"What name does she bear?" asked Tempest.
"The United States," came the answer after a few minutes.
"How strange! What will Bertha say?" thought Tempest, for the United States frigate was commanded by her uncle, Captain Decatur.
On board the United States everything was being put in order for a naval battle.
Decatur called his officers together.
"Gentlemen, we have to fight this Sabbath morning instead of worshiping. I want you to tell all your men that the conflict will be severe; but that the flag of my country on the ship I command shall never leave the staff on which it waves as long as there is a hull to support it."
The officers saluted as became men of their rank, but one middy was far too excited to merely salute.
He threw up his cap and shouted:
"Hurrah for Captain Decatur!"
Thus challenged, the officers responded, and never did men give more hearty cheers than those officers of the U. S. frigate United States.