The battle occurred in the early hours of evening.
Upon sending an officer to take possession, it was found that the captured vessel was the English 32-gun frigate _Cyane_.

It took an hour to transfer and secure the prisoners, when the _Constitution_ started after the other ship, which was some distance away, engaged in repairing her rigging.

Seeing the American approaching, and not knowing what fate had befallen her consort, the Englishman gallantly bore down to meet his formidable enemy.

The two vessels passed each other and exchanged broadsides, but with another display of masterly seamanship Stewart, before the other was aware of her danger, crossed her wake and raked her.
This startling experience convinced the Englishman that he had met his master and he crowded on all sail in the desperate effort to escape.

The _Constitution_ was immediately after her, and by ten o'clock secured a position from which to deliver another of her terrible broadsides, seeing which the enemy surrendered.