e whistle from the busy deck or their snug hammocks, and, like
so many monkeys, jump up the shrouds, lie out on the enormous yards
while the frigate was plunging bows under in the tumultuous seas, grasp
the writhing canvas in their sinewy paws, and wrap it up close and tight
in the hempen gaskets. Man-of-war sailors, for battle, or gale, or
spree, every one of them.

On board that little consort near were about forty more of the same
sort, only older, more bronzed, and more deliberate and methodical in
manner, sipping their pea pottage after blowing away the steam, cutting
their pork after much reflection, and cracking their biscuit tranquilly.
Their conversation, too, was slow and dignified, each word well
considered before it came out, and never interrupting one another in a
yarn, as did the younger harum-scarum chaps in the big ship near. But
yet those weather-beaten old sons of Neptune, who had each one of them
seen sights that would make your hair stand on end to think of, could
handle that schooner when her low deck was buried waist-deep to the
combings of the main hatch in angry water, and make that Long Tom
amidships there spin round on its pivot, and never threw away idly one
of its solid globular messengers. Ay, trust them for that.

Then honor to them all, those gallant tars who have fought the battles
of our country by sea and lake, and upheld those Stars and Stripes
until they are respected to the uttermost ends of the earth! Glory to
them, ye wise legislators, who sit in council upon the nation's wealth
and grandeur! Think of the fearless arms that have shielded your
otherwise unprotected shores when circled in a ring of dreadful fire
from the guns of a haughty foe.

[Illustration: THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE "MONONGAHELA."]

And you, too, ye rich traders! whose valuable cargoes roll hither and
thither over the trackless deep, cared for by those toiling tars who
fight and bleed for the flag that waves o'er your treasure--in stinging
gale, with frozen fingers, or under burning suns, with panting
breasts--think of them when your noble ships come gallantly into your
superb ports, and unlade their floating mines of wealth into your
spacious warehouses, while you in your lordly mansions sip your wine!
Think of those arms grasping the shivering sail in the mighty tempest,
in the black night, and the coarse fare they eat, the sometimes putrid
water they drink, and the hard beds they lie upon, while you are
repo