the mind of the Englishman. Captain Hope, who commanded her, was not guilty of the “uncircumspect gallantry” of which Sir Howard Douglas wrote so feelingly. So Decatur determined on a desperate move. Calling the crew aft, he addressed them, so it is said, as follows: “My lads, that ship is coming up with us. As our ship won’t sail we’ll go on board of theirs, every man and boy of us, and carry her into New York. All I ask of you is to follow me. This is a favorite ship of the country. If we allow her to be taken we shall be deserted by our wives and sweethearts. What! let such a ship as this go for nothing! ’Twould break the heart of every pretty girl in New York.” The crew responded with three cheers and ran to the braces. The _President_ came around on the other tack. But she did not get on board the _Endymion_, for her prudent captain tacked her as soon as he saw the sails of the _President_ lift. This is not to say that he was a coward; he merely was not “uncircumspect.” He was “wary” enough to hold the advantage his good ship gave him. [Illustration: _Despatch_ _Majestic_ _Endymion_ _Tenedos_ _President_ _Pomone_ The _President_ Engaging the _Endymion_, while Pursued by the British Squadron. _From a wood-cut in the “Naval Monument.”_] By dusk, however, Decatur found the _Endymion_ broad off to starboard, and a fierce cannonade followed at musket-range. The Americans fired rigging-cutting shot as well as round, and one of the chain-shot stripped the entire foresail from the _Endymion_. And as for the round shot, they played such havoc with masts and guns that the _Endymion_ was well-nigh wrecked, while her fire was entirely stopped. She was, in short, whipped. Decatur might now have exchanged ships with Captain Hope, without material difficulty, but that would now avail nothing because she was too badly crippled to escape the others. So he had to turn once more to fly.