Chapter 64

MAN-OF-WAR TROPHIES.

When the second cutter pulled about among the ships, dropping the
surgeons aboard the American men-of-war here and there--as a
pilot-boat distributes her pilots at the mouth of the harbour--
she passed several foreign frigates, two of which, an Englishman
and a Frenchman, had excited not a little remark on board the
Neversink. These vessels often loosed their sails and exercised
yards simultaneously with ourselves, as if desirous of comparing
the respective efficiency of the crews.

When we were nearly ready for sea, the English frigate, weighing
her anchor, made all sail with the sea-breeze, and began showing
off her paces by gliding about among all the men-of-war in
harbour, and particularly by running down under the Neversink's
stern. Every time she drew near, we complimented her by lowering
our ensign a little, and invariably she courteously returned the
salute. She was inviting us to a sailing-match; and it was
rumoured that, when we should leave the bay, our Captain would
have no objections to gratify her; for, be it known, the
Neversink was accounted the fleetest keeled craft sailing under
the American long-pennant. Perhaps this was the reason why the
stranger challenged us.

It may have been that a portion of our crew were the more anxious
to race with this frigate, from a little circumstance which a few
of them deemed rather galling. Not many cables'-length distant
from our Commodore's cabin lay the frigate President, with the
red cross of St. George flying from her peak. As its name
imported, this fine craft was an American born; but having been
captured during the last war with Britain, she now sailed the
salt seas as a trophy.

Think of it, my gallant countrymen, one and all, down the sea-
coast and along the endless banks of the Ohio and Columbia--think
of the twinges we sea-patriots must have felt to behold the live-
oak of the Floridas and the pines of green Maine built into the
oaken walls of Old England! But, to some of the sailors, there
was a counterbalancing thought, as grateful as the other was
galling, and that was, that somewhere, sailing under the stars
and stripes, was the frigate Macedonian, a British-born craft
which had once sported the battle-banner of Britain.

It has ever been the custom to spend almost any amount of money
in repairing a captured vessel, in order that she may long
survive to commemorate the heroism of the conqueror. Thus, in the
English Navy, there are many Monsieurs of seventy-fours won from
the Gaul. But we Americans can show but few similar trophies,
though, no doubt, we would much like to be able so to do.

But I never have beheld any of thee floating trophies without
being reminded