The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20
The American Squadron Arrive.
CHAPTER XVII.


l. ROM the first of May, ever.
morning at daybreak, the mid
shipmen, under Mr.. Porter's di
rection, took turns in lookins
out Of their dungeon windows to see i
there were any signs OF the American
squadron in the ofing, and there wa
keen rivalry among them as to which
should be the first to report the sigh
OF their deliverance. 1t was not to any
OF the midshipmen, however, that thi,
privilege fell, but to Bulge.
On the morning OF June 1, just as tn,
rosy dawn flooded the deep blue, il
Ehone upon the impregnable hull and
great white sails OF the Constitution
with her consort, the Essex frigate, and
several schooners and gun briggs, stand
ing on under q good breeze. Bulge
who was always the earliest riser in
the whole ships company, had got ur
quietly from his place at the foot OF
Captain Bainbridges bed, and, slipping
70 the barred window, looked sea
ward.
=
ture OF the sail which was still three
miles away. He returned at once TO
the side OF Captain Bainbridge's bed,
and made so bold as to touch him.
Captain Bainbridge walked instantly
IF you please, sir" whispered Bulge,
\ The Constitution frigate and two
smaller ones and FIVE light vessels are
In the offing, sir"
No midshipman could have sprung to
the window more quickly than Captain
Bainbridge, or shouted oat more loudly
the inspiring news to the other officers.
There could be no doubt as to the char
acter of the squadron, and Bulge was
dispatched first to the midshipmen's
quarters. and then to the sailors with
the great news. AS he knocked at the
. door Of the midshipmen.s room and was
admitted Mr.. Porter caught sight of
extended from ear TO ear, and before
he could get out a word Mr.. Porter
said:
The squadron has come, 1 presume"
Yes, sir" answered Bulge; "the cap
tain told me TO say as much to you,
sir"
Instantly the midshipmen rushed to
their windows, scufaing and struggling
for precedence, and there-oh, glorious
sight,-shining upon the blue water
was the American squadron, the golden
light Of the rising sun tipping the
masts and spars with splendor and
making the white sails radiant These
ships had come to demand, for the last
time. the surrender Of the Philadel-
phia's company or else to knock at the
doors Of the forts and castle with the
laundering raps Of their great guns
and bring castle, forts and town tumb-
ling about the bashaw's ears.
The midshipmen crowded about the
two windows; shouted, roared, laughed,
sang and even cried little. That hour
Of Joy seemed to compensate them for
all their 1s months of captivity. They
could scarcely leave the window to eat
their breakfast when it was brought
by Salvatore Desio, and every minute
or two one Of the midshipmen would
jump up from the table and. flying to
the window. report some new observa-
tion, Dicky Falconer declared that he
recognized the American flag three
miles OF, at which he was supported
by Roger Thorne. At this Totten
thumped them both on the back, cry
ing:
You little beggars, you don't know
what you see. Consider yourselves
promoted for even thinking you could
see the fag."
There was evidently much excite
ment both in the town and the harbor
over the presence Of the American
squadron. The inhabitants dreaded
repetition of the furious cannonade of
Gen months before, and the forts and
vessels, all OF which had been terribly
damaged, were in no condition to resist
a determined attack. There was move
ment in the harpor. which was watched
by the eager eyes of the imprisoned
Americans, looking for a boat bearing
a flag Of truce from the squadron. They
ssw the squadron, led by the mighty
Constitution, shorten sail, and a Tri-
politan ketch come alongside the flag