Some explanation regarding the method of dealing with facts as set down in this tale should, perhaps, be made. Let it first be understood that no liberty has been taken with the names or movements of those men or boys introduced herein. Much of the incident has been taken from manuscript, the correctness of which cannot be doubted, and all has been verified by refer ence to our standard histories. In no single instance has any departure been made from the truth, even though the interest of the story might have been in creased by a more decided flavor of romance, — notably during the time when the American ?eet lay in Presque Isle bay, useless because lacking men.