A few minutes later, the Englishmen passed within hail of each other; soon after which they both hauled by the wind, with their heads to the northward, and shortened sail. It was evident they were clearing ship and intended to fight. As Old Ironsides was travelling towards them all this time, they soon fancied themselves in a state to weather on her, and both, at the same instant, set their main courses, and made all other sail in a taut-bowline. But it would not do; the good old craft was too much in earnest to be out-manoeuvered in this wise, but came down so fast that in a. few minutes they hauled up their courses again, and formed in line, the commanding ship, or the Levant, leading. At 6 P.M., Stewart let the enemy see the stars and stripes for the first time. On this hint the English set their own ensigns, and, five minutes later, Ironsides ranged up abeam of the Cyane, distant about a cable's length, passing ahead with her sails lifting until the three vessels lay about equi-distant from each other. In this masterly position the Constitution let fly her first broadside, receiving those of her enemies.

For about a quarter of an hour the firing was very warm and unremitted, but at the end of that time, the enemy grew less active in his cannonading. Stewart now ordered his people to stand fast and let the smoke rise from the surface of the water, in order to get a better view of the state of things to the leeward. In a very few minutes this was obtained, and it was found that the Levant lay directly under the frigate's lee, while the Cyane was luffing to cross her wake, if possible. Old Ironsides now let the ship abeam have all her guns, and then backed astern, as if plying in a tides-way, and compelled the Cyane to keep off to avoid being raked. As it was, she got it abeam. The Levant was not idle, but, in her turn, she now luffed and tried to tack, in order to cross the frigate's forefoot, but the busy old craft was too nimble for her. Filling every thing, Stewart shot ahead, forced the sloop of war to wear, under a raking broadside, in order to keep clear of him, and to run off to leeward to get out of the range of his shot. The Cyane, perceiving the state of things, wore ship, when the Constitution came round too, and so quick as to rake this adversary, as she came by the wind. The Englishman came up as high as he could and fired his broadside, but, finding Old Ironsides closing on his weather quarter, he hauled down his ensign. Hoffman immediately took possession of him. As soon as this was done, Stewart went to look for the Levant.

In running to leeward, Capt. Douglas had no intention of abandoning his consort. He had found his berth too warm, and very wisely got out of it, as fast as he could; but having repaired his most material damages, as well as he was able, he had hauled up to look for her.

He met the Constitution about nine, there having been an intermission in the combat, of some duration, in consequence of this separation. The Levant knew nothing of the fate of the Cyane, and her commander probably thought the Yankee was running away from her, when he thus met him. Each vessel brought the wind abeam, and they crossed each other, on opposite tacks, firing in passing. The Levant was satisfied this would never do, but up helm and tried to escape. Old Ironsides followed, firing her chase guns with great deliberation and effect. Captain Douglas soon saw that every shot struck him and raked him, and he came by the wind, and fired a gun to leeward, in token that he gave it up. Shubrick was sent to take possession.

This combat was remarkable for its brilliant manoeuvering. It is seldom that one vessel can fight two, at the same time, without being raked. This Stewart did, however, not only escaping from all the attempts of the enemy to get this advantage over him, but actually raking both of his adversaries, each in his turn. Taking the evolutions all together, it would not be easy to find an action in which a ship was better handled. Nor did the enemy neglect his duty.