d before the captain.

"Well, Jack," said the great man, "we did take her, after all."

"Yes, your Honor," responded Jack. "I knew we would, before we gave
her the first broadside."

"And your share of the prize-money," continued Decatur, "may amount to
two hundred dollars, if we get her safe into port. Now, what are you
going to do with so much money?"

Jack's eyes had lighted up at the thought of such great wealth.

"Please, sir," he cried, "I'll send half of it to my mother; and the
rest will get me a bit of schooling."

"Well said, Jack," said Decatur warmly; and the interview closed for
the time. But the captain's interest in the boy was aroused, and for
years he showed an almost fatherly regard for the lad. Jack had his
"bit of schooling," then received a midshipman's warrant, and for
years served with Decatur, giving promise of becoming an able officer.
At last, however, his career was ended by the accidental upsetting of
a boat when on a pleasure excursion in the Mediterranean.

After putting in for a short time at New London, the two ships, captor
and captive, proceeded down the Sound to New York. Here they arrived
on the 1st of January, 1813; and the news-writers of the day
straightway hailed the "Macedonian" as "a New Year's gift, with the
compliments of old Neptune." However, the news of the victory had
spread throughout the land before the ships came up to New York; for
Decatur had sent out a courier from New London to bear the tidings to
Washington. A curious coincidence made the delivery of the despatch as
impressive as a studied dramatic scene.

It so happened that the people of Washington had chosen the night of
Dec. 28 for a grand ball, to be tendered to the officers of the navy,
and particularly to Capt. Stewart of the "Constellation." A brilliant
company was gathered, in honor of the occasion. The Secretary of the
Navy, and other cabinet officers, lent their presence to the
festivities. Capt. Hull of the victorious "Constitution" was present;
and, to make the affair even more of a triumph, the captured colors of
the "Alert" and the "Guerriere" were draped on the wall of the hall.
Near midnight, the revelry was at its height. The brilliant toilets of
the ladies; the men, gorgeous in the uniforms of the army, navy, or
diplomatic corps; the light of a thousand wax-candles flashing from a
myriad of sconces,--made the scene one of the utmost splendor. All at
once, in the midst or the stately meas