Chapter XXV

THE BALL AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

—Byron.

December was within three days of its close, and the people of Washington had chosen the night of the twenty-eighth for a grand ball and reception to the naval officers, whose victories had made their names historic.

Specially was Captain Stewart of the Constellation to be honored.

A brilliant company was gathered, and the White House never looked more lovely.

"Dolly" Madison was the mistress of the executive mansion, and we have all heard our fathers say how beautiful she was, and how charming as an entertainer.

Captain Hull of the victorious Constitution was present, and to add to the éclat of the occasion the captured colors of the Alert and Guerriere were draped on the wall.

Then there was a representation of the Constitution, rudely drawn, 'tis true, but it served the purpose.

Beneath it were the words:

"A bunch of pine boards, under a strip of striped bunting."

It wanted only a few minutes of midnight. The revelry was at its height.

A more brilliant scene could not be imagined.

The elegant toilets of the ladies, the gorgeous uniforms of the representatives of the army and navy, the bright court dresses of the diplomatic corps, looked dazzlingly beautiful beneath the light of a thousand wax candles held by multitudinous sconces.

An old-fashioned minuet was being danced, when a murmur passed through the room.

How it originated no one could have told, but all seemed to know that news of another victory had been brought.

The Secretary of the Navy left the room, and in a few minutes re-entered, accompanied by two officers wearing lieutenants' uniforms.

Men clapped their hands, women waved their handkerchiefs, and the scene was changed from one of terpsichorean pleasure to that of patriotic delight.

Then one of the lieutenants handed a document to the Secretary of the Navy, who read it in silence.

His face wore an expression of pleasure as he finished, and turning to the people he said in a voice husky with patriotic emotion:

"I have the proud privilege of introducing Lieutenant Hamilton of the good ship United States, who will tell you of an engagement on Christmas Day whereby the English lost their warship Macedonian, forty-nine guns."

If the cabinet officer had intended saying anything more, he was doomed to disappointment, for the people's cheers drowned all utterance.

When silence had been obtained, the secretary led another lieutenant forward.

"This, ladies and gentlemen, is Lieutenant Tempest, of the Lively Bee, privateer. He has to tell of the sinking of his Britannic majesty's ship Monarch, and the capture of the armed merchantman, the Caroline."

Again the cheers resounded, and Tempest saw himself reflected in the mirrors as the recipient of a glorious ovation.

But when it was known that the two heroes had brought with them the colors of the captured vessels, the enthusiasm exceeded everything imaginable.

Captains Hull and Stewart were commissioned by the President to bring in the captured trophies.

When they re-entered the hall, Captain Hull and Lieutenant Hamilton carried the flag taken from the Macedonian, while Captain Stewart and Tempest performed the same act with the Monarch's colors.

Amid the plaudits of the people the flags were laid before Mrs. Madison, who allowed the young officers to kiss her hand.

The order was given to proceed to the banquet hall, and the people were moving that way when Dolly Madison, catching sight of two boys waiting outside, asked who they were.

"Jack Creamer of the United States, and Bob of the Lively Bee. It was Bob, Mrs. Madison, who captured the colors of the Monarch——"

"Is that really true?"

The incident was told by Tempest, and when the guests had taken their seats Mrs. Madison made room on her right hand for Bob, the powder-monkey.

"The health of Commodore Decatur and the officers and crew of the United States," proposed the toastmaster, and our friend Bob, who thought the Lively Bee should have taken precedence, added in a loud voice:

"And don't forget the Lively Bee, privateer."