The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-21
In the LDasp's Nest
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY.
Copyright 1902. by Charles scribner's sons.o.
CHAPTER Xxx.
old Friends Are Met Together.

pointed to superintend the reftng frigate
Macedonian, which Decatur had captured from the &
British in our old friend the After she
had been thoroly overhaued placed in COM
nand of her and under the command of Commodore
Decatur flying his broad pennant his now IA
frgate. the two ships with the -of-War Hof
net, sailed cruise
Boston and Chief Boatswains Mate Jack Lang. They
succeeded in rounding up Billy Bovine as WE'LL and
that young the dashng captain of the
foretop.
The three ships scarcely cleared the land, how
ever. when they driven back to New London by
British Ships the line, seventy-fours, and
heavy frgate There with the exception of the Hornet
which managed to slip away, they We're pockaded Tor
the rest the war, and altho Commodore Decatur
promptly challenged the bockaders and offered to fight
any frgates equal with the United States
and Macedonian his challenge was never accepted on
pretext another and the American ships had to
bide quietly within the hafbor.
It very vexing to officers and to be forced
keep inactive while their comrades
the best thing from one point OF view that could nave
happened Boston, for he made great
mastering intricate duties of his profession Old
Jack Lang taught him every detail Of knot
seamanshp, until he could Hand, reef and steer
with any "A. aboard Captain Jones himself deigned
to supervise his lessons IN navigation and he even
frequently under the of the great Commodore
Decatur, by special favor dining with him
than once in the cabin of the United States
pleasant day in April, 1914, shore-boat was
down the river from New London toward the United
States Shortly afterward the boom of roared
out salute from the other frigate, and the idle OBJ
servers the Macedonian became of the fact
that some of distinction had boarded the flagship
Captain Jones the alert, therefore and
when few moments later Commodore Decaturs barge
pulled the stern of the United States
made for his ship he had everything in readiness
for reception. The commodore in his brilliant
form, was alone in the stern sheets There
in the barge stout auaint-lookig officer in
curious, od.fashioned uniform three-cornered
cooked hat covering his powdered naval wig.
Standing the quarter deck. watching the APP
preaching boat Captain Jones' eyes upon the fam
figure, with faint yet increasing
sense of recognition, who could be with the
dore. But it was two officers had been
mined he he o.
his old friend, Commodore Little the sometime
commander of the Boston.
The iron discipline of the ship prevented Master
Ned, standing attention with the n1idshpmen
on the port side of to receive the two
eonamedores, from making himself known but the
youngsters shining with delight for the
mons that he knew would soon be made commodore
S Little thoro. diseiplinarian himself do
glance at his adopted After standing,
chatting. on a few moments, by Captain Jones'
invitation, officers the ships cabin
and moment after the marine orderly guard
up officer of the deck, sauted informed him,
with the captains compliments, that he wanted to
Midshpman Boston,.
"Mr. Boston, said the officer, you're wanted in
the cabin
"Ay, ay, SIR answered the boy, touching his cap;
and n moment he in the presence
the of the old he loved who been
good him. he stopped in the door. saluted again.
at attention The three officers smiled
ingly at the evidence of discipline presented.
by love, Jones!" said Decatur, you must have
beautiful discipline this ship. Even natural anec
ton subdued by it,
Well Decatur returned the other, smiling, you
know I always held that natural affection
ITSELF should diciplined, should give way to
the customs of the service"
Quite right, quite right young gentlemen"
of the past apparently forgetfu
the that the he addressed longer mid
shipmen. But having demonstrated your discipline
should like to have nearer look at my boy and with
your permission"
AS he spoke the old gentleman opened his arms
and, with glad of delight Ned threw himself
Enthusiastically upon him.
80, So" said the old man, gently thrusng him
back arms length after hearty hug. and looking
him carefully The looks quite sailor doesn't he
Nay, boy blush to be called sailor Well,
always knew he would make one Ell, gentlemen? Do
you remember that christening the old Boston,
Jones' with Commodore Barry and you and Decatur for
godfathers and Talcott and B1akely and myself and
Jack Lang BY the way, where is man? you
know anything about him 90
HE my chief bo's'ns mate. answered Jones'
us that so? want you to give him up"
Give him up, sir! Why % In great surprise.
well, you see, Blakely-you remember Blakely,
of course ?-he of my naidshipmen when we
knocked Berceau into cooked hat, you know and
we picked up this youngster-well has been pro-