Bells were rung, cannon fired, bonfires lit, and the people went almost crazy.
The name of the Holland XI. was on every lip, and everybody spoke of her young inventor and commander, Oscar Pelham.
"A wonderful young man," said President Adams. "He will assuredly make his mark in the world, indeed he has already done so."
He telegraphed his congratulations to the fleet at large and sent an extra message of thanks to Oscar, which pleased all on board of the submarine ship very much.
Yet the President was very sad.
He could not forget that his daughter, his only child, was in the hands of the enemy.
The shock had been severe upon Mrs. Adams and she was now sick in bed and not likely to get up for a long time to come.
It must not be supposed that the strain of the great naval contest had not told upon the Holland.
Her machinery had been taxed to the utmost and needed overhauling, and several of her plates had to be re-riveted. Besides this, she needed another supply of ammunition.
She accordingly put back to Boston and to the Charlestown Navy Yard, where the repairs were made with all possible speed.