of the “Bon Homme Richard” was received by the affectionate and light-hearted French people. The French king, Louis XVI, who had his head chopped off a little later, presented him with a gold-hilted sword, and gave him so many honorable titles and degrees that he could scarcely hold them all. He received no end of flattery and attention. After a while, he thought that he would go to America, so he set sail in a little vessel called the “Ariel,” and arrived in Philadelphia in February, 1781. Of course, he took some prizes on the way back, and he received a welcome home that spread enthusiasm over all the land. The Continental Congress voted a golden medal to the conquerer, and great crowds cheered him, and followed him about.
It was a glorious time for the good colonists, and all were filled with hope and joy. Down in Virginia, Gen. Washington had Lord Cornwallis in a very tight place, and my Lord was beginning to feel that the only way out of it
