The cheers that followed shook the old ship from keel to topmast, nor
were the cheers for Lieutenant Hubbard any the less hearty.

A very few minutes after, we piled into a tug and steamed away. Little
was said, for there was a feeling of real regret: we were fond of the
old boat, after all.

"Patt," the gunner's mate; the marines, and the few men of the engineer
force who stayed on board, waved good-by.

We boarded a special train with the crew and officers of the "Nahant,"
and were soon speeding over the level country towards New York.

After a very fast trip we reached Jersey City, where we were fitted out
with rifles and belts, and were met by the band that was to lead us
through the city.

[Illustration: MARCHING THROUGH CITY HALL PARK, NEW YORK CITY]

The people of New York turned out to give us a rousing welcome.

It was a welcome we shall never forget--a welcome that made us forget
all hardships, all dangers. Whatever pride we may have had in our
achievements was drowned in that thunderous greeting; we were humbled,
for real heroes could hardly have deserved such a reception.

The Mayor stood in front of the City Hall and reviewed us, and later we
were reviewed by the President himself, at Madison Square.

As the head of the column turned down Twenty-sixth Street, heading to
our old receiving ship the "New Hampshire," the band struck up "Home,
Sweet Home." The men still marched with heads erect and eyes to the
front, but many of those eyes were dimmed with a moisture that almost
prevented their owners from seeing the long, homeward-bound pennant that
floated from the masthead of the old frigate.

As for the greeting given by mothers and sisters and relatives of every
degree and by friends assembled on the "New Hampshire," that is one
experience that cannot be described; it must be felt to be appreciated.
Suffice it that every member of the New York Naval Battalion felt amply
repaid for the hardships endured and the sacrifices made in the service
of Old Glory. And if the occasion should again arise for the calling out
of the Naval Reserves of the First New York Battalion, they, together
with their comrades, the Naval Reserve Battalions of other cities, will
cheerfully don their "clean whites" and respond to muster.

"Pipe down!"

APPENDIX.

THE NAVAL MILITIA OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Naval Militia is a volunteer organization made up of certain
patriotic citizens of the United States, who conce