Middie Eagle reported to the captain, and his praise of Dacres was just and generous.
"Dang me, captain!" he exclaimed in an off-hand manner, almost forgetting that he was addressing his superior officer, "dang me, but the English captain ordered the men about as though they were English, and the boys obeyed. Only think, a few hours ago we were trying to blow Dacres into kingdom come, and now we are obeying his commands."
Captain Hull grasped the Englishman's hand with a vigorous grip.
"Thank you, Captain Dacres. If all Englishmen were like you, there would be no need of war, and you would help us sing 'Yankee Doodle,' while we would join in singing 'God Save the King.'"
"That is how it ought to be, Captain Hull, and God grant it may come soon. We are one people, even if we do run on different routes."
"Ay, ay, there is room for us both, and some day we shall join hands as brothers."
While the two captains were talking, the men on deck were rolling Tempest over a barrel to eject the water.
The young man was strong and healthy, and was not fated to be drowned that time.
A good stiff glass of grog seemed to revive him wonderfully, and after a sleep he awoke just as the good ship Constitution, all decked out with bunting, was entering Boston harbor.
The bells of King's Chapel and the Old South Church were ringing out merrily, and crowds were gathered on the wharves.