le ship with her prisoners. She had, indeed,
come at a time when the public mind required cheering; for from the
interior came the reports of British successes by land, along the
Canadian frontier about Detroit, and for weeks the papers had been
unable to record any success for the American arms. But the report of
the engagement with the "Guerriere" changed wholly the tide of popular
feeling. Boston--the city which at the declaration of war had hung its
flags at half-mast, in token of mourning and humiliation--Boston
welcomed the conquerors with an ovation like to a triumph in the days
of imperial Rome.

When the ship came up the harbor, she was met and surrounded by a
great flotilla of gayly decorated boats; while the flags on the
surrounding vessels were dipped in salutation as the war-scarred
veteran made her stately way to the wharf. Here a volunteer artillery
company was assembled; and, as the ship came up, they fired a national
salute, which was returned from the guns so lately employed in
defending the national honor. Quarters had been prepared for Capt.
Hull in the city; and, as he landed, he found the streets through
which he must pass decked with bright bunting, and crowded with
people. His progress was accompanied by a great wave of cheers; for,
as the people saw him coming, they set up a shout, which was not ended
until he had passed from sight. At night came a grand banquet to the
officers of the ship, at which six hundred sat down to the feast. The
freedom of the city was presented to the captain; and at a later date
came the news of sword presentations from citizens of New York, plate
from the people of Philadelphia, and gold medals from Congress. Amid
all the exultation, the rash arrogance of the British writers was not
forgotten; and many a bumper was emptied to the success of the frigate
described by British journalists as "a bunch of pine boards under a
bit of striped bunting."

CHAPTER V.

AN INTERNATIONAL DEBATE. -- THE "WASP" AND THE "FROLIC." --
THE "UNITED STATES" AND THE "MACEDONIAN." -- OVATIONS TO THE
VICTORS.

The rejoicing over the success of the "Constitution" had not died away
in the United States when the English newspapers began to appear with
elaborate articles, showing just why the battle had terminated as it
did. "The 'Constitution' is the crack frigate of the American navy,"
cried the apologists; but to this the Americans retorted by quoting
the British d