The yo-ho and the cheer,—
Farewell, my love, for to the bay
I never more may steer."
—W. Allingham.
"I hear it reported," Samuel Childs remarked one night on watch, "that Captain Edward Preble is coming out in command of the Constitution. Looks like he'll have charge of the Mediterranean fleet. A hard man. A hot temper. He's as rough as the New Hampshire rocks where he was born. I doubt whether I'd want to serve under him!"
"The harder they come, the better I like them," said Reuben James. "A hard man means a hard fighter. I understand Stephen Decatur's coming out too. There's an officer for you! Hope I have a chance to serve under both!"
Samuel Child's idea of Captain Preble's disposition was held aboard all of our ships. Yet Preble changed this adverse comment to enthusiastic admiration. It happened in this way:
As his frigate was passing at night through the Straits of Gibraltar he met a strange ship and hailed her. The vessel made no reply, but manoeuvred to get into an advantageous position for firing.
"I hail you for the last time!" Preble shouted. "If you don't answer, I'll fire a shot into you."
"If you do, I'll return a broadside!" came from the strange ship.