When Captain Hull landed he found the city decked with bunting, and the streets crowded with people.
In front of Faneuil Hall was a large white banner, on which the words had been hastily painted:
"The Constitution, a bunch of pine boards under a bit of striped bunting."
The paint was not dry; how could it be?
It ran over the white canvas; but, blurred as it was, it did its work.
With all the enthusiasm, Captain Hull was still the calm naval officer, not spoiled by praise or injured by flattery.
The mayor had given orders for a grand banquet to be prepared to be given the officers of the ship.
Six hundred sat down, and the first toast, after that of the President, was to the "Bunch of pine boards under a bit of striped bunting."
At the banquet, trying to escape unnoticed, was Captain Harry Vernon, of the Lively Bee, privateer.
He wondered whether the people would hail him with the same joy as they did Captain Hull, were he to return a victor.