230 THE CALL OF THE SEA 



the harbour she was accompanied by scores of 

 pinnaces, yachts, pleasure-boats, barges, and a 

 schooner gunboat bearing several American naval 

 officers — all longing to see the fun. Bostonian 

 hearts beat high, and balls and suppers had 

 already been ordered for the return of the conquer- 

 ing heroes. In one particular they set an example 

 which the moderns have not yet copied — there 

 was no difficulty about keeping the course ; every 

 boatload of sightseers was most scrupulously 

 anxious to draw up well out of reach of the guns. 

 At five minutes to i p.m. the Shannon stood out 

 to sea under easy sail, and at one o'clock the 

 Chesapeake rounded Boston lighthouse after her. 

 When Captain Broke had got well into the open 

 he shortened sail to permit his opponent to over- 

 take him. It was late in the afternoon before the 

 Chesapeake drew near. She was then seen to be 

 flying three ensigns : at the main floated the Stars 

 and Stripes, and at the fore she displayed a big 

 white banner with the legend, " Sailor's Rights 

 and Free Trade." The motto implied Jack Tar's 

 right to sail in any bottom he pleased (a dig at 

 the search business), and the country's right to 

 trade without the leave of Great Britain, or France, 

 or any other Power. 



At 5.10 p.m. Captain Broke ordered his drums 

 to beat to quarters, and the crew stood to their 

 guns. Luckily the wind had fallen light, and 



