spite of his tender years.

All of these ships were converted merchantmen, hastily fitted out,
poorly adapted for any warlike purpose, and, with the exception of the
Fair American, exceedingly slow and unwieldy; but the heart of the
young commander filled with pride as he surveyed the little squadron,
which followed in his wake, looking handsome enough under full sail.
It was a great trust and responsibility reposed in his skill and
experience; doubtless it was the only fleet the country had assembled,
or could assemble, at that time; the ships were certainly not as he
would have desired them, but they were the best that could be got
together; and manned and officered by devoted men, they could at least
fight ships of their own size when the time came, and he trusted to be
able to give a good account of the enemy, should they be so fortunate
as to fall in with them. As for his own vessel, as his practised and
critical eye surveyed the graceful proportions of the new and
well-appointed ship, Seymour felt entirely satisfied with her. He
regarded with pleasant appreciation the decks white as constant
holy-stoning could make them, the long rows of grim black guns
thrusting out their formidable muzzles on either side, and the lofty
spars covered with clouds of new and snowy canvas. Everything was as
neat and trim, and as ready, as ardor, experience, and ability, coupled
with a generous expenditure from his own purse, could make them. He
was satisfied with his officers and crew too. Seymour's reputation,
his recent association with Paul Jones, the romantic story of his last
successful cruise, the esteem in which he was held by Washington, and
his own charming personality had conspired to render him a great
favorite, and he had had the pick of Philadelphia's hardy seamen and
gallant officers ere he sailed away. The three hundred and odd seamen
and marines who comprised the crew were as fit and capable a body of
men as ever trod the deck of a ship. Constant exercise and careful
instruction, and drill and target practice, had made them exceedingly
able in all the necessary manoeuvres, and in the handling of the guns.

Forward on the forecastle old Bentley was planted, surrounded by such
of the older and more experienced petty officers and men as he
permitted to associate with him on terms of more or less familiarity.
Not only the position he occupied, that of boatswain of the frigate,
gave him a vast importance with the