The _Constitution_ must have been a picture to stir the heart and kindle the imagination, her black hull heeling to the pressure of the tall canvas, the long rows of guns frowning from the open ports, while her bunting rippled a glorious defiance, with a commodore's pennant at the mainmast-head, the Stars and Stripes streaming from the mizzen peak and main-topgallant mast, and a Union Jack at the fore.

The _Java_ was adorned as bravely, and Captain Lambert had lashed an ensign in the rigging on the chance that his other colors might be shot away.
The two ships began the fray at what they called long range, which would be about a mile, and then swept onward to pass on opposite tacks.

It was the favorite maneuver of trying to gain the weather gage, and while they were edging to windward a round shot smashed the wheel of the _Constitution_ which so hampered her for the moment that Captain Lambert, handsomely taking advantage of the mishap, let the _Java_ run past his enemy's stern and poured in a broadside which hit several of the American seamen.

Both commanders displayed, in a high degree, the art of handling ships under sail as they luffed or wore and tenaciously jockeyed for position, while the gunners fought in the smoke that drifted between the frigates.
At length Captain Lambert became convinced that he had met his master at this agile style of warfare and determined to come to close quarters before the _Java_ was fatally damaged.

Her masts and yards were crashing to the deck and the slaughter among the crew was already appalling.
Marines and seamen gathered in the gangways and upon the forecastle head to spring aboard the _Constitution_, but Captain Bainbridge drove his ship clear very shortly after the collision and continued to pound the _Java_ to kindling-wood with his broadsides.