Promptly at noon, as the church bells on shore were striking the hour, Commander Passford mounted a dais, and his commission was read to the ship's company.

He then made a short speech suited to the occasion, and ordered the colors to be run up to the peak.
The ship was then in commission, and she was to sail on the tide the next day.

The subordinate officers and seamen then gave three cheers, in which every person seemed to put his whole heart.
Christy conducted Bertha to the captain's cabin, which had been restored to its original condition and refurnished.

A lunch was served to the whole party under an awning on the quarter-deck.

Mr.Drake, an eye-witness and actor in the battle, fought it over for the benefit of the ladies; and before night they all returned to Bonnydale, where it required at least three rooms to accommodate them during the evening..