“Yes,” returned the captain; “he shared in the honors of the victory. The Legislature of Pennsylvania voted him a sword, and leading citizens of Philadelphia presented him with a silver urn appropriately ornamented and inscribed.”
The captain paused—there was a moment’s silence.
“That was a very nice story, papa; thank you for telling it,” said Elsie.
“Yes, we are all obliged for it, uncle,” said Eric.
“And perhaps would like another one?” returned the captain inquiringly, and glancing around upon them with his pleasant smile.
He was answered with a chorus of expressions of the great pleasure they would all take in listening to another story of naval doings. So he began.
“Just a week after the Wasp had won her victory a still more important one was gained. In the middle of October, 1812, Commodore Rodgers sailed from Boston on a second cruise. His flagship was the President, forty-four guns, accompanied by the United States, forty-four, Captain Stephen Decatur, and Argus, sixteen, Lieutenant-commanding St. Clair. These vessels soon separated, the United States sailing southward and eastward, hoping to intercept British West India-men.
“At dawn on Sunday morning (October 23), near the Island of Madeira, the watch at the main-top discovered a sail. There was a stiff breeze and heavy sea at the time. The vessel was an English man-of-war under a heavy press of sail, and Decatur resolved to overtake and fight her.
“His vessel was a good sailer, and gained rapidly on the one she was pursuing. Her officers and men were full of enthusiasm, and as their ship drew near the British vessel they sent up shouts from their deck that were heard on board the vessel they were pursuing; that was before they were near enough to bring guns to bear upon each other.