Supposing the British would Sweep the American Navy from the Seas during the War of 1812, the Dey of Algiers went Cruising for Yankee Ships, and Got One, while Tunis and Tripoli Gave up to the British the Prizes that a Yankee Privateer had Made--The Algerian was Humbled After he had Lost Two War-ships, and the others Made Peace on the Yankees’ Terms without the Firing of a Gun--Bravery of the Pirate Admiral and his Crew. CHAPTER XVII. LED A HARD LIFE AND GOT FEW THANKS 359 Work that Naval Men have had to Do in Out-of-the-way Parts of the World in Times of Peace--Chasing Slavers on the African Coast when Slave-owners Ruled the Yankee Nation--The American Flag a Shield for an Infamous Traffic--Capture of the _Martha_ and the _Chatsworth_--Teaching Malayans to Fear the Flag--Stories of Piratical Assaults on Yankee Traders, and the Navy’s Part in the Matter--A Chinese Assault on the American Flag--“Blood is Thicker than Water”--A Medal Well Earned by a Warlike Display in Time of Peace. CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO 387 Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, the Hero of Lake Borgne, Struck the First Blow of the War--Operations along the Pacific Coast that Insured the Acquisition of California--Stockton and “Pathfinder” Frémont Operate Together--Wild Horses as Weapons of Offence--The _Somers_ Overturned while Chasing a Blockade Runner--Josiah Tattnall Before Vera Cruz--When Santa Anna Landed--The Yankee Sailors in a Shore Battery--The Hard Fate of One of the Bravest American Officers. CHAPTER XIX. EXPEDITION IN AID OF COMMERCE 434 Commodore Matthew C. Perry and the First American Treaty with Japan--An Exhibition of Power and Dignity that Won the Respect of a Nation that had been Justified in its Contempt for Civilized Greed--Services of Naval Officers that are not Well Known and have never been Fully Appreciated by the Nation. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE CHASING A SLAVER OFF THE AFRICAN COAST. (From a photograph, in the possession of Mr. Edward Trenchard, of the painting by Melbye), _Frontispiece_. MAP SHOWING CAPTAIN PORTER’S CRUISE IN THE PACIFIC, 1813, 5 JOHN DOWNES. (From an oil-painting at the Naval Academy, Annapolis), 11 THE _ESSEX_ AND HER PRIZES AT NUKAHIVA IN THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS. (From an engraving by Strickland of a drawing by Captain Porter), 17 MAP OF THE HARBOR IN WHICH THE _ESSEX_ AND HER PRIZES LAY. (After a drawing by Captain Porter), 20 A MARQUESAN WAR-CANOE. (From an engraving by Strickland of a drawing by Captain Porter), 22